Ocean
"Ten million ivinus once! Ten million twice! Sold to Count Vladimir Bartholomew!" Melody's voice echoes in my mind every minute I'm awake. I still remember the auction like it was yesterday, yet the dreadful event happened two years ago. I recall how much I feared darkness and how my heart pounded against my ribcage as the masked man pulled me along. I couldn’t see where the man was taking me because the vampires had forced a blindfold over my eyes. Other than the hardwood floor I felt beneath my feet, I couldn't perceive anything of the surroundings. I knew that whatever he was up to, it couldn't be good - it never was when the darkness took over. My wrists bled, with each jerk of the chains the sharp iron handcuffs cut deeper into the wounds. No matter how many times the man tugged on the chain or forced me to move faster, I refused to show how much he was hurting me. I purposely avoided showering and changing clothes to appear dirty and undesirable. In order to get a decent, if not high, price for a blood bag, the Hunters had to take care of me, but the group didn’t seem to care about human well-being.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please don’t leave your seats; the auction is far from over. As always, we have saved the best for last. Tonight, we will present a special treat from the far Northern lands!" Melody's voice boomed through the speakers. She was one of the highest vampires among the Hunters, the hostess who ran the auctions. Even though her voice was reminiscent of an angel, the woman was a devil in disguise.
After the brief announcement, the masked man stood at my side and cleared his throat before bringing his face dangerously close to my neck. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat before he spoke up. "Listen kid, no one is going to hurt you if you stay quiet, alright?" The man whispered as he dropped the chains to the floor, probably an attempt to hide his words. I squinted my eyes and nodded my head, too terrified to speak up in front of such a dangerous audience.
"Prepare your wallets; the final phase of the auction is about to begin!" After the words left her greasy lips, Melody turned the stage lights on me and laughed as the crowd cheered. The man next to me gripped the blindfold and yanked it off before stepping away.
I gasped, the bright light making my eyes water even more than they had after another slap to the cheek. However, the bright light wasn't the only thing that startled me. Out of nowhere, a woman appeared, grabbed my clothes and ripped them off me, leaving me completely naked and shivering in front of a crowd of savages. Despite desperate attempts to cover myself, I couldn't; the Vampiress stood beside me and held my hands. "Behold, a pureblood human. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on exhibit thirty-six. She passed the health tests with flying colours; she's about sixteen years old, the perfect age to start collar training." As the vampire spoke, I tried to tune out and imagine myself elsewhere, somewhere I’d feel happy. I didn't need to hear these things, and I didn't want to see the faces of those who would buy me for the next meal. "Who wants to make the opening bid?" Everyone could hear the greed in Melody's voice. It was clear that she would do anything to get as much money as she could.
"Two million ivinus," I recall an older man calling out from a distance, silencing the excited crowd for a few seconds. Whoever the bidder was, he surprised everyone, including me, even though he wanted to buy me. Perhaps we, humans, were nothing more than walking feeding bags, but even we knew how much an ivinus was worth. Five ivinus could buy a house; I could only imagine how many doors would open for me with such an amount of money.
"Three, if you can prove there's a light skin under that dirt!" A woman shouted over the crowd. Vampires were known for being rude and selfish creatures, but who would have thought that to make matters worse, they would have a fondness for humans with a certain skin colour? Racist pigs! The louder the vampires got, the more I wanted to flee. My body trembled in fear of the unknown. Everyone, including the other girls I met, knew the Hunters would sell us out. But none of us had any idea that we would be separated, let alone presented to a huge crowd of vampires while the vile creatures shouted out bids for our future.
