Chapter Text
Awareness came in short bursts. For a few seconds, a minute, a few minutes, and once, even several minutes. The freedom awareness allowed me was glorious and frightful. When you were aware, you could reflect on what you were doing, what you had done. To have the veil lifted was to expose the underside of a stone where you are the crawling creature underneath. The harshness of the widened reality hurt, yet the possibilities were endless. The stone always had to go back down; against your will, you must return to the darkness. It is inevitable.
You have to wonder if it is true awareness. After all, you were always conscious of what you were doing, conscious like in a lucid dream. During those moments that might be called awareness, it was something more than consciousness: a realization of the larger consequences of the actions you were taking. Wiping clean a fogged window, but still trapped inside the room. Clarity. Clarity came in short bursts.
Before, when you had moments of clarity, you would fight the darkness returning. That sweet, seductive haze from which you had broken out. Oh, how you would struggle against returning to the darkness. Sometimes, you would start panicking. Sometimes, you would run. Of course, when that happened, they knew you had broken free of them. They spoke such calming words when this occurred. Comforting. Saccharine. A melody of whispers in your ears, delving into your mind. Bringing back that warm curtain of mist to obscure that rare clarity. And always, you fall back into the miasma with content.
Now, when you have your clarity, you think about it. A sort of self-examination. You wonder why you have these moments. You wonder if the others have the same. If they do not, why not? Are you special in some way? No. You think not. You think they all have these moments of clarity. Yet you are scared to ask them if they do. If you are wrong, they might tell your masters. If you are right, they might tell your masters...and even if they did not, what could we do? There was no escape. If you somehow did, all of your towns’ safety was forsaken.
In the end, that’s all it came down to: your towns, families, and loved ones. You all were here because of them. Your country, your people, your world, had been under attack by vicious creatures, demons from the deep. The government could not stop them. The religious could do nothing. Human efforts were useless. In our technological age, our people had forgotten these ancient horrors and how to defend themselves against them.
What was there to do to save yourselves from the slaughter that had befallen this world? Reach out for help. If gods and men could not save your lives, those who lurked in the shadows might. Not the demons that brought slaughter and terror, but others of the kind. Not mindless beasts, these ones could be reasoned with. Monsters. Vampires. Long since romanticized in mainstream culture, they now became a terrifying reality.
So it was that your towns entered into pacts with your masters. In exchange for protection, the towns would give up a portion of their young people to serve the masters. You guarded them while they slept, fed them, cleaned their lair for them, and pleasured them. You did whatever they wanted. You were their playthings. You are their playthings.
Some thralls have it worse than others. You do not need your clarity to know that. If someone were to compare you to dogs, it would be apt. Some owners keep their dogs well, and others would do well not to have dogs at all. So was the nature of your masters. There was a hierarchy to the coven; the human thralls were at the bottom, so any master you came across could order you around. Depending on which master the thralls came across, they could be treated as kindly as a loyal Lab or as harshly as a fighting Pit. Yet, no matter how they were treated, they did not mind. They were not allowed to mind. With your clarity, you realized the masters forced you all not to protest your mistreatment; it went against humanity. Without your clarity, it mattered not. Without your clarity, it was a pleasure to serve the masters in any way.
You can feel the tendrils of darkness creeping back into your mind. Your moment of clarity is ending. Perhaps you should fight it this time, just for a change of pace. The veil is closing, and you push it back. You want your clarity to last just a bit longer. You want to reflect on this life for a moment more. Think about the food they feed you. Think about how you are cattle to them. Ruminate on the losses that led to your being here. Why you? Why did they choose you?
No. Not they. Him.
The Master. The one that ruled the other masters. The Duke.
You remember it like it was just yesterday, even though it must have been months ago. The whole town was standing on the main street in front of the courthouse. It was twilight, and the masters were arriving after their daily rest. They were coming to choose their sacrifices. All of the young people were lined up. Some eyes were downcast, some gazed into the distance, and a few glared at the masters in attempted bravery until they made eye contact. You were one of the ones staring into the distance. There was a half-dead tree you found particularly entrancing.
