Blood Price

I am a Vampire Princess, and the daughter of the ancient vampire Thaddeus and his wife Amelia. I am not the eldest child, and I am not a male, so the only way I have of advancing myself in the world of the undead is through marriage.

My parents were busy doing whatever the hell ancient vampires who did not want to entertain mere mortals did, and so this year, I have been told that I will be given the Blood Price.

The Blood Price is the tribute of two mortals that are expected on a yearly basis. In return for the Blood Price, vampires of the city of Apocaleptika promised not to attack or feed and especially kill the humans in the village below the castle where I reside. Whether we want to or not, we do not break this promise. To do so would incur us the ultimate penalty.

I sat on the throne in the courtyard outside the family's castle. The human populace had gathered, and I was waiting impatiently for them to bring the Blood Price, which this year would go to me because she was coming of age, and because my name was chosen from the lot of those who were eligible to receive the Blood Price this year.

The tributes would be paraded through my courtyard in flimsy white gowns, bound and gagged and then presented to me. One male, and one female, and they would be mine to do with anything I wanted, up to and including the kill. I have already decided what I will do with mine. The female I will keep as a pet and play thing, and I will have her take the Blood Oath to serve me for all time. The male will be gifted to my husband to be Lucas Sangrey as a wedding present.

I should have been more excited for this than what I am. I am not excited about this event at all. In fact I am just bored. I want this to be over so I can get back to figure out how I am going to charm the Vampire Lord of the castle off to the west. I am goinh to marry the High King of the East Coast vampires. Not because I wanted him, I do not even care for or feel attraction towards men, and I have been told that Lucas Sangrey does feel attraction towards women. The idea is simply to get close to him and claim the throne for myself. I just hope that the male tribute is sexy enough to get Sangrey's attention.

The time for the ceremony has come, and I have dressed in my finest black gown. I looked stunning and frightening as I step out into the courtyard. Sangrey is supposed to be here for the ceremony, but I see he has not yet arrived. I find myself starting to get nervous. I have never broken a human before and I know how to do it in theory, but I do not have the experience.

As I enter the courtyard of my father's castle, an island of the past situated within the modern supernatural world, I look around at all the gathered people. At least I know that all of them want to be there as much as I do. It was like a wishbone however, that the humans broke off. These mortals got the shit end of the stick however.

I moved to have a seat at the throne where my father sat before he and my mother went into the Stone Sleep. When a vampire grew weary of the world or if they were injured or placed into that state as punishment, the vampire would be turned into solid stone, and would stand fast in the place they were left like a gargoyle at the entrance way to a church.

Many times, over, Thaddeus and Amelia sat on the throne accepting the Blood Price, but today she would do it on behalf of all of the vampire covens of Apocaleptika.

"Well at least the woman is beautiful." I said to myself as the priests of the local church brought out my prize.

They were terrified as they were lead out into the courtyard. A brother and sister, a young man and woman that had just turned of age. His name was Erin and her name was Adriana, but there was no guarantee that these new pets were going to be able to keep their names.

They had every right to be scared. Sometimes the tributes were sacrificed and feasted upon that day, and that day would become their death day. Other times the tributes would be raped several times over by all the vampires that were present in the courtyard. Every vampire who got the Blood Price did something different, and it was never announced ahead of time.

The one thing that the pair could count on was this. They were going to be branded with the Ryven family crest, and marked forever as the property of the vampire who was selected to receive the Blood Price.

Occasionally the pair were chosen to take the Blood Oath, and they would be prepared to be transformed into a vampire upon their death. This was rare however, and it was much more common that the vampire was kept human and remained a pet for the vampires to feed on until their death.

Adriana was an attractive dark-haired beauty with haunting black eyes and a gorgeous body. Large breasts and legs that wouldn't quit. Any vampire would have been privileged to have her as she came from good breeding stock. You see vampires were bred and trained for the possibility of being slaves their entire life. They were taught our laws, and they were introduced to our culture as soon as possible.

Some humans were chosen for breeding, others were chosen for the lottery, some were sent through the Processing Centers, and used to feed the Flesheaters of Apocaleptika and used as a delicacy of meat for those with more exotic tastes.

Adriana and Erin without a doubt knew that when they had been chosen to be the pets of the Vampire Princess that they had one of the better fates, because at least they had a chance at immortality. The law was specific at this point in time. Until the Golden Jubilee had passed, and it had been a thousand years since the rising of myself, Lucas Sangrey to the throne of Apocaleptika, as High King, noone was allowed to be turned into a vampire unless they had been chosen as the Blood Price.

Why was this the case? Only those of the herd could be certified as 100 percent human, and I was in the middle of culling the hybrids out there in the world and until I had successfully done that, I was not taking any chances. After all, unexpected results came

when you turned something not a hundred percent human.

I was not the one to draw the name of those chosen for the Blood Price. Traditionally this was done by someone randomly selected for the deed. I knew that my wedding gift was going to be random, and that I may not even be attracted to whomever I was gifted by my fiancé Serena Ryven.

I was curious to see how well that Serena would do in breaking this individual. She might do a very good job, or she might suck at it, but certainly she was not going to give me an untrained individuals, because as royalty, that would be callous and mundane of her and that would not be acceptable by any means.

I had arrived late to the Ceremony of Gifting, because I had more important things to do than to see some other vampire, even my future wife, receive two virgin slaves.

When they were finally presented however, I found myself intrigued by the fire in the eyes of the female, Adriana. I wanted her. I was going to demand her before everything was all over. She was basically mine anyways because Serena was mine, but I wanted to make it official, and I wanted her to have the Sangrey mark, and not to be marked as the property of clan Ryven. I always get what I want.

Although this happened every single year, and the mortals should have been accustomed to the event, it was always a very stressful time for the mortals of Apocaleptika and for every single city in within the world. There was feasting during this time, even though there was nothing to be celebrating. Mothers and fathers always stayed up late at night worrying that their children were going to be chosen as the Blood Price. Families tried to buy off the priests so that their children's names would not appear in the lotto. Those who had commited crimes or incurred debt were even more frightened than the normal family because of the fact their children's names appeared in the lotto more than once.

Sometimes, very occasionally, someone would volunteer as tribute. This was not something that happened very often though as most people were not willing to be branded as property, or potentially raped or killed because of their status as the Blood Price. This year was no different than most. It was time to give the Blood Price to Princess Serena Ryven, and when asked if any males or females were willing to volunteer to accept the fate, noone was willing to do so.

A single mother who was poor and struggling kept adding her son and daughters names to the lottery in order to feed the family. She was doublly screwed when the drawing took place because she had lost both her son and daughter to the lusts of the Vampire Princess of Apocaleptika.

Princess Serena would not see her gifts until the day of the Gifting Ceremony. Even though they had been selected the day before, it was custom to keep the mortal tributes in the Vampire Temple where they were bathed and prepared for their position as the slaves and pets of the Vampire Nation and in particular the specific vampire that had been chosen to receive the Blood Price.

She was weeping and wailing because of her misfortune. The year before she had lost her husband to the war, and now she was to lose her beautiful daughter and her handsome son. Instead of being married and carrying on the family name, her family name would die out and there would be no more Hansens for the rest of time.

The family giving up their children were always allowed to address those who received the Blood Price. Occasionally the vampire receiving the Blood Price would refuse to accept it, and the male and female chosen for this fate could go back to living their lives This mother, Mrs Hansen, could only pray that there was mercy in the heart of the Vampire Princess.

The matriach of the Hansen family fell on her knees before the Vampire Princess. "Spare them I beg you! They are the last of my kin. All that I have. Please!"

I watched my future bride watching the elderly woman losing it at the prospect of losing what was left of her family, and I almost felt sorry for them. Almost. Then I remembered that we were their betters. We were entitled to this. We were the powerful, we were the immortals, and if they were gifted to a vampire they were blessed creatures. They served a purpose, and it would have been both bad luck and bad manners for Serena not to have accepted her tribute. This was simply the way that it was supposed to be.

"There has never been a time in our history that we have not demanded the Blood Price. There has not been a time in history that we have not taken what is ours. I am not about to break with tradition. Do not worry Madame, your son and daughter will be in good hands."

Serena turned in the direction of a pair of her thralls, guards who guarded the castle for her and saw to it her will was done. "Bring them..." It was understood where. To the dungeon for the beginning of their training.

You would think, given my stubborn and rebellious nature, that I would have rejected the Blood Price, and would have sent this brother and sister back to their mother to live out the rest of their lives in peace. I have to admit that the thought had ocured to me initially, not beause of any mercy that I felt for these two humans, but because I had ulterior motives however, desires that went far beyond my rebellious nature and into my more basic desire for power and influence and a position as Queen of Apocaleptika.

The mother of the pair of humans seemed to look upon me with understanding but sobbed gently at my feet nonetheless. It was pathetic. Even though I read the woman's mind using my telepathic abilities and understood the woman was crushed about losing the last of her family to my whims and desires, she was pleased her sacrifice was accepted. Unfortunately, there was absolutely nothing that could be done as I had made her decision. I was going to keep these two, and that was final. Noone dared speak up against the will of the Vampire Council, and more importantly, none of these humans wantd to challenge me. These two would be mind and not amount of pleading and tears were going to change my mind.

At my command, my thralls stepped forward. Thralls were mindless, obedient drones who at one time were humans themselves . Their eyes awere souless and as cold and dead as mine undoubtedly appear. Unlike other turned, the Enthralled have will of their own.

As they began marching the pair of tributes through my courtyard, I could see that their grip was just as icy as their gaze. The pair were lead down the stairs into the darkness where their ultimate fate await. Adriana had put up a struggle more out of desperate fear than pure rebellion. Erin was much more composed; even though he was just as terrified as his sister.

The castle was oppressive and deathly quiet, the ambiance of my home anything but welcoming as they were escorted through the castle. Except for the occasional groan every now and then. which transcended into screams of terror. From what I have heard, rumor has it, on a good day one could hear an orchestra of screams which likely meant that was in a good mood. Such rumors were whispered among the servants of my family home, who dared not raise their voice to their Mistress in fear of finding out if the rumors were true firsthand.

The ghouls mindlessly took my new pets that were now my playthings down into the basement. They passed by a set of doors where two stone statues stood. Everyone knew however that these were not ordinary statues. This was Thaddeus and Amelia, the real King and Queen of the household, They had been sleeping for almost a thousand years and when they woke they would be feasting on everything in sight. It was up to me to bring them breakfast lest I be on the menu.

