As Victoria's gaze swept over the room, her heart sank. The cold and unyielding walls seemed to close in around her, stifling her breath and intensifying her desperation. The pain of her torture still lingered. The flickering light from a single torch cast eerie shadows that danced across the room, magnifying its oppressive atmosphere.
With each passing moment, Victoria could feel the weight of her confinement bearing down on her, threatening to crush her spirit. The air grew heavy with the scent of dampness and decay, a haunting reminder of the bleak reality that surrounded her.
Victoria felt Leroy's gentle yet firm grip as he untangled the leather restraints that had held her captive. His nimble paws carefully unraveled the bindings that had restricted her movements for what felt like an eternity.
As the last strand of leather slipped free, Victoria flexed her fingers, then rubbed her wrists to get the blood flowing. She reveled in the sensation of freedom.
With newfound agility, Victoria wasted no time regaining her footing, her gaze quickly shifting towards the locked door that stood as her only barrier to escape. Her mind raced, contemplating the next steps she would take to break free from the confining room.
In a desperate bid for freedom, Victoria's mind raced, searching for any glimmer of hope. She cast a longing glance towards the small, barred window high above, its meager view of the outside world teasing her with the possibility of escape. But the bars were iron-clad, leaving her no means of reaching the tantalizing glimpse of freedom beyond.
Frustrated, she assessed her limited options. She had to think, to plan her next move carefully. Her eyes darted around the room, seeking hidden clues or overlooked opportunities that could lead to her liberation.
Suddenly, a faint noise caught her attention, like the distant scuttling of a rodent in the darkness. Her heart skipped a beat, a flicker of hope igniting within her. Taylor's absence provided a temporary reprieve, an opportunity to act while her captor was momentarily distracted.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Victoria stepped forward, her footsteps echoing in the silence. Her trembling hand reached out, tracing the smooth surface of the locked door. Locked doors were no problem for her. Immediately, she reached out with her telekinesis to pick the lock. Unexpectedly, her mental touch rebounded off the lock, giving her a slight headache. The lock must be magically protected in some way, she thought. She desperately sought a hidden mechanism or weakness that could offer her a way out. Her efforts were in vain. The door remained shut, refusing to yield to her desperate pleas for freedom.
Exhausted and defeated, Victoria sank to the cold, hard ground, her back pressed against the cold stone wall. Tears welled in her eyes as her frustration and resignation settled in. She had hoped for an escape, a chance to break free from the clutches of her captors. But for now, she remained trapped, her spirit dampened but not fully extinguished.
Turning her attention away from the door, Victoria sent Leroy to keep watch for Taylor's return. Leroy disappeared into the shadows, his presence fading as he immediately left on his silent surveillance mission.
Aware of the urgent need to defend herself, Victoria surveyed her surroundings, scanning the room for any object that could serve as a more formidable weapon than the humble kitchen knife she had brought. Her gaze fell upon a grisly assortment of tools, an array of torture implements that sent a shiver down her spine.
Amongst the sinister tools, her eyes landed on a skinning knife, its sharp blade glinting in the dim light. She cautiously reached out to grasp the tool. Its cold touch served as a reminder of the dire situation she was in, fueling her resolve to fight for her survival.
As she explored further, she found a shelf with an assortment of bottles, each containing mysterious liquids. Curiosity mingled with caution as she assessed her options. One bottle stood out with its vibrant green hue. It seemed dangerous, which made her wonder if it could be used as a weapon. With a hesitant hand, she tested it with a drop on the counter. The sizzle as the liquid hit the surface gave her hope, even as it disgusted her. It was an unwelcome reminder of the sadistic nature of this chamber. She similarly tested the other bottles, but they did not damage the counter.
Realizing she had no suitable means to carry the green bottle without clothes or pockets, Victoria left it behind on the torture table. With the skinning knife tightly gripped in her hand, she focused on the task at hand - finding a way out and reclaiming her freedom in the face of unimaginable danger.