Three masters came along with the Master. Ten of your small town's fifty-seven young people were chosen. From a distance, the Master watched while the three masters chose ten. You were not among them. Then, the three masters looked to the Master for confirmation. Their heads turned, and it caught your attention. You looked as well. Sometimes, in your clarity, you wonder if he would have chosen you if you had not looked.
But look, you did. And he looked at you. All the breath left your lungs at the sight of him. His fearsome gaze pinned you in place; their depths were so intense that it was as if he were examining your soul.
With a gesture of his hand, the masters returned one of the young women as the Master went to you. He stared into your eyes; that was the first time you felt the darkness creeping into your mind. Lightly, he took your hand and pulled you from the line as the darkness spread. You put one foot forward, and the veil overcame you.
And now the veil was returning, trying to close in on your mind. The whispers were forming like they used to. Yet not like they used to. It was midday, and the weaker masters were forced to slumber, and many other stronger masters had left to fight the demons. There was only one whisper in your mind now—the Master.
‘Come to me.’ His whisper ordered. You breathed in sharply, earning a couple of curious glances from your fellows. Moving from your resting spot, you walked out of the room towards the Master. You still had your clarity, and something told you you could refuse to come if you wished. The consequences of ignoring him were too great, however.
The darkness of the manor where the masters stayed grew as you drew closer to the Master’s quarters. This was the darkness that they carried with them wherever they went. A never-ceasing shadow that corrupted all it touched. Light never went as far in this type of darkness. By the time you reached the Master’s door, the darkness was oppressive, like a thick pitch oozing over your skin.
Before you, the door to the Master’s room opened, revealing a black that you did not believe possible. A void with no light passing the threshold. Going inside several paces, the door shut behind you.
“You called, Master,” you asked. With your clarity, there was nervousness in your voice.
“I did.” A voice replied from the depths of the void. The tone was rich, low, seductive, and tinged with an unknowably ancient accent. “Sit.”
You followed the command, taking a seat on the stone floor. A baritone chuckle resounded around you. “I forgot, you need light.”
To the right, the fireplace sprang to life with a roaring crackling fire. In front of the fire were two plush chairs. The Master sat in one, and he gestured to the other. “Sit.”
Getting up, you moved to the chair. There was a deep blush on your face, something that would never have happened without your clarity. Forcing it away as best you could, you looked submissively at the floor, waiting for instruction...or punishment. The Master was staring at you; you could feel the weight of his eyes. “Being surrounded by thralls and undead constantly, you often miss the pleasure of seeing the complexities of human emotion. Blush is my favorite expression of emotion. The way the blood fills the face gives it such life. You have a lovely blush, young one.”
You swallowed thickly. “Thank you, Master.”
“This state that you are in, you call it your 'clarity.’ Yes? We would call it strong-willed and troublesome. You have not completely broken free from our control, but you have come close. You would likely have if it were not for the fear of breaking the compact holding you back.”
You continued staring at the floor. There was nothing you could think of to say, and even if you could, there was no point. Your fate was decided. At this time, you feared only the length and pain of the punishment.
The Master leaned forward, and just as before, the movement caught your eye, forcing you to look up. The breath left your body as your eyes met his. Just as before, their garnet depths pulled you in, though this time, you did not feel the veil fall over you. The Master spoke, and you hung on to every word. “But then, I knew that when I chose you. Those with intelligence and ingenuity always have strong wills. I prefer those with spirit, with life. They are always the best companions.”
There was silence after the Master spoke. You had no clue if he was expecting you to respond in any manner. It was not your place to make assumptions. What he said may have sounded positive, but you knew that it could be a ploy. The masters were fond of tricking the thralls with praise before punishment.
The Master’s lips tightened, and he shook his head a fraction. Your eye contact broke, and you could breathe once more. “I should not have left you with the other thralls,” he said more to himself than to you. “My spawn can be cruel to them, but it seems my long absences have made them bold. I help to secure a kingdom for them to live in, and they treat the one I chose as my companion like the rest. Did they drink from you? Use your body?”
