"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."
-Harvey Fierstein

The enchantress guided me out into the dim hallways of the Academy, where disarray reigned. Voices rose from every direction—some shouting, others sobbing uncontrollably—blending into a cacophony that grew louder with every step. The elegantly dressed woman walked beside me, her presence unwavering, though the sharp click of her stiletto heels became lost in the frenzy surrounding us.

"The word is getting out that you're off the bidding list. The event will be very hectic tonight." She allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.

"Andrea!" a deep voice called out, catching the woman's attention.

The man who had directed me from my prison earlier barreled through a group of people scrambling to make last-minute arrangements. He snarled at them, hardly slowing down as he approached us. My breath caught in my throat. The intensity of his glare sent a thrill through me, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. My hand found hers, gripping it tightly in panic. She gave me a slight glance as she stopped to turn around.

"Hello, Taric. How can I help you?"

"I don't know what you did, but I know you did this. She was supposed to be mine!" His eyes darkened as he pointed his finger harshly at me.

A tense silence followed, the air thick with the heft of the unspoken challenge. Andrea's typically graceful posture stiffened, her hands curling into tight fists at her sides. The light from the hallway seemed to flicker, casting shadows over her pale face and highlighting the fury that simmered beneath the surface. Her platinum hair, usually immaculate, clung to her face as if caught in a gust of wind, adding to her increasingly menacing aura.

Taric, in contrast, stood tall, his shoulders squared and eyes gleaming with arrogance. He towered over her, his body coiled with the strength of a predator ready to strike. Despite his bravado, a flicker of unease shifted in his expression—too brief to be noticed by anyone other than someone paying close attention. He turned his weight slightly, his muscles tensing to prepare for what unfolded.

The space between them crackled with palpable tension, the moment hanging on the edge of chaos.

In less than a breath, Taric moved inches from me. Andrea's body slumped against the wall, giving him the freedom to shove me to the other side. The surge of anger that flared up inside me was foreign after being dormant for so long. A fire burned through my core, fueling my mind to race for a way out.

The slow heat began to rise from the pit of my stomach, and a snarl built in my throat. I didn't know what had come over me, but instinct took hold. I reached for Taric's arm. I knew fighting back stood futile, but I might have a chance if I could distract him long enough for Andrea to heal.

Gripping his arm with all my strength, I pulled him closer. Without thinking, I lifted my head and crashed my mouth to his. His surprise loosened his hold slightly, but his hands wandered elsewhere.

Trying to gain more leverage, I raked my teeth across his bottom lip. A low growl rumbled in his chest, and his hands suddenly tangled in my hair. My feet touched the ground, and I clutched his shirt, pretending to enjoy myself, letting him take the lead.

Then, a thought clicked. He may have been supernatural, but he was still a man. I pushed his chest, breaking the kiss. Hunger flickered in his eyes, and the black of his succubi instincts surfaced.

I forced a seductive smirk—though it probably looked more like a grimace—and he smiled, ready to dive back in. That's when I drove my knee into his groin with all I had. In an instant, he crumpled to the floor.

I rushed to Andrea. Her fingers twitched; I had to buy extra time. She would hopefully recover to put herself between me and the enraged man I had just taken down. I didn't fully understand the supernatural body or its resilience. I thought it would take more than being thrown against a wall to knock out a Wicked, but apparently, even a succubus's strength was something not just humans feared. Then again, I never imagined the meager strength of a malnourished human could bring a supernatural to his knees.

I knelt beside Andrea, processing her slow recovery, when the cold bite of steel grazed my throat. Taric yanked me away, forcing me to face him. "You'd do well to behave. You're nothing more than a hyper-realistic sex doll—used and discarded at an owner's whim."

"You are not my owner!" I screamed, spitting in his face, being the worst idea I'd had in such a short period. I wasn't built this way. Where did this defiance come from?

The rage in his eyes burned with fury overtaking his pupils. The blade sliced through my skin, and the warmth of blood trickled down my neck.

"You will release her right now!" A commanding voice echoed through the hallway. The atmosphere fell deathly silent—a calm before the earth-shattering storm. "Do you think it wise to lay hands on property that is not yours?"

I couldn't see the speaker's face, but Taric could. The blaze in his eyes quickly turned to fear. He dropped the knife and, in one swift motion, fell to his knees, head bowed.

From what I knew of history, only vampire royalty could freeze a person with sheer presence. My palms turned icy, and my heart stopped.

Taric's voice broke the silence. "I'm sorry, my Queen. Please forgive me. I lost control. I will accept my punishment."

The word "Queen" jolted me, and I couldn't help but turn to look. She was undeniably beautiful—no, that word felt inadequate. Her chocolate curls cascaded down her back, illuminated by a subdued glow from within, casting an ethereal light in the faint hallway.

