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winterfireblond · 4 days

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Another Life (Lady Dimitrescu two-part story, part one)

Synopsis: When Lucie is attacked and chased by lycans through The Village she ends up at Castle Dimitrescu seeking sanctuary. She is soon greeted by the Dimitrescu daughters then by the Lady herself. But it turns out that Alcina already knows Lucie from her former life...

Lady Dimitrescu x Original Female Character ❤️ Part one SFW, part two NSFW.

Read part two here

I ran for my life through the ruined village, the blood from my wounds staining the snow on the ground. Amidst my own panting and whimpers I could hear the monsters behind me snarling and growling...lycans. The beasts were baying for my blood and hunting me down, wanting to tear me limb from limb for their own amusement...or their lunch. I was terrified and sprinted with every ounce of energy I had left. When I got to the end of the village I saw a path that led up to a large looming castle. It didn't look very inviting but I had no other choice than to run to it, hoping it could offer some sort of sanctuary.

I hammered my fists on the large wooden gates.

"LET ME IN! LET ME IN! PLEASE!"

No response.

The snarling, growling and pounding footsteps started to get louder...they were closing in.

"PLEASE!!!" I screamed and continued to bang on the door.

Still no response.

I resigned myself to defeat and lost all hope, I was going to die here at the hand of these monsters as I desperately pleaded for help.

I stepped inside and saw a courtyard with a stone fountain at the centre. Snow-covered statues were scattered all around, mostly of women in different elegant poses that showed off their beautiful bodies. Shrubs and plants lined the walls and ivy grew up the sides and over the walls...but most of them were decaying or frostbitten. Beyond the fountain was the castle's entrance, two elaborately patterned wooden doors illuminated by sconces either side. I turned the handle and was surprised to find it unlocked.

But just then the air fell silent. I slowly turned and the lycans had stopped in their tracks around ten feet away from the castle. As if they were blocked by an invisible barrier. They didn't move, they just stood there staring, breathing heavily and baring their teeth. It was like staring at death itself.

The wooden doors began to creak open and the lycans slumped off back into the village, huffing and growling in frustration. I was so confused by what had just happened but at least they were gone now.

I peeked my head around the door and couldn't believe what I saw inside. A large hall with a patterned marble floor, a shining crystal chandelier and a carpeted dark wood staircase that led to the first floor. The place was very well kept, there wasn't a speck of dust or cobweb in sight (a far cry from the wreck of a village outside). The furniture and decor was much fancier than I was used to, a combination of Renaissance and Victorian. I looked around in complete awe, it was like I'd stepped into an aristocrat's mansion. But my wonder was interrupted when my foot slipped...my arm was still bleeding from a lycan scratch and dripping on the floor.

"Oh no no no!" I cursed and tried to mop it up with my sleeve.

The woman known as "mother" dragged me upstairs rather roughly. On the way I heard the red head say "it's not fair, why does mother get to have all the fun?"

Suddenly I heard a loud buzzing noise and saw two swarms of disgusting blowflies fly in from each side and one from the top of the stairs. Before I had a chance to run, the swarms formed into three figures dressed in black and cackling loudly.

"Well, well, well what do we have here sisters?" the red-haired figure in the middle said.

As they came into view I could now see three women dressed in worn black cloaks with scraggly hair and porcelain white skin. They wore elaborate yet grotesque jewellery made from small blades, gems and bones. But the most horrifying thing about them was the large amount of dried blood smeared around their mouths and the maniacal look in their golden eyes. They had to be sisters and in another life they would have been beautiful but whatever they had become terrified me to my very soul.

"Please...I-I-I was just seeking shelter...f-f-from the lycans...th-they were chasing me..." I stuttered, my voice shaking with fear.

The women looked at each other and laughed.

"Heisenberg's dogs actually did something good for a change! They brought you straight to us..." the blonde figure on the left said.

"Such a pretty little thing too..." the brunette on the right said as she brandished a sharp-looking sickle, "...and your blood smells delicious".

In the blink of an eye she was right in front of me, holding my chin up with her blade and pressing me against the door.

"Please! Don't kill me!" I choked out.

"Oh sweet thing, we're not going to kill you...not yet anyway. We're going to have fun with you first" the brunette said evilly.

She slowly lifted her sickle in the air ready to strike me with it.

"No please!" I cried.

"GIRLS!"

An authoritative voice boomed across the hall and all three women turned immediately to the source. At the top of the stairs stood an incredibly tall woman with similar porcelain white skin and piercing golden eyes, but this woman wasn't unkept or terrifying at all; she was...beautiful. Her mouth wasn't covered in blood, but perfectly painted with crimson red lipstick. She wore a cream floor-length dress with black flowers on the left shoulder along with black gloves and a wide-brimmed black hat, concealing part of her face in shadow. She looked so glamorous, like a 1930s movie star. Her buxom chest, curvaceous hips and long legs made me lose myself and for a moment I forgot about the danger I was in.

