A Deadly Embrace
Chapter Three: Malice Manor
Lightning split the sky as thunder boomed and cold winds howled. This was the atmosphere typical of the lair of the Scarlet Clan.
Drops of rain hit Rebecca in the face as she lay unconscious in Yugi's arms. They were just a short walking distance away from the most dreaded dwelling place on the outskirts of Domino.
"I think this slayer's waking up." Yugi commented to Bakura (the vampire walking closest to him).
Bakura nodded, "So is this one. We have the rain to thank for that."
Yugi licked his lips as his eyes drifted from Rebecca's blinking eyes to her slender neck. "It doesn't matter, we'll have them inside soon enough."
The blonde slayer was wide awake now but refused to open her eyes. She'd eavesdrop on this conversation and keep her thoughts to a minimum so as not to provoke the vampires into using their items to read her mind.
Bakura watched with a wicked gleam as Dina fought for conscious while the rain fell faster. "Yami Bakura doesn't think that I can handle defeating a slayer all on my own. Well, I intend to prove him wrong."
"How?" Yugi questioned.
"By killing this one." Bakura answered.
Rebecca flinched yet was relieved when Yugi didn't notice. Over my dead body bloodsucker!
"Aren't you both going to kill her anyway?" Yugi was baffled.
"Yes, but you see, the others are no doubt planning to use their Millennium Items to destroy the slayers. But if I use my own strength and ploys then I'll finally earn some respect for myself amongst the other clan members." the white haired vampire explained.
"Wow," Yugi tightened his grip as he noticed the female in his arms grow tense, "good luck with that one Bakura."
"Thanks."
"Oh..." Taylie moaned and pushed her face up off the back of her attacker, "...what the heck happened?"
"You've become the next victim of a very sinister pair of vampires." Malik snickered to his wet meal.
"You!" Taylie dug her nails into the back of her abductor, "What do you want with me cretin? Why haven't you killed me yet?!"
"All in good time my dear," Malik chuckled, his hand stroking Taylie's backside while he drew nearer with her to his domicile, "I know it may seem improper but I for one like to play with my food first."
"UGH! Sicko!" but Taylie's struggles only brought further delight to her twisted captor.
"If we don't pick up the pace soon we're all gonna get caught in a downpour." Seto observed.
"We're almost there." Yami responded. He was preoccupied with the odd way that Seto seemed to be leaning over his victim. Only moments ago he had wrapped her protectively beneath part of his long blue trench coat. Shielding her from the weather was one thing, but this unusual sense of attachment growing before Yami's eyes was quite another. What could possibly possess Seto Kaiba to hold a mere mortal girl in such high regard?
Tristan and Tea were the last ones inside the mansion before the heavy doors slammed themselves shut. The loud noise was enough to awaken the three sleeping females.
With a yawn Mai sat up in Joey's arms. "What?! Joey Wheeler, why am I soaking wet?!"
Shaking his shaggy hair like a dog Joey grumbled back, "Do ya think I enjoy having puddles in my shoes Mai?"
"Whoa," Tea gasped as Tristan stood her up, "where in the world are we?"
Dark laughter replied as Marik stepped forth, "We have brought you mortals to a place of no escape. Welcome to the lair of the infamous Scarlet Clan---Malice Manor."
"You're on our turf now." Seto smirked.
Serenity pushed herself out of his arms but didn't walk far away for fear of being jerked back. Her eyes never left her brother. Joey, what has this monster done to you?
Rebecca and Dina glanced around the manor and then back at each other. This was definitely larger than any vampire dwelling they'd encountered before.
"Guess this roach motel is fitting for the scourges of the parasite world." Dina commented absently.
"Just keep it up Slayer," Yami Bakura sneered, "you'll be begging for mercy soon."
"Hmph," Dina crossed her arms, "unless your lame threats kill me first."
Tapping his Millennium Ring Bakura added, "If there's one thing I enjoy more than draining a slayer it's toying with one!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself Yami Bakura," Seto spoke up, "Those Millennium Items are too powerful. You should use them in private. If anyone's going to toy with my victim, it's gonna be me."
"Kaiba's right," Yami agreed, "let's retire to our separate chambers and deal with these mortals there."
"What'll we do now?" Dina whispered to Rebecca, "They're splitting us up."
The head slayer's mind was racing. Where's Felaine when I need her? It'll be virtually impossible to stake these demons if they get us alone with those magical items. But there's got to be some way... "Listen up," Rebecca answered, "this won't be pretty, but it's our only chance..."
A brief moment later the vampires each had their victim in their clutches and were hauling them off to secluded rooms in the dark lair.
