Prologue

Humans are the worst kind of creature in this world.

They are feckless, irksome, slow, pathetic, and questionable beings. I don’t see anything special about them—except when they do stupid things, I get amazed they can still become even more stupid. And yet, I can’t believe I need to get one now. I need to take a human and make it my slave.

“Fuck!” I cursed in frustration.

I’ve been sitting on the railing of this tall building for a while now, watching people down below. They’re all the same, so I don’t get why I’m making it so hard for myself to choose. I could just grab one and introduce them to Father so this would all be over.

I suddenly felt a presence behind me.

“Just say the word, Brix. I’ll pick one for you,” Oscar said, standing beside me and staring off at the distant crowd. “Just a reminder, Brixton—Father gave you only until tonight.”

That irritated me more. If I didn’t choose by tonight, Father would choose for me. I know his taste in humans—they're always the most annoying ones. No. I can find one tonight. I’ll make sure of it.

“There!” Oscar pointed at a woman wearing a fancy outfit, holding a sword. “Looks like her sword has powers, Brix. Don’t you hate weaklings? This is your chance!”

I watched as the woman stopped when a little girl asked for a picture. She bent down to the girl's level, flashed a peace sign, and pouted her blood-red lips.

“That’s a costume, Oscar,” I clicked my tongue.

“It’s good enough!” He even gave my shoulder a light punch. “Didn’t you say you hated ordinary? If you pick her, make her wear costumes every day!”

I just shook my head.

“Good for me—I already have one,” he added. “Celeste.”

In a blink, a woman appeared beside him. She bowed politely to Oscar, and the idiot grinned like a king. Well, that’s how it should be—we should be treated like royalty. Okay. I just need to get myself one. I want to enjoy having a slave too.

“You smell good tonight,” Oscar told her.

Celeste stepped closer and showed her arm. Oscar took it and sniffed it repeatedly before he finally couldn’t help himself—he bit down.

“Damn. You taste fucking good.”

I swallowed hard when I saw blood drip to the floor. I quickly looked away.

“Get a room, Oscar,” I muttered as his hands started trailing down Celeste’s bare thigh.

“No.” He paused. “Go now, Celeste. Have a good sleep, baby. I’ll need you tomorrow.”

“Yes, Master Oscar.” Celeste vanished once again.

Oscar wiped his mouth and turned to me. I kept my eyes on the crowd below.

I don’t want to be reckless about choosing my slave. I want something at least special. But maybe they really are all the same. If I keep being picky, the night will pass and I still won’t have a slave.

“I see. You finally decided,” Oscar whispered with glee.

I have no choice.

I watched the people again. A woman running quickly caught my attention. A man was running ahead of her, clutching a bag—clearly hers.

“You see that, Oscar?” I pointed at the woman chasing after her belongings. “That’s how stupid people are. That thief has a knife hidden behind his back. He wouldn’t hesitate to stab her just to keep that meaningless bag.”

“That bag must have a lot of money,” Oscar said.

“Exactly!” I chuckled, shaking my head. “She’s willing to risk her life for money.”

My eyebrows rose as another woman suddenly joined the scene. She tripped the thief, sending him sprawling on the ground. She quickly grabbed the bag and then smacked it into his face.

“You’re huge, and yet you steal?!” she shouted at him.

She turned and handed the bag back to the owner. The woman thanked her and even offered money, but she refused. I couldn’t help staring at her smiling face.

My neck snapped back when I noticed the thief getting up.

The next thing I saw—the brave woman collapsed to the ground, a knife buried in her back. I watched her struggle to breathe, her eyes blinking hazily. But strangely, I didn’t sense fear from her—not the way a human should feel in a moment like that.

The other girl screamed for help, but the crowd just stood there, watching as if they were part of a movie scene.

“Pathetic humans,” I whispered.

My gaze followed the fleeing thief.

“What a hero,” Oscar said.

I stood up and stretched my limbs. Then I jumped from the building and landed right in front of the thief. He froze when he saw me. I noticed how his hand trembled, the same knife from earlier still clenched in it.

“Why are you shaking?” I asked calmly.

“Don’t come closer!” he threatened.

Before he could run again, I was already in front of him. I shoved my hand into his chest and pulled out his heart. If I were like my bloodthirsty brothers, this guy would’ve been drained by now.

I shook my head. I’m picky with blood. Not this ugly human.

The man dropped to the ground. I placed his still-beating heart beside him.

“Damn. Can I have it?” Oscar, who had followed me, asked.

I didn’t answer.

I walked toward the stabbed woman, still surrounded by a crowd. I gently lifted her into my arms and carried her away. People stared as I passed, but once I was far enough, I broke into a run.

“She’s dead,” Oscar commented, wiping blood from his lips.

I gently laid her down and touched her head. I gasped as I slowly began to read her life. I nodded to myself afterward. Now I understood why she didn’t seem afraid to die.

“D-Don’t tell me—”

“I found my slave,” I said, smirking.