The ghouls chained Erin and Adriana up alongside each other, leaving them dangling in front of me like a pair fish on a hook. I still looked bored. There was no other way to put the expression on my face. It was time for her to make some entertainment of her own.

I went to Adriana, ripping the white shift from her body, before moving to Erin to do the same thing. She looked them over, and felt arousal and blood thirst, especially for Adriana. "Not bad, not bad at all."

Clear fear was present in the eyes of the girl while the boy was attempting to remain as stoic as possible to no avail. I was able to smell their anxiety. It was a pleasant scent.

I studied the pair for the first time since they had been presented to me. Both of their gowns were ripped clean off their bodies, revealing their naked forms all for my pleasure. The male sported a decent figure. He was athletic, but not bulky and not too thin either. His member was fairly average but that wasn't what I was interested in? What interested me was

Adriana, the lithe woman with fairly ample breasts that were a good size; fitting for her frame.

I was no longer feeling bored. I was feeling anxious to get started with my two new pets. I had to remind myself, that while I was more interested in the female, that if I wanted to impress the Vampire Lord whom I was going to marry, I was going to have to break both of them. It was harder with males, having to suck it up so to speak to dominate them, but it was something I was willing to do, something that in fact was absolutely necessary.

"Let's see, let's see, where to begin?" I asked myself as I made my way around the pair of tributes, circling them, sizing them up. "Branding of course. I'm such a dolt. I totally have to start with the branding."

I could smell the ash from the fire. Vampires feared fire, it was one thing that could destroy us. It would take a bit of inner strength for me to approach the fire myself instead of sending someone to do it for me. I swallowed hard trying not to show any weakness before the slaves.

I took a hot poker fixed with her family crest, and let it heat up in the fireplace. I waited until it got nice and hot, and when it was ready, I pulled it out of the fire.

Once it was in my hand, I walked over to the male, and stood before him with the hot poker.

"You are going to be marked with the Hagen family crest. It is a symbol of who you now belong to. It signifies your place, as nothing more than mere cattle, an animal for my use." I said.

"Do you have a preference for where I put this?" I inquired. I wanted to see his answer.

An almost unnatural breeze seemed to come through the room and my hair swayed in the wind, and I know I looked stunning and absolutely terrifying to the pair because I could read it in their minds.

I was aware that even if the male wanted to answer me that he couldn't, but I looked almost irritated that he had not found a way to do so in spite of the gag. I pulled the gag off of his mouth, mostly because I wanted to hear unfettered screams.

As a Vampire Princess with the power to read mortal minds, I was aware that this would be hard for Adriana watching her brother be branded before her and knowing that it was a matter of time before she was branded as well. That was kind of the point, however, I wanted them both to learn to fear me and to see that I was willing to hurt the one in front of the other. I was not extremely merciful. I couldn't be when so much was at stake.

"It hardly matters one way or another. I am the one who gets to decided everything for you from now on." With that I took the brand and pressed it firmly and evenly on the back shoulder of the male, watching patiently for his reaction after pulling the brand away and entertaining the smell of burnt flesh.

The male gasped for air a soon as the gag was essentially ripped out of his mouth. He was only able to get in just a few short breaths before I continued by rant. My words were clear, my will was law. I assured my two newest pets that no matter what they would be branded. They would lick my boots; they would obey my every whim. If I, the Vampire Princess Serena, desired to keep the two in pens; tethered like cattle then so be it. From now on, these two were nothing.

The ordeal would be over rather quickly, at least for the male as I proceeded to leave my mark upon his flesh; burning it into his skin like a more extreme tattoo. I was perfectly aware that the searing heat caused him immense pain which inevitably made him exhale a deep groan that was impossible to ignore. It was almost like a scream though he tried to remain brave for the sake of the young woman at his side. It would only be a few seconds, but those seconds would seem like minutes until eventually the iron was pulled away; leaving behind a scent of charred flesh and the sight of the coven symbol upon his shoulder.

The male panted, attempting to not pass out from the constant stinging of the brand. though it exhausted him, making him shudder from the pain he was experiencing because of me. The woman on the other hand, could only watch in horror, knowing that she'd be next. She could do no more than dread when I would turn my attend towards her.

It would almost be a shame to scar such pretty flesh. But they needed to know their place, just like others. They both needed to know that they belonged to me and to me alone.

I watched in glee as the male slave was branded, and it was was obvious I was enjoying the pain that he felt even if I did not enjoy the smell of burnt flesh that came along with it. I was surprised at how well he dealt with the pain, but it was what it was. It was obvious to me at this point that it would be much harder for me to break the girl than it would be for me to break the female.

I watched the man as he watched me, and if I wasn't annoyed, I might be a little impressed by how well he did with the pain. I was not able to read the minds of my charges, for some reason my gift of telepathy did not seem to affect these two in the way others did. I did not know why I could not read their minds, but I couldn't, so I did not have the window into their souls that I wished I did and that was going to make my job a lot harder.

I made my way over to the woman, and looked at the woman's beautiful form. "Sometimes I mark the faces of people that I am not keeping around, but I would never do that to you. You are going to be kept used and enjoyed. I think though, that the best place for your brand, is going to be right above your rear, on your lower back, to the side.

"Prepare yourself bitch because your time has finally come." I declared as I finally moved forward, pressing the brand into untouched flesh, waiting for the sound of her pain and discomfort to fill the air. She figured this woman's untouched flesh, awaiting the music of her screams. She did not seem to have the same firm constitution that her brother did. As I had done before, I pressed the brand and held it so it would sear the flesh evenly. But damn it did I hate the smell of burnt flesh.

It was a good thing that my two pets could not read my mind. Sometimes ignorance was bliss and not knowing what I was about to do next probably was much easier for them. What wasn't easy however was dealing with the now, the stinging continuing to bother him as the brand began to cool and settle itself into his skin. While he was slightly enervated from the branding, the sound of Serena's footsteps making her way over to Kyra roused him a little; not taking him more than a few seconds to realise that his sister was about the suffer the same fate.

He wanted to cry out to me for mercy. He was desperate to have the young woman spared the same tortue he was currently undergoing but for some reason he could not, holding his tongue and staying quiet. Was it out of fear? Submission? Who could say? All he knew is that he would gladly take his flesh being charred, even flayed if it meant the young woman was granted mercy.

Ariana on the other hand, tried to scoot away; attempting to avoid the brand as she whimpered but to no avail. The chains that I used to secure her in place were too rigid, allowing her very little freedom of movement and any resistance on her part was only delaying the inevitable. An unavoidable outcome that would soon come once Serena had placed the brand against her skin.

To Ariana, the pain was horrific. Indeed, unlike her brother she was less hardy and thus more prone to her threshold being crossed. A bloodcurdling, muffled scream emitted through the gag; hands tightening up into balls and body tensing up as the brand was seared upon her flesh.

"Stop it this instant!" The male slave screamed in my direction defiantly, as if he thought that would stop their training. Of course it wouldn't. In fact it would only serve to worsen his situation, which he was about to discover.

"So, loyal." I said to him as she looked from the male to his sister Adriana. She was obviously entertained by this. I moved over to Adriana and ran my hands down the woman's back, and grabbed her by the head of the hair. "You will need to develop a firmed constitution if you want to make it around here for any length of time. Take a cue from your brother, as he is well on the way to being hardy enough for what I have in store for him. I think you will be easier to break then him."

I moved my hand in a light caress over the woman's body, and something amazing started to happen. I accelerated the slave girl's healing process, and effectively took the pain away from her. I let the power I had over their bodies sink in before making my way over to the other man and to give him the same gift. "I have total mastery over your flesh now. Enjoy a moment of reprieve while I decide what I am going to do with you next."

With that I moved over to an adjacent chair and began drinking a glass of blood wine, wanting to totally and completely relax. I was starting to get nervous and worry about how the male would behave for Damon. If he was not totally broken my future husband would be very upset with me, and he might even do to me what he did to the last perspective bride, and claim my blood. This was the last thing I wanted to have happen to me. If he claimed my blood, well it meant what it sounded like it meant. A Vampire Lord could claim the blood of anyone who slighted them, and if his new bride price was not sufficiently broken then that was considered to be a terrible insult and something worth ending a lesser vampire over. If you could not defend yourself against such rage, than you were basically royally fucked.

I seemed to ignore his little outburst to start toying with Adriana. I still was fully aware of what was happening around me however, and I knew that I was in no danger as I continued the slaves training. Much to his surprise, or relief depending on which of the two were more applicable. I pulled the head of her hair, making the woman groan. Though, if there was pain from the grip, she might not have felt it due to the brands aftermath overloading the rest of her nerves. All she could really think about was the stinging, unable to really concentrate on what I was saying though the words were certainly getting through to her loud and clear as she nodded in affirmation. I smiled in return, satisfied by the progress I was already making with this woman, although less satisfied than with the progress I was making with her older brother, knowing that I had little time to remedy that before my future husband arrived.

"I said, leave her-" He started again and stopped suddenly, something interrupting his speech. All he could do was watch in amazement, or horror as I manipulated Ariana's healing. Ariana would be able to feel a light tingle and then no more stinging, as if the bra nding never happened. Although the mark the procedure left would remain. This was my favorite gift, it allowed me to have a lot more fun torturing people. I did not have to worry about accidentally killing someone when I could easily heal most of the damage that I had done. The gift was stolen of course from an Angel I had drained for his powers, a sin against the heavens that was more than worth the price in my mind.

If I had this much control over their bodies, they were in for a long ride. A long, painful ride. Erin turned his gaze to watch as I sat myself down, causally enjoying a substance that from first glance looked like your average red wine. They weren't naïve though, they knew exactly what was in that glass. I was drinking from the life force of my previous victims, the ones who were less fortunate than these two and who did not survive their time in my dungeon.

In one of the adjacent rooms, a former hunter that had been transformed into a Pony Girl was chained to the wall, kept in her stall waiting and thirsting for blood. Always hungry, to the point of near madness, I kept the woman I had broken a long time ago and had given the Blood Oath to, transforming her into a vampire who would serve me for all eternity.

Dressed in a fetish outfit with a mask that opened only if I unzipped it, the woman was lead out into the room with the slave that stood hanging from the suspension cuffs.

"It's time to eat, Spirit." I said as she released the woman from her chains. You can eat from the Blood Pool, you are not to touch my prizes, do you understand?" The Pony Girl and Vampire Fledgling was expected to let her Mistress know that she was going to comply. Neglecting to do so would equal pain and thirst, and this would undoubtedly be the last thing her steed wanted.

