Rosie's heart raced as the leader of the vampire coven stood before her, his presence filling the room with an eerie, seductive energy. He was tall, impossibly elegant, with long dark hair that gleamed in the dim light. His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as he studied her, a slow, wicked smile playing across his lips. He took his time, almost like he was savoring the moment.

"You're awake," his voice was a deep, silky drawl, oozing arrogance. He stepped closer, his movements graceful and predatory, like a panther stalking its prey. "I was beginning to think the collar had taken too much out of you, little elf."

Rosie glared at him, instinctively stepping back but refusing to show any fear. The metal of the enchanted collar around her neck felt heavier now, and the chain attached to it dragged slightly with her movement. She yanked at it with frustration, but it did nothing—her magic was still sealed, and her body was still weakened from the enchanted collar.

The vampire's eyes trailed over her, lingering on the skimpy, revealing outfit that someone had dressed her in while she was unconscious. His smile grew, showing the faintest hint of his fangs.

"Do you like it?" he asked, his voice dripping with condescension. "I had my servants choose something that suited you. Something delicate, beautiful… and easily accessible." He chuckled darkly, as if the thought amused him.

Rosie's stomach turned. She hated how vulnerable she felt, how exposed she was in this flimsy outfit. Her fingers itched to grab her sword, to fight, but there was nothing within her reach. Just the cold, hard stone walls of the room, the locked door, and this vampire, who towered over her with an air of superiority that made her blood boil.

He circled her slowly, taking his time as if she were a prize he had just won. "You're quite the rare find," he mused, his eyes glinting as he admired the length of her soft pink hair, the sharpness of her features, and the glow of her elven skin under the torchlight. "A highborn elf. Royal blood runs through your veins, doesn't it? I can smell the sweetness of your blood. Such a rarity in these parts."

Rosie's jaw clenched. She said nothing, her eyes never leaving him as he moved closer.

"You'll make a fine pet," he continued, his voice turning almost playful. "A cute little elf to entertain me. To serve me." He lifted his hand, and with a flick of his fingers, the chain connected to her collar tightened ever so slightly, tugging her toward him. "You will do my bidding, every whim, every command."

Rosie tugged at the chain, trying to resist the pull, but her movements were met with only more resistance. The vampire chuckled again, clearly enjoying her defiance. His eyes glittered with an unsettling hunger as he looked down at her. "It must be humiliating for someone like you. A proud, noble elf. To be so weak. So small."

He leaned in close, his breath cool against her ear as he whispered, "I'll have you bow to me, elf. You'll bow to me willingly, and you'll find pleasure in doing so. A highborn elf, on her knees for a lowly vampire like me. Just think of it." His tone was dripping with mockery, every word laced with cruelty. "Your kind would be ashamed. Your family would disown you for the disgrace."

Rosie's eyes blazed with fury as she glared at him, the anger surging through her giving her a burst of strength. She yanked hard against the chain, her fists clenching, even though it was futile. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was sharp and filled with venom.

"I would sooner die than bow to a lowly creature like you," she spat, her silver eyes burning with defiance. "It would bring shame to my family, to my people, to ever lower myself to your kind. You are nothing. You walk in the shadows, feeding off the life of others because you have none of your own. I willnever willingly bow to you."

The vampire's smile faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing at her words. But then, his amusement returned, darker now, more sinister. "Oh, I'm afraid you don't have a choice, little elf. You belong to me now." He yanked on the chain, forcing her closer to him, his cold fingers grazing her chin as he tilted her head up to meet his gaze. "And you'll learn to love your place. I'll make sure of it."

Rosie yanked her head back, glaring daggers at him. "I won't break," she snarled. "No matter what you do."

The vampire laughed softly, his grip on the chain tightening as he leaned down, his lips barely inches from hers. "We'll see about that," he whispered, his voice a dangerous promise. "We'll see how long you last, my little elf. I've broken stronger creatures than you."

Rosie's heart pounded, but her resolve did not waver. She would never submit to him. Never. Even if it cost her everything.

The manor was as cold as it was dark, its stone walls thick with a stench that clung to the air—the unmistakable scent of iron and decay. It made Rosie's stomach churn, though she kept her expression neutral, unwilling to show even the slightest discomfort in front of the vampire leading her. His presence loomed ahead, tall and graceful, his every step smooth and silent as if he were gliding over the uneven floors.