"Your room will be just down that hall," Seto directed Joey as he ushered Serenity through another door.
"You just watch what ya pull with my sister Kaiba," Joey warned.
"Take your girlfriend and mind your own business Wheeler." Seto scoffed and slammed his door.
The last to reach their rooms were Yami Bakura, Bakura, Yugi, and Yami. They forced the slayers into the shadowed chambers and closed the doors behind themselves. The two chambers were the darkest in the manor. Only a scarce number of nearly spent candles burned in the far corners of the large rooms and by the bedsides.
Despite the hopelessness of their situations the slayers refused to resign themselves to what appeared to be their inescapable fates. Not while they still had one last card to play...
******
Taylie was pushed forward into a nearly pitch black room. The dismal chamber was illuminated by lightning that flashed before its single large window. With each electrifying streak Taylie could feel the air in the room grow thicker with the sensations of fear, hunger, and lust.
She leaned over the foot of the large bed and clenched the gray satin sheets in her shaking hands. The terrified detective could feel the weight of two eager crimson stares. The vampires behind her had locked the door and were slowly advancing.
I doubt they'll just kill me. she winced.
You're quite right my lovely one, Marik surprised her by entering her mind.
Gasping Taylie turned around to face the vampire and his lighter counterpart.
A crafty smile was playing on Malik's face as well. Holding his Millennium Rod up high he too spoke to the female through thoughts. Why simply destroy you when we could get much more use of you by manipulating you with our Millennium Items?
"You're both insane!" Taylie shouted while backing up, she had nowhere to go.
"Perhaps," Marik spoke verbally now, "but we find that the eccentric have much more fun."
"Just what the heck do those mini staffs of yours do anyway?" Taylie demanded.
"In a nutshell," Malik replied, "mind control."
"Y-you're planning to brainwash me with those things?" the detective was panicking now.
The eye in the center of Marik's staff began to glow and Taylie could feel the vampire's evil mind trying to seize control of her vessel. I--I won't g-give into this!
"Stop resisting!" Marik ordered.
"You won't hypnotize me!" Taylie shot back.
Malik watched as Marik's efforts to make the woman his mind control slave drove the female's already feeble body to quake and quiver under his power. She wasn't backing down, she was using every last bit of energy she had to overcome his control. Her mind and body wouldn't take much more of this.
"You wench!" Marik snapped, "You'll kill yourself at this rate!"
"At least I won't be some mindless slave to you." Taylie seethed. Her brow was covered with sweat droplets and her head was pounding as she fought off the invasion.
"STOP!" Malik's voice suddenly cried out.
"What now?" Marik turned to his lighter half annoyed.
"Don't you see, you're killing her!" Malik yelled.
"She's a mortal," Marik answered, "that's all they're good for."
"But it's not getting us anywhere." Malik answered. "You're supposed to be showing me how to use this Millennium Rod but if you kill our victim I won't get a chance to try my hand at mastering its powers!"
"My hero," Taylie grunted before dropping to her knees. She couldn't stand another attack like that. Her body and mind would just cease to function.
"Then why not try your skills at it now." Marik offered gesturing towards Taylie.
Malik examined her from his stance by the door, "Hmph, she's not in any condition to be mind controlled now. She's been weakened by blood loss and the Rod's powers. If I'm to have any sort of challenge in claiming her mind then I'll have to wait until she recovers."
Marik cocked an eyebrow at his newer self, "Are you sure you don't have some ulterior motives for wanting to prolong the life of this miserable creature?"
"None at all," Malik answered, "I merely want to put my abilities as holder of the Rod to the test. And to do that I need her in prime condition."
"Very well," Marik consented, "this can wait until tomorrow evening. But for now," he approached the panting female and pulled her to her feet, "we may as well drink to her health."
******
"OW!" Tea cringed as her right side collided with a wall inside Tristan's room.
"Hmph," Tristan placed his hands on his hips triumphantly and studied his victim, "make yourself at home. But don't count on enjoying a long stay."
"I think I've already overstayed my welcome," Tea mumbled while rubbing her sore arm.
"Sorry about that," Tristan laughed and closed the door (locking it, of course), "sometimes I don't know my own strength."
"You're a real jerk, you know that?" Tea snapped.
"Insults won't make it go any easier for you." Tristan informed the brunette as he bared his fangs. "And hauling you all the way up here has sure worked up my appetite."
"You men," Tea growled, her eyes searching the room for something to use as a weapon, "all you ever think about is food."
"And on tonight's menu, cocky teen dancers who stay out too late." Tristan teased while closing in.
Just then Tea spotted a bike helmet laying on top one of the inn tables. Grabbing it she quickly swung it upside the brown haired vampire's face. On a normal guy, it would've bashed half his skull in. But on Tristan, well...it kinda just served to piss him off.
