Tanya was too afraid to turn. So close to the action, she was fearful of being noticed.

Another wail, louder this time.

“Put me down!” the woman shrieked. It seemed Tanya was not the only one there that didn’t want to be chosen.

Tanya moved with the crowd as the guards passed, the woman was slung over the shoulder of the head guard. She kicked and screamed. The big vampire didn’t seem to notice though. Tanya caught the look of sheer terror on the young woman’s face.

This wasn’t right.

How could this be allowed to happen? Tanya looked around her at the multitude of willing ladies. Women that were practically throwing themselves at the vampire kings. Why did the SOB have to go and pick one of the few that wasn’t interested?

Tanya took a few steps in the direction of the platform. Not happening. She stopped.  She didn’t want to get involved. Couldn’t afford to. She didn’t even know the girl. It wasn’t like she could change the situation even if she tried. This ritual had been going on for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years.

A large group of women at the front screamed to Zane that he pick them instead. One of the young ladies even lifted her top.

The king didn’t take his eyes off his chosen woman the entire time that his guard maneuvered through the crowd. They narrowed though as they got closer. The girl screamed louder.

“Please don’t do this. Please, I beg you.” The screams had turned to sobs at this point.

Tanya couldn’t bear to hear them. Each word struck a nerve.

Zane nodded in the direction of the waiting SUVs.

“Oh God, please no,” she was sobbing in earnest.

The nerve quickly rubbed raw until Tanya couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop!” She marched in the direction of the vampire king. “Stop that at once. Let her go.”

Neither king took any notice. Maybe some of the others in the crowd were feeling the same way as she did because the women parted to let her through. “What you are doing is nothing short of barbaric.”

The crowd hushed.

“She doesn’t want to go with you. Let her go right now.” Tanya projected, sounding more confident than she felt.

Zane glanced her way before turning in the direction of the waiting vehicles.

“This is a sexist, disgusting tradition that needs to be put to an end. Why can’t you choose someone that’s actually interested in going with you? Why does it have to be her?”

He turned back, his dark eyes zoning in on her. Her breathing hitched. Her heart rate increased, a whole damn lot. I just had to get involved. Couldn’t leave it alone.