A Raining night, sometime in the late 1500’s, Čachtice Castle near the village Čachtice. In the castle, screams echoed down the halls, all the way inside the bedroom where Anastasia Báthory, about 18 years old, with dark hair, dark eyes, and pale skin, consoled her young sister Anna Nádasdy.
Anastasia's voice was filled with reassurance as she said, “Anna, it’s okay. Don't worry, I will always protect you. Did you drink your blood?”
Anna hesitated, her voice trembling, “No, I don't want to.”
Anastasia's eyes filled with concern, “I know you're only half-vampire, but you must drink so the cravings don't affect you.”
Reluctantly, Anna picked up the cup of blood from her nightstand and took a sip. Just then, the door swung open, and Anna’s father, Ferenc II Nádasdy, entered the room. “She is calling for you.”
Anastasia's response was met with a stern expression from him, “Anastasia, one has escaped from the dungeon.”
Anastasia's heart sank, realizing the urgency of the situation. She made a quick decision and said, “I am busy putting Anna to sleep. I will deal with the escaped one later.”
Ferenc II Nádasdy steps further into the room, “you will go now!”
With that, she left the room, Anna's cries fading behind her. As the room grew darker, Anna's eyes fluttered open, bringing her back to the present. She found herself in bed with her two lovers, Phara Louis from Miami, a powerful witch, and Theodore Samaras, a muscular man who was a werewolf.
Phara's gaze met Anna's as she sat up, concern etched on her face. “You should call your sister,” she suggested, “this repeated dream might be a message urging you to contact her.”
Anna let out a sigh, brushing off the idea. “No, Anastasia is far too busy running her coven to hear me complain about a dream.”
But deep down, Anna knew Phara was right. These dreams felt different, more significant. They were vivid, haunting, and seemed to be pulling her towards something she couldn't quite comprehend. And Anastasia, her sister, held the answers she desperately sought.
Anna’s mind was consumed by fragments of a dream that slipped through her fingers like sand. She pushed aside her lingering thoughts, determined to focus on the day ahead. As she got out of bed, she made her way to the window, drawn to the sight of the bustling city of Boston awakening beneath her.
For years, Anna had dedicated her life to working for Phara, a remarkable woman who owned and operated her own private investigator business. Together with Theodore, a brilliant and resourceful individual, they formed a formidable team, assisting Phara in solving cases that baffled others.
The next room over was the office they worked in was a maze of files, photographs, and evidence boards, a testament to the many mysteries they had unraveled. Anna loved the thrill of piecing together clues, the rush of adrenaline when they were on the brink of discovery. It was in these moments that she felt truly alive, her senses heightened, her mind razor-sharp.
Phara was not just a boss to Anna; she was a mentor, a friend, and a guiding light. She possessed many witchcraft powers, an unwavering determination and a keen intuition that often led them down the right path. Phara had a way of pulling everyone together, like the conductor of an orchestra, orchestrating harmonious collaboration and bringing out the best in each of them.
Anna's role in the team was to delve deep into the backgrounds of suspects, meticulously gathering information and connecting the dots. She had a talent for uncovering hidden secrets and piecing together seemingly unrelated events. There was a certain satisfaction in revealing the truth, in exposing the lies and deceit that hid beneath the surface.
Theodore, on the other hand, had an uncanny ability to dissect complex puzzles and decipher codes. His mind worked like a labyrinth, navigating twists and turns effortlessly. He was their resident genius, often providing the crucial breakthrough that propelled their investigations forward.
Together, they formed a formidable trio, complementing each other's strengths and compensating for their weaknesses. They were bound not just by their shared purpose and love, but also by a deep camaraderie forged through countless hours of working side by side, facing danger and uncertainty together.
Anna stood at the window, her gaze fixed on the bustling streets of modern-day Boston. The city was alive with activity, but her mind was elsewhere, still caught in the remnants of a vivid dream. Phara pushed Theodore awake, and he groggily greeted the new day. Phara, sensing Anna's distress, stood behind her, offering support with a gentle touch on her shoulder.
“I haven't seen you this worked up from a dream before,” Phara said softly. “Call your sister.”
Anna sighed, her eyes still fixed on the outside world. “Later,” she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of longing. “But first, I will go and get us some coffee.”
Leaving their apartment, Anna stepped out into the cool autumn air of Boston. The chill sent a shiver down her spine, but she welcomed the sensation. It served as a reminder that she was still connected to the mortal world, even as she walked the thin line between vampire and human.
