Talia's pov

Four days later, the tailor came with a one-of-a-kind velvet red dress, exactly made for me. When I was trying the dress on, unwillingly, I came to the realization of how beautifully I looked wearing it.

I didn't like myself much while I was a human. For numerous reasons, I questioned my appearance. Mostly because I was never adopted by anyone. I despised my hair, my face, and my body.

But now, as an immortal, I see myself completely in a different light. My long golden hair, pinkish cheeks, and round hazel eyes looked enhanced in a way that probably only I could comprehend.

A day later, Elvira approved of the costume-made dress. I still wasn't informed why I had to wear them. What was the occasion for it?

Despite me being her prisoner, she clothed me in fine clothes and shoes of the highest quality. I suppose it's thanks to her reputation. Nobody knows she kidnapped me and made me immortal. They only know I'm her 'great friend' who came to live here. I'm curious what they all think of her, and where are the king and queen?

Suddenly, the door to my room burst open, and it was no one else but Elvira herself. She does this every time, so it doesn't amaze me anymore.

I stopped admiring the velvet-red dress and hid in the corner of the room. She walked slowly toward me as if she were a hunter and I were the prey. Her long, clawed hands gripped my shoulders and shoved me against the wall.

"Today is an important day, my dear. So, be as perfect as you can be." She softly said, and let go of my shoulders. "Oh, and wear your hair up." She added and left the room in a blink of an eye.

Our conversations are not really conversations. She usually just commands me to do something, like yesterday when I had to cut her hair short again because it grew long in a few days. I always obey her. I'm scared that if I don't, she will make me do something much worse than cutting her hair.

Shortly after, the door opened, and the terrified girl who had come to measure me stood on the threshold once more. This time she had hair accessories in her hands and a less petrified look.

"I promise you, I won't hurt you." I declared and took a seat in the wooden chair.

She closed the door and set everything she had planned to use to decorate my head on the table in front of me.

"What kind of hairstyle do you wish for?" She asked with the lightest smile. Her ebony brown hair was tied to the back with a black ribbon. She wore a white knit sweater with dark blue jeans. Very human-like outfit.

"A simple updo will do," I replied softly. I couldn't see my reflection in front of me because the shattered mirror was further away from the table, except I knew that no matter how much I stared at myself, I could not recognize this new face of mine.

I also thought about what Darcia thought of me when she found out what happened. Will she still like me this way? Even I am having difficulty adjusting to my new physique and face. So how does she do it? I won't smell or speak the same way again I am unrecognizable.

"Your hair is finished." The girl announced.

I rose from the chair and walked to the shattered mirror hanging on the wall. I stared at myself through the broken pieces. I traced the outline of my face, trying to recognize the person I had once been. I felt lost, as if I had no identity left. I was an empty shell, devoid of any emotion. The shards of glass had rearranged my features, distorting them in a way that was both frightening and strange.

"Should I help you to get dressed?" The girl suddenly asked. I turned to face her and lightly nodded.

"What's your name?" I wondered as she tied the back of my dress.

"I'm Lia, m'lady." She answered.

"There's no need to call me like that. I'm Talia." I declared, turning around to look at her. She blinked at me with surprise.

"How long do you work here?" I noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the bruises all over her hands.

"Honestly, I don't remember how long, however, it has been quite some time now." With a sorrowful smile, she said.

She walked back to the table and grabbed something from her bag full of hair accessories. "May I?" She hesitantly asked. I scanned what she was holding and recognized an accessory hair comb with three rubins placed at the center, right, and left sides. The rubins sparkled in the light, and the comb was beautifully crafted out of silver.

"Sure." I agreed.

She gently placed it above the low, messy bun. She packed all her stuff and was about to leave when I had the urge to stop her. With my super-speed, I got to barricaded the door. She flinched, holding her hands in front of her face in defense.

"I-I'm sorry, but I wanted to say something to you before you leave," I burst out. She slowly nodded and brought her hands down. "I will get you out of here when the time is right — just be prepared."

I moved away from the door, hugging my arms. She lightly smiled at me and left the room.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Saving her would make me get rid of the burden of having killed someone. Saving her life in exchange for the one I already took. How cruel of me to think I could erase what's been done? I always thought I was a good person, but that was never the case. I'm rotten from the inside.

***

I patiently sat on the edge of a bed, waiting for what was coming next. My room was completely dark as the sun slowly disappeared from the red sky. I could hear many immortals entering the castle.

My thoughts shifted back to Darcia. Is she making a plan for how to get to me? Or is she already here? I don't know how I should act when we meet. My nerves are about to explode, just as they were when we were about to first meet.

I picked up the skin around my nails, thinking that perhaps this was the right time to escape. However, how will I get back home? My eyes were covered the whole time they dragged me here. I don't know which way I should go. What path will lead me back to her?