"Ten million. I don't care about the colour of her skin, but I want to do the rank test before I take her home. Payment in advance, as usual. Pack this one well, Melody, I want to keep her untouched. If you prove she's a virgin, I'll throw in another five million." His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine. Perhaps the cold-blooded creatures around me thought it was my body's reaction to the loss of clothing, but in reality, I wasn't cold; I was terrified. Someone who had that kind of money had to have big plans for every human they bought. No vampire spent that much on someone who would die within weeks of reaching the age. It didn't matter what his name was; I knew I'd come to know him as my worst nightmare once I was locked in his chambers. Hunters sold possessions, toys, and personal feeders, not blood banks. Even though many rumoured that life would be better for those who had to wear a collar, it often turned out to be much worse than leaving the house once a week to donate blood.
The Vampiress instantly agreed to the buyer's demands. "Ten million ivinus once! Ten million twice! Sold to Count Vladimir Bartholomew!" She shouted, excitement permeating her words. Melody knew I was a virgin, they had had me in the cells since I was an infant, so some of her words confused me. No Hunter in her house would be so foolish to break the law and try to take the virginity of someone imprisoned in their cells. She had handpicked the best of the best to ensure the purity of humans under her rule. "Tank, take her to my chambers for the rank test and bring in the healers; Count Vladimir wants to run some other tests," Melody called out for someone; within seconds, a huge man was at my side. He nodded his head, but the mere action was all I could perceive, too afraid to turn my head and look up at the monstrous creature. I was sure that someone named Tank could not be a gentle and friendly creature.
"Cover her; no one but me should see her naked, and don't let her walk! I don't like my pets to be as weak and emaciated as this one. Give her food and water!" Count Vladimir shouted; he was the first to leave the room. The lights went out and the room filled with many voices, most of which cursed the auction winner as a greedy man without morals.
I felt a heavy blanket thrown over my shoulders as the monster lifted me up and carried me off the stage. I hadn't expected his hands to be so soft, his touch so gentle, his heartbeat so soothing. For the first time in years, I let my body relax as the monster carried me into the hell I would call life outside Melody's house.
"Of course, Count, only the best for our loyal patrons." Melody spat under her breath long after the vampire had left the room. She pretended to have a special fondness for the man, but as soon as he was gone, she showed complete disgust and disrespect. It turns out that vampires are nothing more than duplicitous creatures, just like they think humans are. After all, they're not all that different; everyone is looking for the best and getting it one way or another.
* Ivinus - the official currency of the New Invictus City and its territories.
The New Invictus City 3199/ present/OceanThough the street hadn't heard laughter for a while, there are still the streetlamps, stubbornly shining into the night. The road itself has that well-loved appearance; the traffic of decades having passed over it. This is a street where real life had been, the turning of skipping ropes and shrieks of children. And then, the memories, reality, and dreams of so many collapsed. The times- they change along with a new power raising. It's hard to believe that not even a soul who had witnessed the former splendour of the beautiful city is around to talk about it. Most humans who live here must spend their days locked up in owner-issued chambers or avoid being caught on the streets. If anyone thinks Varden is a terrible man, they should pray they never encounter the guards.The sole of my worn heel slips i
Nightclub "Bloodlust"Ocean"Gentlemen, after tonight's show, I would like to invite everyone to my office; I have an offer in mind. And believe me, only a fool could resist it. But for now, I'm proud to present the first rank fifty-five human acquired in the last five decades. So, without further ado, please welcome her with a round of applause. The one I named Ocean." Vladimir jumps off the stage and sits on the chair he deems to be his throne. Everyone seated in the VIP area cheers, thrilled to feast their eyes upon the delicacy during the live performance. Each of these men spends the value of an entire servant to purchase a ticket to a once-in-a-lifetime show.I step on the stage as carefully as I can. I can't let the vampires know that I'm injured or Vladimir will make my life a pure Hell. The room falls silent, all eyes fixed on me, the bo
The forbidden auction, nightclub "Bloodlust"VladimirThe bright lights don't overpower the presence of so many influential men gathered for one purpose. Auctions are rare, private ones almost nonexistent; this day will go down in Invictus history. Everything I plan to do is considered illegal under our law, so the men I've invited must be careful.I walk around my office desk, sink into the gigantic leather chair, and clench my fists. "Men, I have invited the best of the best to announce stepping over a major milestone in my life. Today, I will sell my girls, and before you ask, yes, Ocean too." A smirk spreads across my lips as everyone around me cheers, clearly excited to acquire rare goods. However, two men I expected to see didn't appear in the room. The elite vampires had to arrive first, as the balcony exit was closest to my office.