As Victoria's gaze fell upon the unconscious woman shackled beside her, she felt a surge of empathy and concern. The sight of the scars marring the woman's body ignited a fierce anger in her. However, practicality prevailed over compassion, and Victoria realized the harsh reality of their situation. She had no means to safely transport the woman to safety, and attempting to do so in her weakened state would only further endanger them.
Leroy's telepathic message broke through her contemplation. “Better hurry, Victoria. Taylor is on his way back to you.”
Time was of the essence, and Victoria swiftly made her decision. She positioned herself beside the door, her body tense and ready to confront Taylor as he entered the room. With the skinning knife firmly in her grasp, she steeled herself for the impending confrontation.
Though the instinct to save the other woman tugged at her heart, Victoria knew that her primary focus must be on her own survival. As Taylor's figure loomed in the doorway, Victoria struck. She lunged forward, aiming the skinning knife at his torso. However, her attack was swiftly thwarted by a dazzling flash of light emanating from Taylor's necklace. The magical shield shimmered into existence, effectively blocking her strike and knocking her back.
Still shocked by the unexpected shield, she didn’t see the powerful backhand that sent her crashing to the cold, hard floor. As she fell, Victoria's agile fingers grasped Taylor's necklace, ripping it off with the weight of her body as she crashed to the floor.
The impact rattled her, causing pain to shoot through her body. Yet, even amid her disorientation, she forced herself to fight. She had built up a slight tolerance to the pain after the torture she’d endured. She knew what awaited her if she didn’t escape.
As Taylor stood over her, a sadistic smile curling on his lips, he relished his power over her. His voice dripped with malice. “I look forward to the torment I’ll inflict upon you.” With every word, he attempted to establish his dominance and assert that she would forever be under his control. "You thought you could escape, little vampire," Taylor taunted, his voice laced with venom. "But now, you will know true suffering. I will break you, body and soul. You will be mine to command, my eternal slave."
Victoria's body trembled, fear and anger coursing through her veins. She refused to allow Taylor to reduce her to a slave for his sick desires.
Taylor unleashed the lash of the whip, its sharp edges slicing through the air and striking Victoria's exposed flesh. The searing pain surged through her, but it was nothing she hadn’t felt before.
Summoning all her mental strength, Victoria retaliated with a powerful mind spike, sending an intense surge of pain directly into Taylor's brain. He grimaced, his eyes squinting in agony, but he fought on and grabbed Victoria’s arm. His strength was far greater than hers, and she could feel it cut the blood flow like a tourniquet.
Victoria seized the green bottle from the nearby table with her telekinesis, shattering it against Taylor's face. The shards cut into his flesh, causing him to shriek in excruciating pain as the acid dissolved his left cheek and eye, exposing his jawbone and teeth. Disoriented by the sudden attack, he fumbled for a potion on his belt, hoping to regain control.
However, Victoria wouldn’t let him recover. With a shove, she knocked the potion from his hands. Her fangs elongated, hunger and rage fueling her actions. With a fierce determination, she lunged at Taylor, her fangs sinking into his flesh. The taste of his blood flooded her senses, bringing with it a potent mixture of satisfaction and power. She was the predator at that moment, drawing strength from her prey.
As the life force drained from Taylor's body, Victoria sensed a powerful surge flowing into her. The taste of victory mingled with the adrenaline rush, and she felt a profound sense of accomplishment. The system within her acknowledged her triumph, congratulating her for eliminating the champion, Taylor Johansen, and granting her three free skill or spell levels of her choice. Victoria saved the skill levels, planning to bank them until her skills reached a plateau.
With the increased strength coursing through her veins, Victoria's body underwent a subtle transformation. Her constitution and dexterity received a boost of 1/16th of a point, a fraction of Taylor's essence fortifying her physical capabilities. It was a small but significant improvement, and she relished knowing she was stealing strength from her enemies.
