It was some time before I managed to move again, it felt like a betrayal, as If I was personally murdering someone I dearly cared for. It started as twitching, the clenching and unclenching of my fists. Then I moved on to tensing my muscles, my arms and my legs.

At least fifteen minutes had passed since I had made my decision, maybe thirty since they had left for whatever celebration they where partaking in. I tried to sit up, my fists clinging to the now bloodstained sheets around me. I gasped as I fell back, wheezing as the pain came back to me.

My abdomen, flayed of skin and damaged by her tender touch, would not listen to my commands. Looking at what she had done was difficult, seeing so much of my own blood. I was looking at my own untouched muscle, freed of skin. I flopped once toward the canopy, pausing from the fresh wave of agony. It was another three halfhearted jerks towards it before I managed to wrap a hand around it.

She had been careful not to harm anything but my chest, keeping her ministrations localized. It was easier to life my self up, but no less painful. I felt the warmth of my own blood start to trail down my legs. A look at the full length mirror at the end of the room made it clear my eyes hadn't been lying to me.

I wasn't even certain how I was alive. Sure she somehow hadn't knicked arteries or damaged any of my organs as far as I could tell, but between shock and blood-loss that shouldn't have mattered. Then there was the fact I was moving at all. The pain was so much more than anything else I had experienced, but I wasn't on the ground, writhing in the pain of simply breathing. Magic. Some kind of magic was the only answer. Something to keep my heart beating and my mind aware.

It was clear she had done something to my mind, it was no leap that she could do it to my body too. I crouched low, picking up my shirt with some difficulty. Just as well I didn't want to see it anymore, the memory of the pain, the pleasure, was far too distracting. Besides, maybe it would put less of a target on my back.

I had a feeling jeans and a black T-shirt wasn't the kind of wardrobe this party required, but it was better than nothing. With that in mind I managed to put the shirt on with only moderate difficulty and pain. I probably stilled smelled like a fresh corpse, but at least I wasn't the same kind of advertisement.

This was a celebration for what was probably vampires, and that meant there was likely dozens of them in this place. If that woman was any indicator they where far stronger, far faster, and had actual magic powers. If common knowledge about the legend was any indicator they probably had better senses, and the experience to use it too. All I could do was hope that whatever they called "entertainment" was distracting enough for me to move without notice.

I needed to watch them. If I wanted her, I would need to know how their society worked, what was fact about them and what was fiction. I needed to know what to do next. I took a few steps forward, stumbling and catching myself at the door. I gathered myself for a moment.

"Trua. Her name is Trua." I whispered to myself. I fiddled with the lock for a moment, before opening the door. I froze a moment later, before looking frantically at the empty hallway. There had been guards of some kind hadn't there? Not a sound met my ears, and no set of black armor met my eyes.

I breathed a painful sigh of relief. I could have died before I really even began. I stepped outside, and began to walk the halls of the castle, frantically searching my mind as I did. What did I know about vampires? Every story was different, but all of them where equally possible now. Any mix of legend and media could be true.

Somewhere in the haze of what had happened we passed people dancing, and that was the only clue I had to where they were. I tried to backtrack, going off half remembered and shrouded memory as I avoided patrolling guards, and even what looked to be terrified servants. Human if the way they trembled was any indicator.

The dark of the halls made it easy to avoid them at least. I wandered aimlessly, trying to stick to the vague direction she had led me in earlier. It grew easier as the sound of violins began to flow down the corridor, and voices and laughter grew louder. Unfortunately as the clamor increased so too did the guards and servants.

I drew back when it was clear I couldn't go further without being noticed. I had no idea what would be done to me, if I would be killed, eaten, captured or anything in between. So I changed my strategy. I followed two servants who seemed to have left the celebrations, one was covered in blood, walking silently with a deadened look in his eye, and the other was crying her eyes out.

They lead me past winding hallways and into a side passage I had looked over, taking me down a long staircase and into a far brighter, but less cared for section of the castle. This area had to have been for servants or slaves. Above me they even had fluorescent lighting. I ducked into the first door I saw after the servants rounded a corner, and I nearly ran into a group of people carrying a large platter with a lid over it. Thankfully they were too distracted by the platter to fully take notice of me.

The room itself was pitch black, and I took a moment to breathe. After giving my eyes some time to adjust I looked around again, and managed to make out several large, box like objects attached to the floor, with what looked to be retractable beds of iron. A crematorium.

