When Night Comes

4. 𝓘𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀𝓼

(Y/n) stirred in her bed, a faint smile of contentment gracing her lips as she slowly awoke from a restful slumber. However, as her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was in an entirely unfamiliar room.

The lavish bedroom enveloped her, featuring a grand bed adorned with light burgundy covers. Towering windows, concealed by beautiful curtains of the same hue, blocked any intrusion of sunlight. The walls bore intricate woodwork painted black, while an imposing black chandelier dangled from the ceiling. To her left, a set of shelves displayed a collection of exquisite porcelain dolls, the kind she only saw in the exclusive toy shops of the city.

Startled by the sound of a creaking door, (Y/n) snapped her head in its direction, memories of the horrifying events flooding her mind. She rapidly propelled herself out of the bed, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the approaching figure. Her back met the cold, unforgiving wall, and her eyes remained locked on the intruder, a monster wearing the guise of a man, who strode into the room.

"You're awake," the vampire noted, and she whimpered, her fear of a repeat of the brutality she had witnessed overwhelming her.

"Please," she implored, her voice but a whisper as she hugged herself for comfort. "Don't hurt me."

The duke halted in his advance, his face marked by a perplexed frown. "Hurting you, starshine ? That is ludicrous," he objected, almost horrified at the thought.

Unable to contain her fear, (Y/n) broke down. Hugging her knees to her chest, she wept. "You slaughtered my parents," she cried, hot tears streaming down her cheeks. "I will be the next, won't I?"

It was only when the vampire placed a gentle hand on her shoulder that she noticed his proximity. "Never," the monster replied, his tone far gentler now. "Do you not understand, doll? I took you in. You are my child now."

With uncertainty and fear etched into her expression, (Y/n) raised her head. "My parents..."

"Don't matter," he curtly interjected, his eyes narrowing as a possessive glint emerged in his eyes. "I shall be your father now."

⊱ ────── {⋆☾⋆} ────── ⊰

It had only been a few hours since she had woken up in this manor. (Y/n) had slightly calmed down, but the presence of the vampire, always somewhere next to her, was suffocating. The nobleman was delusional. In his delusion, he wished her to see him as her father, the very same father he had so brutally taken from her.

Her heart thumped as he brushed her hair with a sickeningly tender care. She sat before a black vanity, and he loomed behind her, treating her as if she were some doll to be played with.

In this moment, the vampire held the upper hand, his immortal capabilities making him the dominant figure. But (Y/n) understood that she had to bide her time, to either wait for him to grow tired of her or for an opportunity to escape. The being wanted a child, a girl to pamper, yet (Y/n) was eleven, and she knew that he would eventually tire of her. He would either let her go or kill her. She gulped as she thought about that alternative. The girl would have to behave, so that the duke would like her enough to not end her life.

"I cannot wait until your twelfth birthday," announced the man with a soft smile.

"What will happen on my birthday ?" She asked with uncertainty.

"Your turning," he replied with an unsettling excitement.

A chill ran down (Y/n)'s back. "Turning ?" She repeated. She wasn't sure of what he meant by that, but she had a feeling this was anything but good for her.

"You will be turned into a vampire once you reach the age of twelve," he declared matter of factly. "I would have turned you now, but laws are unfortunately against it."

The human shook her head, and he tutted, his dissatisfaction palpable. "I don't want to be a vampire," she urgently protested.

"This is a gift, starshine," the man rebutted with insistence. Steadily, she stood up, and he sighed in frustration. Catching her wrist, he prevented her from getting away from him. "This matter isn't debatable," he hissed, his eyes narrowing in a display of authority.

His grip on her wrist tightened and she felt as if a coldness emanated from his hand, freezing the girl's hand. She cried out when she saw ice encasing her wrist and tried to free herself, her struggles a futile effort against his supernatural strength and abilities.

"You will stop your little fuss at once and will behave," he growled with fury, and she flinched at the dangerous look in his eyes. "Understood?"

With a slow nod, she reluctantly acknowledged his dominance, her gaze lowered in fear as she withdrew her hand and settled back into her seat, her trembling hands resting on her lap. The ice forming on it had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"You foolish child," he hissed, continuing to brush her hair with increasing force, bordering on painful. "You don't understand the gift I'm offering you. Immortality, power, and wealth beyond your wildest dreams. You would never have to suffer or feel pain again."

The girl recoiled slightly as his voice grew more menacing, but she refused to give in to his words. "I don't want any of those things if it means becoming a monster like you," she said firmly, looking him straight in the eye through the mirror.

He used more strength and she winced in pain. "You're being ungrateful," he snarled. "You don't understand the power and freedom that comes with being a vampire. You'll never have to worry about death or weakness again." He leaned in closer, his breath cold against her ear. "And you'll never be alone. I'll always be there for you, to guide and protect you."

Trembling with fear, (Y/n) was repulsed by the idea of being eternally bound to this monster. "I don't want your guidance or protection," she stated firmly, her resolve unbroken.

"You are but a mere child," he scoffed dismissively. "You don't know what is best for you. You shall thank me for this one day."

The girl continued to tremble in fear, but she remained steadfast, determined to find a way to escape his grasp and safeguard herself from the monstrous creature before her. She knew little about vampires, but she was aware of their inability to withstand the sun.

Soon though, a crease formed on her forehead as she muttered to herself, "Vampires can't withstand the sun."

The duke's gaze locked onto her, acknowledging her statement. "Indeed," he confirmed.

Biting her lip, she continued, "But you can walk in the sun. I saw you do so before."

He acquiesced, lips quirked up with amusement, his eyes shimmering. His left hand rose, unveiling a ring adorned with a small orange gemstone. "This is a chevalier ring, an expensive and sought-after artifact that shields vampires from the sun's harsh glare."

"The ring protects you from the sun ?"she inquired further, wanting to know more about this item.

"More accurately, the carnelian within," he clarified with a nod. "Few possess the ability to craft them."

Tilting her head, she pondered, "So not many vampires have them?"

He nodded solemnly. "It is reserved for the more respectable ones. But worry not; I shall have one crafted for you upon your turning."

Fear took hold and her body went cold with dread once again.

"Smile, dear," he urged, as if what he planned to do to her was something to celebrate. "This is for the best."