My Vampire Thralls

Chapter 20: A Cruel Devotion

As the words left her lips, Theodore Canaster suddenly found himself the target of three intense stares from his fellow vampires.

Seraphina, who was using him as a human shield, gave him a quick, mischievous wink from behind his shoulder.

Theodore: "..."

Cunning human.

He glanced sideways at the "half-breed" standing nearby. Adrian just stood there, silent and useless. What was the point of him?

The relationship between the Vampire Clans was lukewarm at best. The Scepter Clan preferred to remain neutral, rarely deigning to involve themselves in the squabbles of the others. Theodore would never naturally join the Fencing Club or the Drama Troupe.

Seraphina knew this. Even if Theodore hadn’t appeared, she would have used the same excuse.

Xavier spared Theodore a fleeting glance before turning his honey-colored eyes back to Seraphina. A playful, yet sharp smile played on his lips as he began to stir the pot.

"Still sticking close to the mixed-blood, I see? Has Theodore failed to satisfy you?"

An arrogant young master of the Scepter Clan like Theodore usually wouldn't tolerate his "blood bag" consorting with what he considered a low-born hybrid.

Seraphina’s mind flashed with a sarcastic 'Is it a crime to want them all?' but she stayed silent, knowing Xavier’s tendency for shocking remarks.

Sure enough, Xavier leaned in. "I’m confident I can perform much better than either of them. Why not dump them both and choose me instead?"

Beside him, Micah maintained a polite, saintly smile, though his voice was slow and deliberate. "I often wonder where your boundless confidence comes from, Xavier."

Probably from his face, Seraphina thought. Men this handsome were a rarity outside of high-end fashion magazines.

Xavier ignored Micah’s jab, leaning down to wink at Seraphina, radiating a magnetic, flirtatious charm. "Want to give me a try?"

Seraphina rejected him instantly. "No."

Xavier tilted his head. "Has your possessiveness vanished so soon?"

The mention of her earlier "public display of affection" made Seraphina grit her teeth. "Actually, true love is about restraint and patience."

They had been talking at the classroom door for minutes. Students from other classes were popping out like mushrooms, eagerly watching the gathering of legendary beauties in the hallway. When the bell rang, the new homeroom teacher reached the top of the stairs, saw the "minefield" of Purebloods, and immediately turned around and walked the other way.

"Gentlemen," Seraphina said, "I have to get back to class."

Micah didn’t stop her. He simply lowered his lashes, his pale, beautiful eyes looking somewhat dim and wounded. "Next Thursday night, the Drama Troupe has a performance. Will you... come?"

A collective gasp echoed through the hallway.

"Oh my god, who could say no to Lord Micah?" "That’s so cold... how cruel..." "He looks so heartbroken! Whoever she is, she better say yes!"

Seraphina stared at the ceiling in resignation. "...Fine. If I’m free, I’ll go."

Beside her, Xavier’s eyes drooped like a disappointed puppy. "If you attend the theater but skip the Fencing Club, Demyan will be furious. He isn't as easy-going as I am, darling. I’ll be waiting for you at the door of Class 2-3 after school."

Xavier reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Seraphina’s ear, but his hand was intercepted mid-air by Adrian.

Tsk... these two fledglings are an eyesore.

Xavier smiled thinly, wondering when he might get the chance to "clean them up." After a brief, tense visual standoff, he withdrew his hand.

Soon, the two star students of Eli Academy departed.

Theodore brushed past Seraphina and Adrian with an expressionless face. Just as Seraphina opened her mouth to speak, he quickened his pace, not forgetting to mutter "Useless trash" at Adrian as he passed.

He’s still sulking, Seraphina sighed.

Adrian looked down, his emotions steady. "Did you need me to speak back there?"

"It was already a mess," Seraphina looked up at him. "Just standing behind me to look intimidating was enough."

The Fencing Club and Drama Troupe were filled with International Class students—both Purebloods and hybrids. Seraphina didn’t believe these vampires invited her out of simple curiosity.

Theodore was still throwing a tantrum, and since he didn't belong to those two clans, he likely didn't know the full story.

"Those clubs didn't use to recruit non-international students, right?" Seraphina asked.

"No," Adrian replied slowly. He paused to think. "It’s likely about the Hunter incident."

Lillian (Jiang Li) had spoken to Seraphina before leaving, and Seraphina had also been in contact with Nina. If their social circles overlapped, it wouldn't be hard for the clans to pin her as a person of interest.

