Chapter 11: Poisonous Kiss
From the voices and shadows surrounding Taylor, it was clear there were more than one of them. Figures resembling hooded creatures, like the old man she saw earlier at the station, began closing in on her.
But for a moment, they stopped and started discussing among themselves, staring at the helpless, terrified Taylor below.
"We must take her to the Prince."
"But if we drink her blood, we will become immortal."
"He's right. We will gain the strongest dark power."
"I won't let you do it alone because I will be the one to take her to the Prince."
"Shut up!" Taylor screamed, covering her ears, her head ringing with the laughter and whispers of the hungry vampires.
"Who's this Prince? What are you guys talking about? Please," Taylor whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "Let me go. I'm so poor, I've never eaten anything fancy. My blood probably tastes like stale burgers. Just let me go, please! Or maybe you'd like to dine at a five-star hotel? I've got an infinity card." Taylor innocently held up a black card, spinning it in the air for the group of vampires currently deliberating.
"Hey, I told you. Let's just eat her!"
"You fools, I'll report you to the Prince!"
A fight broke out among the vampires, causing the two holding Taylor to loosen their grip momentarily. That moment was all Taylor needed.
"This is my chance to run," she thought, attempting to flee.
One vampire noticed her escape, his confusion giving her a slight advantage before he lunged at her with even greater ferocity.
"Whoosh!"
Taylor dodged with ease. But panic set in when she realized the number of vampires chasing her was overwhelming. She stumbled backward recklessly until her body collided with a towering figure.
"Wh-who are you?" Taylor stammered, panicked.
Before her stood a muscular man in a hooded jacket. His white hair matched the pallor of his skin, and lightning-like veins etched his face.
"WELCOME , Prince Louis."
In an instant, the hooded vampires bowed in reverence to the man before Taylor.
"P-Prince?"
"Is he a ghost or a human? But he looks like an ordinary man," Taylor murmured.
Meanwhile, outside the station, Liam opened the door of a sleek black sports car, his expression grim.
"What is it, Liam?" Ethan asked seriously.
"Just say it already. Your brooding face is irritating," Alex interjected lazily, cutting off Liam's response.
"It seems the dark vampires know about her… about the girl," Liam explained.
"Damn it. We need to move fast. I have a feeling she's still nearby." Ethan immediately stepped out of the car, followed closely by Alex, and the three of them disappeared into the darkness at lightning speed.
The Prince stared at Taylor without saying a word before his lips curled into a sinister smile.
"So it's true—you're the one."
"What do you mean, true?" Although the man resembled a normal human, Taylor could sense otherwise. His body felt cold, his chest emanating an unusual glow.
"Are you… a ghost?"
The man smiled. "Can you see it? The blood of Nalldlooshii within my heart? Don't you wonder about the mark above your breasts?" Louis gestured to his chest.
"Then what do you want from me?" Taylor shouted as he approached her.
"Your blood. Surrender your soul to me, and I promise you'll become the bride of the ruler of darkness." Louis's voice was deep and commanding.
Taylor shut her eyes in resignation as Louis gripped her neck and lifted her effortlessly. Slowly, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a forced kiss, draining the Mana from her body.
But then, through the forced kiss, Taylor muttered an incantation:
"Le sang est plus épais que l'eau, sois une âme protectrice."
A strange magic burst forth from Taylor, transforming her into a figure of dark light. Her red eyes glared at Louis, pulling his neck closer. The tables turned as she smirked devilishly. Instead of Louis draining her mana, it began flowing in reverse.
But just as Taylor became consumed by the power, a boomerang flew from behind, striking her directly above the heart.
Thud.
"Aaarrgh!"
Taylor's grip on Louis slackened as she clutched her chest, the wound rendering her breathless and writhing in agony. At the same time, the hooded vampires swarmed around Louis, who lay unconscious.
"This is my chance to escape," Taylor muttered, retreating and clutching her chest. She fled, leaving the horde of vampires behind.