"Bad mistake girly," Tristan stated. With a move to fast to see he snatched the cracked helmet away and pinned Tea against the wall.
"I take it you didn't appreciate that." Tea groaned. He was right in her face now, eyes glowing a fierce red. "Are you gonna look at me like that all night? It's really creeping me out!"
A hand tightened on the back of her neck as Tristan flung her to the floor. "I'm not usually this rough with my meals, but girly, you earned it."
"Look, my name's not 'girly' okay?" Tea turned from her fallen position to face him. "It's Tea. You could try using it and being a little less hostile ya know? I wouldn't be so combative if you weren't trying to kill me!"
"Reasoning with vampires doesn't work either." Tristan informed her as he straddled her back down and brought his fangs to her neck, "You're not gettin' out of here alive."
That must've been his favorite helmet or something. Tea wondered, He didn't even get this mad when I gave him that black eye.
Blood started seeping out of Tea's neck and straight into the nocturnal creature's mouth. He wasn't being the least bit gentle with his fangs. She felt her flesh tear as he dug his teeth in deeper.
For lack of anything better to hold on to, she wrapped her arms around his back and clung to the predator for dear life. The pain forced her to tighten her grip, she was scared and hurt. Her instincts told her to seek comfort in an embrace.
Tristan's eyes flew open at the strange sensation. Is this chick---hugging me?!
He'd never heard a vampire being hugged by his/her victim before. It was bizarre yet...he found himself enjoying the woman's gentle touch. She was searching for security in his arms even though he was the one inflicting the damage. Guess she doesn't have much of a choice though. I am the only guy here.
His anger evaporated and the force which he'd previously been using to feed now diminished into a more victim-friendly method.
Wait a minute, Tea took her mind off her fear long enough to realize that Tristan had calmed down, what's this guy up to? Just a minute ago he was about to rip my throat out and now he's being...well...nice? And is he--no way! He's hugging me back!!!
Sure enough, Tristan's arms were securely wrapped around the previously petrified female. Whether by reflex or intention, he was now locked in a soothing embrace with his prey.
A moment later he pulled away and helped Tea to her feet. "That's all the blood I can take for tonight." he informed her, "I'll have to finish you off tomorrow."
"What?" Tea was completely shocked, "You're not killing me?"
"Not right now." Tristan answered, he felt weird letting her off the hook like that. But what had just happened between them left him with a zillion conflicting thoughts racing through his head. He needed a good day's rest to sort it all out.
Walking behind a large screen he removed his street clothes and came out in a pair of boxers and baggy t-shirt. "You'll just have to sleep in that I guess."
Tea looked down at the outfit she had on. Her dance uniform. Some dingy purple leotard and a pink top with tight shorts. "Oh great, this is gonna be so comfortable to sleep in."
Tristan smiled, "Just kick your shoes off and climb into bed."
"Bed?!" Tea glanced over to the large bed in the center of the back wall. "Where will you sleep? Oh yeah, the whole coffin thing."
"Nah," Tristan waved a hand before his face, "that kind of thing is only for the old school vampires. Nowadays we modern types use the standard bed."
"B-but," Tea felt a churning feeling in the pit of her stomach, "if I sleep there are you still gonna-"
"Yep."
"Oh no-" Tea was in mid protest when Tristan scooped her up and threw her on the opposite side of the bed. There was a brief struggle and exchanged of heated insults before her finally had her tucked (jammed) under the covers.
"I wasn't exactly planning on having you sleep over," he huffed as he crawled into bed beside her, "but your little stunt bought you some time. Don't get any ideas about escaping. The door's locked and I'm not that sound of a sleeper."
Tea just glared at him from her side of the bed. Her hair was ruffled and her cheeks were red with humiliated anger.
Tristan only smirked and rolled over, "I'll deal with you tomorrow. Good night...Tea."
The sulking brunette gasped as she caught her name at the end of Tristan's remark. That vampire just used my name? But---why??
Deciding that she was too tired to give it any further consideration the teen reserved herself to getting a good night's (or in this case day's) rest. Reluctantly, her eyes slid shut leaving her subconscious mind to deal with the unexpected turn of events.
******
Mai watched Joey change out of his daily attire and into something he could sleep in. The room they were residing in was furnished in fairly antique furniture. The age of the fixtures certainly hadn't affected their upkeep. All the wooden, hand carved items were absolutely beautiful...especially the canopy bed.
Oh that's right, Mai sighed, the bed. Joey and I will be sharing the same bed tonight. Now that's something that I never let him get away with before.
