Chapter Text
I’m hooked on all these feelings.
I know exactly what I’m feelin.
This love asylum, like an island, just me and you.
Spent the night, you got me high, oh what did you do?
Sylvia was tidying up the kitchen in the castle, humming to herself as she dusted the old untouched cabinets. Alcina had asked her to tidy up the kitchen this morning. While the Lady and her daughters didn’t need to eat human food to sustain themselves however, Sylvia was still mortal unlike the rest of them. So Alcina had asked her to clean up the kitchens so her human would have somewhere to prepare meals.
Cleaning took way longer than expected, the sun was already going down, the evening light reflecting off the marble countertops.
One of the problems that took up her entire day was trying to get rid of the rats that had taken up residence in the cupboards. While she did have Midnight; her black cat. He could only catch so many of the pests at a time.
It took up the whole day, Sylvia trying to wrangle up the countless amounts of rats that were hiding. Amongst the bags of dried rice and grains, she knew they were concentrated in this one area of the kitchen; the bottom-most cupboards and inside the pantry.
She saw the cat chase an offending rat down the hall, trying to make a quick escape. A brief squeal was heard before it was quickly silenced.
Midnight, previously being a street cat was adept at hunting, being able to catch the majority of the rats. However many still remained, hidden within the pantry and bottom cupboards.
Sylvia wondered if this process would’ve gone faster with one of the daughters here. Perhaps Bela could've helped her handle the rats by now. She puffed in exhaustion, grabbing a glass of water and gulping it down.
The aforementioned Daughters along with Alcina were occupied for the entirety of the day. All of them hanging out down in the cellar, while Sylvia was tasked with cleaning the kitchen.
———-
When Sylvia asked where her lover was headed for the majority of the day, Alcina hesitated. Glowing eyes appraised, Sylvia smaller form before she said,
“Some intruders have been lurking around the castle. We are gathering some information before dispatching the threat.”
She waved a black gloved hand in human girl’s general direction. Brushing off what she said with a slight edge in her tone.
“Just the usual rule, don’t go down into the cellar.”
A pout was given in return, Sylvia realizing that Alcina would be too occupied for the remainder of the day. She crossed her arms, puffing out her cheeks slightly.
Alcina’s honeyed eyes softened at the display, gloved hands tipped up Sylvia’s chin; with a small chuckle at Sylvia’s defiance. Forcing the younger girl to meet Alcina’s hypnotizing gaze. Golden eyes flickers downwards, appraising the silver collar on Sylvia’s neck before adding,
“It’s never a pretty sight down there, little mouse. I don’t want you getting scared of the big bad wolves, now.” Her tone soft, with a gentle reprimand. Gloves fingers tapping her nose gently, with a teasing flicker.
Sylvia nodded slightly, green eyes reflecting her sincerity. She raised both hands, fingers fluttering with a “grabby hands” motion. Reaching out; prompting the taller Vampire to lower her massive form to Sylvia’s smaller height.
Soft lips fluttered over Alcina’s forehead before Sylvia pressed her lips down in a heartfelt kiss on the larger woman’s face.
Alcina sighed gently as her eyes fluttered at the heartfelt sensation. Her large fingers crept up the base of Sylvia’s soft neck before she forcefully pulled the smaller girl’s face in.
Their lips crashing together in a brief heated kiss. Heat burning behind the notion, as long slender fingers wandered up to grip tighter, around the back of Sylvia’s head. Pulling her deeper into the kiss as their tongues wrapped around each other.
Sylvia gasped, her eyelashes fluttering rapidly in flushing arousal, as Alcina slowly pulled away from their heated moment.
Alcina rose back to her full towering height. She gently grabbed Sylvia's smaller hands, into her large ones. Gently lifting them so their palms faced each other’s, a thumb rubbing the back of Sylvia’s hands in a comforting motion.
“We will be done around dinner time; so make sure you take care of yourself while we are occupied.” the Vampire husked.
Her golden eyes returned back to an slight eerie glow, as she gently tilted Sylvia’s chin up once more. Blood red lips still perfect after the heated kiss the both of them shared.
