The sound of silverware was near silent in the dining room, despite the ten people currently eating. Not one would say a word. After all, their supper had just begun, with their appetizers just now being served by the many servants who seemed to almost be invisible as they delivered the plates. They walked without making a noise, their footsteps unnoticeable to even themselves, to even the acute hearing of Vampires. They would not disturb the Masters of the House.

"Thank you, server," a voice from the end of the long, thick, ornate wooden table spoke as the servant bowed. It was a pleasant, quiet voice. The voice of someone who everyone in that room knew could kill them without raising a finger. The voice that had spoken for the Selene house for generations. The voice of someone who chose to be courteous, not made. That was the power she held. The power she would always hold in the house. And nobody would question her power.

All except one eccentric soul.

"Mother, you really shouldn't thank them! They'll become spoiled~." Cyrell rested his head against his palm, sitting next to a recently sired Vampire. Elsie "Selene", though she would forever be Elsie Kuruvilla. She couldn't say that out loud, however. Not if she wanted to feel that horrid pain again... 

She truly did despise Vampires.

"Show due respect, younger brother. You are speaking to our mother, not one of your pets," The eldest child of the Selene household, Morgana, narrowed his eyes at him, gently putting down his fork and knife.

Elsie couldn't help but smirk as she heard Cyrell be reprimanded, placing a bite of her appetizer into her mouth. It was one of the dishes to a three-course dinner. Caviar with a dill garnish. She'd never had either, and probably wouldn't be able to pronounce 'caviar' at all. For a woman who could say much more complex words from her medical training, she was oddly terrible at the simple ones. But, it wasn’t like she had much of an appetite at all. It tasted gross.

Not that she could taste what she ate anymore. Compared to blood... It was like nothing at all. Dull, plain... disgusting. 

But she wouldn't.

She wouldn't drink blood. Not from a human, not from anyone. She wouldn't sink to the level of a monster.

Vi, sitting on the other side of Elsie, however, would. With her own knife, she cut a piece of the appetizer on her plate, placing it into her mouth, barely seeming to chew it before swallowing. Immediately, her chest filled with warmth. The taste was more delicious than anything she could have imagined. Compared to the bland, gross food back in Sanctuary, it was heaven. Though not as delicious as the crimson liquid in her wine glass.

"Ooh, lighten up, dear brother. It was only advice from her lovely son," Cyrell snickered, his wine cup raised, "If anything, perhaps we should switch our attention to little Aella! She has looked like she's wanted to say something for quite some time now!"

Aella flinched in her seat, her shoulders raised as she gulped down a mouthful of blood.

"Oh, brother!" Aella faked a smile, trying her best to hide her rage, "Ignore me for now, let us just eat!"

However, instead of Cyrell, her father spoke up, "Why? Now is better than ever. After all... you bring a human into our manor, sire it without permission from us, inside the gardens rather than Bloodgrounds, and bring it to supper without saying a word to any of us. Do you not think you owe us an explanation, youngest daughter?"

He was hardly speaking to her. Instead, his words sounded more like they were spat in her general direction.

Without saying a word, her gaze hardened, her knuckles white with clenching the hem of her black dress.

"Yes, at least Cyrell thought to notify us beforehand. Sister, you just do what you want without a care for anyone else... or the repercussions." The second oldest child of the Selene family, Raven, folded her napkin neatly as she interjected. She turned to the new bloods at the table, a slight smile upon her confident face.

Aella's anger became harder to suppress, and her fangs began to bare themselves, "my business does not concern you. It does not concern any of you."

"It does concern us." Raven's expression remained unchanged, her tone serious.

"And why exactly would that be!?"

"Because you bring an unknown factor into our home, our lives, and you are yet to explain yourself. You are lucky mother is merciful."

A powerful voice broke through the chatter and rising anger in the room, 

"Enough. All of you."

Everyone's gaze fell upon the matriarch of the family, her voice carrying a weight that silenced them.

"Speak now. This spawn is adorable, yes, but that does not excuse her presence here. Why have you brought it, daughter?"

Aella took a moment, trying to compose herself before she spoke,

"Violet. Her name is Violet."

"I asked for a reason, not a name."

"Very well...! It is... Er--" Aella cleared her throat, standing up suddenly, "She is to be my wife!"

"..."

"..."
“...”

The silence was deafening.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Raven's gaze was filled with disbelief, a hand moving to her temple,

"Language," Their mother warned her.

"Mother, I can't believe you're taking this seriously." Morgana raised an eyebrow, "It's a spawn. not even worth knowing its name."

"Oh~? We have something against spawn, now? Well, this is as good a time as any to  formally introduce you to my new heir! Formerly Elsie Nightshade! Now, Elsie Selene. Oh, and she is to be my wife, too!" Cyrell clapped, smiling brightly.

Everyone in the room went silent, though for a different reason, it seems.

A Nightshade. That name brought with it wrath.

"..."

"..."

