It hurt. Scarlet’s back burned in an agonized, freezing torrent. She could barely focus on anything but it.

Then she smelt the sudden burst of fresh blood. Heard Violet’s scream.

NO!

Within a moment, she was on her feet and behind the creature. Her hands reached out and grabbed it before, with a violent gesture she didn’t even know she could do, she tore it in two.

This time it didn’t dissipate. While the thing seemed more gas than solid, it didn’t give any blood when it was torn. It did go entirely still, though.

Then her eyes fell on Violet.

The bloody wound on her back. Dripping with delicious, mouth-watering delights. If the scent of it back at the manor had been intoxicating, this was positively mesmerizing. She stared at the wounded hunter.

Her prey.

Scarlet didn’t dare move, even as she locked eyes with Violet. She could see the fear in the dragon’s eyes. Not that she blamed her. After all, she’d lost. Scarlet had won. Had saved her. So why shouldn’t she be allowed the spoils of her victory?

Slowly, Scarlet knelt down. Violet was shaking, but she didn’t care. She was still alive, still fresh. Still so delightfully warm and ready to be feasted on. The rain began to die down and then all that was left was that smell, that delectable, wonderful scent of a wounded animal. She reached out, dipping a finger into that wound on the hunter’s back and pulling it up, eyeing the blood. Just one little taste. One small, perfect little taste. The beginning of her meal.

It was so perfect. So bright and red. So scarlet.

------

“Does it hurt?” Candice asked in a soft, taunting tone.

Of course it hurt. How could it not hurt? It hurt so badly Scarlet wanted to throw up. She could feel her body, her very bones, being shaped and altered. Her flesh being shifted. The only reason she wasn’t crying was that she had no more tears to give. She felt like she was being torn apart from the inside.

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Red hot pain seared down her back and she let out another scream. “I asked you a question!”

“Yes,” Scarlet managed to croak out, her words as feeble now as her movements. Raspy and weak.

“Good,” Candice said with a soft, taunting tone. “Don’t you feel better now? Isn’t it nicer to serve your mistress? To do as she commands?”

“Yes,” Scarlet said once more, her voice so soft and pathetically weak. She felt another sharp pain on her back and let out another delicate cry. A moment later fingers were put directly in front of her, bright red from the blood.

“Taste,” Candice said. “Go on, don’t you want some?”

Scarlet just gave a soft, pathetic whimper, but didn’t dare move.

“Oh, right,” Candice said before pulling the fingers away once more. “I suppose it’s just not the same for a human, is it, my little blood doll? No…”

Once more, pain shot down Scarlet’s back and she let out another scream, her voice cracking.

“But I’m curious. Is it everything you wished for?” Candice asked, her tone so soft and almost seductive. A mask over the vicious cruelty of a heartless monster. “Is it worth the pain?”

Scarlet gave another soft whimper before, very gently, she nodded. She didn’t dare say no. Because to risk angering the vampire, disagreeing with her in any way, was foolish and borderline suicidal.

“Good,” Candice said with a low, taunting laugh. “You look so gorgeous like this, dripping such beautiful scarlet. In fact, I think that’s what I’ll call you from now on. Doesn’t that sound delightful, my little Scarlet?”

“Yes,” Scarlet whispered softly. Moment’s before she felt more of the pain coursing through her back and another broken, agonized scream tore from her throat.

------

Scarlet stared down at the blood on her fingertips, so close to her lips. Just one little taste. Just to know if it was as sweet as it smelled. Then the feast could begin.

Then her eyes flashed to Violet once more. The pained, terrified look on her face. Even through her cracked and soaked glasses she could see how much pain the poor thing was in. Her cute little tail limply moving from side to side. How desperately she was trying to move. To get away or pick up the knife that had fallen to the ground, Scarlet didn’t know.

Scarlet lowered her hand and then very gently picked up the girl. The fresh smell of her draconic blood filled the air, but for once she found it oddly easy to ignore. That pained, agonized look burning into her mind. “I will never hurt you,” she whispered. “This I vow, my precious little Violet. I will keep you safe.”

Then she turned and she walked. Violet needed help. She would get it.