12: Meeting the leeches

"Are you ready?" Sebastian asked as we waited outside of the dining room. Again, not my absolute favourite place in the world.
"Yes, Sebastian, I am." These words, I could verify, were one hundred percent false. I was not ready at all to meet the other nobles, and the unbelievingly revealing clothing I was in was not much help. In fact, I was practically shivering in the pair of black heels- torture devices really- I was expected to trot around in.
Sebastian didn't seem to notice though, in fact, he was more concerned over the fact that I did not nod my head and he nodded in approval.
"Good girl. Now, let us begin the unimaginably excruciating task of introducing you to the leeches." Sebastian took my hands, his cold, and mine slightly warmer. The gesture was endearing, as if Sebastian were saying, 'you and I are in this together', and unfortunately, we were, for better or for worse.
As soon as we entered, all chatter stopped, and my heart did too as I glanced around the table which now seated a considerable number of hungry vampires. Pale, beautiful, red-eyed women who sported on clothes more revealing than the ones in my wardrobe. Gorgeous men with dashing smiles and fanged teeth who were dressed to perfection in semi-formal wear and expensive shoes. And to the far corner of the table... Liam, who watched me with a devilish smile. I looked away from him immediately, and then up at Sebastian who led us to our seats at the table.
"Introduction... and please, do it correctly this time." Sebastian asked.
I gulped, nervously. The last time I'd been in this position I'd completely made a fool of myself. But not today, today I'd make not only Sebastian proud, but my mother and father as well.
Slowly I stood up, cleared my throat and began, "Hello. My name is Phoenix Ackerman. Daughter of Queen Athena and Alpha Denzell." After I'd gotten the words out, I immediately sat down, in the hopes of hiding my shaky knees.
The entire table went up in chaos as the vampires conversed and chattered, no doubt in shock.
Sebastian leaned in closer to me and whispered, "That was very well done, Phoenix. But next time, no shaking. I could practically hear the chattering of your bones."
I smiled up and thanked him. It was a big step for me and for him, it was an indication that I had begun to take this situation seriously.
"Hmm, I think I’ll take this little moment of chaos to introduce you to the leech families. Those fine people over there-" He gazed at the group of people right towards the front section. They were, according to Sebastian, the Smiths. The young woman totally clad in black with her hair in delicate black curls and her icy blue eyes fixed on me, was Amelia Smith. Next to her, sat her brother, Thomas, a young, redheaded man with her icy blue eyes as well. On either side of them were, according to Sebastian, their mother, Lila and two fathers, Samson and Trent, respectively.
"...Two fathers?" I asked.
Sebastian nodded, and began explaining, "It is not uncommon for vampires to have multiple partners. It is a widely accepted practice in fact. Vampires live an eternity, and as such, some of us chose to spend that eternity with multiple other vampires. The Gregory's over there-" He now pointed next to the Smith family, "are made up of three children, Samantha, Gordan and Triston, two mothers and two fathers. The only two families consisting of a singular set of parents are the Chases and the Howards. They are notorious for monogamy and frown upon polygamy and polyandry, for the sake of their rich and exclusive lineage."
I glanced over towards the family of strikingly beautiful blondes, in total amazement and curiosity. Was it even possible to have so much of love for so many people? As a werewolf, I was taught we were only destined for one person, our mate... but my dad clearly defied that practice as well.
“Did my mother… have more than one partner?” I asked curiously, wondering if there was someone else out there who knew more about her than I obviously did.
Sebastian looked down at me, smiled and then said, “Your mother only had eyes for your father since the moment they saw each other all those years ago… but that’s a story for another day.”
I nodded, and then returned my gaze on the multitude of husbands, wives and children. “It is quite strange to me… having more than one partner. I mean, I am not against the idea… I am just amazed at it.”
Sebastian chuckled and then explained further, "You see, it is human and werewolf society that has come up with various rules and restrictions with regards to sexual and intimate relationships. Here there is no such thing. Love is, in essence, just love."
I looked at Sebastian, once again in awe of his wisdom. It was at times such as these that I truly felt the age gap between the both of us, and not even his youthful face could hide it.
I wanted to ask him, if he’d ever loved anyone or if he’d ever gotten married. I wanted to know who he allowed to break through those thick, formal walls he had constructed around himself. But I knew that it would be an inappropriate question, especially considering the professional relationship we shared.
