Rosie's bare feet slid across the cold stone floor, slick with the blood of the two dead vampires whose bodies still lay at the foot of the throne. The metallic scent of their spilled blood filled the air, thick and nauseating, as she continued to twirl and move under the gaze of the vampire lord. Her silk skirt fluttered around her as she danced, each step a humiliating reminder of her enslavement. The collar around her neck pulsed with a red glow, a constant threat should she falter or stop before her captor's command.
The other vampires lingered in the shadows, watching her with hungry eyes, but none dared to approach. Not after what had happened to the last two who tried to taste her blood. She still remembered the swift, brutal way the leader had dispatched them—no hesitation, no remorse, just a cold, efficient execution. Their bodies had crumpled to the floor in an instant, their fangs barely grazing her skin before they were silenced forever. And now, their blood was part of the macabre stage upon which she danced, the crimson liquid sticking to her skin and splattering across the room with every spin, every leap.
Rosie's breath came in ragged gasps, her limbs heavy with exhaustion, but she forced herself to keep moving, knowing that if she stopped, the collar would tighten around her throat, choking her, punishing her. She had no choice but to obey.
The vampire lord watched her from his throne, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he toyed with a goblet of blood in his hand. He had her exactly where he wanted— controlled, and dancing for his amusement. She could feel his gaze burning into her, the weight of his cruel satisfaction pressing down on her shoulders like a heavy shroud.
The room around her felt suffocating, filled with the oppressive presence of the remaining vampires. Most of them avoided her now, their desire tempered by fear of their leader's wrath. They would rather sit and watch her suffer than risk their lives by defying his orders. Dawn was approaching, the first slivers of light creeping through the cracks of the stone manor, and slowly, some of the vampires began to slip away into the shadows, retreating to their crypts to avoid the sun's deadly rays.
As the crowd thinned, Rosie's movements grew slower, her body screaming for rest, but the collar continued to glow in warning. She could feel it, ready to strike at the slightest sign of defiance.
Suddenly, just as the dance was drawing to its agonizing close, a thunderous explosion rocked the entire manor.
The ground beneath her feet trembled violently, sending loose stones and debris cascading from the ceiling. Dust filled the air as the walls shook, cracks splintering across the stone like spiderwebs. Rosie stumbled, nearly falling, but she caught herself just in time, her breath hitching in shock.
"What the hell—" one of the remaining vampires hissed, rising from their seat, eyes wide with alarm.
Another explosion followed, louder this time, shaking the foundations of the ancient structure. Rosie could hear the distant sound of battle—explosions, shouting, the unmistakable roar of fire and the sharp crack of ice. Her heart leapt in her chest.
Katsuki.
They were here.
Katsuki and the others had come for her.
But before she could react, before the hope swelling in her chest could fully form, the vampire lord was on his feet, his sharp gaze locking onto her. His eyes narrowed, fury blazing behind his dark irises.
"Keep dancing," he ordered, his voice cold and unyielding. The collar around her neck flared, tightening slightly as a warning.
Rosie's lips parted in protest, her legs trembling with fatigue and fear. The manor was crumbling around them, debris falling from the ceiling, and yet he wanted her to continue this twisted performance? She could hear the distant sounds of Katsuki's explosions, of her friends fighting their way through the manor's defenses, but she couldn't run to them, couldn't help them. She was still trapped.
"I said keep dancing," the vampire lord repeated, his voice a low growl, the collar burning against her skin, forcing her to obey.
Her body moved on instinct, even though every fiber of her being wanted to stop, to fight back, to run. But the collar wouldn't let her. Her feet continued to slide across the blood-soaked floor, her arms lifting in a mockery of grace, even as the manor trembled beneath the assault of her friends outside.
The vampire lord turned his back on her, stepping toward the doors of the grand chamber as the sounds of destruction grew closer. His posture was tense, his anger palpable, but he seemed unconcerned, confident in the strength of his coven's defenses.
Rosie's heart pounded as she danced, her mind spiraling with desperation and exhaustion. Every muscle in her body screamed in agony, her legs barely holding her up, and her arms moving like lead. She had been forced to perform for hours now, her movements mechanical, driven by the cruel magic of the collar that kept her prisoner.
"Go!" the vampire lord barked, his voice slicing through the thick tension in the room like a blade. The remaining vampires scrambled for the door, their movements frantic as the sound of explosions and battle echoed louder from outside the manor. The heavy doors slammed shut behind them, sealing Rosie inside the crumbling chamber with her captor.
She staggered slightly, her knees threatening to give out, but she kept dancing, knowing full well the punishment if she stopped. Her eyes flickered to the door, every fiber of her being willing it to break down.Katsuki, please… hurry.
Minutes dragged on like hours, the only sound in the room was her shallow breaths and the soft shuffle of her feet across the blood-smeared floor. The vampire lord sat back on his throne, watching her with cold amusement, his lips curling into a cruel smile as he relished in her suffering. But she could see the tension in his posture, the way his eyes flicked toward the door every now and then.
