A Dangerous Striptease

The fireplace and candles lit again, now a chilly, ghostly blue. Shadows moved over the large study walls, throwing an eerie aura over them. Ru focused on the towering desksitter. Dekaris Zharqasti, the vampire lord, sat motionless, his crimson eyes gleaming faintly under his towering hat.

Ru had never met someone like Lord Dekaris—except the girl in the painting. He was intimidating, a mix of ancient authority and subtle danger. Despite the limited light, his features were crisp and aristocratic. As if he could control the air with the tiniest movement, his ring-adorned fingers delicately touched the arm of his chair.

"Lirui Xiaolian," Dekaris finally spoke, his voice deep and smooth, resonating like a baritone through the room. "You've entered my domain, and now, there are a few things we must discuss."

Ru straightened, his attempt at nonchalance faltering under the weight of the situation. "I thought I was just here for a chat," he said, trying to lighten the tension. But Dekaris's unreadable expression made it clear there was no room for levity.

The vampire lord reached into his coat and retrieved a lengthy, rolled parchment. With a swift motion, he unfurled it across the desk, revealing an elaborate seal at the bottom—a blood-red wax emblem stamped with an ornate 'Z.'

"This is a contract," Dekaris said, his crimson eyes piercing Ru's. "A contract unlike any other you've encountered. It binds you to a game, but not just any game. This is one where players lose more than they could ever hope to gain."

Ru swallowed, the air growing colder as the vampire lord's words echoed. He leaned forward, attempting to read Dekaris's expression. "I have a general understanding of the nature of the show. However, your circumstances have given me concern," he said, calm but cautious. Without waiting for a response, he asked, "Have you had a chance to reach all of the special people to whom you sent invitations to join the game?"

"I'm offering you a contract; I'm not interviewing you, Lirui," Dekaris replied, his voice so cold that the room seemed to freeze.

Though Ru fought to maintain his composure, his body betrayed him, stiffening like a statue of ice. Yet he had something to say, something sincere. "My friend... my dear friends," he began, his voice trembling with emotion. He paused, swallowing hard, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They were bestowed with an invitation, yet tragically, I lost them amidst the chaos of the demon attack."

"So you're willing to risk everything for your friends," Dekaris said, resting his elbows on the desk and interlacing his fingers.

Ru felt uneasy having his thoughts read but nodded nonetheless.

<Then I propose to you an unsigned, secret agreement. This agreement will be independent and bind only the two of us,> Dekaris communicated telepathically, his lips unmoving.

Ru responded in kind, his thoughts cautious.<I want to know what you want from me for the lives of my friends.>

<Your blood,> Dekaris replied solemnly.

"Where would you like to bite?" Ru asked mockingly.

In an instant, Dekaris vanished from his seat. Ru spun around, startled, but the vampire lord was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he reappeared in the chair directly in front of Ru, his movements fluid and silent.

Dekaris tapped the ground with the tip of his cane, then gestured toward the coffee table. There, on a purple velvet pillow, lay a dagger and a crystal bottle, both so exquisitely crafted they could be considered works of art.

<I assure you, I will use your blood for my sister,> Dekaris communicated, his voice echoing in Ru's mind.

Ru's gaze flicked to the dagger and bottle.<I see. But...>

Dekaris remained calm, his red eyes glowing softly as he gestured toward the items. <The choice is yours, Lirui Xiaolian. Your blood to bring your friends to the house.>

Ru's gaze shifted between the vampire lord and the dagger. <I'm going to bleed a little. That isn't a problem for me. But how do I know you'll keep your promise? I have to see Vaelan and Clockmaker.>

A flash of amusement crossed Dekaris' face. <I will allow you to see the Clockmaker and Vaelan. Nonetheless, it is not you who sets the terms here. What will you offer in return for my assistance?>

"What the fuck?" Ru blurted out, then quickly coughed to cover his shock. "Ahem!" He switched back to telepathy. <I'm going to give you my blood. What more do you want?>

<I asked for your blood in exchange for bringing them to the house. But I want to hear what you'll give me in return for showing Clockmaker and Vaelan to you,> Dekaris pressed.

<Okay, I'll give my blood, and you bring them to the house,> Ru replied.

<If you give your blood, it doesn't matter if they are dead or alive; I will bring them to the house.> Dekaris took off his hat and threw it aesthetically.

Ru observed the hat soar gracefully through the air before it settled onto the coat rack. He swiftly shifted his thoughts, filled with admiration. <But I want them alive. If you bring them to me alive now, I will give you my blood.>

<Lirui, I don't think you understand. Your friends are both dead and alive to you right now. For me, their situation is clear. This is important information, and behind it lies a generous offer. But if you don't want it, so be it. I can't force you.>

Ru hesitated, then decided to speak aloud, hoping someone might hear. "Well, you choose. What do you want from me other than my blood?"

<I want to hear what you have to offer me, Lirui.>

Ru searched his pockets, finding nothing of value. Then he remembered the cigarette tucked behind his ear. He pulled it out and handed it to Dekaris.

"You wanted to hear what I had to offer you. And here it is—a cigarette."

Dekaris laughed—a short, unconvincing sound. <What a poor offer.>

<I have nothing to give you. What do you expect? Shall I undress in front of you?>

<I accept this.>

"Are you serious?"