“No, Master,” you replied promptly. Even with your clarity, you were having trouble working out the meaning of what he was saying. Except for when you were chosen, the Master had not shown an interest in you. “I have not had the pleasure of giving my blood or body to the masters.”
“Good, they followed those orders, at least.” The Master looked you over, contemplation in his eyes. “I am going to release your mind fully. You must make a decision based on your own free will.”
Your eyes widened instantly, and a protest formed on your lips, but it died away as quickly as it formed. The veil was completely gone for the first time. Your thoughts were well and truly your own. You could do whatever you wished to, and you were in complete control of your actions. The first thing you did was glare at the monster across from you. He smirked, and you snarled in retaliation. “Bastard.”
The demon began to laugh, and your anger grew. You were not even sure just what you were angry with. Everyone in the village had agreed to the pact with this vampire for protection. You knew there was the risk that you would be chosen. You had been. It was a gamble that you lost. This demon had done you no harm. From the sounds of it, he had protected you. Your anger began to cool, and his laughter died.
“Allow me a proper introduction,” the vampire said, smiling, “I am the sworn blood brother of King Mathias Vernissac, the newly appointed Duke of Charil in the Kingdom of Dosneni. You may call me Lucien. And you, young one?”
“You know my name,” you replied with venom.
“I do, but for propriety’s sake.”
Though you could not think of why propriety mattered at this moment, you complied. It was almost strange saying your name. For so long, it was like you had no identity; you were merely another thrall.
He deliberately sounded out your name in his rich, deep voice. Despite yourself, you enjoyed the way he spoke your name. “Do you desire something to eat, young one?” With a snap of his fingers, a trolley rolled forward from the shadows, loaded with a selection of fruits, vegetables, and cooked meats.
“Take what you will,” he told me, gesturing toward the food. “Your simple, bland diet must leave you thirsting for more succulent treats.”
You glanced between him and food for two seconds before your innate hunger for nutrients won. Standing up and looking over the food, your mouth watering. With one more glance at the vampire, you plucked a grape from the stem and ate it. When nothing happened, you dove at the food. It all tasted delicious. You could barely stop yourself from shoving the food into your mouth. Carrots, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, watermelon, grapes, oranges, ham, chicken, roast beef. All of it made your taste buds explode with pleasure, moaning with joy every so often.
Lucien watched you all the while, a half-smile playing on his lips. Eventually, you slowed down in your ravenous consumption. Picking an apple from the trolley, you sat back down. Staring at him, you took a bite. His smile grew a fraction. “Did you enjoy that?”
Swallowing the juicy apple, you gave a small nod. “Yes.”
“Good.” His eyes roamed over you. A predator’s gaze. You had to fight against the desire to curl up in fear. “Would you like to bathe? How about some fresh clothes?”
You took another slow bite of your apple. What was he trying to do? Giving you good food, the chance to feel clean, and clothes that had not been worn for months in a row? He was treating you like a prized pig before slaughter. Of course. “You’re going to kill me, aren't you?”
For the first time, an expression other than a smug smile appeared on his face: surprise. “Whatever would give you that impression? I told you I need you to make a choice of your own free will. Giving you these comforts is simply your attempt to weigh your decision in your favor.”
“And what is this choice, then?”
“I want to be my companion. I will give you the finest food, clothes, and pleasure beyond description; in exchange, you will give me your body, your blood, and intellectual conversation. After a time, I will set you free to live out the rest of your life anywhere you choose if that is what you desire.”
You breathed in sharply. That was quite the proposition. “If you say no?”
“You will return to your previous state, and to ensure you are under our control, I will completely break your will; you will never have your clarity again.”
Compared to the other choice, there was no doubt which answer was better. Except for one factor. “And what about free will? Or must I give that up no matter what?”
“Clever, clever. I cannot allow you to have completely free rein. You could say no to nearly everything I ask of you, and no one else could give you commands. The only time I would force my will upon yours is if I need to feed and you deny me - or, of course, if you try to betray me. But you will have absolute freedom of thought and, virtually, absolute freedom of action.”