“If anything goes wrong, grab Midnight and lock yourself in my office.” She hesitated, her lips opening before she shakily breathed out. Blood red lips parting briefly as she added,
“If it gets really bad, and they manage to find the castle first, you are allowed in the cellar. But only if you know they will get to you, before I do. Understand little one?”
Another nod from Sylvia. She tilted her head in slight confusion at the thought of a threat. It leaked into those forest green eyes, sparkling with a slight curiosity at the situation. Usually Alcina had these hunters handled on her own, without even having to warn Sylvia about potential danger; and needing to hide from a possible threat.
Golden eyes pierced through Sylvia’s emerald ones as she pinned her with a stern glare. Peeved at having to better explain the situation. When her little pet shouldn’t ever have to worry about such trivial matters,
“We caught one of those hunters yesterday, but Bela spotted a bigger group a little ways off while scouting. We need more information about the situation before I can decide what to do.”
Alcina gaze clouded over, deep in thought over what actions she needed to make. She leaned down and pressed her soft lips into Sylvia’s forehead again in one last kiss.
“I just want to make sure that you know how to keep yourself safe, little pet. Remember, you can always rely on the shadows.”
“I understand.” Sylvia confirmed.
“Good girl.” Alcina stood, large fingers brushing lightly over Sylvia’s collar, flicking the bell and it gave a jingle in reply. Golden eyes swept over Sylvia’s small form possessively glinting with a known hunger. The human girl’s cheeks flushed a light pink at the Vampire’s scrutinization. Alcina gave a small chuckle before backing off, fingers running over the wide brim of her hat.
She turned, flowing white dress dancing along her perfect form, before she left. Her towering figure ducking through the entry way of the kitchen before she dissipated into the darkness of the hallway.
————-
Sylvia puffed as she finished sweeping the majority of the spilled grains that had littered the floor. A daring escape by one of the residing rats had rice grains flying all over the floors.
She dumped the spilled grains into a nearby trash can. Huffing relief, Sylvia wondered where Midnight had disappeared too after pursuing the offending creature down the hall.
CRASH!
The sound of a smashed window had Sylvia’s form stiffening immediately. Everyone that currently lived in the castle was occupied in the cellar.
“Alright lads, hoist yer selves in. We have some monsters to hunt.”
The rough country voice of a man announced itself in the next room. Along with multiple thudding boots and the cocking of multiple shotguns turning off their safety.
Sylvia's heart began to palpitate as she paled, the color draining from her face. She didn’t realize that the Hunters have been able to get close enough. That they would just recklessly barge their way into the castle, especially tonight.
But as she heard more clamoring of multiple bodies hoisting themselves into the room next door she began to panic. There had to be at least eight of them, or maybe more, just on the other side of that door.
This group of hunters had to be the largest one yet that has infiltrated the Dimitrescu castle, at least within the few years Sylvia has lived here.
Most groups, consisting between three to four hunters max, were quickly dispatched, not even getting a glance at the interior of the castle. Before they were dragged into the bloody cellar. Never to see the light of day until the Lady was finished with them.
But now they were here, in the bloody fucking castle, in the room right across from Sylvia. Multiple hunters with possibly, multiple, fully loaded shotguns ready to unload themselves in the next thing that moved, living or dead.
Midnight appeared from the darkness of the opposite open door, the shadows of the hallway flickering along with him as he ran in a hurried gait. Obviously spooked by the unfamiliar noises in the castle. He immediately jumped into Sylvia’s shoulders. His soft and furry form curling around Sylvia’s shoulders as he clung to her fearfully.
What was she supposed to do? If she ran the Hunter’s would hear her first, due to the jingle of that damn silver collar around her neck.
Curse Alcina’s overly possessive tendencies.
She couldn’t risk moving frantically, to escape, to get away from the potentially dangerous situation, that was escalating.
Sylvia stared for a long moment at the door, Midnight had just come through, hesitating. Her muscles locking up in fear. She spotted flickering blackness just in the corner of the hallway. She suddenly remembered the words Alcina had entrusted her with.
“Remember, you can always rely on the shadows.”
