"Enough!" Donovan threw his sword, causing a great cut on Demitri's chest.
Demitri roared and turned himself into a swarm of bats, scratching and cutting the hunter like fire knives. Livia killed some of them with her sword, then Demitri appeared in front of her. Livia stuck the sword into his chest, hopeful she had reached his heart.
"Hi, Livia." Demitri smiled as he took the blade off and threw her on the floor.
Donovan summoned a thunder spirit and electrocuted Demitri. The soldiers took the opportunity to shoot him down several times.
When their ammo was over, Demitri got up and with a bat spin, he hit Donovan. The hunter fell down seriously injured.
"Donovan!" Livia screamed.
Anita approached them and hit Demitri with intense violet light. He screamed in pain, but covered himself with his cape and resisted.
"You won't banish me again, girl."
Anita stopped. He was too strong.
"No matter how desperate you fight, my victory doesn't change." Demitri faced them with scorn.
"I won't stop until you're dead," Donovan got up, he was weak but still resisting.
Demitri kept hitting him blows, merciless until Livia stood between them.
"Stop! Please Demitri, spare them, I beg of you!" Livia kneeled.
"Well, well. A good offer at least." Demitri picked her up.
"Let go of her!" Donovan shouted, ready to strike again.
"Donovan, wait. We need time" Livia said with anguish as Demitri held her "I'm sorry Anita."
Anita faced Livia with sadness. The hunter got the message. Livia was surrendering herself not only for him and Anita but for all the other people. A foolish act of altruism. Donovan couldn't take her from Demitri and hated himself for that. He put his sword down unwillingly.
"That's not the end, Demitri."
"No, it is not" the vampire laughed "I take this woman as the first of the many tributes you own me from now on."
"I love you, Donovan. No matter what happens!" Livia cried as Demitri carried her away, towards his castle.
Livia recoiled to a corner and cried a little. Was that her destiny? Lose everyone she loved? Demitri touched her hair.
"Get away from me, killer!"
"I won't stand your insolence," he gripped her chin "It was your idea to come with me…"
Livia faced him in silence. She was too proud to beg for her life. But instead of attacking her, Demitri just let her go and left.
Livia stood motionless for a moment. Was he thirstless? She thought on Donovan, Anita and everyone in the town and how they were safe for now and she was calmer. She looked around. The castle was lonely and poorly alight but still refined with embroidered tapestries and beautifully made candlesticks.
Livia found a painting half-covered and finished revealing it. It was an illustration of a luxurious ball. Bright lights, ladies in charming dresses, elegant gentlemen, they were all having fun in what seemed to be a room of that same castle, but on better days. A gentleman on the picture seemed familiar. A tall man with white hair. No… It couldn't be!
"Your grandfather was proud of you." Demitri's voice echoed in the shadows.
Livia turned so abruptly that she hit her back on the painting. She saw Demitri across the room.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I had terrible manners since we met." He poured some whiskey in a glass.
The vampire walked towards her and bowed in an antiquated way. Livia watched him. He was almost 7 feet tall and had huge muscles, seeming naturally intimidating. Livia was a tall woman, but near him, she felt like a bird. Demitri's eyes were of a penetrating red, like his hair. Maybe, a long time ago, he was an enchanting human man.
"Have you knew my grandfather?" Livia asked him.
"He was part of my court and I sponsored his work," Demitri served her the drink. "He used to flatter on how you inherit the extraterrestrial virtues of your ancestors. He was right."
"Why would you be interested in a cure?" She said after taking a sip.
Demitri laughed.
"I'm not interested in a cure. Your family did not seek a cure, but an improvement. They sought to reach the perfect being, a supreme creature, immune to all others.
"My grandfather would never work for you!" She talked aloud "Neither my father-"
"Your father was a fool!" He interrupted her "an inconsequent man who threw away centuries of research for a vain project of cure… Besides lying to you." Demitri was cold.
Livia wrung her hands. Memories of her grandfather were few, but for sure he and her father didn't get along. And their researches had always been concealed.
"My father would never…" She said uncertainly.
Demitri put a folder on a table.
"Zana… What does that word mean to you?"
"It's my family name."
"It means fairy," Demitri faced her "Your ancestors not only danced on moonlight, but they were skilled scientists. They even used humans and other lower creatures on their experiments."
"Now that's ridiculous." Livia smiled nervously.
Demitri just faced the folder on the table and stared at her. Livia took it and opened it with care. She recognized her grandfather handwriting and signature. She read it. Demitri was right, even about the fairies, who united to selected humans started her lineage. Dear God. Livia buried her face on her hands as she felt a little dizzy.
"I am sorry," Demitri said as he approached her slowly "Poor Livia... so beautiful, so mistaken, so alone…"
"What do you want? Are you going to force me to continue with this?" Livia was shaking with nerves.
"I won't force you to do anything. I didn't even hurt you, don't you see?" Demitri surrounded her, charmingly. "I'm the only one who is honest with you. I want you to be fine. I want your company." He cupped her face.
"You want to turn me?" She shivered as she felt his chilly hands. Her gray eyes were wide.
"Only if you want it," He got so close that Livia could feel his balmy fragrance.
"I enjoy your fierceness. Those peasants can't understand it. If you want to live forever, I could give you the world and you'd never be alone again. I just want to make you mine, forever."
His hands caressed her shoulders and held her waist seductively, pressing her against him. Livia asked herself how did she end up wrapped on him like that? Would that be the vampire's hypnosis?
"Wait… no," she pushed him lightly and drew back. Her head was aching "That's too much."
"You are fascinating." He smiled "Choose a room and get some rest. I'll wait patiently" He kissed her hand, "Remember I won't die like the others and I can delight you much more than that repressed hunter."
Livia remained silent. He waited for him to leave. That vampire was so damn powerful and he seemed to know her very well. She feared for her sanity and hoped Donovan and Anita were doing better.