But before she could succumb to the primal urge within her, a sudden force tore his hand away, snapping her back to reality with a jolt.
"No!" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom, as she recoiled from him, her back pressed against the cold embrace of the hedge, its shadows swallowing her whole.
"Why are you here! You should go." She said desperately.
The count’s gaze locked onto the woman, his face expressionless, his body still. Slowly, as the world regained its colors, his senses realigned with it. At last, a faint smile graced his lips.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Her chest rose and fell rapidly as the smile spread on his lips as she felt panic slip in.
Emboldened, he approached her with purposeful steps.
“Lady Damien,” he began, his voice calm and controlled.
“... You are a remarkably kind and strong woman,” he said.
“I can only imagine the pain you’re in, battling this.” Ryn reached out and held her hands.
Her red eyes dropped down to her hands as she felt his warmth against her cold skin.
“You’re staying away from your home to protect everyone inside, aren’t you?” Violet's eyes looked up towards the windows as she felt a sharp poke of anger and frustration.
“But I can see that your control is faltering. How long will you be able to resist before the craving takes hold?”At this rate, she might snap and attack the first living thing that crossed her path. If she could not control how much she took, then they would surely perish from exsanguination. Better to curb some of that maddening need while she still had a semblance of self-control.
After making a rough estimation of her height and weight, Ryn calculated how much blood she would require, at the very least, to stave off the worst of her thirst.
“If you fear you won’t be unable to maintain your grip on yourself much longer and you’re scared of inadvertently killing someone… then I will offer a portion of my blood.” Violet's eyes shot towards him.
Stunned silence.
“At my weight, I have about 4,270 milliliters of blood in total. It’s said that humans can lose up to 15% of their blood volume without severe medical consequences. Which means I can safely spare around 640 milliliters.” The smile on his face widened a fraction as he took in her reaction to his sudden babble.
“That’s a bit more than what’s in a soda bottle.” He gestured with his hands, sculpting the air to illustrate the size and shape.
“Have you ever had one? It’s delicious.”Lowering his hands, he arrived at the crux of his proposal.
“I am willing to donate one bottle’s worth of blood to you, if you are willing to risk it.” The silence echoed around them as Violet nearly pressed herself into the large hedge behind her as if trying to flee from the situation but yet she hesitated. She had already killed someone. Not just an hour ago…
…But the smell that lingered in the air and the taste that still stained her lips…
"Why?" her voice dropped to nearly a whisper.
"Why?..what do you gain from this. No one does anything for free." Her tone turned back to its venomous state, each word biting after the next.
"I cant even trust my own family, how is it you believe i’d trust anyone with something like that?" “It would make me feel like I did some good by helping someone, so there is that. And maybe I’ll be able to make a new friend along the way.” Ryn tilted his head, confusion written on his face.
“I understand why you might not trust me, but why can’t you trust your family? Do they not know about this?”A darkness shrouded over Violet's face as her eyes narrowed. A grin slowly crept on her face, her lips curling to reveal the toothy secret she held behind them as darkness encased the pair.
“Who do you think chose this life for me?” She asked him,
“It wasn't me.” She snapped angrily, her head shaking in disagreement.
Her grin faded nearly as quickly as it came.
“What does it matter anymore?” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I was good…never did anything wrong, read my books while they dotted over my sister. Living a boring life in the shadows of someone else.” She then gestured to herself.
“I end up with an ax in my head, dead. Only to be pulled from peace…sun…calmness to a world where my body was failing me, my eyes blind, my face disfigured…just so they could pine over another sick child.” tears well in her eyes as she dropped her head.
“Forced to drink someone else's blood to survive…” a tear rolled down her face as she gently wiped it away.
Lady Damien’s words and tears spilled from her in a torrent of raw anguish. Ryn bore silent witness as she unburdened her soul. A pang of sympathy pierced his heart, for hers was a tragedy oft-repeated amongst those forced out of death’s slumber. From the folds of his coat, Ryn withdrew a crisp, neatly folded handkerchief.
“Here,” he said, proffering the fabric. She stood still for a moment before reaching for the handkerchief.
“Do you wish to die again, rather than live like this?” "I thought for a while about it, even starved myself in denial." She offered back the Handkerchief after drying her tears with a soft smile.
“I dont think i’d return back to where I was if I did…" she said softly,knowing her actions of survival would lead her down a much darker end.
