Euphoria

Chapter Three

Those eyes gleaming red stared down at her, the eyes of predators with hunger in their gazes. The chill that ran down her body shook her to the core and it took everything ounce of strength she possessed to suppress the scream that wanted to spill from her throat.

She recognized the two who had ruthlessly defeated her and her squad, but now she was cornered by four.

"And so she's awakened," one said. His voice was cold, analytical and disinterested. She glanced to him and watched as he adjusted his glasses.

He was different from the other two she had met. Though the other two had worn the vampire army's uniform and customized it to their tastes, he wore an all black attire, crisp and clean with every button and tie fitting perfectly.

Shinoa swallowed hard. There was no escaping, she knew it as clear as day. She desperately wanted to ask what they wanted with her, but held her tongue. Such a question was stupid to ask, and it seemed the vampire in black had anticipated the inquiry anyways.

"Force out any information involving the demon army. And do keep quiet as you do it."

"Fine, I get it! Stop harassing me and go somewhere else."

Ayato grinned and appeared beside her in a flash, his hand roughly grabbing her by the waist and tossing her over his shoulder.

She cried out unable to keep her voice from spilling free. Her body still ached and burned and the sudden rough treatment was doing little to lessen the pain.

"Ayato can I--"

"Ask again and I'll punch you in the face. Back off Laito!"

The vampire named Laito whined,  "Ayato! No fair!"

 Ayato didn't respond. He turned and walked off with her, ignoring him.

Despite that, Laito called out, "Bye bitch-chan! I hope to play with you soon!"

 It was a short walk to their destination and her mind  tried to come up with a plan of escape. The heavy scent of metal and rust tickled her nose as she was led into a dark underground and taken past various chains hanging from the wall.

This is it, she thought. This is how I'll die.

She was tossed to the cold, hard ground and groaned, her ribs feeling as though they were shattering deep inside of her.

"Okay, make this quick. Tell me everything you know about the demon army and I might just let you live."

She forced herself to her knees, her eyes staring hard at the dirty floor. She could only let out a dry laugh, wincing as the pain in her ribcage only worsened. 

"You don't plan on letting me live, do you?" Her voice was hoarse and broken, barely above a whisper.

The vampire laughed. Ayato's voice echoing throughout the empty space and bouncing off the walls to pierce her eardrums. "Ore-sama is free to choose whether you live or die. You better entertain me."

He grabbed her by the neck, his hand wrapping around her throat as he slammed her to the ground. He hovered directly over her, forcing her to stare into his green eyes tinged with amusement.

"Start talking," He commanded, tightening his grip. 

She could feel the pressure on her throat, heavy and capable of snapping her neck in an instant yet she bit her cheek and looked away. She would never betray her comrades, no matter what.

"Ignoring Ore-sama? How bold of you.  I guess I'll have to make you pay attention."

Her eyes bulged, as the pressure around her neck tightened, and she found herself  grabbing his arm with both of her hands and clawing at his hand to free her. There was no doubt in her mind that he was going to kill her and she struggled uselessly against him. 

"That's it," He said, laughing softly, "that's the face Ore-sama wants to see. That expression of terror on your face is perfect." He licked his lips and pulled her forward.

Shinoa struggled against his grip and shivered as his free hand snaked around her waist and forced her to press against his body. He tilted her head to give himself access to her flesh and sank his fangs into her neck.

 She wordlessly gasped, squirming helplessly as he drank greedily, lapping at her blood. 

"Haaah, this blood of yours is too good. I want more," he breathed, licking his lips.

Shinoa couldn't respond, her head was too clouded to offer any more resistance. She laid there unmoving as the cold air drifted over her.

It was like her life had flashed before her very eyes. She was tired. Too tired to keep up. All she wanted was for it to be over.

"That's enough Ayato."

Ayato paused, looking back at his brother before narrowing his eyes.

"What do you want?" He snapped.

"She's the one he was talking about."

"What are you talking about Shu?" Ayato asked.

"She's one of those not to be killed, according to that man. She is the sacrificial bride or something."

"Ahn? That again? So she's like chichinashi?"

"Apparently."

Ayato clicked his tongue and peered down at her before he said, "Did you come here just to ruin this for me?"

"This is too troublesome. If you have a problem take it up with that man, after all, he has the rest of those humans you failed to kill."

Shinoa had little interest in the conversation between the two vampires, but at that statement she turned her head to stare at him with wide eyes. 

Was it true? Was the rest of her squad truly alive?

"Whatever,  I do what I want. She's mine regardless of what he says."

As if he had a point to prove he grabbed her by the neck and forced her into his arms. In what seemed like an instant, she blinked and the next thing she knew she was being tossed onto a soft bed and plunged into darkness. The smell of sweet perfume tickled her nose. As she strained to see through the shadows, she became faintly aware of the pink of the room and the fact that she was completely alone.

She tried to sit up but  the pain and the blurriness of her vision prevented her from moving an inch. Shinoa closed her eyes and tried not to think. She considered it luck that she was still breathing and she didn't have long to consider why. She felt tired, and unable to keep her eyes open as she drifted in and out of consciousness.