There, that was more of an equal choice. With more freedom of thought, there was the danger that you would come to despair in your circumstances. Without your clarity, with your will broken, you knew you would be happy with whatever befell you. You needed time to think - no. You knew the answer but did not want to admit it. To distract yourself, you asked another question. “Why me?”
“As I said, you are intelligent. You have spirit. You enjoy those traits in a companion.”
“There are plenty of intelligent and spirited people.”
Lucien’s smile widened, showing a hint of his fangs. “You were the person who caught my eye. Literally and figuratively. In gathering those who would serve my coven and me, there were other intelligent and spirited people whom I could have chosen. That is true. But there is a darkness in you that calls out to me. It is waiting to be freed.”
Your eyes narrowed, and your head tilted up defiantly. “You do not know me.”
“I know all I need to, young one. I have lived well over a half a millennium. The scent of your blood, that sweet vital essence coursing through you, tells me all I need to know. Blood carries life, and it sings to me the song of each mortal I meet.” His eyes bore into yours, the firelight dancing in their depths. You were aware of the rhythmic pounding of your heart, no longer singing with fear, but something else that your logical mind wanted to deny.
You looked away from his charming gaze and forced your shaking legs to stand. Turning, you gazed into the fire, your thoughts racing. Still, you did not want to admit your choice. No. You could not make the choice, or could you? It was too much, far too much. “This is too much,” you whispered aloud.
There was no sound as he moved, but you felt his presence appear behind you. He exuded no warmth, no breath, yet you could feel him standing a hair’s breadth away. His voice caressed your ear as he spoke. “Be my companion, and I guarantee your deepest, most hidden fantasies will be realized. Say the word that is caught upon your tongue. Concede to me. By your free will, say the word, and you will find the greatest power in your submission.”
He was correct. You could feel the word on your tongue. You opened your mouth and felt every movement your lips and tongue made, the very breath that passed over them as the word was spoken. That damning final word would surely send your soul to the pits of Hell. “Yes.”
Lucien did not speak, but you heard him smile. His hands drifted up your arms and across your back as he walked around you. He tilted your chin upwards with one hand, and the other pulled you flush to his form. Your eyes slowly met his. You felt the dark tendrils of his will seep into your mind. That dreaded veil did not fall over you, yet you could feel him inside your head, sweet gossamer whispers of control. Enough to bind your existence to his, but not enough to lock your will away. A spider web gently spun around your mind, your soul. It would only pull tight if you fought against him, and you had no intention to.
“Then let us seal this compact in flesh and blood,” he said softly. Your eyes remained locked together. You placed your own hands upon him, sliding them up to wrap around his neck and pressing your body further into his. The hand on your chin slid around to grasp the back of your head, fingers threading through your hair.
When your lips met, your breath was stolen. You had already surrendered, but the soft, seductive kiss bound you further to him. So long had it been since you felt pleasure that soon you were shaking from the gentle kiss. Or perhaps it was due to the strange weight in your chest. His head dipped as he kissed along your jaw and down your neck. You felt his teeth scrape against your delicate skin, causing a pleasured gasp to escape your lips.
As warmth spread across your body, as this demon you sold yourself to set your body afire, you felt that weight in your chest spread. The sensation was incomprehensible as it felt like darkness spreading through you, yet darkness should not have a feeling. Thick ichor seeped from your core, growing within your body, across your soul. Your focus was drawn back to the demon as he ran his tongue up your neck and recaptured your lips. This time, he plundered your mouth, dominating your tongue and drawing a deep moan from your throat.
His hands ran up your sides, cupping your breasts before deftly untying the front of the simple cotton dress. In one swift motion, the garment was torn down the front, leaving your bare breasts and body exposed. You released your grip on him to let the remnants of the dress slide off your shoulders and onto the floor. You were bare before him now, as thralls were provided with no undergarments.
Lucien’s cold fingers dragged across your skin, and you could feel their strength. Even the weakest of his kind could easily tear human flesh apart, and he was one of the strongest. Yet, you felt no fear now. The knowledge that such a powerful being wanted you as his companion made your flesh tremble with arousal.
