The Sanguine Mistress

V

A pitch-black room, a dim lit candle hanging from the ceiling, the room was absent of sound. The floor was made of marble, off white, cracked, and splattered with blood stains. In the center of this room were two men, bound with chains onto a padded folding chair. They were drowsy, inebriated, eyes blurred the still light dancing from corner to corner. The creek of a door draws their attention. A woman in a long black dress with a red trim struts inside, slowly. The fragrance of her perfume struck their nostrils, lavender with a strong, almost alcoholic undertone.

"What have we here?", she questioned, mildly enthused about her encounter, "you've really outdone yourself did you, I'll have to remember this". she towers over one, gently sliding her hand under his chin, lifting his head upward, forcing him to meet her gaze.

"And how are we doing today?", she asked, a sinister grin slowly form within the corner of her lips. The man was unresponsive to her question, his eyes still blurred and constantly averting its gaze.

"No no, this won't do at all", she releases his chin, allowing it to slump downward, before raising her open hand, slamming it against his cheek, the impact ruptures his daze, and the sound even awakening the man sitting near him. he yelped in agony, eyes squinting from the shock, a warm stinging sensation embracing his cheek.

"that's better, alive. responsive. it will be a lot more fun, when you know what's happening", she concluded.

"What the hell, where am I", one man questioned, jolting his limbs in attempt to force himself free. the other man watched, his heart beating from chest as he too attempt to pull himself from his binds. Her hips sway as she approaches him, her hands lift her dress, slightly before taking a seat on his lap. She brings herself to his cheek, red from her slap, she basks in its warmth, "I'm happy you asked. This is the Vinyard of plenty. My estate, my winery. My humble abode", she answers, invigorated by his question, "and as for what the hell, my little helper has brought the two of you here to satisfy my thirst."

"Thirst?"

"I got something for you to thirst on", the other man quickly spouted. she met his gaze before standing up, "oh do you now?", she asked semi sarcastically.

"Yeah, I got a whole heap of stuff in my pants", he proudly announced, a laugh escapes his lips.

"How. Clever", she uttered, dissatisfied with his response. the man smiles as she approaches him, " you walk right into th-", his words brought to a halt, a sharp pain immediately surged through his hand. It turns hot, blood leaking from it, his gaze averted. A decorated dagger placed firmly through his palm. his back arched, his arms shake, a loud whimper ruptures out his lungs. she basks in the scream, tilting and twisting the dagger in his palm. she finally pulled the blade from his hand, bringing it up to her lips. dragging her tongue along it, relishing in its taste, "Warm, smooth, there's a slick, oily texture", she comments.

"WHAT THE HELL", he cried out in agony, his gaze meets the dagger. twirling about in between her fingers.

"Yes, yes, I'm aware, being stabbed is quite painful, though it's your own fault for making such a tasteless joke", she remarks, the man pants, his breathing frantic, wild, his hand practically itching from wound.

"As I was saying, my little helper brought the two of you here to satisfy, my thirst. Usually, he only brings me one soul. Pleasant surprise if I say so myself. though, my stomach is small. I won't be able to finish the two of you all by myself, meaning one of you I will have to save for later", she explains to them, " in other words one of you will die". she turns her back facing the red mark on the other man's face. Dagger in hand, she slowly walks the edge of the blade onto his face, splitting the skin of his cheek and letting blood drip onto dagger, before taking it to her tongue, she makes remarks on the taste, "cold, slightly ridged, frost like", her index finger resting under her chin, "both tastes quite wonderful. this makes things quite difficult.", her finger shifts between the two, indecisive. All the while, the two men desperately attempt to free themselves.

"Who should I choose?", she questions herself aloud, "perhaps the two of you can help me decided". The two men stare at her before averting their gaze onto each other, "I propose the two of you answer a series of questions, this will help me get to know you a little better and help me make a sound decision. This could be like one of those game show you see on television. Only much more vital to your survival"

"What makes you think we'll play your stupid ass game", only replied. She sighed, smiling to herself, "simple, why its the only viable option you have", she paused, assessing their expression, confusion. Optimism. Even as she stood there, still they resist the chains that bind them, yanking and shoving in hopes that the chains will yield. They watch her stand there, amused by their attempts. She lets out a laugh, their eyes widening, where was she, she was just in front of them a mere moment ago, right? Cold nail dug deep onto one of their shoulders, pinning his back against the chair with relative ease, "Realistically speaking, what other choice do you have", despite his retaliation, his body was made still, forced in place under her arms, which are now wrapped around his neck. She brings her lip to his ear. Whispering.
"The way I see it, you've already lost. You can either play my game, and follow my rules. Or not, I could just let you lot tire yourselves out, leave you to rot in this room. I could also just kill you both. But that's not as fun, and I'm quite certain neither of you want death to be your end result", she releases him, stepping away, so the two can meet her gaze once more.

"In this cage, the key to freedom will be your words", she added. Their bodies no longer resisting the binds. The look of optimism and hope slowly fades, "so Let's start with names"

"Anthony"

"Ryan"