It took a moment for her to process everything. Clenching her teeth, Elsie suddenly stood up, her chair scraping against the floor with a light screech. "The fuck!? I'm not your wife, nor am I ever going to be! This wasn't the deal!"

"Aha! Yes, a silly joke. I feel nothing for her, and she's quite ugly to me, as is everyone else, but it's the thought that counts!" Cyrell grinned.

"Cyrell." All his mother needed to say was his name to fill everyone in the room with a sense of dread, "You have done this once before. You will not do it again.

"Ah, my apologies. You see, I had a very, very bad breakup a while back. It wasn't pretty." He spoke with his hands as well as mouth, "Blood, gore, arms, everywhere! Very messy! So I needed to get a new heir for my work! I'm afraid nobody here will be allowed to argue with me on this."

Raven clenched her fists, "Nobody will have to, as it’s not up for debate. Mother, you cannot allow this! Did you not hear him? A Nightshade! Of all people, a NIGHTSHADE!"

Elsie, just now, truly regretted lying about being a 'Nightshade'. After all... she thought she was just making something up. Something to get her out of a sticky situation... Not get her into a worse one.

Though, this was definitely Cyrell's fault. She couldn't help but narrow her eyes at him.

"My, we hate the Nightshade's now? Just what did they ever do to us?" Cyrell grinned, knowing exactly what he was asking. He asked so that Elsie might understand, not himself.

"Do not act dumb, brother." Morgana crossed his arms, "The Nightshades betrayed us, betrayed the Vampires of Nosferatu. They are the reason the Circle was destroyed. The reason the Humans continue to exist free! The reason two of the Queen’s daughters are lost!"

"Oh, please, spare me the melodrama! What matters is that our pact is already made, and the Queen herself gave me the right to do this. Do you all truly wish to go against her will by stopping me?” Cyrell began to stand, his smile only growing wider, "I want to do this the right way, the way in line with our rules, my dear family. But, I don't have to. I will kill every last one of you if you stand in my way. Even you, mother."

The room was filled with tension, and all of the servants began to leave with urgency, fearing what was to come. 

Selene family dinners were never peaceful.

"Brother, sit down. This is not worth a fight," Raven warned him, but her nails already seemed to unfurl.

"Oh, I disagree! For I have a bigger announcement than everyone before me. Elsie Selene will be the next head of the Selene family, along with me.”

Elsie's eyes widened, a sense of horror filling her body.

"It takes three members of the family to choose the next head. I am the first, and vice versa, Elsie will choose me, I only need two others now. Any takers? Oh, I can't wait to hear your arguments."

"You're a mad man, brother!" Morgana stood as well, his nails sharpening as his eyes practically shook, a red film threatening to appear at any moment.

"Mother, you cannot possibly let this happen!" Raven followed in suit, her fangs bared as she looked down the table.

It was quiet for a moment, until Aella spoke up for the first time since this began.

"I'll cast my vote with you, Cyrell. If you do something for me."

The sound of the chair scraping against the wooden floor was deafening, and Aella was now standing, her voice firm.

"You will let me marry my Violet. You will not interfere with us. No matter what happens. No matter what I choose. You will leave her be, and let her live. Let us live."

"What a wonderful idea, sister~! Let’s consider this a verbal agreement. Very well, then, two votes are here! One last person! Mother, father? You're the only ones left!"

"This is absurd!" Morgana shouted.

"I cannot believe you'd betray us like this, Aella!" Raven growled.

As the only two outsiders, Vi and Elsie stared at each other in utter confusion about the whole ordeal. They both equally wanted out of this room.

And then, Arcell Selene, their father, stood, his smile just as wide as Cyrell's.

"Father, what are you–?"

"You always were my favourite child, Cyrell. I've been waiting for this day for years, for generations! And now, we can finally achieve it." He laughed, his eyes narrowing as he spoke, "I, as well, stand with you, child. Your mother is head of the house no more. From now, the Selenes will rise once more."

"This is insanity!" Morgana roared, and his father only smiled.

"You know nothing, boy. Nothing about this family, what it once was, and what it will become! You cannot understand the truth, nor can your sister! You are just children, blinded by the lies our elders have told! Now, let us put an end to their foolishness, and make this world ours, as it should be! As it will be."

"A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one! Three votes are for my heir becoming the head of the house, meaning it is complete. Elsie Selene, Vampire Heir, along with I, Cyrell Selene, are hereby named as the new heads of the Selene family. All hail the new House Heads!" Cyrell clapped, though as nobody else did the same, he frowned. "This is where you cheer. Go on, cheer for the new heads."

"..."

"Cheer."

The sound of the table being broken, chairs flying, and screams filled the air as Raven and Morgana lunged at Cyrell.

"You will not get away with this, you traitorous, mad bastard!" Morgana roared, his claws aiming for Cyrell's throat.

"This is too far, even for you." Raven's voice was calm, but her eyes were not. She aimed to take his arm, to twist it behind his back so that he could not run. She thought him a coward, after all.

But it was for not. Without even trying to do anything, Elsie's body moved to grab the two Noble's throats. Her hands were powerful enough to easily crush their windpipes, she noticed that fact immediately.