She made her move, silently placing the broom down and inching towards the open door, holding the bell on her collar to help muffle the sound. The shadows flickering towards her in response. She could see those grasping tendrils reaching for her terrified form. Repressing her shiver of terror as she stared at the shadowy entities entangling the corners of the hallway, Sylvia continued to slowly inch her way over.
The solid thud of boots approaching, spooked her. Her heart began racing as she inched her way faster towards the shadows in hopes of escaping the Hunters intrusion of the castle. Feet tripping over themselves in an effort to move faster, but with effort to remain extremely quiet.
The door busted open as multiple burly forms forced their way into the kitchens. She spotted at least three shotguns in the hands of the Hunters. The rest had variations of crossbows, with stakes, and large machetes.
“Hey! I see one!” A rough voice shouted in the direction of Sylvia’s creeping form.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up, dread fueling a burst of energy into the balls of her feet. She bursted into a frantic run towards the dark hallway. Bell forgotten, it freely tinkled and jingled an infuriating tune as Sylvia made a frantic dash down the halls.
BANG!
The crack of a shotgun echoed throughout the castle. The bullet traveled at an insane speed, barely missing Sylvia as it whipped past her hair, taking off a few strands with the force of it. The impact of the bullet landing just past Sylvia, sprinkling her with wooden shards.
She jolted at the realization that they could see her, running even faster, her vision narrowing towards those shadowy tentacles reaching out for her. Just past the corner of the winding hallway. She was so close, the shadows would protect her...
WHOOSH .
The unmistakable click of a crossbow unloading reached Sylvia’s ears. Something heavy flew through the air with the speed of an arrow.
The squelching sound of flesh being pierced broke through air as a Hunter hit his mark.
She let out an ear piercing scream .
A wooden stake, the size of an arrow, had embedded itself in her calf. She tumbled with the force of it. Groaning before the rushing adrenaline urged her to stand up. She ignored the flare of pain that burned up her calf, the pain rattling around her skull.
“I got it! Right in the leg, it can’t run from us now!” The rough voices returned, right on her heels.
Sylvia scrambled forwards, fingers reaching for those writhing dark tendrils in utter desperation for her life. She could feel Midnight’s sharp claws digging into her bare shoulders. His fur puffed up in pure terror as it curled tightly around Sylvia’s neck.
She felt rough hands grabbing for her legs. Midnight hissed fiercely at the offending hand, taking a swipe with sharp claws nicking the skin.
The grasping hand flinched away.
Multiple figures filled the edges of Sylvia vision. As she desperately crawled her way closer and closer. Her hands barely brushing the mass of shadows.
“Hurry! Grab it’s legs, so it can’t escape!”
Sylvia saw many rough hands reaching for her all at once. She screamed in terror, kicking her feet in desperation. Even as the hot pain of her wounded leg stabbed and throbbed through her brain. Begging her to stop moving with the hot intensity of burning lava, ringing in her skull over, and over.
She managed to move a little bit closer to the shadowy mass, it licked at her fingers.
Hearing the thump of boots and the clatter of shotguns smacking against bodies of the Hunters. They frantically attempted to reach for her crimson coated legs, a desperate attempt to capture her.
Just before they made contact with her legs, the writhing shadows snapped themselves forward.
Sylvia’s small and bleeding form was swallowed up completely by the shadows. Countless dark tendrils curling around her arms, face, and torso dragging her under.
———
Utter cold washed over Sylvia form. She gasped, choking, it felt like she was underwater. Her ears were filled with the sounds of her frantic struggling, but everything seemed muted and dulled.
Thoughts flashed around in her head, rattling her skull as she battled the darkness.
Where was Midnight? Did he escape too? Was he here with her? Where was she?
She forced her eyes open, holding her breath she swam forwards in the pooling darkness. It felt like she was in the darkest lake, drowning, unable to see a single flicker of light in front of her.
Countless multiple eyes suddenly surrounded her. Golden, piercing and familiar.
She stopped, forest-green eyes looking around in terror, trying to make sense of it all.
Where the fuck was she? Was she inside the shadows? Why were there so many eyes?