This feels like an invitation to a trap, she thought.

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Seraphina leaned her head on her hand, sighing with melancholy. She hadn't wanted to draw this much attention before the Hunting Day, but it seemed the situation was already beyond her control.

Adrian watched her for a few seconds. "I’ll go with you."

Due to this little episode, the attention Seraphina received in class was higher than ever. During lunch, she retreated to her dorm to strategize, but as soon as she opened the door, her roommate lunged at her.

"You! When did you get to know Senior Micah and Senior Xavier?!"

Seraphina instinctively stepped aside, nearly letting her roommate headbutt the wall.

"You’re so fast! Anyway, I met Xavier at the start of the term. I ran into the other one during the investigation into the missing students. Trust me, neither encounter was a 'good' thing."

"But the drama this morning was so intense! I can’t imagine how happy I’d be if all those handsome guys were fighting over me." Her roommate’s smile was wide enough to reach the sky.

"Wait," Seraphina looked at her skeptically. "Are you a hopeless romantic? With the way vampires seduce people, someone like you would be hooked in a heartbeat."

Seeing Seraphina’s cold, unimpressed expression, the roommate’s excitement wilted. "...Don't you read those reverse-harem novels yourself? I thought you liked this stuff."

Seraphina couldn't exactly explain that she was looking for intel on vampires. Though, admittedly, the novels were quite entertaining.

"Are you really not interested in them?" her roommate asked, picturing Micah’s divine face. "They are so incredibly handsome."

"Clingy men are like ghosts," Seraphina deadpanned. "No matter how handsome, they’re still trouble." She paused. Right. Vampires are basically ghosts.

"Anyway, are you going to the invitations? I think you should. They’re from the International Class; if you snub them, they might target you."

Her roommate had become a good friend over the past two weeks, providing plenty of gossip and intel within the safety of their room.

Seraphina: "I’m still thinking."

Since both sides were being quite forceful, Seraphina eventually decided to show her face at the Fencing Club with Adrian.

Xavier was waiting for them. "I always feel like our dates have one too many third wheels," he complained.

"Senior, do you like me?" Seraphina asked as they walked.

Even the unpredictable Xavier froze for a second. He actually took a moment to weigh his words. "In a certain sense... yes?"

"I respectfully decline," Seraphina said, quickening her pace toward the club grounds. Xavier let out a soft snort and followed.

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The Fencing Club was located in a building resembling a medieval castle. It felt cold and oppressive, like a giant tomb.

Walking inside, Seraphina felt like she had stepped back into the Middle Ages. Vampires really were sentimental about the past.

At the entrance, she came face-to-face with the Club President.

Demyan wore the red-and-black uniform of the club. A blood-red gem at his collar glittered brilliantly, and a complexly engraved longsword hung at his hip. He was tall and carried himself with an air of absolute authority.

But none of that compared to his eyes.

They were a dark, pressurized crimson. The "Tyrant" stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at Seraphina as if she were nothing more than an ant. Though they shared the same black hair and red eyes, his aura was worlds apart from Theodore’s.

From the moment she saw him, Seraphina’s heart began to race. She didn't know why, but she instinctively pressed a hand to her chest, her gaze locked on him.

Xavier, noticing her reaction, arched an eyebrow. "Darling... surely you aren't actually interested in him?"

Demyan descended the stairs with long, military strides. Before any admiration could settle, the sound of a blade unsheathing sliced through the air.

"Adrian!" Seraphina reacted instantly.

The blond boy stepped forward, placing himself between her and the lunging sword. Xavier’s hand twitched as if to intervene, but he let it drop, acting as if nothing happened.

Adrian caught the blade with his bare hand.

The sword was razor-sharp, but he seemed immune to the pain. He gripped the steel as it bit into his palm, and crimson droplets began to hit the floor. The scent of blood immediately filled the air.

Standing behind him, her heart hammering against her ribs, Seraphina glared at Demyan. "Senior, what is the meaning of this?"

Demyan’s gaze slowly shifted to her, his eyes peeling her back layer by layer. It felt like being stared down by a monster.

The Tyrant withdrew his sword. "What did the Hunter say to you before she left?"

Despite the danger, Seraphina felt a spark of fury. "She told me not to get too close to her. She’s my teacher—is it so strange that we talked?"

