“That bastard, I knew his money was to good.” I muttered angrily.

The camp was still asleep, I had left those rather cute sell swords and was preparing to leave. I managed to smoothly talk one of the supply caravans to let me come along back to the nearest town. He didn’t even ask for a go-around. He was a nice man, happily married. I could always tell, since being exposed to the opposite was a daily occurrence.

To be honest, I was a little sad to leave those guys. They were cute and they were good guys. I could tell that just as well, it was the bad ones that needed more scrutiny.

I had always been roped in by those, coin can blind most people. But it does tend to solve problems as well.

“Thank you little lady, I can drop you off at the closest town. Then I’m off to Nar Woodar.” The bearded caravan driver said.

“Thanks George, I need a fresh start.”

“And I need them coins to feed the family. The taxes by the baron are rising. Life is getting expensive for us lowborn.” He complained good-naturedly.

“Times are changing and a girl needs to do what she needs to do.” I replied, smiling.

“Aye that she does.” He nodded.

I climbed the carriage and sat comfortably, my meagre possessions all wrapped up in a sack. All settled, I felt the carriage lurch into action and away we went.

Looking back at the camp, I was sorry to leave it. I had met many interesting men and a few women. Some were merely revenue streams, while others were good company.

I lamented at the idea I would not see those lads again. But I was a working girl and a girl has to do what she has to do. Or so others in my profession have said.

Leaning back against the uncomfortable wooden board, I tried to ignore the scent of rotten fruit and vegetables, trying to fall asleep. It would be a long journey back to whatever we could consider as civilisation. Despite how uncomfortable all this was, I fell asleep.

Suddenly I was awoken by the carriage jerking to an abrupt stop. I hit my head on the back of the wall and lurched forward. “George, mind the stops you lug head!” I shouted.

I received no response, that was odd. I could hear faint voices from outside the carriage. Crawling over to the opening, I took a peak. What I spied did not comfort me, a very familiar individual was beside the carriage.

I recognised him as one of Sven’s lackeys, he was talking to George. I immediately exited and found myself wrapped in a bear hug. The constricting arms were so strong, far greater than any man who had laid hands upon me.

“There you are my sweet.” Sven's voice whispered in my ear.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Frozen with fear, I cautiously looked up, noticing his smiling face and fangs. Despite my fear, I looked to George fearing the worst. “George run!” I shouted, wanting the kind old man to flee.

Instead of fleeing, the foolish carriage driver exited. Nonchalantly descending to the ground and stood opposite Sven’s lackey. The two were like a child and a giant. I braced for the gruesome end the poor man would get. Fearing for his children being fatherless.

Instead of witnessing his death, I saw him receive a small pouch. He smiled and nodded, opening the pouch to inspect the contents. I was shocked and confused and it took me a few seconds to fathom it.

“You sold me out!” I shouted angrily.

George turned, sighing heavily and looked to me with those sad eyes of his. “Sorry little lady, but as I said, I got a family to take care of.” And that was all he said, re-entering his carriage, speeding off and into the distance.

I was left stunned, held in the embrace of a man, no, a vampire. I was his prisoner and there was no one around besides those loyal to him. He could do whatever he wanted to me, no soldiers around I could go to, and no one would even care if I ended up in a ditch, absent blood.

“Don’t be mad at the old man my love. He is just a petty little mortal, trying to keep his short-lived brats alive.” Sven sneered.

I struggled against him, it was futile. “What do you want, more blood? Because we could work something out.” I pleaded, trying for a way out.

I could feel him breathing down my neck, the sensation was horrible and I could see he was holding himself back. No doubt he would tear open my neck at any time. Yet he wasn’t, which means he wanted something besides my life.

“No my sweet, I have no need for more blood. Someone else has taken that position as my regular donor.” He dismissed it as an afterthought. “I have glorious news, my love.” He leaned over so we could be eye to eye. “I have chosen you to be mine forever.” He declared with a scary grin.

“What does that mean?” I struggled again.

“It means you will be like me, my immortal mistress, bound to me for all time. You should be honoured that I would raise you so.” He proclaimed this, his blood-red eyes boring into me.

“What if I don’t want that?” I whispered, failing to control my tongue.

The moment I said that he scowled horribly. Showing fangs he threw me to the ground, hard. Down in the dirt, I lay there as he angrily retorted. “You dare!” He bellowed. “I have offered you eternity and you dare to even question such a gift!” Kicking me, I lurched back in pain.

Tears started to fall, I couldn’t help it. Coughing and wheezing, I tried to get back up but was pressed down hard. Looking at the object of my fear, I found those red eyes glaring down at me again.

“Do you want to be a whore all your life!?” He demanded.

I didn’t reply, I was so terrified that any answer I gave would get me another beating. Instead, I felt for my dagger, subtly drawing it from sight.

“You want to be passed around by men like Erik and his sell swords!? No I will save you from that fate!” He reached for me and I saw my chance.

Out of sight, I thrust my dagger into his hand, the blade met flesh and the vampire screamed in pain. With the moment seized, I quickly rose to my feet and ran as fast as I could, screaming for help.

Brutal hands wrapped around me and soon I found my own dagger at my throat. Stabbing him barely even slowed him down, I was utterly screwed.

“I like my women with a little fight, but do that again and there will be punishment.” He turned me around and I was face to face with my end.

“Please, just let me go.” I tried begging, knowing it would likely not work.

“Don’t do that my love, this is a joyous occasion.” He smiled, showing fangs.

Before I could even say a word, he sank them into my neck. The pain was far worse than the times before. I felt lightheaded almost immediately and darkness was slowly descending.

“He will not have you.” Sven whispered as drank my life.

I could barely register the world around me, only something wet pressed to my mouth. Lost in this world of darkness, I clung to whatever I could as it took me in its embrace.