"Huh? Did you say something Mai?" Joey turned after kicking his dirty clothes under a chest of drawers.
"N-no." Mai studied Joey closely. Can he read my thoughts now?
"Stop mumblin' Mai," Joey furrowed his brow, "what's up?"
"Joey," Mai was astonished, "you can read my thoughts now, can't you?"
Joey shrugged.
"Well you just did."
"I did?"
"YES!" Mai was getting frustrated. Here Joey had just discovered this incredible newfound ability of his and he was too dense to realize it! "Joey when you got on to me just a second ago I wasn't mumbling, I was thinking."
"Yeah," Joey laughed, "out loud."
"No dummy!" Mai snapped, "In my head!"
"Hey! I'm no dummy!" Joey was acting just like a little kid again, "I'll have you know that I'm a full fledged vampire with mind boggling abilities."
Mai groaned and leaned her forehead against her hands.
Joey took the opportunity to sneak over to his girlfriend and slid an arm around her shoulders, "Ya look so pretty when ya pout like that."
"I'm NOT pouting Joey!" Mai cried out, "You're just driving me crazy, as usual."
"Hee...hee...just like old times eh?"
"Urgh..."
Brushing her blonde hair back over her shoulder Joey nuzzled Mai's neck.
Mai felt herself grudgingly relaxing as Joey's warm breath danced across her sensitive skin. "Joey-"
"Mm?" he planted a few light kisses at the base of her neck, just above her collar bone.
"-remember what you said back at my place? That somehow, we'd find a way to make this work?" Mai quivered as he nipped only an inch above her shoulder.
A muffled answer came followed by a sudden rush of pain. "Ah!" Mai gasped as Joey sank his fangs into her neck. The sharp points cut through her flawless flesh and punctured her vein. Blood gushed forth and Mai remained still as a statue as Joey greedily consumed all that spilled past his lips.
"T-this isn't exactly what I had in mind." Mai finally spoke.
Joey didn't answer, he was too engrossed in his present activity. But he did plan on sparing Mai's life...he was just going to get his fill first.
The blood tasted sweeter than anything his tongue had ever savored during his mortal life. Mai DOES have an expensive taste. Joey laughed to himself as he guzzled down another mouthful of Mai's crimson essence. The blond vampire was careful not to waste a single precious drop. Yeah, I could get used to being a vampire.
"J-Joey?" Mai tried to reason with her psyched out boyfriend. It was like he didn't even hear her. But instead of being frustrating this time, it was terrifying. Joey, I know you've ignored me before but right now I really need to level with you. This is getting WAY too weird.
Finally he'd taken in all he cared to for one night. Gently pulling his fangs from her neck he slumped backwards onto the bed just as if the whole experience had been nothing out of the ordinary. "What a trip huh?"
"No Joey Wheeler, that was not a trip!" Mai shivered from blood loss and jumped to her feet. Spinning around she faced her bewildered boyfriend with teary eyes.
"Huh? What's wrong Mai?" Joey sat up and stretched out a hand but Mai jerked away.
"What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG?!" Mai took another step back. "Joey you bit me!"
"Yeah so," Joey shrugged as if Mai was the one acting crazy, "incase ya haven't noticed Mai, I AM a vampire here."
The violet eyed mortal put a hand to her sore neck, "You didn't even ASK me Joey, you just sank your greedy fangs right into my neck and-"
"And what's the problem with that?" Joey demanded, "Didn't ya think I was going to get hungry eventually? Sheesh Mai! Would ya rather I fed off of some other chick or-"
"NO!" Mai's reply came suddenly, "It's just...I wasn't prepared and you...well you..."
"I startled ya?"
Mai nodded.
Smiling Joey put his arms around his girl, "Look I'm sorry. I'll warn ya next time I need a bite okay? Now c'mere and let's get some sleep. The sun'll be up soon and I'm pretty sure us newbie vampires shouldn't risk the whole turning to dust in the sun rumor."
Planting a light kiss on his lips, Mai shrugged off her purple jacket and kicked her shoes aside before climbing into bed next to Joey. "Will those curtains keep the sunlight out?"
Joey glanced at the heavy fabric covering the window, "They look like they'll do the trick to me."
"Okay then," Mai nestled closely in Joey's arms and noticed that his body temperature had drastically increased. Well of course, he did just drink like a gallon of my blood!
It didn't take long for Mai to drift off to sleep. That left Joey still wide awake to battle with his thoughts. Man, that whole feeding thing really shook Mai up. I didn't figure that it'd be that big of a deal. Gotta watch that. And what about my sister? I sure hope Kaiba hasn't hurt her. Serenity, please be okay...
