Everything about this woman is predatory. Her walk, her posture, her mouth, they all say dangerous, but also elegant. I'm sure a lot of men would think she's worth the risk.

"Who...... Who are you—"

The man didn't finish his sentence. The newcomer drew his dagger and, with a casual swing, slit his throat. She didn't even look at him.

I could see the tube and smell the contaminated liquid. How annoying.

I could barely see the woman walking by. So it's tiring. I just need to close my eyes for a moment.

"Follow me, little one."

I blinked, something straddled me. The woman is coming! She rubbed her thighs against my dirty skirt and made herself feel comfortable. Then, she reached out a hand and put it into my chest.

“U

k !”

"Shhhhh

I stared at my chocolate-colored eyes, glinting mischievously. What was she doing, but I was too weak to act.

"It doesn't hurt, it just feels like you're surrounded by fluffy pillows."

Something pulled my stomach, but I didn't feel pain. After a while, the strange woman was examining a silver ball, her hands soaked in blood. She whistled.

"Well received, dear!"

Is it? I frowned.

"Are you comfortable?"

Am I? I think so. I was tempted to take a nap, but something kept me awake. Special way.

"So, do you know Jasper, the stalker?"

Who?

"I don't think so, dear. I'm talking about the mage who almost killed you. I guess it's him, because his head is almost gone. Annoying people. He has a habit of taking pleasure in hunting monsters and humans despite his guilt. This time, he bit something he couldn't chew. Pun. ”

I understand.

"Well, you're too quiet, my little sweetheart. Let me help you. ”

She pulled a small kettle out of her jacket and poured the contents into my mouth. The burning sensation that I had forgotten was washed away. She taps the damp area with a clean tissue. I licked my lips tentatively. I'm still slow, but now I can speak.

"Good evening."

The woman looked dumbfounded, then burst out laughing.

"Ah, my little duckling, so cute!" I'm Naminata, but you can call me Nami. ”

"Nami ......"

"So, why the hell are you here?" I guess you're not following a tracker. ”

It's tiring to talk. I gently turned my head to the broken chair and the corpse next to me.

"Oh, the pig. You killed him, right? Very well done. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get into this house. ”

She leaned forward. The distance between us was getting closer, and I shuddered as she licked her lips.

"I know you don't want to be around those bastards of the Lancaster family. Would you like to join us? As long as you say a word to Kuaku, he will marry you. We can do it in a natural way, my little girl. ”

Now that my internal organs are bullet-free, I can feel my body trying to heal itself. This numbness is subsided, replaced by pain and a renewed craving. I still had to shake myself.

"Never ...... Jaya...... Haha!" At the mercy of others. ”

The smile on her face was gone, replaced by regret and a little bit of shame. I recognize her now because my mind is clearer. When I escaped from the fortress, she was with representatives of the Iken family. She was silent for a moment. We don't move. I'm starting to get erratic.

A hand gently patted my head. Sharp claws gently brushed my hair, parting them without breaking them. The effect was so soothing that I shivered and relaxed.

"Shhhh I'm sorry. I forgot. Very well, I give you a small gift. Apologies for my indecent proposal. ”

My eyes were closed, but suddenly I smelled something. It's a scent like damp earth and spices, an exotic scent, something to dance and sing about.

"I wonder what that feels like. Come on, bite!"

I felt the soft skin on my lips. The perfume scent is getting stronger and stronger, and it is unforgettable. I'm so thirsty. It's not what I need, but it helps.

My fangs pierced her skin.

It's so different from humans. There is no rush, there is no ecstasy of life. I barely got any energy and felt sluggish no matter what I was getting. No heartbeat energized my aching body. Instead, I was given power.

If life is something that perpetuates my damn existence, what I get now is the essence that makes me do the impossible. I could feel myself getting stronger. I think I'm too weak now, and every bit counts.

Mages have a similar situation.

Drinking the blood of magical creatures makes me stronger.

I finally understood why the other monsters were so much more dangerous than me. My master fed them with the blood of powerful creatures, and possibly his own. Their rapid growth is bound to destroy their minds and turn them into a natural disaster.

How terrible.

Baudouin says that vampires' strength grows with age, which means that the Devourer and his offspring draw much more power from what they eat than vampires of other bloodlines.

