Chapter 112: Lycan Queen's Prey Chapter 39

Yet his words make little sense to me. “But why?”

“When the treaties were created amongst the sixteen kingdoms, Regan’s kingdom was on the brink of a revolt. The people were being forced to donate blood each month to the vampiric kingdom; all kingdoms must supply blood each month since it’s the vampiric kingdom’s food source; Regan’s people initially refused; they weren’t happily supplying the kingdom, that a year before was at war with them.

They wanted to fight back, despite the potential consequences. The donation is necessary to keep the peace, especially after the previous war with the vampire kingdom, but the humans didn’t see it that way.”

“But the purges each month...”

“It started with a group of teenagers who lost their parents in the war. They led a rebellion and intended to face the vampires. Regan knew if they did, the vampires would wipe them out. So, he made a decision. He condemned them to death, intending to stage their deaths in front of the vampire king to keep him satisfied, and the people in line. He had Lyon place nets at the bottom of the mine. Despite his Wrath, Regan isn’t heartless. He knew Lyon would inform me. He needed to instill fear in his people.”

“Then how did you come to save them?”

“He knows Lyon doesn’t have the resources to take his people in, so he asked Lyon to bring them to me, which obviously made me ask questions; I believe that was intentional.”

“But if he knows, why keep condemning them to this fake death?”

“Because Regan’s people kept trying and going against the treaty, he had no choice but to rule with an iron fist, to keep his people in line. They believed he would kill them over petty things, over not donating each month; they were too scared to step out of line.”

“So you continued to save them.”

“Yes. I set up nets to catch them at the bottom of the mine shafts. It worked. They haven’t revolted since, the crime rate dropped, and the resistance to blood donation faded. So, he kept the laws, the facade, in place.”

“I still don’t understand why he would turn a blind eye?” I tell him.

“Regan has been the head of our kingdoms for decades, overseeing us all instead of my father; he is the one that keeps the treaties with the other factioning kingdoms; the high kingdom is elected to oversee the other kingdoms, so only one kingdom from each one represents all kingdoms of that faction or species however you want to see it.”

“So he is covering up that you have them?” My brows furrow in confusion.

“Yes, each month, we have to hand our supply orders over, trading between the kingdoms; vampiric kingdoms are the most cutthroat out of them. Of those that rebel, he tells the kingdom they are dead, which explains the shortages on his end. Every six months, the 16 kingdoms are brought together to discuss the treaties, the council room is spelled, and no one can lie in that room.”

“So if they ask him where his people are and why there is a shortage, he tells them he killed them.....

and that is why he doesn’t go to your kingdom....” I sigh.

“Correct, seeing is believing by turning a blind eye and not seeing for himself. Technically, he is killing them while praying I save them.”

“And if you didn’t save them?”

“He’d have found another way, probably kick them out to find their own way, but it would end in death;

there would be nowhere for them to go. But that option is better than killing them, but he also knows I’m a glutton, and saving them would become an addiction,” Zeke tells me.

“But why didn’t he tell me before I rejected him?”

“Regan was caught in a bind, Zirah. Yes, his Wrath made him do some regrettable things, and his Lust for control drove him to maintain the facade, but the reason he kept this from you goes deeper than that. James was there with him.”

“Why does that matter?”

“Because James is a hybrid, a citizen of both the Vampire and Lycan kingdoms. He is neutral to both.

James told you earlier he plays for the winning side. That’s because he is on both.”

“He would betray his own family?”

“If his hand was forced. But no, I don’t believe he actually would, and that is why he warned my father of the vampire king’s son being killed.”

“Wasn’t your father with him?”

“I never knew that until my father and James returned, which explains why my father knew so quickly about what happened when we found you that night.”

“What do you mean?”

“James is the middle man, as he is a citizen of both kingdoms. He’s also the Vampire king’s hitman.” I blink at him, at those words.

“But you said he wouldn’t kill family?”

“The vampire king doesn’t know James is my father’s illegitimate half-brother. No one knows, but James is also how we always get our information about the vampire king,”

“He’s your father’s spy?” Zeke nods.

“But Regan also doesn’t trust him, not entirely. With good reason, therefore, he couldn’t risk James finding out about me keeping his people. Jame hates that he does the monthly purges, but he doesn’t know it’s essential.” Zeke tells me.

“What do you mean?”

“James also attends the six monthly meetings. Therefore, he is the witness to the treaties and can’t lie.”

“But why would he feed your addiction to saving people?” I ask, confusion etched on my face.

“Regan knows us, his brothers, better than anyone. He knew that saving those people would become an addiction to me, gluttony for salvation if you will. But there’s more. Regan’s kingdom has always been the largest supplier for my kingdom. Yet, with my kingdom’s overpopulation, it’s still not enough.

Our poverty rate is high because of it. Unfortunately, for now, it’s the only way. Regan keeps them from going to my kingdom and never comes here.”