Chapter Text
Legends said a vampire could only be killed by driving a wooden stake through their heart. Bullshit. Swords and bullets worked just fine. But you had to be fast and strong to reach their heart before they reached you.
Vi was so close, closer than any attempt she had tried to kill the vampire. For a moment she felt the blade of her dagger piercing his perished flesh, going for his heart. The next moment the vampire had vanished from her sight; the world spun and she crashed to the ground, face down.
A loud buzzing noise rang in her head as blood streamed down from her nose. Despite the brutal impact, she didn’t black out. Unlucky for her, she was now left to experience the pain and desperation in full.
“Sevika, let go of me! You fucking traitor!” Vi shouted. A sturdy, tan-skinned woman was sitting on top of her. Like a wrestler, she pinned her down with her strong thighs clamping around her waist. The grip on the back of her neck was so firm, her spine threatened to snap in half.
“Boss, what to do with this rat?” Sevika smirked and looked at the vampire, who had already moved to the windowsill at the end of the room in a flash, staring out of the green stained glass to muse on the bustling Zaun’s underworld at his feet.
“Little rat, haven’t you learnt your place after…huh, how many years? Seven, eight years in Stillwater?” The vampire said smugly while smoothing out his three-piece suit.
“Silco…I won’t stop until I kill you and tear that laugh off your damn face!” Vi tried to push herself up, but Sevika was too strong. All she could do was growling and boring her grey-blue eyes into the vampire crime boss.
“Vander’s protege. The stubborn one.” Silco shook his head. He picked up the dagger from the floor and strode towards Vi, gazing down at her in disgust.
“Vander deserved to die because he got in my way; your little sister, on the contrary, is a talented kid,” Silco said, playing with the blade with a wicked smile. “It’s a waste to let her stay with losers like you and Vander.”
“Where’s Powder? You son of a bitch!” Fury rushed through her veins and Vi wriggled more violently.
“I should have killed you back then, saved you all the misery,” Silco shrugged. “If you haven’t stuck around like a mad dog, kept pricking my nerves with your stupid revenge, I actually don’t care if you live or die.”
“Sevika, get rid of her.” He tossed the dagger to the woman, who caught it in mid-air. Sevika huffed, a laugh of annoyance. Vi howled and made a final push with all the energy she had, trying to squirm out of her control.
“Slimy rat!” Sevika grabbed Vi’s hand and pinned it to the floor…with the dagger. Vi screamed at the hot pain that jolted through her right palm, seeing half of the blade buried in her bloody flesh.
“Argh…fuck! Fuck!” Vi moaned as Sevika withdrew the blade. She could feel the sharp edge on her neck now, ready to cut across her artery — it’d be painful, but at least a quick death.
“Pathetic,” Sevika said. Vi closed her eyes, trying her best not to shake. But her body failed her, trembling uncontrollably as the fear of death seized her.
“Wait! Sevika,” Silco's voice, suddenly laced with urgency, cut through the silence and suspension before the kill. “What day is it?”
“What? Twenty-fifth!” Sevika snapped, impatient.
“Have you got everyone for the Red Mansion already?” Silco asked, gazing down at Vi like a predator inspecting his prey. Vi could tell there was something malicious brewing in the back of his mind.
“Missing one. The Lady is insatiable these days. Fucking greedy.” Sevika said in disdain. For a while, Silco didn’t speak. Despite his calm composure, the small frown betrayed his unease.
“Send her there then.” He gestured to Vi. “The Lady will take care of her.”
“What the fuck…just kill me already!” Vi shouted and struggled again, her fear of death giving way to the panic of being thrown to an unknown dark fate.
“If you say so, boss.” Sevika gave the back of her head a hit and Vi was knocked out.
# # # # #
When consciousness returned, Vi was confused and terrified to find nothing but darkness. But she was quick to realise she wasn’t alone, an ominous chill going down her spine — she could feel warm and heavy bodies leaning against her shoulder, curling at her feet.
She tried to scream, but she was gagged; she wriggled, only to find herself bound by chains and shackles. The throbbing pain on her right palm was the only real thing that grounded her in the dark, a cruel reminder of how her assassination had fallen flat and now she deserved a fate worse than death.
Is this a nightmare or have I already died? Is this hell?
It took a while for Vi to figure out she was in a car with no seats. Since all the windows were painted black, light only seeped in through the gaps, flashy and unsteady, just enough for her to make out the silhouette of the interior and those around her.
