3. A Bite

Triana.

Triana could hear the pounding of her own heart. Without her consent, her eyes rolled to the side to avoid the gaze of the skull-like vampire.

'Oh, God! I've never lied in my entire life! I truly apologize!' She cried inside.

Occasionally, Triana glanced at Vlador's face. She couldn't read the expression of the vampire—not because of his coldness, but because a skull had no facial muscles to express. Even his lips didn't move when he spoke. He simply opened his mouth, and words magically came out past his rows of teeth.

The silence made Triana's skin crawl even more. She didn't know what Vlador was thinking.

Could the vampire be suspicious of her? Well, who wouldn't be? Triana was foolish enough to say that the potion would make him young again.

The story of the disappearance of the vampire race had been passed down through generations. Vampires were annihilated after warring with humans, who were aided by witches. In other words, witches and vampires were archenemies.

In truth, the potion Triana was offering Vlador wouldn't make him any younger. The witch said that she hated vampires and wanted to make them suffer.

Vlador Lev Dracount was said to be the last vampire in Galvadea. He remained alive because a witch cursed him to be immortal and left him starving until he dried up like he was now. The witch Triana met said the potion would make a vampire feel like they were burning for three days without killing them. She just wanted to make him suffer for her personal satisfaction.

In her heart, Triana was sorry, even though she had heard that vampires had killed many innocent humans. But she had no other choice, especially since she had made a promise to the witch. If she didn't do it, she would become a monster.

"All right."

"I didn't lie-." Triana stopped her sentence. "All… all right?" she repeated.

"I will drink it," Vlador said.

"You... will drink it?"

"Don't repeat my words," Vlador hissed.

"I’m sorry, but... are you really going to drink it? I mean, are you sure?"

"Why do you keep asking? Is it a poison that will make me suffer?"

"No, of course not." Triana shook her head. Then she cleared her throat. "All right. If you are ag-"

"But I have a condition for you." Vlador interrupted.

"A condition? What condition is that?" Triana asked.

"Let me drink your blood."

"Dr-drink my blood?" Triana's eyes widened. Her blue pupils trembled.

"Don't repeat my words," Vlador said again.

"No. You'll just kill me!" Triana stepped back, still staring at Vlador.

The chains jingled as Vlador lifted his bony, skin-wrapped hand. He moved his index finger in a circular pattern. "It's been a hundred years since I drank human blood. If not for the witches' curse, I would have died of thirst long ago. Being able to drink human blood again is something that makes me feel at least alive."

"That potion... I know it won't make me young. It may contain something that makes me choose to die, but it won't let me." He continued.

Triana held her chest as a feeling of tightness emerged inside. So, Vlador knew that she was lying, yet he still agreed to her request just because he wanted to feel alive after a hundred years trapped in this dismal place. He didn't even know how long he had to continue living like this.

"I won't kill you. Humans will die if all their blood is drained, and that takes quite a long time. I'll only suck for a few minutes." Vlador said.

Gulping hard, Triana glanced at her guards. They only exchanged glances, unsure of what decision to make. In the end, it all rested on Triana's shoulders, the daughter of the Duke who employed them.

"Do... do you promise not to kill me?" Triana asked, her voice trembling as an outcome of her racing heartbeat.

"I've explained that draining your blood takes a long time. You've also seen that my hands and feet are chained by magic. I can't attack; instead, it's your guards who could kill me." Vlador replied.

Triana bit her lower lip, then gazed at the glowing potion bottle in her hand.

"If you demurred, then leave."

Vlador's words snapped Triana out of her reverie. She took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well. But you must keep your promise."

"I believe I cannot break it, no matter how hard I try," Vlador replied.

For the last time, Triana exchanged glances with her guards. The men in protective gear and iron helmets nodded, indicating they were ready to attack if the vampire didn't keep his promise.

"Come here. I can't walk over there," Vlador said.

Returning her gaze forward, Triana took a deep breath before stepping closer to the vampire. Every step was incredibly heavy, as if her ankles were chained to large stones.

Once she arrived between Vlador's open legs, Triana lowered her body gracefully and sat on the cold stone floor. She didn't expect Vlador's appearance to be much more terrifying up close. When he straightened his back to approach her, her body trembled violently.

"Good girl, pull your hair aside. You should know where vampires like to bite," Vlador whispered.

"W-wait a moment. Does it hurt?" Triana asked, clutching her tense neck.

"Have you ever been stabbed with a knife?" Vlador asked, receiving Triana’s head shake. "Then you could not imagine." He continued as he leaned his face toward her neck.

"Oh, God... Please do it slowly, Mr. Dracount." Triana pleaded as she brushed her long hair from her shoulders.

"Tilt your head so you'll feel better, at least," Vlador suggested, reluctantly followed by Triana.

Sensing the face with sunken eye sockets and hollow cheeks moving closer to hers, Triana tightly shut her eyes. She could feel the vampire's breath, indicating he was getting closer to her shoulder. Her entire body shivered, and her heart felt like it was about to burst.

Slowly, Triana felt two sharp objects pressing against the base of her neck. Then, her eyes widened as they pierced her skin without warning, sinking into her flesh.

"AGHH!" Triana's scream was muffled in her throat, making her sound like she was choking.