The man threw me to the ground.

"By agreement, she's yours," he said nonchalantly.

I could barely lift my eyes to see the hem of a blue dress.

This is too much.

I finally got it.

I remember I was dead.

I'm a monster now.

I've been a monster for four days now.

I drink blood.

I am cursed, an abomination. The people in the hallway are all pastors.

I killed a priest.

The boy on the first night, I killed him too.

Until then, my last few nights as a normal person, I... He... Something was done to me.

It's not a nightmare, I know very well, like I know I should be hysterical, but I can't, I should have hoped for death, but I didn't. Something inside me was broken.

Old age may eventually rob me of my sanity, but now it is not the spirit of a person that flows in my consciousness and touches my heart. The weather is much colder.

My tears were already drying on my cheeks. The panic has subsided, replaced by calm certainty. I'm no longer the Ariana who danced and drank the wine that night, the Ariana who endured pain, fought, begged for freedom and died very quickly. I'm not her. Not exactly.

I'm a vampire and I want to live.

I may be deprived of the future I envision, but I won't give up this sad excuse for life until I fulfill my promise to myself. I'm Ariane. I am myself. I want to live, I want to go home. They can't take this away from me. I'm not going to let them get their way. Never. As Jimena said, patience and determination will accompany me.

Jime

a。

She helped me. She showed compassion, kindness, and honor. Aren't they all monsters? I turned my head to the left. There she was, her armor red with blood, but unharmed. She looked forward like a soldier at a military parade. As I watched, she briefly turned to me.

Long enough to see the pity in her eyes.

I need to think, I need to evaluate. I need time.

"Don't worry, you old monster. Do you think I'm stupid? You want me to believe that Moore's servants have betrayed us and that you have nothing to do with it? You both plotted our demise!"

"These are ridiculous accusations, Gaspard, you should know better."

"You're all blind and can't see, but I don't want to be a fool!"

"Be careful," Master said, and there was a dead silence in the clearing. "Sounds like you've insulted me twice."

"Do you know what honor is?" You hide behind false codex and evil witchcraft!"

"Oh? Little Gaspard, do you believe I have weak arms? Are you willing to make a bet with your eternal life?"

"You'll regret saying that, you old fellow! I accept your challenge. There is no magic, only our swords and ourselves. ”

I turned my head in disbelief and looked at the blonde bearded man. Gaspard, a representative of the Roland clan. Is he serious? Can't he see how good he is?

"Witnessed by the Iken," said the tall black man in a low voice.

"The Cadiz family has seen it all."

Lancaster Family Witness. Goodbye, Gaspard, I can't say I'm going to miss you. Mrs. More continued, her voice cold and cold.

Everyone walked away, and I squeezed into Mrs. Moore's cold eyes.

"Well, are you still going to hold on to the dirt like a maid?"

I stood in front of her, silently gritting my teeth. I don't know the rules that regulate vampires, so I don't know how free she can kill me. I had to convince her that it was better to keep me alive than to kill me.

"You're at my service now."

"Yes, Mrs. Moore."

"Do you want me to discipline you?"

"No, Mrs. Moore."

"Humph! At least you know your place now. It seems that even monkeys can be taught. ”

That slut, I really want to screw her head.

Yes.

That's it.

I could feel my own thoughts, twisted and corrupted like the surface of a lake, and something else, something deeper. When I was alive, I was easily angry, but this is different.

It's like a twisted thing, lingering beneath the surface, relentless and predatory. This is my part, fighting those priests and raiding the grain platform, and if I release it, it will not give harsh words.

Now, it's useless to me. Any resistance I put up will be quickly and mercilessly countered.

Madame Moore mistook my silence for complacency, and walked away with a smirk.

Follow.

I know, take a moment to see the people around me at the end.

We stood in the middle of a beautiful garden. Towering mansions may have once been a sight to behold. Now, only blackened beams and collapsed walls remain. Someone dug a path from the outside to the huge iron gate in the center of the gate.

The bodies of those fighting priests were scattered on the grass, though most appeared to have died on some sort of defensive line. Collapsed tents and slain beasts create a terrifying sight somewhere on the edge of the estate. I could see servants in the distance packing their belongings in the wagon, and it seemed that some of them had survived.

The vampires quietly formed a circle. It seems that each lord has two to five followers standing behind them. I wanted to join the master, but I was standing behind the Lancaster family. Melusin turned to me and smiled cruelly. I didn't react.

Two fighters entered the arena. Mrs. Moore picked up a white strap and released it without any ceremony. I could see every detail of Lord Roland's arrogant face: his pride, his contempt, the certainty of his victory.

I'll never be as mindless as I am now, so I promise myself that I must keep this beast under control.

Here's a lesson, and this lesson isn't for Gaspard. This is true for the rest of us.

