Chapter 2 Vampire’s Claim
I woke up to the sweet, lingering scent of flowers. How I loved the smell, it was soft, calming, almost like it was wrapping me in warmth. For a moment, I wished I could just stay like this forever, in this quiet, fragrant cocoon, free from the pressure of classes, assignments, and recitations but reality was waiting. I knew my grandmother would soon wake me for university.
Please… just five more minutes.
I buried myself deeper in the comforter, relishing the softness of the bed and the warmth around me. Maybe, just maybe, I could skip school today. I curled up, hugging the pillow, trying to hold onto the fleeting comfort. The chill in the room made it even harder to move, and I let myself drift back, thinking that a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.
“Saera…”
I ignored the voice at first, burying my face deeper into the pillow. I didn’t want to wake.
“Saera…”
Damn it. I grabbed the nearest thing I could and covered my ears, hoping the voice would go away.
“Saera…”
My eyes snapped open this time. The voice was different, deep, unfamiliar, and dangerously close. Panic rose in my chest. A man in my room? Where was my grandmother? My heart raced as I realized the magnitude of the situation. This was impossible. How could a stranger be in my room? Surely, my grandmother would… I shivered at the thought of what might happen if she found out.
And then I noticed something even more alarming. This wasn’t my room. The bed, the walls, the scent of flowers, it all felt strangely luxurious, not mine at all. How did I end up here? My mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. Did I… drink last night? No, I couldn’t remember anything.
“Come on, Saera. Stop that act.”
The voice was calm but commanding. And why did it feel like he knew me? My lips parted slightly in shock, and I didn’t even notice.
Before I could react, the thick comforter hiding me was yanked away. I sat up abruptly, pressed against the headboard, and froze. My eyes widened.
I was in a strange room, sitting on a red bed scattered with red rose petals. And in front of me… a man. A stranger. Gorgeous, terrifying, and… topless. My heart hammered against my ribs. How did I end up in this room?
When our eyes met, I felt my breath catch. There was something familiar about him, something I couldn’t place. My pulse sped up as he looked at me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. His gaze was magnetic, almost terrifying in its focus.
“Who… who are you? Why am I here?” I asked, my voice trembling. My last memory was talking to my grandmother. That was it. How did I end up here?
He didn’t answer. He just… looked at me. Too calm, too confident. Too terrifying.
I tried to sit up, but something felt off. My body didn’t respond properly. “What… what’s going on?”
“Stop moving like that,” he said, voice low, almost amused.
He leaned closer, calm, deliberate. “You look better like this,” he said, eyes glinting. “Trust me.”
I froze. Look better like… what? My eyes went wide. I looked down. The silk black dress clung to me. Not mine. Not mine!
“What—how—who dressed me?” My voice shook. “What are you doing?”
He smiled faintly, unbothered. “I did. Don’t worry… you’re safe.”
“Safe?!” My hands flew to cover myself. “You—how do you know me? What’s happening?!”
He didn’t answer immediately. He just… studied me. “Relax. You’ll understand soon.”
“I don’t even know you! Get out! Get out!” I screamed.
And then he was suddenly right in front of me, his eyes locking on mine. My body froze again. I couldn’t move. My hands, my legs, everything felt… wrong.
“What… what did you do to me?” I stammered.
He tilted his head, calm as ever. “I didn’t do anything… not yet.”
“Not yet?!” My heart hammered. “Why am I… why can’t I move?!”
“You’re more fragile than I thought,” he said softly. His hand reached toward my face. “Relax, baby.”
I flinched. “Don’t touch me!”
He didn’t stop. His fingers brushed my lips, gentle, precise. “Open your mouth.”
“I… no!” I tried to push back, but my arms stayed frozen above my head. “What—what are you doing?!”
“You’ll see,” he whispered. “I won’t hurt you… much.”
I could feel his warm breath on my neck. My pulse went crazy. “Stop… please, stop!”
“I didn’t turn you…” he whispered. Turn me? What did that even mean?
Panic surged as he laid me down on the bed. My body obeyed without question, completely under his control. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t fight, could only watch as he tilted my head slightly, his eyes never leaving mine.
I closed my eyes instinctively when I felt his warm breath on my neck. And then… his lips. Soft, insistent, tracing along my skin. A shiver ran through me, a strange mix of fear and something I didn’t understand. My heart beat faster, my body responding despite my mind screaming to stop.
I tried to push him away, to regain control, but it was useless. He smiled faintly, watching me struggle.
He chuckled softly. “You taste… different.”
“This is rapi—” I started, but he interrupted me with a calm, measured tone.
“Feeding, baby. This is feeding.”
He leaned closer. His lips brushed my skin. I gasped, instinctively trying to pull away. My body betrayed me. I couldn’t move.
“Hey…” His tone softened. “It’s okay. I’m not… hurting you the way you think.”
“You… you are!” I whimpered. “Somebody help me!!”
He laughed lightly, amused. “Help won’t come. Not yet.”
My chest tightened. “Why me? Why here? Why… you?”
“Because,” he said calmly, “you’re mine. At least, for now.”
I shook my head violently. “No! I don’t even know you! I’m not—”
“Shhh…” His finger pressed lightly to my lips. “I know but it doesn’t matter.”
My body reacted against me, heat spreading through my chest, my stomach, my whole being. I hated it. I hated him. I hated myself for responding.
“Stop it! I mean it!” I tried to push him. My hands moved slightly, finally! but it wasn’t enough. He just smiled, leaning down again.
“Relax,” he whispered. His lips touched my neck, soft, teasing.
My eyes went wide. “Ah! No! Stop!” I struggled more, but it was useless.
“You’re… beautiful,” he murmured against my skin. “And sweet. So sweet.”
“I—what… what are you?!” My voice cracked. Panic rising, tears threatening.
He pulled back slightly, letting me see him. Red liquid on his lips. My stomach dropped.
“You… you’re… a vampire?” I whispered.
“Yes. I am.”
This was the last thing I heard before I completely closed my eyes. It’s not a dream. He’s the man from that dark room. The man whose lips are covered in my blood.