"What is the meaning of this?!" the glamorous woman barked as she made her way down the stairs.

"We have an intruder mother!" the blonde woman said and pointed at me.

"An intruder?" the woman repeated and walked over to me, her heels echoing around the hall. She eyed me with suspicion then grabbed my throat and lifted me so I was at her eye level.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my castle?" she demanded.

"My...name...is Lucie", she was squeezing my throat so tightly I could barely get my words out, "I was...running...from...ly...cans".

"Those damn dogs, they should know better than to come anywhere near us!" the woman growled.

She spotted the deep lycan scratch on my arm dripping with blood...and licked her lips.

"But you're right Cassandra, she's such a pretty girl..." she cooed.

"Can we keep her mother? Pleeeeease?" Cassandra whined.

"Hmmm...no, I think I'll keep this one for myself".

"But mother!"

"Quiet girl!"

Cassandra huffed and stomped back over to her sisters like a sulky child.

A maid soon arrived with a first aid kit and treated my injuries. Alcina stood by the door and her eyes were fixed on me the whole time, it was a little unnerving at first. But she didn't look at me in a murderous way, it was actually quite affectionate. I smiled at her a few times and she smiled back lovingly, she intrigued me so much. Who was she? What was she? How did she know my great grandmother? I'd completely forgotten about the hungry lycans still roaming outside and the blood-thirsty women who greeted me, I felt safe with Alcina...and her wonderful smile.

When we reached her study she threw me down on the floor and stood over me with her hands on her hips.

"Now I want you to tell me the truth. Why are you here? Did Mother Miranda send you? Or was it that idiot brother of mine?"

"I-I have no idea who Mother Miranda is! Or your brother! I swear!"

"Then WHY are you in MY castle?"

"I was in a helicopter crash nearby, m-my team and I were surveying the mountains when the pilot lost control. I'm the only survivor. I wandered through the snow looking for help and came across the village...but the lycans attacked me and chased me...then I ended up here".

The more I spoke the more the woman's expression changed into one of surprise and, strangely, recognition. When I stopped she knelt down in front of me and held my face, examining every single one of my features carefully.

"It's you..." she murmured, "...after all these years".

Her tone softened and her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry?"

"Tell me...are you related to Lucie James?"

"Um...yes. She's my great grandmother. I was named after her" I replied.

She covered her mouth to stifle a cry of joy, her tears rolling down her face.

"My love...you've come back to me" she muttered as she stroked my face and looked deep into my eyes.

It was amazing how quickly this woman's demeanour changed at mere mention of my great grandmother and I started to feel a little calmer.

"You...knew her?" I asked.

"Yes" she answered wiping her tears away, "we were...very close friends".

"Oh I see. May I ask...what is your name?"

"Alcina, Alcina Dimitrescu".

"I never knew-ARGH!"

I suddenly felt a sharp stinging pain in the wound on my arm, it needed treating soon or else I would bleed out.

"I'll have one of the maids stitch up your arm, stay there" Alcina said, slightly alarmed, and shouted down the corridor for the assistance of a maid.

When she returned she scooped me up with ease and sat me in an armchair by a roaring fireplace, she stroked my face again with her velvet gloved hand.

"You're going to be OK my lo-" she stopped herself, "Lucie".

The only time she looked away was when some blood trickled out of my arm as the maid stitched it up. She screwed her eyes shut as if she was fighting an urge to act on something. At least she had more willpower than her daughters seemed to.

When the maid had finished and was dismissed Alcina sat in the chair opposite me and poured herself a glass of wine, but she didn't offer me one.

"Could I have a glass too please?" I asked politely.

"Oh you won't like this wine dear. I'll get you something else".

I furrowed my brow in confusion but she went over to a cabinet and took out another bottle, pouring out a glass and handing it to me.

"Thank you" and I drank the whole glass in one glug. It had been a tough day.

"My my! A thirsty one aren't you?" Alcina remarked and topped up my glass.

My cheeks flushed red, I blamed the alcohol.

She sat back down and removed her gloves.

"You know me and your great grandmother used to drink wine all the time, back when I was a jazz singer" she remembered fondly.

"Really?"

"Oh yes, I used to be in a troop called Miss D and the Pallboys. Dear Lucie never missed a show, I'd be on stage under the spotlight but I'd always spot her in the crowd...sitting at the bar watching and waiting for me. It was like there was nobody else in the room, just us. I'd always sing directly to her and see her face light up with that charming smile".

Alcina seemed lost in the memory for a few moments, staring into the fire. She clearly hadn't spoken about my great grandmother to anyone for many years and seemed grateful for a listening ear.

"Has she ever spoken about me?" she asked and my heart sank because I had to deliver the bad news.

"I don't know. I'm afraid she died just before I was born. So I never knew her".

"I see" Alcina said glumly looking down at the floor, "I should have known really".