The system presented her with three precious stat points as she leveled up, offering an opportunity for growth and further honing her abilities. Recognizing the need to enhance her speed and reflexes, she immediately invested the points into her dexterity, eager to shed the feeling of sluggishness that had hindered her in battles.
In addition to the stat boost, Victoria's mind spike ability also advanced a level. The intricacies of her psionic attack sharpened, granting her greater control and potency when assaulting the minds of her adversaries.
Though other notifications clamored for her attention, she set them aside for the moment, content to bask in the thrill of her recent victory and the rewards it had brought. There would be time to address the remaining messages and seize further opportunities in the future. Victoria's heart raced as Leroy's warning jolted her back to the present reality. The rush of triumph quickly gave way to alertness. “Mistress, prepare yourself. More drow are approaching.”
The urgent situation snapped her out of the blood-induced euphoria, and she swiftly turned her attention to the formerly unconscious woman. Still strapped to the wall, she screamed in fear at the sight of Victoria hunched over Taylor's lifeless body, her fangs still dripping with crimson.
Before Victoria could calm the terrified woman, Leroy interjected, “Good job with the screaming. The guards have returned to their posts. I guess they assumed that their master was preoccupied with his entertainment."
Victoria extended her Sanguine Sight to its utmost range, delving into the depths of her vampiric senses as the woman continued her shrieks. She blocked out the sound, focusing on what lay beyond the room. Through the crimson lens of her perception, the world unveiled itself in intricate detail. Her gaze swept across the area, identifying each guard with heightened clarity. Their forms resonated with varying degrees of life energy, pulsating with vitality.
One guard stood out among them, his essence radiating with a potent surge of mana. Victoria deduced that he must be the drow mage, his magical power pulsing through the veil of darkness. She mentally noted his presence, recognizing him as a priority target.
As her senses reached their apex, another wave of sensations washed over her—the anguished cries of the restrained woman, her screams reverberating through the corridors of Victoria's mind. The cacophony became a painful assault, an overwhelming surge of raw emotions that threatened to consume her. With a swift motion, she severed her connection to Sanguine Sight, distancing herself from the tormenting sounds.
Taking a moment to compose herself, Victoria felt relief and unease. The amplified sensitivity of her vampiric senses had provided valuable information, but she was still relatively unpracticed in it. The sense exposed her to the raw intensity of the world. She recognized the need to control and vowed to make it her primary practice goal. For now, she needed to regulate the usage of her sensitive perception lest it becomes a source of overwhelming sensory input.
A wicked grin spread across Victoria's face as she absorbed the information, realizing that an opportunity had presented itself to prepare for the encounter. With a purposeful stride, Victoria approached Taylor's body, the remnants of her bloodlust still evident in her eyes. She swiftly removed the rings from Taylor's fingers. The gleam of the stolen jewelry was a visual reminder of her newfound power and the ultimate defeat she had dealt to her tormentor. None of them seemed magical, but she had nowhere to store them, and they were enormous on her fingers. Fitting one on each thumb, she moved on with her search.
Victoria's gaze then turned to Taylor's belt, a curious item that piqued her interest. As she investigated further, she discovered that it was a storage device holding a wealth of coins and a small collection of whips, knives, and other weapons within it. The unexpected treasure trove left her with a sense of satisfaction, and she carefully secured the belt around her waist, making use of its practical functionality. Hunting the nobility could be quite lucrative if she could make it out alive, she mused. She moved the rings to the storage belt and continued looting the body.
Noticing Taylor's necklace lying on the ground, Victoria picked it up and fastened it around her neck. The pendant, once his protection, now would protect her. His things were a fitting remuneration for the torment she suffered. Unfortunately, the magic in the necklace had been exhausted. She’d need to wait for it to recover over time before it could be used again.
Determined to leave no valuables behind, Victoria swiftly gathered the remaining bottles from the shelf, stowing them away for future use. With her new acquisitions and the lingering taste of triumph still fresh on her tongue, she prepared herself for the imminent encounter with the approaching drow, a newfound air of confidence radiating from her every move.
