Defect of Servitude [Book #1]

"But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated."
-Ernest Hemingway

"Madelyn, what are you talking about? Why are you so frantic?" Helen regarded me as if I were about to explode in her study. Which was precisely how I felt. I struggled to get the words out.

"When a substance is in a human's bloodstream, it can affect the drinker, right? What if we sent someone—willing, of course—to Denallsh, and he drank from them while they were under the influence of a heavy-duty tranquilizer?" My words tumbled out in a mess, the urgency clawing at my throat.

Helen's expression shifted to one of concern, but before I could explain further, the King's booming voice cut through the tension, making me jump.

"What nonsense is coming out of your mouth? Do you hear yourself?" He strode up to the desk, towering next to his wife. "You want to send an innocent person into his hands? Not to mention, how do you plan on getting him to accept someone's blood while they're incapacitated? By a tranquilizer, no less?"

"Self-activated capsules. There's a substance that reacts instantly in humans. It can incapacitate within half a second, spreading evenly throughout the body—immobile and unresponsive." I paused, a sharp pain piercing my chest at the thought. My voice softened, almost a whisper. "But you're still aware of everything around you. Anything that happens to you..."

Helen's worried gaze shifted to one of sadness and pity. I had grown to despise that look during my time here. I shook my head, pushing away memories of the past, willing myself to hold it together for just a few more minutes.

"We allow a person who is willing to help serve their Queen. I know many are loyal. They will be informed of the full risks in detail, and if they still wish to help, they should," I concluded, meeting the King's gaze. His expression shifted, almost startled.

As he turned away, I could have sworn he muttered, "It's like she's back from the dead."

Helen pinched the bridge of her nose, her usual gesture for deep contemplation. "Okay. Let's give this plan a moment of thought. So, we get him to drink the contaminated blood. Then what?"

"I'll retrieve him." My response came without hesitation. There would be no exceptions for that part of my half-plan. When it came to quick thinking, I was confident mine was the sharpest. Helen had even acknowledged that during our earlier discussions about the gene.

"Absolutely not!" Helen snapped, her voice cutting through the room. I blinked, surprised by the volume. "That is a chance we can't—"

"Helen, dear." The King's voice was unexpectedly soft as he intervened, starkly contrasting the tension in the air. "How often have you told me that Madelyn has the fastest working mind, in and out of combat? Even Denallsh would have a hard time keeping up with her."

"This is out of the question. I will not have Maddie in that situation. End of—"

"Helen." I cut her off, the shock in her eyes silencing her. "This is non-negotiable. I will be the one to get him from his manor. If the plan goes wrong, I won't send someone else to do a job I can handle best."

"And what job would that be?" Helen snarled, her lips pulling back to bare her teeth. The sight sent a jolt through me, and the urge to retreat was challenging to ignore, to keep my mouth shut and avoid the confrontation altogether. But that was the old servile me, and I had no intention of letting it surface now.

I took a steadying breath, wiping my face free of harsh emotion. "The job of fighting Denallsh, one-on-one."

The King stared at me in shock, his expression a mixture of disbelief and concern, while waves of Helen's skepticism radiated off her. It was clear neither of them expected my bluntness, but I was exhausted from being protected. I possessed power, knowledge, and a responsibility to safeguard the people slowly becoming my family.

Straightening my shoulders, I stood tall. "I have to do my part to defend our family."

Helen hung her head in defeat, knowing she had lost the argument before she could utter a word. The King, still regarding me with a scrunched nose, clapped a hand on my shoulder, shaking my entire frame.

"I hate to ruin the party, but how do you plan to get to him? His manor is heavily guarded at all hours, and everyone sees you as a prize. No offense." Commander Cole entered the study, clad in his typical suit and tie, exuding a confident presence.

I met his gaze, unfazed. "Well, I was thinking of a distraction. At the manor's territory line, we'll have a group leap on and off the line, triggering the alarms repeatedly. The guards will rush to investigate, but Denallsh won't be bothered by it."

I had devised this plan during my frantic dash to the office. Every territory had an alarm system that pricked guard member's skin. I recalled the first time someone had tripped it while trying to sneak out on one of my patrols. The sharp shock running down my spine felt like lightning struck me on a perfectly clear night.

Cole rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "That sounds plausible. Let me speak to the Guard to work out a more in-depth plan. We should have debriefing packets ready by the end of the day." As he turned to leave, he paused beside me. His quick nod of approval sent a surge of pride through me.

Helen and Gustav began whispering in a flurry of conversation, clearly deep in debate. I took that as my cue to slip out, my body heavy with exhaustion.

The hallway was quiet, unlike the rest of the manor which bustled with life. I stole a deep breath, forcing my legs to carry me down the corridor toward my room. The sounds of laughter and footsteps echoed faintly as I neared the top of the stairs. They seemed distant, as if part of another world filled with light and ease, while I was drowning in the hurricane swirling inside my head.