"I'm sorry, you two seemed close".

"We were, for many years" she turned to look at me, "you look just like her".

I smiled, I had seen photos of great grandma Lucie so I knew how pretty she was.

"I do?"

"Yes, you have her eyes".

I blushed.

"And her little blush too".

Over the next few hours Alcina reminisced about the time she spent with my great grandmother; visiting jazz bars, going dancing together, trying their luck at casinos and moonlit walks along the promenade. It was clear to me that they were in love but Alcina never actually said that. I knew grandma Lucie never married and now I knew why...clearly I wasn't the only one in the family who was interested in the fairer sex.

"Alcina...were you and Lucie in a relationship?" I decided to ask.

Her eyes went wide with surprise and I panicked, I thought I had angered her but her expression soon softened.

"Yes, we were. We had to keep it a secret of course, same-sex relationships weren't exactly accepted in those days" she said.

"What happened?"

"The band and I were offered a record deal and a tour across the country. I was ecstatic and I begged for her to come with me but she wouldn't leave her family, her mother was sick and her father wasn't exactly a role model. She was so stubborn and I was so enamoured by the fame. We argued for hours and she stormed out...that was the last time I saw her" she paused and poured herself another glass of her wine, "letting Lucie go like that was the biggest mistake of my life, the record deal fell through and we only managed half of the tour before the band started arguing too. I tried to contact her but she refused to speak to me. A year later I found out she was pregnant and happy with some sailor so I had no choice but to move on".

At this point I felt so sorry for Alcina, she spoke with such sadness and deep regret. They had broken each other's hearts and I wondered if grandma Lucie carried the same pain that Alcina clearly did.

But the question still remained, how was Alcina still so young if my grandma had passed years ago? How was she even still alive? Why was she so damn tall?! I'd build myself up to ask then get distracted by another one of her stories and the fond way in which she told them. I'd watch her eyes light up as she recalled such happy memories, the hypnotic way her lips moved, her alabaster skin gleaming in the firelight and her voice...god her voice had me hooked on every word.

"Snap out of it Lucie" I thought to myself.

The grandfather clock in the study struck twelve, I looked out of the window and saw it was pitch black outside.

"Oh my goodness! Look at the time! I haven't even shown you to your quarters yet!" Alcina said, swigging the last of her wine.

"My quarters?" I said curiously.

"Yes, you're more than welcome to stay here whilst you recover and I promise you'll be treated as an honoured guest of House Dimitrescu" she said that last part rather proudly and stood to her full ginormous height.

"B-but what about your daughters? No offence but they scare me to death".

She chuckled loudly.

"Don't worry about them, they'll be under strict instruction not to harm you during your time here" Alcina said firmly and I believed her, she seemed like quite the disciplinarian. One you wouldn't want to disobey.

"Alright then. Thank you Alcina".

I followed her up another flight of stairs and into a small but cosy bedroom with a double bed, wardrobe, vanity and chest of drawers. It was a lovely room and I had to fight the urge to run and jump onto the soft-looking bed.

"I hope this room is adequate for you" Alcina said.

"Are you kidding? I love it!" I replied.

She giggled, "I'm glad darling. You should get some rest now, you've had a traumatic day".

I yawned and stretched in agreement.

"I will see you in the morning my dear. Good night" she said as she ducked out of the room and closed the door.

Read part two here!

I got undressed and climbed into bed, sinking into the comfy mattress. I rolled over and inhaled the scent of lavender on the pillows. As I drifted off to sleep I thought of the crash and the lycans...then great grandma Lucie...then Alcina and her timeless beauty.

@dingdongthetail @willisnotmental @enchantressb @wh0re4gwen @thesamesweetie @niceminipotato @bodymerose @sapphicrow @larissalover3 @lostmyotheraccount

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winterfireblond · 6 days

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"She Takes All Things Back from the Living"

Lady Dimitrescu/OC

While Alcina is away on a business trip to the neighbouring villages, a group of hunters storm the castle, taking advantage of the Countess's absence to kill her daughters and servants. But the Dimitrescu daughters are far from being alone...

TW: blood

Something was up. You didn’t know what exactly, but everything in your body told you it wasn’t good.

You had been resting in Alcina’s chambers after her early departure that morning, something about visiting the neighbouring villages and dealing with her siblings, and with the lack of the Matriarch to keep you company, you had soon gone back to sleep for the better part of the morning.

“It shouldn’t take too long, darling. Just a day at best.”

You watched from where you lay sprawled out on the bed as Alcina sat in front of her vanity, her fingers weaving through her black strands.

“You’re going to leave me here all alone.” you huffed in mock-anguish, placing an arm over your eyes, “How ever will I manage it?”

“Oh, but you won’t be alone, draga. The girls will keep you company.”

She chuckled at your annoyed grunt, her voice sweet as a melody as she spoke again.