After letting the woman scream for a while, she eventually asked, “Would you like me to free you?”
The woman was terrified of the vampire, but Victoria reassured her. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.”
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
After a moment of thought, the woman nodded. Victoria put her knife down and gently released the woman’s restraints. Suddenly, the woman snatched her knife, plunging it toward Victoria’s chest.
Victoria's reflexes kicked in. She intercepted the woman's movement with lightning-fast speed, seizing her wrist in a firm grip and her neck in a vice-like hold. The woman's eyes widened with terror and realization as she realized the futility of her attempt.
At that moment, Victoria was confronted with a choice. Her vampiric instincts surged within her, urging her to sate her unending hunger.
“You stupid woman. I really wanted to help you, but I already have too many threats to worry about. Make your peace, for this is the end for you.”
Yielding to the irresistible pull, she surrendered to her primal desires and placed her fangs upon the woman's exposed neck. As the warm lifeblood flowed into her mouth, she drank greedily, the sensation both invigorating and haunting.
With each drop consumed, Victoria felt a peculiar energy surge within her. It was as if the essence of the woman she fed upon intertwined with her own, a subtle transfer of vitality and spirit. 1/16th of the woman's intelligence and charisma became a part of Victoria, a fragment of her being absorbed into the vampire's existence. When the feeding was complete, Victoria released her hold, and the woman's lifeless body slumped to the ground. Conflicting emotions washed over her – a combination of satisfaction and remorse. She contemplated the weight of the choices she had made, recognizing the darkness that lurked within her own nature.
Taking a deep breath, Victoria collected herself, pushing aside the tumultuous thoughts that threatened to consume her. She knew she must forge ahead, driven by her determination to survive and seek to conquer a world that had thrown her into the depths of darkness.
Victoria took a moment to read her notifications. A fight was ahead, and she wanted to be prepared with all possible skills. At level two, she was allowed to learn a new spell. Each option before her held the potential for different strategic advantages, and she carefully considered her choices:
Mind Lock - A spell that inhibits the target from maintaining focus, potentially disrupting their ability to perform tasks effectively.
Inflict Pain - By invading the target's mind, this spell inflicts intense pain, causing them to falter in their actions.
Psionic Wave - A wave of psionic force that emanates from her, forcefully pushing enemies away, creating distance and buying her time.
Missing Person - An intriguing spell that allows her to erase her image from the minds of those around her, enhancing her ability to remain unseen and undetected.
Subjective Reality - The power to craft an illusory world within the target's mind, potentially causing confusion and disorientation.
Fearmongering - Unleashing uncontrollable fear and panic upon the target, rendering them vulnerable and unable to act rationally.
Temporary Psychosis - A spell that induces a state of temporary madness, causing the target to become disoriented and attack indiscriminately.
Each option offered unique advantages, and Victoria weighed the potential impact and her current needs. Her decision could significantly impact the battle ahead.
Victoria carefully deliberated her options, her mind honing in on each spell's potential benefits and drawbacks. While she was initially drawn to the allure of the Missing Person spell, a lingering concern over the drow's resistance to her charm influenced her decision. She recognized the need for a different approach and ultimately opted for the Temporary Psychosis spell.
Victoria took a deep breath, feeling the pulsating energy of her newfound spell coursing through her brain. She suddenly understood how to manipulate the mind in far more intricate ways. She wondered if she could apply this skill elsewhere after more experimentation.
Feeling as ready as she could be, Victoria's heart pounded in her chest as she stepped out into the open. She wore only the belt and some jewelry. Her presence immediately drew the attention of the four guards. With a swift motion, she cast the temporary psychosis spell upon one of them, his mind instantly succumbing to a maddening frenzy. He turned on his companion with a wild, unhinged look in his eyes, setting off a chaotic clash between the two.
