Victoria in Media.

Claire POV.
Edited.

Victoria instantly stands to her full height. Her shoulders are high as she stares straight ahead. She never once makes eye contact with Xander, and she somehow controls her human urge to blink.

I take a second, a single moment to look at her, really look at her. She looks the same. I mean it's only been a couple of weeks, but Xander has treated her well. She's still extremely beautiful. She's wearing a tight long black dress that reveals too much cleavage for my liking. Nonetheless, the dress was made for her. She looks very polished, way more polished than a mere slave.

A long slit travels up both sides of her dress, revealing her slender legs and flawless porcelain skin, scar-free of course. She's always been the perfect little pet, not even a scratch. She's a very attractive girl with a face like an angel, but looks can truly be deceiving. Victoria is the devil's child, if not the devil herself. Memories of how cruel she really can be flash inside my head.

* * *

I close my eyes and imagine a world where I don't have to listen to the leech teacher asking the class to repeat after her.

"As a slave, I should do this . . . As a slave, I shouldn't do that . . ."

If I have to listen to this slave-lecture bullshit more, my head may explode. I really don't understand why they have to drill how they always have thrall over humans into our heads.

They won. We lost. Big fucking deal.

Why can't they just let us be?

I imagine a time when my race is out of chains, free from dictatorship. Free. Free. Free. Yes, I'm in my own little world, dreaming and tuning her out completely.

That's until Ms. Fox directly asks, "Claire, are you too good to repeat after me?"

Uhh!

I open my eyes and take a quick glance towards other Claire's direction. To add fuel to the fire, of course, the entire classroom's attention is on me. They're all waiting for my legendary sarcastic remark. They all know that I don't give a flying fuck. I may even be the only one in this classroom with some balls.

No, I take that back. I may be the only human in this entire school with some balls. I mean, what's the point in sucking up to these leeches? They want to drain us dry, either way, so fuck it!

I clear my throat and reply, "Of course I am, Ms. Fox, but you already know that."

And here come the fireworks and the chorus of giggles. As expected, a couple of giggles fill the room, and Ms. Fox's eyes flash red.

I roll my eyes. I can't help myself. I mean, seriously, how many times do I have to provoke her to just end me? God, I can't wait until the day I turn eighteen so then I can escape this bullshit once and for all.

My own eyes flash with amusement and of course, my lips turn upward with my legendary smirk.

Ms. Fox is in front of me in a heartbeat.

Vampires and their fucking speed.

Before I know it, I feel her hand collide with my face. The effect of her smack echoes throughout the room, and all the giggles completely subside. Well, all except Victoria's. She continues to giggle, obviously enjoying Ms. Fox's retaliation.

My hands ball into a fist, ready to give her a taste of her own medicine, but Ms. Fox beats me to the punch, sinking her fangs into the side of my neck. Her teeth pierce my veins so deeply that I can't hold back the high-pitched scream from escaping my lips.

It's the first time that any human has ever been publicly fed on in this school. Ever.

The entire class stares at the scene with wide eyes and horror-filled faces, all with the exception of one. Victoria watches the scene with a smirk. Her laughter overtrumps my screams. She enjoys the show. She enjoys my suffering.

* * *

I continue to analyze Victoria, assessing every detail of this polished she-devil. She remains standing with her head held high and her shoulders straightened. This girl perfected the craft of playing the part, from top to bottom, effortlessly.

Xander has her full attention, but she hasn't acknowledged me once since she's been in the room.

I hate how she still, somehow, makes me feel invisible, even after our selection and placement into the vampire world. It's as if we never met, as though we were complete strangers or something. I wish, for her sake at least.

Obviously, my reaction doesn't go unnoticed.

Xander suddenly seems taller as he says, "This is Claire, as you already know."

Jerk's face is still listening to my thoughts. I see.

He continues with amusement, "She is the chosen of King Nicklaus. Even though she's still human and is nothing, her status is considered higher and more valued compared to yours. I expect both of you to get along and guide each other in your new roles as the kings' chosen."

Get along? That's never going to happen, and did he just say she's his chosen? His chosen.

My eyes snap in Xander's direction, and my stomach turns as his sentence sinks in. Xander made her his chosen. Of course, he did. He was under the impression that we were friends, thanks to my reaction at the auction. To make matters worse, he placed me on a pedestal. I don't like it one bit.

I will already receive backlash from the other slaves, with me being King Nicklaus's chosen. And now, I have to worry about the sneaky red she‑devil? There's no doubt in my mind that she will try her hardest to plague my character. Victoria doesn't like coming second to anyone, especially another slave.

His voice seems to darken as he asks, "Do you understand what I'm indicating?"