I had ignored the siblings for the moment, but she knew they were watching and this alone was part of their training, seeing how a trained slave acted in her presence would show them how she was expected to act and this would hopefully save her time in getting them to this point.

"Quiet," I murmured, my voice a soft hush as I silenced the apprehensive girl at my side. Not that the girl's fear held any significance to me at all; it was the grating quality of the woman's voice that truly grated on my nerves. "Whining is beyond my tolerance. If you persist in your incessant noise, I assure you I'll find something truly worthy of complaint to bestow upon you. Do you comprehend the situation?"

With my command given, My gaze shifted toward a small cluster of subservient attendants. "Take her to the designated bathing quarters."

As orchestrated, the slaves carefully lowered the woman from her suspended confinement, leading her toward the area earmarked by me for my cleansing intentions.

This designated area held not one, but two baths. The first appeared mundane, filled with clear water that betrayed no unusual intent. The second, in stark contrast, brimmed with blood — a sprawling, grandiose fountain filled to the brim with the crimson liquid.

"In my intent to indulge in a bath, it follows that you shall partake as well," I stated, my tone a

mixture of assertion and inquiry. "I won't impose the blood-filled basin upon you, yet nor will I permit you to wander unsupervised while I attend to my ablutions. Is the arrangement unequivocally understood?"

"Yes, Mistress...." The girl said in a low voice, the tone still filled with fear and reluctant. It was as if she were worried about angering me further. I scoffed in her direction but accepted her answer as sufficiently provided.

In a hushed undertone, Serena's voice wrapped itself around the apprehensive girl like a vice, momentarily stifling her trembling breath. The girl's heart raced, her wide eyes flitting nervously between Serena's unyielding gaze and the foreboding surroundings. The dismissive wave of Serena's hand, a gesture laced with contemptuous indifference, struck her like an icy gust, a stark reminder of her vulnerability in this unfamiliar domain. Why did I let myself get into this situation? The thought darted through her mind like a fleeting shadow, an internal voice laced with self-reproach.

Hold it together, she urged herself silently, as if coaxing her racing heart to a calmer rhythm. She wished she could just fade into the opulent tapestries adorning the walls, escape the intensity of Serena's scrutiny. The woman's words reverberated within her, each syllable a siren call that merged with the rising crescendo of her anxiety. Shut up, just shut up, she silently implored, hoping that her desperate plea would somehow silence both Serena's biting voice and her own apprehensive thoughts.

Serena's commands sliced through the air, a sharp reminder of the precariousness of her position. The weight of the servants' gazes on her only intensified the internal tempest. To the bathing area, their motions seemed to dictate, and she felt herself being led away from the comparative safety of her solitude, into an environment tinged with both intrigue and dread.

As the slaves gently lowered her from the suspended restraints, a shiver ran down her spine. She tried to maintain a facade of composure, all the while battling the impulse to flee. Breathe, she reminded herself, her internal conversation an attempt to ground herself amidst the chaos of her emotions. The sight that greeted her as they approached the designated area was nothing short of surreal — two baths, side by side. One offered a deceptive facade of normalcy with its clear water, while the other held a macabre allure, its surface marred by the crimson hue of blood.

What have I gotten myself into? The thought resounded like an echo, a testament to the gravity of her situation. Serena's voice, a mixture of demand and interrogation, pulled her back to the present. You need to survive this, she told herself, drawing on a wellspring of newfound determination. The internal struggle between her trepidation and her innate resilience cast a flicker of complexity across her eyes as she met Serena's gaze. "I... understand," she stammered, her voice betraying a fragile resolve, a solitary spark amidst the overwhelming uncertainty that had engulfed her.

In the dimly lit chamber, my eyes bore into the quivering girl beside me, my expression an enigmatic blend of calculated dominance and concealed intrigue. As her words hung in the air like a foreboding mist, my inner thoughts wove a tapestry of her own motivations and desires. Control is everything, I mused inwardly, a sliver of satisfaction curling at the corners of my mind. The girl's fear, a palpable aura, gratified my thirst for power, reinforcing her belief in my supremacy over the realm I had meticulously crafted.

Another pawn in my intricate game, I acknowledged, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I had honed the art of manipulation, understanding that fear and uncertainty could be wielded as skillfully as any weapon. The girl's apprehension was an exquisite symphony that I orchestrated, a prelude to the crescendo of her grand design. A momentary discomfort for her, a stroke of brilliance for me.

My casual gesture, dismissive yet deliberate, was a calculated move, aimed at unearthing the girl's vulnerabilities. Her trembling facade only feeds my amusement, I mused, savoring the girl's unease as one might relish a rare delicacy. This interaction is but a reflection of the power I hold over life and fate.

Her thoughts, an intricate labyrinth of motives and aspirations, concealed themselves behind the composed facade she projected. My attention then shifted to the obedient servants, observing their movements with a watchful eye. They are an extension of my will, I thought, each command a thread in the intricate web of my control. The girl's removal was choreographed with the precision of a master conductor leading an orchestra.

The atmosphere shifted as the girl was lowered from her suspended position, her anxiety palpable like a melody swelling in volume. My lips curved into a wry smile, Such exquisite vulnerability. The sight of the baths, contrasting yet interconnected, was a testament to Serena's complex nature. One bath held purity and normalcy, while the other was a monument to the depths of my ambition, a testament to the lengths I was willing to go to achieve my objectives.

The duality of my intentions, I acknowledged, my thoughts a cascade of dichotomies. I appreciated the symbolism of my choice, recognizing that power often thrived in the balance between light and shadow. As the girl hesitated, I discerned the flicker of determination in her eyes, a spark of resistance amidst the girl's trepidation.

Ah, defiance, I mused, her mind an intricate dance of strategy and response. The girl's shaky compliance was a note in the symphony of her captive's submission. I met her gaze with an unyielding stare, a silent declaration of her dominion. "Very well," I replied, her voice a measured blend of authority and concealed curiosity, inviting the girl to step into the tangled web that I had masterfully woven.

As the girl approached the baths, her heart raced like a frantic drumbeat, drowning out the cacophony of her thoughts. Keep it together, she urged herself, her inner monologue a lifeline in the midst of the turmoil. Each step felt like a descent into the unknown, a plunge into a realm where Serena held dominion.

Is this truly happening? Her thoughts echoed in a maelstrom of disbelief. The clear water bath beckoned with a semblance of safety, yet the eerie allure of the blood-filled fountain held a morbid fascination. Why am I here? She questioned her own choices, her inner voice a whisper amidst the chaos.

Be strong, she told herself, the silent mantra her only armor against the intimidating environment. Her fingers grazed the surface of the water bath, sending ripples across its placid surface. As she hesitated, the temptation of the blood bath tugged at her like a macabre siren's call, evoking a mixture of horror and curiosity. What kind of person would immerse themselves in that? Her thoughts swirled in a mixture of repulsion and morbid fascination.

Don't give in to her, she reminded herself fiercely, her resolve a flickering ember amidst the consuming shadows of uncertainty. The absence of eye contact with Serena, a deliberate choice, was an attempt to preserve her own tenuous grasp on composure. She's not worth your fear, she admonished herself, refusing to grant Serena the satisfaction of witnessing her vulnerability.

The instant her foot dipped into the clear water, a shiver raced up her spine. The touch of the cool liquid against her skin was grounding, a sensation of normalcy in a world turned upside down. Maybe this won't be as bad as it seems, she cautiously ventured in her thoughts. Yet, the pervasive feeling of being watched, of being a pawn in a game she hadn't chosen, kept her guard high.

With each step, as she fully submerged herself in the water bath, a sense of fleeting respite washed over her. The tranquil surroundings provided a temporary refuge from the storm of emotions raging within. Stay focused, she urged herself, her interior conversation a lifeline against the tide of uncertainty.

You're stronger than she thinks, she affirmed silently, the thought a glimmer of empowerment amidst her vulnerability. The absence of eye contact was a conscious effort to shield her thoughts from Serena's scrutiny, a small act of defiance within her subservience.

As her body settled into the water, her gaze remained fixated on the ornate tiles lining the bath. The blood bath, a grotesque anomaly beside her, was a testament to the woman's twisted power. Don't give her the satisfaction of your fear, she reminded herself, her interior dialogue a steadfast companion in the face of Serena's dominance.

In the dimly lit chamber, my eyes bore into the quivering girl beside me, my expression an enigmatic blend of calculated dominance and concealed intrigue. As her words hung in the air like a foreboding mist, my inner thoughts wove a tapestry of her own motivations and desires. Control is everything, I mused inwardly, a sliver of satisfaction curling at the corners of my mind. The girl's fear, a palpable aura, gratified my thirst for power, reinforcing her belief in my supremacy over the realm I had meticulously crafted.

Another pawn in my intricate game, I acknowledged, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I had honed the art of manipulation, understanding that fear and uncertainty could be wielded as skillfully as any weapon. The girl's apprehension was an exquisite symphony that I orchestrated, a prelude to the crescendo of her grand design. A momentary discomfort for her, a stroke of brilliance for me.

My casual gesture, dismissive yet deliberate, was a calculated move, aimed at unearthing the girl's vulnerabilities. Her trembling facade only feeds my amusement, I mused, savoring the girl's unease as one might relish a rare delicacy. This interaction is but a reflection of the power I hold over life and fate.

Her thoughts, an intricate labyrinth of motives and aspirations, concealed themselves behind the composed facade she projected. My attention then shifted to the obedient servants, observing their movements with a watchful eye. They are an extension of my will, I thought, each command a thread in the intricate web of my control. The girl's removal was choreographed with the precision of a master conductor leading an orchestra.

The atmosphere shifted as the girl was lowered from her suspended position, her anxiety palpable like a melody swelling in volume. My lips curved into a wry smile, Such exquisite vulnerability. The sight of the baths, contrasting yet interconnected, was a testament to Serena's complex nature. One bath held purity and normalcy, while the other was a monument to the depths of my ambition, a testament to the lengths I was willing to go to achieve my objectives.

The duality of my intentions, I acknowledged, my thoughts a cascade of dichotomies. I appreciated the symbolism of my choice, recognizing that power often thrived in the balance between light and shadow. As the girl hesitated, I discerned the flicker of determination in her eyes, a spark of resistance amidst the girl's trepidation.

Ah, defiance, I mused, her mind an intricate dance of strategy and response. The girl's shaky compliance was a note in the symphony of her captive's submission. I met her gaze with an unyielding stare, a silent declaration of her dominion. "Very well," I replied, her voice a measured blend of authority and concealed curiosity, inviting the girl to step into the tangled web that I had masterfully woven.

