Page 24 of Crimson Devotion
“Is it?” She lifts an eyebrow. “How so? Because from where I’m standing, sure, there are vampires who have killed many. But there are vampires who’ve never harmed a human, and there are some who were turned against their will. So, tell me, how is you killing them out of fear different from us killing the coven of witches? Go on, I’m listening.’’
“Because by nature, you creatures are evil.’’
“And back in the day, witches were deemed evil, so that excuse doesn’t hold up.’’
A small scoff comes from my lips, and I take a seat on the couch opposite her.
“But vampires are an abomination. You weren’t created naturally.’’
“And whose fault is that?” she asks, tilting her head to the side and leaning back into the plush seat. “Yvonne’s.’’
“Yes, but—’’
“You really need to look outside the box, little hunter,’’ she cuts me off. “I’m not claiming to be a saint. But aside from a few exceptions, murder is murder. You can’t call me a monster, because the call is coming from inside the house.’’
Fuck.
That sentence alone causes me to shut the fuck up. Nomatter how much it pains me to think about it, and no matter how wounded my pride is by this admission, she is right. I can’t judge her without also judging myself. Who knows if the vampires I’ve killed without batting an eye were actually terrible, or perhaps they were just trying to live in the shadows, staying away from any trouble?
“Don’t think about it, Faith.’’ Ophelia’s words effectively stop that train of thought. “It won’t do you any good to dwell on the past. If you start overthinking, you’ll throw yourself into depression. And trust me, the difference between a human depression and a vampire one is too big for you to handle. It will eat you whole, and before you know it, a whole century will have passed.’’
“Speaking from experience, I assume?”
She blinks. “Yes.’’
With a deep breath, I lean back, staring at the big chandelier above my head. There are a lot of small white candles all around, but the design is unique, and very expensive.
“If you’re from England, how come you’ve ended up here?”
She chuckles.
“Ever heard of Lord Dracula?”
Immediately, I sit up, mouth dropping open. “He’s real?!”
Ophelia bursts out laughing at my flabbergasted reaction, eyes twinkling under the sunlight. She shakes her head, and then, for the first time, a soft, genuine smile takes over her features, and I’m blown away.
She looks so pretty when she smiles.
“No, unfortunately, he’s not real. He was just Bram Stoker’s character. However, after the success of the novel, many wealthy men pretended to be one. One of them being the man who lived here. He was wealthy, but his entire family was taken out by the plague, and as the sole survivor, he believed he was Dracula. Hehad his maids and employees call him that. Lucifer stumbled across this castle, and the man, accidentally. Apparently, the man was drinking blood, and well…he didn’t live long. Humans plus drinking excessive amounts of blood equals death. Once he died, and the staff left, Lucifer took over, and the rest of us followed suit. The place hasn’t changed much since the lord staying here, though. We kept it as close to its historical look as possible.’’
A sigh of disappointment leaves me, shoulders slumping. “That’s a rather boring story. I’d hoped that Dracula was real,’’ I mumble.
“He wasn’t, unfortunately.’’ Ophelia’s voice takes on a dry, almost teasing tone. “Any specific reason you’re so disappointed?”
I shrug. “Not really.’’
Silence falls around us, though it’s not uncomfortable. We’re looking at each other, and despite trying desperately, I cannot look away. Those ruby eyes lure me in, making me forget everything around. It’s like I’m in a daze, under the influence of the highly addictive drugs, and my organism can’t fight against it.
“Anyway…’’ I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure, though it seems to be cracking more and more with each passing moment. “What about me?”
“What about you?’’
“You turned me into a vampire.’’
“Accidentally,’’ Ophelia defends.
“Right,’’ I draw out. “Accidentally. Well, you still turned me into one. Are you going to kill me?”