Sebastian then spent a few moments going over the next few families at the table. After the Gregory's were the Andrews, consisting of a family of three mothers, a father and one child, Felicity. She a was pale, bored looking young woman, and looked to be no older than me. Her black hair was in a pixie cut and she wore piercings all over her body and was covered in tattoos. She seemed quite intimidating, until she glanced over at me, with soft hazel eyes and shared a sympathetic smile. I guessed she was not quite fond of the dining room either. Next to them were the Ryans, only consisting of two mothers and a father. They housed two children, twins known as Kyle and Darren. They were handsome and both had dirty blonde hair and smiles dashing enough to knock the wind out of anyone who took a glance at their faces. Finally, sitting right next to the Chases who, evidently had 'misplaced their bad tempered, aggressive son, were the Johnsons, a family of gorgeous, milk chocolate vampires consisting of two fathers and a single mother. They gave birth to only one child as well, a young woman with the most beautiful curly black hair and striking green eyes. Her name was Aaliyah, a beautiful name for the most beautiful female vampire at this table.
By the time Sebastian had completed his introduction, the goblets had finally come and, much to my dismay, one was placed in front of me. It was filled up only three quarters of the way with the rich, red liquid.
"Take it slowly. You should not rush. Try taking small sips, hmm," and then he moved closer towards me, making my breath hitch, "if you are a good girl and manage to finish it all, then later I will bring some normal food up to your room. Understood?"
I was just about to nod, but quickly remembered I needed to be vocal. "Understood, Sebastian."
I took a sip, a movement which was carefully eyed by Katherine, Delilah and Liam who, no doubt, remembered the last time I had drank blood. Much to my relief, the tiny little sip of blood made its way into my stomach without much trouble, and both Sebastian and I relaxed.
But it seemed we had relaxed too soon, as the questions began.
"So, and Ackerman? You must be a hybrid then. What's it like being the... freak?" It was a question from Terrance Ryan, one of the Ryan husbands who sat across from me.
Sebastian raised his eyebrows, instructing me to speak and stand up for myself. I, however, was not ready for such an action, which was clear by my next, shaky, few words.
"I-I um... well-"
"What kind of question is that Ryan. Could you leave the girl alone? Can't you see she's trying to eat in peace." It came, surprisingly from Liam who gazed at the man in raw distaste.
"What's your problem, asshole, I'm just trying to get to know this bitch here. She should be grateful, a noble, such as myself, is gracing a wolf, such as herself, in a moment of conversation."
By now the conversation had seemed to prick at the interest of the other vampires at the table.
"He's right, Liam. It's quite degrading to have someone like... her at the table." Said Kyle.
Someone like me? The people sitting at this table barely knew me, and here they were, ready to reject me because of the blood that flowed through my veins. It had me on edge, the whole idea that I was not good enough... that I was never good enough for anyone. And so, I sunk into my chair, trying to keep my cool, as the argument ensued.
"How dare you!" This came out of the mouths of both Liam and Sebastian, silencing the whole table. Sebastian, I could understand, but Liam, I could not. What possible reason could he have had for standing up for me? He barely knew me as well.
"How dare we? Do you honestly expect us to sit here and act as though we are happy that a filthy hybrid is sitting at our table? We won't stand for this! This bitch... we'll drive her out."
"Over my dead body..." Liam seethed.
Delilah turned towards her son, unimaginably enraged by his words and gave him a heated slap across the face. "You watch your mouth boy! The only thing you are good for helping this family take the throne and that's it. Don't prove that you're even more worthless by defending that dog!"
Liam held his cheek in his hand, looked down at the table and kept quiet. And that was when I saw it. His burning hatred towards his mother... no, not just her, but the people sitting at this table. And it then occurred to me that, although I hadn't developed any sort of relationship with him, or given him any reason to like me, Liam seemed to be the only person, along with Sebastian, who thought I belonged here... and who thought I was more than just a hybrid. Even if he did see me as some sort of interesting plaything, it was better than being a piece of dirt under the shoes of the nobles. And, although I knew I needed to ignore him, I couldn't help but catch his enraged eyes and offer a reassuring nod of thanks, making his hazel eyes soften. It was the least to be done on my part, considering his overbearing, horrid mother who treated him as some sort of tool.
But I knew that this little act of kindness would need to be the last on my part. I knew better than to trust the nobles... even if they did consist of an evidently, partially broken Liam Howard.
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Team Nobles or Team Hybrid?