As the girl approached the baths, her heart raced like a frantic drumbeat, drowning out the cacophony of her thoughts. Keep it together, she urged herself, her inner monologue a lifeline in the midst of the turmoil. Each step felt like a descent into the unknown, a plunge into a realm where Serena held dominion.

Is this truly happening? Her thoughts echoed in a maelstrom of disbelief. The clear water bath beckoned with a semblance of safety, yet the eerie allure of the blood-filled fountain held a morbid fascination. Why am I here? She questioned her own choices, her inner voice a whisper amidst the chaos.

Be strong, she told herself, the silent mantra her only armor against the intimidating environment. Her fingers grazed the surface of the water bath, sending ripples across its placid surface. As she hesitated, the temptation of the blood bath tugged at her like a macabre siren's call, evoking a mixture of horror and curiosity. What kind of person would immerse themselves in that? Her thoughts swirled in a mixture of repulsion and morbid fascination.

Don't give in to her, she reminded herself fiercely, her resolve a flickering ember amidst the consuming shadows of uncertainty. The absence of eye contact with Serena, a deliberate choice, was an attempt to preserve her own tenuous grasp on composure. She's not worth your fear, she admonished herself, refusing to grant Serena the satisfaction of witnessing her vulnerability.

The instant her foot dipped into the clear water, a shiver raced up her spine. The touch of the cool liquid against her skin was grounding, a sensation of normalcy in a world turned upside down. Maybe this won't be as bad as it seems, she cautiously ventured in her thoughts. Yet, the pervasive feeling of being watched, of being a pawn in a game she hadn't chosen, kept her guard high.

With each step, as she fully submerged herself in the water bath, a sense of fleeting respite washed over her. The tranquil surroundings provided a temporary refuge from the storm of emotions raging within. Stay focused, she urged herself, her interior conversation a lifeline against the tide of uncertainty.

You're stronger than she thinks, she affirmed silently, the thought a glimmer of empowerment amidst her vulnerability. The absence of eye contact was a conscious effort to shield her thoughts from Serena's scrutiny, a small act of defiance within her subservience.

As her body settled into the water, her gaze remained fixated on the ornate tiles lining the bath. The blood bath, a grotesque anomaly beside her, was a testament to the woman's twisted power. Don't give her the satisfaction of your fear, she reminded herself, her interior dialogue a steadfast companion in the face of Serena's dominance.

Lord's of Chaos

Power is everything in the radiant underworld of New York City,. The vampire Lord Nikolai demands respect from the mafia families. Recently, in this web of deceit one woman stands on the edge of danger. Rebecca has found herself stuck in a seductive game of cat and mouse with Nikolai. However this web of intrigue only grows more tangled as Rebecca discovers Dmitri, Nikolai's newest fledgling, will be competing with her for the heart of the vampire lord.

Chapter One:

"Dmitri Kuznetsov stepped out of the rain-soaked alleyway, his eyes scanning the crowded street for any sign of trouble. His suit was torn, his face bruised, and his very presence seemed to command attention. Yet, despite his fearsome reputation, Dmitri couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unblinking eyes were trained on him from the shadows."

Dmitri takes another step closer, his voice dripping with malice. "Come out, coward. Let's settle this once and for all..."

While Dmitri's words dripped with bravado, his heart raced in his chest like a runaway train. Sweat beaded on his brow, but he refused to back down, forcing a smirk onto his lips to hide his true fear.

The man watching him steps out of the shadows. He is dressed to the nines, with a highly expensive black suit on that is from a very expensive brand, and cost more than Dmitri makes in a whole month

The man in the alleyway smiled in his direction. "So confident are you? You are dripping the need for power and vengeance, however you lack the courage of your convictions. What if I could change all that? What if I could give you the edge you need to rule the entire country, The men would fear you, respect you, worship the ground you walk on, and you would have your every desire. Money, women, or hell even men if that is what you desire." His smile turned wider as he revealed a pair of retracted fangs. Dmitri was no fool, he knew what he was dealing with. The man was not human.

Dmitri narrowed his eyes at the creature, and in spite of his fear he let out a little laugh. "Why would a powerful creature like you want to help me? What's in it for you. Power always has a price."

"Good point Dmitri. I do have motivations. Everyone always has motivations, and that is my first lesson to you as I take on the role of mentor to you in this new life. I want a lap dog to play with, but there is more. As I could get that anywhere. I have only recently risen from my slumber. I have enemies and friends of my own that I have to contend with, and while powerful in my own right, I need right hand men, generals in a darker fight for power and supremacy than the little territory war that you are starting up right now. You are one of the chosen. This is not really an offer and you do not have a choice. You will become one of us. You are going to become a vampire, like I am”

“Oooh, things just took a dark turn! So, you're not just a benevolent vampire mentor, but a ruthless one who sees potential in me. This "chosen" label doesn't sound too pleasant either. What happens to those who refuse to join your ranks, hmm?.It has to be something. If you are a ruler in your own right, you did not become one by accident. You are willing to put your money where your mouth is.

"Oh I am sure this is going to be good, go ahead Dmitri, make a father proud, show off that wit of yours. Tell me what you think the consquences of telling me no will be”

“it's natural to wonder what happens to those who refuse your... invitation.” Dmitri countered. "Let me guess you will gut me and leave me to bleed out. It's what I do when someone refuses an offer I make them."

"Ouch, harsh truth Dmitri. Your way of doing things is certainly.........straightfoward." The vampire paused for a moment before smiling tightly in Dmitri's direction. "But you humans have a limited imagination. What I would do is turn you anyway, and show you pain like you have never experienced. Ever been flayed alive only to heal and have it done all over again?"

Dmitri swallowed hard. His heart was hammering in his chest now. He was terrified of this man, whoever he was, whatever he was. "You have made me an offer I cannot refuse,'

"Ah, classic move Dmitri. Your playing along, but I sense the desperation in your voice. I have you cornered, and you know it." The vampire said. "I will have you doing anything I say, and if you obey me you will keep everything I promised you. If not you will be a dog chained at my feet.’

It seemed that Dmitri was playing with fire, but the flames were licking at his toes. He was in a damned if I do and damned if I dont situation, and yet the Faustian bargain he had been offered, even if the punishment for refusing was not there, was impossible to refuse.It was like he was trapped in a web of temptation. Every option leads to certain doom, and yet he can't help but be drawn in.

"What happens now?" Dmitri inquired, watching the man with disdain, trying to prepare himself for anything that would come, and yet he could not have been prepared for this. The vampire suddenly savagely charged him, sinking fangs into his throat and downing the lifesblood he offered him.

Chapter Two

My name is Nikolai

My name is Nikolai Dragomir. As I stand here, gazing down at Dmitri Kuznetsov, my newest fledgling, memories cascade through my mind like the echoing whispers of centuries past. The night I was reborn into darkness remains vivid—a chilling embrace of death followed by the seductive promise of everlasting life whispered by Vlad, the enigmatic Lord of the Night. His teachings were both a gift and a burden, unveiling the art of manipulation and the intoxicating rush of dominance.

Fear gripped me tightly in those early nights, much as it grips Dmitri now. Yet, where I stumbled, Dmitri displays remarkable composure. It has been nearly a century since I last undertook the responsibility of guiding another soul into immortality. Back then, I had my own brood: Marcus, Alexander, and Tomas—each transformed by the crimson kiss into immortal beings who became as dear to me as mortal sons.

The night of my transformation remains etched in my memory like a shadow upon the soul. I witnessed Dracula himself perform an act of savage brutality before my eyes—a sight that would chill the bravest heart. Fortunately, I was spared such direct torment.

Vlad's influence upon those around him was profound and varied. Some, like myself, navigated our interactions with caution, mindful of his mercurial temperament. Others, such as my brood sister Anastasia, seemed immune to his darker impulses, viewing him almost as a protective patriarch whose cruelty could never touch them.

Anastasia and a select few perceived Vlad's dominance as a form of twisted security, believing themselves shielded from his wrath. I, however, knew better. I had witnessed the swiftness with which his mood could shift, his anger flaring like a sudden storm of malevolence. It was during these moments that one learned the delicate dance of survival in his presence. Unlike now, where I have grown to assert my own autonomy—just as Dmitri is beginning to comprehend.

Yes, those memories are etched deeply within me. The tension thickened around Vlad like an impending thunderstorm, signaling the storm of his fury. It was in those moments that one learned to tread carefully, to navigate the intricate web of his desires and displeasures. Dmitri, too, will come to understand these complexities in due time.

For now, as I look upon Dmitri, I see a reflection of my own beginnings—the fear, the uncertainty, and the insatiable thirst for knowledge that accompanies newfound immortality. He will learn, as I did, the intricacies of our existence—the delicate balance between power and restraint, dominance and compassion.

In this nocturnal world where shadows veil secrets and eternity stretches endlessly before us, Dmitri will forge his own path. And in doing so, he will inevitably carve out traces of his own legacy—just as I have done with my sons, Marcus, Alexander, and Tomas.

In the quiet depths of the night, as I watch Dmitri navigate the labyrinthine world of our kind, I find myself hoping—more fervently than ever—that he will endure where my previous sons could not. Marcus succumbed to recklessness, Alexander to melancholy, and Tomas to the insatiable thirst for power. Each loss left a scar upon my undead heart, a reminder of the fragility of our existence and the perilous dance we all must master.

But Dmitri shows promise. His steady demeanor and keen intellect give me hope that he may surpass the pitfalls that befell my beloved sons. I see in him the potential for greatness tempered by wisdom—a rare combination in our timeless realm where impulses often reign unchecked.

As Dmitri strides confidently into the boundless expanse of eternity, I silently pledge to guide him with a gentler hand than fate allowed me with Marcus, Alexander, and Tomas. May he find the strength to navigate the shadows and embrace the light that still flickers within us all, even in the darkest of nights.

Chapter Three

You are an idiot

Rebecca trailed behind Nikolai, her footsteps echoing softly against the concrete as she approached the scene unfolding in the dimly lit alley. She arrived just in time to witness the aftermath of Nikolai's turning of Dmitri, the young vampire now seated quietly in the back of Nikolai's van. Her brow furrowed with a mix of concern and disapproval as she took in the sight.

"Oh, Nikolai," she sighed, her voice tinged with reproach. "You wasted no time, did you? Turning Dmitri without giving him a choice... What do you think he's feeling right now? Is he happy about this new life, or resentful that you've upended everything for him?"