One moment the Lord is standing on the edge of the circle, and the next moment he is standing next to the Master and making a perfect lunge. His black-edged sword kissed the edge of Master's dark blue coat without touching it. The master held Gaspard's sword arm in one hand, and the other deep in his chest.

Gaspard's expression changed from triumph to surprise, to pain, to fear. A stream of black blood poured down on the ground like drops, and the representative of the Roland family staggered and staggered, only standing in the master's steel hand.

The master unhurriedly let go of the sword, and the sword fell to the ground. Then he grabbed him by the throat.

What happened next is something I'll never forget.

The sound of flesh tearing, the sound of bones breaking, the sound of suction as the head is pulled, the spine shows the world in painful slowness.

It took the man ten seconds to die in a blue flame. In ten seconds, the Master revealed his true colors: he was completely tired of it.

It's nothing to him, it's just another insect that needs to be pulled so the other pests know not to provoke him.

The local owner did not even guarantee satisfaction with the killing. He is so gullible to be deceived.

Master raised an eyebrow and turned to the silent congregation. Mrs. Moore bowed to him.

"Melusin will take you to see your ship, my lord."

I got a little satisfaction from the pitiful fear on the little prostitute's face.

Unfortunately, when Master turned to leave, I couldn't help but take a step forward.

"The host ......"

I know I shouldn't, but I have to give it a try. He completely ignored me. He didn't say a word, he didn't even look at it and left. I don't understand. I've always been a good girl. I did as he was told, and I did my best! Why, why......

The other vampires were completely silent, so my outburst and the shame that followed were seen by all. When I thought it couldn't get any worse, I felt two claws grab my neck. Mrs. Moore's cold breath blew in my ears and made me shiver.

"Less than 10 minutes into my arrival, you've embarrassed me in front of my colleagues. It seems that you still need to be self-disciplined. Undress. ”

"What?"

Her ferocious claws sucked blood, and I twitched in response. Yes! It really hurts!

"Don't make me say it again."

As I gritted my teeth and slowly took off my robes, most of the vampires went on to do other things, and I could only be grateful. Soon, I was standing in the middle of the clearing in my little clothes, thankful that my naked body was still hidden behind a green curtain. It was the most unseemly thing I was forced to do.

I winced when a memory crept into my head. In fact, it was the second indecent thing I've ever experienced.

Oh my God, why did I die like this? What the hell have I done to be treated like this?

Why have you forsaken me?

I have not received a reply, and I do not expect one.

I didn't have to wait long. A bearded man quickly walked up to us. I recognized the crazy blue eyes that greeted me in my cell on the first day. He shamelessly flattered me! I try to hide myself as much as I can.

"Hehe, it seems that Nelari knows how to pick ......"

I hissed in anger and he flinched.

"Baudouin is enough, she's not something you can tame."

The man looked at me thoughtfully, and then threw me another garment, a plain white linen garment. I would never let a servant of the manor walk around in this rags, but I cherish it, for it is the only thing I have now.

I believe that Mrs. Moore did not want me to be naked just because the potential threat of this condition kept me from going against her will.

As soon as I got dressed, we left and joined the carriage that left the ground of the fort. The rest of the Roland family members walked ahead of us, and I recognized the twins. It seems that the death of their leader did not affect them in the slightest. When I saw where I was being taken, I was terrified.

Mrs. Moore turned to me, expecting my reaction, but this time I managed to remain silent.

in a cage.

They're going to put me in a cage like a circus animal. Oh, I really want them to suffer, but I need to be patient.

Baudouin had a pair of shackles on his shoulders, heavy iron objects, and I wasn't going to let him come near me, as long as I could.

Mrs. Moore gestured to the door, and I walked in without saying a word. I am grateful that the cage is clean, which is a testament to my situation.

Lambert came to me silently on horseback. He deliberately ignored me, and I was happy to reciprocate his kindness.

The Lancasters were the last to leave the fort. Only a dozen servants remained to clean up the battlefield. Our procession consisted of six wagons and four carts, including my own, and we left in silence.

Despite this, I couldn't help but look around curiously.

It was the first time I really appreciated the estuary at night. The oppressive damp heat of summer is mercifully suppressed at night, and perhaps I am no longer afflicted by it.

The sounds and smells formed a great harmony, and I spent quite a bit of time observing the strange arrangement of leaves and bark of the cypresses, as well as the ripples on the brackish water ponds.

Every insect and plant has a new charm for me, as if I had never seen them before. My suspicion that vampires have far superior eyesight over humans and can help us commit some evil deeds brought me some comfort that my new senses could be used to do more than just evil.

It was also my luck, the road was muddy, otherwise I would have swallowed the dust of the entire caravan. It's July, and the night is the only time when the weather is bearable.

So I'm a vampire.

