My Vampire Thralls

Chapter 27: Predatory Glances

Seraphina had to admit one thing: compared to the chaotic mess Micah and Xavier had caused earlier, Adrian was a breath of fresh air. He was, quite simply, the easiest vampire to deal with.

She shifted in her seat, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. In terms of pure aesthetics, Adrian was flawless. His eyes were different from the young master’s—clearer, more translucent, like pale jewels caught in the light.

Even now, Seraphina wasn’t entirely sure why Adrian was so willing to follow her lead. He usually seemed like a man devoid of desire, only showing a flicker of something more when he caught the scent of her blood.

It couldn’t just be because I 'smell good,' could it? she wondered. Is he just a supernatural foodie?

She didn’t fully trust him, of course. Partnering with him before Hunting Day was merely a desperate gamble because she hadn't known anyone else when she first enrolled.

"I’m curious," Seraphina asked, her voice breaking the silence. "Why are you so willing to go along with my plans?"

Adrian’s response was slow, his movements fluid. His soft blonde hair fell forward, partially veiling the emotions swirling in his eyes. He didn’t need much time to think.

"For a half-blood like me," he murmured, "following you isn't much different from following one of the great Clans."

Seraphina searched his face but found it unreadable. The vampire’s gaze lingered on the curve of her neck for a heartbeat too long before he looked away.

"So," Adrian continued, "where do you need my assistance next?"

Seraphina thought for a moment. "Nowhere for now. Just stay by my side."

She was still wary of the vampires from the Crossed Swords and Wild Rose Clans. None of them seemed particularly stable; she didn't want them rubbing off on Adrian and turning him into another lunatic.

Adrian’s expression remained calm, but as her words sank in, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Stay by her side...

He reached out, his long, slender fingers catching the ends of her hair. He slowly wound a lock of it around his fingertip, his eyes lifting to meet hers.

"But if the reward is delayed too many times, even a pet’s motivation starts to wane... wouldn’t you agree?"

Seraphina glanced at his hand. Right. Not exactly a perfectly behaved puppy after all.

However, Seraphina had been losing quite a bit of blood lately. It would be at least two weeks before she could afford to give Adrian even a small "treat." Adrian nodded understandingly. His own wounds still needed time to heal; like a hibernating bear, he spent the time until midnight resting his head on the table, drifting in and out of sleep.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Seraphina finally returned to her dorm at midnight, she was immediately cornered by her roommate, Nina.

Nina scrutinized Seraphina’s face for a long moment before whispering, "Seraphina, do you ever get the feeling... and this is just my observation, mind you..."

She leaned in closer. "Do you feel like—from Adrian to seniors like Micah and Xavier—the way they look at you... it’s like they want to devour you?"

Seraphina realized with a start that Nina was exactly right.

Unfortunately, she couldn't tell her roommate that they were vampires—an entirely different species. Not only would it invite trouble, but a girl as timid as Nina might actually faint on the spot.

"Maybe some people just have very... eccentric tastes," Seraphina replied dryly.

Nina blinked, looking bewildered. "Wait... what?"

She shook her head, as if trying to clear the confusion. It was obvious they weren't talking about the same kind of "devouring."

"Never mind that," Nina said, gripping Seraphina’s shoulders. "Let's talk about the field training after the holidays. It’s a camping and barbecue trip. Want to team up with me?"

Seraphina paused. "I suppose so... I just didn't expect Eli Academy to have such normal activities."

It’s not going to be a 'wild humans' buffet, is it? she thought grimly.

"We’re a night school, but we still do what normal schools do!" Nina chirped. "Besides, there are plenty of fun activities here that regular schools don't have."

Nina sighed, imagining how much happier she’d be if she weren't stuck in Class 3.

Seraphina tilted her head. "You aren't afraid of being targeted by the young master and his clique anymore?"

Nina giggled. "The international students usually don't participate in these things. Besides, you’ve survived this long. I think you’re pretty reliable."

Vampires couldn't eat human food anyway; their taste buds were only attuned to the nuances of blood. While their sense of smell was keen, the scent of a barbecue to them was probably no different from the smell of burning trash. They had plenty of other opportunities to lure in "blood bags," so few would bother with such an event.

"Alright then," Seraphina agreed, feeling relieved.

Nina let out a happy cheer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the next week, Seraphina felt like she was playing a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek across the campus.

She’d run into Micah at the cafeteria; Xavier would follow her during archery and riding lessons like a peacock in heat; and if she spotted Demyan, she’d turn and bolt in the opposite direction.

Following Seraphina’s instructions, Adrian remained passive, but every time he saw her and Seraphina acting close, Theodore Canaster’s cold huffs increased exponentially.

The teachers turned a blind eye to the drama, while the other vampires watched Seraphina with knowing, calculating looks. Fortunately, Xavier and the others were second-year students; as long as Seraphina was careful, she could mostly avoid them.

However, starting Wednesday, the frequency of dangerous vampires—including the young master—appearing at school dropped significantly.