Ocean"Fun fact, darling. When I see red, I don't stop." A tall, dark man stands in the doorway; he crosses his arms in front of his chest. One corner of his lip twitches as if he was about to smile, but the simple act doesn't happen. His presence makes me feel small, but beyond that, fear creeps over me, paralyzing my body - the stranger watched how I killed the Count. Now, even though somewhat free, I will still die at the hands of a vampire. Either way, I will die without a taste of freedom. "Here, let me show you how it's done," the man grins and stomps towards me. My reflexes have always been somewhat sharp, but I don't notice how the vampire snatches the key from my hand and drives it deeper into Vladimir's heart. His laughter fills the room, echoing off the walls like the most beautiful melody.His laughter is strangely hypnotic; I find mysel
Ocean"Welcome home, sweetheart." The blond vampire grins as he opens a heavy-looking door of their enormous house. I have never seen a building this large; even the Invictus building pales compared to this one. How can anyone call such a massive brick building home? Does their entire bloodline live here? "My name is Octavius, by the way," he places a hand where his heart is supposed to be and bows like a true gentleman. "Oh, yes, and this is Kieran," as Octavius introduces his brother, he purposely makes the darker man sound unimportant. Do they have some sort of bad blood between them? The thought makes me smile; at least, I came up with a rather funny line. Maybe one day I'll be able to use it."Thank you? My name is Ocean, but you know that already." Slowly, I enter the house; my eyes widen at the sight of the exquisite interior. There's no hallway leading to other rooms like I've seen in all the places I once visited. Instead, ta
Ocean"They say that I was nearly sixteen when the Count bought me. Honestly, I have no idea how the years are supposed to go; I only know how the day goes. The other girls, well, my friend Freya- she knows how we are supposed to count time, and she takes notes. At the end of each day, she adds another number. The auction was two years ago, so I know I'm almost eighteen now." There are so many things I would rather keep to myself, but the vampires will see that I am lying. There's no proof that Octavius or Kieran won't hurt me if I tell lies, so I decide to tell everything I can. "My biggest mistake was believing in the guard. Before Vladimir took me to his nightclub, he demanded the rank test- whatever that means. I'm not sure if you want to know how it went, but the process was heinous and extremely painful. I thought they were going to draw my blood like they usually do, but instead, they cut out a piece of
Ocean"Come on, sweetheart, don't be like that. Sure, you look cute as Hell, but there's no need to pout like that. I didn't do anything to you, so don't act like I did. Here's a suggestion, since I keep saying the wrong things, how about you ask questions?" Octavius sinks deeper into the chair and makes himself more comfortable. Of course, he expects I will have many questions, but none of them really come to my mind when he wants to answer them right now."Quick, think of something to distract him from the nasty things he's been talking about."I think to myself. I bite my lower lip, and my eyes widen as if a light bulb just appeared over my head. "Tell me more about yourself. I mean, you and your brother seem pretty old, is there anything you remembe
🌶️ WARNING 🌶️The following chapter contains adult content.Please, choose wisely IF you want to read such chapters. This content is meant for an audience of 18+ and ONLY. You've been warned, leave now or regret later. Enjoy, sinners xOceanKieran isn't nearly as sweet and gentle as Octavius, that I figured. I don't expect him to turn around, grab my wrist, and drag me along like a rag doll. Maybe vampires think they could do anything they please, but hopefully, my resistance proves him wrong. Not that I can win against an ancient vampire, but trying never hurt anyone. Right? I try to ask him where he's taking me, but the answer remains the same. "Mirror room" are the only words he repeats. For someone so short-tempered, Kieran doesn't complain about repeating himself, probably to annoy me.