Chapter 108

Chapter 108
a/n: I think this is the last longer chapter?
Noah
I showed no emotion looking at the humans at the top of the stairs, ready to come down and serve everyone at the large, intricately carved oak table…. Victor sat at its head, while Rolland and Anuli sat at his right… Lucian really didn’t come, which essentially killed his social status.
Or at least I think so. Not showing up when your king does will look beyond bad to the vampires; it looks disloyal to their cause, whatever it may be.
“Vel len uplineev preakloveen.” Said Victor casually. 
And down the humans came down the stairs by his command. They were in two-by-two formation, splitting off once they reached the bottom of the stairs. There was a total of thirty lords to serve including us, while the rest of them would dine in the other venue outside.
15 sat on either side of the table, with me between Victor and Jerold. While Rolland and Anuli were on the right, we sat across on the left. I felt like I was in danger here, being directly next to a legend that can walk through walls…. I could almost taste the bloodlust in the air as they anticipated a taste from their king’s private collection too.
I felt like if I got up, and went ten paces from my mate, I’d be killed.
“Ve Ve,” chuckled Victor. “Tel ka enlia priveet Select, Romania, hav Kenya, dRagon, y helklinni Faehree, Vel House tuq Good Taste.”
They clapped.
I clapped the same time as them. 
I knew enough from what I heard… Those people were bred to be here; that sounded like he said they were his private selection…. Bred from many kinds of fae, but kept human enough to be human…. So maybe an ancestor was half dragon and they went from there…
But also, they were watching. I’m sure the entire table, even our people who came, would want to know how I handled this part…. going home isn’t an option.
The way they organized it, is that the lower classes wouldn’t even get a chance to mingle with the vampire lords, only the select few leaders, and possibly a thrall as a plus one…
Or be a king apparently. 
Everyone here spoke vampiric, it wasn’t out of rudeness, but more that I was in their territory, and they were comfortable.
“Lev la vellin nelauk na Victor.” Said Jerold, but I wouldn’t know what they conversed about.
“Ha ha! Lekthen beliv nak greth!” Victor beamed. 
My mate didn’t glance my way, and I fucking hated it here.
I know Jerold felt the same, being around such nobility… If he shows the concern I feel, I will be even more of a target. There is no compassion here, no love, no sympathy.
I am the sandwich allowed to have a seat at the table, and talk about the humane treatment we should give the bologna. 
… They really know how to make a party, one so extravagant, even sitting here in my finest, I felt poor. My suit was tailored, I had proper posture, but I didn’t learn anything about their etiquette.
I figured it would be convoluted and over the top…. But I was a good fake. 
As they sat there, a fellow human had an IV in her veins, but someone dressed like a nurse lowered the tubing to each cup.
“Ezt 13-8-7B” Said Victor. “Favor.”
…His favorite wasn’t dressed in white like the others. The woman without a name wore a V-neck red dress that went to her ankles, while the earrings on her ear were at least 4ct diamonds a piece…. Her necklace was covered in teardrop diamonds to match, yet she still wore a collar with Victor’s name on it.
That was the one they used to show off, or take to private events. The tattoos underneath that collar are for when they venture into the human world… And I felt for her. She looked absolutely terrified to spill a drop, and embarrass her lord. The flutes were filled to the brim, but when she got to me, she hesitated.
I knew I was going to have to do this eventually.
If I don’t, it will make Jerold look bad… If I do, I’m giving into Rolland’s stupid plan. 
Fuck he looked so smug.
“Nana tekiv na Choose, Dear Noah?” Rolland asked politely, and neutrally, but his tone inflected enough that the other vampires chuckled a bit.
“Ney Rolland. Manner.” Said Victtor, waving his hand dismissively. “Nah choose Naoh, vine?”
“Ney, tekiv na choose.” I said knowing at least to imitate a few fucking words here. 
And at least with my Polish heritage, I had an accent that could fake it until I get my hands on some lessons. Victor knew I faked it, but Rolland looked pissed. He wanted me to embarrass myself, one last thing to make him look superior or something.
He wanted me to look and sound illiterate, and look a fool…. I’m going to anyway if I can’t keep a straight face either.
But I wouldn’t allow it… I was invited to dine with lions; a salad won’t cut it… Damn I wish that was an option.
“Ney.” Said Jerold. “Neckt est ghahool nepfvt geisten.”
“Est Noah ov choose.” Said Victor.
“Ey est Choose.” I said in their tongue.
She poured my glass as full as the others, four in total, then she was allowed to retire. Everyone was served in moments, and with a wave of victor’s hand, I heard their plan… I could understand enough… My heart breaks for my people, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
\----Jerold----
“This is a fine blood ball.” Said Victor. “Go ahead turned of my First Turned. Speak the plans of your progenitor.”