She didn't even have time to wonder how she was doing this, or even why as another order followed. 

"Don't kill them, dear, just stop them from hurting me."

Elsie listened without saying a word, and his siblings were slammed against the wall, a sickening crunch following the impact.

"Ah, there, that's better." Cyrell walked up to Elsie, looking down at her as he placed a hand atop her head. "My, you truly are strong, aren't you? Holding back two Nobles... I misread your power. I must have missed some variable! How odd... I must make note of this."

No one would say a word. No one would dare.

"Now-- If that'll be all... I'll--"

"Enough."

Her voice was commanding, and Cyrell turned around.

"Ah! Mother. You finally speak up!"

“I knew your madness would someday show itself, but this is beyond my imagination. Beyond comprehension. You… are not the son I raised."

"Well, perhaps that is a good thing. I may not be the best son, but you were far from the best mother... No. I'll call you by your true name. The one you were given at your birth. Eris."

"Disrespect, even now?"

"Do not make that face. It is the name you were born with, and the name you shall die with. Though, not tonight, of course. You still have a purpose, whether you like it or not! And when that purpose is done, and when this world is ours, you will finally be free to rest. And then… we can begin the purge."

Elsie felt a sudden wave of anger, her hand tightening upon Raven's throat. It was like she was feeling Cyrell's emotions. His horrible, horrible feelings.

"You– Purge what? The fuck are you talking about...?"

"The humans of Sanctuary. Shouldn't that be clear? Not all of them, though. We'll keep just enough as livestock! And you will lead the charge. But not yet. For now, we will prepare. We will plan. And when the time is right, and the Humans are ripe for the picking, then we will strike."

"What?! You really think I'll go along with that?!”

"Yes, I do. I know you will. Because you have no choice. I will always have your loyalty. Always. That's the beauty of it! The pact between us! You can never betray me, never go against me, never defy me... But you'll get what you want. You need not worry about that end of our deal..."

"You didn't tell me you wanted me to help commit a fucking genocide!" She felt the former order falter for just a moment, and with that, she dropped Cyrell's siblings as she turned around to look him in the eye. 

"Oh, please! That's the least of what I'm not telling you. Besides, you can have as many humans as you want, on top of that black haired one! You can do whatever you want to them, and they won't be able to refuse. Tell me, doesn't that sound nice~?" Cyrell leaned forward, smirking at her. He knew she could do nothing to him, and he relished in that fact.

"You think that's what I want?! I didn't want any of this! You fucking forced me into this! You fucking turned--"

"Ah, ah, ah~! You have an order."

During the argument, it seemed Aella and Vi had left. A smart decision.

"You-- you can't fucking control me. Not forever."

"As long as I am alive, I can, my dear. You are mine, no matter how much you deny it."

Elsie grit her teeth, the urge to punch him in his stupid smug face rising.

"And if I kill you, then I'm free."

"It's too bad that our pact makes it impossible for you to! It's a shame, but you see, I have thought of everything. Even what might happen should I die. After all..." He poked her on the forehead, "this isn't my first attempt. But I'm sure it will be my last."

"..."

"Now, Eris, are you going to try and kill us or what? You've been standing there like a fool for a while!"

"... You have taken the position of Head of the House. I would be breaking our code if I were to raise a hand against you. As for Raven and Morgana, I will be sure to properly punish them. They will serve the new house loyally, or I will ensure that they never have the chance to betray us again."

"You learn quickly! My, it feels good to be treated with respect! Perhaps I should make it a requirement for everyone...  Oh, but there's bigger matters at hand. My heir, please go to your room! Day will break soon, and we must rest!” Cyrell clapped.

Elsie felt her legs begin to move, and her body followed. She couldn't defy him, no matter how hard she tried. It was like she was a puppet, being moved by her playful master who only wanted to watch her suffer.

And as she walked, she saw Aella and Vi. They were both standing by the staircase.

Aella had a joyful look upon her face as her grip held Vi's hand tighter and tighter. Vi seemed to return the favor in fold.

It seemed that the two had managed to escape the insanity.

She envied them, and couldn't help but scoff as he looked their way.

Aella turned her attention to the newly made head, her smile widening, "Ah! I am happy that we had the chance to speak today. It is a pleasure to see that we will both be getting what we want.~! "

Vi stayed silent, only staring at Elsie with a bit of contempt in her eyes. She didn't forget what Elsie did to her. Back when she was human. It felt so long ago, even though it was only a few days since that moment.

Elsie could only narrow her eyes, stopping dead in her tracks for but a moment to speak her mind. To vocalize her rage.

"Both of you disgust me. Fucking Vampires..."

With those words, she began her trek back to her new bedroom, the door slamming behind her.

"... Annoying bitch." Vi spoke under her breath, before returning her gaze to her beloved.

"I'm glad we're on the same page, my love..."

For some strange reason, this far away, Elsie could hear them. Hear them loud as day.

And as the two continued to whisper sweet nothings to each other, their voices became fainter.