Nikolai, ever confident and unapologetic, turned to face Rebecca with a sly grin. "You know me, Becca. I don't concern myself with what others feel. I do what I want, when I want. Just like with you," he added provocatively.

Rebecca bit her lip in frustration, a small trickle of blood staining her lower lip. His words stung, reminding her of their tumultuous history and the undeniable power he held over her, both physically and emotionally.

"So, are you getting in the van or not, darling?" Nikolai's voice was laced with amusement as he gestured towards the open doors of the vehicle. "Or should I throw you in like Dmitri here?"

"You wouldn't dare," Rebecca shot back defiantly, though a part of her secretly wondered if he might.

Ignoring her protest, Nikolai swiftly closed the distance between them. With surprising ease, he scooped her up despite her attempts to wriggle free. "Let me go, you overgrown mosquito!" she exclaimed, pounding her fists against his back in a futile attempt to break free.

Nikolai chuckled and deposited Rebecca unceremoniously into the van next to Dmitri, who stirred at the commotion. As she landed with an audible thud, Nikolai leaned in close, his voice a low, mocking whisper. "Still think I'm playing around, Becca?"

Dmitri, roused by the sound of Rebecca's arrival and the fresh scent of her blood, slowly opened his eyes. The aroma was intoxicating, a primal instinct stirring within him despite his newfound awareness of his vampiric state. His gaze met Rebecca's, and for a moment, there was a shared understanding of the challenges they both faced in this new existence.

The air inside the van grew tense with unspoken tensions and unfulfilled desires, each character grappling with their own uncertainties amidst the shadows of the night.

Dmitri's gaze flickered between Rebecca and Nikolai, sensing the tension crackling between them like electricity. Despite his own confusion and thirst for blood, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Rebecca, caught in Nikolai's charismatic but domineering grasp.

Nikolai, towering above them both with an air of amused superiority, chuckled softly at Rebecca's fiery defiance. "You never fail to entertain, Becca," he remarked, his voice a blend of amusement and mild annoyance. "Always so feisty. It's almost endearing."

Rebecca shot him a withering glare, but beneath her anger, there was a flicker of resignation. She knew Nikolai too well to believe she could outwit or outmaneuver him in his current mood.

"Can we just go home now?" Nikolai continued, his tone shifting to impatience. "I'm hungry, and dinner is getting cold. Dmitri, you better get used to this routine," he added casually, addressing the newly turned vampire who was still struggling to comprehend the enormity of his transformation.

With a final glance at Rebecca, whose expression wavered between defiance and resignation, Nikolai climbed into the driver's seat and closed the van door. The engine roared to life, and they began their journey through the city streets, leaving behind the alley and its shadows.

Inside the van, the atmosphere settled into an uneasy calm. Dmitri sat quietly, contemplating his uncertain future, while Rebecca silently nursed her wounded pride, her thoughts swirling with conflicted emotions about Nikolai and the life she had chosen to entwine with his.

Chapter Four

My name is Dmitri

Diary Entry - June 28, 2024

My name is Dmitri Kuznetsov Once I was a petty street thug with a hunger for power. Now the blessing and the curse which is an answered prayer has found its answer but denied me its reprieve. Now I am a vampire, a powerful creature of the night. I am a predator among men, and the leader of a covert empire that thrives in the shadows.

As I sit in my new luxorious study I cannot help but reflect on that fateful night. Rebecca—the young woman they threw into the back of the van with me—her fear was palpable, her heartbeat was a symphony that pulsed in my ears. I was tormented by the primal urge to feed, to drain her of life and vitality, was almost overwhelming. But somehow, I resisted.

My mentor and sire, Nikolai Dragomir, gave me the lessons I needed to maintain control.

"Harness the hunger, Dmitri," he had said. His voice was a sinister whisper in the darkness. "Master your instincts, and you will master your destiny." I knew that I must navigate the delicate balance between man and monster even as his words echoed in my mind like a haunting refrain.

It is intoxicating, the power I now wield . I can bend others to my will with a mere thought. It is a natural thing now, to instill fear in the hearts of my enemies. I can also command loyalty from those who serve me. The thrill of dominance is exhilarating, a rush that rivals any drug I have ever known. But beneath the allure lies a darker truth—a loneliness that gnaws at my immortal soul.

Even though I am no longer human I cling to the memories of my former life like fragile, broken glass. The taste of blood on my tongue is bitterweet. The crimson liquid is a bitter reminder of all that I have lost. Dmitri Dragomir warned me of the price of immortality, but only now do I truly understand. The shadows that once sheltered me now loom larger, concealing secrets darker than any mortal mind can comprehend.

Rebecca's face haunts me still. I cannot stop thinking of her eyes wide with terror as I fought against the savage hunger within. In her innocence, she represented everything I had forsaken. I had left behind a life of simplicity, of fleeting moments of joy amidst the harshness of the world. Such thoughts are but a luxury I can no longer afford. I am Dmitri Kuznetsov, vampire lord of the underworld. My hunger blood and power knows no bounds.

Tonight, as the city sleeps peacefully beneath the cloak of night, I will venture forth once more into the darkness of the shadows. The streets will whisper my name in fear and awe, and I will revel in the darkness that now defines me. For I am no longer Dmitri Kuznetsov, the petty criminal. I am Dmitri Kuznetsov, Master of Shadows, and my reign has only just begun.

The complexity of my existence weighs heavily upon me tonight, as I grapple with the conflicting emotions that swirl within my undead heart. Dmitri Dragomir, my maker, is both my salvation and my curse—a figure of awe-inspiring power and ancient wisdom, yet also a reminder of the chains that bind me to this immortal existence.

I cannot deny the debt I owe him. It was Nikolai Dragomir who plucked me from the gutter, who saw potential in a desperate young man and transformed me into something beyond human comprehension. Under his tutelage, I have learned the ways of our kind—the delicate dance of shadows, the art of manipulation, and the unyielding thirst for blood that defines us.

But with his guidance came a profound sense of loss. The life I once knew, with its simple pleasures and fleeting joys, has been irrevocably shattered. Nikolai Dragomir took that from me, thrusting me into a world where darkness reigns supreme and mortality is but a distant memory. I am bound to him by blood and by oath, forever tethered to a fate I did not choose.

There are moments when I loathe him with every fiber of my being. His arrogance, his insatiable thirst for power, and his casual disregard for human life—they are reminders of the monster that lurks within us all. He revels in the chaos we sow, the fear we instill, as if it were a game to be played at the expense of lesser beings.

And yet, despite my resentment, there is a twisted kind of love that binds us together. Dmitri Dragomir is my sire, my mentor, and my confidant in this shadowy realm we inhabit. In his eyes, I see reflections of my own monstrous nature, a reminder that we are not so different after all. He has given me purpose, a sense of belonging in a world that would otherwise reject me.

Tonight, as I stare out into the eternal darkness that stretches before me, I cannot help but wonder if Dmitri Dragomir sees in me the potential for greatness—or if I am merely a pawn in his endless game of power and control. The lines between love and loathing blur like the shifting shadows that dance across my chamber walls.

I am Dmitri Kuznetsov, heir to an ancient legacy. Whether I embrace my destiny or rebel against it, one thing is certain: the bond between maker and progeny is as eternal as the dark of night.

Chapter Five:

Not meant to be

Nikolai, the master vampire who had changed Dmitri, and thrown the beautiful Rebecca into the back of the van with him, ordered his driver to take the three of them back to his Manor.

The car hummed through the city, tension thick inside. The driver's hands gripped the wheel tightly, while outside, the world passed by in a blur. Silence reigned as they all contemplated the consequences of their journey. Occasionally, the sound of tires or sirens would break the stillness, causing a subtle flinch. The main character's reflection revealed their apprehension and strained composure. As they approached their destination, the pressure inside only grew stronger. And even though it was a quiet ride back, the silence was deafening within the car.

Rebecca was a gorgeous woman with long dark hair and brown eyes that seemed to capture one in their gaze. Her hair was thick and luscious and had a bit of a wave to it. It smelled like berries, and the vampire could not help but feel his hunger for her rise again.

The scent of berries wafted through the dimly lit room, a fragrance so potent and sweet it pierced the gloom like a beam of light. Rebecca tossed her head back, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders in thick, luscious waves that seemed to dance with life of their own. Each strand caught the meager moonlight seeping through the parted curtains, glistening as if imbued with midnight itself.

Her brown eyes flickered across the room, an inviting warmth in their depths that belied the cool air brushing against her skin. They were pools of molten chocolate, deep and beguiling, drawing in anyone who dared meet her gaze. It was as though she could see into one's soul, understand their deepest desires, and offer solace without uttering a single word.

In the corner, shrouded by shadows, Nikolai's acute senses were assaulted by her presence.

The sight of her, bathed in lunar silver, the sound of her gentle breaths, the intoxicating aroma of her hair—it all converged into a symphony of temptation that crept under his skin, igniting a primal hunger he fought to control. He watched, entranced, as she moved with a grace that was both human and something more, something that stirred the ancient predator within him.

With each passing moment, his thirst for her grew, clawing at his insides with relentless urgency. Her very being called to him, a siren song he couldn't ignore. Yet, he remained motionless, a statue in the darkness, wrestling with the desire that threatened to consume him whole. He was eternally bound to the night, and she, a radiant vision, seemed to embody all the light he had forsaken.

The tension in the room was palpable as the vampire and the woman locked eyes. She sat calmly before him, but her words held a sharpness that could cut through steel. It was a battle of wills, a constant back and forth between them.

"Stop what?" Rebecca challenged, her tone daring him to make a move. But Nikolai could not help himself. He was drawn to her beauty like a moth to a flame.

"Stop being so damn alluring," he growled, pressing his lips against hers with force. His hands roamed over her body, but she pushed back with surprising strength for a human.

"We can't do this," she protested, trying to push him away. "I am a hunter, you are a vampire. We are on opposite sides."

But even as she spoke, she couldn't deny the chemistry between them. They were like oil and water, constantly clashing, but unable to resist each other's pull. It was dangerous and forbidden, yet they couldn't seem to stay away from each other. The struggle between duty and desire raged within both of them, leaving them torn and conflicted about their feelings for one another.

Chapter Six:

My name is Rebecca

My name is Rebecca Turner, and I am a vampire hunter. I was going to finally confront Nikolai Dragomir this evening, and I was going to stake him. I had the weapon right under my clothes the entire time. Instead of talking shit to him in the alleyway, I could have taken care of both Nikolai and the newly born fledgling vampire Dmitri and saved the world from not just one, but two monsters, and yet I did not. I am still not sure why in the hell not.