She took in her surroundings as best as she could while trailing behind him, her wrists fidgeting with the ends of the silk ribbon that held her outfit together. The top, a delicate piece of white fabric, barely covered her chest, held together only by the flimsiest of pink bows at the tops of her breasts. Her midriff was completely exposed to the chilly air, goosebumps rising on her pale skin, while the skirt hung dangerously low off her hips, tied together with another ribbon that seemed ready to come undone at any moment.

She was freezing.

Damn vampire, she cursed under her breath, suppressing a shiver. The vampire lord hadn't given her anything else to wear, and she wasn't foolish enough to ask. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her uncomfortable, even though every inch of her body screamed with the indignity of the situation.

As they moved through the manor, she noticed something strange—there weren't that many vampires around. The halls were eerily quiet, the few servants they passed were pale humans, likely thralls under the control of the coven. The realization struck her quickly:This must be a young coven.The reports of people going missing had only started two months ago. They hadn't been here long, which meant they were still vulnerable.

Perhaps there was a chance to escape after all. If only she could—

Her thoughts were abruptly cut off as her collar tightened. The enchanted metal around her neck glowed a sickening red, shrinking suddenly and painfully. Rosie gasped, her hands flying to her throat as she tried to claw at the collar, but it was useless. The metal constricted further, cutting off her air. Panic set in, her lungs burning as she fell to her knees, her vision starting to blur.

Through her fading vision, she saw the vampire lord turn to face her, his eyes cold and amused.

"Say it," he ordered, his voice dripping with disdain.

The collar loosened just enough for her to draw in a ragged breath. She coughed, her chest heaving as she struggled to regain her composure, but the moment of reprieve was short-lived. The collar remained tight enough to remind her who was in control.

"I won't ask again, elf."

Rosie gritted her teeth. Everything in her wanted to defy him, to resist, but the fire in her lungs and the overwhelming pressure on her neck reminded her how futile that would be. Her pride warred with her survival instinct, and in the end, survival won out.

"...Yes, master," she choked out, the words dripping with venom. She refused to meet his gaze, her eyes fixed on the stone floor beneath her, focusing on anything but the humiliation of the moment.

The vampire smirked, his fangs gleaming in the dim light. "Good pet." He turned on his heel and continued walking, his back to her once more. "Get up," he commanded without looking. "I have matters to attend to before sunrise, and you will follow."

Rosie felt the collar pulse again, forcing her to her feet against her will. She staggered for a moment, regaining her balance before following behind him. The magic in the collar was strong, a binding spell that left no room for disobedience. Every step she took felt like a chain pulling her forward, her movements no longer her own.

They walked in silence for several minutes, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to gather her thoughts. The vampire lord hadn't given her much freedom since capturing her, and now, with the collar, he was ensuring she had none at all. Her escape options were growing slim, and if she didn't think of something soon—

"I will have you serve me tomorrow night," the vampire interrupted her thoughts, his voice as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "Your kind makes forlovelyentertainment. You'll follow my every command and learn your place. In time, perhaps, you'll even come to enjoy it."

Rosie's stomach twisted at his words, the bile rising in her throat. She didn't respond, but her silence only seemed to amuse him more.

The vampire stopped in front of a door and opened it, pushing her inside without ceremony. Rosie stumbled into the room, catching herself before she fell. She recognized it immediately—it was the same room she had woken up in, cold and sparsely furnished. A simple bed, a table, a chair, and two books on the table. No bars on the window, but the tower's height was enough of a deterrent.

"You'll stay here during the day while we sleep," he said, his tone bored now. "Don't bother trying to escape. The collar will ensure your compliance."

Without another word, he turned and left, closing the door behind him with a loud click as the lock slid into place.

Rosie stood there for a moment, her entire body trembling with a mixture of fury and fear. She glanced around the room, taking in her surroundings once again. There was no way out. The window was too high to jump from without dying, and the door was locked tight. The enchanted collar prevented her from using her magic—every time she so much as thought about casting a spell, the collar flared up in warning, a painful reminder of her limitations.

Her legs felt weak as she walked over to the chair by the window and sank into it, her eyes staring out at the horizon where the sun was beginning to rise. The soft glow of dawn brought her no comfort. It only served as a cruel reminder of her captivity.

But as the light slowly filled the room, a spark of hope flickered inside her. She knew Katsuki would come for her.They all would.Katsuki, Shoto, Momo, Izuku—they were her family now, and they would never leave her behind. She just had to hold on.