“If you don’t want to spend the day tied to the bedpost, I suggest you lower that pillow.”

The silence that followed her words was telling, as was the soft ‘thud’ of the pillow as you let it fall from your grasp.

“Spoilsport.”

“It took an hour to do my hair, draga. And I won’t sit through another just because you are grumpy.”

“Speaks the one always leaving my hair a mess when she’s in a mood.”

“We don’t leave the bed for hours when I do, dear.”

“My point still stands.”

Alcina let out another soft chuckle, her eyes taking in her reflection one last time before she stood from the vanity. Walking back to the bed, she trailed her nail under your chin and along your jaw, the sight of your eyes fluttering in pleasure making her grin.

“Will you manage to survive the day without me?”

You let out a dramatic sigh, nodding your head.

“I’ll try my best. But don’t complain if you find Daniela strung up on the chandelier. Again.”

“As long as you get her down before she breaks it, I’ll be content.”

She leaned down then, her lips pressing against yours into a soft kiss, but she pulled away before you could deepen it, her finger poking your forehead as you grumbled in disappointment.

“No pouting, draga. I’ll be home before you know it.”

“I’ll count the seconds.”

The Countess chuckled, stroking your cheek one last time before she left her chambers, the door clicking shut behind her. With a small sigh, your stretched on the bed before rolling back under the covers. If you had to spend the day alone, might as well make use of the morning.

But now, as you walked down the lengths of the twisting corridors of the castle, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread taking hold of you, like something was about to happen.

I swear, if the girls have come up with another one of their “pranks”...

You suddenly stopped in the middle of the corridor leading to the Opera Hall, the silence around you making the hair on your neck stand up, and sniffed the air, the familiar smell of the maids and Alcina usually permeating the place overshadowed by…

Blood.

You growled softly as you recognised the smell, your feet carrying you quickly towards the source of it until you reached the inner courtyard where you froze, the bodies of the two servants usually working there meeting your eyes.

Your crouched low, observing the two corpses, and felt your amber eyes narrow as you saw the bullet wounds on them.

Shot in the back. They were running back inside.

With a grunt, you sniffed their wounds, your lips pulling back to reveal your fangs.

Silver.

Straightening up once more, you quickly made your way back inside the castle, set on getting to the bottom of this when the sudden scream coming from the kitchens made you pick up your pace. As you burst into the room, you saw a man hunched over one of the maids, her lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling as he pulled back his knife.

“Stupid bitch.” the hunter turned around then, his eyes widening as he saw you, “What the- who are you-?!”

His next words came out as a choked sound as your hand wrapped around his throat, squishing his windpipe.

“How many?”

You growled out, the sound of the man’s terrified gasps making your eyes glint. The hunter kicked his legs in the air, trying to get some air in his lungs, and looked at you in fright as he saw your fangs elongate.

“How. Many.”

“Se-Seven…in the foyer-”

You snapped his neck before he could finish and threw the body away, making it slam against one of the cupboards. Looking down at the body of the maid, you shook your head with a soft ‘tsk’ before making your way towards the Entrance Hall, your expression grim.

You moved swiftly through the hallways, ordering any maid you encountered to go towards the library since it was the safest place considering it was spacious enough to hide in and also far from the lower floors where the hunters supposedly were, and as the sound of shooting reached your ears, you were ready to turn towards the foyer and deal with the intruders when your senses picked up another smell, this one making your eyes widen and a snarl build up in your throat.

The girls.

Turning into a swarm of bats, you flew down the hallway in the opposite direction and towards the Hall of Four, coming in right as Cassandra was sinking her sickle into one of the hunters, his yells of pain filling the air while Bela shielded Daniela with her body. With dawning horror, you realised the drapes that usually covered the windows had been torn down, the sunlight streaming right in and causing the three young vampires’ bodies to burn from it. Waving your hand, you quickly covered the windows with the drapes once more, the tattered cloth enough to keep most of the light out, and rushed towards the girls, narrowly avoiding Cassandra’s sickle.

“Easy there, Cassandra.”

The brunette’s eyes were wild as she looked at you, but she lowered her weapon once she recognised you.

“Iulia. The hunters. They came in, I…”

“Later. Right now, we need to get you three away from the sun.”

Crouching down, you lifted Daniela in your arms, shushing her whimpers as her body bled from the silver wounds and sunlight.

“Grab Bela and follow me to the library.”

With a nod, the middle-daughter helped Bela up and together they followed you towards the upper levels, the face of the head-maid greeting you as you reached the library.

“Thank the Black God, you’re okay…”

“Close the door, Petra. The girls need help.”

The woman looked down at Daniela in your arms, her eyes widening in concern before she ushered you inside, a couple of other maids locking the door shut. You walked towards the far end of the room and placed Daniela on one of the sofas, Cassandra doing the same with her sister, and trailed your fingers along the redhead’s face and chest, the burns from the sun making her hiss and whimper.