As the dust settled and the sun began to rise over the battlefield, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread settling in my stomach.

My friends, Nikolai and Dmitri, stood beside me with expressions of relief and confusion. They knew what I was capable of, what I had done in the past to protect them and others. But this time, I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I turned away from them, unable to meet their gaze. The weight of my decisions pressed down on me, but it wasn't just about saving them or the world. Deep down, I knew the real reason why I hesitated. Killing Nikolai meant losing someone I had started to care for deeply, despite his dark past.

Once again, my conflicting emotions threatened to consume me as I struggled with the consequences of my actions. How could I possibly choose between duty and love?

As the dust settled and the sun began to rise over the horizon, I found myself standing amidst the wreckage of my internal battlefield, as real to me as any physical battle would have been just now. My eyes were drawn to the pair of monsters sitting in front of me drinking blood wine as if they weren’t in any danger from me whatsover.. I could feel the weight of my decisions pressing down on me, the burden of knowing that I had the power to end it all, but chose not to.

Nikolai and Dmitri stood beside me, their expressions a mix of relief and confusion. They knew what I was capable of, what I had done in the past to protect them and others. But this time was different. This time, I hesitated.

I turned away from them, unable to meet their gaze. The truth was, deep down, I knew why I had hesitated. It wasn't just about saving them or the world. It was about something much darker, something buried deep within me that I didn't want to acknowledge.

I could not kill Nikolai because I had started to fall for the son of a bitch.

My friends, Nikolai and Dmitri, stood beside me with expressions of relief and confusion. They knew what I was capable of, what I had done in the past to protect them and others. But this time, I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I turned away from them, unable to meet their gaze. The weight of my decisions pressed down on me, but it wasn't just about saving them or the world. Deep down, I knew the real reason why I hesitated. Killing Nikolai meant losing someone I had started to care for deeply, despite his dark past.

Once again, my conflicting emotions threatened to consume me as I struggled with the consequences of my actions. How could I possibly choose between duty and love?

It did not matter whether I could choose between duty and love however. I had no choice, I had to choose whether I liked it or not. If I did not choose, I had a feeling Nikolai was going to push the matter, and choose for me. It was not going to be good either way. Something was going to go left. It was just a matter of time.

Blood Oath

I decided that I was going to do it. I was absolutely terrified of course, but when I considered how sick and tired I was of living my life as the slave of the Vampire King Lucas Sangrey, I could not help myself. When I ran into the mysterious man in the subway, I could not resist his invitation for freedom.

"What is your name?" He had said to me, peering at me with those dark brown eyes, eyes that seemed to see right through me. Beautiful eyes, captivating eyes, but eyes that at the same time that they held me prisoner seemed to set me free. I could not look away, and I could not just keep going about my business, even though I probably should have done so.

"Adriana." I whispered, as if I was afraid of someone overhearing me talking to this man.

I knew better than this of course. I was a slave and I was not supposed to be talking to strangers. Talking to people I did not know would put me at risk of being exposed, it would put my master at risk of losing his property, and that was the last thing that I should have been doing. If Lucas Sangrey lost something that belonged to him, there would be hell to pay after all. Yet a part of me did not care, and a part of me wanted desperately to be lost. I just did not know it yet.

"Who are you?" I asked, unable to keep myself from speaking those words, even though I really should have bitten my tongue.

I should have ignored him. I should not have engaged. I would be punished. It would be bad. I would regret it. The words and threats that I had received time and time again echoed in my mind and soul, and they should have been enough to keep me to myself. I had been the object of the king's wrath before. It was no laughing matter. It was nothing to take lightly. He would whip me, starve me. Slap me around. If I angered him enough he might even kill me.

"My name is David." He said in a voice that was strong and reassuring in a way. The voice calmed me for a moment and made me forget my doubts. "I know what you are. I know you are a slave to a vampire. I know that you do not really want to be. I can help you get away. I can help you get free. All you have to do is to trust me and you can start over far away from the clutches of Lucas Sangrey. I will help you Adriana. All you have to do is to say the word."

"I don't know how you know about me. All I know is that you better keep going. Leave me alone. Get as far away from me as you can. Walk away now and I will forget we had this conversation. I will even keep it a secret from Lucas. Just walk away." I said.

"You know you do not want me to do that." David said as he stood there, refusing to move. He was not going to leave. I knew this somehow. For some reason I could not fathom he was willing to help me. Somehow, I was willing to consider letting him do it. "Tell me, Adriana, are you happy as his slave? Is this really the way you want to live the rest of your life?"

"It does not matter what I want, David." I said, my voice trembling. "My fate was written in the stars a long time ago. Lucas owns me, what he owns he never relinquishes. The only way out of this for me is death."

"You are wrong. I can help you. You know in your heart I am not lying when I say this. I can and I will help you." David said. "Just trust me. If you are sick and tired of bowing before a monster, when we reach the next stop, get off with me. Never look back."

It seemed like an eternity as I waited for the car to come to a screeching halt. It was now or never.

"Fuck it." I said as I followed the man out of the car. I hoped to God I had not just made the biggest mistake of my existence.

I really did it. I stepped off that train, and I followed this man that I did not know away from a life of slavery to a vampire. Nothing was ever going to be the same, and there was no going back.

I was scared to death, as you can imagine. As soon as Lucas Sangrey found out I had run away, he was going to come after me. He was going to do whatever was in his power to stop me. He was going to kill us both, if he got his hands on us. Unless of course my instincts were correct, and David was a lot stronger than he appeared.

You see, I am an empath. I am able to read the emotions of others to a certain extent, and I have something of an idea of whether or not someone is human. I know if they have supernatural powers, and I know just by looking at them.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that David is not like other men. If this were not the case, I obviously would not have been stupid enough to run away.

"It's going to be ok, Adriana. I know you are afraid, but I am going to help you. We are going to be ok. I am going to take you to some friends of mine, and we are going to figure out what we are going to do from here." David said in a voice that was confident and self assured.

"Aren't you afraid?" I asked as we walked away from the subway into the dark night. "This city is the king's domain. He has men everywhere. I bet he will know that I am not coming back in less than an hour. He is going to be after us for vengeance, so I really do hope that you have some kind of a plan."

"Of course I am afraid." David admitted. "Lucas Sangrey owns the city, as you have pointed out. He does have men everywhere, and he and I go back a long, long ways. He already wants me dead however, so rescuing you from a life of slavery is not really going to change things for me all that much. But what I am doing right now is going to change everything for you and that is really what matters here Adriana. You have to get away. Everything else depends on it. If you do not get away, then I will have failed, and failure is simply not an option."

"Failed at what? What do you mean everything depends on this. God damn it, would you stop talking in riddles and simple tell me why you were willing to risk everything to save me." I finally demanded. He was driving me nuts with the way he was speaking to me. "I am risking my life here, so the least you can do is be forthcoming with me."

"Because I promised your father I wouldn't let this happen to you. I failed you and him once before, and now I have a chance to make things right." David explained, although what he told me gave me more questions than it did answers.

"How did you know my father? Who are you David? I already know you are not human. You know that I am an empath, I am sure of it, and so you know that years of being fed vampire blood to enslave me has made me able to sense the feelings of other people. You know it has given me True Sight and that I am able to tell if someone isn't human. But what the hell are you David?"

"We don't have time for this line of questioning. Someone is coming." David said as there was a flash behind us, and someone with a sharp deadly katana started slashing their way towards us. Well it seemed that the attack was coming more for David than it was for me. The blade cut him. I was not sure how deeply. I could see the torn fabric of his black shirt, and I could see the blood.

I thought were were totally screwed at this point. I didn't even see what happened next. It was a blur. But somehow, he managed to get the blade away from the attacker, and he managed to use it to decapitate our attacker. I was dumbfounded.

"We have to go, now!" David said as he took my hand, and we started running into the darkness of the night.

We ran for what seemed like an eternity. David and I kept going until we came to a manhole cover. I was not extremely thrilled about the idea of going underground. I had followed David and so far he had kept me safe, so there seemed to be no reason to believe that he would not continue to do so.

I followed him down the ladder, climbing down until we reached the underground tunnels that I had heard so much about before. This was not an entrance to a waste treatment facility like I had feared it would be. It only masqueraded as such. I followed David until we made it to the entrance way of what proved to be a large underground structure, something that had obviously been built for a very important purpose.

"Are you going to tell me where we are?" I asked. I was getting very irritated at this point. "Because if you are going to keep dicking me around like this, and not answer my questions, or only give me part of the truth, than I can just leave and take my chances on my own."

"This is a safehouse" I exclaimed as I looked around, seeing all manner of people gathered around. They appeared to be human, although I was not certain if all of them were.

"Your right, this is a safehouse." David told me, as he had a seat over on a bench, while I noticed that all eyes in the room were on me. It was making me slightly uncomfortable.

"Who are these people David?" I asked. I was not going to wait around for an answer, and I think by this time he realized that I meant it when I said I was going to leave if he did not satisfy me with his answers.

"They are humans mostly, people we brought here, but not all of them. Also a few vampires are here as well." David explained.

"That is it." I said as I headed for the exit. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted you."

The door behind me slammed shut, and as I grabbed it, and tried my damnedest to get it open, it simply would not budge.

I lost my shit on David as the fear and the perceived betrayal sunk in more completely.

"Open this door right now god damn it!" I screamed as I pounded on the door, as if my strikes of desperation would force the door open. I realized I was in tears. How could I have been so stupid? I had left the clutches of one vampire for the clutches of another. It had to be. I was no better off than I was before.

"That is not true, Adriana. You are free now. I am going to let you out of here eventually and we are going to keep running, unless you decide you want to stay here, I just need to rest for awhile, and I need something to eat."

"Something?" I asked. "Or do you mean that you need someone to eat?"

I watched him carefully for a moment. I had been around lots of vampires before. I realized as I studied this man, I did not know for sure if he was a vampire or not. If he was a vampire I was obviously in as much danger as I was in the hands of Lucas Sangrey, and I had just left one prison for another.

"I assure you, Adriana, this is not a prison. So calm the fuck down, stop hitting me, stop crying, and have a seat and just breathe. It's going to be all right." David insisted. I wanted to believe him. I was just not sure I did.

David spoke his reassuring words to me, and I finally decided to take a moment and hear him out. Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe I was safe.

I had a seat on the bench next to him, and I asked him the question that was burning in my mind.

