I tilt my head, regarding the vampiress curiously. "Is Wallachia a good place, then?"

Dumitra's expression softens somewhat as she reaches down to pat my head, her long crimson nails gently caressing my shorn blonde curls. "Wallachia is a far greater realm than this wretched backwater, pet."

"Aye, and Norway as well," Erik rumbles. "The Aesir would never condone striking a woman, nor demand she remain meek and submissive as the Irish priests do."

He chuckles darkly. "I cannot fathom why these peasants heed the ramblings of senile fools preaching from a diseased book, rather than thinking for themselves."

"Because of hope," Dumitra replies, her tone contemplative. "Without hope of salvation from their misery, they would not endure. They need this faith to survive."

Erik scoffs. "Then the people are weak."

Dumitra turns to face him fully, one elegant brow arching. "And are the Norse not equally deluded with their Valhalla nonsense? You glorify death just as fervently as the Christians."

The vampiress's voice rises in a heated rant. "Slaughter and bloodshed, all in pursuit of some mythical paradise where you can guzzle mead and rut like beasts for eternity! How civilized."

Erik opens his mouth to counter her argument, but Dumitra barrels on, her words laced with scorn.

"You preach of honor and glory, yet your vaunted warriors rape and pillage just as greedily as the most depraved Mongol horde! Where is the valor in such depravity?"

I cough wetly, specks of crimson dotting my lips. Erik tries to respond, but Dumitra's blistering diatribe leaves him gaping like a landed fish.

At last, the Viking sighs heavily. "Enough of these pointless quarrels. The child could be choking on her own tainted lungs even as we bicker. Resume the ritual markings, Dumitra."

The vampiress sneers but acquiesces, leaning over me once more. I feel the sharp prick of her tattooing implement digging into the soft flesh of my chest and can't stifle a whimper of pain. Gritting my teeth, I bite down hard on my bottom lip, the coppery tang of blood flooding my mouth.

Dumitra glances up at the motion. "I'm nearly finished, pet. Once I link these last lines, the markings shall begin to glow with power."

I nod jerkily, biting my lip even harder until I feel warm wetness trickle down my chin. Erik frowns in concern.

"Lile, cease biting your lip at once! You'll do yourself an injury."

"The child requires something to muffle her cries," Dumitra states flatly, never pausing in her rhythmic tapping against my skin. "Give her something to bite down upon, warrior."

Erik hesitates a moment before reaching down to grasp a fistful of my shorn curls. He forces my jaws open and shoves a bundled cloth between my teeth, muffling my pained whimpers.

I writhe helplessly as Dumitra continues etching the ritual markings into my chest, each tap of her needle like a searing brand against my raw nerves. Tears of agony stream from my eyes as I thrash my head from side to side.

"Eilis," Dumitra calls out calmly. "Come here and soothe the child's distress with your gift."

The violet-haired girl rises obediently and pads over to the altar, her bare feet making no sound against the stone floor. She leans over me, her large eyes filled with quiet sympathy, and places one delicate hand against my flushed cheek.

Instantly, a wave of pure blissful ecstasy crashes over me, banishing all pain and fear. I go limp against the unyielding surface of the altar, my eyes rolling back as I'm overwhelmed by euphoric pleasure unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's as if every nerve ending in my body is being stimulated at once in a continuous, cresting orgasm that leaves me boneless and gasping.

After what feels like an eternity lost in this hazy, rapturous state, Dumitra's voice cuts through the fog.

"That's enough, Eilis. The child is calmed."

The violet-haired girl withdraws her hand, and the blissful sensations slowly ebb, leaving me drained but utterly at peace. Dumitra regards Eilis with an approving nod.

"Well done, my sweet girl."

Eilis dips her head shyly. "Thank you, Mistress."

Erik turns to Eilis, the violet-haired girl standing beside me, and says in a thoughtful tone, "Your gifts could prove incredibly useful for healing the sick or providing...companionship as a courtesan."