“Shh, it’s alright, Daniela. I’m here…”

You murmured softly, the sound of your voice making the youngest Dimitrescu settle down as Bela shuffled closer to her, her own wounds making her hiss under her breath with every movement.

“Petra. Bring me some blood.”

The head-maid nodded her head and quickly called over two of the other maids, telling them to check the cabinets around for any blood. You thanked whatever impulsive thought had inspired Alcina to have bottles of blood-wine stashed away in the room before you turned back to Bela and Daniela once the maids came back with one such bottle, bringing it to the women’s lips and making them drink slowly.

“Easy. You’ll need to share.”

As they settled down, you finally stood and looked towards Cassandra, your eyebrows furrowing as you saw the brunette standing stiff as a board, her hands clenching and unclenching around her bloodied sickle.

“Cassandra?”

The vampire didn’t react, her lips moving as she muttered under her breath, which prompted you to step closer, your voice soft as you called her name once more. She turned around then, her golden eyes wide and far away, and you could see the way her chest rose and fell erratically, her mind seemingly stuck on the last events.

Slowly, you cupped her cheeks, your voice a soft murmur as you brought her closer until she was standing but a breath away, and followed her to the floor as she lost her strength and crumbled to her knees. Holding her close, you did your best to make her concentrate on you and your words, inhaling and exhaling slowly in the hopes of getting her to calm down.

“Bela and Dani…they are…they came, and I…”

“Cassandra, it’s okay.” you spoke softly, holding her gaze, “Breathe, dear. They’re safe. You did good.”

After a while, the brunette finally seemed to focus on your words, her golden eyes wide as she followed your breathing patterns.

“That’s it…breathe…”

You continued to whisper, your thumbs stroking her cheeks softly. She was still in shock, but the worst seemed to be over. You looked down at her hand, the grip on her sickle so tight you wouldn’t have been surprised if she had broken the handle in half, and slowly reached down, covering her fingers with yours.

“Let go, Cassandra. It’s alright.”

The young vampire hesitated, her head shaking minutely.

“They’re still here. If they come back-”

“I’ll take care of them. Everything will be okay.” you smiled gently, moving a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, “Give me your sickle, sweetheart. You’re safe.”

It took a few more minutes before Cassandra felt calm enough to follow your instructions, her grip loosening until you were able to pry the weapon out of her hand. Keeping your hands in her line of sight at all times, you moved the sickle to a nearby table before holding the brunette by her shoulders, your amber eyes soft. She had been through a lot and what she needed right now was to rest.

“Stay with your sisters. I’ll go search for the hunters.” you sighed softly as you saw her stiffen, her hands holding onto you almost as if she was afraid you’d disappear, “I need you here to watch over Bela and Daniela. Can you do that for me, Cassandra?”

“But…you…”

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

You stood up from the floor, taking her with you, and walked her towards the sofas where her sisters lay, still trying to catch their breaths. The bleeding had stopped and they seemed to be regenerating without issue, albeit at a much slower rate than usual, probably because of the sunlight that had damaged them considerably. Your jaw clenched at the sight, but at least they were alive and healing.

Placing Cassandra down and next to Bela, you stroked her hair gently before turning to walk out of the library, Petra and the maids hiding in there with you starting to take away the chairs and shelves they had used to barricade the doors from the inside, but as you went to step away, you felt a small tug on your sleeve, which made you turn around. The three daughters were looking up at you in concern and helplessness, their golden eyes trained on your amber ones, but it was Daniela who spoke, the same one who had reached out to stop you.

“Please don’t die, Iulia…”

“I don’t plan on it, cățelușă.”

With that, you marched out of the library, the look in your eyes making the maids cower before you as they let you pass. Without turning around, you addressed Petra on the way out, your voice cold as ice.

“Barricade the entrance. Don’t let anyone in here.”

“What about you, my lady?”

The head-maid asked, her voice dying in her throat as she saw you glancing at her from over your shoulder, your eyes now a deep red.

“I’m going hunting.”

With that, you disappeared into a swarm of bats, the lights in the corridors snuffed out as you flew down them in search of the remaining hunters.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Looks like they’ve hidden away in the upper floors.”

“This place is a damn maze…”

“If we don’t find them before the Countess is back…”

“Quiet, all of you.”

The leader of the hunters spoke up, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the map in his hands. The writings on the sides had become illegible from the blood spattered all over it, but he could still make out the main floors and wings of the castle.

“They headed up here, so they’re probably hiding either in the main chambers or the library. Did anyone manage to question the maid?”

“This one is half-dead already.” one of the men spoke up, the tip of his gun poking the fallen maid at his feet, “I doubt she’ll say anything else.”

“Idiots. I told you not to shoot the maids, they were the only ones who could help us.”

“They were coveting with the devils, Liviu. We did the right thing.”