"Are you a vampire?" I demanded. This was not an optional question. I needed to know. I had to know, and I could not and would not tolerate any more of his bullshit answers. He was going to tell me straight up or I was going to slap the shit out of him again.

"Yes." David said in matter of factly. "But I will not hurt you. Lucas Sangrey turned me about three hundred years ago. He kept me as a slave much as he did you. I finally managed to get free about a century ago and I have been running from him and fighting him and his minions and freeing slaves like you ever since."

"So let me guess." I said in reply. "These other vampires are all people he turned as well. They are trying to help these humans, right? They are trying to keep them safe, and they can leave whenever they wish?

"Not all of them. Some of them were made by Sangrey, others were made by other vampires. Noone staying here is a prisoner." David said. "Anyone can leave when the doors open when the sun goes down. They cannot leave in the middle of the day because the sun would kill all of the vampires who have taken refuge here, and we are still in the middle of constructing a sun free zone in the underground so that we no longer have to worry about the possibility of the sun killing us. It's not that you cannot leave, you just cannot leave until the sun comes down again. I am sorry but it is something we do to protect the blood drinkers that we have taken in here."

I felt myself calm down immediately as David explained this. I studied his features again, and I could kind of see what I could not see before. His skin was not as pale as normal vampires, but it was still paler than a human. He was stunningly handsome, but then again a lot of supernatural creatures tended to be. The thing that gave it away the most at this point was something I had missed before because I had not really looked. His nails. They were like glass. Beautiful but inhuman. How could I have missed that? I asked myself. I made a mental note to pay more attention to things like that in the future.

"Come on let's get something to eat. I know you have to be starving. Its a few hours after dinner time, and you have hypoglycemia, the last thing we need is to worry about you getting sick because you waited too long to get something to eat. I know you have some of your shots with you but you have a limited number, and I dont want to have to waste them just because we put off having dinner."

"How did you know?" I asked. "Never mind I don't really care let's just get something to eat. At least I should get some food before my low blood sugar kicks in and we have a major problem.

We entered an adjacent room, where I helped myself to some sandwiches. Cold cuts, not the most appealing food in the world, but it was food and it would take care of the problem of my blood sugar for the time being.

I got up from where I was seated, and then I bumped into David by accident. His skin was cold, and it alerted me to the fact that he had not fed himself in some time. If he had fed more recently than he wouldn't have been so cold to the touch and would have carried the warm of his last meal.

"You can feed from me if you need to." I said. I could not believe that I was actually volunteering to do this. Had I lost my damned mind? He was a vampire. I had no idea how much self control he had and I did not know him.

I studied him carefully, wondering as I did whether or not he was going to go ahead and take my invitation.

David looked at me with those haunting eyes, as if considering my invitation and trying to decide if this was something he really wanted to do. He looked like he was very unsure, and I wondered of what exactly. Was he afraid of hurting me? Was he afraid of getting too close? Was he afraid this was going to change the dynamic between us forever? Whatever it was, something was definitely scaring him about the proposition of doing as I had invited him to do.

"Are you sure, Adriana?" David asked me. He seemed to almost be warning me of something. I just wasn't able to read between the lines.

"Yes, David I am sure. I wouldn't have offered to do this if I was not sure that it was something that I wanted to do. Drink from me. It is the least I can do in return for what you did for me."

David finally seemed to have decided to take the invitation. He took my right hand in his, and brought it to his mouth, and sank fangs into my wrist, and gently started to drink.

It was a sensation I should have been prepared for. I was a blood doll to a Vampire King for most of my life. However this was a new level of euphoria. I do not know what it was.

Perhaps he had a special ability that made it feel this way. Maybe it was because he was not a monster that was basically using me. Perhaps it was because he was stunningly handsome and I was attracted to him. Whatever it was, this was taking me to new heights, and I was embarrassed at just how good it felt, and I was worried because I knew that he could sense it and could totally see my reaction to this.

He pulled away rather meekly, had a seat again. Although I never had any concerns whatsoever about offering my blood to my liberator, I never thought I would be giving my blood to any other vampire and I honestly did not know what to think about the fact I had actually done so.

When the Reckoning occurred thirty years ago and human families were divided amongst the various vampire families out there, I was made the property of Lucas Sangrey after all. Noone else should have ever touched me. Yet here I was offering myself freely to another.

David pulled me close and started to kiss me, and I was totally and completely startled by the action. I did not kiss him back at first, and then I felt his hand going to the small of my back, pulling me closer. There was a heat between the two of us, and sparks of desire came from deep within my soul. I knew now that he obviously felt the same way that I did. This absolutely terrified me. Giving my blood and risking injury never frightened me, but being kissed by this vampire scared the living shit out of me.

I pulled away, and he let me. He could see the look on my face and knew my uncertainty and fear by the look that was plastered on my face.

"I'm sorry." I said, apologizing for the way that I had reacted to the kiss. I started to walk away from him, uncertain just where in the hell I was going as I walked through the nearest door, trying to escape his presence. This was really happening. I had really just been kissed by someone who did not own me for the first time in my life, and I had no idea what I planned to do about it.

That was when the door opened behind me, and David stood there, capturing my gaze with those mysterious brown eyes. I watched him watching me, and tried to gather my thoughts so I knew what to say.

David followed me in the other room and took my hand. "Where are you going?" He asked. "You have no idea what secrets this place holds. Never go wandering around here without me. I do not want anything to happen to you. It is up to me to keep you protected because I brought you to this place, and I cannot do that if I do not know where you are."

I paused for a moment as David took my hand and stopped me from going into the next room. "Well would you like to tell me, just how safe is the safe house? I do not expect a total and complete tour, but if you have like a horde of zombies in the basement or a demon chained up or something like that, I would like to know."

"No it is nothing like that. Its just that its a big long maze and I do not want you to get lost. These tunnels are very old and it would be very easy for you to get lost in them. That is the only concern I have Adriana. I assure you we do not keep zombies demons or anything else in the basement here."

"Well that is reassuring." I said in reply. "I would not be very happy with you right now if I found out that you took me to a place that zombies, demons, or anything else resided. I am uncomfortable enough obviously with the fact that you have vampires here. But I hope that you are stronger than they are an able to deal with any issues that may arise from having them here.

I stopped dead in my tracks, and made my way over to the nearest chair, a plain wooden thing that was as uncomfortable as the benches that were situated in this room.

David asked as he put his hand on my shoulder. I was shaking I realized as I heard his voice deep in my mind.

"I know where you are Adriana." He whispered in a chilling tone that he had used with me over and over again since I had come to be his slave many moons ago. "I know where you are and I am going to find you. I swear this on all I hold dear. I am going to find everyone who means anything to you, and I am going to kill them. I am going to keep doing this until you return to me. And tell David I know he is behind this my dear, and he is also going to pay for what he has done. Rest assured I will have my revenge."

"What is it Adriana?" David asked of me in a supportive tone of voice. He could tell that something was wrong. He was a powerful enough vampire that he was able to sense that something was amiss, though it was obvious now that he had no idea what that was, and that he still need to be informed of what had been said to me, and what I had just experienced.

"It's Sangrey..." I whispered, in a tone that would have been hard for a human to pick up. but David was no human and I knew he had no trouble hearing what I had said whatsoever.

"Lucas says he knows where to find us. He told me that he will kill everyone that I know, everyone that I love, until I return to him. David I don't think I can do this. I think freedom was just a pipe dream. I have family out there in the world. I have friends I have made. If something were to happen to one of them I do not know what I would do."

"It's going to be all right. Even if he knows where we are, this place is secure. I am not the only supernatural creature of any power that resides here. He would have to start a war with the mage community, and I doubt sincerely he is going to want to do that." David looked towards one of the exits and then offered me his hand. "Let's go Adriana, I will find you a place to sleep. You need some rest so that we can talk and decide what our best course of action is now that you are free."

I followed him into one of the sleeping quarters within the safehouse, and fell asleep, though not without trouble. I was going to have to give a lot of thought as to whether or not this 'Great' Escape' was something I was ultimately going to be ok with. The cost was going to be so much higher than I ever realized. But for now I was free of such worries and lost in the land of dreams.

I, Lucas Sangrey was seated in my red upholstered chair, keenly aware that it was more comfortable than the wooden chair that my run away slave, Adriana was seated in just a little bit earlier that night.

I could see everything through her eyes. I do not think that Adriana was aware of this at all as she hid within this underground safehouse with one of my greatest enemies, David Hansen. If my little blood doll had known just how much I knew about what she had done since escaping me she would have been even more terrified than she already was.

David was one of my biggest mistakes. I had sired him three centuries ago thinking that I was going to have a companion, a lover, and someone that would keep me company throughout the ages. It was good at first, we had a steamy relationship, walked the night together and killed so many people that we were the stuff of local legends wherever we went. People feared us, and I was happier than I had been in several hundred years.

Then he got religion or something. I still am not entirely sure what happened and how I lost him to the world of the righteous. All I know is that he stopped murdering people and started liberating them, and he called it 'penance' for all the evil that he had done. He was not a lot of fun like this. He was a real buzz kill, and needless to say, he had no more room in his life for a relationship with someone that was totally and completely at peace with being a vampire and all that that entailed.

One of my other blood dolls, a stunningly beautiful blonde woman who was in a state of undress when she knelt before me offering her wrist like a butler offered a glass of fine wine, could obviously tell as I pulled her to me and ripped her throat clean out that I was in a foul mood. Unfortunately she was not ever going to notice anything else.

My sister Lucia entered the room, with a look of disapproval on her face. "Another one? Slaves cost money brother and they do not grow on trees, and this is the third one that you have killed just this week. And the Otherkin Council is going to be very cross with you for continuing to break the law and killing them like this."

"I do not recognize the authority of the Otherkin Council Lucia. You know this." I said as I rose from the chair and stopped just a stone's throw away from Lucia, looking her up and down. "So I see you outdid yourself getting ready for the party tonight.

Do you think that David is going to be able to resist coming? The Slave Auction in the basement should get the attention of HOCA. That damned pesky group of Freedom Fighters needs to be put in their place. They are about as annoying as the damned Otherkin Council.

They do not deserve anything except our contempt. They certainly do not deserve our obedience. You are a Sangrey, a Queen in your own right. Stop acting like a pauper and bowing in fear before the likes of them. They deserve nothing save our contempt."

"You are right brother. Our father would have wanted us to reclaim the throne for the Sangrey Bloodline. We are kings and queens in our own right. I have forgotten this. The Otherkin Council has been promoting peace and cooperation with the humans and the Others for far too long."