“Thank you, my lord.” He bowed as he stood, kissing ass while betraying Lucian.
Ha, the irony.
“A Toast, to the new couple, on behalf of my progenitor.” Noah didn’t skip a beat, raising his glass with us… Fuck he’s good, too good for his own damn good! Why didn’t he listen?!
I don’t care if I look like a fool in front of these idiots!
“- know, we have quite the potential here, with all the fresh blood born here every day, yet, there is only one blood bank here. The meat mortals are only drained during harvest, since they don’t run a large operation down in the Markets.” He said firmly, and I was a little pissed at myself that I only partly heard his introduction. “Lord Lucian proposed a solution.” He said as if it took everything in his power not to take credit, and say I proposed, but he cleared his throat.
The room was silent, and we allowed him to speak.
“Operation Blood Bank is a testament to our ability to herd the lower creatures.” Said Rolland, forgetting that he was once human. “Of course, we should pick whose lines are protected before we begin. Phase one is creating an environment were moving up in society is difficult. Something easily accomplished by creating a vacuum. No good, easy work, no money. No money, desperation.” 
They nodded. I remained stoic... 
“As we build our empire, we dismantle the chance they had at theirs. Crush the hope early, and the rest will follow. Take the food out their mouths, and they will come begging for handouts.”
“I mean to mitigate some of the suffering.” Said Anuli enthusiastically, although the rest of the vampires silently scoffed at best, dismissed her words completely at worst. After all, Rolland is speaking the words of Lucian, not himself. Technically, neither of them would be dining here at all. They would be in the venue outside. “If we are to chain them, they should be fed dogs, or they may bite their owners. Crush them too harshly, and mortals began being born with priest abilities and second sight.”
“To avoid dealing with future generations of priests and hunters, I will aid in whatever funding you need.” I said casually, and many nodded approvingly. They didn’t like me, but they didn’t want to put their money into anything that didn’t directly feed them.
“Thank you, your highness.” Said Anuli.
“Right. Anyway, Lord Lucian has put such a trivial project to me while he searches for the master’s mistress.” Said Rolland.
“Ah yes, I believe my personal project may attract the master.” Said Victor. “The blood I’ve tasted from the line I am about to share is so decadent, that I had to make a rating system for it. This mortal line has been mixed with approximately 18% fae blood, though the next generation should be less. The rating of this blood is SS, I believe the first of its kind.”
They raised their glasses one more time… 
I hated admitting Victor was right about the flavor. It was rich as chocolate, smooth as cream, sweet, yet slightly salty, as if the rim of my glass was salted. The warm liquid was as inviting as entering a boutique, artisan bakery, one ran in a small town and used their family recipes. I found myself having trouble with self control… If someone bit that woman, she’d be dead. I don’t think anyone could resist it.
Yet, knowing my mate had to endure this took any joy out of it.
“It’s absolutely marvelous.” Said Noah, copying the phrases from the other vampires without an accent whatsoever. One would think he could actually speak the language…. There was not a single trace of distress in his voice, nor did he hesitate. He swirled and smelled it like a fine wine, and sipped it the same pace as everyone else.
His mental fortitude is something else… A weaker man, not just a human, would likely be broken from having to deal with me, and the bullshit I’ve dragged him through…
“What’s her rating.” I said feigning for my mate that I was fine. If he can do it, I will for his sake…. Such efforts won’t be wasted. “Forgive me for not remembering her number.” 
“There’s no issue Battle Bull, it gives me an excuse to talk about my project. So, 13-8-7B is my 13th generation from the 8th son of 12-3-5B. Her blood honestly is SS and ½, so I know I can do better…. That sow gave me quite a few choice keepers, but 12-5-2 to 12-5-9A had all different fathers. Of all of them, 3-5B had the richest consistently while in my care. I also found my methods generated watery, inconsistent blood when they ate the natural diet, so I switched to ManChow Advanced.”
“The Chili flavor I hope?” I asked trying not to say anything more.
“As in Just chili flavor?! Bah, my mortals aren’t dogs my friend!” Victor laughed. “I found out with 9-3-18A that a kind hand produces better product.” He bragged proudly. “They choose. I have a little dispensary in their kennels and they can eat whatever they like. I separated the males in House A, and the females in House B though. They get regular checkups too; I won’t have them unhealthy. All mortals must be disease free, vaccinated, regularly tasted, and regularly checked for unauthorized bites. I wish I had not dismissed her so soon; you would love her personality.”
“I’m sure I would.” I said casually.
Fuck I need to get out of here. This place is pissing me off.