Then, she heard Alcina’s voice in her head.
“Sylvia? Are you alright?”
Sylvia opened her mouth to answer, but instead choked on the pitch black darkness surrounding her. It pooled in her mouth, filling it with a strange bitterness. She struggled, her arms flailing around as she tried to make sense of everything that was happening around her.
“What in the living fuck is that thing?” Horror coated the rough voice that echoed from behind her. Multiple shouts of terror followed those words.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The sound of a shotgun went off multiple times, shooting into the writhing mass of darkness. It did nothing, the mass of darkness swallowing the form of a small bloodied girl, whole, without flinching.
“Just grab the legs, I think I can still see them!” Catch it before it escapes!”
Calloused hands reached for her soft legs, the wooden stake still embedded deeply in her calf. Blood pooled, sticky and warm across her legs. Sylvia screamed in terror.
A portal opened before her eyes. Her body was sucked in deeper. The sensation was warm but sticky, it caressed her form like a black tight bodysuit. Although the destination presented in front of her eyes was unknown. It was just an endless pooling red.
She could barely keep her eyes open as she swam towards it, frantically failing for an escape within the choking blackness.
Those countless honeyed eyes surrounding her, all switched focused on her leg, taking in the gruesome sight of a giant stake embedded within her soft flesh. Blood dripping, her leg pale and sickly from the lack of blood. Fresh crimson staining Sylvia’s white skirt in leeching patterns.
All those golden pupils narrowed into dangerous slits as they flashed into a dangerous crimson. Flickering within Sylvia’ line of vision, before she closed her eyes, her mortal body slowly giving up on her.
A loud roar made its way up from the bottom floor, the cellar.
Sylvia’s body was sucked down into the portal. Her eyes closing as the sensation weighed heavy all around her brain. Everything was too much..
She blacked out.
————-
Sylvia groaned as she felt her body encompassed by something warm and sticky. She was falling, but slowly her body intertwined by shadowy tentacles.
She felt like she was sliding through honey, warm and sticky. Closing her eyes she dropped from the mass of shadows; blood leaked from her limp form, dripping off of her body, like a hatching insect she was dropped down.
CRASH
Landing roughly onto a barrel. It shattered beneath her weight, with a deafening noise she was flopped onto her stomach as the shadows finally released her from its choking, sickly grip.
She groaned as her body slowly gave up on her. Her eyes slowly closing on themselves, the pain numbing into a hot dense heat, flushing throughout her body.
She felt more stickiness beneath her drenching the entire front of her arms and legs. Blood, red and sticky with a foul smell, pooled beneath her, leaking out of the crushed barrel.
Something suddenly flopped in front of her fading vision, long and with a familiar shape. However it was utterly pale, lacking any color.
Her eyes snapped open at the familiar shape.
It was a human arm .
The faint sound of groaning reached her ears. Her heart beginning to race again, as her eyes forcefully trailed up, thoughts flooding in her head as she realized what else lurked within the barrel she had crushed.
A greyed human corpse.
It was still weakly groaning.
She didn’t have the energy to scream, blacking out.
Her beaten and bruised body laying amongst a sickly puddle of blood. It pooled in a dense thickness as the crushed barrel was unable to hold any of the liquid. Her unconscious body laid there, soaking in a river of crimson liquid.
——————
“Wrong answer~” Alcina singsonged, plump red lips curling into a sickly grin.
A sickening snap echoed throughout the dungeon as Daniela broke a finger. Her smile echoing the one painted on her Mother’s lips. She cackled in delight at the horrific scream that leeched its way out of the Man’s lips.
“You get, hmm , looks like 4 more chances to tell me where your camp is located.” Alcina gently reminded, looking at the last remaining unbroken fingers. The maniac sickly sweet smile on her lips betraying her tone.
A man was suspended by his neck, thick chains attached to the celling as he uselessly hung. Blood stained his face and clothes, some of it so old, it began to crust and crack along his eyes and cheeks.
His arms were stretched out to his sides, cuffs located in each of his wrists. More chains shackled his hands into a T-pose.