Six of them stuck together in this tiny space — men and women, sitting, lying, folding up against each other. Vi could see their glossy eyes dilated with unspeakable horror and helplessness. There were a few muffled sobs and whines, but other than that, the unwilling passengers remained dreadfully silent throughout the rest of their journey.
The engine hummed lowly as the car started to climb the elevation. Vi’s heart sank feeling the jolt and bump of the cobblestone roads. Zaun was too poor for these fancy, neatly paved roads so they must have crossed to the other side of the bridge, heading towards the hilly Uptown where the richest Pilties built their villas and estates.
Since Vi was a child, she had heard countless stories about the Red Mansion.
Everyone knew it was the lair of Piltover’s most powerful vampire family, more ancient and affluent than the city itself. Rumours said those who mysteriously disappeared from the cities were kidnapped for the Lady’s perverted enjoyment. Lustful feasts were held night after night in the mansion, reserved for those high-born vampires upon invitation…but all were rumours really.
No one had ever returned from there to tell a true story.
The car came to a halt when Vi’s mind was wandering. The door opened and two men in black suits removed them from the car, their movement swift and precise, like farmers who had done this a thousand times, pulling livestock off the truck once they hit the market.
In the dead of night, the sky hung low and murky, devoid of stars. The full moon was dim, blocked by clouds, but still, a silent witness to all the earthly happenings as it always was.
Vi stole a glimpse around and found herself at the heart of an estate that saw no end. At its back entrance, or servant door, the grand red brick mansion towered over them, a gothic monstrosity itself. The spires and pointed arches carved its serrated silhouette against the dark sky; gargoyles glared down from every corner, their angry sneers forever frozen in stone.
“Bring them in quickly. The Lady is waiting.” A petite woman with short ginger hair commanded, her face youthful but deadly pale. Wearing a black hooded cape, she stood there with an impatient look, hands at the back, inspecting. The two men nodded to the woman humbly as they passed.
Chained together, they walked one after another, a silent procession under the watchful eyes of their captors. The vampire led the way without even bothering to look back.
The mansion was a maze of corridors, doors and rooms, every window along the way shrouded by thick black curtains. Occasionally servants and maids walked past, but they averted their gazes and hastened their pace, avoiding them like avoiding the plague. Everything was bathed in the dim and hazy glow of the flickering wall lights, except for their long and strikingly dark shadows.
Born in Zaun, Vi was naturally good at navigating. At first, she traced every corner she turned, trying to remember the random paintings and aristocratic collections that lined the hallway. But for some reason, she lost her bearings quickly, walking an unreasonably long distance with so many turns — it made little sense even in a big house like this!
“Here we’re. Keep your head down unless you’re summoned.” Finally, the vampire stopped before a room. The arrogant woman was now taut with anxiety, her hands clenching tightly around her stomach.
It was a small greeting room with simple furnishings — two sofas flanking a tea table, a cold fireplace and maroon walls adorned with trophies and hunting rifles. The lone table lamp burned weakly, its faint glow barely enough for Vi to make out a tall, dark figure standing by the window.
“Come in, my child.” The mysterious figure walked into the light, smiling at them. Despite her gentle tone, her sapphire eyes were cold without a hint of emotion, like the predatory stare of a serpent locked on its prey.
She was beautiful, though, owning the chiselled features and soft skin of a goddess. The black lace dress accentuated her face and slim arms of carved white jade, the fabric clinging to her every inviting curve.
Before Vi realised, she had been gazing at the woman for far too long. An icy hand pushed her head down roughly.
“Sorry, my Lady…I’m yet to teach this Zaunite some manners.” The ginger-haired vampire said, her voice trembling with fear and reverence.
“Maddie, I don’t have all night. Do what you’re here for,” The Lady said coldly, taking a seat on the sofa.
Maddie came to each of them, one by one. When it was Vi’s turn, the vampire slit open her thumb with a pocket knife and pressed it against a shot glass to collect her blood.
Vi grimaced and wriggled, unwilling to cooperate. Maddie didn’t hesitate to give her a slap, which left her head spinning and ear ringing, her cheek immediately swollen with a burning sensation.
Vi huffed and gave the vampire a defiant look. Vander had taught her to be a boxer, a fighter, not a chicken-hearted quitter that would easily be defeated.
After Maddie presented the six glasses to the Lady, the woman just hummed and took a sip from each of them. But when she tasted a glass, her expression twisted, her brows creasing into a furious frown.
“Whose blood is this!?” She growled, putting the glass back on the tray angrily. Maddie was frightened and almost slumped to her knees. But she was quick to get herself together and pulled a male captive out of the parade, bringing him before the Lady.