As she made her way to the local coffee shop, her eyes caught sight of a woman walking hand in hand with her daughter. A wave of nostalgia washed over Anna, and suddenly, she was transported back in time to her childhood, to memories of her older sister, Anastasia.
Anastasia had been more than a sister to Anna; she had been a mother figure, guiding her through the challenges. Anna had always struggled to fit in with both vampires and humans, feeling like an outsider in both worlds. Her unique heritage had isolated her, leaving her searching for a sense of belonging.
But it was Anastasia who had embraced her, who had protected her from the darkness that threatened to consume their family. Anna was born with an unusual lineage - half vampire, half human. Her mother, Elizabeth Báthory, had transformed into a vampire while pregnant, craving more power. From the moment she came into the world, Anna ceased to age, forever frozen at 25 years old. Elizabeth, consumed by her own desires for power, had forced Anastasia to join her ranks as a vampire, using her as a pawn in her quest for dominance. Anastasia had complied, not out of her own desire for eternal life, but out of love and a desperate need to keep her younger sister safe.
Entering the coffee shop, Anna ordered their usual, the scent of freshly brewed coffee comforting her troubled mind. As she sat alone at a small table, sipping her drink, Anna would take in the present moment, in the warmth of the coffee cup between her hands, and in the knowledge that she was not alone. Phara and Theodore awaited her return, ready to face whatever challenges their client’s cases would bring.
***
At night, the city of Chicago came alive, a vibrant tapestry of lights and laughter. The moon and stars cast their celestial glow upon the bustling streets, illuminating the faces of the people as they went about their lives. Among them, a pale-looking man emerged from a dimly lit bar, his eyes filled with a haunting emptiness.
He walked down the street, his gaze fixed on the city lights twinkling like distant stars. The sound of laughter and joy enveloped him, but his heart remained heavy with a nameless dread. As he weaved his way through the crowd, a sudden surge of fear gripped him, causing his legs to move with supernatural speed. It was as if someone or something was chasing him, an invisible force propelling him forward.
His breath came in ragged gasps as he darted through the maze of people, his eyes searching for a refuge amidst the chaos. And then, he saw it, towering above the city like a beacon of hope - a tall black building, its windows aglow with warmth and safety. With reckless abandon, he sprinted towards it, his heart pounding in his chest.
As he drew closer, he glanced over his shoulder and noticed two ominous vans tailing him. Panic surged through his veins, pushing him to go faster. The adrenaline coursed through his body, urging him to reach the sanctuary that beckoned him.
Without a moment's hesitation, he veered into a narrow alleyway, its darkness swallowing him whole. His lungs burned, but he pressed on, the relentless pursuit driving him forward. Minutes turned into hours as he navigated the streets, his mind consumed by the desperate need to escape. And then, just when he thought he was safe, the vans blocked the alleyway, trapping him like a prey ensnared in a predator's snare. A chill ran down his spine as a group of men emerged from the vehicles, their faces shrouded in darkness. The pale man's heart pounded in his chest, his breath catching in his throat.
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In the blink of an eye, a gunshot echoed through the still night air. The pale man fell to the ground, knocking him out instantly. The men wasted no time, swiftly hoisting his body into the back of one of the vans. With eerie efficiency, they vanished into the shadows of the city streets, leaving no trace behind.
As the moon cast its gentle glow upon the city of Chicago, the stars twinkled with a mysterious allure. Their ethereal light danced across the streets, painting a picture of tranquility and beauty. Unbeknownst to the revelers below, however, a dark secret unfolded in the shadows. Amidst the laughter and merriment of the people, two inconspicuous vans traversed the city streets, their purpose veiled in secrecy. Inside, a dedicated team embarked on a clandestine mission, their eyes sharp and their hearts resolute. Their objective: to collect the vampires that roamed the nocturnal streets.
With expert precision, the team would spot lone vampires, lurking in the darkness, their predatory instincts quelled by the sedative-laced darts that swiftly found their mark. As each vampire succumbed to slumber, they were gently loaded into the back of the van, their fangs and otherworldly allure temporarily subdued. Yet, something peculiar caught the attention of the vigilant team. They noticed a pattern among these creatures of the night. Most of the vampires seemed to be converging towards a towering black building, standing tall and imposing in the heart of the city.