The iron door swung open, and this time it was Noen. I immediately got up on my feet. His eyes dropped to the bottom of my dress and slowly reached the top. He focused on my open cleavage for a few seconds before focusing his gaze back on my face. He loves Elvira. He's devoted to her, except vampires in this world don't know the word loyalty. I'm more than sure that if Elvira wasn't always around, Noen would try something wicked.

He forced his hand around my shoulder and made me walk through those dark halls again. Torches on the wall were engulfed in red flames. I could barely see in front of me. I felt like the walls were closing in on me. I held my breath and prayed that this would be the last time I had to walk this path.

I was never in this part of the castle, I thought to myself.

Guards stood at both sides of the open doors in front of us. The room wasn't an ordinary one. It was a ballroom. As we got closer and closer, I saw numerous immortals dancing on the dance floor. Women and men were clothed in the most luxurious robes, with colorful masks attached to their faces. I never saw so many dazzling creatures in one place. Their beauty is so bewitching.

We entered the inside, and as I looked to my right side, I registered Elvira instantly. Even with her mask on, I could recognize her short hair, and deep emerald dress, which perfectly showed off her curves.

Noen pressured me to move forward as I got lost in my thoughts. We approached the tall staircase that led to Elvira. At super-speed, I shifted in front of her.

"My dear friend, sit right beside me," Elvira commanded. "I have a little surprise for you. I hope you will accept it." She added.

I did as I was told and swiftly examined the ballroom. The immortals were having fun. Cup of wine or blood in their hands. Laughter echoed in the wide room. For a slight moment, I saw our resemblance. Humans and immortals are, in some way, exactly the same.

"Where is he, Noen? He's always late to everything." Darcia complained to Noen.

"He should be here any second, princess," Noen replied with his hands behind his back.

Who else are we expecting to join us? I thought no one else was in their group.

I sighed and rested my hand on the armrest of the chair. As my eyes dropped to the velvet carpet underneath me, I couldn't believe who I was seeing next to my feet.

In this instance, the small bat turned into a human form, and his gorgeous long hair swept my face.

"Sorry for being late, princess." Lucian apologized to Elvira, bowing, and then he sneaked me a secretive smirk.

My eyes instantly dropped to the floor. I knew I should've trusted him. How could I think that someone from here was on my side. My hands began to tremble, and everything around me started to look blurry.

Elvira leaned closer to me and whispered, "Go and dance."

That was another command I had to obey. I stood up and proceeded down the steps carefully. Then I suddenly felt a cold hand touching my left forearm.

Lucian's smile appeared on his face. I sternly let go of his capture and continued walking. Before I reached the end of the staircase, he was bowing in front of me.

My eyebrows furrowed, yet he didn't seem to mind my upset face. He grabbed my hand gently, and we moved onto the dance floor.

His hand was wrapped around my waist, and his other hand was attached to mine. We slowly danced to the rhythm of the music.

"Why?" I asked.

"I had no intention to harm you, Talia." He replied. I kept on staring into his lavender eyes.

"Was that also part of her plan?"

"No, she doesn't know about me visiting you." He came closer and whispered into my ear, "Nor does she know what we were doing." He moved back and continued smiling at me.

"So, why did you help me then?" I wondered.

He didn't respond to my question; however, his facial expression changed. Softness overtook his dangerous smile.

The change of partners happened suddenly, and my new partner wasn't an immortal one. With shock, I looked over to Elvira. A mischievous smirk was created on her face.

"Drink from him, or I will kill him, darling." She said, and her eyes narrowed.

How much do I hate the power of super-hearing.

I looked back at the unsuspecting human, who had no idea what Elvira just ordered me to do. If I don't drink from him, he will die because of me. I cannot let another innocent human be killed.

The cello started sounding darker with each note. The notes became louder and more intense. The intensity grew until it reached a crescendo. The rhythm changed, and the notes of the melody became more complex. Violins joined in, and the volume increased even more.

I grabbed him by his head and pulled his neck against my cold lips. I sunk my fangs deep inside, finding out I dug them at the perfect spot. His screams were barely heard, as he was too weak of a human. His hands pushed and pushed on my shoulders, yet it was all in vain.

I felt that I couldn't control myself anymore. Even picturing Darcia's face couldn't help me pull away. Why should I even do so? I'm already damned. I have done things that cannot be forgiven.

As his legs gave up, we fell onto the floor, and laughing and applauding immortals circled around me. I was just a simple entertainer for them.

His blood is so fucking sweet, I kept on thinking.

"Talia?" A voice called me by my name. At first, I couldn't recognize it. I was too focused on the human I was feeding on, but then my fangs pulled out of his skin and his motionless body rested on the ground. His heartbeat told me he was still, but barely alive.

I slowly turned my head to the person who called my name. And there she was. The most divine, breathtaking woman in the entire room. How much I longed to see those crimson eyes of hers.

A tear steadily ran down my cheek.