Hector stepped over the fine red marble floors as he strode to the center of the room. The torchlight cast long shadows from the many pillars that lined both sides of the magnificent throne room.
The room had yet to be fully decorated, but it was still a stunning sight. He walked until he arrived at the beginning of the staircase.
Heeding Vikktor's warning, Hector glued his eyes to the floor and kneeled at the bottom of the crimson-marbled stairs.
As he kneeled, he could hear Vikktor walking up beside him before joining Hector, kneeling on the ground. "My Queen, I have brought you an interesting specimen."
Hector froze, holding his breath as he awaited the Queen's response. Silence hung in the room like clouds in a stormy sky—a painful silence threatening his sanity.
Would she demand him killed? It was unlikely, but from how Vikktor had acted, he assumed that she was violent. Hector gulped down the knot in his throat. 'If I die here…" no. He would not think like that. If she tried to kill him, he would flee and survive. He would live, no matter what.
Finally, the silence was broken. A thick, sultry, feminine voice filled the room. "Vikktor… You brought me an interesting specimen. I shall see to it that you are rewarded."
A chill ran down Hector's spine, the soft, sweet words dripping with a dangerous undertone. A strange feeling of discomfort began to fester inside of Hector. He could feel the woman's gaze piercing through him. Like the many other powerful people before, he could feel her power scouring him, trying to discover every secret he had to hide.
This woman seemed far more proficient with her power than most others he had encountered. Judging from her aura alone, he compared the energy to the Head Instructor's. If that was true, it meant she was an impossible enemy to defeat.
"Thank you, my Queen!" Vikktor said with a relieved tone. "I am curious about what you would have us do with him. The body of a human but the soul of a vampire is an interesting conundrum, no?"
"It is indeed. Hector boy, fear not. I will not kill you this day."
Hector froze, his mind hesitating at the woman's words. She could sense his thoughts. He was sure of it. The way she spoke, the way her aura moved, the way he felt naked before her gaze. His emotions were on full display before her sensory power.
A moment's pause was all Hector needed to gather his wits. "Your majesty. Please, what do you wish from me?" Unable to hide his emotions from the woman, he instead leaned into his desperation, allowing it to leak out into his voice. He wanted the queen to feel in control. If she mistook his desperation for fear, then all the better.
"Hector Dracula Voss, raise your head." She commanded. Hector immediately wished to know how she had learned his name, but now was not the time.
Hector raised his head. For the second time in his life, Hector was stunned by the beauty of a woman. Unlike the powerful allure of a beautiful goddess of war, Zahara, the Vampire Queen, possessed an unparalleled grace and femininity that stirred a man's heart.
Her skin was ghostly pale and smooth, and long silver hair cascaded down her elegant body, intertwining with the blood-red dress that matched her predatory eyes.
Hector lost his composure for a short moment, utterly stunned by the woman. It only lasted the briefest of moments, but the Queen took notice.
The corners of her luscious red lips curled up into a smile, revealing her bone-white fangs. Her eyes danced in amusement at Hector's reaction, pleased by the attention.
"Dear Hector, Do you like what you see?" she asked, her voice like velvet, light and playful, impossible to ignore.
Hector knew she could feel his emotions even if he refused to speak. He had been interrogated by many powerful cultivators and spent days under the scrutiny of the Head Instructor. Hiding his truth would get him nowhere.
"I can't say I don't. You truly are the spitting image of what I had imagined a Vampire Queen to be."
She laughed aloud. It was a delicate ringing laughter that filled the entire throne room. The beautiful sound was laced with a knowing undertone. Like a flower that looked beautiful, but inside lay a deadly poison.
She raised her finger to her lips, gently pressing it to them, "Such a flirt. Hmm, what should I do with you? It would be great such a waste to let you waste away as a slave."
The flames of the torches danced in the halls' darkness, occasionally filling the room's silence with the crackling of burning wood.
Unwilling to leave anything to chance, Hector spoke up. "Your majesty, would it be too much to ask to serve as a slaver? I fear that the friends you have working with humans are too harsh.
"They are too eager to see humans collapse and become food. If you put me in charge of the slave's oversight, I can ensure a much better workforce, and the completion of your palace will come much faster."
The Queen paused, thoughtful about Hector's proposition. "I see. Too lowly to be an actual vampire but too grand to be a mere human slave. Truly, slave captain would be a fitting position." She mused.
"Vikktor, what say you? Is it true what he says about the fiends?" She asked the vampire gentleman kneeling beside Hector.
He nodded, confirming Hector's words: "I agree. The fiends, indeed, purposefully push the humans too hard. Placing Hector as a slaver captain would likely increase the efficiency of construction."
The queen hummed to herself for a moment, considering the options before smiling brightly. Her radiant smile lit up the room. She truly was a remarkable beauty.
Despite the magnificent woman in front of him, Hector found his mind drifting to another. He recalled the deep amethyst eyes and unparalleled beauty of Zahara… 'What I wouldn't do for her.' He thought to himself.
The Vampire Queen's smile broadened. "You flatter me."
Hector paused for a moment before realizing what had happened. She could feel his emotions but lacked the ability actually to read his mind. It seemed that the vampire queen had mistaken his feelings towards Zahara for feelings towards herself. Considering her vanity, having her think she enraptured him would be useful.
With this in mind, he shared a sly grin, allowing his amusement to show on his face.
"Very good." She purred. "Hector, from this moment forward, I charge you with command over the fiends. Vikktor will take you to your accommodations."
Hector bowed, "Thank you, your majesty. Your generosity is very appreciated."
She smiled, a very intentional, seductive smile. "Oh, and Hector?"
He turned his attention back to the Vampire Queen. "Yes, your majesty?" He asked, slightly uncomfortable under her obvious gaze.
"When it comes to clothes, less is more. Do you understand?" She rested her chin on the back of her delicate yet deadly hand, her eyes sparkling at him.
Hector immediately blushed. He was unsure what had drawn her attention, but he couldn't help but feel flustered by it. "Uh. Of course your majesty."
"Oh, and Hector dear, my name is Hella Von Alcrua. You are welcome to use it. After all, pleasure must go both ways, no?"
Hector grinned, nodding his head. However deep inside, he could feel the woman's claws digging into him, like a predator finding a new plaything.
He…. Would have to be VERY careful.