Chapter 11: The Game Continues
March 17th 1548 Belgium.
Almost a hundred years he spent devouring his people, his army and spreading the curse of vampirism through his deep-rooted hate for humanity and vengeance he finally slowed down in the war of Belgium. Coming through into the country for the taste of Belgium people to find war and strife breaking the country apart. However it was the individuals tired of war began to join underneath the one same ruler. The Emperor Charles V, and so Vlad made his way into the high court of the royals and nobles. Posing as a Grand Duke from Wallachia by the name of Remus, he quickly swept the women off their feet's, with his charismatic smile and deep voice. His poise, the power his emitted made him such an outstanding and unforgettable figure that he soon had most of the court in his favour.
The men of the court could find no wrong in wrong in this man, he was utterly stunning, figure, looks, knowledge. His eloquent words and well-practiced sentences simply could have no man or women hating him. He was charming, beautiful and truly an unforgettable person. His demeanour always charming and mysterious. He had women falling after him, following his tail and surrounding in parties and no-one could blame him. And every time he would greet them with the same sultry smile and sensual laugh. His deep voice always rumbling in good humour sent chills and shivers down their spines. Whether male or female they were all clmabering for his attention and any sort of approval from him.
And following him were a group of dark shadowed figures with such elegant manners that one would've thought that they were mannequins. They too were also perfect in their own way, only following their master as they swept through the ballroom. Mingling with the others as if they were always there, and no one expected a thing. Believing to the same as of them, high in power and human.
"My dear lady, you look marvellous as always", Remus said as he took her hand kissing it lightly, looking up at her with dark eyes. Luring her into a trap which she would never escape from. A bright blush flashed upon her cheeks as she quickly used her fan to cool herself and hide her red cheeks. It was red enough from the makeup she wore but her blushing cheeks made it even more prominent.
Composing herself as much as she could she gave him a dazzling smile to make herself more dignified, but in reality she was trying to make sure that she looked pleasing in his eyes. All of the women in the court were but they were waiting patiently, they knew he slept with women so frequently as if he was using a candle. Once burned out he wouldn't see them again. His interests always shifting and changing, so they tried to keep up with his new interests.
He smiled but in actuality he had lost his interest a long time ago. She was of a lower ranking in the court so her death would be unfortunate but not too suspicious, she did not smell so bad underneath all of her perfume but now he felt like wrinkling his nose in distaste for the strong smell of flowers and sweets. He never did have a sweet tooth anyways.
"Oh look there Lady Seras! It's your lucky day!" A young woman giggled as she pointed to the dark figure of Vlad, poising as Remus. She clutched onto the arm of a young woman with long swaying blonde hair who patiently followed her friend as she guided her through the masses of men and women. The men in the court turned heads and their eyes followed the new female which entered the party, escorted by the ecstatic brown-headed female who looked absolutely astounded of the grandeur of the ballroom than her companion. But they paid no mind to that, what they cared was who was this women and where had she been all this time? The unknown female with a body full of swaying curves, a natural pale skin and there wasn't even a hint of makeup on her skin or face. It was all simply natural and it made the men stare in awe, they hadn't seen the likes of this in ages and it was somewhat refreshing. But of course most of their attention was directed to her bust and her features, from what they could see everything about was natural. And they couldn't wait to get their hands of this new meat.
Seras turned her head to the direction which she pointed to, seeing the tall looming figure of Vlad suddenly looked away from the female he was talking to, much to her disappointment. A wide and salacious grin spread across his face as he saw her, he immediately disengaged with the female he was wooing and began to walk toward her. His long black hair in a low braid swinging loosely around his shoulders and his cloak hem sweeping across the marble floor. She could feel the shift of attention onto her and her friend, but especially her. She could also feel inhuman beings in the court which were dispersed before start gather around in the calling of their master.
"Yes…I see him Miss Berthe", Seras said sardonically as she turned away with a bored expression. "Let's get ourselves some wine. What party is good without something intoxicating?" She said with a bright smile, as she took her companions hand and walked the opposite direction. Berthe eyes widened in surprise, she could clearly see that Lord Remus was walking up to them and yet they were walking away? What? She followed nonetheless letting herself get caught up in the moment, her eyes wandering around the massive ballroom, never had she see something so absolutely large and elaborate and so well decorated.
