Same as always

“Excuse me?” Maria said-

Staring-

Awkwardly.

What?

No, seriously-

What!?

But the vampire-

He didn’t stutter-

He just smiled and it widened. “Please, make me a happy man, and let’s be happy together.” And- “Forever-” A whisper.

A sweet whisper.

“So, that’s your price?” Maria said, calming down.

“Not quite. The text is just a gift from me. You’re in no pressure to accept, though it shall delight to the end of the heavens if you shall accept.”

“No.” There wasn’t even a reason for her to think. After all- “We barely know each other.”

There were vampires here-

Hidden in the shadows-

Maids in the corner-

All heads down.

And all in favor of the count.

But Maria-

Maria was alone-

No one was on her side-

At least that’s what she thought at first. But no- despite being drugged, her soldiers were still here and she wasn’t alone.

Besides-

Her will was that of her own-