The hall was as tall as it was broad, stretching out from heavy oaken doors like a vast stone gullet. A vaulted stone roof painted in deep reds and glittering golds, lit by dozens of torches in black metallic sconces. Shadows flickered over windowless walls covered with old tapestries showing bloody deeds and dark, carnal rituals. A single red carpet stretched from the entrance to a raised dais, on which sat a throne carved from black wood and inlaid with brass. The pale, slender figure on the throne stared down at the whimpering man at her feet, bloodless lips curled into a smirk.
"And who is this that dares to kneel before me?" Victoria Dumont said.
"Jacque Girault, my lady," The man said, his head bowed far enough to touch the carpet. He was strong enough. Perhaps even handsome in a way, with his solid jaw and curling blonde locks. Not her type, but then again... who could satisfy her anymore?
"Is this who you have chosen to keep me sated?" She said, turning now to the crowd that milled about at the end of the hall; as far from her as they could manage.
"Y-yes, Baroness," The eldest said, his voice cracking.
"And tell me, Jacque..." Victoria brushed her long black hair back from her face as she peered down at her prey, "Do you come to this place willingly?"
"I do, my lady," He replied.
"Do you swear to serve me, for as long as I see fit to own you?"
"I swear, my lady."
She smiled, her fangs bared. And lunged forwards.
***
Victoria wiped the blood from her lips and sighed. The crowd had long since left her to feast, so all she had to do was not bother them for another generation, and the villagers wouldn't storm her castle. Though, sometimes she wished they'd give it a try. It would be far more interesting.
She stood, gesturing to the slumped and pale body on the floor. It took a few seconds, but finally, Jacque stood as well, shaky and wooden like a puppet. He had that same blank expression the other servants had like he was half-asleep. She snapped her fingers, and he snapped to attention. At least he was a quick learner.
"Who do you serve, Jacque Girault?" She asked.
"You, my lady." His voice wasn't quite monotone, but near enough.
"And for how long do you serve?"
"Until my dying breath and beyond, my lady."
"I'll hold you to that," She said, turning and walking past the throne. He followed her like a good little puppy. Like all the rest had. Five hundred and seventy-four years as a vampire and they all reacted the same to being enthralled. For such an unpredictable species humans were so... boring.
Her boots clicked along the stone tiles and wooden floorboards as she ascended deeper into the castle. A few pale-faced servants drifted past her, going about their duties with barely a reaction to her presence. Victoria's hands slid around the back of her dress, undoing the intricate knots and ties until the black gown slid off her body and hit the floor. A maid stooped to pick it up, following behind as the shift, corset and chemise followed. Then the boots, the stockings... everything tossed away, leaving Victoria to strut with her slender ivory curves on full display.
Not that any of her servants cared. Even her newest recruit barely reacted to her body.
Gods, that annoyed her.
Being naked in her castle had started as an indulgence; a way to stir up some excitement within her. But now it was just a habit and a convenience. No one visited her unless it was time for an offering, so there was no point getting dressed up. Still, she would have liked it if there was some reaction. A little redness to her thrall's cheeks, or a slight tightening in their codpieces. Just the tiniest hint of attraction to a body and face that could be carved out of marble; was that too much to ask for?
Victoria passed a dust-covered library -the books all long since read and re-read- and her laboratory -neither science nor magic held much in the way of secrets now- and the armoury -what good were opponents who refused to even try to hurt you?- and up to the master bedroom. She padded across lush carpets, dropped onto the four-poster bed and sighed.
If she'd known how boring immortality was, maybe she would have stayed a peasant girl.
She looked over to the door, watching Jacque step inside. She'd almost forgotten he was there, given how quiet he had been. He stood like a statue, the only motion his slow breathing. Victoria watched him for a few seconds; he was handsome, of a sort. A little rough, a bit too country bumpkin for her tastes. Still, he didn't need a pretty face to keep her entertained. She slid to the edge of the bed and waved him over.
"Jacque," Victoria said, "Worship my legs."
"As you wish, my lady." He knelt immediately, taking her calf in his hand and gently nuzzling up it. He was still quite warm, and his breath tickled her smooth skin.
"With your mouth and tongue," She ordered.
"As you wish, my lady."