Seras's expression was not of surprise, she knew of presence in this party long before she even came to this mansion. With his servants scattered around the party like guard dogs, it was hard not to miss them. She glided through the marble floor, her dress sweeping across the dance floor, her footsteps not even making a single sound. Berthe merely followed the best she could, she really didn't have much say after all it was Lady Seras who invited her to come with her. She wasn't of a low class, but not in the standards of the high. It would've been quite impossible for the likes of her to be invited into such a high class party like this.
A man suddenly stopped from them walking any further stepping right in front of them as they were just about the exit the ballroom, wearing all black except for his white shirt. He had high collars and a scarf around his neck, showing no traces of his skin except for his face. Seras narrowed her eyes slightly, he was most likely hiding a bite mark on his neck and his pale skin. "Pardon my interruption of your night Lady Victoria and Miss Berthe", he bowed most sincerely showing the utmost courtesy and chivalry. "May I take up just one moment of your time", he flashed them a dazzling smile. Berthe immediately felt a little woozy from just looking at him, how could such a perfect beauty be talking to them? Well perhaps more like Lady Seras but seeing him up close was good enough for her.
Seras felt the looming presence of Vlad coming closer to them and deciding that it would be best to talk outside and leave innocent Berthe out of she waved her hand over Berthe's eyes. Her eyes momentarily turning red, "Take one of the carriages and go home, tell your mother you had a headache and one too many drinks", she murmured quietly. Taking her hand she placed a few gold coins to keep for herself and pay the driver. Berthe's eyes suddenly turned red, enchanted she nodded and walked away in a daze, not really knowing what she doing but she knew her orders so she obeyed. Her eyes fading in colour and lustre as she walked towards the exit of the ballroom soon disappearing through the crowds of people.
The male widened his eyes in shock as he witnessed the scene, he suddenly found himself underneath the harsh and cold stare of this female, her eyes glowing brightly. A startling blue and a wave of power swept over him, almost making him kneel in submission. Who was this woman?! He remembered his master's words, it was still ringing in his head but to think he meant this?!
'Stop that woman, and careful. She's a peculiarity'. The sound of his laughter made him a little wary but he obeyed, there was no reason to refuse. But now he found himself in a precarious situation, his master had not stated that she was of the same kind as them. He could feel a deep and ancient power vibrating off of her, thrumming with vibrant and dark energy suddenly making him feel insignificant and small. Even though he was taller than her, but the difference in power was so great he couldn't help himself from kneeling in front of, if not he feared that his head would soon come flying off.
"Tell him if he wants to talk then find me in the gardens by the fountain", she said quietly as she finally let her power draw back into her body letting the undead servant breathe once more. He hadn't even realised that he was holding his breath so long under the pressure of this ancient being. He nodded and quickly walked away to report back to his master but Vlad was already aware of what she had said. His acute hearing already catching every single word and his heightened senses feeling the dark waves of power rolling off her in a slight anger. Irritation was good, perhaps she would angry as well and he would be able to see her angry. He had always wanted to see her fight freely and use her power freely. She only used her dark pools of energy for small tricks, nothing other than that. She never abused her power while he was alive and dead, but he did. But what he didn't know was that when she was younger and newly made she was just as a catastrophe as he, but in a different way.
She slinked away into the darkness and disappeared, no-one realising and it was as if nothing happened at all. Vlad did the same, bowing to the women he was leaving and strode past the women who clearly had disappointment written on their faces. A little disgruntled by the fact that he was leaving so early, but they kept quiet, not wanting to make a commotion.
She sat by the stream of water, her fingers tapping against the surface of the water. The water rippling against the touch of her fingertips. The water became still and clear for a moment before returning to its chaotic and disfigured reflection. She furrowed her brows in frustration but let it be. She felt Vlad's presence slink up next to her, looking up she saw blazing red eyes tinted with a deep orange. She indicated for him to sit and so he did. They sat there for a couple of moments in silence without a single word exchanged with each other, and finally Seras spoke. It had been so many decades since they last spoke and they left in anger. Seras was travelling the world in the search for knowledge. It was such an obsession she had sometimes, but there was also another reason. It consumed her time and kept her mind always thinking, if she had nothing to do she would fear that she would derelict and become bored of life. So she consumed her time and continued her search for knowledge. She was already so old anyways and knew so much, but the world was changing around her so there was always something new to learn and she was an eager learner.