As I approached my door, Becca leaned casually against the frame, her vibrant purple hair catching the light. Relief hit me like a tidal wave. Without thinking, I closed the distance between us in a blink, throwing my arms around her torso. I buried my face into her, feeling the steady warmth of her presence. She laughed softly, the sound as familiar as home, and her arms wrapped around me in return, holding me in the embrace I desperately needed.

We stood there, neither of us moving, content to exist in that moment. Her arms tightened around me, and something shifted inside my chest, loosening the knot of tension that had been strangling me for hours. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Long day?" Becca asked softly, her voice teasing but laced with concern.

"You have no idea," I mumbled into her shirt, feeling the weight of everything finally ease.

"Honey, I understand you need comfort, but I'm still a human. Your hugs hurt." Becca giggled, and I flushed in embarrassment.

"Sorry, Bec." I pulled back, sheepishly rubbing the back of my neck. "Sometimes I forget I must be careful with certain things—like hugging a puny human."

We both burst into laughter, clinging to each other despite the teasing. "Not gonna lie, though—I feel like poo on a cracker."

"Physically or mentally?" she asked, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward my room.

We headed to the balcony, pushing the doors wide open and letting the breeze sweep in. Sitting in the small nook just inside the room, I let out a long sigh. "Mentally."

"Wanna talk about it?"

That was all it took for everything to spill out—the panic in the portal clearing, deciding to see Jaxon in the medical wing, finding him treating that human woman so horribly, and the reckless plan I devised to go after Denallsh. "So even though I should be focused on this plan—which, by the way, is bound to get someone killed—I can't stop thinking about him. All the time!"

A frustrated groan escaped my lips, more like a growl than anything else. Becca laughed, and I couldn't help but follow her lead, flipping her off in exasperation. She just shook her head with a knowing smile.

"Maddie, you need to remember something—he isn't human. From what you told me, he wasn't being horrible. She broke a serious rule. In other manors, she would've been thrown into a dungeon until she sobered up and then drained to death."

I hung my head. "I'm just looking for excuses, aren't I?"

Becca gave a slight nod. "Looks like it. Let's call Evan for some greasy comfort food."

While we waited for the food, Becca caught me up on everything I'd missed. She and Evan were officially dating now, and she blushed a deep red I hadn't seen on her before. She also mentioned seeing Harley and Annie sneaking into a storage closet near the gardens and that Draven had been acting nicer to everyone lately.

I silently waited for her to mention anything about Jaxon, hoping I hadn't missed something, but she just shook her head.

"I never see him. Well, there was that one time he wandered through the garden looking frustrated, but that's normal for the Prince of Supernaturals, right?

I nodded, feeling my chest deflate a little.

"So, Nikki's funeral is tonight, right before dawn," she whispered, rubbing her eyes gently.

"What's a vampire funeral like?" I asked. "Human funerals are really sad. Everyone is dressed in black, and the body would be on display for people to say their goodbyes." The idea seemed bittersweet—offering a last farewell to Nikki.

Becca shook her head. "Vampires try not to mourn the dead. They live so long that they don't really see death as a tragedy. Their funerals celebrate life. It's actually lovely. Everyone wears white."

"Celebrating life." I paused, letting the thought bring a flicker of peace. "That does sound beautiful."

Becca grabbed my hand while shoving fries into her mouth. I couldn't help but laugh at her and, of course, copied her actions. Just then, a sharp beeping sounded in my ear—the communication device I wore as part of the Guard.

Helen's voice crackled through with urgency. "We've found someone willing to help. She's on her way to the office now, and I'd like you here to explain everything."

I quickly swallowed my food and agreed.

Becca hugged me tight. "I'll find you something to wear to the funeral and leave it on your bed."

I shouted a quick thank you as I sped down the hall toward the office. It seemed shockingly fast that they had already found someone willing to fall into Denallsh's hands.

When I stepped into the office again, the tension was thicker than when the King had been there. I halted mid-stride. Standing beside Helen was the Prince, carved from stone like some masterpiece of the finest sculptor. My feet refused to move any farther into the room. Even as Helen cleared her throat, trying to remind me to breathe, I kept my gaze locked on the floor, refusing to let my eyes travel higher than his shoes. I could feel the weight of his stare burning into me.

Helen gestured toward a chair, urging me to sit. Then, I glanced at the person who was about to make this dangerous plan possible—and I froze.

It was the same woman from the hallway incident.

Her eyes darted nervously between Jaxon and me, back and forth, like a rabbit waiting for the predators to pounce.

After another tense moment of silence, Helen finally spoke. "This is Lena. She's been briefed on the plan and has agreed to the risks. This meeting is to review everything in detail, from beginning to end. Commander Cole is debriefing the distraction team—Draven, Harley, Jordan, and Azalynn."

My heart clenched painfully at the thought of them being involved. If something went wrong, I'd never forgive myself. I could feel the Prince's stare again, drilling into me as I glued my eyes to the wooden desk before me.

Helen continued, her tone steady. "Lena, this should be straightforward for you. Once Lord Denallsh accepts you as his giver for the night, you'll need to bite down hard on the capsule hidden in your tooth. It will paralyze you completely, but Maddie will already be on her way by then. She'll do everything in her power to keep you safe."