Her face was smooth and delicate, with a smattering of freckles across her cheekbones and button nose. Something inviting existed about her—an aura that made you want to confess your deepest secrets. Her eyes, though, were the most captivating. They stared at me with such intensity that I forgot all of it—the danger, the blood at my neck—and melted into her liquid gold gaze.

An irrational jealousy stirred inside me. Not over the Queen's beauty or elegant clothes, but because of how she carried herself—regal, untouchable. This woman would never have to worry about someone holding a knife to her throat or reducing her worth to nothing but sex or labor. She lived a life I could solely dream of, and I would have given anything to switch places.

As I studied her, the woman took her time assessing me, her gaze searing yet gentle. She smiled faintly, then turned to Taric. "Your punishment will not come from me. I'll leave that to the Academy. You are their property."

The Queen barely acknowledged Taric, who trembled on the floor and turned her attention to Andrea. Andrea was slowly stirring, her hand pressed to her head. Seeing her awake, I couldn't restrain myself. I darted past the Queen without hesitation and knelt beside Andrea.

Andrea was the sole being who had shown me the slightest bit of respect, and despite every instinct telling me to fear her and all supernatural creatures, I needed to make sure she was okay. "Andrea. Andrea! Can you hear me? I'm so sorry." My fingers touched her head, though I didn't know what to look for. The healers did it when I suffered a nasty head injury.

A small smile tugged at her lips. "I'm fine, sweet pea. Relax. My vision is just disoriented. The light is harsh for my pupils, but I'll return to normal soon."

I stayed beside her, watching, waiting for her to open her eyes when a quiet 'ahem' interrupted. I stiffened, realizing royalty had come to my rescue. Then it hit me. She hadn't come for me out of kindness. No, she came because I was now her property. Her family—or perhaps she—had bought me. I wasn't saved. I was theirs.

I took my hand off Andrea and turned to face the Queen. Dropping to my knees, I bowed my head, heart pounding.

"Andrea, darling. Can you continue your duties tonight, or should I send someone to take you home?" Her footsteps echoed closer, making my breath catch in my throat.

The stories about the royal family replayed in my mind. Every creature either feared them or was fiercely loyal. Their power stood unmatched—no one dared cross them. Their eldest daughter had once razed an entire village in a rage when her heart broke. The woman now standing near me was her mother.

"I'll be fine, my Queen. My vision is clear, and the headache is fading. He just struck me in the wrong spot." Andrea rose, and I fought the urge to look at her.

Unable to help myself, I peeked through my lashes. Andrea looked steadier now, though a little shaky. Then I watched, stunned, as she embraced the Queen.

"Thank you for letting me know her auction was today," Andrea said, her voice hushed but filled with emotion. "I've waited so long."

The Queen returned the embrace, just as fierce. "Marie would be grateful you've watched over her. Please, take care of her. She's endured too much."

Andrea glanced my way. Our eyes locked briefly, and she gave me a slight wink, sending a wave of confusion through my whole body.

As the hug ended, I quickly dropped my gaze to the floor. Andrea's heels clicked toward me, and she gently touched my shoulder. Leaning down, she pressed a supple kiss to my head. "Take care, sweet pea. Life will be different now, I promise."

She lingered for a breath, then straightened with a sigh. "Farewell, my Queen. Safe travels home."

Andrea's fading footsteps vibrated the stone. Then the Queen snapped her fingers, and two distinguished figures approached. She pointed to Taric, blubbering on the floor. "Take him to the head office. Inform them that he disrespected his Queen and ignored direct orders."

A quiet "Yes, ma'am," followed as they dragged Taric away, his sobbing growing fainter as they disappeared down the corridor.

The Queen then took hold of my arms, lifting me to my feet. Her touch sent a fresh wave of confusion crashing into my mind. I looked at her, struggling to accept my new reality—my new master. I forced my emotions down, burying them deep, preparing myself for the life ahead.

As I retreated into numbness, she gently shook me by the shoulders. "No, don't think like that. You're safe now."

Then, to my shock, she pulled me into a warm embrace. I stilled, my body stiff, my mind struggling to comprehend what was happening. She released me, cupping my face in her hands, her gaze piercing mine. Without another word, she took my hand, and we began to walk.

The world blurred around us, and all senses slipped away until we reached a podium in front of towering iron doors crackling with electricity, making my body's hair stand on end.

The Queen announced her identity, and the sizzling ceased as the doors swung open as if they were weightless.

We approached a sleek black SUV. As the driver opened the doors, she pulled me into another brief hug. Her perfume filled the air, stirring something profound within my memory.

Then, she whispered, "Your mother would be so proud of the woman you've become, Madelyn."

This rewrite has brought me so much joy. Everything flows much better now. I'm officially looking into Amazon's publishing options, so watch out! You might be able to get a physical copy before this is even finished being uploaded!

I would love your encouragement! Please leave comments as you see fit, and don't forget to ★ V O T E ★

FINAL EDIT: 01/25/25
I will not edit this again on Wattpad. Any further changes will be kept in a published-only version.