Chapter 10
The bloodsucker stabbed in the abdomen, at least would not interfere with the functioning of vital organs ‒ incompatible with humans. For Gianna, such a gash could at times heal itself. Drawing from the tale of her relative, who perished from the cursed athame's strike, it was treated with holy water. Kurtis appeared foolish not to have considered this.
"How's your condition?" Fleur asked, expressing concern for Gianna's condition as she was taken to her room.
"There was a rush of adrenaline during the incident, but it's subsided now," Gianna responded, grappling to rise from her bed. "It's quite painful."
They exchange glances. Gianna still touched her upper stomach, feeling the bandages. She stood up and removed her clothes.
"I hate dressing in bandages and I can't move," Gianna said irritably.
Fleur walked over to collect her torn clothes. She returned with another, more decent garment. Suddenly, Gianna groaned as she stretched her body while donning a black robe. That eminent vampire lady merely released a breath.
"Can't I use strong language? This pain is tempting me to utter some choice words. After all, it's only the two of us here," Gianna quipped.
Her speech had always been blunt before she assumed the role of a clan leader. Yet, as the lady took on the leadership of the highest clan, it rendered her even more authoritarian, insisting that everything had to conform to a certain standard.
Gianna found it nonsensical since they were blood-sucking monsters‒vampires. It seemed odd that they had to adopt the airs of nobility from a powerful great ruler's kingdom. Many argued that vampires transformed into dignified creatures to coexist with the human race, hence imitation. As a matter, their true manifestation was utterly terrible.
"You talk too much, don't even try to remove the bandage. I'm not negotiating with you," Fleur ordered.
"How long? This scratch isn't that bad anyway, is it?" Gianna questioned.
Fleur huffed in annoyance. "It is dangerous if you once again fight at full strength."
"Once? The last time I remember, I fought without even moving my hands."
"Never mind, just do as I tell you." As she folded clothes that had been torn apart, Fleur peeked at Gianna, who was attempting to fasten her brooch. She furrowed, revealing a difficulty she didn't want to show.
Fleur helped afterward by brushing Gianna's pale hand away. Their faces were so close.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome, my Lady."
Gianna stepped back and walked out of the door. Before she left, suddenly remembered something about athame.
"Where's that thing?"
"It's saved, I put it in the Vormelker Clan's stronghold."
"I won't tolerate another attempt to kill, especially not with that cursed thing."
Her words convey a warning, asserting Gianna's unwillingness to endure another life-threatening attempt. Specifically addressing the method employed in the prior endeavor, she vehemently disapproves of the use of a cursed object.
Unexpectedly, the wind blew from nowhere. Fleur's entire body involuntarily froze as she stared at Gianna's eyes, which transformed into simmering red, eventually forming vertical slits. The surroundings plunged into pitch-black darkness, devoid of any light. This menacing display of power made other monsters desire to eliminate this rogue possessing terrifying abilities.
"Thank me again, because I gave my blood."
"That won't change my situation."
"You think so?"
"Your blood is hopeless."
Fleur chuckled, tilting her head in thought. Then, she shook her head.
"No, my Lady. My blood is not hopeless. You're just too emotional; don't take your words for granted."
Fleur responds by challenging Gianna's perspective, stating that her blood is not hopeless and suggesting that Gianna might be too emotional to objectively assess its potential benefits. Fleur encourages Gianna not to dismiss her words outright.
As Gianna approached, she strangled Fleur without hesitation. Unfazed by the grip, Fleur observed that Gianna expended her energy after she had just consumed fresh blood.
"Stop, Gianna! Why don't you do this to Kurtis?" Fleur pleaded.
The red eyes continued simmering, and the brilliant white sclera turned black. Long, pointed fangs surfaced at an inopportune time. Fleur was on the edge, in dire need of help. Veins had run down her neck, and the grasp of those pallid, emaciated fingers was anything but trivial. Long black nails protruded, ready to stab into the skin. Gianna lingered in an unconscious state.
Fleur's body was nearly elevated, her feet no longer touching the tiled floor. Both hands tried to grip the choke, but there was no strength. Fleur wouldn't let go; she knew Gianna wouldn't loosen her grip until it was time for her to come back to her senses. Yet, she attempted to ease it once more.
Unfortunately, it failed.
"Gianna, wake up!" Fleur snapped, her head was ringing, ears seemingly hearing nothing. Her vision became void. Simultaneously, Fleur's body fell with a thud to the floor but managed to escape from the monster's grip. She cradled her neck, gasping for air. Fleur observed Gianna looking at her with disdain as she fell right on top of her.
"That athame still appears to bear traces of blood from her grandfather."
***
Kurtis, upon returning to the base, resumed his human form, refined and solid. The vampire girls immediately approached that dashing vampire, eager not to miss the chance to engage with such a strikingly handsome individual. Vampires possess the ability to shape-shift in any desired manner, even mimicking others.
These girls had never glimpsed Kurtis' true form; they were servants and once lifeless mortals, resurrected by Kurtis to serve him. He cast a gaze at the particularly beautiful vampire girl, accustomed to satisfying his desires exclusively. Taking her by the arm, he whispered,
"Summon the clan masters. Inform them that Lord Kurtis bears ominous tidings for the Rathenau Clan."
"All the clan masters? Including those outside?" the vampire girl interrupted.
"Yes. Do as I say, now!"
Intimidated by his threatening voice, the girl hastened away with a message from her master.
"Gianna, I know you're not dead. Not yet. But I will orchestrate a betrayal as if they turned against you."
Kurtis grinned and spoke to himself, scheming a sinister plan to undermine Gianna's rule.
Both eyes were wide open, their vivid red hue revealing her critical state. However, her condition had returned to normal. Gianna awoke not in her room but in a moist, tightly enclosed space shrouded in mistiness. Her alert gaze scanned the surroundings.
Aware that this wasn't her clan's stronghold, Gianna recognized the dreamlike quality of the experience, a recurring scenario during her unconscious moments.
The sound of heavy boots reverberated from behind the thick fog. Gianna turned, revealing a figure with white hair firmly clutching a massive axe.