"Yes, sir," was her short reply.

"Good. Why don't you assist Claire with preparing for dinner, after showing her around the slave quarters? Claire hasn't had a chance to see the slave quarters, and she needs to pack. We have a long journey ahead of us. I expect both of you to be full and well-rested," he continues without waiting for a response.

"My items are in King Nicklaus's room," I call out right before Xander reaches the door.

He turns to face me and raises an eyebrow.

"Every good chess player was once a beginner. Please don't forget to add 'sir' when addressing me in front of other players."

Xander's voice echoes in my head.

Huh?

"Say sir out loud, Claire," he answers, "and apologize."

Oh, I stare at him wide-eyed before giving him my best bow and saying, "My apologies, for speaking out of line, sir."

He nods his head in approval, and a ghost of a smile tugs at his lips.

"Practice makes perfect."

Xander's words once again float inside my head.

"Your items have been delivered to a private room in the slave quarters, slave," he addresses me out loud. He grabs a suit jacket off the coat rack that I didn't notice. He strolls out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

I can't help but roll my eyes.

Jerk's face.

"I heard that, brave one."

Stay out of my head, jerk face.

He chuckles.

I swear it feels like we are actually having a conversation.

"I'm trying, but you make it so hard. Don't forget to play the game, and play nice."

That's easy for you to say . . . I'm the one left with a she-devil.

He chuckles again and then he's gone, leaving me alone with the she‑devil, who is currently eyeing me from head to toe. Her eyes travel to meet mine. Her stare is full of hatred and her voice sarcastic as she states, "You're still a troublemaker, I see."

I ignore her passive-aggressive behavior. Remaining silent is sometimes the most effective approach.

"How could you possibly get kicked out of the king's room so quickly? He must have gotten tired of the boring fuck?"

You know what? Screw this.

I walk past her and can't help but bump her shoulder in the process.

"Unfortunately, King Nicklaus didn't have the pleasure unlike King Xander, who obviously didn't enjoy his time with you. I mean, that has to be the only reason he made it a point to state the fact that my status is . . . How should I say this? Considered higher and more valued compared to yours," I sass, making my point to recite his words just to get under her flawless skin.

Victoria's eyes instantly widen.

Hahaha! How's that for passive aggression? I usually would have ignored her, but she asked for it.

Before I can open the door, Victoria catches up with me, taking a hold of my shoulder.

"Listen here. I don't care what King Xander says. You will always be beneath me, and deep down inside, you know that."

Someone's mad about their fall from grace. If I was her, I'd be mad too.

This is going to be fun, I think to myself while snatching her hand off my shoulder.

"Oh really? That's not what you stated to King Xander moments ago when he informed you of your position. As I recall, you simply agreed with a 'yes, sir' and a bow of your head, completely ready to open your mouth and cater to his every need, just like the red-headed slut that you are."

Victoria's eyes narrow instantly as she catches my insult. She's about to snap back with one of her famous comebacks when someone his throat from behind us.

We turn in unison, only to be met by King Cyrus. A puzzled look covers his features.

Victoria lowers herself into another curtsy. Her neck bends to the side in complete submission.

He ignores her presence completely and focuses on me, assessing every inch of my curves, and I honestly don't know how I feel about that.

He clears his throat and questions, "Have you forgotten that you're in the presence of your superior?"

"Sorry, sir," I reply to him, curtsying and trying my best to mimic Victoria's actions.

It may not have been as graceful as her curtsy; however, I did manage to do it. King Cyrus must have approved of my attempts because I could feel his attention shift from me to her.

"Why are you here, slave, or should I say red-headed slut?" he asks, and I try my best not to laugh.

She's not going to show her irritation in front of him. Obviously, she is too good of a slave for that. But, she's pissed. I can practically feel her wrath tucked away under the fake smile that she gives.

"King Xander directed me to escort Claire to her chambers, sir," she speaks with a soft voice, once again putting on a great show.

I stop myself from rolling my eyes. This girl is good, maybe too good.

"You're dismissed. I shall escort Claire," he replies with a smile.

My heart rate increases.

I'm like a magnet to these kings. One leaves and here comes another. God, please save me.

Victoria cast me one more glance before turning on her heel. They literally click with every step.

King Cyrus heads in the same direction Victoria went, and I don't have a choice but to follow. He walks at a slow pace down a hallway that I haven't seen before.

I really want to check out my new surroundings instead of fidgeting with my hands and keeping my head down, but I have to play the part.

Our walk to the slave quarters is actually peaceful and quiet until he stops in his tracks. I can feel his eyes on me again, staring me down, studying me.

"I wonder if you taste as good as you smell, Claire."

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