I'm not quite sure if it's common sense. However, I'm pretty sure that in Louisiana, no one knows how important this is, and I fully intend to keep it that way. I was afraid that if they found out, they would knock me out before I became a threat.

"That's enough, little one," said a sultry voice. I obediently licked the wound clean. The experience was too intimate for me. I'm worried that Nami stole my first kiss, or something like that vampire.

"Ahhh Enough is enough, dear. I'll get Mr. Jasper back here, and I'll go. See you later!"

After Nami left, something suddenly broke, and I immediately lost consciousness.

"No, please, Achilli, please......"

"I told you, sister, it's useless."

A terrible wind blew through the dried sugar cane, blowing ash and dust into the air. The sky was blackened with smoke and I couldn't see the time clearly.

"Please...... I'm so thirsty!" Please ......"

Achilles carried the only bottle of cold water with him. He drank from it from time to time. I could almost feel it on the tip of my tongue, so seductively close.

"It's all your fault, you know?" If you die correctly, we can end it, but even then you can't do it. ”

A gust of wind blew embers onto my tattered clothes. The red dot fell on me and the smoke began to rise. I can already feel the heat scalding my skin. I struggled, but I restrained. My arms were supported by chains tethered to a wooden mast dug deep into the ground. The familiar log cabin mocked me at its safety, but it was so far away that I could barely see the charred walls. They are still standing.

"Achilles ......"

"You don't believe me. Very good. Try it yourself. ”

My brother came over. His broad shoulders and muscular body, once a sign of comfort, are now a threat. I thought he would happily break bones and bruise flesh with his fleshy hands, but he didn't. Instead, he brought the kettle to my chapped lips. Yes! Finally!

The icy liquid finally rushed out of my mouth. It tastes like fresh mountain water. I gulped greedily, but nothing happened.

"What?"

"I told you, I told you it wouldn't work. Now only pain and misfortune can reassure you, you in my sister's garment. Then eat it. Enjoy. Monsters".

Achilles pulled out a hunting knife and slowly aimed it at his jugular vein.

"Wait! Achilles, no! What are you doing?"

The knife slashed down, and blood splashed all over me and on the ground like a fountain. He's going to die, if I don't... I don't...

I need it, I need it badly. I'm hurt, so it's very.... Thirsty!

Thirsty!

"Go!"

Ah, the pain! What's wrong? Where is my rest? Where's my time for introspection?!

I can't move.

I opened my eyes. I was tied to the bed with thick rope that wrapped around me and the mattress. I'm still wearing the remnants of yesterday's clothes, with layers of hemp rope underneath. It smells familiar. My face was covered in dried blood and cracked with the slightest movement.

This is amateur work. I can free myself in a few minutes and find someone to drink dry. I writhed and the pain worsened. My stomach hurt so badly that I could believe I was shot again.

Ah, here it is. I must not have fully recovered from yesterday's ordeal. If I were still alive, such a wound would have killed me within an hour. I will take my last breath in my own blood and guts.

After all, there are still benefits to this cursed life.

I heard footsteps, just as I managed to cut the first knot with my claws. The door opened, and Mrs. Moore stepped out.

She looked as majestic as ever, wrinkling her nose unhappily. How I hated her and her misplaced arrogance. If she hadn't been like a peacock loitering around this almost uncivilized swamp and letting others labor for her accomplishments, her delicate hands would have been soiled, giving off a smell of viscera and blood.

Slut.

"Do I see contempt on your face, rookie?"

Now is not the time for confrontation. I'll run away, and after a long, long time, I'll wipe that look off her face.

"No, mistress."

I won't let arrogance destroy me. Yesterday I realized that mortals are lucky in the face of pain. There is a limit to what a person can withstand, and his body will collapse, unless he is tortured by a particularly gifted tormentor.

Vampires, on the other hand, can withstand a lot of abuse. It's enough to drive people crazy.

I may be stronger than I was yesterday, but I am still a sparrow before Mrs. Moore's eagle. I need more time to compare. I'll be patient. I have to be patient. I will be as feared as Master, even if it will take a thousand years.

I'm going to watch that pretentious girl be shattered in front of me.

"Baudouin assured me that you are useful. However, I now believe that you played him, you filthy little slut. He doesn't know you as well as I do, and I guess he's too used to dealing with mortals. Now, you're going to tell me all about your dealings with the Ikens. ”

What's wrong?

