Obsessed

95 (Colby's POV)

She was watching the entire thing with wide eyes, but I kept seeing her gaze flick down to my bleeding hand. She licked her lips before glancing up and meeting my gaze.

Could she possibly be craving my blood right now? Oh that was a little weird but I was here for it.

Once everyone's blood had been collected, Victoria reclaimed her spot in the circle.

"Now we shall cement your words with a blood promise, realizing that we are as One when we are united as this Council." She held the cup up, her arms outstretched in front of her, holding the goblet higher than her head. "Tonight is a night that we welcome our new leaders, our instructors, into our family. By drinking from this cup, our essence mixed as one, they will prove that they accept the responsibility of leading, protecting, and fighting for a cause that is true and just. Under oath, they will swear their loyalty to the Council." She brought the goblet back down and stood in front of me. "Do you, Colby Brock, take this position with an open mind, and the knowledge of what is expected of you?"

"I do." I replied.

"Then take this goblet and repeat after me." She said.

I took the heavy goblet from her, holding it in both hands, staring at the dark liquid inside for a moment before I brought my eyes back to hers.

"I, Colby Brock, leader of the Deviant Clan of Los Angeles hereby pledge my loyalty to the Council of the Los Angeles Vampires. To state that nothing will keep me from ruling a true and honest judgement against those who have wronged us. To protect and lead the ones in my care. I am The Council." I repeated the words that she had said, holding her gaze as I brought the goblet to my lips.

The blood was cold and disgusting. It tasted worse than day old bagged blood. It was dead blood.

I choked it down, and handed her the goblet back, before wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Welcome." She said with a small smile before moving on to Sam.

He repeated her words, then brought the goblet to his lips. I saw him almost gag as he swallowed the foul liquid. He coughed a little, and handed her the goblet back.

She moved on and he turned his head slightly to look at me. He stuck his tongue out and squinted one eye closed, with a disgusted look on his face. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing, but I nodded in agreement.

Soon enough, she made her way through the entire group. There were only about 4 others besides me and Sam, so it didn't take too long. She said some other words, holding the cup high, before pouring it onto the concrete symbolic symbol in the floor.

Edmond quickly threw a lit match onto it. We all jumped back as flames unexpectedly shot up to our waists.

"What the fuck?" I yelled, just as Sam said "God Danngit!"

There were a few little giggles throughout the room, and Victoria was covering her mouth, laughter dancing in her eyes.

"Did I forget to mention that part?" I just gave her a deadpan look, which made her laugh harder. "Oops." She replied, before setting the goblet down. "The ceremony is complete. You have each pledged your lives and service to the Council. Tomorrow evening will be our first order of business." Her eyes found mine again, then flicked to Sam. "Finding a new leader for the Deviant Clan. Until then, tonight is a celebration. Our feeders will be in soon. Please help yourselves and enjoy the night."

The others started towards the multiple tables, just as Victoria and Edmond did. So Sam and I followed lead, making our way back to our tables. Kat and Chloe stood up as we neared.

I held my arms out as soon as I got close enough and wrapped them around Chloe's waist, pulling her close to me. Her head was against my chest, her smaller arms wrapped around my back, holding me tightly.

"I'm so proud of you." She choked out.

I pulled her back so I could see her face, noticing that there were tears streaking down it. I chuckled a little and brought one hand to her face, wiping her cheek with my thumb.

"Why are you crying?" I asked.

She blushed, her scent filling the room, as she shook her head. I heard others sharp inhales as they caught a whiff of it too.

"I'm just so happy for you. This might not be something that you expected, or even wanted to begin with, but look how far you've come. From a little band nerd from Kansas, to the leader of the entirety of the LA clans. I'm just so proud." She cried, burying her face back into my chest.

"Excuse me." Someone said.

I looked up, seeing a random vamp that I didn't know standing to the side of me. I didn't like the way he was watching Chloe, licking his lips as his nostrils flared.

"What?" I barked out.

His eyes flicked up, meeting mine.

"Um, yes, when you're finished with that feeder, could I borrow her? She smells delectable."

Chloe's head shot up, as her body shrank away from the vamp. I honestly don't know why she still does that. I guess it's instinct.

We're made to frighten humans, unless we chose otherwise.

"She's not a feeder, you dimwit. Fuck off." I snarled at him, closing my arm around Chloe and turning her away from him.

His eyes widened as he looked from me to her and back again.

"Oh! Oh. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. Wow."

"What's going on?" Sam asked, stepping up next to me, holding Kat's hand.

The vamps eyes rested on her then.

"Another human!" He looked at me, as if questioning if she were a feeder.

I shook my head harshly, glaring at him.

"Well. This is unusual. I saw them come in with you, obviously. Just assumed they were feeders."