I shook off a spell of dizziness, before I straightened, and stepped back. Magic or no I was going to lose consciousness soon, and probably my life shortly thereafter. I was feeling weaker by the moment. So little time. I listened for movement, waiting until I was sure no one was in the hall

When not a sound met my ear I stepped outside. I checked every door I passed, quietly opening them, catching sight of sleeping quarters, maintence closets, storage space, and finally a laundry room. It was for less modern than the hall and the crematorium, with nothing but soap and several large buckets scattered around the room. In the corner however I saw my goal. A group of hampers, filled with uniforms.

They were fanciful things, old uniforms one would expect on an medieval man servant. Black silk doublets, and strange pants puffed out at the knees. At least they would hide the blood. I took my pants off, leaving my T on and carefully putting the ensemble together over it.

The buttons were difficult, and I was unsure how I looked without a mirror, but I was far less likely to be questioned. I straightened my collar, before carefully stepping outside again. I didn't bother to wait for a moment when the hall was empty, hoping to test the disguise against people less likely to kill me the moment something was amiss.

Several servants walked past me, but none looked my way. I walked with them, following several as they made their way up the stairs and back to the celebration. I lowered my stance to match the servants, keeping my head low and making a mental note not to look anyone in the eye.

I didn't know much about high society, but some things came easily enough. We eventually managed to walk past several groups of guards, and enter a banquet hall. I realised immediately why all the servants seemed constantly on edge.

The hall itself seemed normal enough to belong in any rich persons manor, but lined along the tabletops were mortal men and woman just like me, but prepared and readied as meals. They were uncooked, but often cut in small pieces like beef or pork. The whole hall smelled so strongly of blood that even I managed to pick up on it.

Those dressed in the clothing of nobility were beautiful without exception. some quietly speaking amongst themselves, and others loudly tearing into their meals. They were all passively letting out that same feeling, but it wasn't directed at me or anyone else from the looks of it. Music rang out around the hall, but I could here more in the next room, where I saw lights focused around a dancing crowd.

I kept away from the tables, making sure to steer clear of party goers when one of the servants drew too close, and a large man pulled her screaming onto the table, laughing boisterously as he did. I tried to ignore the sound of her screams as I watched them go about their celebration.

One of the vampires standing off to the side sighed in annoyance, turning to a brunette beauty. "Lord Vance always insists on having his meals live. Not a question to the host and not a sign of respect to those around him.The barbarian doesn't know anything about proper etiquette."

She scoffed. "Give the man his due, he performed well against the Eastern houses, and earned a place here at Lord Fulgus' table."

He huffed. "Perhaps I'm letting my impatience get to me. When does the main event start?"

"Soon, love." I walked past them a moment later, keeping my head low. I wanted to know more, but I had to keep my movement constant, and I had to look like I belonged. You could go anywhere if you looked like you belonged.

I caught sight a maid with shaking legs, holding a platter but too afraid to present it to the table. I stepped beside her, gently taking hold of it."Where is it supposed to go?"

She swallowed, looking at me with wide eyes. "W-what?" I took the platter from her.

"Where does the platter go?" She pointed to a somewhat empty portion of the table. I took it there without a word. Taking note of the laughter of those who I was serving. I paused for a moment when I noticed the greyed hair of the man in the center. Either he was turned later in his life or these vampires aged.

"Qin dynasty they call themselves. Arrogant isnt it? One of the youngest houses and they think themselves worthy of such title."

I noted the Italian accent, and moved the platter to the empty space as they spoke.

"They certainly know their place now though. It was Cassius who managed to breach their little hovel wasnt it? You-" He paused for a moment, before looking to me. His hand met my shoulder and I had to stop myself from cringing in pain. His nostrils flared.

His eyes met my own, before he shook his head, looking to the platter. "Smells good! Fresh! Seems that upstart Alvarado knows how to treat his guests, if not his wife." The men and woman around him laughed as I stepped away.

Too close, but it got me information I needed. His name was Alvarado then, and people thought of him as an upstart. I nodded at the greatful look the maid sent me before I moved toward the ballroom, nearly stumbling at the sight.

She was there, dancing with an older man who held some resemblance, and the same hair color. Family of some kind. I stepped away just as she was lead around to face me, walking towards a group of servants.

A man with a more ornate uniform seemed to be in charge of this group, and they seemed more experienced than the rest. "Somebody get Annete properly disposed of, and we need more people ready with the food. I know it's worrying their hunger might come to us, but it almost certainly will unless the masters guests are properly catered. We have-" He looked to his watch. "-Five minutes before the main event starts and all the food needs to be in place by then."

Five minutes. Alright then. I walked past the group, making my way back down the servant staircase. I took a moment to review once I was inside the crematorium.

This was a celebration, possibly because of a recent success in a war with something known as the Eastern Houses. The vampire I was planning to murder was considered an upstart by his peers and his name was Alvarado.

I leaned against the door, clutching my ribs for a moment. Not much time now.