******
Serenity Wheeler still wouldn't look him in the eye. Seto Kaiba had been pacing around the girl--approaching her from every possible angle--for over an hour now. But to no avail, this mortal was stubborn. She's probably still mad at me for 'turning' her brother. he decided.
"I did him a favor you know?"
Seto's sudden statement pulled Serenity out of her thoughts. "What are you talking about?"
"Your brother." Seto's eyes narrowed on the brown haired female.
Serenity met his cold gaze with an equally emotionless stare, "What about my brother, monster?"
"Stop calling me that." Seto carried a threatening tone to his already intimidating voice.
"That's what you are." Serenity informed him, "A monster, why don't you just face it? I should think you'd be proud to call yourself one. You don't seem sorry at all for what you did to my brother."
"Joey Wheeler was a worthless street punk and a pitiful duelist." Seto declared, "I provided him with an escape from his wretched life. Just like I'm doing for you now."
"YOU WON'T 'TURN' ME!" Serenity exclaimed jerking herself off the chair she was sitting in and dashing to the opposite side of the room.
"Relax," Seto was back in front of her again in an instant, "I'm not going to make you a vampire. And I don't plan on killing you...unless you keep that insolent little attitude of yours going."
Surprised by his speed and uncanny ability to remain placid Serenity could only stare at the vampire blankly for a few moments. Seto took this time to allow his blue eyes to skim over the length of her body. She was small in stature yet perfectly shaped. She had curves in all the right places and a personality to balance out his coldness. If only he could get her to drop the grudge and focus some of her warmth on him.
Unconsciously he brought his hand to the side of her face and gradually began caressing her cheek. "DON'T!" she squealed and brushed him away.
"You're just a possession to me now." he informed her. "And I don't take orders from my possessions."
"I'm a human being!"
"Exactly, you're a measly human who's caught my eye." Seto informed her, "Just be grateful that you're still alive."
"MONSTER!"
"I warned you about calling me that." Seto's eyes flashed red and sent a shocked Serenity crumpling to the floor and burying her face in her knees.
A strange sensation swept over the vampire and tugged at what he suspected was his nearly nonexistent heart. "Get up." he commanded.
Soft sobs answered.
"Get up now."
The young teen's body began to shake as she cried harder trying to muffle her whimpering. She felt so helpless, trapped with the merciless beast that had killed her big brother.
When it became clear that his previous commands held no meaning towards the female Seto decided to take a different approach. Leaning down to meet her current height he softly brought his hands to her shoulders.
Caught off guard by his soothing touch the young Wheeler gasped and drew back. She eyed the creature before her suspiciously.
"I didn't think it would cause you this much pain." Seto admitted. "I just...I knew Wheeler wouldn't let me get near you. There was no other way. I had to. He really didn't mean that much to anyone but that Mai girl and-"
"He did to me!" Serenity choked back another sob.
Drawing in a deep breath he tried to explain (normally he wouldn't have felt the need to explain himself to a human but this one was---special), "The point is, I never took him away from Mai and you. I only changed him, made him part of the most feared vampire clan in the world. Now that he's on my side, we can both get what we want."
"In other words," Serenity was still glaring at Seto with intense distrust, "you did this all for you."
Seto grinned, "That's right. The clan members always get their victims. And I...always get my way."
"I still think you're a monster." Serenity stated, "But I don't believe that even a cruel hearted beast like you could make Joey into a cold-blooded killer. My brother will get through this somehow. And then, he'll come after you."
Sighing Seto realized that he wasn't going to get anywhere with the stubborn girl. "You're just going to need a little more work to break. I'll have you catering to my every desire in no time mortal. Just wait and see."
"My brother's gonna-"
"I'll show you what your brother's gonna do!" Seto grabbed Serenity by the shoulders and dipped her down before his chest. "He'll do exactly what I'm about to do. Only, he'll be doing it to that blonde bimbo down the hall. You see, Mai's his chosen prey...and you're mine."
Eyes trembling in fear Serenity watched helplessly as the blue-eyed vampire lowered his bared fangs down upon her exposed neck. A cry of frightful pain escaped her lips as sharp teeth submerged themselves into her tender flesh and straight into the midst of her pulsing vein.
Wriggling was useless, he had her trapped in a deadly embrace that she couldn't break free from. A deep laughter echoed in her ear as the fiendish creature consumed her essence. "I always get my way." resounded in her mind while the darkness rushed in to overtake her.
________________________________________________________________________
*Thanks for the reviews and the emails. ^_^ I can tell that a lot of people are enjoying this fic. In the next chapter you'll discover what fate has in store for slayers Rebecca and Dina. Until then, review!*