"I don't have any pact with the Aiken family."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Not at all. ”

"Then how do you explain that someone saw Naminata coming out of the building where we found you unconscious?"

"This is the first time I've seen her since the fort."

I explained what happened yesterday, except that my strength increased, although it was.

"You said you killed this guy named Jasper?" Alone, without weapons?"

"I'm not completely unarmed. I used his throwing knife. ”

She scoffed, carmine's lips contorted with contempt.

"Take up lethal weapons like a dignified beggar?" Now the story is suddenly more believable. ”

So whose fault was it that put me in danger with my shawl? Bah! If a woman slapped her in the face with a rotten catfish, she would not have known intellectual honesty.

Albeit......

Is she implying that she can't tell the truth from a lie? That's big news! This means that I can hide my little plot from her. I still have to be careful, because if she wasn't cunning, she wouldn't have survived that long. At least you can't do that.

"But do you expect someone of your bloodline to be honest?" Girl, you must think I'm stupid. ”

"I assure you, there is no arrangement between me and the Iken family!" I even turned down Naminata's marriage proposal. ”

"Hah! I knew it. So what's the suggestion?"

I didn't mean that. Once again, my anger took hold of me.

"Marry Lord Kuaku."

"Hah! Hahaha, that must be tempting, you shameless whore! Freedom on the head of this barbarian? What's stopping you? The point of view of being only a second wife?"

"Hiss!"

It looks like Jime

A is wrong. Vampires are racists, but not in each other's faces.

"Indeed, it seems that I was wrong, thinking that you were so cunning as to make such an arrangement. You must have some kind of low-level cunning; However, it is not enough to conspire against us. ”

I am silent. I finally saw the end of my pain. I just want this nasty woman to leave so I can hunt in peace.

"However, betrayal is intolerable, no matter how small. I'm sure you idiot must have come up with an idea, and now I'm going to hear yours. ”

"What?"

"You have a plan to escape. You must have said that I'll hear it when you're ready to share. Don't worry, girl, I'll bring some light books to entertain myself while I wait.

You must understand that I have the blood of a king in my veins. Those who have grown up in such a high field know the best tools to achieve the desired results without having to get their hands dirty. In this particular example, the tool is patience; Let's just wait. ”

Mrs. Moore ignored my protests. She sat in my chair, at my own table, took a book out of a small bag, and began to read.

I shuffled my feet uncomfortably. My stomach still hurts, if not as much as it used to. However, my thirst ......

Starting from the chest and working my way up to the height of my arms. It spreads up and down to my throat and stomach. It is an itch, a burn, a craving. This is unique and cannot be compared to human experience.

When I was a child, I held a heavy plate for as long as I could. At first, it felt easy, then uncomfortable, then painful, until finally, it became almost unbearable. If I keep going, my whole life will be confined to this task.

It's a bit similar, like being stung by a bee is like being stabbed by a silver dagger that has been enchanted.

After a few minutes, I would be rolling around, openly battling the bondage, forgetting about the pain in my stomach. I couldn't help it.

Half an hour later, I hissed and grunted. A smirking Charlotte brought heavy chains to Mrs. Moore, and I was tied like a cocoon.

After that, I only read a few pages and started begging.

"Do I want anything?"

"Yes! That's right. Please. Please!"

"I'll want to know about your arrangement with the Iken family right now."

"I didn't arrange you—ah!"

"But you do have a place to escape."

"I ......"

"Huh?"

"Yes! yes, damn it, I know. I have a plan. ”

"What's your plan?"

"I saved money!" I'm going to take it and go!"

I barely had enough sanity to abandon my most desperate plan. I will use it as bait and as a sacrifice.

"You stole something from us?"

"No, mistress, I took money from your enemies. The people in the warehouse! Swordfish gangs, rapists and fugitives. I took their money!"

"Pfff! Hahaha, oh, war awards? Oh, it's so precious. Very well, you may be a little more cunning than I thought, but I must ask you, how do you expect to survive the next hunt?"

"Well, there's enough money for a night train. After that, I'll run. ”

"I'm talking about the bracers, you brainless hillbilly."

"I ......"

"Really?"

"I'm going to cut my arm off."

"Oh. Oh! It's getting better and better. My dear, I should thank you for your hospitality tonight, I have paid and laughed less. Are you really, really planning to harm yourself?"