The vans skidded to a halt inside the dimly lit warehouse, their engines still humming with urgency. As the back doors swung open, revealing rows upon rows of sedated vampires, a figure emerged from the shadows, clad in a pristine white lab coat. The nurse's piercing gaze scanned the unconscious creatures with a mix of clinical detachment and grim satisfaction.
“I guess this batch will do,” the nurse muttered, a hint of weariness tugging at the edges of their voice. “Take them to the cells.”
A burly man, his face etched with fatigue, stepped forward to assist. Dusting off his hands, he looked up at the nurse, a frown etching deep lines on his forehead. “Most of them were desperately trying to reach that tall black building in the heart of the city,” he spoke, his voice tinged with curiosity.
A sardonic smile flickered across the nurse's lips, betraying their cynicism. “We don't pay you to think,” they replied, their tone laced with a dismissive edge. “Just keep collecting them, and you will keep getting paid.”
With a resigned nod, the men began unloading the sedated vampires, their movements swift and efficient. As they shuffled out of the warehouse, disappearing into the inky night, their mission clear, the nurse remained behind, their eyes fixed on the captives. The air inside the warehouse grew heavy with an unsettling silence, a palpable reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface.
As the nurse made her way down the dimly lit hall, the scent of blood and desperation hung heavy in the air. Each cell she passed housed a vampire, their once powerful and immortal forms now reduced to a state of captivity and anguish. Some were missing limbs, evidence of the brutal fights they had endured. Others cowered in the corners, their eyes filled with fear and resignation. A few lay motionless, their bodies weak and frail, on the verge of succumbing to the unforgiving grasp of death.
The sound of metal bars being rattled echoed through the corridor as the nurse's assistants callously tossed the newest vampires into their designated cells. It was an act devoid of compassion, a routine they had grown accustomed to in this nightmarish place.
But amidst the chaos and despair, one vampire's voice rose above the rest, a desperate mumble that caught the nurse's attention.
“What is it now?” she snapped, her voice laced with impatience as she turned to face the vampire.
The vampire's eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and determination as he whispered, “Anastasia, she will find us.”
The nurse scoffed, her expression hardened with indifference. “No one cares about missing vampires,” she retorted dismissively. “You think this is the first city we have been to? Shut up.”
As the Nurse strolled purposefully towards the exit, her white uniform billowing gently in the air, a determined glint in her eyes, she reached out and pushed open the heavy metal door. Instantly, a flood of blindingly bright light spilled into the dimly lit corridor, illuminating every nook and cranny.
In the cells lining the hallway, the vampires stirred uneasily. A hushed murmur rippled through their ranks, their instincts screaming at them to seek shelter from the piercing light. One by one, they scuttled deeper into the shadows, desperately seeking refuge from the luminous intrusion.
***
In the heart of the bustling city, where the sunbathes the streets in its warm golden glow, stood a towering black building. Its formidable presence was accentuated by the vigilant armed guards that encircled it, an impenetrable fortress protecting the secrets within. To the people of the city, this building seemed no different from the others that dotted the landscape, oblivious to the fact that inside its walls resided the largest coven in all of North America.
Anastasia, the enigmatic leader of this clandestine coven, possessed an ethereal beauty that belied her true age. At first glance, one would mistake her for an eighteen-year-old, her porcelain skin untouched by the passage of time. But in reality, she had seen centuries, born in the 1500s and transformed into a vampire by her own mother, Elizabeth Báthory, at the tender age of eighteen.
Though her appearance suggested youth, Anastasia exuded an air of wisdom and authority that commanded respect. She was kind-hearted, yet firm in her convictions, fiercely protective of her vampire family. Her unwavering dedication to shielding them from the prying eyes and potential dangers of the human world knew no bounds. Anastasia's journey into the world of the supernatural began with her own family. After the death of their father, she took it upon herself to care for her younger siblings, guiding them through the treacherous path of escape from their mother's malevolent grasp.
Among them, her favorite was Anna, whom she nurtured and protected from infancy. However, as fate would have it, their paths diverged when Anastasia made the decision to seek solace and belonging within a vampire coven. Now, as the revered leader of her own coven, she carried the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.
Inside the walls of the black building, Anastasia and her coven found solace and unity amidst the chaos of the human world. Together, they stood as a formidable force, bound by loyalty and shared thirst for the crimson nectar that sustained their immortal existence. They reveled in the darkness, embracing their true nature while keeping their secrets hidden from prying eyes.