Vlad had consumed his time by spreading the curse of vampirism, now having a coven of servants all dedicated to serving him and serving him only. He killed those who had wronged him in the most horrific ways, taking away what was theirs' giving them humiliation which no human could ever fathom. And finally once he was done he only left a trail of death along his wake of unlife. Devouring everything and leaving the barren landscapes of destroyed villages, towns and cities. Laying waste to all. But he had yet to meet the hierarchy of power where the elders were. But in the world of the supernatural his name was spreading and soon he would meet the council of the other ancient beings.
"Twenty-eight huh?" She mumbled breaking the calm silence which they had enveloped themselves in, referring to his appearance. He certainly was not of this age but it didn't matter, after all their time was endless. She fiddled with her corset, she hated this restrictive clothing. It was tight and so hard to move in. She would rather wear and cheap toga than this cage of death, her torso chaffing against the string. Maybe next time she should just wear what she wanted to…
He nodded as he gazed at her, she had not changed at all. Looking youthful as always, but her skin looking a little paler than he last remembered and of course her hair was one of the biggest differences. It reached her waist and it already in a tight bun adorned with countless jewels and gold. He didn't answer back, simply tentatively reaching out to pull the jewellery out of her hair. She didn't object so he continued. Slowly pulling out the gems and beads from her hair and several other trinkets.
"These sort of things never suited you in the first place, Seras", he murmured quietly. She nodded absentmindedly, her hair tumbling down in a wavy mess. It was sleek and soft to the touch, and the smell of fruits was heavy. And the smell of dark energy made Vlad's mouth water, her neck showed a canvas of white unmarred skin which he so badly wanted to sink his teeth into. He would feel his tongue and teeth elongating, but it was interrupted shortly.
"No", Seras said curtly as she flicked his forehead almost childishly. Vlad smiled, it wasn't cruel or sinister. It was just a simple smile, with nothing but warmth and want.
"The game of chase is not yet over", Vlad turned away and stood up; his shadowy form began melding with his clothes as shadowy bats began forming around the edges of his collar and sleeve. She looked up and gave him a half-hearted shrug of disinterest. Vlad narrowed his eyes at her response as he took her hand and pulled her up. The music of a waltz was in the background and although it may have sounded faint to others it was loud for them. And slowly Vlad began to lead them into the steps of the waltz.
Their steps soon matching with the beats of the music and slowly they began twirl into the slow movement of the dance and the music. Vlad leading her as they moved slowly, their feet never making a sound as they moved calmly. They ghosted around the garden as they danced and to another person's view they may as well have been a couple of apparitions made from their drunken mind. Two beings so contrastingly different but which were of the same that danced in perfect beat and unison which no human could have ever accomplished. Vlad never took his eyes off of her and she was the same.
Vlad snaked his arm around her waist a little tighter, pulling her bust closer to him and Seras retaliated by stepping on his foot; breaking his bones. Vlad growled at her as he missed a step because of his broken foot, she flashed him a bright smile which mocked innocence. His foot almost immediately healed and they continued with the their dance as if nothing had happened, Seras still pulling off the not guilty face as she looked away with a smirk as they danced. Vlad leaned in to place chaste kiss on her cheek, her cheeks flushed for a moment before looking up at him angrily. Her cheeks tinted red with embarrassment, Vlad laughed at her. No physical harm would hurt him or her anyways but there was still other ways they could torment each other.
This gave no greater amount of pleasure to see this reaction from her, to know that she was still the same old Seras and she still maintained her personality and to see these little reactions confirmed it. It also gave him the upper hand for the moment. The music continued as they changed positions, walking beside each other with their palms pressed against each other as they feigned as if there was other people around them. She looked straight ahead her eyes glinting a dangerous red as she turned to switch positions with him, and when he didn't see it she smashed her fist into his ribcage lightly. Lightly was understatement though as she shattered three of his ribs, Vlad coughed out blood as he felt his bones crumble in his chest cavity.
Seras continued to move to the rhythm of the waltz as Vlad clutched onto his side as he felt his bones cracking back into place and his body taking the intensely sped version of healing, which would have taken a normal human weeks of surgery and months of healing and rehabilitation. He glared up at Seras, if he was human she would not done this but now as an undead being she had a reason to, as in the end he would simply heal and there wouldn't even be a mark of the attack at all. Seras continued the dance by herself, and while to others she may have looked like a fool she was elegant with her moves and her body swayed with the strings of the violins. Once his bones had re-joined and the purple bruising had faded he took his position as the male lead in the waltz once more, unfazed by the fact that just a moment ago three of his ribs were shattered and broken.
