_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5">Morning arrived with a melodious bell tone echoing through the Mixed Heritage section. Thrall 7249 woke instantly, years of sve conditioning making it impossible to ignore such summons. For a moment, he was disoriented by the comfortable bed and private room—luxuries still unfamiliar after just one night.

  He quickly washed and dressed in the blue garments provided, then joined the other specimens for the morning meal. Breakfast was simple but nourishing—warm grain porridge with sweet syrup, fresh fruit, and even a small portion of meat, a rare treat for someone raised on sve rations.

  "Eat well," Sestra advised, sitting beside him. "Today's an exhibition day. Lord Vexarious is hosting visitors this afternoon."

  Thrall 7249 nodded, focusing on his food while listening attentively to the conversations around him. The other specimens seemed both resigned and anxious about the upcoming exhibition.

  "The steward was marking new arrivals for dispy," another mixed-blood mentioned, gncing toward Thrall 7249. "They always showcase the fresh specimens."

  Before he could respond, an attendant appeared at the entrance to the dining hall. "Attention. All new acquisitions report to Curator Vexis immediately following breakfast. Blue section, third corridor, exhibition preparation."

  After finishing his meal, Thrall 7249 followed the directions to a rge chamber where several other new specimens from different sections waited. Among them, he recognized the water demoness and albino from the carriage journey. Like him, they had been dressed in garments color-coded to their respective sections—green for the water demoness, indicating the Elemental Wing, and white for the albino, marking him as part of Rare Pigmentation.

  They stood in uncomfortable silence until a tall, elegant demoness entered the room. Her resembnce to Lord Vexarious was evident in her amber eyes and the graceful curve of her small horns, though her features were finer and her manner more precise. She wore an eborate gown in the deep blue and gold colors of House Vexarious, with numerous small crystals embedded in the fabric that glittered with each movement.

  "I am Curator Vexis," she announced without preamble. "I oversee all exhibitions and manage the daily operations of my father's collection. Today, you will be presented to distinguished guests from Houses Noctavian and Bloodfang. This is an important exhibition, and you will conduct yourselves appropriately."

  She moved along the line of new specimens, examining each with a critical eye and occasionally making notes on a crystal tablet she carried. When she reached Thrall 7249, she paused.

  "Half-blood, northern variant. Interesting coloration in the skin tone and eye pattern. What abilities do you possess?"

  "None that I'm aware of, Curator," he replied, keeping his gaze lowered respectfully. "I'm just a half-blood."

  Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Everyone has something of interest. What tasks were you assigned in the sve quarters?"

  "Kitchen work, cleaning, basic maintenance, Curator. Nothing requiring special skills."

  She made a note on her tablet. "Very well. During exhibition, you will be dispyed in Section Three, Position Four. Attendants will direct you. You are to stand still, maintain proper posture, and respond to questions if addressed directly by myself or a noble visitor. Do not speak otherwise."

  Thrall 7249 nodded his understanding. Curator Vexis continued down the line, giving simir instructions to each specimen. When she finished, she addressed the group.

  "You will now be taken to the preparation area. Specialists will ensure you are properly presented for exhibition. Remember, your appearance reflects on House Vexarious. Any specimen who creates difficulties or fails to meet exhibition standards will face consequences."

  Attendants led the group to another chamber where various specialists waited. Here, Thrall 7249 experienced treatment entirely foreign to his life as a common sve. Attendants trimmed his hair, cleaned under his nails, and applied subtle oils to his skin to enhance its natural coloration. One specialist examined the small horn buds that marked his partial demon heritage, using a fine cloth to polish them to a subtle sheen.

  Throughout this process, he maintained his carefully crafted persona—compliant but unremarkable, showing neither resistance nor particur intelligence. The attendants treated him as they might an exotic animal, discussing his features openly as if he couldn't understand.

  "Interesting mix in this one," commented a specialist as she applied oil to his forearms. "The skin tone suggests northern human bloodline, but the gold flecks in the eyes are more common in southern demon variants."

  "Lord Vexarious has been seeking specimens with unusual eye patterns," replied another. "This one might be positioned in better lighting to highlight that feature."

  When the preparations were complete, the specimens were given light refreshments and allowed to rest briefly before the exhibition. Thrall 7249 used this opportunity to observe the other specimens more carefully. Most seemed resigned to their role, though the albino demon trembled visibly, clearly terrified of the upcoming dispy.

  "First exhibition?" Thrall 7249 asked him quietly.