He knew.
He knew they were coming for her.
Half an hour passed, the walls trembling under the continued assault outside. Rosie's legs buckled beneath her, her vision blurring with exhaustion, but the collar flared, forcing her to keep moving, to keep dancing.
Then, finally, with a deafening crash, the door exploded inward, debris flying everywhere as the wooden doors were blown off their hinges. Smoke and dust filled the room, swirling in the dim light. And there, standing in the doorway, was Katsuki.
Rosie's breath caught in her throat. "Katsuki…" she whispered, her voice weak, barely audible, but filled with relief. Her entire body ached to run to him, to collapse into his arms, but she couldn't move. The collar's magic held her in place.
Katsuki's eyes locked onto her, widening slightly as he took in her appearance—the blood on the floor, the torn, revealing outfit, and the exhaustion etched into every line of her body. His gaze darkened with fury, his fists clenching at his sides, small explosions crackling in his palms as his rage surged. But before he could make a move, the vampire lord's voice cut through the air.
"Come here, pet," the leader demanded, his voice low and filled with a dangerous edge. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched Katsuki's reaction. Rosie felt the collar tighten painfully around her neck, forcing her to obey. Her body moved against her will, walking toward the vampire lord's throne, her legs shaking as she did so.
"No…" she breathed, her heart sinking as she reached him. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her down into his lap, his cold, pale hand resting possessively on her waist. Her entire body stiffened, repulsion rising in her throat, but she was powerless to resist.
The vampire's smug gaze never left Katsuki's as he leaned closer to Rosie, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke softly, just loud enough for Katsuki to hear. "You see, dragon, she belongs to me now. Look how easily she obeys."
Katsuki's entire body tensed, his eyes blazing with fury. The sight of Rosie, the girl he swore to protect, sitting in the lap of this vampire lord, looking so fragile and broken, was enough to make his blood boil. His explosions grew fiercer, sparks flying from his palms as he stepped forward, his voice a low, dangerous growl.
"Get your filthy hands off her," Katsuki snarled, his teeth gritted as he glared at the vampire. "You're hiding behind her like a coward, aren't you? Too scared to face me without using her as a shield?"
The vampire lord's eyes narrowed, his grip on Rosie tightening as a thin smile stretched across his lips. "Hiding? Hardly," he sneered. "I simply know how to use my resources. Why would I waste my strength fighting a brute like you when I can have her sit here and make you watch?"
Rosie could feel the tension in Katsuki's body even from across the room, his anger radiating off him like heat from a wildfire. His red eyes were locked onto the vampire's hand on her waist, and every instinct screamed at her to move, to run to him. But the collar glowed brighter, binding her to the vampire lord's will, keeping her in place.
"Katsuki..." Rosie's voice was barely a whisper, but it was filled with a mix of pain and apology. She hated this—hated being used as a pawn, as bait to manipulate him.
Katsuki's breath came in ragged, furious huffs as he took another step closer, explosions crackling louder in his palms, his gaze murderous. "Let her go and fight me yourself. Or are you just some pathetic bloodsucker who only knows how to hide behind someone else?"
The vampire lord's eyes flared with anger for the first time, his icy grip on Rosie's waist tightening painfully. "You think you can provoke me, dragon?" he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. With one sharp yank, he grabbed Rosie's face, forcing her head to the side, and kissed her roughly beneath her jaw, his cold lips lingering on her skin.
Katsuki's growl turned into a snarl, fury vibrating through his body. "Get your filthy hands off her, you bastard!"
The vampire chuckled darkly, ignoring Katsuki's rage as he continued trailing cold kisses along the column of Rosie's neck. She squirmed in his grip, her body trembling as he grazed his fangs against her skin, teasing the delicate flesh. Rosie yelped, her heart pounding with both fear and disgust.
"Fight me, bastard!" Katsuki's voice echoed through the chamber, his body crackling with the deadly energy of his explosions as he stomped closer.
The vampire smirked, lifting his head just enough to meet Katsuki's furious gaze. "Come any closer, and I'll turn her," he purred, his voice laced with mockery. "Sit there and watch, dragon. You're powerless."
Rosie's eyes widened in horror as the vampire tightened his hold on her, pulling her further into his lap. His clawed hand grazed her navel, sending a cold shiver through her body as he slowly traveled upward. With a vicious tug, he yanked on the pink ribbon holding her top together, causing the fabric to fall loose and exposing her skin. Rosie's hands instinctively flew to cover herself, but the collar glowed in warning, its magic tightening around her throat like an iron grip.
"So obedient," the vampire snickered, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement as he forced Rosie to face Katsuki. "Do you think she'll call your name when I have her, or will she call mine?"
Rosie's ears twitched, her mind racing as she felt his hand move again, this time reaching for her face.No more. She had to get away from him so Katsuki could save her.