Meanwhile, the other two quickly closed in on Victoria. She again focused her psionic powers, unleashing a Mind Spike upon the guard on the left. He staggered, momentarily disoriented, as he clutched his head, providing a brief respite from his imminent attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Victoria deftly maneuvered around the guard, her movements fluid and calculated. Closing in on the disoriented guard, she swiftly struck, driving her blade into his neck. A crimson fountain erupted from the wound, staining the air with the metallic scent of blood. The guard crumpled to the ground, life draining from his body.
As the remaining guard turned to face her, his eyes filled with determination, Victoria readied herself for the final confrontation. The confined space added an extra challenge for her assailants, limiting the guard's movements and creating an advantage for Victoria. She locked eyes with him, her gaze unwavering. Her fangs glistened in the dim light, eager to taste blood. The guard lunged forward with a powerful downward sword chop, but Victoria's agility allowed her to evade his attack. Unfortunately, she failed to dodge a sharp follow-up kick. She may have increased her dexterity, but her fighting skills were still quite limited.
As the guard under the grip of temporary psychosis became engulfed in flames, Victoria watched in horror as the spell was broken by the damage he’d taken. The guard’s tortured screams pierced the air, even as he held his hands up to show he meant the other guard no harm. The drow mage, now free from fighting his compatriot, seized the opportunity and prepared to unleash another devastating spell. Just as he raised his hand to cast, Leroy leaped onto him in a flash of movement, slashing his face with his razor-sharp claws. The mage staggered backward, blood streaming down his face, his concentration broken.
Gasping for breath after the kick to her stomach, Victoria struggled to rise from the floor. With her shoulder throbbing from the deep wound, she watched the guard ready his attack, sword poised for a fatal strike.
She mustered her telekinetic powers in a desperate attempt to defend herself. She focused her energy, directing it towards the blade that loomed over her. With a surge of telekinetic force, Victoria managed to nudge the edge aside at the last moment. The sword tore through her shoulder, sending searing pain radiating through her body. Blood spilled from the wound, pooling on the ground beneath her.
Victoria gritted her teeth against the agony. She fought through the pain, her determination unyielding. Pushing herself off the floor, she unleashed a surge of telekinetic energy at her feet to create distance between herself and the guard. With a swift and fluid movement, she rose to her feet, her gaze locked on her adversary.
The guard, now thrown off balance by her display of power, struggled to regain his footing. Sensing an opportunity, Victoria launched into action. Her movements were less coordinated and more fueled by survival instinct and sheer willpower than skill. She maneuvered around the guard, her agility and quick thinking allowing her to evade his strikes. Still, she managed to keep him in between her and the mage.
As the battle raged on, a fierce dance of blades and psionic powers, Victoria's resolve remained unbroken. She attacked, mixing mind spikes with her telekinesis. She fought to stay one step ahead with every ounce of strength, her survival hanging in the balance. The taste of blood lingered on her lips, fueling her determination to emerge victorious.
During the chaos, Leroy continued his assault on the mage drow, distracting him and preventing him from launching another deadly spell. The battle reached a crescendo, each movement and strike becoming a matter of life and death.
Victoria pushed through the searing pain, her vampiric healing working swiftly to mend her wounded flesh. The surge of excessive blood essence she had consumed earlier fueled her regeneration, knitting her torn muscles and closing her wounds, but her essence was almost exhausted.
She gathered dirt and bits of broken mortar and threw it into the guard’s eyes with her telekinetic powers, blinding him. In the split second she had, she slid beside him, restraining his arm as she drained him from behind. She turned the guard toward the mage, using him as a shield, and could see Leroy’s fight.
The guard she’d confused had succumbed to his wounds. He lay on the ground, either dead or unconscious, with horrible burns across his body. As she continued to drink, she saw the drow mage seize Leroy with a wind fist. Wielding his arcane powers against the blink cat, the mage hurled Leroy into the wall, the impact resonating through the room. Victoria's heart lurched with concern for her companion, but she knew she must press on. She needed to completely drain this guard, not only to kill him but to regain the essence she’d lost.