His fingers rolled your hardened nipple; your hands flew to his shoulders as you moaned into his mouth. He caressed, pinched, pulled, and twisted your flesh in the most pleasurable way. Your legs grew weak. The darkness had spread across your entire body, weighing you down and mixing with the fire of his touch.
“Lucien,” you moaned with need between intoxicating kisses.
Suddenly, your back hit the covers of the soft bed. He was kneeling on the bed between your wantonly open legs. His sinfully handsome body was proudly displayed, his manhood erect and ready. You did not question the speed at which you had moved, nor when he undressed, nor was there a drop of dread in your stomach at your choice. No. There was only desire and anticipation.
“Tell me what you want, my lady. What is the price of your companionship?”
Your head swam as you considered his question. The darkness within you had clouded your head yet freed you of all inhibitions. All you could say was your deepest desires. “Pleasure,” you told him, sitting up and reaching out to him.
“Protection,” you continued. Your hand slid across his chest, feeling his strength. Another word caught on your tongue. Looking up into his eyes, you saw them glowing red through the shadows. The darkness he had awoken within you yearned for it. “Power.”
The intensity of his glowing eyes grew. “Pleasure,” he repeated, taking your hand and pressing you back against the bed, “eagerly given. Protection willingly assured.”
He leaned over you, eyes boring into your soul. “Power must be earned and honed, but I gladly grant you the ability to take it. I bestow these boons on you. In exchange, I will receive your blood, body, and company until such time that I decide to release you from this pact. Do you accept these terms of your own free will?”
There was no hesitation now. “Yes.”
This time, you saw the smile grow on his face, his sharp fangs glinting in the firelight. Triumph. His lips consumed yours. Lucien’s kisses had been passionate before, but now they were ravenous. A man who had been held back and would no longer. His hand reached between your legs. You were swollen with need. Pressing his hand against your slit he slid two fingers inside of you with ease. You groaned with desire, your hips rolling wantonly.
“Lucien,” you moaned as his fingers rubbed and thrust inside of you.
“I have barely touched you, yet here you are dripping for me. Quite the compliment, my lady,” he purred, keeping the pace of his fingers steady.
“Just pent up,” you replied, your bratty instinct slipping out. “Nothing to do with--” A moan cut you off as he sped up, his thumb rubbing your clit.
“There is that spirited nature. Still, you cannot deny the pleasure can you?”
“Do you want me too,” you asked, testing the waters, “because this is nothing compared to what I can do to myself.”
He pressed another finger inside of you, stretching your insides. “And here I would be gentle for our first coupling. Perhaps you are already in need of some punishment.”
Your body clenched in anticipation at that idea. Lucien smirked. “That’s what I thought, spirited women always want a man to put them in their proper place. Try to vex me all you want, my lady, I will see you break upon my cock every night.”
Spirited. Was that actually just him saying he wanted a brat? Well, then, no holding back. “All I hear is talk, Lucien. Prove it.”
His smirk grew into a grin. He knew you understood his desires - as he knew you would when he picked you. Pulling his fingers from your pussy he flipped you on to your knees. Lucien wrapped one hand around your throat, not choking you but holding you in place against his body. You could feel his thick member press against your lower back, it was hotter than the rest of his chilled flesh.
“Mmmm, your pulse is racing, my lady,” he purred, his fingers tightening just a bit on your vein before releasing. “You cannot wait for me to break you, is that not correct? You want to submit so just give in.”
“Ha, bite me,” you froze. “That…that isn’t…phrase changes with a vampire.”
Lucien chuckled. “Or did you just reveal your true feelings? You so readily agreed to our deal. You have been watching my spawn feed on your fellow mortals for months. Surely, you have wondered what it would be like.”
He pulled your head to the side bearing your neck. Leaning down he licked your neck sensually before placing his fangs against your raging pulse. Your pussy clenched, a whimpering moan leaving you at the sensation.
“That is what I thought,” he whispered in your ear.
Lucien kicked apart your legs and situated his cock so his length was rubbing against your pussy lip, his glands catched on your clit. Another moan left you, your hips circled teasing yourself and him. Lucien growled softly, his fingers tightening, diggering into your flesh. “Are you ready to submit, my lady?”