But Dumitra, the raven-haired vampiress leaning over me, scoffs derisively. "The girl would more likely drive any man insane with lust, or make them dependent on her touch until they wasted away." Her crimson eyes narrow as she continues etching the ritual markings into my chest with the sharp chisel. "It's quite possible that when Eilis first awakened, she merely brushed against a few soldiers...and they instantly turned on each other, fighting viciously for the right to be touched by her again."

I shudder at the implication, my child's mind struggling to grasp the full implications of Eilis's power. Dumitra's gaze flicks to the unconscious pink-haired girl Mary lying nearby. "As for that one, I wouldn't be surprised if she awoke surrounded by nothing but smoldering ash after her gift manifested."

Speak of the devil, Mary suddenly stirs and blinks her eyes open, looking around in confusion. "Friends?" she asks in a small, childlike voice, fixing those large eyes on Dumitra.

The vampiress regards her with an indulgent smile. "Yes, Mary. Friends are good."

But her tone takes on a warning edge as she continues. "But you must never take off your gloves, sweet girl. Otherwise you may make all your friends go...bye-bye."

Erik chuckles at this, though I'm not sure if it's from amusement or discomfort. Dumitra's eyes blaze with sudden annoyance and she jabs the chisel hard against a sensitive spot on my chest. I jerk involuntarily, a muffled whimper escaping past the cloth gag as fiery pain lances through me.

"Hold the child down," Dumitra snaps at Erik. "Use all your strength if you must, but I need her to remain utterly still while I complete these markings."

Mary blinks slowly, taking in the scene. "Are friends in pain?" she asks in that same small, confused voice.

Dumitra doesn't even turn her head, keeping those smoldering crimson eyes locked on me as she growls, "Sleep."

Instantly, Mary's eyes roll back and she crumples bonelessly to the floor once more, unconscious. Eilis frowns, moving towards the fallen girl with concern etched on her delicate features.

"Was that truly necessary?" she asks Dumitra in a soft, timid voice.

The vampiress rolls her eyes. "The brat is annoying. Now hold still, child, unless you wish for me to put you into a deeper slumber as well."

I tense as Erik's large, calloused hands clamp down on my shoulders with bruising force, pinning me against the unyielding wood of the altar. Dumitra resumes her rhythmic tapping, each jab of the chisel sending fresh waves of agony radiating through my small frame. I thrash and scream against the gag, tears of pain streaming from my eyes as the ritual markings are seared into the tender flesh of my collarbone.

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An eternity seems to pass before Dumitra finally leans back with a satisfied smile. "There. You may release the child now, warrior."

Erik's iron grip relaxes and I sag limply, chest heaving as I struggle to catch my breath past the gag. Dumitra regards me with an appraising look.

"Even if you were to be impaled upon a spear at this very moment, little one, you would survive the grievous wound. The ritual markings have imbued you with incredible vitality."

My eyes widen at her words, and I reach up to gingerly touch my split, bleeding lip with the tip of my tongue. But to my shock, I feel no wound there - not even the coppery tang of blood. I sit upright, staring down at the intricate patterns now adorning my chest and belly in a mixture of confusion and awe.

The markings seem to shimmer and pulse with an inner crimson glow, forming strange symbols and shapes - an O, a W, a Y, an L, an X, and a P, all linked in some sort of arcane design. Erik lets out a low whistle of appreciation.

"By the Aesir, that is a sight to behold! Why, the artistry alone outstrips anything the dullard village priests could ever hope to produce."

He turns to me with a look of concern. "How do you feel, little one? Does the ritual's power course through your veins as Dumitra claims?"

Before I can respond, Dumitra reaches out to press her palm against my forehead. I tense, shocked by the overwhelming heat radiating from her flesh - it must be over 43 degrees Celsius, far hotter than any normal human's! The vampiress smiles, revealing a hint of those wicked fangs.

"Your fever has broken, child. The corruption that ravaged your lungs has been purged."

Erik's eyes widen. "Truly? So swiftly?" He shakes his head in disbelief. "I knew the ritual markings held great power, but to work such a miracle in mere moments..."

"All thanks to the potent vitae that courses through my veins," Dumitra purrs. "Vampire blood is a remarkable curative, as you've just witnessed."