The moment his cold fingers brushed her skin, Rosie reacted. With a snarl of her own, she lunged forward and sank her teeth into his hand, biting down hard on his finger. The vampire let out a sharp cry of pain, his smug grin disappearing as he tried to wrench his hand free from her grip.
"Stupid bitch!" he hissed, using the collar to choke her. Rosie gasped for breath, but instead of letting go, she bit down harder, her teeth cutting deep into his flesh, blood spilling into her mouth. She could feel the collar constricting, her vision darkening at the edges, but she refused to release him.
The vampire, now furious, stood up, forcing Rosie to stand with him as he jerked her off his lap. His hand lashed out, striking her across the face with enough force to send her crashing to the floor. She hit the ground hard, her cheek stinging, but through the pain, a smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Slowly, she raised her head to look at him, blood dripping from her lips. His severed finger fell from her mouth, hitting the ground with a sickening thud. "Touch me," she spat, her voice hoarse from the choking, "and I'll do it again."
The vampire roared in fury, his face twisting with rage. "You'll pay for that, you insolent bitch!"
Before he could reach for her again, Katsuki charged, his eyes blazing with unbridled rage. He launched himself at the vampire, explosions crackling in his hands as he struck. The two clashed, the force of Katsuki's first hit sending the vampire stumbling backward. Katsuki didn't relent, his fists flying as he pounded the vampire with relentless blows, each strike fueled by his burning fury.
The vampire, though powerful, was caught off guard by Katsuki's speed and sheer ferocity. He barely managed to block the attacks, his face contorting with frustration. "You think you can defeat me, dragon?" the vampire sneered, dodging one of Katsuki's explosive punches. "I've lived for centuries!"
Katsuki grinned, his eyes glinting with murderous intent. "Then it's about time someone put you in the ground,old man." He placed his hand on his legs, allowing sweat to coat his palms before igniting an explosion that tore a hole in his leg to render him motionless, sending him skidding across the floor.
Rosie watched through blurred vision as the fight raged on, the room shaking with the force of their battle. Every instinct in her body screamed at her to run, to get away, but something held her in place—something stronger than fear. Her hand reached for the collar around her neck, her fingers brushing the cold metal as she struggled to breathe.
As the vampire staggered to his feet, clutching his side, Katsuki stood over him, breathing heavily but unbroken. "Is that all you've got?" Katsuki taunted, his voice low and deadly.
The vampire hissed, his eyes darting toward Rosie. His lips curled into a malicious grin as he raised his hand, the collar around Rosie's neck glowing brighter. Rosie gasped, her throat tightening as the collar began to choke her again.
"Stop hiding behind her, you coward!" Katsuki snarled, taking a step forward.
But before Katsuki could move, Rosie's voice cut through the chaos, hoarse but determined. "Katsuki…"
Both men paused, turning to look at her. Rosie's eyes were fierce, despite the pain. "Let me finish him," she said, her voice shaking but resolute.
Katsuki hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Without a word, he reached into his belt and pulled out a silver stake, tossing it to her. Rosie caught it with trembling hands, the weight of it unfamiliar but empowering.
The collar was still choking her, but she pushed through the pain, crawling toward the vampire who had tormented her. He sneered at her, even as he bled, his smug expression still firmly in place. "You think you can kill me, little girl?" he mocked. "I made you my pet, and now you want to defy me?"
Rosie didn't respond. She climbed onto him, straddling his chest as she raised the stake high above her head. The collar constricted tighter, cutting off her air, but she didn't care anymore. Her eyes locked with his, her voice a growl as she spat her final words.
"I'll bathe in your blood."
With a scream of rage and defiance, Rosie drove the silver stake into his heart. The vampire's eyes widened in shock as the stake pierced his flesh, his mouth opening in a silent scream as his body began to convulse. Blood poured from the wound, staining Rosie's hands and the floor beneath them.
As the vampire's body went limp beneath her, the collar around Rosie's neck suddenly snapped open, clattering to the floor. She collapsed forward, gasping for air, her hands slick with his blood. The weight of everything—the pain, the fear, the triumph—crashed down on her, but she was free.
Katsuki was by her side in an instant, his hands gently pulling her away from the vampire's lifeless body. "It's over," he said, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it. "You did it."
Rosie nodded weakly, still trembling as she looked down at the bloodstained stake in her hands. She had won—theyhad won. But as she met Katsuki's gaze, she fell into his arms.
"You came for me…" she said after catching her breath.
He let go of her, ripping his cloak off and wrapping it around her, ensuring she was fully covered. "Did you doubt I would?"
Rosie shook her head, "I have had faith in you since you saved me from the sorcerer."
Her words resonated with him, he was careful to pick her up. Beginning to walk out of the room, he noticed how she sank into his arms, burying her face into his neck. "Let's get you out of here."
"Please don't let me go," she whispered.
"I won't," his chest rumbled as she hummed, falling into him.