“They created the monster, so they will need to live with it." Her voice dropped to a more venomed tone once again.
Violet's red eyes shifted to look at him as her eyes pierced into his with a stare, unblinking and focused.
“I haven’t entered the event…because I would kill them all." including alexander she thought as she tried to tear the memories of earlier from her mind but it was no use.
“...You asked me before…about the craving. I dont think I could stop myself if I were to go through with your offer. You’ve been kind to me which many have not. You even kept me company in the park… " her voice trailed for a moment as she felt a few of the memories slip in. Taking a deep breath she reached down and slipped the shoes back on her feet as if preparing to leave.
“So I will show you kindness and decline your offer."Udo’s desperate quest for the honorable death that would let him pass on with his goddess’s blessing flickered and faded behind Ryn’s closed lids. A bone-deep sigh rattled in his chest.
“Then I hope you can take some small comfort in knowing that there are ways to put a permanent end to your existence, should you desire.” An unthinkable thing to voice for most. For those who had contemplated suicide, though, the power to draw that final curtain provided bittersweet comfort. To know that there would be an end to their living nightmare.
For Violet, living had become her nightmare.
Shifting in her spot, Violet swayed softly as the air around her seemed to darken. She wasn't sure anymore what awaited on the other side but she knew what waited for her here and that was death and not that of her own.
“And though your family chose this, from the sounds of it, they must’ve loved you so dearly to want you back no matter the cost.” His gaze fell to the damp cloth, imagining the bitter rain of tears that must have fallen the night of Lady Damien’s murder, before tucking it away.
“You’re also blessed with friends such as Lady Charlotte, who would support you through this. It speaks volumes of you as a person, Violet.” The red eyes that fixed upon him as he spoke, narrowed at the thought of feeling remorse for the ones who supported or perhaps even had some hand in her condition.
Blessed… There was no blessing here, only whispers and laughter. Death.
Ryn paused, his expression shifting as a subtle frost crept into his tone.
“However, if your motivations stem from a desire to punish your family, I must urge you to reconsider your method. Please, do not involve those unconnected to your grievances. That path will only breed more pain, more darkness. They don’t deserve to bear the consequences of your family’s actions.” With her condition, she risked devaluing people to mere sustenance. If she decided their deaths could serve as a means to settle the score with her family, it would be all too easy to start viewing all other life as expendable,
much like them.
“Don’t let your pain and anger destroy yourself… You deserve better than that.” He wondered if he spoke these words to Lady Damien or to his own family—his grandmother.
Little Ryn stared unblinkingly into his grandmother’s eyes as her hands held his face in an inescapable grasp. Though neither were the same color, they were so dark it he could not really tell, even this close to her face, they just looked black. “They are the ones who robbed us of everything. But they twisted the narrative, turned us into monsters to be hunted without mercy.” Her weathered hands trembled, from what, he could not say, “And if not for the oath, I would have gladly become one, in body, mind, and soul.”“It’s a bit late for that Lord Fritz. Much of me has already been destroyed.” “But not all.” The tears were proof of that.
For the first time, Ryn’s gaze completely left Lady Damien and he contemplated the problem before them, brow furrowed in thought.
“I believe securing a stable source of blood must be the priority. Establish a reserve of sorts that doesn’t involve slaughtering people left and right. It may also be worth exploring whether your hunger can be sated by non-human blood.” When he halted his pacing, he met her gaze.
“Putting the issue of morality aside, even from a practical standpoint, you cannot afford to draw attention to yourself with unnecessary killing. You may end up having to deal with an angry mob with torches and pitchforks. And you would be depleting valuable blood resources.” “Your concern for my actions are misplaced Lord Fritz. Respectfully you nor any of the other nobles cared until I became some circus act to gawk at for the morning newspaper. I would be shocked to even believe any of you cared or even knew of my death.” She looked away uncaring.
“What I do with my time is my own, and if any of this information bleeds out, I will ensure that it isn’t the only thing bleeding.”“Was… that a pun?” Ryn chuckled softly before settling into a troubled smile.
“... It seems like you’ve decided everything about me, for me, as well.” He said, the unspoken comparison to her parents hanging in the air.
“May I ask why the concern I had when we walked together or the concern I am expressing now is less meaningful to you?”From what he could gather, she seemed to be somewhere between resigned to her perceived fate and enraged at the injustice of it all.