At the mention of my name, I saw Jaxon stiffen from the corner of my eye. Before Helen could say more, Lena interrupted, her voice trembling slightly. "Will it...hurt?"

"Being paralyzed? No," I answered, my gaze still fixed on the floor, staring at a small nick in the wood. "But being fully aware of everything around you, unable to move, not even an eyelid? Yes. It'll be terrifying." I paused, letting my words sink in. "You need to prepare yourself. Humans fear losing control of a situation more than anything—even death. I know that fear well."

The room fell into a heavy silence. The heat of Jaxon's gaze intensified, scorching me, daring me to look up.

Lena's voice broke the quiet. "Thank you...for being honest."

Lena spoke softly, her eyes filled with gratitude and even awe instead of the pity I became used to. A wave of confidence surged through me. That look made me feel brave rather than pathetic, something I hadn't felt in a long time.

Helen cleared her throat, and though a glimmer of sympathy still lingered on her face, she was all business. "Maddie, you'll be able to slip into Denallsh's manor about three minutes after the distraction starts. Your sense of smell has heightened enough that finding him in his home should be easy."

"By the time you reach him, he should be neutralized. Draven will meet you to escort Lena back, and you'll handle Denallsh." She paused briefly, her expression sour as if the plan left a bad taste in her mouth.

Given my shorter frame, I questioned how I'd drag a six-foot man back to our manor. Then I remembered—I'm far more powerful now. My abilities had grown beyond anything I could have imagined. Carrying him would be like hauling buckets of water for a regular human—straining but manageable.

I let my mind run through possible scenarios, analyzing them like the defect screen always did, mentally preparing myself for every move and counter. The conversation faded as I focused inward, but I could still feel Jaxon's gaze searing into me.

I noticed Lena signing a piece of paper. Then, she shook Helen's hand and gave me a small smile before leaving the office.

If I thought the tension was cold before, the temperature dipped into arctic degrees. I wouldn't back down. Not at that moment when something so important was about to happen. I had to have a clear head. I had to be strong on my own. I had to-

My thoughts were interrupted by a shiver from the sudden absence of his gaze. I looked up to see his retreating back.

We watched him leave, trying to stand tall, but I could see the sag in his shoulders. I knew Helen could, too. She opened her mouth to say something.

Raising my hand to stop her, I squared my shoulders and deeply breathed. "Nikki's funeral is soon, and I should be getting ready. Thank you for helping me put the plan in place."

I turned toward my room. People passed me with bowed heads of respect, and for the first time, I wished they would stop. The thought that I did nothing to deserve their respect wrapped its fingers around my mind. If anything, I deserved to be locked up. My plan was our best option, but lives were going to be put in danger.

To top it off, I've built even more tension between myself and the future leader of all Supernaturals. Just a short while ago, I thought I could open up to him—let him in. But now, I'd come full circle, back to square one, terrified of being hurt again.

My thoughts spiraled out of control as I slipped on the white dress Becca had laid out. 'A celebration of life.' The idea made me smile briefly, only for it to turn into a pang of regret. We wouldn't be celebrating life if I'd been more alert—if I'd acted faster. I could've saved her. I stumbled into the bathroom, the weight of guilt dragging my shoulders down. I caught my reflection in the mirror.

A stranger stared back—a broken outsider with sunken skin and bruised eyes. My hair had grown longer than I liked, awkwardly past my ears, where it usually had to be slicked back with gel. Now, it framed the stranger's face, making her look deranged. Her eyes were hollow and shadowed.

Gripping the sink with both hands, I fought the tightness in my chest, trying to breathe through the suffocating pressure.

My knees buckled, and suddenly, I was on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Everything hit me at once, like a boulder crashing into my chest. Flashes of the past few nights blurred my vision, and I realized I was hyperventilating—dizzy, the faintness of oxygen deprivation closing in.

Amid my panic, someone slid down behind me, pulling me close. Without hesitation, I gripped their shirt like it was my lifeline and let it all out—everything that had been building inside me since the auction day. My anger, my sadness, the betrayal. I emptied myself entirely until there was nothing left.

A small voice in my head told me I knew who this was. And that was precisely why I shouldn't be doing this. I didn't want to look into his eyes. Even though the sobs had quieted into harsh hiccups and gasps, he didn't move. He seemed just as reluctant to break the fragile silence creeping in.

Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. With a heavy sigh, I forced myself to my feet, still avoiding the Prince's emerald gaze. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

He remained silent and motionless. When I finally glanced at his face, my heart raced. Despite everything I had seen him do and all the reasons I should question and dislike him, my nerves ignited at the sight of him.

As my heartbeat quickened, he reached out for me, but I shook my head. "The funeral is starting any minute. I'm also sorry for ruining your suit. Again."

Without another word, I dashed into the hallway, grappling with why I kept running from him.

Will Maddie realize that her curiosity about the Prince will outweigh her fear of no longer being human? Find out next time!

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