“Silco, that sloppy old fox,” the Lady said through gritted teeth. “How dare he offers me the blood of a doper.”
“Get rid of him. He has no place before my guests.”
The men in suits sprang into action and hauled the poor man out.
“Oooo…wooo!” The echo of his muffled shrieks filled the corridor, like a lost ghost that refused to leave. Vi couldn’t imagine the horrors awaiting him...it wouldn’t be anything kind.
“Thank you, my Lady. I appreciate your time.” Maddie bowed to her mistress, who sent her away with a wave of her hand.
When Maddie folded the knife and slipped it back into her trouser pocket, Vi caught a detail — a ring of keys hung from her belt, of different size and shape. There must be one that could open whatever room, prison cell or cage this damn vampire was going to throw them into.
All she needed to do was to watch closely...and wait for the perfect moment.
# # # # #
After Maddie left them in the dungeon, locking them up in two separate cages, Vi waited nervously for the right moment to use the key she had snatched. She waited for another hour until all the footfalls and noises from the outside, however faint and distant, died down completely.
There was no light in the dungeon except a tiny candle flame, but Vi opened the cage door with the key she had been hiding in her bandage without difficulty. When the lock clicked and the door squeaked open, the young man sharing the same cage with her stirred.
“How did you do that?” He asked in a hushed tone. His wide eyes, reflecting the dim light, glistened in disbelief.
“Call it magic.” Vi showed him the key on her palm. “I’m getting out now. You can choose for yourself.”
He hesitated with a pained expression, a tug of war in his head as he clenched the hem of his dirty sweatshirt.
“I…yea, let’s get outta here…” He rose from the corner where he had been curling up all night.
“What’s your name?” Vi whispered.
“Hali.” The young man answered, his voice quivering with unease.
“Vi.” Vi gave his shoulder a pat, trying to give him some confidence that they desperately needed now.
“Please…take us!” The three young females locked up in the other cage begged. “I can’t die here…”
Vi ducked her head in guilt. Even if she had got the key to unlock their cage, there was no way they could escape this hellhole in a group of five.
They had to get out of here now, or never.
“Sorry…” Vi clenched her jaw and turned away from the now weeping girls. She pointed to the door, signalling Hali to follow her. As they passed by, Hali picked up a crowbar from a shelf next to the door, grabbing the metal before his chest like a talisman.
The two sneaked out of the unlocked dungeon — obviously Maddie didn’t even think they had the balls to break free — and climbed up the same steep, rusted staircase to the ground level. There was a door waiting for them, the door connected to other parts of the mansion and once past it, they had no going back.
Vi pressed her ear against the metal door, listening intently for any movement behind.
Nothing. Deadly silence. All she could hear was her own frantic beating heart. Her mouth was dry, her numb hand on the doorknob shaking uncontrollably.
Get it together, Vi. You can do it.
After giving Hali a small nod, Vi pushed open the door. The corridor was dark and mute, with no servants in sight. The same gas lamps were flickering on the wall, their glow so dim it only outlined the objects nearby and a huge part of the corridor remained in shadows.
Vi hurried to check one of the windows, her heart pounding with joy when she saw the indigo sky. No wonder there wasn’t a ghost in the mansion! Dawn was breaking and the vampires should be fast asleep or hiding now.
Looking out of the window, she was relieved to find they were facing the back lawn where a violet garden was near: if they could hide in its hedge maze for another half hour, once the sun came out, they could climb over the high wall and escape in the light of day.
But to Vi’s frustration, there was no lock to pick or break. With all the force she had, she pushed and pulled, slamming herself against the frame, but the window didn’t give way like it was sealed by magic.
“Let me try,” Hali said and slammed the crowbar at the glass, tentatively at first, then frantically with desperation when the glass didn’t break. How strange! The crowbar hit the glass with a dull noise like hitting steel, instead of the sharp shriek the glass should give off when scraped by something that sharp.
“Fuck! Drop it, we need to find another way out.” Vi said hastily, trying to rein in her panic. They had made enough noises and others could easily spot them if they lingered any longer.
The corridor seemed to stretch forever into the smothering darkness, its walls lined with collections that spoke of the owner’s class and taste: paintings, portraits, armours and trophy mounts. They moved as quickly as possible, but still in careful steps. The crimson carpet swallowed their footfalls like how shadows devoured them. But the further they walked, the more paranoid Vi felt, the hair on the back of her neck standing up.
Someone was watching her from behind.
But every time she turned around, the only eyes she met with were those of the lifeless animal heads on display.