"You're mine, after all..."

"Ha~... And vice versa."

Those words. Those few words were enough to throw Elsie over the edge, as if the dam stopping her wrath had finally broken. Her shaking hands eventually clenched as she slammed them against the wall.

"That asshole... that fucking asshole! That fucking asshole is going to use me! Use me for his goddamn fucking-- fucking... genocide...?!"

She felt her fangs sharpen, her nails dig into her palms, her hair stand on end.

"Fucking-- God damn it… FUCK!"

Elsie had never wanted to kill someone so badly in her life. Not even Vi.

She'd never known someone who deserved it more than that fucking Vampire.

"FUCKING VAMPIRES, EVERY ONE OF THEM...!"

Vampires.

The Vampires are why she was this way. Why her life was ruined.

Why she had become the one thing she hated most.

"I'LL FUCKING KILL THEM! THESE-- I'LL--!"

She'd kill them. Every last one of them. These Monsters.

After all, they didn't deserve to live.

And so she screamed, screamed louder and louder until her throat burned, her hands bruised, her legs gave out, and she fell to the floor, her tears running down her cheeks, her anger slowly fading.

She was tired. So, so tired.

Not physically. No, her self inflicted wounds already healed, her exhaustion recovered.
In every other way of the word, she was tired.

She'd had enough. Enough of everything. Of this. In one day, she had everything taken from her. Everything stolen away. Her life, her love, her dignity, and her humanity.

All that was left was hate.

Hate and the will to get back to the person she adored more than anything. 

That was the terms of their pact, after all. Accept it, and she'd be able to see her... to love her.

For Rosa To see her, even if she was not the woman she was used to, but the beast within her.

After all... Elsie was hers. They said those words to each other so much it hurt to think back on it.

"..."

Her eyes opened, her vision still blurry from her tears. She felt a strange cold sensation upon her cheek, and when she wiped it away, she realized that she was crying.

Even her tears were cold now. Just as cold as she feared her heart would become.

And so, she curled into a ball, laying upon the bed. It was comfortable. It was large, soft, and had plenty of pillows.

But It was not her bed, and so she hated it.

She wished to return home, and to sleep with the love of her life, the one who held her close and kept her safe, no matter what the danger was. She wanted to feel her again, to be safe with her even just for a short time.

She wanted nothing more than that.

But her thoughts of home were ended by a knock upon the door.

"What is it!?" She growled, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"I-I... I'm bringing you your change of clothes... for your rest..." That voice she recognized. She recognized it as one of the few people here she didn't hate.

"... Mina? You... you can come in."

The door creaked open, and a familiar, short Vampire peeked through the doorway, holding a neatly folded pile of clothes.

"Ah... um... Hello, miss... I--" 

"I told you to just call me, Elsie… Mina."

"... You are the head of the household, now. I don't-- I just don't know if... that's proper." She looked at the ground as if her eyes were weighed down.

"Are you disobeying a direct order?" She raised an eyebrow, a scowl forming.

"I... I'm so sorry, miss, I-- Elsie, I... I'm sorry, I'll just--"

She couldn't hold it in anymore, a grin spreading across her lips as she laughed.

"I'm joking, Mina! You should've seen the look on your face..." She eventually calmed down, "Sorry, sorry... you think I'm gonna become some completely different person cause I'm suddenly forced to be the Head or something?"

Mina looked surprised, but her expression quickly changed to relief as she entered the room, placing the folded clothes upon a dresser nearby.

"I'm sorry. It's just... everything that happened tonight has been very... stressful."

"Oh, tell me about it. You ever see an entire family power dynamic change in a matter of minutes? And now suddenly you're at the top? Yeah, I'm pretty stressed, too. But you're the only person in this house who I actually kind of like, sooo…”

"Ah... thank you."

"Oh, don't mention it." She waved her hand, rolling her eyes, "No, seriously. Thank you. For the first time since coming here... I felt like I could actually laugh. Like I was actually... me. Not the me I was forced to become... but the one I was happy with... the one I was before all of this."

"The... one before? Ah-- I'm sorry, you didn't want to talk about your past..."

Suddenly, Elsie was given a choice. A choice to lie, or to be herself. To be who she was before. To be a human.

And with a soft, sorrowful sigh, she smiled, "Could you... keep a secret, Mina?"

"Mm? Of course, Elsie... Not a soul will hear, I assure you."

"Good. Cause if you did, I'd have to kill you."

"I--"

"Again, I'm kidding... if it's not too much, could you come closer...? Just sit down next to me."

Mina nodded, moving towards the bed and sitting on the corner, "I... don't have anything important to do at the moment... So I'd be glad to listen."

She grinned somewhat, scooting a tad closer as she stared at her.

"You promise not to tell anyone, right?"

"Yes. I promise. I would never break an oath, or a promise. Never."

"Good, good... Then I'll tell you everything. I trust you, after all..."

Mina tilted her head, leaning a bit closer to listen intently.

