"Well, well, well, look at what we have here. A vampire hunter has become the hunted."
I was suspended in a cage that was barely bigger than I was, dangling by a chain high above the ground and stripped down to my underwear, but that didn't stop me from mocking my captor. "Figures you'd have to lay a trap, couldn't kill me yourself?" I taunted, trying to put on a brave face. Truth be told, I was scared. Being captured and at the mercy of my prey was not something I wanted to experience, but that's what happened. Vampires were not known for their kindness. A vampire will drain the blood of their victims, turning them into dead husks if they're lucky, or undead ones if they're not. Becoming either was not something I wanted to happen.
My current target and now captor was Countess Anastasia DuCaine, one of the oldest known vampires. She was also one of the most powerful, having managed to keep her real identity as a creature of the night hidden for centuries. She was wearing an elegant blood-red dress, her ample bosom almost bursting out of it. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders like midnight waves. The countess' face was beautiful, but it was her eyes that held the power. They glowed with a bright crimson light, giving off an eerie aura. The Countess looked up at me, her mouth curled up into a wicked smile which exposed her fangs.
"I've heard so much about you, John," she said in a husky voice. "It seems that the stories are true. You do have some skills after all."
She walked towards me, moving slowly, savouring every step. Stopping right before my cage, Anastasia stared up at me with those burning eyes. She then pulled a hidden lever, and the cage I was in dropped to the floor with a loud crash. It hit the ground hard, throwing me against the bars. I scrambled to my feet, holding onto the bars for support. My head spun, and my body ached from the impact. But I refused to show any weakness.
The countess watched me intently, a smirk playing across her lips. She seemed amused by my predicament. "So, this is where you belong, hunter? In your cage?"
I stared her right in the eyes. "Not for long."
The countess raised an eyebrow. "You're bold, aren't you? Perhaps you think you can take me down? Well, let me tell you something, hunter. I am not someone who should be taken lightly. I'm old, and strong, and far more powerful than you could ever imagine." Her hand reached through the bars, stroking my cheeks. "And now that I have you, I have no intention of letting you go."
I recoiled away from her touch. "Don't touch me!" I yelled, slamming against the back of my prison. "I'll never give in to you! Never!"
Anastasia laughed, one hand covering her mouth. "Oh, how cute. So defiant. I'm going to enjoy breaking you, little hunter." She paused for a second, deep in thought. "I believe we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. If you help me destroy the rest of my rivals, I'll keep you alive. How does that sound?"
I glared at her. "Like a fool's bargain."
Meeting my gaze, Anastasia bent over, giving me a good view of her cleavage. "Are you sure you want to say no to such a generous offer? I can offer...other rewards, if you feel so inclined. Why, I don't know who could possibly refuse such an opportunity."
I tried to ignore her seductive looks, but my mind kept returning to the countess' ample chest. Though, a question came to mind, one I had to ask. "Why would you need my help anyway? You're a powerful vampire. What do you need a human hunter for?"
Anastasia's eyes flashed red, and she leaned closer to me. "I am not all powerful yet. Many others seek my head, more than I can deal with. Attacking them myself would draw too much attention, but a vampire hunter doing so? No one will suspect a thing. Now, what do you say, little hunter? Will you join me?"
Anastasia's words were sweet, but her eyes gave her true intentions away. She wanted me to work for her, but only because she knew I wouldn't be able to resist her charms. That's why she made the offer. And even though I wasn't stupid enough to fall for her flattery, I still had to consider my options. If I refused, I'm dead. If I joined her, maybe I could survive.
"What kind of terms do you have in mind?" I asked, hoping to find a way out of this mess.
Grinning, Anastasia's fangs became visible for a split second. "Very well, little hunter. Until the last of my enemies are eliminated, you will become my servant. When all threats to me are dealt with, you will be free to go, with the condition you will not try to kill me again."
I nodded. "Deal." It's not like I could refuse.
Anastasia clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! Then it's settled. Let us get started!"
Instead of finding a key to unlock the door, she instead used her monstrous strength to rip the cage open. I was thrown to the ground again, and Anastasia quickly closed in on me. She pressed herself against me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me close. Her breath was warm on my neck, and I felt her breasts press against my chest. "Such a lovely body," she whispered in my ear. "You're going to make a wonderful addition to my collection."
Her tongue licked the skin on the side of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. She moved her mouth lower, kissing my throat. Her lips brushed my collarbone, and her fangs gently scraped my neck. My body tensed, and I struggled to remain calm. I knew what was coming next.