Chapter 1

Elena's POV

Death actually had a smell.

As I was roughly shoved into the academy's central hall, the stench of decay and blood instantly surrounded me. Under the dim candlelight, over a dozen pairs of crimson eyes locked onto me in unison, like hungry beasts spotting their prey.

This isn't real... this CAN'T be real...

A week ago I was working at the coffee shop in town, and now I was standing in a horror castle, facing monsters that only existed in novels.

"Distinguished noble lords, tonight's 'dessert' has arrived." The vampire butler who pushed me in sneered coldly. "Debt blood servant, Elena Martinez, nineteen years old, blood type AB, virgin."

Virgin? My face instantly flushed red.

"Oh? Still untouched?" The lead vampire stood up, his pale skin paired with crimson eyes sent chills down my spine. "That's much more precious than those blood servants who've been toyed with."

My hands were bound with rope, my ankles dragging chains. When I tried to step back, the metallic clanging reminded me—there was nowhere to run.

"Lord Lucian, this little beauty looks so delicate." Another vampire licked his lips. "Are you sure you want to share such prime goods with us?"

Lucian slowly walked toward me. He extended his ice-cold fingers to caress my cheek, and I desperately tried to dodge, but there was nowhere to escape.

"How long since we've seen such fresh human..." He greedily took a deep breath. "I want to slowly savor her fear..."

"No... please... spare me..." I trembled as I begged. "I can do anything, but please don't hurt me..."

"Anything?" Lucian smiled evilly. "That's perfect. We're in need of some... entertainment."

"Don't rush, Lucian." A third vampire stood up. "We can take turns enjoying this little beauty. Start with her most tender parts... let her slowly experience despair."

Dear God... what were they going to do to me?

Fear made my whole body shake, survival instinct exploded instantly. I suddenly broke free from my restraints and rushed toward the door without regard for anything else.

"LET ME GO! I didn't do anything wrong!" I screamed hysterically. "I just wanted to protect my family!"

Hair-raising laughter erupted behind me.

"HAHAHA! Look! The little lamb wants to escape!"

"Little beauty, running will only make your blood smell sweeter!" Lucian laughed excitedly. "Fear is the best seasoning!"

I ran frantically through the dim corridor, my bare feet soon cut by sharp stones, leaving bloody trails, but I didn't dare stop. Stopping meant DEATH!

"To the left! Don't let her get away!"

"Grab her legs! Let's see how far she can run!"

I desperately rushed toward the left corridor, with only one thought in my mind—SURVIVE! No matter what, I had to survive!

At the corner, I charged with all my might and heavily collided with a tall figure.

"BANG!"

The massive impact sent me flying, my head slamming hard against a stone pillar. Intense pain made my vision go black, warm blood trickling down my forehead.

"Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to!" I frantically scrambled up to apologize, blood blurring my vision. "Please don't kill me!"

It's over... another vampire...

Then, trembling, I lifted my head.

In that instant, time seemed to freeze.

A pair of blood-red eyes deep as an abyss were gazing down at me. This man was unreally beautiful—platinum short hair, deep blue eyes, perfect like a classical sculpture. But the authority radiating from him made me instantly understand—definitely not an ordinary vampire.

The footsteps behind me came to an abrupt halt.

Those vampire nobles, seeing him, all knelt in terror.

"Your Highness! We didn't know you were here!" Lucian's voice was filled with fear.

Your Highness? A vampire prince?

The man slowly lowered his head, deeply inhaling the scent of blood from my forehead. Suddenly, his pupils contracted violently, his entire body freezing.

"Interesting... this blood's fragrance..." His voice was low and magnetic. "Two hundred years... to actually encounter such blood again..."

I saw complex lights of hunger and shock exploding in his eyes.

Then, he straightened up, majestically surveying the vampires kneeling around us, dominantly declaring:

"From today forth, she is my Adrian Blackthorne's exclusive blood servant. Anyone who dares touch a single finger of hers declares war against vampire royalty."

What?

I stared wide-eyed. Minutes ago I was prey about to be torn apart, now I'd become a vampire prince's exclusive blood servant?

"Your Highness... we truly didn't know..." Lucian trembled. "If we had known earlier that she was yours..."

"Now you know." Adrian coldly interrupted. "Get out of my sight. If I see you appear before her again, I'll let you experience true terror."

The vampires scrambled away and disappeared.

Instantly, only the dangerous vampire prince and I remained.