"... I lied to you before. I'm... not a noble. I wasn't part of the Nightshade family, either. I was a... how do I say this--"

"You were...?" Mina looked a bit surprised by the initial revelation, but was more focused on what she was trying to say now.

"Human. I was a soldier. A human soldier that Cyrell... he fucking turned me. Took me away from my girlfriend and... forced this. Forced the pact, and the blood drinking, and... and everything."

"I knew there was something off about you when I met you, but... a human? But... you are so much stronger..."

"It's a long story... but I can prove it." Elsie lowered the collar of her dress, revealing two bite marks.

"..."

"Do you need any more proof?"

"No, no, that's... more than enough." Mina looked a bit nervous, but her curiosity peaked.

"And... that's about the whole story. I’m just this, now. A Vampire... A damned Vampire..."

"D-do... you hate Vampires, Elsie...?" She seemed to grow worried. 

Her eyes lowered, her voice filled with nothing but rage, "more than anything. They're monsters. All of them. They don't care who they hurt, they'll kill everyone without a second thought, and--"

"E-Elsie..."

"They're just-- I... Sorry, it's just whenever I think about... everything I lost, I don't think clearly. You're... you're not the same, though. You're wonderful, Mina..."

Mina was silent for a moment before speaking again, "I know.... I know you must have met a lot of nasty people-- Vampires... but it's not all like that. There's amazing people here, incredible... kind people who would never hurt a soul. We have our urges, as you know first hand, but we can... learn to control them. And, well, when the hunger is sated, the only things left are the people we are. The people who are kind, and wonderful, and... who want nothing more than to live peacefully. Just like you did, as a human."

Elsie listened, but her anger was still there, "... What about the ones who hurt others? Who don't want peace, and... who only want to cause pain and to drink..."

"... But isn't that true for both of us, humans and vampires? There are evil humans... and there are evil vampires. It's a cruel, terrible thing, but we all have the capacity to do evil things. After all, we're all people."

"... Maybe... maybe." Elsie didn't even notice that she had moved closer to Mina, the two sitting only inches away.

"You shouldn't think of vampires as evil... I know you've only seen the worst of them, but we're not all like that."

"..."

"E-Elsie? Are you... alright."

"Then w-why... Why do I constantly feel the need to drink... to hurt people, Mina... Why does this happen..." She placed a hand over her chest, her eyes shut tightly, "It feels like it's eating me away, it hurts... so much, Mina. I'm-- I'm scared, I'm so scared..."

Without saying a word, Mina wrapped her arms around Elsie, holding her close. "We can't control what we are, but we can push it in the right way... so, stay strong. Do what you feel is right, and... if you ever lose yourself, I'll be here for you. Okay?"

"... T-Thank you."

"Mm..."

"... Hey, Mina?"

"Mhm?"

"Can you stay with me for the night...? I just... can't be alone. Not tonight. I need someone."

"Y-you want me to... are you asking me to...?”
“Just… just to stay… not to do anything.”
"... I cannot disobey the head of the house." Mina lowered her gaze.

Elsie leaned back a bit, an almost... pained expression on her face, "I'm not asking as some head or whatever. I'm asking as your friend... I want to be friends."

Mina stared for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yes... I'd... I'd like that. I may have met you just today, but you are... an amazing person. I can tell. And it would be a pleasure to be your friend."

"Good. Then let's be friends. Just friends."

Mina's grip tightened for just a moment

"Yes. Just... friends." Her voice was quiet, as if she dreaded those words. As if they caused her pain. But Elsie did not notice this, it was far too deep in Mina's psyche. Far too guarded.

She didn't want to accept her own feelings about Elsie either, after all. She couldn't. Couldn't trouble her with that... Elsie was taken by someone else, and she was but a maid. A Spawnblood, at that. She couldn't... burden her with her newly discovered affection.

After all, she knew that she didn't feel the same way. 

"Hey, Elsie...?"

"Mm?"

"Is it okay if I... get closer? The room is... a tad cold."

"... But I'm just as cold as the room. How would..."

"I disagree... You're warm. Very warm."

"If... you say so." 

Backed up against the headboard, Elsie stared at Mina as she rested her head on her shoulder, her arms wrapped around her back. Neither of them had changed from their day clothes, but neither seemed to really notice.

The only thing that was noticed was the beating of their hearts.

Elsie noticed it more so. She was so, so close to her now. In fact, with her resting upon her shoulder, the view of her neck was clear as day. A soft, defenseless neck that she knew she'd be able to bite into with ease.

Her mouth began to water.

She had no desire to hold back. No desire to be gentle. She wanted to bite without holding anything back. To taste her blood, taste the sweet nectar that was Mina's blood. Her life.

"E-Elsie? Is-- are you alright?"

"... I'm fine. Promise."

"It's just... your hands are shaking."

"I guess... they are, huh." Her voice was strong, not shaking like it was just a bit ago. She knew why she was shaking. Why her mind was screaming at her.

Bite.

Drink.

Kill.

She felt it. The same feeling she had before. The urge. The instinct.