The vampires had been played by a Hunter, and they were angry. But Seraphina’s excuse was ironclad. She turned to Xavier. "Senior, what do you think?"

Xavier spread his hands, a cold smile in his honeyed eyes. "This is Demyan’s personal business. Nothing to do with me."

Seraphina realized she had miscalculated. Xavier usually acted so human that she had let her guard down. But what kind of "good" vampire would drain a person dry?

Demyan scrutinized her for a long moment before turning away, walking toward the other side of the castle. He acted as though his attack was perfectly justified—and that she was now beneath his notice.

"Edgelord," Seraphina muttered under her breath once he was out of earshot. One day, I’m going to stab him.

She checked on Adrian. "It hurts," he said softly, showing her his hand. The wound was closing, but slowly, since he hadn't fed.

Seraphina reached up and habitually ruffled his hair. "I'll give you a reward after the Hunting Day."

Adrian blinked. "You like petting me like this?"

Seraphina awkwardly withdrew her hand. She had spent too much time hearing people call him her "puppy," and the habit had stuck.

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After the disastrous visit to the Fencing Club, Seraphina was on high alert for the theater performance. She brought along a Hunter weapon given to her by Lillian.

The theater was a grand European-style building in the north of the academy. Stone statues with featureless faces stood guard by the doors, and pillars were entwined with lifelike stone roses.

The interior was pitch-black and eerie. Seraphina hesitated at the door, exchanging a look with Adrian, who had followed her again. "Stay behind me," she whispered.

She followed the sound of music. It was an operatic piece, a rich female voice singing a haunting melody that made Seraphina feel lightheaded.

She realized she had entered through the backstage.

As she moved toward the light, the scene before her made her freeze. To the accompaniment of the divine singing, vampires in magnificent costumes were feeding on a crowd of fanatical students.

They held their "food" like intimate lovers. There was no fear, no pain—only a terrifying, ecstatic trance.

And there, in the center of the stage, stood Micah. His silver hair glowed with a celestial light as he watched the feast with a gentle, terrifying gaze.

Seraphina felt the copper tang of blood in the air and held her breath.

The "God" in the center of the stage noticed her.

In the blink of an eye, Micah appeared behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently guided her toward the center of the stage.

"See? They are all so happy."

He had done this on purpose—timed her arrival perfectly.

Seraphina wrenched herself away, backing into a stage prop. "What’s the difference between being fed on by you or Xavier?"

Her heart was racing so fast she could barely breathe. The spotlights felt like burning suns.

Micah’s silver uniform was flecked with blood. He peeled off a glove, revealing slender fingers stained crimson. No matter how elegant he appeared, he was a predator.

"How could it be the same?" He tossed the glove aside and grabbed her hand. His movement was gentle, yet his grip was an iron vice.

"He only wants to drain you. But I am different."

He leaned in, his obsession barely contained. "I don't just want to drink from you. I want you to drink my blood. I want a part of me to live inside your body forever..."

His pale eyes locked onto hers. "Then... then you can truly become my child."

Seraphina: "..."

He’s insane.

She knew she couldn't win a direct physical fight against him. So, as Micah pressed closer, she didn't pull away. Instead, she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

Micah didn't object. The scent of her blood was intoxicating. He tilted his head, listening to the frantic thumping of her heart. Such a perfect chi—

In the next heartbeat, Seraphina shoved him to the floor with all her might.

Before he could react, she snapped a cold, metal collar around his pale neck. The latch clicked shut with a sharp clack.

Micah froze, reaching up to touch the strange object. Seraphina pinned him down, her knee digging into his abdomen.

"Don't move."

The operatic singing reached a crescendo and stopped abruptly. The entire hall fell into a deathly silence. Every vampire in the audience turned their heads toward the stage. Their red eyes were devoid of emotion, like a colony of bats awakened in a dark cave.

Seraphina looked down at Micah, her long hair casting a shadow over his face.

In the silence, Micah suddenly began to laugh.

"Ha... haha... truly..."

His chest heaved with heavy, ragged breaths. Under the stage lights, his fangs were bared, and his pale blue eyes bled into a dark, manic red.

Seraphina suddenly felt a surge of doubt about the Hunter's tool she had just used. She kept him pinned, her expression wary.

Micah looked up at her, his blood-stained fingers stroking her calf, leaving a lingering, provocative trail of red.

"Bad girl... be even crueler to me."