  The albino nodded, his pink eyes wide. "I was in the mining sector before. Never seen nobles up close."

  "Just stand still and look straight ahead," advised the water demoness, her voice gentle. "It will be over before you know it."

  A bell tone signaled the end of their rest period. Attendants appeared to escort them to the main exhibition hall—a vast chamber with multiple elevated ptforms arranged in a circur pattern around a central area where the nobles would gather. Each ptform was designated for a different section of the collection, with subtle magical lighting designed to enhance the particur features of the specimens dispyed there.

  Thrall 7249 was led to the ptform marked with blue symbols, indicating the Mixed Heritage section. Other specimens were already in position, standing motionless on marked spots. An attendant directed him to Position Four, as Curator Vexis had specified.

  "Stand straight, hands at your sides, eyes forward," instructed the attendant. "Remain still unless directly addressed."

  From his position, Thrall 7249 had an excellent view of the entire exhibition hall while appearing to look at nothing in particur. He noted the positions of guards, the yout of exits, and the magical enhancements that seemed designed not just for dispy purposes but also for security.

  Gradually, the hall filled with attendants making final preparations. Curator Vexis moved from section to section, inspecting each specimen and occasionally ordering adjustments to positioning or lighting. When she reached the Mixed Heritage ptform, she paused before Thrall 7249.

  "Adjust the illumination to highlight the eye pattern," she instructed an attendant. "And pce him between the scaled hybrid and the feathered one. The contrast will be more striking."

  Once Vexis was satisfied with the arrangements, a different tone echoed through the hall—deeper, more resonant—announcing the arrival of Lord Vexarious and his guests. The specimens remained perfectly still as a group of eborately dressed nobles entered the central area.

  Lord Vexarious led the procession, gesturing expansively as he spoke. "My collection has expanded considerably since your st visit, Lord Noctavian. I've acquired several remarkable specimens, particurly in the Elemental and Mixed Heritage sections."

  Beside him walked a tall, imposing demon with night-bck skin and four curved horns forming a crown-like arrangement—clearly Lord Noctavian of House Noctavian. Following them was a striking demoness with pale skin and vivid red hair who moved with predatory grace. Her eyes, a deep crimson that matched her hair, scanned the exhibition with calcuting interest.

  "Lady Bloodfang has expressed particur interest in your mixed-blood specimens," Lord Noctavian remarked. "Her research into bloodline traits is quite renowned."

  "Indeed," replied Lord Vexarious, turning toward the red-haired demoness. "Lady Lilith, the Mixed Heritage section might prove most enlightening for your studies. We have several new acquisitions with unusual trait combinations."

  The name sent a small shock through Thrall 7249. Lilith Bloodfang. He recalled fragments of information about House Bloodfang from conversations he'd overheard in the sve quarters. They were an ancient noble house of Bloodreach Kingdom, known for their research into blood magic and lineage purity. For such a notable noble to take interest in mixed-bloods seemed contradictory.

  The nobles approached the Mixed Heritage ptform, and Thrall 7249 kept his expression carefully neutral. Curator Vexis joined them, tablet in hand.

  "Our Mixed Heritage section features specimens with particurly unusual combinations," she expined. "Some dispy traits that conventional breeding theory would consider incompatible, yet manifest in surprisingly harmonious ways."

  Lady Lilith's crimson eyes moved slowly across the dispyed specimens, her expression revealing nothing of her thoughts. When her gaze reached Thrall 7249, it lingered. "This one," she said, pointing directly at him. "Northern human variant in the maternal line, if I'm not mistaken?"

  "Your assessment is correct, Lady Bloodfang," Curator Vexis replied, sounding impressed. "Though his precise demonic heritage is undocumented. He was acquired recently from the disciplinary sector."

  Lady Lilith approached the ptform, studying Thrall 7249 more closely. "What was his offense?"

  "Ritual interference, according to the records. Attempted to disrupt a Blood Bond."

  This information seemed to heighten Lady Lilith's interest. "Unusual behavior for a sve, particurly a half-blood. They typically avoid drawing attention." She addressed Thrall 7249 directly. "What prompted you to interfere with a ritual beyond your understanding?"

  Thrall 7249 hesitated, knowing his response might reveal more intelligence than he wished to dispy. Yet failing to answer a direct question from a noble would be suspicious in its own way.

  "The ritual seemed... wrong, my dy," he replied simply, keeping his voice appropriately deferential. "The noble was very intoxicated. The girl was very young."

