The Last Offering

The bet

Asier

I looked at the tiny human. She had her neck, wrists and ankles chained together, she was adorned in a white dress and even got a few jewelry. She looked so calm. She stared right into father's eyes, and from the grin of the old man I could tell that she caught his eyes. But why? Why does he have to do this to his own son? To put a nuisance like this in my neck... This is not a challenge, the old one just wants to see me struggle... I groaned in frustration as I couldn't figure out what father saw in this little blood sack.

- What's wrong with you? - I asked out loud but suddenly a calm voice answered.

- Excuse me? - Did this thing just spoke? I leaned closer to check if someone was pulling my legs or I heard it right. The girl kept looking out of her head so I just asked.

- Did you just talk to me?

- You made a question to me. It's only logical to answer. - Why is she not scared? I shook my head in disbelief and laughed.

- You are probably too shocked to comprehend what's happening. You are being sacrificed for us! - Fear! If you start crying I might end your life quickly. That's what I thought, but this pipsqueak just shrugged and in the same calm voice she said.

- Nothing new under the sun, but in your case I should say Moon.

- What do you mean in our case? - It can't be that she knows what we are...

- Isn't it obvious? You are vampires.

- What the actual f**k?! - I took a step back and turned my head from side to side. How is this little thing know about us? Why is she not afraid?

- Do you want me to answer or may I keep quite? - she asked and I just couldn't stand it anymore.

- You don't need to answer to all the questions I say out loud! - she nodded and I groaned in frustration.

- What was your name? - she looked at me and bowed.

- They gave me the name Ultima.

- Follow me, Ultima. - she nodded and I headed to my father. I need to talk with him but cannot leave a human alone in this castle. I took a look behind me to see if she still follows and she did, but the sound of the chains became very annoying.

- Stop. - I ordered and she stopped. How boring... I broke the chains from her ankles and wrists, but left the sacrifice collar on her neck, to make sure she knows her place. She bowed and followed me again, now at least in silence. We arrived to my father's office and I hit the door.

- Father! We need to talk! - the door opened and he grinned at me.

- Asier! Did you already figure it out? - he asked and seeing my pissed off expression he laughed.

- I guess not! Come in. - I walked in and nodded to Ultima to follow me.

- Father, this is ridiculous. This human is no better than an obedient hellhound. Look. - I turned to her and said.

- Sit. - she sat down.

- Stand up. - she stood up. My father just watched the scenario from behind his desk and kept smiling as usual. It was f*****g annoying.

- See. There is nothing special about her!

- Really? I find her fascinating! Please, pardon my son's insolence, you are the second sacrifice he saw, therefore he has not much experience with humans. - Father really addressed this snack directly. What was even more weird is that she bowed and smiled slightly.

- Understood. - she said and I looked at my father. He was four hundred years old this year, this girl it the fourth sacrifice he saw. What makes her so special?

- Father, tell me about the previous ones. - I've requested and he leaned back in his chair.

- Are you asking for the assistance of the audience? Fine, but it will come at a cost.

- What do you want in exchange? - I asked and he leaned on his desk smiling like a teenage girl which sent a shiver down my spine.

- You'll get three hints, not more. If you use them all up, that girl can order you around for a day. - I felt my jaw dropped. I turned around to see what expression she makes, but she was staring at us like a statue.

- You can't be serious...

- Do you need help? - I clenched my jaw and mumbled.

- Yes... - father clapped his hands together and I could tell he was more than delighted to torture me.

- In this case, take a seat. Ultima, you can also sit down. - she took the order and sat on the floor, while I hopped on the sofa.

-The first sacrifice I saw, was the oldest daughter of Bartholomew the seventh . She was a brave one with great loyalty to her Kingdom. I was excited to see a human sacrifice and I had so many questions, but as soon as she arrived she screamed " FOR THE PEACE OF ADANFORD!" and stabbed herself. The second one, I met, was the youngest one of King Bartholomew the eight, she was dead by the time she crossed the portal. Her heart stopped by fear. Poor little thing, anyway the third one was the illegitimate daughter of King Bartholomew the ninth. She finally managed to speak with us. She was terrified and cried all the time, she begged for the peace but to let her go. You already know what her fate was , son.

- Is that all? Is this why this thing is special? Because she is not the daughter of the royal bloodline of Adanford and she is not afraid? - father grinned.

- That makes her simply interesting, but that's not what I meant when I told you that you must see what I saw. - he looked at Ultima and winked at her saying.

- Don't help him. - she nodded.

- I won't, your Highness.

- I really like this one! - father laughed and got up. He walked to me and pat my shoulder.

- Don't be sad Asier! You still have a whole week! Anyway, you are my only son, so sooner or later, the throne is yours. The only question is, is it gonna be sooner or later? And that's up to you! See you later son! - he just waltzed out of his office leaving us there. I heard a low grumbling sound.

- What was that? - I asked and Ultima lifted her hand like kids in school.

- Why are you making that sound?

- I haven't eaten in four days, your highness. - Four days... Is that a lot for humans? I got up and told her to follow me. We went to the kitchen where there was also some fresh blood. I asked for a cup of it and handed to the girl. She was staring at it for a moment and before she could've drink it a servant took it away from her.

- Your highness! Humans can't drink blood!

- What does this thing eat than? - I asked the servant. She was some kind of human hybrid and she bowed.

- The same kind of food your highness eats at the banquets. - seriously... I'll have to keep the sacrifice alive for my sake? I'm sure none of the previous kings did something similar... Why? Why is my father the first prankster of the family line...?

- Feed it with whatever it can eat. - I've ordered and the servant hurried away. Soon she came back with some soup, bread and pasta.

- Eat it. - I ordered and Ultima eat the food. Hopefully that annoying noise will stop now.

- If you are done, follow me. - she got up thanked the food and followed me like a well trained dog. Are all humans like this?