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It was the dead of night, the city lying beneath a dimly lit moon. The light that did reach the streets was thin and uncertain, smothered by towering buildings that rose like broken teeth into the sky. Wind slithered between them, carrying the faint scents of rainwater, rotting trash, cheap perfume, and alcohol. Rats scurried along the slick pavement, their claws clicking softly as they darted between overfilled dumpsters and shattered bottles, foraging through the rubbish.
Deep in one of those narrow alleyways, where the streetlights didn’t dare intrude and even the stars felt unwelcome, something stirred.
Hidden in the cradle of shadow was a girl kneeling upon the damp ground. At first glance she looked almost fragile, too delicate for a place like this. Her skin was pale to the point of luminescence, the faint moonlight sliding across it like it couldn’t quite touch her. Long, ashy, brown hair pooled over her shoulders and brushed the corpse beneath her like silk, and her eyes—sharp, distant, iridescent like polished amethyst—reflected the night with a cold glare. The hem of her dress brushed the dirty concrete, but she didn’t seem bothered. The alley was her dining hall and the city, her domain.
Laid out before her was a fresh body, still warm with the memory of life. From experience, fresh blood always tasted best.
She leaned down with the care of someone handling something precious, her expression calm, even thoughtful. When she bit, it wasn’t savage. It was deliberate, practiced, almost reverent. She drank slowly, savoring every nuance of flavor the way a sommelier might linger over a fine wine. Each human had their own subtle taste, a life distilled into a fleeting essence. This one was rich and sharp with a faint sweetness lingering beneath it, and she indulged without hesitation. She would not waste a meal this exquisite.
By the time she finished, the warmth had fled from the body. The skin had faded to a muted grayish pallor, the flesh slack and empty, as if life itself had simply stepped out and forgotten to return.
With a small sigh, the vampire straightened her back, movement smooth and unhurried, like she’d done this countless times before. She cradled the corpse with unexpected gentleness, setting it softly against the ground. Then, with cold fingers, she slid the man’s eyelids shut, as if granting him permission to rest. For a moment, in the quiet of the alleyway, it almost seemed tender.
She rose gracefully, her silhouette slim and regal against the pale moonlight. The creature stood still for a moment.
“Are you enjoying the show, human?” she asked, voice lilting with amusement and irritation in equal measure.
A faint rustle sounded near the dumpsters. Something shifted from behind it. Peeking from behind the rusted metal bin was the silhouette of a young woman. Instead of terror in her posture, she held herself with composure, like she was making a routine examination. In one hand was a notepad, in the other a pencil hovering mid-thought. Her attire was sharply out of place in the filth of the alley: a neat bun pinned with precise care, a dark blue sweater beneath a well-fitted coat, and polished shoes.
“How long have you been aware of my presence?” the woman responded calmly.
“I believe I asked you a question first, human,” the vampire replied, irritation flickering across her eyes. “Has your species devolved into forgetting manners?”
“My apologies,” the woman responded. “To answer your question, yes. I’ve gathered very valuable data tonight, and I’m quite pleased with it.”
“You’re a strange human,” the vampire murmured, studying her now. “Even though I killed a man right in front of you, all you speak of is data. Have you no fear for your life?”
“I wouldn’t say I fear death,” the woman replied thoughtfully. “However, it would be a shame to die before I could properly study you.”
“Study me?” The vampire let out a soft, haunting giggle. “How amusing. If you truly feel no fear, why shouldn’t I kill you this instant?”
“Because I’ve come to you with a proposal,” the woman replied.
“You must be either brave or stupid to negotiate with a vampire. Still… you’ve entertained me thus far. I’ll hear you out—before I end you.”
“Then I shall not waste time. My name is Ruan Mei, I am a scientist researching vampires. I wish to experiment on you to collect more data. In exchange, I’ll offer you the most delicious blood you’ve ever tasted.”
The vampire let out a soft sarcastic chuckle.
“I’ve lived a thousand years,” the vampire scoffed softly. “I’ve tasted all kinds of blood. What makes your’s special?”
“My blood is chemically enhanced,” the woman answered. “I’ve developed a compound designed to be irresistible to vampires.”
“Intriguing,” the vampire mused.
“Experimenting on your own body… but you misunderstand something, human. You’re not in a position to bargain. I can kill you in a heartbeat and take what I want.”
“Indeed you could,” Ruan Mei agreed. “But once I’m dead, my formula dies with me. I am the only human alive capable of making it. Kill me, and you’ll never taste it again. However, if you accept my proposal I shall let you feed on my blood.”
The vampire paused for a moment.
“You make quite the tempting proposal human. But, you haven’t earned my trust just yet.”
The researcher stood silently. Then, closing her notebook she tucked it away into her coat pocket along with her pencil.
“I understand. In that case, allow me to offer you a taste.”
She reached up and loosened the collar of her coat, fingers precise, practiced. The fabric parted just enough to bare the pale line of her throat, where her pulse beat steadily beneath the skin. She did not rush. She did not hesitate. She simply tilted her head slightly to the side, presenting herself with deliberate intent.
“You may feed,” she said. “Consider it… proof.”
For the first time that night, the vampire did not immediately respond.
Hesitantly, she stepped forward. Tension filled the air as the vampire grew closer to the scientist. Close enough to where she could sense the warmth radiating from her body. Close enough to hear the soft rhythm of a living creature’s heartbeat.
The vampire let out a faint, devilish grin. She drew her fangs out, the sharp teeth slowly piercing the supple skin of the woman.
