CHAPTER EIGHT

<>~X~<>

BLOOD TELLER

<>~X~<>

‘Watch me revel in this blood dance.’

<>~X~<>

Attempting to escape was utterly hopeless.

Even the slightest movement felt out of the question. But why did Allen suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to run from his impending doom? Just a few minutes earlier, he was too much of a coward to speak up and plead for the lives of the innocent, even though he desperately wanted them to survive. Allen was now caught between paralyzing fear and confusion.

He yearned to live, but at the same time, he carried the heavy burden of blame for the deaths of four other individuals.

But his deep contemplations were suddenly interrupted by the sensation of a chilly hand landing on his clothed, still-warm chest. This hand slowly made its way to his heart's side and settled there. It was at that moment that he was jolted back to reality, emerging from the somber realm of his own pessimistic thoughts.

"Breathe. Breathe my love," Circe's commanding voice whispered near Allen's ear, her obsidian claws trailing gently across his chest and over his heart in a soothing caress. Allen couldn't even recall when he had ceased to breathe, and, for a brief moment, he had no desire to resume. He had convinced himself that he was the cause of those innocent teenagers' deaths, and the burden of his guilt had become unbearable, making death seem like the only escape from his mounting misery and agony.

Though Allen had initially resisted the urge to breathe, he found himself slowly drawing breath, each inhalation forced and accompanied by tremors. It was his own body's betrayal, surrendering to the commanding will of the red-haired girl with the uncanny power.

His trembling intensified as he continued to breathe under her influence.

As his breathing gradually settled, a firm grip took hold of his chin, raising it so that his teary, ocean-blue eyes met the fiery, rage-filled scarlet gaze. Allen yearned to avert his gaze, but his body, once more, was not under his control. His previously calm breaths grew erratic, overwhelmed by the intimidating intensity of those piercing scarlet eyes.

"You will continue to live. Any attempt to harm yourself will bring severe consequences, ones you will deeply regret. You belong to me, entirely. Your heart, body, soul, and mind are mine. Disobedience carries a heavy price; I will immerse your world in blood just to witness the beauty of tears in your eyes. Always remember, you are my possession now, my marked one, my cherished mate. Omnia quae es, mea sunt," Circe growled, her words punctuating the air, each one sending tremors through the already quivering bones of the fragile boy.

Her final words whispered softly, held profound implications directed at the tearful boy, a message laden with deeper meaning.

As the final mysterious words left Circe's lips, Allen's eyes widened with the realization that she had spoken in Latin. It struck him as odd because she had been summoned through a French spell. His mind couldn't help but dwell on the obscure meaning of those words, leaving him puzzled. It was only the second time in his life that he had heard Latin spoken, and it added to the enigmatic nature of the situation.

The first time Allen had encountered Latin had been in a movie, but he was astute enough to recognize the language spoken by the demon. Still, he remained in the dark about the specific meaning of those particular words.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Stuttering nervously, he finally managed to ask, "What was that? The last-last words?" His anxiety was evident, and Circe easily grasped his curiosity. She responded by leaning in, her cold, red-tinted lips brushing against his warm ones, and whispered in her husky voice, "It's for you to find out."

Circe swiftly rose to her feet and directed her attention towards the entrance of the hallway. Distant voices were drawing nearer. As a teacher and a professor, accompanied by a group of students, stepped into view, their horrified gasps echoed through the corridor.

"Who are you? Kid, call the police!" the professor urgently ordered one of the students. The students, frozen with terror at the gruesome scene before them, began fumbling for their phones. However, before they could even retrieve it from their pocket, the professor's head was violently severed from his body, showering those nearby with blood as it careened through the air.

Circe deftly caught the severed head in her right hand, a manic grin spreading across her face.

Alex's eyes widened in sheer horror, and summoning all his strength, he managed to rise to his feet, though his legs quivered with fear. He slowly approached Circe and gently grasped her wrist. Her narrowed eyes held a hint of anger, sending a chill down Allen's spine.

"Please reconsider," he implored with a stutter but a newfound determination. "This doesn't have to be your only way out of here. Please, leave without causing any more harm. You've already caused enough trouble."

Circe began to chuckle darkly, discarding the severed head. She fixed her gaze on Allen after wrapping her arm around his waist to pull him closer and replied, "Oh, my dear, you misunderstand. I'm not killing them to escape. I'm killing them because if they run, it means I'll have to hunt for my food. That’d be tiresome."

Upon hearing the demon's callous words, Allen's heart raced in dread, realizing that any other unfortunate soul within her reach was in grave danger. Desperate to get her attention, he tugged gently at her wrist. In response, she pulled him closer into her embrace, her voice laced with menacing darkness as she whispered, "Stay here. Watch me revel in this blood dance. Perhaps one day, you'll become a blood teller for the sake of others."

With these ominous words, Circe released her hold on Allen and ventured toward the onlookers who had assembled to witness the gruesome scene. As she approached, she seized throats, gouged out eyes, and ripped out hearts with ruthless efficiency, all for her sustenance.

Unable to bear the piercing screams of death, Allen closed his eyes and covered his ears, seeking refuge from the harrowing spectacle.

Allen, well aware of his own fears and self-perceived cowardice, couldn't help but feel the weight of his humanity. Even though he was human, he found it increasingly difficult to relate to others because of his unique bond with the demon, one so profound that neither he nor Circe could deny its existence.

With this reflection in his mind, Allen retrieved a fountain pen from his bag, which had been cast aside in the corner amidst the chaotic scene.

While Circe savored the heart in her grasp, her attention briefly halted in its tracks. She paused her gruesome actions, but not before swiftly beheading the terrified girl with emerald-green hair. In response to this horrifying spectacle, Allen found his voice despite his stutter.

"Circe, please stop or I’ll kill myself," he implored firmly, his resolve shining through his hesitant words. In a show of unwavering determination, he pressed the pointed end of the fountain pen against his own neck.

Circe casually discarded the partially devoured heart, seemingly unfazed by Allen's display. She remarked, "You can't end your life with it." Taking a deep breath, Allen responded, "Perhaps I can't end it, but I can certainly harm myself." Circe emitted a contemplative hum as she wiped her blood-stained lips on the back of her hand, while a few of the remaining students seized the opportunity to escape.

As Emery's voice reached Allen's ears, he turned slightly, momentarily forgetting his intended action. This lapse in attention brought a wicked smirk to Circe's lips as she vanished into thin air. Swiftly, she reappeared behind Allen, embracing him from behind and relieving him of the pen, which she promptly shattered into pieces. Circe inhaled deeply, attempting to quell her anger at his self-destructive intent, but her efforts proved futile when her scarlet eyes fixated on Emery.

Emery possessed the extraordinary ability to captivate her human’s focus, causing him to forget everything else.

She was the one for whom Allen harbored deep concern.

It was imperative for Circe to address a few matters with her human, and she needed to do it without delay, now that he was safely in her embrace.

Circe's arms constricted around Allen's midsection as she leaned in and whispered a pressing inquiry into his ear. Her voice held a hint of urgency, "Did you truly believe I could be deceived so easily? And who is this girl? What is your connection to her?"

The intense anxiety he felt for his best friend's safety was evident in the clamminess of Allen's neck and the rapid thumping of his heart as he struggled to respond. With a gulp, he finally managed to get the words out, "She's... my friend."

Circe's sinister smile widened as she remarked, "Is that the case?"