  Lady Lilith's perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose slightly. "A moral objection? Fascinating." She turned to Lord Vexarious. "Has he demonstrated any unusual abilities since joining your collection?"

  "None reported," Lord Vexarious replied. "Though he's been here only briefly. Our preliminary assessment indicates no significant magical potential, which is typical for half-bloods. His value lies primarily in his unusual coloration and eye pattern."

  Lady Lilith looked unconvinced. "Perhaps. Yet interference with a Blood Bond requires either remarkable stupidity or... something else entirely." She turned back to Thrall 7249. "Have you received any formal testing of your magical capacity?"

  "No, my dy," he answered truthfully. "I was assigned to standard bor in the sve quarters."

  Lady Lilith seemed to consider this information, then turned her attention to the next specimen. The noble visitors continued their tour of the exhibition, but Thrall 7249 noticed Lady Lilith gncing back at him several times with an expression of curious assessment.

  The exhibition continued for several hours, with the nobles examining specimens from each section of the collection. Lord Vexarious proudly highlighted his test acquisitions, while Curator Vexis provided detailed information about each specimen's unique characteristics. Throughout, Thrall 7249 maintained his position, appearing outwardly unremarkable while carefully observing everything around him.

  When the nobles finally moved to the Elemental section, focusing their attention on the water demoness from the carriage, he allowed himself to reflect on Lady Lilith's interest. Her questions suggested she had seen something in him that the others had missed—perhaps an indication that his careful facade wasn't as perfect as he'd believed.

  The exhibition concluded with a formal demonstration in which selected specimens performed tasks that showcased their unique qualities. A fire demon created eborate fme sculptures. A beast-blood hybrid demonstrated extraordinary agility. The water demoness shaped water into complex, flowing patterns that held their form against gravity.

  Thrall 7249 was not selected for demonstration, which reinforced his status as a specimen valued merely for appearance rather than abilities. This suited his strategy perfectly. The less they expected from him, the more freedom he would have to observe and learn.

  As the nobles prepared to depart for a private dinner, Lord Vexarious approached Curator Vexis. "Lady Bloodfang has requested a private viewing of several specimens tomorrow. Prepare the Mixed Heritage section for more detailed examination, particurly the new half-blood. She seems quite interested in his bloodline composition."

  Curator Vexis bowed slightly. "Of course, Father. I'll arrange for the necessary preparations."

  When the nobles had left and the exhibition formally ended, attendants began directing specimens back to their respective sections. Thrall 7249 followed instructions mechanically, his mind focused on processing what he had learned and observed during the exhibition.

  Lady Lilith's interest was potentially dangerous. If she suspected he possessed unusual abilities, she might request more intensive testing that could reveal what he had been careful to conceal. Yet her interest also represented potential opportunity—nobles of her status had access to knowledge and resources far beyond what was avaible even in Lord Vexarious's collection.

  Back in the Mixed Heritage common area, Sestra approached him. "You caught Lady Bloodfang's attention," she remarked, her tone suggesting this wasn't necessarily positive. "That rarely happens with new specimens."

  "Is that good or bad?" he asked.

  Sestra shrugged, the scales on her shoulders catching the light as they moved. "Depends. She's known for her research into bloodlines. Sometimes specimens that interest her are borrowed for study at her own boratories. The experiences vary... Some return with privileges, others don't return at all."

  This information added another yer to Thrall 7249's calcutions. Being transferred to Lady Lilith's custody could mean either opportunity or danger, depending on what exactly had caught her interest.

  That evening, as he retired to his private quarters, Thrall 7249 reviewed everything he had observed during the exhibition—the behavior of nobles, the security measures, the interactions between specimens and their keepers. Most importantly, he considered Lady Lilith Bloodfang, whose unexpected interest might significantly impact his immediate future.

  Tomorrow would bring a private viewing, a more intensive scrutiny than today's general exhibition. He would need to maintain his carefully constructed persona while appearing to cooperate fully. The challenge would be revealing enough to satisfy her curiosity without exposing his true nature and abilities.

  As he looked out his narrow window at the night sky, Thrall 7249 reflected on how quickly his circumstances continued to change. From sve quarters to the Pit to Lord Vexarious's collection, and now possibly to the attention of one of the most influential houses in Bloodreach Kingdom—each transition offering new dangers but also new possibilities.

  Whatever came next, he would face it with the same methodical approach that had kept him alive thus far: observe, analyze, adapt. He would continue to py the role of an unremarkable half-blood specimen while gathering every fragment of knowledge that might eventually lead to understanding his true nature and, ultimately, freedom.