Another one spoke, his lips pressing against the silver rosary around his neck before he let go of it and picked up his crossbow once more. The leader, Liviu, rolled his eyes, muttering a curse under his breath. They were planning on killing everyone in the castle anyway, true, but they still needed to find the daughters, and without anyone on the inside, it was going to be hard.

“Whatever. How many of the daughters did you see?”

“Three were wounded but still managed to kill Marcel. The fourth one got Nicu and followed-”

“Fourth one?” Liviu spoke sharply, turning towards the hunters behind him, “There are three daughters, not four.”

The hunters exchanged confused looks before turning towards their leader, their hands tightening around their weapons.

“Uhm…I saw another one, Liviu. I’m pretty sure she was a vampire too.”

“That’s impossible. The Countess is away, who-”

His next words died on his lips as the light seemed to be sucked out of the room, the eerie silence that followed making the hunters turn around in every direction with their weapons raised. They huddled together, forming a circle while standing back-to-back, and watched as their breaths fogged up, shivers running down their spines as the air suddenly turned cold.

“Well, well, well…what have we here?”

Your low voice made the men freeze, their eyes scanning the darkness as they raised the muzzles of their guns. A couple of them muttered a prayer under their breaths while some other reached into their pockets, counting the silver bullets left.

“A group of mice, making it into the lion’s den? How cute…”

You chuckled, the sound echoing around the hall and making the men grip their weapons tightly. Liviu reached into his coat, the silver stake he had there at the ready, and grabbed the attention of his companions.

“Sergei, Florian, watch our six and distract her. Victor, Paul, Robert and I will take the stairs.”

“Got it, boss.”

The men started to move at once, Liviu and the other three hunters moving swiftly towards the staircase leading to the upper floors while the rest aimed their guns at the top of the drapes covering the big windows in the room and shooting at them, making the sunlight of the late afternoon stream in.

“I really liked those drapes, you know?”

The two men looked at each other at your nonchalant tone, their eyes widening as the presence of the feeble sunlight didn’t seem to bother you at all. Seeing something moving from the corner of his eye, Sergei turned around, shooting randomly as he couldn’t effectively see you.

“Florian, do you see her?...Florian?”

Hearing a wet gurgle, the hunter turned around swiftly, his eyes widening in horror as he saw the slit throat of his companion, your red eyes staring him down as your claws tore the man apart. Sergei yelled, shooting his gun, but you were already gone, the blow hitting the other hunter and making his corpse fall to the floor in a puddle of blood. The man gritted his teeth, cursing your name and shooting around wildly whenever he thought he saw you, his ammo quickly running out as he ran up the stairs to re-join his companions.

“Liviu! Liviu, she-”

“Now now, it’s rude to leave a lady like this.”

The hunter choked around a gasp as he saw you appear out of the darkness right in front of his eyes, his feet staggering on the stairs while his lips parted, but he didn’t get the chance to say anything before your hand was inside his chest, breaking his ribcage.

Sergei looked down at your hand in disbelief, blood filling his mouth as he tried to speak, but no words came out. With a sadistic smirk, you moved forward, your hand tearing into his organs and flesh until it reached his spine and crushed it with a harsh pull. The man fell into a heap down the stairs, his body broken beyond recognition while his lifeless eyes stared up at you, but you didn’t spare it a glance before turning into a swarm once more, following the remaining hunters.

“Sergei and Florian are not behind us.”

Victor whispered, his hands trembling around his gun as he and the rest walked quietly down the corridors.

“Liviu, you said there were only three of those monsters. Who is that?”

“If I knew, don’t you think I would have told you?”

Liviu bit back, forcing himself to keep his temper in check as they made their way towards the library, the only plausible place for the daughters to be.

“It doesn’t matter. Our main objective are the daughters and they’re already wounded. It will be easy to take them out.”

“If Sergei and Florian don’t manage to hold the other one back-”

The shouting of the hunters in question reached the group then, Liviu’s eyes narrowing in anger before he kept moving forward, the three men at his back whispering harshly. Paul placed his hand on his leader’s shoulder, making him look back.

“Boss, we should go. If she finds us…”

“Then shut up and keep moving. We’re too close to give up now!”

Robert’s muttered prayers echoed the four’s steps, the man’s hands gripping his rosary as they all made their way down another corridor until they reached the library, the double doors standing in front of them.

“There we are. Quickly now.”

Victor and Paul pulled their bags onto the floor, reaching inside of them and taking out the four Molotov’s in there before closing them once more. The two men walked to the doors, disposing the bottles right in front of them, and were about to turn their respective lighters on when the sudden screams coming from behind them made them look back, their eyes watching helplessly as Liviu and Robert were being attacked by a dark swarm of bats. Victor was the first to move, his hands scrambling to reach for the gun on his shoulder, but before he could, he was sent flying towards the far end of the corridor with Liviu on top of him, their bodies hitting the ground with loud cries of pain.