And then she saw Mina's expression. It was absolutely adorable to her. Almost as if she was unknowingly inviting her in. Mina's eyes were a bit wide, her lips parted, her face a tint of red, and her neck exposed.

"Did... I do something, Elsie?" Mina spoke quietly, attributing all guilt to herself, even though Elsie was the guilty one.

"... No..." She was almost whispering in Mina's ears, so close that her scent, the scent of her blood was all she could think about, "Nothing... nothing wrong, anyways."

"Ah, um..."

"Just... I..." She leaned in closer, her cold breath hitting her neck.

Mina let out a short squeak. It made her want to get even closer.

"Before... you said... that you would be okay... okay with me..." It took all she had not to sink her fangs into her right then and there. To not partake.

"... Elsie. Have you... not had any blood? This entire time...?"

"Hah... how could you tell...?"

"Your eyes are red... Your body is trying to keep you alive by rushing all the blood left in your body to your head. You're... not thinking straight. You need--"

"I don't. Need. Anything."

"You're hurting... and you won't... won't be able to control yourself. I've seen it before... and you said you were sired just recently... You're dying."

"I'm not... I'm--" She clenched her teeth, stopping herself from getting closer to Mina's neck, "I'm not... not ever. Ever going to drink... drink blood. Nobody’s."

"That's not healthy, Elsie. Not… not safe for anyone, either. If you can't drink from a human, then..."

"Then?"

"From a Vampire. It won't nourish you in the same way, not as well... but it'll stave off the desire... I..." She looked into her eyes, seeing her own face reflected in Elsie's blood red iris'. "I can help... I-If you want. I know how... how bad it can be."

"... No. I... I couldn't. I can't... hurt you."

"You wouldn't be hurting me... I'd be doing this of my own free will."

"But you're a servant... Are you sure you're not doing this because--"

"I'm helping a friend. You, Elsie." She seemed suddenly much more confident in her words, and the expression she had was that of worry, yet adoration.

"But... I-- Please... I don't want to-- I don't want... don't want to be this. I don't want to be a..." She struggled to even get the words out, her face contorted in sorrow, "A Vampire. A monster. I'm not like them, I'm not a murderer, a killer, a fucking leech. I'm not. I'm not, Mina, please… tell me I'm not."

"Shh... shh... calm down." Mina moved forward, and in one swift motion, placed Elsie's mouth upon her neck. "I will never think of you as a monster, or a killer, or a... leech. You're a person...  not a monster. You're you. Just Elsie."

She tried to speak, to apologize for what she was about to do, but no words came. No sounds escaped her lips as her mouth was pressed against her neck.

"Go ahead... you need to do this. It'll... it'll just get worse and worse for you until you aren’t able to think… So please…."

She could feel Mina's soft, frigid skin against her lips, her heart rushing and her breathing quickening. She could practically hear the blood pulsing through her veins, and feel it, as well. She wanted to feel it closer, to be covered in her blood as she tore into her neck. To listen to her sudden yelp as she began to drink, knowing full well she wanted this. That she was okay with this.

And she could feel as her fangs appeared from out her mouth, softly dragging against her skin as her jaw shook ever so slightly. She didn't want to do this. Didn't want to hurt her, but... the desire was overwhelming.

... No.

She did want to hurt her.

More than anything.

She wanted to sink her teeth in and drink.

To make her writhe.

Make her scream.

She wanted to break her, and then, and only then, to taste her blood. And hear her pleads, her cries, and agony. Feel her body as she struggles to break free from her grasp, struggling to even breathe. Struggled to do anything as she was slowly, ever so slowly drained of her life. She wanted to hold her closer and closer, one hand on her waist and the other on the back of her neck as she dug her sharp claws in. She wanted to feel her squirming as the blood pooled from her wounds.

But she also wanted her to beg for more. For her to want this. What greater victory was there for a Vampire, after all? What greater feeling than to have your victim plead to be mercilessly drained, to be taken so completely? To have their body, their mind, their very life force be yours.

To make them want it. To make them want death. To make them want you.

Elsie's fangs brushed against Mina's neck, and a low growl rumbled from her throat. She could feel Mina flinch at the sudden sensation, how a quiet gasp escaped her throat as Elsie’s tongue inadvertently grazed her skin when it released from her mouth. She could feel how saliva poured from her open lips, falling upon Mina as they stained her skin, stained her clothes, stained her very pretty being. Like as if she was claiming her, claiming her as her bounty.

Her blood.

Her prey.

But that wasn't Elsie. 

Those desires weren't her.

And when her fangs were just about to pierce Mina's skin, she pushed her away.

"Ah--! E-Elsie, wh--"

"Get away from me."

Mina sat there, her mouth open in shock, "W-what happened...? are you--?"

"I said, get the FUCK AWAY FROM ME!" Elsie howled like an animal, and Mina quickly got off the bed as she stumbled backwards, her heart beating faster and faster. She was scared.

"Elsie, please, let me help--!"

"You can't help! You can't fix me, Mina, you can't! There's nothing that can!"