They tried to open every door in the hallway, but none was unlocked; they turned at every corner, only to find yet another corridor leading to a new turn. The Mansion was huge, but it shouldn’t be such a labyrinth in endless loops…
“Are…are we trapped?” Hali whimpered in a crying voice. Vi chewed the inside of her mouth, steeling herself not to crumble down in fear.
We’re fucked.
Vi was sure now. It was the third time she had walked past the same portrait, the portrait of a young, beautiful noblewoman with raven hair and sapphire eyes.
The Lady.
But the smile on her portrait, that damn triumphant smile wasn’t there the last two times, chilling Vi to the marrow.
“Please...Janna...guard us from all evil, for you’re merciful…” Hali murmured prayers, clenching the crowbar across his chest like it could ward off evil spirits.
Finally, whoever was playing a cat-and-mouse game in the dark was satisfied with their misery. After yet another desperate turn to find the same view, they saw an open door at the end of the corridor. Doomed, knowing they had no other way out, the two walked towards the room.
It was a study, or more like a private library with an entire wall of books from floor to ceiling. Near the fireplace, a woman sat reading on a chaise, her face half-hidden behind the dark hair cascading down, her long porcelain legs crossed elegantly beneath a tweed blanket.
“Night, my child.” The Lady said coldly, putting her book down. Her ravening gaze flicked between Vi and Hali as she flashed a vile smile, appearing to consider who would be her first victim.
Vi’s heart was beating so hard she could barely breathe, her chest and shoulders taut with stress. She could feel the goosebumps crawling all over her arms as her instinct screamed at her not to step any closer, that the woman before her was deadly dangerous.
Vi knew this woman had been spying on them, playing them like playing the insects trapped in a glass jar, taking pleasure in their suffering.
Hali must have felt the Lady’s presence too. His breathing became heavy and chaotic, on the verge of hyperventilating. Vi wished he wouldn’t do anything stupid out of panic.
“Why don’t you sleep but wander in my house at night? Haven’t my servants treated you well?” The vampire asked, half curious, half teasing.
Vi parted her lips, but couldn’t form a word or even a sound, her body paralysed under the overwhelming pressure. She heard Hali whimper behind her, murmuring nonsense to himself.
The vampire rose and strode towards Hali with an amused smirk, skipping Vi.
“You believe in Gods, child?” She lifted Hali’s pale face to look into his eyes, relishing his fear and hysteria close up. “I heard your prayers, so desperate.”
Hali screamed and broke contact with her. Falling on his hips, he frantically moved his limbs to pull away from the woman; his eyes widened in extreme fear. With another hoarse scream, he crawled up and scrambled out of the room.
At that moment, Vi wanted to run with him or fight the vampire — anything stupid and futile was better than standing here in the face of death. But her instinct preceded her will, pinning her feet to the spot. Her body refused to cooperate in any attempt to defy the vampire whose presence was so intimidating.
Watching Hali disappear from her sight, the vampire was surprisingly calm and unbothered, looking on without even a wince. Vi thought she would use her speed to chase after Hali, but she just smiled. Maybe she was so sure her prey couldn’t get out of her realm.
“Your instinct is sharp. I love clever people who know their place,” the vampire said, turning her attention to Vi as she loomed over. Vi ducked her head immediately, feeling the back of her head tingling under the vampire’s intense gaze.
“You’ve got the guts and wit. But you’re naughty, aren’t you?” Her tone turned harsher, sending chills down Vi’s spine.
“You fear me. You think I’m going to harm you even though you know nothing about me.” She chuckled bitterly and cupped Vi’s chin, her fingers clenching around her throat. Vi let out a guttural moan, feeling the pressure on her windpipe.
“Tell me, what’s your name?” she asked, her sapphire eyes demanding an answer.
“V…Vi…” the Zaunite stammered. Her face burned up, embarrassed by how helpless she appeared, how her defence and will to resist dissipated in thin air.
“Vi, I’ll punish you for what happened tonight,” the vampire said, her tone laced with malice. “For thinking you can run away from me.”
In contrast to the indifference she showed seeing Hali flee, she seemed angrier at Vi, eyeing her like she would eat her alive.
“But until then, you’ll sleep…”
The vampire’s last word stretched and twisted, like a hypnotic echo that flooded her mind. Following a stabbing pain in her skull, her vision became blurry, her head swimming like a piece of jelly. She slumped, tipping into unconsciousness.
But before she crashed face down onto the ground, a pair of powerful arms pulled her into an embrace. The sensation of the vampire’s fingers combing through her hair, cold and uncomfortable, gave Vi the worst shiver she had ever had.