Erik nods slowly, still looking somewhat dazed. "Aye, I've never beheld its like before. Why, I've only ever seen the priests' tattoos glow green or blue in hue - never this blazing crimson radiance!"

Dumitra sighs, rolling her eyes. "Color is merely a signifier of the life essence used in the ritual, nothing more. Green comes from using a normal mortal's vitae, while blue indicates a mage's blood was the key ingredient."

Her full lips curve in a predatory smile. "But only my ancient vampiric ichor can produce such a vibrant ruby luminescence, as you've just seen."

"I shall endeavor to remember that vital distinction," Erik murmurs, almost to himself.

Then, with a sudden decisive nod, he pulls something from the pouch at his belt - three gleaming silver coins, which he extends towards Dumitra. "For services rendered, as we agreed."

But the vampiress shakes her head, those raven tresses swaying with the motion as she laughs richly. "Keep your paltry coins, warrior. There is only one form of...payment I desire from you this night."

She leans in close, her breath hot against Erik's ear as she purrs, "I want you balls-deep in my cunt, and nothing else."

I feel my eyes widen almost comically at her blunt words, even as Erik lets out a bark of laughter. He quickly sobers, giving Dumitra an appraising look as he tucks the coins back into his pouch.

"Well then, if that is your wish..." He smirks, gesturing around the empty church. "I could take you right here, right now. Sate your hungers upon this very altar, if it pleases you."

Dumitra throws back her head, peals of rich laughter echoing off the vaulted ceiling. Then she steps back, eyeing Erik with a sly smile as one elegant hand drifts down to cup the prominent bulge tenting the front of his breeches.

"As tempting as that idea is, my dear warrior, I think it best if we...postpone our couplings until tonight. This is hardly the ideal setting, after all - especially with innocent young eyes present."

I feel my cheeks flush bright red as I realize she's referring to me. Before I can stop myself, the words burst out in a petulant whine.

"Then you two should just get a room already!"

Both Erik and Dumitra turn to regard me with matching looks of amusement. The vampiress chuckles indulgently, giving my cheek a light pat.

"An excellent suggestion, little one. Erik and I shall indeed...seek out more private accommodations for the remainder of the evening's entertainments."

Erik gently helps me back into my luxurious sapphire dress, carefully threading my small arms through the embroidered sleeves. I giggle as he lifts me effortlessly, cradling me against his broad chest.

"I shall remain in this village for quite some time," Dumitra announces, her crimson lips curving into a predatory smile.

A soft groan draws my gaze to the floor, where Mary's eyes flutter open. The pink-haired girl blinks groggily as Dumitra lets out an annoyed tsk.

"Friends?" Mary asks in a small, confused voice.

"Yes, yes, Mary," Dumitra replies with an indulgent smile. "Friends are good, very good."

Mary's large eyes find me, and she pipes up, "What's your name?"

I tilt my head innocently. "Lile."

"I hope we meet again, Lile," Eilis says softly from beside me.

Mary perks up at this. "Do you wanna play, Lile? I wanna play with you every day! Dummy-tra never lets me play..."

Dumitra sighs heavily. "Eilis, Mary - the two of you shall soon begin training under Cian himself. This will be the last time you see young Lile."

"No!" Mary cries out angrily. Eilis quickly moves to comfort the distraught girl, wrapping her in a gentle embrace.

Erik turns to Dumitra. "I shall await you at my cottage tonight, then."

He arches one thick brow. "You know where it lies, vampiress?"

Dumitra shrugs nonchalantly. "I'll simply follow your scent."

Erik chuckles, the sound rumbling through his barrel chest. "Well well, seems I've nowhere to run now, do I?"

Dumitra frowns at him. "And why ever would you wish to flee, warrior? Do you not desire to rut with a woman as beautiful as I?"

"Quality over quantity, most likely," Erik retorts with a smirk.

Dumitra's frown deepens as she jabs one crimson-tipped talon at the Viking. "I shall show you true quality this very night, Erik Ragnarsson."

I can't help but giggle at their playful banter. Erik shoots me an amused look before turning and striding toward the shattered church door. As he reaches the threshold, Dumitra calls out imperiously.