As the mage raised his hands, a dark swarm of malevolent energy surged towards Victoria. Instinctively, she ducked behind the guard, continuing to use him as a shield against the impending spell. The dark force crashed into the guard, tearing through his body with merciless ferocity. The drow's flesh withered and crumbled, reduced to a lifeless husk.
Though Victoria managed to avoid the full brunt of the spell, some of its residual energy grazed her, causing her to collapse to a knee in agonizing pain. She groaned, clutching her injured side and trembling from the intense magical assault. Yet, her vampire regeneration remained steadfast, swiftly healing her wounds and keeping pace with the destructive spell. It was agony, destruction and regeneration waring within her body.
Determined to escape further harm, Victoria mustered her strength and pushed through the pain. Dropping her knife, she grabbed the guard’s sword and staggered towards another nearby door. She narrowly evaded a magic dart hurled by the mage drow as she entered. The dart zipped past her, grazing her arm, but she hardly noticed it amidst the pain she already experienced.
With sheer willpower, Victoria forced herself forward, desperate to find a moment of respite. The door swung open, revealing an adjoining chamber. She stumbled inside, her body still wracked with pain, but her determination undimmed. The taste of blood and the scent of danger lingered in the air as she braced herself for the next phase of the battle to come.
She shoved the door closed with a kick, waiting for her vampiric healing to bring her back to fighting shape. She worried for Leroy, but also knew that he couldn’t truly be killed. At worst, he would be unsummoned, sent back to that place he hated. She telepathically reached out to him, “Leroy, are you ok?”
“Yes,” he acknowledged. “I blinked away and am recovering, but the mage is headed your way. Be careful.”
“Alright. Thanks for the save back there,” she replied, scanning the room she’d entered.
She appeared to be in an office. A large desk graced the center of the room, with a bookcase beyond. Binders of lab notes lined one wall, and a chalkboard adorned the other. Victoria crawled behind a desk and leaned against the wall, her body tingling as the last of the spell eating at her body dissipated.
Before Victoria could see anything further, a fireball blew the door in. The desk mostly blocked the scorching flames, but some licked at her skin.
As the mage stepped through the door, his form wreathed in flames, Victoria's eyes narrowed with focus. She channeled her psionic powers, summoning her most potent mind spike. It pierced through the drow's defenses, staggering him. The flames abruptly winked out as he lost control of his spell, leaving the mage disoriented and vulnerable.
Seizing the opportunity, Victoria pushed herself off the wall. Closing the distance to the mage, she rammed her stolen sword into his gut. As the mage cried out in pain, she latched onto his exposed neck, sinking her fangs deep into his pulsating artery. The mage struggled against her, his frantic movements and a surge of adrenaline briefly pushing her fangs away from his lifeline for a moment.
Victoria renewed her grip on the drow's neck, sinking her fangs deep into his artery. The taste of his blood flooded her senses, invigorating her with each precious drop. As she consumed more of his life essence, she felt the fight slowly drain from him. His struggles grew feeble, his body growing limp in her grasp. The mage's once defiant expression transformed into a mask of peace as his remaining lifeforce was consumed, leaving him lifeless and spent.
Victoria urgently reached out to Leroy. “Please scout the rest of the dungeon,” she asked, his keen senses and agility making him the perfect companion for such a task. “Keep an eye out for any remaining guards and search for my clothes,” she reminded him, as she was eager to restore her appearance and regain her sense of dignity.
While Leroy was away, Victoria took advantage of the momentary respite to gather supplies and valuables. She swiftly removed the mage's robe, finding hidden treasures concealed within its folds. Two wands and a bag of coins joined her growing collection, each item holding potential for her future endeavors.
Turning her attention to the desk, she pulled open its drawers, looking for anything she could use. Her eyes fell upon a gleaming gold watch among the papers and trinkets. Recognizing its worth, she wasted no time in pocketing the timepiece. The people here may be used to telling time by the sun's angle, but she much preferred a watch.