"It's foolish to even ask that. You're not self-aware, apparently. Your beauty..." Dekaris's voice trailed off, his crimson eyes lingering on Ru. "Your beauty is... striking. But it is not enough to sway me entirely. Yet, for now, it will suffice."

Ru shifted uneasily beneath the oppressive gaze of Dekaris. "However, your sorcerers kidnapped me to keep me a virgin."

"I had no such directive." Dekaris tapped the desk several times. <I assure you I won't touch you.>

Ru's eyes narrowed, his unease deepening. "What game are you playing, Dekaris?"

Dekaris leaned back in his chair, his crimson eyes never leaving Ru's. The faintest hint of a smile played on his lips, though it carried no warmth. <You misunderstand, Lirui. This is not a game. This is a negotiation.>

Ru clenched his fists, his anger bubbling to the surface. "And what if I refuse? What if I walk away right now?"

Dekaris's smile widened, revealing the glint of sharp teeth. <You could try. But we both know you won't. You care too much for your friends to abandon them. And besides...> He gestured to the room around them, the blue flames flickering ominously. <You are in my domain. There is no walking away unless I allow it.>

Ru swallowed hard. "I have to admit, I'm a little nervous."

Dekaris raised his hand slightly, and the glass of wine waiting on the coffee table floated effortlessly toward Ru, stopping just within his reach. The deep red liquid shimmered in the eerie blue light. "Drink some," Dekaris said, his tone smooth and commanding. "It will relax you."

Ru hesitated, his eyes flicking between the glass and the vampire lord. "There's no need for that."

As he stood up, Dekaris vanished from his seat in a blur of motion. A moment later, he reappeared on the plush sofa in front of the fireplace, his movements fluid and unnervingly silent. He crossed one leg over the other, his eyes fixed on Ru with an intensity.

Ru cursed under his breath. In response, Dekaris clapped his hands three times, the sound sharp and deliberate. From the dark corner of the room, the dusty piano began to play softly, its keys moving as if guided by invisible hands. The melody was fascinating and exciting.

Ru felt the taut vibrations of the piano strings throughout his body. "Yes, you're serious," he said, his voice laced with concern as he untied his scarf. He removed his hat, flung it away, and ran his fingers through his hair.

Dekaris leaned back against the sofa, his posture relaxed. He made a graceful, almost theatrical gesture with his hand, as if inviting Ru to step into the spotlight. "Yes," he said, his voice low and velvety. "I wish to see all of you."

"Okay, I'll do it," Ru said under the weight of Dekaris' gaze, trying to stand as upright as possible. His fingers hesitated slightly as he approached the buttons of his long coat, the fabric heavy and damp from the chill of the night. He undid the first button, followed by the second; his moves were slow, as though prolonging the unavoidable.

The slowness must have annoyed the vampire lord because the remaining buttons came off and fell to the ground.

"There's no need to be so rude," Ru remarked, frowning.

"There's no need to delay so much," Dekaris replied.

"Ah," Ru sighed. And then he removed his long coat and tossed it onto one of the chairs positioned in front of his desk. He unfastened his vest and tossed it in the same spot.

When it was time to unbutton his shirt, he looked at the vampire. Dekaris received a hand signal telling him to continue.

The intensifying blue flames chilled the air to an unbearable degree, and Ru could sense their searing touch slicing into his very skin. But he didn't hold back and undo the first button of his shirt.

The fabric parted slightly, revealing the pale skin beneath. Dekaris's gaze catched every inch of exposed skin. It was unnerving, but Ru refused to let it show. He kept his chin up, his expression neutral.

The hollow at the base of his throat, where his collarbones meet, pulsed with his quickened breath. Dekaris was almost hypnotized.

The fourth button came undone, revealing more of Ru's chest; it glistened like a polished seashell. When Dekaris discovered the pink pearl on the young man's breast, he reflexively bit his lips lightly.

Ru tensed even more but complied, and his fingers moved towards the last button. He felt as though he were stripping away not just his clothes but his defenses as well. He hated it—hatred the way Dekaris seemed to see through him.

He shrugged the shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor in a heap. When it came to his belt, he encountered the vampire lord's appetite.

Dekaris's gaze wandered over the waters illuminated by the sparkle. He was looking at the hills and valleys beneath the young man's skin stretched like a canvas. The water drops moving on his skin looked like shooting stars.

Ru unbuckled his belt and remarked, "Happy now?" as he took it off.

Dekaris didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, until he was standing just a few feet away. "I'm about to be," he said, moving his gaze from the young man's neck to his shoulder and chest.

He reached out, his long fingers brushing against Ru's chest, that pink wet pearl—his nipple. The touch was light, almost fleeting, but it sent a jolt through Ru's body, making him stiffen.

"You promised not to touch me," Ru said forcefully. In that moment, the vampire lord faded away and returned to the sofa.

"That's good," Ru replied. A spark of pleasure had been ignited within him after dominating the vampire lord. He was about to unbutton his trousers until he noticed a strange shadow.

There in the corner was the outline of a man. The figure stood with an umbrella in one hand, his long hair flowing in the wind. His posture was regal, his silhouette draped in the delicate folds of a hanfu, the traditional garment catching the faint light of the room. His presence seemed to have been brought here from a forgotten time. He was like a Chinese prince or something.

Was he gesturing with his index finger? Or perhaps... beckoning?