Walking through the halls, she could hear the disappointed sighs of their fan clubs. "Ugh, I haven't seen the lords from the theater troupe in two days."

"My eyes are starving for beauty... where did they go?"

Curiosity finally got the better of Seraphina. She turned to Adrian and asked, "Do you have any idea where they went?"

Adrian blinked. "I haven't joined any Clan, so I’m not entirely sure... but I believe there is an inauguration ceremony for a new Sovereign."

Ah, Seraphina thought. They must be talking about the Sovereign of the Crossed Swords Clan—the one the First Department took down.

It made sense. When a seat became vacant, someone had to fill it. Since it was a Sovereign’s ascension, the other vampires would naturally have to show their faces. Thanks to them, Seraphina enjoyed two days of a perfectly normal school life.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday marked the beginning of a holiday break. School ended at 6:00 PM, which coincided perfectly with the gathering of the Hunter Association’s First Department. Instead of going home, Seraphina headed straight to the address the secretary had given her.

It was a high-end, legitimate club where the average spending was over five thousand per person. Seraphina looked up at the opulent, gilded entrance.

It makes sense, she thought. Vampire hunters literally put their lives on the line. They deserve the best treatment.

Seraphina entered the club and found the private room. She knocked twice before pushing the door open.

Because hunters were naturally agile and alert, everyone in the room turned to look at her in unison. These were people who lived on the edge of life and death; their gazes were sharp and piercing, though not necessarily malicious.

Seraphina didn't feel intimidated. She took the opportunity to observe her fellow hunters. There were about ten members from the First Department present, both men and women. They were dressed in light, casual clothing, but their lean, well-trained physiques were unmistakable.

Exquisite dishes sat on the round table, mostly untouched. The party was just beginning.

A woman sitting near the door arched an eyebrow. "A rookie?"

Seraphina nodded. "Yes. Hello."

The tense atmosphere broke, and the woman stood up—she was a full head taller than Seraphina. She put a hand on Seraphina’s shoulder and guided her to an empty seat.

The tall hunter leaned in close, wrapping a friendly arm around Seraphina’s shoulders. "To be honest, we rarely see kids as young as you in our department."

The hunter sister chatted with Seraphina for a while. Seraphina didn't mention she was a student at Eli Academy, only that her brother’s disappearance was linked to vampires.

Curious, Seraphina asked, "Why did you all become hunters?"

The woman laughed heartily. "I was targeted by a vampire once. I was lucky enough to survive, so I figured I might as well join the opposition."

From their conversation, Seraphina learned that the First Department only recruited elites. Even now, there were only twenty members. Most of them held deep, blood-stained grudges against vampires—the kind they would die to settle. They had far more grit than the other departments.

Sitting at the table, Seraphina felt like a delicate dessert served after a tray of heavy entrees—completely non-threatening.

Above the First Department were the Ten Seats. Some of the top elites of the entire Hunter organization were sitting right in front of her.

"I see..." Seraphina murmured.

The Hunter Association seemed a bit understaffed. The twenty-odd members of the First Department plus the Ten Seats didn't even equal the student body of Eli Academy.

Moreover, the vampires at Eli Academy weren't the only ones. She remembered the numerous faces on the most-wanted lists she had seen. Looking at it this way, the balance of power was severely skewed. It was a miracle the Association hadn't been wiped out yet.

"Sister," Seraphina asked, "the secretary didn't tell me how to take on missions. Could you show me?"

She hoped to find information related to Silas before the organization folded.

"It’s easy!" The hunter demonstrated the process on the internal network. "Look at this mission for a nightclub. This vampire is probably C-rank—no independent thought, just a mindless beast causing destruction. Easy to clear."

Seraphina leaned in, studying the phone screen intently. The mission didn't look too difficult. But the reward was only 100 points.

"How many points do I need to reach the Third Seat?" Seraphina asked.

Several people overheard her and laughed playfully. "Little sister, you have grand ambitions!"

"The Third Seat usually requires killing more than ten S-ranks... Hmm, you’d probably need about a million points."

Seraphina looked down at the 100 points listed for the mission. She stood up. "...I’m going to the restroom."

The girl felt a brief wave of hopelessness. She leaned against the sink, staring into the mirror for a long time. She splashed cold water on her face, the chill snapping her brain back into focus.

How can it require that many points?!

If all else fails, should I just go and take out Xavier?

His bounty was at least a hundred thousand points. Of course, that was just a fleeting thought. Seraphina had no intention of a life-or-death struggle with Xavier just yet. Her own wounds had only just started to heal.

She calmed herself, wiped the water from her face, and checked the time. It was almost time to go home.

As she dried her hands and started back toward the private room, she suddenly spotted a familiar honey-colored figure at the corner ahead.

He was dressed elegantly, walking slowly with his hands in his pockets as if taking a leisurely stroll.

Seraphina frowned, wondering why "Little Cupcake" was here, when someone suddenly grabbed her wrist. With a sharp tug, she was pulled into a side corridor.

"?"

Theodore Canaster’s palm clamped over Seraphina’s mouth. "Don't make a sound," he whispered urgently.