Perhaps I've grown accustomed to being surrounded by people, and now that I'm alone, it feels profoundly lonely.
This is unusual for me, as I've always cherished my solitude, especially since becoming a vampire. I often retreat to enjoy my own company.
I've told myself that I isolate myself to protect others from harm, but the truth is, I genuinely enjoy being alone.
Besides, most people at school think I'm sick. Surprisingly, that doesn't bother me; I've even used it to my advantage.
"Alone?" a sultry voice purrs behind me. I turn to see a familiar face.
It's Seraphine.
My lips thin as I nod hesitantly, wondering what she's doing in this random hallway. Classes have resumed, and I haven't seen Silas since this morning. Last night, I fell asleep first, and he didn't return until after midnight. This morning, I woke up alone; he had already left.
Did something happen? Did I do something wrong?
I must have looked anxious because Seraphine stepped closer and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You look troubled," she says, offering a small smile.
I flinch in surprise, not realizing she had moved closer.
We both gaze out the window at the field below, where students practice their spells, trying to hit distant targets.
"A little," I admit.
Seraphine tilts her head, clasping her hands. "I may be a healer, an apothecary, or a nurse, but I believe I can be a good listener. Is this about the vampire attack?"
Well, not really… But maybe it's connected to why Silas is acting strangely.
Rosemary didn't seem to notice anything; after all, she and Silas were once not on speaking terms.
"A bit… I'm worried about Silas. The vampire attack might be related," I confess, surprising even myself. I've never been one to share my problems.
A tingling sensation runs through my skin as my vision narrows. I turn fully to Seraphine, stepping back as a smirk crosses her face.
"You—" I gasp in shock as her features shift into something familiar—and terrifying.
It's the servant vampire of Gluttony who attacked me and Rosemary.
I snarl, baring my fangs as I retreat a few steps. Seraphine! Where is the real one?!
Is she—
Dead?
A chill ran through my body at the thought as the woman in front of me smirked, arms crossed confidently. Her pink hair was a mess, loosely braided and threatening to unravel at any moment.
"We meet again, servant of Sloth," she purred, her voice dripping with flirtation as she stepped closer. "Relax; I didn't kill the girl I copied from. Don't you trust me, even just a little?" Her eyes sparkled with delight as I flinched at her proximity.
"How can I trust you? You killed a student," I replied, struggling to keep my voice steady, though I could feel the tremor of fear coursing through me.
The memory of the pain from losing my arm flooded back, an agonizing sensation that had once made me black out. I realized my reaction only seemed to thrill her, as a sadistic grin spread across her face.
"My name is Ambroxius. It's nice to meet you," she said, winking at me. I responded with a glare, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of my fear.
"How did you get in here again?" I asked, my voice shaking despite my efforts to sound composed.
Ambroxius hummed, tapping her chin mockingly. "Oh, that? It's easy. I never left in the first place~"
"You… didn't leave?" I stammered, dread pooling in my stomach.
The amusement in her eyes deepened. "Don't be scared. I was just playing a few nights ago. Forgive me; I was so excited to see someone who's been eliminating the other underlings of my lady," she confessed, shrugging nonchalantly as she took another step closer.
Her gaze gleamed with a predatory intensity, and I felt paralyzed, unable to move.
As she slowly placed a hand on my shoulder, leaning in, I could barely breathe. "How interesting, how interesting indeed. Lady Minerva has been busy. A child as her servant? This isn't a joke, is it?" she mused, mostly to herself. I turned my head away, my body refusing to respond, suffocated by fear.
"Or…" she murmured, a wicked smile creeping across her face as I hesitantly turned back to her. The delight in her expression was palpable.
"Lady Lucia (Vampire of Gluttony) will be happy to see you," Ambroxius said, and I swallowed hard. Who was Lady Lucia?
She must have noticed my confusion.
"The Vampire of Gluttony, Lady Lucia," she declared proudly, leaning back as she struck a pose.
With her gaze momentarily averted, I regained control of my body. What had just happened? Was it her power? Why had I been unable to move?
"W-Why should I care?" I stammered, finally able to breathe properly as I let out a shaky sigh. What had she done to me? It felt as if my body had betrayed me, refusing to respond to my commands.
Ambroxius didn't appreciate my retort; she seized my chin, forcing me to look up at her. "I don't like your tone, little boy, but I'll overlook it since you're a newly turned servant," she said with disdain. Then, in a sudden shift, her expression brightened, and she smiled brightly, tilting her head.
"That's why I'm here! I should be guiding a freshly turned vampire with my awesomeness! If you need any help, I'm always here. And oh, I'm so sorry about ripping your arm off. I couldn't let anyone find out too much!" She giggled, releasing my face.
I leaned back, holding my cheek in surprise as I glared at her. "Why would I need your help?"
Ambroxius found my defiance amusing, laughing at my expense. "Well, aren't you curious about what your special ability might be? You managed to punch a hole through my chest… Doesn't that intrigue you? Don't you want to learn how to do that again? To become stronger?" She purred, leaning closer. I bit my lip, torn.
Stronger? When had I ever cared about that?
