Chapter 69

I snapped out of the memory suddenly, turning back towards the immortal creature as he glared down at me, snarling viciously. I pushed back further into the wall, attempting to calm my breathing as I waited for his next move, knowing that he would only cause me further pain, forcing me to endure things I had yet to imagine.

“And how can you escape from me? I know where you are and what you’re doing at all times.” Mortem growled savagely, quickly reaching down towards me as I cowered back, wrapping his hand around my throat.

I whimpered, the immortal being tightening his hold around my throat as he ripped me from the ground, brutally dragging my quaking frame towards him. I let out an ear-piercing scream as he sunk his elongated fangs into my neck, hungrily forcing the blood from my body. My vision blurred as I was overcome with the unnatural and putrid feeling of the vampire king barbarically drinking my blood, taking no care in how far he bit into my skin; blood gushing from the deepening wound. The twin bites throbbed as he dragged me closer towards him, pressing my petite frame into his chest whilst I made pointless attempts at struggling, my consciousness beginning to fade. I cried out as the agonising pain started once more, rippling through my chest in waves as he increased our bond, making it almost indestructible.

Mortem laughed deeply against my neck, quickly moving his hand to grip my coppery hair as he moved to sink his teeth into my flesh once more; the pain now unbearable. I groaned, black spots appearing across my vision as he slammed me back into the wall, effortlessly locking my body in place. I closed my eyes as I became increasingly tired; knowing that he was taking far too much, that the tyrant king was killing me. His anger now knowing no limits. I ceased my futile struggling as my mind moved to wander what it would feel like to die, to meet my family in another life, one without the presence of the un-dead creatures. Without Mortem. I smiled weakly at the thought, allowing the darkness to take its grasp on me as I slipped into unconsciousness, the pain beginning to fade as my body numbed, no longer able to feel the agony that coursed through my mortal frame. Leaving even the strongest of men falling to his knees in strain. I welcomed the peace that the darkness offered, slithering into it as though I had nothing better to do. No promise of a better place to await me once I perished.

Mortem basked in the texture of Sanctus’ blood, taking all that was needed to complete the transformation, ensuring that she would remain in his care for all eternity, with no chance at escape. Under his deadly watch until he released her. Though she had yet to witness the blackness that was yet to come, that lurked just beyond the reach of death, where nothing but hunger remained...

I awoke slowly, a searing hot pain spreading through my lower chest, engulfing me in a strange and petrifying fire that had yet to be seen. I opened my eyes slowly, barely able to glance around as the pain increased, an involuntary cry bursting through my clenched jaw. I curled onto my side, wincing when one of my nails dug into my delicate skin, tearing away at the flesh. – What had happened? Was I dead – I wondered foolishly, instantly scolding myself as the pain erupted once more, informing me that I was in fact very much alive. I blinked in desperation, my vision clouded with a darkening red haze, the world as I knew it layered in blood.

I jumped when I heard a voice to my left, carelessly stumbling towards my feet. The voice appeared rich with power, with age as it slipped through my ears, the words carefully forming within my mind. “The pain will stop once you feed, little one.”

I recognised the voice after a moment of pondering, knowing that it belonged to Mortem, and yet; it was somehow different.

His accent more clear and distinctive as he spoke in a slow and soothing manner, something I had not expected him capable of. I wrapped an arm around my stomach self-consciously, wondering why my vision still continued to be clouded by a red haze; making it virtually impossible for me to see my captor.

Yet, I could somehow sense that he was close, perhaps only a few feet away from me, watching my every movement with a kind off curiosity.

I winced, bending forward as the pain plummeted down into my stomach, the new intensity causing me to cry out once more, my senses seeming to be more defined. My small frame more sensitive to the world around me. I felt a strange impulse crawl its way into my mind as I attempted to ignore the pain, the meaning behind it all but lost as I focused my attention on the door that stood to the right of me; knowing that it was about to open.

I snarled lightly when the handle clicked only seconds later, a strange and pure scent drifting its way towards me. Inhaling deeply, I took a precise step towards the smell basking in its richness as I felt something pressing against my bottom lip; something sharp. I chuckled lightly, knowing that the owner of the pleasant and delightful smell cowered back in fear, only making the game more enjoyable. I tilted my head to the side as my smile grew, no longer needing my vision to aid me as my mind unlocked itself to the other senses, allowing me to move with grace and elegance.

My stomach groaned as I grew closer to the source of the smell, his voice muffled and faint as I focused on the beating of his heart, on the blood that pumped through his veins at a quickened pace; knowing that he was about to die. I snarled playfully, moving to slip into a crouch as I inhaled once again, ready to strike.

“You’re ready Sanctus, feed on this man and your transformation will be complete. The pain will disappear.” My immortal king announced, chuckling slightly as I gripped the blood bag by his shoulders, effortlessly dragging him towards me.