"Mmm... so fragrant. I meant the blood," the man's voice murmured, eerily close to her ear.
"You can smell it through the skin? Seems your nose is sharper than a dog's," Mu Qingyun chuckled coldly, her voice dripping with disdain.
The man chuckled in return. "You'd best not anger me. I can make you the most honored of blood slaves... or the lowest."
"There is no real difference," she replied calmly. "You had better drain me completely, or you will always have to watch your back. You never know when I might take revenge."
She forced her voice to remain steady, betraying no fear. She could not afford to be weak now. She had no desire to become a blood slave, but if she truly became one, she would do everything in her power to kill this bastard who was pressing down on her.
Besides, being a blood slave was not permanent. As long as she found Qingsu before the blood reached her heart, she might still become human again.
"Oh? I would love to see you try." He was utterly unfazed by her veiled threats.
Right now, she was no more than a fish on a chopping block—any resistance was futile.
His sharp fangs pierced her tender skin, and warm blood flowed into his mouth, staining his lips red.
"So sweet," he murmured, then took a few more greedy sips. As he did, he bit his own tongue, letting his blood mix with hers.
"The first embrace is complete. From now on, you are my blood slave. I grant you eternal life, and you belong to me forever."
A cold sensation swept across her neck, and the wound healed instantly.
"Now, open your eyes."
With those words, the blindfold was yanked off.
The dim yellow light was not blinding. She blinked a few times to adjust before fully opening her eyes.
Turning her head, she saw a strikingly handsome man casually wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, smiling faintly at her.
She had only caught a glimpse of him before, but now she finally saw his true appearance.
Though this bastard had turned her into a blood slave, she had to admit—he was stunningly beautiful, a beauty that transcended humanity, something that should not exist in this world.
His long black hair was tied loosely with a cord, his features as sharp and refined as a sculpture. His skin was smooth and pale, and the crimson stain on his slender fingertips made him look even more bewitching.
"My blood slave... you are far too calm." His lips curled slightly. "My name is Dracula Ancestra Yin. I am Prince Ancestra. But none of that matters to you."
He paused, then reached out to touch her cheek, smiling enchantingly. "Just call me Master."
Hah.
Mu Qingyun suppressed her disgust and turned her head away without responding.
Yin raised a brow with mild interest, then undid the metal restraints on her wrists and ankles.
"Let me warn you in advance—every day, you'll need my 'gift.' Do not even think about harming or killing me, or you'll die in the most agonizing way possible."
Mu Qingyun remained silent. Freed at last, she stood up and rubbed her sore wrists.
"Good. Now call me 'Master,' and I'll give you medicine to recover your strength," Yin said with a smirk, stepping back and lounging casually in a chair.
Most vampire princes in the Dracula family kept several blood slaves. He had always found the practice distasteful—he loathed humans.
If not for humans, vampires would not be forced to hide and flee. Even after strictly following the rules of seclusion and feeding only on animals, they were still hunted down by humans and beastkin alike.
Because they feared vampires. They feared that one day, vampires would discover that human blood was far more delicious. So, before that day could come, humans sought to exterminate them all.
"Master?"
Mu Qingyun glanced at him from under her lashes. "Do you think you deserve such a title?"
Tch. Still so defiant.
Yin chuckled softly, his face unreadable. From his waist, he drew a long whip laced with barbs.
The whip cracked through the air with a terrifying snap.
Mu Qingyun remained expressionless.
"I will give you one last chance. Call me Master," he said, his red eyes fixed on her, unreadable emotions flickering within.
"Then I will say it one more time. You do not deserve it."
The moment the words left her lips, Yin's arm whipped forward, and the barbed lash struck her with brutal force. Her clothing tore open, and a bloody wound appeared on her arm.
"Beg for mercy," Yin said with a widening smile, a twisted glint of excitement in his eyes.
Pervert.
Mu Qingyun narrowed her eyes but said nothing. She watched the whip descend again and used all her strength to twist away—barely dodging the blow.
The whip lashed out a second time, this time landing squarely on her back.
"Mm—" She bit back a groan, clenching her teeth to keep from crying out.
"There's no need for this. As I said, being my blood slave is not shameful." Yin tilted his head, watching her thoughtfully.
"Enough nonsense. Just tell me what you really want," she said coldly, pressing a hand to her mouth to swallow the blood rising in her throat.
She still did not know why this Dracula-whatever Yin had not killed her and instead made her a blood slave.
But one thing was certain—there had to be a reason. She had already begun to suspect what it might be.
Oh?
Yin raised a brow, surprised. He had not expected this human woman to be both strong-willed and clever.
"Come with me."
He put the whip away, stood, and walked toward the door. After a few steps, he paused and glanced back at her with a frown.
"Your clothes are hideous. Wait here."
He walked over to a wardrobe, pulled out a garment, and tossed it to her.
"There is a device on the table for healing your wounds. Change and come out when you're done. I will be waiting outside."
He gave her a sidelong glance before leaving the room quickly.
Mu Qingyun finally looked around. She had not had time to examine the place before. Now she saw that it was a small room—one wall lined with a wardrobe, the other with various torture devices.
A room clearly designed for someone with disturbing tastes.
Definitely a pervert.
She treated her wounds, then picked up the outfit he had tossed her.
As she unfolded it, her brows furrowed.
It was, by modern standards, a gown.
Whatever.
Gritting her teeth, she changed out of her own clothes and put on the dress.
Creaaak—
The door opened. Mu Qingyun stepped out, her eyes cold.
Her delicate face, long wavy hair cascading down her back, and the strapless white gown embroidered with rose patterns all highlighted her slender waist and beauty.
"My blood slave," Yin said, eyes twinkling with amusement. "All vampires are beautiful by nature. After my first embrace, your skin will become fairer and smoother, and your hair will grow faster too."
He leaned in, his voice a whisper beside her ear.