“I’m sorry people aren’t grieving for you in the way you wished. But as I understand it, your parents, with the crown’s help, have kept your murder a closely guarded secret. The newspapers haven’t reported it. Few even know of your passing, and I learned of it only by chance.” He assumed the Damiens did this in order to protect their daughter, to give her some modicum of normalcy.
Leaning forward, he pinned her with an intense stare.
“What you do has always been your choice alone, Violet. You can give in to despair. Allow circumstances, or others, decide everything for you. Seek revenge or offer forgiveness. End your life or embrace this new existence. Become the monster you dread or the person you want to be. Fight alone or with allies. Every decision has consequences you must shoulder.” As Ryn straightened, he began to put his glove back on.
“I’ve listed potential alternatives. Whatever avenue you pursue to slake your thirst, hereafter, know that it’s a road you walk with open eyes, fully aware that other roads exist.”“You are not what they made you, Violet Damien. You are who you choose to become.” “Spare me your pity party Lord Fritz. My life has been chosen for me.” She let out a long sigh as her chest collapsed down, the wind picked up again and as she breath in the smell once again hit her nose. The pungent, iron scent…called to her as she swallowed hard to pull it back. With so many people at the event, she needed to find some place less crowded…quite.
“Regardless of what people want to say or believe, I am the one who needs to look in the mirror. The constant reminder of my disfigurement. On top of all of that I am now subject to remove life from others to spare my own. You may keep your advice for someone who wants it. Until someone is in my position, to know what its like to be ripped from what I could only understand as heaven, To be pulled back to fulfill some sick joke of sparing my parents feelings. My actions may be of my own, but they were fueled by what lurks inside that manor,” her voice deepend slightly.
The comment about the disfigurement puzzled him. True, there were scars, but they did not diminish her beauty in his eyes. She was beautiful despite it, even because of it. Much like kintsugi.
“Most living things take life to sustain their own. Even you did before you died the first time. Unless you secretly knew how to do photosynthesis, I assume you’ve had your share of meat, fruit, vegetables, and yeast.” His fingers traced the veins of his wrist.
“Living things can make more blood as long as they live. You don’t have to kill anyone.”He knew that the conversation had reached an impasse. Lady Damien made it evident that she was unwilling to entertain his words, at least not at present. Maybe if the words came from someone she cared for, it would be different, but not from Ryn, some random stranger. Thus he ended the discussion with,
“I may not fully understand what you’re going through, but I’m here to help however I can,” and left it at that for now.
An idea suddenly came to mind and Ryn flashed her a boyish wide grin.
“You said you’ve always been a good girl who never did anything wrong, living a boring life. Then, why not be adventurous in this one? Try out new things that you couldn’t before? We could even do something deliciously naughty, like fling eggs at your parents’ house.” Violet's eyes glanced over at the party. Alexander had made it rather clear to her what she was instructed to do and while she did hold the thoughts in the back of her mind this offer sounded much more exciting.
“What… do you think?” He watched her, hopeful, waiting on her response.
“What do you have in mind?” she flashed a toothy smile, her sharp canines peeking beneath her red stained lips.
The smile that It returned to her was wholly different from the ones which came before. A feral thing, all sharp edges and glinting teeth; a bestial baring of enamel that mirrored the lady’s own wolfish grin.
With the masquerade party concluded and his commitments met, Ryn made good on his final promise of the night by introducing Lady Damien to the city’s nightlife. They indulged in the revelry offered by various disreputable establishments—shabby taverns, smoke-filled public houses, and rowdy saloons. Laid wages at a gambling den thick with the reek of desperation, the rattle of dice and the slap of cards punctuated by curses bitten off behind clenched teeth. Using charcoal stubs, they left their mark defacing walls with crude drawings and inscriptions. And they danced. Danced to every music that caught their fancy. Everything Lady Damien had always been curious about but never dared to explore in her previous life because she was a “good girl.”
All the while, Ryn kept a watchful eye out for trouble. Which may be the only reason why he spotted the group of shifty characters who had been tailing them for quite some time. Their sidelong glances and hushed exchanges spoke of opportunistic thieves awaiting just the right moment to make their move upon the unwary pair.
A rather intoxicated Violet giggled off to the side as she clumsily fell into a gentlemen. He had his arm outstretched looming above her head as he gave her a coy smile exchanging words that made Lady Violet's face flush with pink as she attempted to steady herself.