"I ...... I know we can regenerate limbs!"

This is technically true, but also completely irrelevant, as you would expect. You just can't comprehend the reality of your existence. You are not a descendant of the real Devourer, driven mad by strength and desire. You're just a lost chick who has been abandoned by her father and she thinks she's strong enough to run away at all costs. You're not, and since I'm a merciful mistress, I'm going to educate you right away. ”

She walked up to me and pulled out an evil dagger from the groove of her robe. This weapon is terrifying. It is as black as obsidian and curves strangely. I've never seen anything like it before, but just one look is enough to know it's meant to kill.

She raised her hand and I winced, but she just freed my hand and unchained her. The rest of my body is still trapped.

"Well, I almost forgot about the stench on you. I can only blame myself. Anyway, take it. ”

She gave me the handle of the dagger first, and I grabbed it without even thinking about it. I can cut the rest of the rope and get some blood......

"Chop off your arm now, I'll let you drink someone dry, and I'll set you free."

"What?!"

"You hear me. If you succeed in cutting off your arm, you can leave. This is my sword. It cuts through metal. Even an untrained mortal can use it to decapitate enemies in two hits, so cutting an arm is a trifle. ”

Suspicion hit my mind through a numb thirst. Will it really be that simple?

"There are no traps. Go on. Get your feet wet. ”

I stretched out my left arm and waved the blade, and I realized the problem.

I was scared of pain.

I've suffered a lot over the last few months and some would think it's going to make me get used to it. But that's not the case. I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to bleed.

But I have to try. I had to do it. This is my best chance to regain my freedom. I turned my gaze to the vampire master beside me. There was a patient, slightly condescending look on her face. She seemed so sure that it was impossible for me.

I'll show her.

I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth, and attacked with all my strength and speed. Before my brain realizes what I'm doing, I'm going to chop down and cut open.

My hand fell off and started shaking.

Oh. It's mine. God.

“AAAAAAaaaaAAaaaahhh !”

Can't move. Can't think. It hurts my heart. The blade grazed the bones and was buried deep inside.

I kept screaming, holding on to my arm, which was still with the knife in it, for a while. The pain washed my mind away from the blinding pain itself. The world has turned white. There is only pain.

Finally, another voice came from a dry sob.

"Well, you've got enough of the bones. Here, let me do me a favor. ”

A hand pushed the blade down, making a loud crack, and I lost consciousness for a moment. When I woke up, the knife had already pierced my arm. Blood slowly seeped onto the stained sheets. The only sound was my whimpering.

"You're already halfway there, although it's half the easy to say it's half the battle. Well, will you continue? Take it easy. ”

It's too painful. Too much pain and too much thirst. I should have continued, but I just couldn't. It hurts so much.

I'm not the hero of the story and can ignore pain and adversity. I'm not strong enough.

I don't want to do that. I don't want to be tortured like this.

Must be a Cádiz.

I was fortunate that Mrs. More gave up the full interrogation in favor of humiliation. It seems that being looked down upon is still my greatest asset. I feel sorry for myself, too, but I'm in too much pain.

"Should I take it out?"

I nodded. Yes, God, please make it stop. Let it all stop. I want to cry, but I'm not going to give up that little bit of dignity that I still hold onto.

Mrs. Moore drew her knife and, to her credit, did it cleanly. The wound did not heal, and I held on to my injured arm in vain, stopping more precious fluid from flowing out. So thirsty. I can't take it anymore.

She dragged me into the cattle pen and I ate the two victims one after the other.

Things have changed.

I noticed that the sky outside my psychic shelter had darkened. Maybe I should be worried, but how can a vampire feel comfortable with daylight? I deserve it.

When I was done, Mrs. Moore dragged me back into the house and threw me on the carpet. I could hear Harold snickering as he watched me from the stairs. Those jackals are always eager to see others humiliated.

"My faithful Melusin wants to turn you into a pleasing courtier; But you prefer to be with the scum. Now, unless you want to help out in a challenge, you'll be working in a position that suits you better. More precisely, on your back. ”

"Challenge". I use a hoarse voice.

"What did you say?"

"Challenge". I repeat it more firmly. Either way, it's better than the fate she has in mind now.

If my refusal angered Mrs. Moore, I saw no sign of it.

"Good. It's the bracers. ”

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