The fingers on his hands were in worse condition, snapped into odd deformities. So much so, that the bones poked through the flesh in a gruesome display. Blood coating the tips, it dripped in thick rivulets; staining the floor, forming in deep pools along the cracks lining the floor.
The walls were covered in blood, the foul iron smell coating the entirety of the dungeon, along with the scent of rotting flesh. Next to the man’s suspended form was a medical cart. The tools were absolutely drenched in fresh and old crimson stains. Rusted pairs of pliers, wrenches, and power drills were located amongst other tools on the little cart.
“I’ll-never-g-give you m-m-on-ste-rs, an-n-y-thing.” The suspended man rasped. His vision was blurring at the edges. Pain leaked across his face as he tried to keep his composure amongst monsters.
“Now, now, that doesn’t not sound like the location of a camp at all~” That playful tone returned.
Long slender fingers motioned in Daniela’s direction and it was returned with a wider grin, full fangs showing in absolute delight.
Another snap . Another scream.
Fresh blood spurted across the youngest sisters face, as she licked it off her lips in delight. Her light cackles, reflected the psychotic glint in eyes as she took absolute delight in torturing the poor man in her grasp.
Alcina felt her shadows whispering against her ears, licking their way across her skin like flickering flames. Her golden eyes clouded over, turning milky as she took in the messages they had for her.
Her mind was consumed with flashes of visions. Creeping darkness leaking off her form as she stared into the black abyss.
———
Her lover running, blood coating her legs as she screamed.
Men entering through a smashed window.
Rough hands clamoring and grasping for Sylvia’s small form, before her shadows consumed her instead.
Sylvia choking on the inky blackness that consumed her. Unable to take a breath, unable to speak.
Before she was released, landing in a sea of undistinguished crimson.
———
Alcina’s towering form took a step back from the scene. Shadows flickering and pulsing with sudden unchecked rage. Three other honeyed eyes glanced at her in brief worry.
“Mother?” Bela was the first to question what was wrong, echoed by Cassandra and Daniela.
Her eyes bled into crimson; thick blue veins creeping over the edges of her main eyes. Before three more slits extended in the center of her forehead. They opened revealing alien like pupils, that pulsed and flickered. Each one glowing a sickly red with untold power.
She let out a loud roar. Sharp fangs fully extending, cutting past her lips. Thick shadows clouded over her skin, almost merging with her veins as they bled out from her gigantic form in a thick cloud of sickly blackness. The talons hidden in her hands fully extending as she flexed her hands with murderous intent.
“Finish this waste of flesh up, girls. We have more important matters to attend too.” The guttural growl spurring the three daughters into action.
Daniela gave a brief nod in conformation. A sick grin forming on her face as she shifted into a mass of insects, surrounding the suspended broken man. Countless bugs began to poke at his skin. Stabbing his flesh over and over as the mosquitos began to drain his blood, taking in their fill.
Cassandra, also joined in; dissolving into a mass of large multi-colored flying beetles. They swarmed the man’s legs and feet eating the flesh straight off his bones.
He screamed as he was consumed with burning pain, his body thrashing as he was literally eaten alive. Countless crawling legs and fluttering wings consumed his form. The squelching of flesh filled the dungeon, echoing off the iron bars.
“What’s wrong Mother?” Bela summoned up the guts to question why their plans have abruptly changed.
“Hunters have infiltrated the castle, I need all of you to capture them, alive and preferably, screaming.” Her Mother’s voice an almost unintelligible growl, deep within her chest. Echoing across the dungeon with a deafening ring.
“Is Sylvia okay?” Daniela asked, her eyes reflecting heartfelt concern for the human residing within the castle.
Five clouded crimson irises flickered up to meet Daniela’s concerned gaze.
“I-I don’t know...” Alcina’s voice nearly broke. She sucked in a choked breath, closing her eyes in fear.
Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela each exchanged glances, concern sparking through each pair of golden eyes. An unspoken question flitted in between them.
“She escaped, but she’s badly wounded. She managed to teleport through my shadows, but I have no idea how she ended up in the bloody winery. She should’ve appeared right next to me.” Alcina, explained.