"You'll be paying for that broken door, warrior!"

Erik pauses, muttering under his breath. "If only you hadn't locked it, bitch."

"I can hear you!" Dumitra shouts, her voice ringing through the sacred space.

Erik glances back over his shoulder, a roguish grin tugging at his lips. "Then don't be late tonight, vampiress."

With that, he slips outside and strides off down the path toward his cottage in the forest.

So, that was it? I get to live now, just like that? Some magic tattoos and vampire blood cured me? I don't feel feverish, dizzy or the urge to cough anymore. What kind of sorcery is this - nanotech or psychokinetic cells manipulating my biology? But cells can't think, they don't have brains. So what devilry allows these markings to purge my illness?

I wish I had proper lab equipment to investigate these bizarre ritual tattoos. I'd love to dissect a vampire specimen too and study their unique physiology. Dumitra's core temperature exceeding 43°C is utterly fascinating - perhaps the reason vampires require iron and other minerals to survive?

But she also mentioned needing regular food, didn't she? So maybe vampires can subsist on blood alone, but require solid sustenance to build muscle mass and store energy reserves? Most intriguing...

There's also the peculiar matter of Dumitra preferring semen over blood for nourishment. Is it merely her personal proclivities, some perverse predilection born of boredom over the centuries? Or could seminal fluid provide an even richer source of vital nutrients than blood itself?

If semen does indeed serve as an adequate blood substitute, it must share many of the same essential components - proteins, lipids, enzymes and minerals. An extensive chemical analysis comparing their compositions could yield valuable insights.

Let's see...blood consists primarily of plasma - water, proteins like albumin and immunoglobulins, clotting factors, electrolytes and nutrients. The cellular components are erythrocytes containing iron-rich hemoglobin for oxygen transport, leukocytes of the immune system, and platelets for clot formation.

Semen, on the other hand, is a complex biological fluid containing fructose for energy, vitamin C, zinc, prostaglandins that aid in ovulation, and immunosuppressant proteins. But its main components are spermatozoa cells suspended in seminal plasma - water, fructose, vitamin C, zinc, enzymes like proteases and glycosidases, as well as trace minerals like selenium, copper and iron.

Aha, there it is! Both fluids contain iron, zinc, proteins, enzymes and other minerals vital for cellular function and growth. No wonder vampires can use semen as a blood substitute - it provides many of the same crucial nutrients, albeit in different concentrations and molecular forms.

Semen even contains hormones like testosterone, estrogen, prolactin and prostaglandins that could aid in replenishing vampiric vigor and vitality. And the fructose provides an immediate energy source, while the zinc boosts immunity and reproductive health... It could also be creatine.

So in theory, regular ingestion of both blood and semen could provide an optimal nutritional profile for sustaining a vampire's preternatural abilities and regenerative capacities. Fascinating!

Of course, this is all mere hypothesis for now based on my rudimentary knowledge. I'd need to conduct far more rigorous biochemical analyses and clinical studies to unravel the full mysteries of vampiric physiology. But the possibilities for groundbreaking scientific discoveries are thrilling to contemplate!

I ponder the strange crimson markings now adorning my skin, my brow furrowing as I consider their nature. Surely these intricate symbols cannot be a permanent addition to my flesh? No, that seems highly improbable. For something to actively "do" anything beyond mere aesthetics, it must require some form of energy to sustain its function.

But from what source does this ritual tattoo derive its power? Will it need to be periodically replenished with more of Dumitra's vampiric vitae, the very ichor that allowed the markings to be etched into my skin in the first place? Or could standard nutritional intake - food and water - provide the necessary fuel?

I chew my lip pensively as Erik's boots crunch over the frozen leaves and mud, his powerful strides carrying us ever closer to his cottage in the forest. I must find a way to inquire about the nature of these markings, but in a suitably childlike manner so as not to arouse suspicion regarding the true depths of my intellect.

"Erik?" I pipe up, peering at him with wide, inquisitive eyes. "How long will these marks stay on my skin? I don't want them forever."[...]