𝐌𝐘 𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

十六 | 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄

adulation (n.)
adoration. worship.
admiration. devotion.
reverence. favor.

「 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑺𝑰𝑿𝑻𝑬𝑬𝑵 」
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄

꧁꧂

(Y/N) stared into the room Ferid had led her into with concern, gripping the doorframe tightly with apprehension. The room was decorated sparsely, with only a large bed within, a wooden coffin next to it, and a nightstand containing a tightly locked drawer. The heavy velvet curtains were drawn shut, encasing the space in a blanket of darkness despite the sun steadily rising in the sky.

This is...

"My bedroom," Ferid finished (Y/N)'s thought for her as he yanked at her chain, forcing her to stumble inside and stand beside him. "Where you will be staying. With me." He smiled down at her as he continued, "After all, you've been behaving quite well, so there's no need to keep you in the dungeon anymore."

(Y/N) cast her gaze to the side.

I actually now prefer my cell... not whatever 'this' is—is he trying to play house?

"I... didn't think vampires slept," she muttered softly as she fiddled with her fingers, trying hard not to let her fear leak through in that moment.

    "We have no need to, but as we've discovered from your humans' silly tales, coffins are quite comfortable and aide us in evading the sunlight," Ferid spoke with a small, almost condescending smile as he placed one hand on her shoulder before then trailing his fingers to her metal collar, his ghost-like touches making her flinch. "We may wear UV-protective rings and armbands, but that doesn't mean we like the sun. And, just because we're immortal doesn't mean we aren't bored—why do you think I sleep and keep you around?"

    "I... see," (Y/N) merely murmured.

    I remember something like that from the anime... but it wasn't necessarily explained.

    I guess this is why.

    She didn't struggle as Ferid led her to the bed which surprisingly had clean sheets considering he never slept in it, however dragging her feet to slow down the trip for as long as possible. It wasn't that she was not tired—she was, desperately so, after 'entertaining' both Ferid and Crowley by literally fighting to the death. However, she wasn't comfortable being so defenseless in front of a predator who would happily drain the blood from her body if it weren't so rotten.

At least, that was before Ayal announced the shift in her blood's components.

    She was becoming used to this world.

    So was her blood.

    Slipping under the covers of the bed and robotically laying down, shivering as she did so, she realized that sooner rather than later, her body would be fully adjusted to the reality of this world, and there was nothing she could do to change that. She'd be completely exposed to the merciless hunger of Ferid if she wasn't careful.

    From the rustling behind her, her back facing Ferid, she could tell that he was shedding his outer cloak and boots so that he was merely donning his vest and pants. What she didn't expect was for him to suddenly join her in the bed, his arms wrapping around her in a constricting way that left her tense. Her breathing grew heavier as her muscles contracting, a bead of cold sweat running down her neck at the sudden closeness.

    Was he planning on devouring her then?

    With no prompt?

    Or was she just about to die viciously?

    (Y/N) couldn't tell.

    She never knew with Ferid.

    Even amongst vampires, he was considered eccentric—him and Krul—and impulsive, so the probability of him killing her was high.

    "The only good thing about you humans is your blood... it makes you delicious... but also so warm," Ferid murmured against her skin, his fangs brushing against her flesh in a threatening manner, causing her to jolt in panic. "If only your blood was sweeter... I would love to spill it all right here in the most glorious of feasts for myself to partake in. Such a shame, honestly... but that's what the other humans are for, and you... are just to be my pet. Having something rely on you to this extent... whether it lives or dies being up to you... it's exquisite."

    (Y/N) wanted to scream.

    That, or cry.

    She wasn't sure which one, but an emotion broiled within her that she had to swallow down.

    It was painful having to stay still while Ferid nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, holding her tightly, his touch searing like white hot flames that left her internally begging to be released. She knew he relished the despair and fear he was causing her in that moment, tormenting her in this way without actually having to elicit pain. Disguising this as a 'reward' for her good behavior when it was merely him tightening the leash on her was cruel in its own way, especially if she was too naive to see it for what it really was: a manipulation to get her to want more before he would maliciously take it away.

    She wished she was naive, though.

    At least then she would be able to sleep easy for at least a moment.

    Squeezing her eyes shut whilst crushing her fingers into fists, her nails digging painfully into her skin, she willed herself not to cry; to not show anymore emotion that would give Ferid the satisfaction. Eventually, she did fall into a fitful sleep, her dreams tormented with shadowy beings that clung to her like heavy weights, suppressing her, forcing her down continuously.

    She felt as if she were drowning.

    The next moment (Y/N) awoke, she felt groggy, like even though she slept, she wasn't renewed any of the energy she had lost. Trying to get up, she found out she couldn't due to the arm that was positioned tightly around her waist in a vice-like grip, the realization causing her to go rigid upon remembering that she wasn't the only one in the bed that she had just slept in. Bright sunlight crept underneath the heavy velvet curtains, signaling it was a bit after noon, the typical time a vampire—if they chose to sleep—would wake up.

    Ferid stirred beside her.

    "Are you awake, human?" He murmured, his voice a whisper in the silent air.

    "Yes... master," (Y/N) croaked out.

    "Good," he continued as he pulled her even closer, his fingers now toying with a strand of her hair in a lazy manner. "We have much to do today... I need to acquire supplies for you. You humans are demanding creatures, and I should supply my dear pet with everything you need, shouldn't I?"

    "If that is what you want, master..." she replied, her brows furrowing.

    "Hm..." he hummed, seemingly satisfied with her answer that gave him the control of the situation. "You really are learning well..."

    (Y/N) stayed silent.

    She wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

━━━━━━━━ ꧁ ♥ ꧂ ━━━━━━━━

「 𝑻𝑶 𝑩𝑬 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑼𝑬𝑫 」