"E-Elsie, you don't need to be--"

"SHUT UP!" Tears poured down her face as she screamed, her body trembling. She didn't know what to do, she couldn't control herself. Couldn't ever control herself. "I'm not-- I'M NOT A FUCKING MONSTER! I'M NOT GOING TO DRINK YOUR BLOOD--! I'm not... I'm not going to HURT YOU!"

"But you need to...! You'll die! You can't just... can't just kill yourself…"

"I'm not going to hurt anyone. I won't. I WON'T."

"But--"

Mina didn't even get a single word out before Elsie spoke once more, or more accurately yelled.

"You think I'm a fucking animal, don't you?! Think that I can't even fucking CONTROL myself? That I can't make my own god damn choices?! Do you think you're kind for taking pity on me like I'm some lost, starving stray?! You don't care about me, and you sure as HELL aren't my friend!"

Mina was taken aback, her hands balled up into fists as tears ran down her face.

"I do care... I do care about you, Elsie! I want you to be okay, I want you to be safe, I want--"

"Well, guess what? I don't give a FUCK about what YOU want. Wanna take a guess why? Because all you want is for me to drink your blood and become a monster like you, right?! So that I'll be like everyone else here, huh?! So I'll just go along with the fucking program like every other Vamp?!"

"No! That's not--"

"Don't even try to act like you care about me! All you want is a fucking plaything, or a meal, or a fucking... whatever the hell I am to you!"

"How can you even say that?!" Mina's voice cracked as she tried to reason with her, tried to do anything.

"You don't care. You don't fucking care, you leech. You're no different than Cyrell, no different than any of them. You're just... trying to fucking use me. Trying to make me do what you want."

"N-no... I--"

"Just– Leave. If you do care about me, leave. If you weren't just trying to use me."

"..." Mina opened her mouth to speak, but quickly shut it. She stared at Elsie, then at the floor. After a moment, she silently left the room, not saying a word as she exited.

Elsie collapsed back onto her bed, her tears finally beginning to slow, "Fuck... fuck..."

She stared up at the ceiling, her body still shaking, her mind a jumble. She didn't know what was happening, she didn't know why she said that. She didn't want her to leave. She wanted more than anything to apologize, to tell her she wasn't thinking. That she was just scared she would hurt her...

But some deep animalistic hate came over her. Controlled her. Made her yell out these tiny feelings she had that meant nothing compared to every positive thing she felt for Mina.

"Fuck... FUCK!" She yelled out, her eyes widening.

"No, no, no... no... I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't..."

She felt her fangs dig into her own lip, her nails dug into her palms as she held back the urge to scream again. She wasn't angry anymore.

She was scared.

Scared and alone.

"Fuck..."

Her eyes began to close as she finally fell asleep, tears still falling.

And Mina, sitting on the other side of the door as she listened in, could only do the same.

To quietly sob as the sun began to rise.

–

There wasn’t a noise in the hospital room other than the faint beep of the heart monitor. But as quiet as it was, Rosa did not sleep peacefully. Far from it.

She shook in the soft bed, the covers shaking from the light tremors her body gave off. Sweat beaded on her brow, her face scrunching up as she muttered in her sleep.

"No..."

The word slipped out of her mouth as her breath hitched, but she didn't say a word after. The sight was too much to even react. How her body didn't move a muscle, her stuck eyes open and lifeless, debris lodged all across her body.

It was a nightmare. A real life nightmare. She could call out her name forever, but she'd never move again. Never say a word again. Never hold her again.

And now she was gone.

Gone.

Forever.

"Elsie..."

And her eyes opened. Covered in sweat, her breathing intense and quick, she stared up at the gray ceiling. Alone. She was alone.

She didn't know how she got here. Didn't know how long she was asleep. And didn't know what was real and what was not.

She did know one thing, though.

That Elsie was dead.

But then the door opened.

The sound of the doorknob turning was the loudest sound she'd heard in a while, and her head snapped towards the door.

There was a man. His eyes sunken and his hair a mess, he was hunched over and his doctor uniform was untidy, and in the right light, looked as if it hadn't been washed for months. 

He walked inside the moment he saw her awake.

"Good lord, you're finally awake. Usually, people don't stick passed out for days after I heal them. Guess you were in shock, though."

"I... days…?”

"Yeah. Getting nearly killed by a High Blood really took it out of you. Who could have guessed..." The man sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "Your body is pretty much recovered, though. You're lucky your mom ordered me to treat you or you would have been unable to walk for months. Or ever. Not with those injuries..."

"... She... ordered you? Wait-- if my injuries were so bad..."

"You can call me Doctor Halt, former Enforcer and Aura Healing specialist. Nice to meet ya." He seemed bored and exhausted, and his smile was a bit crooked. Almost as if he was faking it. Which he was, quickly proved by him going back to his resting frown.

She slowly sat up, wincing at a twinge of pain that ran through her torso, "Nice… to meet you too, Doctor Halt... but, um, are you allowed to just... tell me that?"