But—
How could I protect Silas if I couldn't even protect myself?
No… I could become stronger without Ambroxius's help.
"No, not with someone like you," I snarled, and Ambroxius leaned back, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of surprise and delight, as if she had expected me to agree.
Her lips curled into a wicked smile. "I see, so that was a one-time thing. It looks like my spell won't work on you again," she murmured to herself. "Oh well, it's fine! I was hoping to get the servant of Sloth to work under Lady Lucia. But if not, I suppose I'll just have to kill you before Lady Minerva (Vampire of Sloth) creates more like you—"
Before I could react, her hand shot around my neck, lifting me off the ground.
I let out a choked yell, my legs flailing as I grasped her arm, but she merely stared up at me, her slitted eyes glimmering with interest and her fangs elongating. "I wonder what the servant of Sloth tastes like," she mused, pulling me closer to her face, her mouth opening to reveal glistening silver fangs.
"W–What do you mean?" I stuttered, sheer terror flooding my veins.
Oh God, I needed to escape! I needed help.
The hallway was still empty. Where was everyone? Had Ambroxius planned this? Was I destined to die alone?
"Didn't you know? A vampire can drink from another vampire, though it's a bit disgusting and not at all as tasty as human blood" she smirked, her lips hovering close to my cheek, her breath ghosting against my skin.
My body shook from fear, paralyzed by the imminent threat. I was going to die if I didn't find a way to move.
"Though, it doesn't matter. I'll be the first vampire to taste the blood of a Sloth vampire… Will Lady Lucia finally notice me?" Ambroxius said, her voice laced with delight as she ripped my robe apart and tugged my turtleneck down, her teeth grazing the skin of my neck.
I had to move!
Sebastian, move!
Suddenly, I heard a loud screech as I fell back to the floor, Ambroxius crying out in pain. Smoke rose from her face, and I realized that glowing golden chains lay beside me, their metallic surface shimmering. They had whipped across Ambroxius's face.
Footsteps approached from behind, light yet purposeful.
A familiar scent filled the air.
"Get away from him, vampire!" came a fierce snarl. I turned to see Silas standing beside me, golden chains wrapped around his hand. With a flick, the chains moved on their own, attempting to ensnare Ambroxius.
She quickly dodged, her face still steaming as it began to heal. "A light mage! Ugh!" she growled, baring her teeth at Silas, who positioned himself protectively beside me.
I was still in shock, frozen on the floor, only realizing my position when Silas helped me to my feet.
"I was trying to find you," he said, his tone different from before.
That caught my attention. I had never heard that tone from him—so vacant, so empty.
Ambroxius's eyes flashed with a hint of fear as she caught sight of the golden chains. "A Gael! Disgusting! To think the servant of Sloth is working with mages! You must be punished! Lady Lucia and the others will not like this!" She hissed, taking a step back before vanishing into thin air.
I let out a small gasp.
"Sorry, was I late?" Silas asked, and I shook my head, still staring at him in shock.
I had always known he was a powerful mage—after all, he was a high-class mage. But seeing him in action like this? He looked ready to make sure Ambroxius wouldn't leave this place alive.
The intent to kill radiated from him.
A shiver ran down my spine—not from fear, but something deeper, something I couldn't quite identify.
"You weren't late, but I think I was about to become vampire lunch. If that makes sense," I replied, touching my neck, still feeling the ghost of her fangs against my skin.
Silas picked up my robe from the floor and handed it to me. "It must be terrifying for you. I'm sorry," he said, his face crumpling with concern as I wrapped the robe around myself in silence.
Now that the immediate danger had passed, it didn't feel as terrifying as it had moments before. I suspected Ambroxius had used some trick to immobilize me. Yet, the normal human reaction would have been shock and fear.
But then again, I wasn't human, was I?
"Somehow… I don't think she scared me that much," I said, my voice devoid of emotion.
So this is how vampires operate, huh? I realized I was very different from them.
Before I could process my thoughts, Silas hugged me tightly.
My mind stalled. "W-What are you doing?" I stammered, caught off guard by his sudden show of affection.
Silas tightened his embrace around me, his warmth enveloping me like a protective shield. "What do you think? I'm comforting you. You were clearly scared. I had a hunch that the vampire was still lurking around; after all, with the heightened security, I doubt she could leave the academy unnoticed."
As his words settled in, a realization struck me. I hadn't seen him in quite some time.
"Have you been hunting for her?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his back and savoring the comforting heat radiating from him.
This moment felt oddly nice, and I found it difficult to concentrate on our conversation while wrapped in his embrace. It felt a bit unfair that such a simple act could distract me so completely.
"Yes," Silas replied, a hint of seriousness in his tone.
A flicker of annoyance stirred within me—why did another vampire have to occupy his thoughts?
Silas leaned back slightly, breaking the hug. His expression shifted to one of determination. "It looks like I need to get Shira involved in this. For now, try to stick with Rosemary or Navee. We haven't announced anything to the entire school yet; doing so would not only tarnish the academy's reputation but also throw everyone into a panic. So for the time being, let's implement a buddy system."