With her attention now drawn to the surrounding shelves, Victoria rapidly searched for knowledge. Books of various shapes and sizes were quickly deposited into her storage belt, their weight adding to her growing collection. Each tome promised to unlock new insights and provide her with the information she sought in this unfamiliar world.
Just as she began to wonder about Leroy's progress, his familiar presence returned, bringing her the welcome news she had hoped for.
“I see no other guards in this section. There are wards on the walls, likely ones to block out sound, so we may be safe for the time being, but I wouldn’t get too comfortable.”
“Understood. I need a few more minutes of healing, at least. What about my clothes?”
“Oh, yes. I found them near the entrance to this section in a crate.”
Victoria sighed in relief at the news. “Perfect. I can change while I recover.”
Victoria wandered down the hall like a drunk, her strained body doing the best it could under the circumstances. Her belongings were tossed in a crate, along with various other clothes and trinkets. Taking some garments from the container, she used the fabric as a makeshift towel. She quickly wiped away the traces of blood, both her own and that of her fallen foes from her body. Emptying a canteen on another set of clothes, she used them for a quick sponge bath. She couldn’t go back to the party smelling like blood. Satisfied with her clean up, she swiftly dressed herself, donning her party dress once again. She secured her storage bracelet and adorned herself with the jewelry. She smoothed her hair but found it had already magically reshaped itself.
She immediately felt better once clothed and in possession of her storage bracelet. She stowed the stolen sword in the belt. She didn’t want to call attention to herself as she escaped. Feeling renewed confidence, she passed the fallen drow guards and liberated them of their possessions. Weapons found their way into her storage belt while she placed the coins in the bracelet.
She dragged the bodies into the office, then searched two more rooms. The first was an office similar to the first one. She shoved a few books from the shelves, writing instruments, paper, and a jar with green crystals into her storage belt.
Moving to the last room, he found it locked. From her previous experience with magically warded locks, she didn’t try her telekinetic lockpicking. Instead, she used a set of keys she’d pulled from the guards and soon had the door open.
This room seemed to be for storage. There was an open shelf on one wall. Opposite it was a set of locked cabinets. She tried the keys, but none seemed to fit. Extending her sanguine sight to the locks, she determined that three were warded, but two were mundane locks. Using her telekinesis, she unlocked those two, leaving the wards alone. Disappointingly, the first locked cabinet was empty. However, the second had another vial of green liquid. Hoping it was acid, she dribbled some on the first of the warded locks, but it didn’t sizzle.
“Probably poison,” Leroy commented from her shoulder, making her jolt in surprise.
The blink cat was so sneaky Victoria hadn’t even noticed him appear.
“Hey, Leroy. You surprised me.”
“Sorry. Th hall is still empty. I was just checking on you.”
“I’m almost ready to leave,” she said as she looted anything that looked useful from the shelves, taking empty bottles and a few tools but leaving hoods, torture implements, iron cuffs, and collars. She had no need for such things—at least, she hoped she wouldn’t. This world was far darker than she imagined. She couldn’t say what the future might bring.
She and Leroy navigated the hallways, returning to the last door. Opening it, she found herself in an empty room. There was a staircase leading to a single entrance to the wine cellar. The door had no key hold that she could see. It stood before her, seemingly impenetrable. Victoria meticulously examined the door, searching for any hidden catch or release mechanism to grant her passage. Her fingers ran along the smooth surface, tracing every inch, hoping to discover a hidden clue.
Just as she was about to resign herself to further exploration, a sudden click resonated in the air. The door surrendered to an unseen force, swinging open with an eerie creak. Victoria's eyes widened as her gaze was met with the presence of a drow, radiating an air of opulence and disdain. The man held a struggling woman in his arms, his smug expression betraying his arrogance.
Taking a step forward, Victoria composed herself, meeting the drow’s contemptuous gaze with a firm gaze of her own. This person bore a stark resemblance to Taylor, and she had to push against her instincts to attack him on sight.
The drow stared at her with menacing eyes. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. My name is Avery Johansen.”