As the sun vanished beyond the horizon, painting the sky in vivid hues of orange and pink, the night sky emerged, adorned with countless twinkling stars. Anastasia slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling upon her beloved wife, Delilah, who lay beside her. The room was filled with a soft, ethereal glow as the shades on the window rose, revealing the enchanting sight of the moon and stars.
Delilah's eyes fluttered open, and a tender smile graced her lips as she leaned in to kiss Anastasia. The warmth of their connection lingered in the air, a silent affirmation of their love.
Rising from the bed, Anastasia began to dress herself, preparing for the night that awaited her. Just as she was about to leave her bedroom, her devoted assistant, Blake, rushed over to her side, his voice filled with urgency.
“Good evening, Anastasia,” Blake greeted respectfully. “Shall I summon someone for your feeding?”
Anastasia shook her head gently, her mind preoccupied with other matters. “Not right now,” she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of distraction.
Making her way into a spacious sitting room, normally bustling with her fellow vampires, Anastasia noticed that it seemed oddly less crowded tonight. However, she paid little mind to it, simply assuming that some of her companions were occupied elsewhere. She joined a group of humans who patiently awaited her selection, ready to offer themselves as sustenance.
Blake, ever the diligent assistant, interjected, “We have new ones for you to choose from, Anastasia.”
But she waved him off dismissively, her thoughts elsewhere. “Not now, Blake,” she murmured absentmindedly.
Moving on from the feeding room, Anastasia entered her office, where she meticulously reviewed the coven's records. To her dismay, she discovered that a few vampires had failed to pay their dues to the coven. Concern furrowed her brow as she beckoned Blake to join her.
“How come the dues are late this quarter?” she inquired, her voice laced with a sense of authority.
Blake offered a solution, “Do you want me to summon the vampires in question?”
After a moment's contemplation, Anastasia decided, “We will give them another month. If they fail to comply by then, we shall take further action.”
Returning to her duties as the leader of the coven, Anastasia found herself inundated with complaints and requests from her vampire brethren. Amongst the grievances, she noticed a recurring theme: several vampires were expressing a desire to leave the area. While this was not an uncommon occurrence, as vampires often grew weary of staying in one place for too long, Anastasia couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to it.
As Anastasia toiled away tirelessly in her office, Blake couldn't help but notice the growing irritability that seemed to consume her. He had seen this before - the hunger, the craving that gnawed at her very core. Anastasia was a Vampire, and though she relished in her immortal existence, the struggle to keep up with her feedings was a constant burden. She despised the idea of causing harm to anyone, but she insisted on compensating their feeding humans handsomely for their service.
With a resigned sigh, Anastasia finally conceded to Blake's persistent persuasion. “Fine, Blake, you win. Nicole, step closer,” she relented, her voice laced with a mixture of weariness and anticipation.
Rising gracefully from her chair, Anastasia closed the distance between herself and Nicole. Gently brushing aside, the strands of hair that obscured Nicole's neck, she bared her fangs, ready to satiate the unyielding hunger within her.
Anastasia's voice was tinged with curiosity as she inquired, “Have you never been bitten before?”
Nicole's response was accompanied by a hesitant shake of her head. “No, but Blake has explained the process to me.”
Assuringly, Anastasia whispered, “I will be gentle.”
With a swift and deliberate motion, Anastasia sank her teeth into Nicole's neck. A soft moan escaped Nicole's lips as the sensation flooded her senses. Anastasia drank hungrily, her thirst momentarily abated. As she pulled away, releasing Nicole from her grip, the young woman gasped for breath, her face flushed with a mix of ecstasy and vulnerability.
“That was… amazing,” Nicole managed to utter, her voice filled with awe.
Moved by a surge of affection and gratitude, Anastasia pressed her lips to Nicole's cheek in a tender, fleeting kiss. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I must get back to work.”
Blake, sensing his cue, stepped forward to escort Nicole out of the room. But before they left, Anastasia spoke again, her voice tinged with possessiveness and desire.
“Blake, I like this one,” she declared, her gaze fixed on Nicole. “Keep her on reserve, only for me.”
Blake nodded, understanding the unspoken request, and silently led Nicole away, leaving Anastasia to resume her duties, her hunger momentarily sated, but her heart stirred by the unexpected connection she had found.