4. The Potion Works!

Triana

The vampire didn't lie. Triana had never felt stabbed with a knife, but now she was sure she didn't have to experience it beforehand to know how it felt.

The burning sensation, stinging, and throbbing pain made Triana wince. Her hands gripped the shoulders of the vampire, who was clinging to her neck, only to feel as if she was gripping a hard bone wrapped in cloth.

When the sharp fangs managed to dig deeper into Triana's veins, The Vampire let go of his fangs and began sucking blood from the two deep holes that formed.

When there was nothing else clogging the holes, fresh blood flowed out like a leaking pipe. However, the severe pain that Triana felt surprisingly got better.

Triana thought her suffering was over. Before, she had heard that it would last for a few minutes, but it seemed that it would only last for a few seconds.

But her thoughts were too positive. A soft and wet object that brushed against her open wounds made her jump in surprise at the stinging sensation it gave her.

In no time, the throbbing, sharp pain came back in a rhythm that seemed to drag her towards the gates of hell.

"Argghh…!"

Triana growled in pain as she gripped the shoulder bone that didn't feel as bone-like as before. But she wasn't going to think about it for now because her whole mind was too focused on the pain and burn that enveloped her.

When her blood was sucked very strongly, Triana felt as if her life was being ripped out of her body. She didn't expect a human… no, a vampire, to suck blood this hard. They indeed were monsters! No wonder the humans were so eager to kill them.

Triana thought her body would get used to this pain. But what happened was that she felt more and more pain and her energy rapidly drained out. A chill slowly ran down her back and she started to get numbness all over her neck and shoulder.

"Stop!" Triana exclaimed with the rest of her strength.

But because the vampire wasn't listening, she swiftly glanced at her guards. "Help me… Please stop him!"

It was an order even though it was said weakly. The guards immediately lit two torches and aimed them at the vampire.

The eyes that had turned bloodshot glanced at the men in the armour around him. Vampires never liked fire, most were even afraid of it. However, this vampire named Vlador seemed unfazed by the threat, even though he had seen it clearly before his eyes.

Those sharp eyes seemed to challenge the human men to kill him. He was like a lion that had managed to bite its prey's neck. He didn't want to let go.

Because scaring with fire didn't work and also endangered Triana, two guards tried to kick the vampire's back.

Although his body was meatless like a skull, it turned out that he had unbelievably powerful strength. So, all the guards pulled out their swords, about to cut off the vampire's head.

However, Triana immediately shouted, "Don't... don't kill him,"

"Please… let me go. You've promised," she said, uselessly trying to free herself.

She wouldn't let this vampire die because he hadn't drunk the potion. His death was tantamount to casting an ugly curse on her.

Then, one of the guards kicked the vampire's back again. Unexpectedly, the fierce fire that was brought close to him managed to make him let go of his bite and fall to the side.

The other guards immediately dragged Triana's weak body away from the vampire.

Vlador wiped the remaining blood on the side of his rose-red lips. Now, he could smile. The expressionless face had now regained its nerve function.

The skull that was only wrapped in skin seemed to get a little flesh in between. He still looked extremely skinny, but no longer dry.

"Luscious," Vlador's lips were able to move.

Then, he extended his palm forward. "I appreciate your persistence. Never have I seen someone so desperate as to trust a monster like me to eat her. Now, let me make your wish come true."

Although Triana's body felt very weak, the positive response that the vampire gave made her excited again. Without further ado, she gave up her noble attitude for a slight crawl reflex, and placed the bottle of glowing potion on the vampire's palm.

Vlador placed the tiny bottle of magic potion between his two fingers. Then, he put it in front of his eyes which gradually turned light brown again. Although his expression was still unclear, everyone there could tell that he seemed to be in deep thought.

His long, pointed fingernail nudged the lid of the potion bottle open until it fell. Then, without taking a breath or the slightest reluctance, he gulped down its contents.

Triana's eyes were fixed on the vampire in front of her. She was still sitting on the freezing floor with her hand floating in front of her slightly open mouth.

She still felt severe pain in the wounds on her neck that were still bleeding. However, her worry and curiosity about the vampire in front of her made her able to put the pain aside.

Like everyone who stood in the same dark and cold dungeon as him, Vlador was silent with an empty glass bottle in his hand, waiting for what reaction the magic potion he had just drunk would cause.

Would he feel burning inside? Would he soon be in unbearable pain? Would his body and tongue dry out even more? Would he spit out blood from his mouth and nose?

All those questions popped up in Triana's mind. The vampire had almost killed her. However, she had witnessed for herself that he did need human blood to live and feel alive.

Triana was not disappointed that Mr. Dracount had drunk so much blood of hers. At least, she had made him feel more alive as what he had been longing for. And most importantly, the vampire had kept his promise. He drank the potion.

Suddenly, Triana felt a strange sensation on her body. In that very instant, her face, hair, and entire body glowed green.

Surprised, Triana looked at her hands. Then, five seconds later, the uncomfortable sensation and glow disappeared from her body.

"The magic… it must have worked on me. I did-" Triana's muttering stopped when she heard the clanking metal sound.

When she lifted her face to look for the source of the sound, the smile on her lips instantly disappeared when she saw that all the chains that bound the vampire in front of her had been broken.