Her two Crimson eyes glanced at each of her daughters. The pair of three on her forehead flicking rapidly as she unconsciously searched for her little human within the shadows of her mind.
She dismissed her daughters off with a wave of her hand. Brushing off their concern she added,
“I’ll find her, just take care of the intruders. Be sure to stick together, theres eight of them total. Don’t rush in alone.” Five blood-red eyes pinned each one of her prized daughters with a paralyzing glare.
“She’ll be okay.” Alcina breathed, mostly to herself. But also to help reassure her Daughters that there was nothing else to worry about, other than the intruders lurking inside the castle.
The Girls dissipated in a flash, forming a gigantic mass of insects, they stuck close together in synchronization. Off to capture each and every hunter that had infiltrated their home.
Those hunters had made a major mistake going after her personal pet first. Those damn hunters would pay, preferably with their blood, and flesh.
————
Alcina growled, her many eyes flickering rapidly as she looked for Sylvia within the shadows of her mind. Sickly blue veins creeping past the edges of the eyes on her forehead, as she enhanced her vision, in all five of her eyes.
She waved a clawed hand in the air, summoning a mass of shadows. They coalesced in a thick cloud, whispering into her ears. Flickering like living flames; across her skin, she searched for her lost pet, unconscious and hurt, somewhere within the castle.
The Lady of the Castle wandered further into the dark, haunting dungeon. Blood dripped from loose rocks as she made her way down blood coated walls. Heels clicking, stepping in crimson coated puddles, but the lady didn’t flinch as they splashed and her ankles.
Multiple searching eyes pierced through stone walls as she easily maneuvered her way through the countless dark corridors. Shadows whispering across her flesh as they guided her ever so closer to her unconscious lover.
————
Sylvia awoke to the whispers of shadows across her skin. They flitter gently and smoothly down her forearms. Her eyes fluttered awake, groaning at the immense throbbing in her head. It pounded like a drum, unrelenting thumping, rattling around in her skull.
The pain in her legs had dulled to a gentle throb. She felt something warm and sticky wrapping around the fresh wound.
Looking down at her lower half, she gently gasped at what she found. A thick writhing shadowy tendril has wrapped itself around the wound on her leg, tightly applying pressure to help stop the bleeding.
She reached a hand down to touch it. It was warm. Pulling her fingers back it clung to her fingers, loose strands of sticky, inky blackness.They dripped slowly on the floor like globules of thick honey. Before the droplets sucked themselves back into the mass around her legs.
She tore her gaze away from the black tendril and green eyes widened at the scene in front of her.
She was in the winery cellar, she could see barrels upon barrels stacked in flimsy wooden racks, tiled on their sides. Each barrel was marked with a specific brand, the silver of the marked plates reflecting in the dim torchlight behind her.
She narrowed her eyes, trying to read the words located on the barrel.
Sanguis Virginis.
The label read. Sylvia felt her face pale more than she thought was possible the blood draining from her cheeks. Heartbeat picking up a slight pace as she read each and every label on the barrels stacked up on the rack.
Maiden’s Blood.
Her eyes flickered to the rest of the labels.
Sanguis Virginis.
Sanguis Virginis.
Sanguis Virginis.
She forcefully tore her gaze away in utter shock, thoughts racing in her head, flooding her ears with white noise.
“Maiden’s Blood, but... I’m also a Virgin...” Sylvia breathed.
Was...was Alcina planning to harvest me this whole time? When? When she got bored of me, being her little pet? When her daughters were finally fed up and finished with her irritating human?
Her thoughts raced so loud in her throbbing head, each voice overlapping the other. The fear overwhelmed her and she clutched her rattling skull, whimpering at the sensations.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
The dripping of liquids echoed through her silence. She shot her head up as she remembered,
The thick pooling blood in the barrel, the groaning, pale, undead corpse.
Her eyes flitted a few paces away from her, as she remembered what had occurred before she passed out.
There it was just a few feet away from her helpless form, A completely limp body, dead grey. As it sat in its own thick pool of blood.
She let out another ear piercing scream.
———