"Eh, doesn't matter to me. Not like you're some average soldier, and, judging by your reaction, you already know what Aura is. At least, a bit."

"A tiny bit… from Mr. Vesper..." She didn't say much, but her expression said all that was necessary.

"... Alright, if that's everything, I'll be heading out--"

"Wait!" Rosa spoke up, taking the covers off of her as she sat on the side of the bed, "I... need to ask you something. Please."

He stopped walking, a sigh escaping his lips. "What is it?"

"What's... what happened while I was asleep?"

Halt groaned, but didn't deny telling her anything. He sat down beside her, his perpetual frown growing lower.

"After the attack was over, the remaining Hunters, Enforcers, and soldiers exterminated any Vamps that got inside Sanctuary. The ones outside were killed as well. General sent me to help, so I did. Because of the damages and death count... the city is now under a strict lockdown until further notice. No one gets in or out. Anyone who tries will be shot. Even civilians."

Rosa didn't even bother listening to the rest, her mind stuck on that one line.

"... That's not really different than usual, though. Only people let out are us soldiers when we go on missions... right?"

"Normally, yes. But not this time."

"... Right..."

"... If that's all--"

"Wait-- one more thing." Rosa looked the man in the eyes, frowning.

"Fineeeee."

"... There was somebody I know... k-killed." Saying that was hard. Harder than anything she'd done before, "I... want to know if her body was recovered."

"Do you think I know everything, kid? ... In this case, though, I might. I think I heard something like that from another guy I treated..." He put his hand to his chin, "Her name?"

"... Elsie. Elsie Kuruvilla."

"The answer is no,, then."

Rosa's eyes widened as a worried expression appeared on her face. 

"Just what do you mean...?"

"... It was a Vampire. The High blood that nearly killed you ended up taking the body with him as he escaped. Couldn't tell you why... maybe he was just a freak--"

Rosa suddenly clenched her fists, her gaze becoming harsh as she stared at the floor in silence.

For some strange reason, despite his many, many years of service, of staring death in the face, the look on this young woman's face made him shiver. He wouldn't admit it, but it scared him.

"... If there's anything else you need, tell me now because I have shit to do."

"... Nothing else. Thanks." Her voice was low as she sat there, unblinking. 

And so he walked back to the door.

But before he left, he spoke again.

"One more thing, kid. Lieutenant Ramirez wanted to speak with you. He's in the next room over. Don't keep him waiting."

"... Got it."

Halt nodded his head and left the room.

The second the door closed, Rosa buried her face in her hands, and let out a muffled scream.

She couldn't cry. Couldn't even bring herself to shed a tear even if she wanted to. It wouldn’t make things better either way.

In fact, she felt worse. Every moment that went by, every new thing she learned, she just felt worse and worse and worse. Crying didn't help, screaming didn't help, and talking to anyone else wouldn't help. But there was one thing that went through her head, one thing that might help.

So, without thinking, she stood up. Her legs were shaky and weak, but she didn't care. Didn't care if all her bones were to break, she couldn't lose much more. Not at this point. Not ever again.

She left the hospital room, and headed straight to the next one over. She knocked on the door, not even bothering to wait before entering. After all, she was told not to keep him waiting.

And there he was, sitting upright and alone.

He looked at her the second the door opened, his eyebrows raising.

"Lieutenant Ramirez."

"... Soldier. Sit down. And close the door behind you."

Rosa nodded, quickly doing as she was told.

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "... So. You've awoken. I'd imagine you want to know why you're here."

"... No. I'm here because you told me to come."

"You are a true soldier. Following orders, not questioning them... I'd expect nothing less from the daughter of the General." He paused, closing his eyes as he inhaled, "Don't act like a soldier. Not right now, not here."

"Is that an order?"

"It's a request from someone who knows what you're going through. Who knows what you think you need to do." He narrowed his eyes.

"... And what exactly is it I'm thinking, Ramirez." She looked away, clenching her teeth as she spoke.

"You're going to leave. Leave and chase after the High Blood. To do... what? Avenge her? Kill him yourself? Try and find whatever is left of her body? I won't stop you, Rosa. But you need to understand-- Whatever you do, there is no going back. Even if you somehow survived, the consequences would be... severe."

"..."

"You will be hunted. Hunted and killed, no matter what happens. That's what happens to those who leave the walls without permission. You'll be throwing away your life, throwing away--"

"I don't have a life!" She suddenly yelled out, standing up as she bared her teeth, "Not-- Not anymore! I can't stay here, not when--"

Just as Rosa cut him off before, he did the same to her.

"Then run. Run far away from here and never stop.” Standing up as well, now, looking down upon her, “because the moment you do, you’ll already be dead, Rosa.”
She bit her bottom lip, looking away from him with a scowl on her face.

“... Then I won’t stop. And I won’t die.”

“... And nothing I say will sway your mind. Go, speak to the people you love one last time and find your purpose. Find whatever it is you’re looking for, Rosa.”

She turned away, her fists clenched, “I will.”