Lucia smoothed the invisible wrinkles of her dress with her smooth manicured hand, and then said. "We ought to hurry up and make our appearance at the party. It is our own party after all, and we are more than a little fashionably late to it."

"Two days late. A Sangrey is always at least two days late to everything. Preferably three. We will live forever so we have nothing but time after all." I said with a big grin as I went to the closet and pulled out my new jacket to complete my outfit.

"Have someone clean that rug again. No actually throw it out and just have a new one brought in. After cleaning it it would cost so much money that we might as well just replace it and while we are at it the throw rug in the dining room and in the foyer."

Lucia nodded and took my arm, and together we finally headed downstairs to make an entrance at our own party. I was more than a little excited. I whispered an invitation into David's mind as I finally descended the stairs, ready for blood, food, sex and some entertainment. "Come and get me."

I went down to the party with my sister Lucia. She took my hand in hers, and I presented her to the crowd.

Frank, one of my slaves opened the door to the large ball room and looked back at me and my sister nervously, as if he was afraid that he was going to say something wrong and invoke my wrath. I had already killed three slaves that week, so I sort of understood that. I was kind of terrifying.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Frank said, announcing our presence in a loud voice that demanded respect. "May I present, our king, Lucas Sangrey, and Princess Lucia Sangrey."

Frank quickly stepped out of the way and shrank back as if I had slapped him. I quirked a brow in his direction and barked. "Get out of here. I am sure you have something more important to do than to stand here and open the door for a bunch of idiots."

Frank did not have to be told twice. He made himself scarce, which I probably would have done if I had been him. I was really in a bad mood this week after all, and although it would have cost me money, there was a very real possibility I would kill another three of my slaves before the week was out.

"Don't look at me in that tone of voice." I said to Lucia as she chastised me without words.

"Lucas, you are really being a dick lately. It is starting to get boring." My sister said.

"Go mingle and shut the hell up." I told my sister. I was not in the mood for a lecture from a woman, even if this woman was my only sister.

In my boredom and irritation, I reached out with my abilities to scan the minds of Adriana, my little blood doll. You see, as soon as a vampire drinks from a mortal, he or she has permanent access to that mortal's mind unless the blood bond is broken by the intervention of a mage. This basically means, that even though Adriana may have gotten away from me, until David could get her to a mage to break our blood bond, she was still within my reach.

I could sense Adriana's fear, and it was palpable. Through her eyes, I could see various escaped slaves, hunters, and vampire sympathizers. I had the names and faces of many people who would eventually be punished, put to death or condemned to a life in slavery, exile or prison. If I got my hands on them, they would certainly be punished, and with me being in the mood I was in, it did not bode well for many of them.

I decided to watch and listen. I could have spoken more threats into this woman's mind, but sometimes silence speaks volumes, and I knew if I refrained from speaking I would merely increase her fear. I knew her better than she knew herself after all, and I wanted her to stew with it.

I saw something I was not expecting though as I stood there in the back of the ball room drinking a glass of blood wine spying on the little bitch that had escaped my grasp.

There was smoke. At first I thought it was intentionally set and someone was cooking nearby, and then I realized that this was not the case, and that someone had intentionally sat a fire.

There were screams of panic as the trapped vampires and humans started to push their way towards the exits to try and get out. I felt a little bad about the fact I had not thought about getting someone from the inside to set a fire to cause a diversion, but it did not matter, because a fortunate turn of events had given me exactly what I needed in order to hunt them down.

"David!" I could hear Adriana scream. "David where are you?" She was knocked to the ground by someone that was trying to flee, and I felt the irritation rise in me. I could no longer see anything but feet on the floor in front of me.

"What is it, Lucas?" Lucia said to me as she approached with less caution than she probably should have given the look that must have been plastered on my face.

"There is a fire in the safehouse where Adriana and David are hiding." I exclaimed.

"This is a good thing Lucas," My sister said in reply. "They have to come out of hiding now, or they burn to death. It is only a matter of time before you find them."

The fire was not the most pleasant experience I had ever had. Fighting my way through a crowd of panicked people trying to escape certain death was not something that I wished to repeat any time soon. The fear, the apprehension, the uncertainty, it was something that would haunt my dreams for a very long time.

The important thing was that I got out. The bad thing however, was that I did not know whether or not David did. I paused, and said to myself. "Ok Adriana. You appear to be on your own now. You need to pull it together and decide what to do."

By this point I had already called for David several times mind you. I had not immediately given up hope that he had survived the fire, even though I could not find him. A lot of people were exiting that place. More people than I realized were down there, and so he could have been in the middle of helping others get out and to safety. Given the boy scout he seemed to be, that was very likely the case here.

I asked myself. "Could this get any worse?" My heart was beating fast, sweat was pouring down my face. I was coughing from the smoke. I did not have my purse which had my insulin supplies with it.

I was about to find out, as strong arms grabbed me, and a hand went over my mouth to block out the screams, that yes, this was about to get very very bad.

I was dragged kicking and screaming into the back of a nearby van. I did not see David anywhere. I immediately recognized the driver of the van as one of Lucas Sangrey's lackeys. He got on the phone and called the Vampire King. "We have her, master."

"What about David?" Lucas said through the speaker phone. I could hear the satisfaction dripping from his voice. He had recaptured me. This was not good for me, but this was great for him. If I did not manage to escape again before they got me back to Sangrey's home, than I was going to be in deep shit.

The van started rolling off towards the manor, and I started trying my damnedest to kick my way out of the back of the van. Some how, I got the back door open.

Now I knew it was dangerous to do this, but I knew it was also dangerous to be returned to the home of my master after my escape. He would hurt me for escaping, perhaps he would even kill me, and that was the last thing that I wanted to deal with right now.

I went for it. I had already risked my life several times over the past few days, what was one more time after all?

The man driving down the road did not immediately realize that I had escaped again. He was probably going to get killed for it. I couldn't help but not be too bothered by this. After all, the only person's fate that I currently was worried about other than my own was David's. David was the only person who had ever risked his life to save mine after all, so this made him the only person who was worth worrying about in return.

Now I was free again. I started running for the last place I figured that Lucas Sangrey would look for me. I began making my way towards Lycan territory. If Lucas wanted to come and get me now, he would have to risk starting a war.

I was afraid as I stepped into the forest which was deep in the heart of Lycan territory, but at this point, I was out of options. It was early evening, but the sun had not yet set over the horizon, so at least I did not have to worry about being found by vampires at this point in time. Besides, the chances of a vampire being stupid enough to stumble upon me here was very low. At least I hoped it was. Indeed I was counting on it.

I continued on until I came upon a nearby stream that I could only imagine the wolves used to drink. It would only make sense that this would be the case as it was the main source of water for this area. I had to give it to the Lycans, their territory was absolutely beautiful I did not get to see much wilderness as the Blood Doll of a powerful Vampire Lord, and this was a refreshing change of pace for me, being able to appreciate nature. If only I was not putting myself at risk while doing it.

Although I was marked as Blood Oathed and vampires would recognize me as a Blood Doll, or toy of a powerful vampire on sight, Lycans would not recognize me as such. Powerful and influential Lycans would know who I was and who I belonged to however, which could be both a good and a bad thing for me, depending on which Lycan I ran across.

It was not long before a wolf found me. A beast in wolf form. I knew he was a Lycan based on the fact he was slightly largely than a regular wolf, and because he had these blood red eyes that barred into my soul. Hungry eyes, that looked me over and seemed to consider whether I would make a good meal.

"Wait!" I cried, hoping he would hear me out, and not just attack. "I want to speak to your leader." I repeated myself. "I am Adriana Hansen, and I am asking for sanctuary from your Alpha from the Vampire King and his minions."

The Lycan shifted back into human form, and peered at me with those dark feral eyes of his. What I said obviously got his attention.

"Come with me human." He said as he led me deeper into the forest. I followed him without a word, nervous as he lead me deeper into camp where a bunch of men were seated around a fire. They turned in my direction, starring at me, many of them with lust in their eyes. I wondered if I had made a mistake in coming here briefly, but I decided to hold my own and to try not to show just how nervous and afraid I was.

The Alpha, a dark haired main with tan skin and a nice muscular chest stepped forward. He was naked so it was easy to appreciate every single inch of him as he approached me.

"Come sit by the fire and have a drink with us, and I'll get you something to eat and drink." He said as he invited me to come over and sit with him next to the warm fire. "I am Marcus, and I am the Alpha of this pack. It is very good to meet you.

"Do not worry anymore, Adriana." The Alpha said to me in a self assured confident voice. "You are safe her and you are now under the protection of the Silver Moon pack. No vampire in his right mind is going to come looking for you here. Not even Lucas Sangrey."

I had a seat next to the fire, and let the warmth of it and the presence of these Lycans give me comfort. I did not know how safe I really felt honestly, but at least for the moment I did not have to worry about the Vampire King.

Undoubtedly Lucas Sangrey would eventually figure out where I had gone. Some how, he always figured out where I was, and found me no matter how far I ran. I did not really understand it. I dreaded running into the monster again, but at least now, for the moment I was going to be ok, and that was all that really mattered.

"Do you know what happened to David?" I asked Marcus. "Have your people had any word of him? He saved me from Lucas Sangrey yesterday. He gave me the courage to run from the man when I did not ever think that I would be able to do that. We got separated earlier in the fire that broke out in the Safehouse I was hiding with him at. I pray nothing happened to him.

"No, I am sorry." Marcus said in reply. "I know who David is, everyone knows him. He is a good man, for a vampire. I do not know where he is though. If I hear anything you will be the first to know. But try not to worry about anything for the moment and just relax. You are safe now, and under my protection. I will not let anything happen to you while you are here. I assure you. Now eat and drink, enjoy the hospitality of our pack, and do not worry about anything else for the rest of the evening. When tomorrow comes I will send out members of the pack to try and find out whatever I possibly can about the whereabouts of your friend David. I promise you. If there is anything we can do to help him, I will do that too."

I took the offered food. It was a fresh stew, and it was some of the best food that I had ever had.

"This is very good, thank you." I said, complimenting the Alpha for the meal that he had prepared.

"You can thank Kyle over there. He is our cook, and he is very good at it. That and telling stories and getting himself into a boat load of trouble with the ladies. Isn't that right Kyle?" Marcus said, patting the older man on the back as he sat beside me enjoying his own food.

Once I had finished eating, I felt myself starting to get drowsy. I felt relaxed enough in the presence of these Lycans that I was able to drift off and actually get a bit of sleep.