“Victor! Liviu!” the second hunter in front of the doors shouted, his eyes turning fearful as he turned around and saw you holding his other companion up in the air, “Robert…”

“CURSE YOU, YOU DEMON!”

The hunter in your grasp yelled as he slammed a wooden stake down and into your chest, a snarl of satisfaction painting his lips before it turned into one of despair as he watched your grimace of pain turn into a chuckle.

“Well, a bit anticlimactic, don’t you think?”

Reaching towards your chest, you slowly pulled the stake out, a low hiss leaving your lips at the stark pain, but it was soon gone. Pulling the hunter closer, you stared into his terrified eyes as your fangs elongated, the silver rosary around his neck glinting even in the dark and making you smirk.

“A man of God, I see. But your God is not here, mortal.”

With another sharp hiss, you sank your fangs into his neck, the man’s cries echoing in the hallway as his feet and hands kicked the air wildly, but it wasn’t long before he grew silent, his body ceasing every movement. With a scoff, you tore his throat out with your fangs and threw his limp body onto the floor, stepping over it for good measure as you walked towards the double doors of the library, where the other hunter was still cowering.

Paul scrambled back onto the floor, his breaths harsh as he trembled like a leaf, the sight pulling your lips into a bloodied smirk.

“Now this one looks every bit the mouse I was expecting to find.”

“Please, have mercy…”

“Mercy?”

Chuckling, you bent slightly forward until you could stare the man in the eyes, the terror in them making you almost purr.

What a pitiful creature…

“My dear human, there’s only death here for you.”

The clicking of a trigger made you raise an eyebrow, your head tilting to the side just as a silver bullet was about to hit you, the shot embedding into the wooden door in front of you instead.

“How pesky you are these days.”

With a tsk, you glanced behind your back, the two remaining hunters slowly getting to their feet as they reloaded their weapons and fired at you again.

“PAUL! LIGHT THEM UP!”

You watched with detached curiosity as the younger hunter patted his pockets for his lighter, his fingers trembling as he desperately tried to switch it on, but before he could, you had grabbed him by the back of his neck, a terrified shout leaving his lips, which was quickly silenced by the bullets pelting his front as you used him as a shield.

Liviu and Victor watched in horror as you dropped their companion to the floor without a second thought, their mouths twisting into enraged snarls as they started shooting at you once more. The hunters’ leader stood back as his companion rushed at you, his shouts echoing down the corridors of the castle and making you let out a sadistic chuckle.

“You make it almost too easy, mortal.”

Victor reached into his coat, the bottle of holy water in his hand ready to be launched at you, but before he knew what was happening, you had grabbed his wrist and snapped it, the pained cries of the man reaching his companion.

“VICTOR!” Liviu snarled, grabbing the silver stake he kept with him, and rushed forward, “YOU BITCH! LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

Smirking at the hunter, you pulled his man close, your tongue licking the side of his face before you let out a soft sigh of disappointment.

“Man blood…not my favourite, but it will do.”

With a speed that surprised both hunters, you sank your fangs into Victor’s neck and tore his flesh apart, the choked sounds leaving his lips making you smirk in satisfaction as you dropped him onto the floor like trash, his body spasming uncontrollably as he bled out.

Liviu looked down at the last of his companions, his blue eyes wild as they turned to your red ones, and for the first time in his life he felt fear. With a desperate yell, he raised his silver stake, ready to stab your undead heart, but you just disappeared into a swarm of bats once more, enveloping him in darkness.

The man shouted and yelled in both anger and panic as the beasts bit into him, his arms flaying wildly as he tried to flee, but as he was about to reach the end of the corridor, he felt your claws around his throat pulling him back.

“No no no, hunter. You’re mine.”

Liviu choked around a gulp of air, his fingers scratching at your hand to make you let go, but it was like trying to tear down a wall with nothing but nails. You brought the hunters’ leader closer to your face, your red eyes staring down at him with a sadistic glint that made the man swallow.

“You come into this castle. You kill our servants. And you dare lay your hands on my daughters?!”

There was nothing human about the growl that left your throat, your grip tightening considerably as you watched the man cower before you.

Good.

“But don’t worry, mortal. I’ll make sure you get a proper welcome.”

With that, you walked towards the doors of the library, your hand reaching for the handle and pulling the double doors open without so much as a blink. The man screamed and kicked as you dragged him deeper into the room, the maids around you gasping at the sight and cowering before you until you reached Bela, Cassandra and Daniela.

The three vampires had jumped up from the sofas the moment the door had slammed open, ready to fight the hunters if needed, but when they saw you, covered in blood and dragging their leader towards them, they felt their fangs elongate inside their mouths, their golden eyes turning feral with hunger.

You shoved the helpless man onto the floor in front of you, his grunts loud in the silence of the library as everyone watched with their hearts in their throats, waiting for your next move. The three daughters looked up from the hunter when they heard their names, their eyes meeting yours, and almost trembled in anticipation as you addressed them.