I don't know what that means. I've never heard of anything like this. It's hard for me to admit that monsters can live among humans, move faster than the eye can see, and dig into people's chests as much as they want without anyone knowing.

People who drink their own blood must have doubts, right? If those combat priests knew about us, why didn't they call the colonial militia to give us artillery? I was completely confused. There are a lot of things I don't understand. Really, I'm a toddler again.

Think about it, can I still have children?

Do I still want to do that? Will they be twisted things like me?

I gave up on that line of thinking. I wouldn't let Lambert see me cry a second time in one night. I don't want to ask questions either. It seems that speaking without permission is frowned upon.

My car was at the end of the line, and we were moving at a snail's pace, so much so that we couldn't see the rest of the people at the end. I suppose that so many carriages coming together in the middle of the night would attract unwanted attention, so I was left with a human driver and the eternally taciturn Lambert.

Luckily, the new experience of the night kept me entertained until we came across a patrol of three armed militiamen. They looked at me quizzically.

At this point, I don't want to rebel. Ximena's promise was still clear in my mind, and I had no doubt that Lambert could have paralyzed them in no time if I tried to force their rescue.

Therefore, I had to listen to him explain that I was a tailor's son who ran away from home from an unknown father after finding out that I had a child.

Apparently I killed the baby when he was born so that I could continue my fall. When Lambert recounted his story, the faces of these men changed from wariness to shock and finally to disgust. He was as good an actor as I thought he was, and I said to myself, I'd never believe a word he said.

We left the patrol behind and walked through a small village. The night is full of humanity. Beneath the smell of sweat and unwashed body, there is an invigorating aroma that makes my jaw ache. I licked my fangs with my tongue and realized that there were 8 of them.

They replaced all my canine teeth and the outermost canine teeth were also sharp. Shimena's appearance when it comes to my bloodline is beyond doubt. That, of course, is the reason. Now my memory is clearer, and there are four other vampires.

This is serious news. This meant that I had to absolutely not allow myself to see my teeth lest my ancestry be discovered immediately.

I pondered, and we left the village and met another patrol. This time, Lambert told them a story about how I killed an old man who welcomed me to his house, and I poisoned him to lure his son into stealing the family's property.

Again, the horrific expressions on their faces were shocking, and I wondered why Lambert was so calmly lying when it didn't do anything good. He wasn't happy at all.

After some time, the land gradually changed, and we found ourselves next to a huge colonial house. For a while, I smelled the slightest saltiness in the wind, and I remember that the Lancasters were interested in maritime trade. I think we might not be far from New Orleans.

The place where I died.

Lambert opened the cage and let me out. I silently followed him through a grand entrance and a series of corridors. We walked past tastefully decorated rooms and a few obedient servants in blue uniforms to a closed door. Lambert knocked on the door and we walked inside.

This room is a large boudoir with candles lit. A couple of vampires lounged lazily on comfortable couches.

What I am afraid of is not their numbers, but their immobility. There is no sound of fabric moving, no sighing. They didn't even breathe. I was stunned and began to hold my breath.

I still hold it when Lambert led me to the front. I was still holding it when Mrs. Moore got up from her throne-like seat to address the crowd.

Vampires will change their posture in order to show concern. I felt like I was watching a puppet show and their movements were so unnatural. I counted a total of seven.

In addition to Lady Moore, Melusin, and Lambert, there was a scoundrel with a weasel face, a woman like a cow toad, a silly-looking girl with crooked teeth, and a bald brute.

I finally realized that Louisiana is more than just a land of exiles for humanity.

"My esteemed family relatives, the conclave has had a favorable result, and the Lancasters have once again come to the top. The successful negotiations I conducted cemented our grip on New Orleans, its wealth and the bounty of its livestock. Our success is assured. ”

The scary robot clapped politely, like an obedient dog.

However, this victory was also accompanied by disappointment. As you know, we have lost Caitlyn and been betrayed by the Ghost Terrace, may his soul burn forever. ”

There was no reaction from the General Assembly. I don't believe that such a poor group of people would have any sympathy for each other.

"We have received a new member as payment for Lord Nelaari's personal service. The Devourer is the most important clan in this land, and he has treated us favorably in business, and we will reap the benefits in the years to come. ”

Unless I can hold back.

"Welcome Ariana to our loving family."

I felt like a piece of meat dangling in front of a pack of hounds.

"She's still young, so it's up to Melusi

Develop her to be a valuable and contributing member of our community, for the benefit of all.

I noticed the most vile and cruel smile on the face of the red-haired old woman. Ah, seriously, I need to do everything I can to restrain myself.

"With that said, I'm going to take my leave tonight. I have a lot to do. ”

When she left, the others were standing there. Melusi

E walked up to me, grabbed my arm as if we were best friends, and dragged me out of the room. I was surprised to find out that I was a little taller than her, but it didn't matter. She knows I'm in her hands. It will be difficult.