The sensation of her teeth sinking into the nape of her neck caused Ruan Mei to flinch for a split second. The scientist’s breath was heavy with anticipation as she felt the cold sensation of the immortal’s body. Still, she stood there silently, maintaining composure.
The vampire lingered there for a fraction of a second longer than necessary, lips brushing skin, as if savoring the anticipation as much as the blood itself. Her grip was firm yet careful, fingers curling into the fabric at the woman’s waist, anchoring her in place.
Then she drank.
The first pull was slow, measured. Just enough to taste. The blood flooded her senses instantly, richer than anything she remembered, blooming across her tongue with startling intensity. Heat and sweetness intertwined with something sharper, almost electric, sending a shiver through her spine. Her breath hitched despite herself.
She drew closer without realizing it, chest brushing against the scientist’s shoulder, her hold tightening as instinct urged her to take more. The alley faded into nothing, only the steady pulse beneath her lips and the quiet sound the woman made when the vampire drank deeper.
Ruan Mei’s composure wavered then. Her fingers curled against the vampire’s sleeve, not pushing away, nor pulling closer, instead tightly holding onto the vampire. Her breathing grew uneven, warmth bleeding into the chill night as her heartbeat quickened, responding to the piercing fangs.
The vampire drank again, slower this time, deliberately drawing it out. She could feel every subtle change: the tremor in the woman’s muscles, the slight sway of her body as strength ebbed, the way her pulse fluttered under her mouth like it was aware of being watched. It was intoxicating. Dangerous.
Her mind went hazy as she consumed her essence. Each drop of blood left her craving more. It was a taste so addicting any other vampire would lose control.
Using the last of her restraint, the vampire forced herself to pull back. Her breath had become shaky. The taste still lingered on her tongue.
Ruan Mei leaned back against the wall, steadying herself. Her skin was paler now, her breath shallow but controlled.
“So… are you satisfied?”
The vampire didn’t answer. She slowly distanced herself from the woman, as if to keep her temptations in check.
“Very well scientist, I’ll accept your offer. However, I have a few conditions.”
The vampire stepped forward once more, this time an arm’s length away.
“First, I will not be your lab rat. Try to cage or bind me and I’ll kill you in a heartbeat. Second, your blood shall be mine and mine alone. Third, your experiments cannot be harmful.”
“I accept your terms,” Ruan Mei replied without hesitation.
“Good. Now that we have agreed upon the terms, it's time to make it official.”
“What do you mean make it official?”
“You can’t just run around cutting deals with vampires, mortal. What you need is a contract.”
“A contract..?”
The vampire did not respond to her question. Her eyes lingered on the woman with a mysterious intent. With a fang extended, she pressed down on her lower lip drawing blood. A trail of deep crimson trickling down her lips. She let the blood pool in her mouth.
“Human, do you agree to the stated terms of our contract?”
“I agree.”
“Then accept my blood.”
She cupped Ruan Mei’s face with one cold hand, thumb resting just beneath her cheekbone, grounding her. Then she leaned in.
Their lips met.
The kiss was slow, controlled. At first it was only the faintest brush, a test, before she deepened it just enough to part Ruan Mei’s lips. Warm breath mingled with cool, and then the blood passed between them.
Ruan Mei gasped softly as the taste flooded her mouth.
It was nothing like human blood. It was heavier, fuller, carrying an unnatural depth that spread instantly across her tongue and down her throat as she swallowed. Heat bloomed in her chest, sharp and sudden, followed by a low, lingering hum that settled deep beneath her skin.
She held the kiss just long enough to ensure the blood had taken. The vampire continued, only stopping when she could feel Ruan Mei gasping for air.
A thin trace of red lingered at the corner of Ruan Mei’s mouth. Herta brushed it away with her thumb, gaze intent, almost possessive.
Ruan Mei took a single step back. She touched a palm to her chest, breathing still heavy. Somewhere deep inside her body she could feel it. A binding presence bound her soul.
“I can feel it…” she muttered. “Your blood.”
“Then that means it worked,” the vampire smiled. “Should you break the contract, you shall perish.”
“Fortunately, I have no desire to violate the contract,” Ruan Mei assured. “I look forward to working with you…”
She paused for a second, releasing that she still hadn’t received the vampire’s name all this time.
“You may call me Herta, Mortal,” she replied.
“Then I look forward to working with you, Herta.”
Herta stepped back fully then, the alley reclaiming the space between them. The night seemed to breathe again, distant sirens and the hum of the city bleeding back into existence as if the world itself had been waiting for the ritual to finish.
“You should go,” she said calmly. “The scent of my blood on you will linger. Other creatures may notice if you stay too long.”
Ruan Mei nodded, already regaining her composure. She straightened her coat, fingers smoothing the fabric with practiced precision, though her movements were slower than before.
“I’ll make preparations,” she said. “A controlled environment. Privacy. And… discretion.”
Herta’s gaze flicked to her, sharp with interest.
“Good,” she replied. “I expect nothing but the best for me, Mortal.”
Ruan Mei exhaled softly, something like anticipation glinting behind her eyes. Without another word, she disappeared from the alley, her footsteps fading into the city’s restless heartbeat.
Herta remained where she was.
She brought her fingers to her lips, lingering where the taste of Ruan Mei still faint against her senses. A feeling that was dangerously tempting. The contract pulsed faintly in the back of her mind, a new thread woven into centuries of solitude.
“…How troublesome,” she murmured, though there was no real displeasure in her voice.
The corpse at her feet lay forgotten now, drained and empty. Herta turned away from it without another glance, melting back into the shadows as the moon slid behind the clouds.
Somewhere in the city, a scientist carried her blood. And for the first time in a very long while, Herta found herself curious about what might come next.