Oblivious to the people that Fritz spotted, Violet took a long sip on her glass as she leaned up against the wall continuing to giggle at a joke that was more then likely not funny.
Deciding it was time to intervene, Ryn approached his inebriated friend.
“I think it’s time we call it a night, Violet,” he said. Lady Damien’s protests bubbled forth, giddy and slurred, her cheeks flushed a deep pink, but Ryn held fast. He carefully guided her towards the door and out into the cool night air, his arm securely around her waist, anchoring her against the pull of gravity.
Rather than take the most expeditious path back to the Damien estate, they wove a circuitous route through narrow side streets and dimly lit alleyways. Better to muddy their trail should any unsavory sorts give chase, and the added time afforded a chance for words.
“Well, well,” Ryn began with a playful tone,
“who knew you were such a party animal! How was your first taste of the city’s nightlife? Did it live up to your expectations?” Even as the questions left him, he wondered if this night of reckless abandon would ultimately prove cathartic for her or if it would only compound the issues that drove her to seek solace in the first place. Ryn watched her carefully, his hand gently rubbing slow circles on her back when she needed to pause and reorient herself.
Stopping to lean against a stone wall Violet caught her balance. Grinning at Fritz she let out a small giggle.
“Better than some horrible masquerade” she adjusted the tail of her gown that she had borrowed from Alexander's wife. Realizing that she would need to go home, at least to find a better change of clothing she frowned.
“ I should probably head home…” she said softly in defeat however she had no intention on staying.
“Thank you for turning my evening around. You really opened my eyes” she smiled as she attempted to straighten up but ended up falling back into the wall.
Ryn gestured toward the far end of the dimly lit alley.
“Worry not, my lady,” he assured her.
“Once we exit this passage, home shall be but a stone’s throw away.” With genteel courtesy, the count hooked Lady Damien’s elbow with his own and continued down the uneven cobblestones.
As they emerged onto the gaslit street and her stately manse came into view, Ryn jovially said,
“Thank you for allowing me to accompany you tonight. If you ever wish to go on a similar adventure, let me know. I would love to do this again.” He paused, before his voice took on a softer cadence.
“And I want you to know that my offer of companionship extends beyond just drinking and dice. If you ever have need of a friendly ear, or a helping hand in finding your killer… you need only send word, Violet. I am but a missive away.” Ryn’s eyes held hers, willing her to absorb what he just said.
“I hope you don’t forget my words this time.” His hand found her arm and patted it.
Violet's red eyes glanced down to his hand that offered her a supportive pat then back to his face unsure if his words were genuine or held some sort of motive behind them. It was as if in her drunken state there was a small part of her still there, the part of her that never died that day. The one that wanted to trust someone.
Forcing a smile she nodded
“Thank you…” she said softly as her expression shifted from her giggly state to one more somber as they approached closer to the manor.
“...I will keep it in mind.” Her eyes glanced up to the Manor as it came closer in sight. Every time she saw it, she felt as if the world around her was closing in. Nailing her inside of a coffin. It was no longer home.
“I hope you can keep this night between us.” she said, before stopping them just a block from the back gates.
“I don’t know who to trust right now…” her voice dropped to nearly a whisper.
Ryn took note of Lady Damien’s curious reaction—she seemed more distressed by her parents’ decision to resurrect her than not knowing who had cut her life short and why. For the time being, he resolved to grant her the space she needed. He trusted that she would seek him out should she decide to accept his offer. With a nod, he acquiesced.
“Understood.”Mischief sparkled in Ryn’s eyes, accompanied by a conspiratorial smile. A finger pressed to his mouth.
“I cannot vouch for the other patrons’ discretion, but my lips are sealed. As far as I am concerned, tonight is our little secret. If someone asks about you, I will tell them I saw you returning home.”In a gesture of gallantry, the count brought Lady Damien’s hand to his lips as he swept into a bow.
“I hope to hear from you soon, Violet. Until then, good night, and don’t be a stranger.” Offering him a smile and a very off balance curtsy, Violet nodded in understanding.
“Goodnight Lord Fritz” she smiled before turning her back to him and walking back towards the dreaded manor, pausing she turned back around peering over her shoulder at the man. Flashing another smile, this time showing off her fangs as her lips curved into a playful expression
“You’re lucky I don't bite.” Giving him a final nod of her head she turned back around and walked off.
He wished It could say the same.