“Why don’t you show this man-thing what we do with trespassers here, hm?”

Before you could blink, the three had fallen upon the hunter, his screams and cries filling the room in a symphony of death and pain that made your eyes flutter closed in pleasure. By the time the three were done, there wasn’t much left of the man that could be considered ‘human’, and as they licked their lips in pleasure, you stroked their hair back and spoke with a soft voice.

“There’s more outside for you. Make sure to drain them properly.”

Daniela was the first to turn into a swarm and rush outside the library, her sisters hot on her trail as their giggles and laughter filled the corridors once more. With a deep exhale, you wiped off the blood still dripping down your chin, a low hiss leaving you as you felt the chest wound dealt by the stake still paining you.

Disgusting rats…

“My lady?”

Petra’s sudden voice made you turn back towards the head-maid, the woman’s eyes filled with wonder and gratitude as she looked at you.

“Do you need assistance?”

You looked at the other maids as they started tidying up the room without a fuss, their movements quick and precise.

Got to appreciate their devotion.

“A bath and some blood-wine would be nice, Petra.”

The woman nodded, bowing her head in respect before she started ordering the maids around to make sure your request was fulfilled. Sighing softly, you made your way towards your and Alcina’s chambers, your body still regenerating too slowly for your tastes, but a bit of rest and blood would have made everything better.

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Alcina’s steps were rushed as she made her way towards the castle, her eyebrows pulled down on her forehead into a scowl. Petra had informed her of the hunters’ attack and despite the head-maid reassuring her about her daughters’ safety and yours, the Matriarch wouldn’t rest until she had seen for herself.

She looked around the Main Hall as she stormed inside, the maids cleaning up the blood stains and bullet holes jumping slightly at her entrance before they bowed in unison.

“Where are my daughters and my consort?”

“Upstairs, my lady. In your chambers.”

Alcina turned towards Petra as she spoke, the sight of her head-maid intact making her shoulders relax minutely. With a nod, the Countess quickly made her way up the flight of stairs and down the corridors, ignoring the bowing servants and maids she encountered in her path. The smell of gunpowder and blood was still very much present and it made her lips pull back into a snarl at the thought of anyone daring to enter her home and attack her family while she wasn’t there.

I’ll burn that village to the ground. No one will make it out alive. I’ll-

The soft sound of laughter coming from behind the closed doors of her chambers made her pause her murderous thoughts, the Matriarch’s heart skipping a beat as she heard your voice and that of her daughters. Without wasting any time, she reached out and opened the double doors, the hinges creaking slightly at the fast movement.

You looked up from where you were resting on the bed, Bela, Cassandra and Daniela huddled close to you as you sat against the headboard. The sight pulled a relieved sigh out of Alcina and she quickly made her way to the bed, her daughters falling into her arms. She kissed their foreheads lovingly, her soft purrs soothing the three before she reached out to you, her golden eyes taking in your injuries with concern.

“Draga…are you alright?”

“I’m perfectly fine, Alcina.” you chuckled, the movement making you grimace as it pulled at your wound, but you brushed it off, “I’d tell you to see the other ones, but I’m afraid there isn’t much left now.”

“Well, at least your sense of humour is still intact.”

“Always, draga mea.”

The Matriarch chuckled despite herself, glad that neither you nor her daughters were in immediate danger. Letting out a deep exhale, she took her shoes and cloak off before joining you in bed, her daughters pressing against her sides and front for their mother’s comfort. You purred softly as you felt Alcina’s arm wrap around you, her nose nuzzling your neck as her lips trailed your skin.

“I’ll make them pay. All of them.”

You chuckled at her words, your own hand reaching up and pushing her hair back.

“Later, my love. For now, let us enjoy ourselves. Your daughters missed you.”

The Matriarch nodded against your neck, her arms bringing you and her girls closer. There will be time for vengeance, but for now she only wanted her family in her safe embrace.

As you felt yourself drift off to sleep, you heard the three daughters move closer to your sides, Daniela’s head resting on your thighs while Bela moved to her mother’s chest, but it was Cassandra that moved closer, her body nestling between you and Alcina as she wrapped her arm around your waist. You glanced up at the Matriarch, noticing the way her smirk turned soft before she closed her eyes to rest, and slowly started running your fingers through the brunette’s hair, her soft sighs making you smile.

“It took a near death experience to get them like this.”

“I wouldn’t complain, draga.”

Alcina whispered back, her lips placing a small kiss on your forehead with a small grin.

“I’m not. Trust me.”

You spoke softly, wrapping your arms around Cassandra and bringing her closer.

“Who knows, perhaps they’ll finally stop attempting on my life, or taste buds.”

“Don’t count on it.”

The synchronised grumbles coming from the three young vampires made you and Alcina laugh out loud, your arms tightening around them as you smirked.

“Sure thing, căței. Sure thing…”

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