Any other time perhaps you would have drawn out the bratty play but you had been without sexual relief for months, you needed to be fucked. “Please, my lord, please take me. Claim me.”
“But you are already mine.” Lucien twisted you around once more, pressing you against the bed and pinning your arms to the mattress. “Tell me what you truly want.”
A blush of embarrassment entered your cheeks alongside the aroused flush. “I…I want you to break me on your cock. I want you to bite me and drink my blood…And I want you to mark me so everyone knows I am yours.”
Lucien smirked again, firelight glinting off his fangs. He positioned his cock in front of your hole, pressing against it. Slowly he slid into your aching depths. A long drawn out moan left you as your body exploded in pleasure. “See, is it not easier when you submit to your lord.”
“Yesss,” you moaned as he sank deep within you. Lucien thrust his hips leisurely, dragging his cock nearly out of you before slamming it back in. You wrapped your legs around his waist, tilting your hips up for a better angle. He cock sank deeper, hitting the spot that made you see white. You moaned, your inner walls pulsing around him.
“There we go, my lady, fall apart for me.” Lucien continued his steady thrusting, each time hitting that perfect spot within you. It didn’t take long for an orgasm to rip through you. Your legs locked around Lucien’s waist trying to hold his cock deep within you. But he was too strong, he kept pumping his hips picking up speed.
You felt his glands scraping inside of you. He was still holding you against the bed, all you could do was feel. The steady thrusting pushed you from orgasm right into the next. Your back arched off the bed, eyes rolling back with ecstasy.
Lucien slowed then ceased his thrusting. His cock still buried deep inside of you, your pussy twitching around him, Lucien bent over you. He pressed a surprising tender kiss to your lips before working his way down the column of your throat. “Bound by word, bound by flesh, bound by blood.”
His mouth was ice cold compared to your burning flesh as Lucien lined up his fangs with your raging pulse. “P-please,” you sighed, you wanted it. You wanted him to bite you, to feed on you.
The only response he gave was to sink his fangs deep into your neck. You cried out as the sharp pain shot down your neck. Yet, a moment later the pain transformed into pleasure. Different from the sexual pleasure and afterglow you had been feeling but an all encompassing floating sensation. That dark ichor that had been growing inside of you this whole time reacted, solidifying within you now that you were fully bound to Lucien.
Lucien pulled back from your neck. You could see a hint of your blood staining his lips as he sat up, finally releasing your wrists. “Absolutely delicious, my lady.”
“Kiss me,” you demanded, reaching out to pull him back down.
There was a half second of surprise on his face before he grinned. His mouth consumed yours. You tasted the sharp metallic iron of your blood on his tongue as he plunged it into your mouth. Wrapping your arms around him, you held him close. Lucien began thrusting again causing you to moan into the kiss.
Your tongue pushed back against his. You could feel the prick of his fangs as you explored his mouth. He broke the kiss and made his way down your neck. You felt him lick at his bite, and his thrusting sped up. You could tell he was reaching his end and once again the pleasure was building quickly inside of you.
“My lord, feels…so good,” you moaned, your nails digging into his back, “so close…”
“Come undone for me,” he commanded with a growl in your ear.
It was the push you needed. Your body convulsed around him once more. This time though you felt his body shudder as his seed poured into your body. He held there for a moment, his body unnaturally still not even breathing. “I knew you would do well, my lady,” he told you, kissing your ear.
He settled to your side pulling the thick duvet over you. You were exhausted. The months of hard work as a thrall, giving him your blood, the amazing sex - it all had drained your energy. You leaned against Lucien’s cool body. “Can you tell me why you really wanted me now?”
Lucien chuckled. “Vexing even now, good…Out of all the spirited and intelligent people I selected as potential companions you were the only one that continued to fight our control. Truly, I merely do enjoy mortal companions that are able to hold their own.”
You yawned. You still didn’t believe him. “That is all,” you asked even as you let your eyes finally drift shut.
“All you are getting for now, my lady. Prove yourself to me and I shall reveal more…but now rest.”