Her hand moved to the collar around her neck once again, her fingers brushing the cold metal. She could still hear her parents' voices in her head, their disappointment palpable. They had always told her she wasn't good enough—too emotional, too impulsive, too weak.

And now, she was proving them right.

Her parents had raised her to be a perfect elf, to follow the strict rules of their society, to be calm and indifferent. But Rosie had never been able to live up to their expectations. She wasn't tall, elegant, or powerful like they were. She was small, emotional, and her magic had always been different. They had seen her as a failure from the beginning, and now she was living out their worst nightmare.

Captured by a vampire,she thought bitterly.Enslaved like some common thrall.

Her family would be mortified if they ever found out. The shame would be unbearable. She could almost picture her mother's cold, unforgiving eyes, her father's disappointed frown. They would never accept her back after this. She would be disowned, cast out from the only home she had ever known.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away.No. She couldn't let herself fall into that spiral. She wasn't that weak. Not anymore. She had made her own path, chosen her own family. And even if she had failed in her parents' eyes, she wasn't about to give up.Not yet.

Rosie sat in the chair.

The last hour of the night had been quiet, except for the occasional rustle of the wind through the cracks in the old manor. Now, as dawn approached, the darkness gave way to a faint glow on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pale blue and pink. She should have found some comfort in the sunrise, but instead, all she felt was a gnawing sense of dread.

Her hand reflexively moved to the collar around her neck, the cruel reminder of her current reality. It was still cold to the touch, though she could feel the faint hum of its magic beneath her fingertips, ready to activate at the vampire's command. The thought made her stomach twist. She was trapped, forced to play the obedient pet for that arrogant, bloodthirsty creature.

Her chest tightened as she thought back to all the disappointed looks, the long silences, the unspoken expectations she had never been able to meet. She was always falling short.

Her family was nothing short of perfect by elven standards. Tall, powerful, elegant, everything the ancient bloodline of her people demanded. Her father stood like a towering oak, his magic as vast as the forests of their homeland, while her mother's grace and control were legendary. Their reputations were impeccable, their strength undeniable.They were everything she was supposed to be—and everything she wasn't.

Rosie sighed, resting her head against the wall. She was short. Ridiculously so, by her family's standards. Her father had once said she barely reached the height of a human child, his voice filled with barely concealed disdain. She was impulsive, emotional—shefelttoo much. Elves were supposed to be calm, controlled, above the frivolity of human emotions, but Rosie had never been able to detach herself from her feelings. She cared, and that, to her parents, was weakness.

They had always seen her as weak.

Her parents were the epitome of what it meant to be elven nobility—perfect in every way, admired and respected by their people. But Rosie? She had been the odd one, the one who didn't fit. The one who laughed too loud, played music when she should have been studying magic, and preferred to explore the woods on the border for their realm rather than attend formal lessons. She had wanted adventure, freedom, while her parents had only wanted her to conform, to be the image of elven royalty that she could never be.

If they knew I was here, trapped in this tower, bound by this collar...She could already imagine the cold, unforgiving expressions on their faces. Her father's disappointment would be palpable, and her mother? She might never speak to her again. In their eyes, being enslaved by a vampire would be the ultimate shame. It wasn't just a matter of personal failure—it was a stain on their family name, on their legacy.

Rosie felt fresh tears slip down her cheeks, but she didn't bother to wipe them away this time. She couldn't help but imagine her mother's reaction if she ever saw her like this, bound by magic to a creature that represented everything their people despised.Would she even want me back?Or would her mother quietly pretend Rosie never existed, erasing her from their family history altogether?

The weight of that thought settled heavily in her chest. She had run away to escape their expectations, to carve out a life of her own, free from their judgment. But now, here she was, a captive to the very thing they had warned her about, proving every one of their doubts and fears right.

She couldn't bear the thought of returning home now, even if she were to escape.

Her throat tightened as she stared out the small window, the sunrise painting the world outside in soft, warm colors. The irony of it all wasn't lost on her. She had wanted to be free, but here she was, more trapped than ever before. Bound not just by the collar, but by the crushing weight of her own failures.

But even as the tears continued to fall, there was a flicker of something else inside her—something that refused to let her give up entirely.

Katsuki will come for me, she thought fiercely.They all will. Her friends wouldn't abandon her, no matter how hopeless things seemed. And maybe, just maybe, she could still prove her parents wrong.

Rosie wiped the last of her tears and clenched her fists. She would be the one to kill the one who put this collar on her.