Vlad now peeved and his patience wearing thin he decided to do something he had never done when she was alive. He kissed her once when she was dead. But never alive and he never saw her reactions and now he had the chance, so just as the waltz ended he dragged her into the darkness of the bushes and hooked his arm around her waist and the other hand cupping the back of her head. He had to lean down substantially because of his height but it didn't deter him and while she was still dazed by that fact that he had dragged her away from the openness of the garden she suddenly felt the hot lips of Vlad. It was scalding almost and she almost had her fist clenched to give him a good pounding but for some reason she decided against it.
His mouth moving down to her neck, sucking at the skin lightly, his teeth scraping against the skin leaving little red welting lines. The touches of his lips feather-like at times and sometimes urgent and thunderous. Trying to consume and take all of her attention from anything else, stealing away anything that may take her attention away. He was greedy for everything, his mouth moved to her jaw as he nibbled gently. Her breath light and airy as she allowed him to do as he pleased, her hands on his shoulders, holding him as he worshipped her body.
His hands openly exploring her body and that was when she gently pulled away, she touched his arm as she slowly regained her breath. Her eyes glowing brightly, the smell of lust was thick in the air and Vlad didn't have enough. The monster in him wasn't full of its meal yet, it had taken a small nibble but its hunger was ignited and there was the familiar sensation of burning in his throat and lust. It enraged in him as his eyes turned into a deep burgundy red with a smouldering orange which danced in the irises of his eyes. The monster in him had not yet had his fill, it yearned for more and it would not be sated until it had its meal.
A small aggressive growl rumbled in his chest as a threat but Seras staying calm rubbed his arm soothingly and soon he calmed now enough to think rationally. His breath slowing down, now a calm ocean much like after a raging storm in the seas. Once chaotic but now there was a dead calm silence which took up the much heated action a few moments earlier. The silence was not uncomfortable as they were no strangers to sex and the natural reactions of the body.
Vlad could feel the urgency and the worry of his servants as they waited for him, and he realised he would soon need to leave. Dawn was soon approaching and soon he would need to return to the darkness of his chambers to be alone once more. But now his sexual desires had been incited so it was both going to a long and uncomfortable sleep or would find some female to bed with. He looked down at Seras who also realised that daylight was soon coming and the night was disappearing, the drunken and party-dazed guests of the party were returning home in their horse drawn carriages. Drunken peals of laughter could be heard.
Vlad suddenly felt the sense of loneliness, taking Seras's hand he took the voice of seriousness. He was almost at the point of pleading to have her company, just like in the old days, when their worries were not so much and they only had each other. There was no-one else to intrude in their world and they only had each other to lick at each other wounds, he yearned for those days. "Seras. Come with me", he said softly.
Seras looked up to only shake her head sadly, "Not now…" She quietly said. Vlad felt a bubble of anger build up but there was a stronger emotion that was battling against the anger; rejection and jealousy. He knew for sure there was another man in her mind that she was thinking of and that gave him no greater amount of jealousy and grief.
"But…" Seras continued slowly as her body began to shift into the shadows and the many owl heads appearing from her shadowy form, she looked up with a mischievous smile. "You said yourself, the chase is still on. The game not yet ended", she grinned and just as the sun rose, breaking the horizon her body broke into a shadowy mass of owls disappearing into the purple tinted sky.
'So let's see if you can catch me!' Her voice echoing in his mind with great big fits of laughter which thrummed with energy and humour.
Vlad felt his heart thundering in chest, thumping and thumping. She and she only could ever incite this sort of feeling from him, there was no-one else and he wouldn't want anyone else.
It's the last day of school for the first term in Australia (public schools)! I have the holidays to relax and do nothing and literally waste my life! I decided to upload this chapter earlier in celebration for my freedom! I would've uploaded it in the afternoon but I had to go straight to work when school ended. I just got back home at 10:44pm.
For all the Aussies reading this, have a great holiday because you know weather can be a crazy bitch, and she can ruin your day with a snap of her sassy fingers. And this a person who has experienced from the day of birth, Sydney weather can literally shit rain one day and have the sun beating down your back the next day or maybe in moment of an hour. Who knows...
And any other person who is in their holidays as well, hope you guys stay safe as well. There are some crazy people out there that will F you up...
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Peace out!