VLADIMIR: The Last Blood Mage

First Subordinate

"What is your most expensive fabric?" Vladimir said with the aura of a wealthy man.

"Ohh, that would be handled by my master, please sit I shall inform my master of your presence". the attendant said to them politely as he led them to the VIP section of the emporium.

Vladimir and Darcie were offered tea as they waited, but Darcie could not just hold in her curiosity as to the main reason Vladimir was there.

"Vladimir...". Darcie called out.

"… Darcie what is it?" Vladimir dropped his cup of tea and gave her his full attention.

[this man...]. Darcie thought for a while before responding. "Do not mind my curiosity but what are we doing here?"

"Humph..." Vladimir chuckled." I said we were here to see a friend, did I not? Just play along and look sharp You are a very crucial part of this plan".

[I hope this works...] Vladimir thought to himself.

"All right if you say so, but so you know, my curiosity has not been satisfied" Darcie responded and then proceeded her best to look as elegant as she could. After all, she was the daughter of a noble mage.

Vladimir was about to say something else when the servant returned "My master says you should meet with him in his office, Come this way please"

The servant led Vladimir and Darcie deeper into the emporium." master, they are here". the servant informed his master.

"Let them enter". a male voice sounded from inside the chamber.

Vladimir and Darcie walked through the door, into the {office} which looked more like a lounge than an office.

"My esteemed customers please do have a seat". the same voice sounded again but this time in a polite manner.

The voice belonged to a fairly handsome man, he was adorned in expensive jewels, and even his clothes looked like a masterpiece. He looked wealthy.

The wealthy man's eyes followed Darcie as she sat down, of course she was a beauty to behold and Darcie seemed to have tickled the wealthy merchant's fancy

Vladimir noticed it, the sparkle in the man's eyes as it followed Darcie's plump ass. [hahaha, this...this is good] Vladimir laughed within himself.

[he is a greasy pervert...but how could he become Vladimir's friend?] Darcie asked herself as he also noticed the way the man looked at her.

--snap, snap--

The wealthy merchant snapped his fingers to call in his servants to serve the couple drinks." You said you wanted to see me?". the wealthy man asked with his eyes fixed on both of them.

"Well, I know you don't know me..." Vladimir began.

[I thought you said you knew him] Darcie screamed in her head, whilst keeping her face as expressionless as possible.

" ...but I am getting married soon...". Vladimir continued. "...and a friend of mine, an academic bureau official, sent me here that you sell the best fabrics". Vladimir gave the merchant a bright smile.

"You are Lloyd right? I was told you would come around but I did not know you would be bringing your future wife with you?". The merchant smiled seductively at Darcie before continuing." No one told me you would be bringing a goddess to my humble establishment"

Darcie held back the expression of disdain from her face. [Even if he is my pretend husband you don't have to be so direct...urgh].

"Haha, master Nelson you are too modest, I could not call your shop modest at all'. Vladimir sounded as polite as he could. [Excellent]. Vladimir could not help but grin.

Vladimir and Master Nelson, the merchant talked for some time, leaving Darcie to just sit there and be beautiful.

Vladimir's acting was top-notch. After some time of talking and choosing fabrics. "Ahh...my good friend, the sun is already in the centre of the heavens, I have to go. " Vladimir said as he stood up and bowed "Keep the fabric, I will come tomorrow for the payment. By the way, you have a very nice tea"

Master Nelson walked towards them held Darcie's hand and kissed it. He looked into her eyes trying his best to at least seduce her. "Your wife is truly beautiful". Then he turned to Vladimir and said. "You can come tomorrow to pick up the fabric, and as for the tea..."

Master Nelson had his eyes locked on to Darcie for some seconds then back at Vladimir. " I would be happy if you dropped by in the evening to have a spot of tea with me at the blue pavilion it's not too far from here"

"Actually that's where we stay and since you insist, then we shall grace your invitation". Vladimir smiled and left with Darcie. [I can not believe it was that easy, too easy]

After they had left, Master Nelson had Darcie in mind all day. [I need to get her into my bed...let me see what this night will hold]

****

As Darcie and Vladimir walked out of the fabric emporium, Darcie could not hold in her curiosity any longer.

"Vladimir..." Darcie called out as they walked side by side.

"What is it Darcie dear?" Vladimir bent his head towards Darcie to whisper to him.

"What do you want to do with that man? Will you let him have me if he requests?". Darcie was paralyzed with curiosity.

Vladimir gave her a warm smile before he replied. "Darcie, what I am about to do not many would approve of it with that being said, you will have your answers soon, just come with me ".

After Vladimir said that he was lost in thought. [ I would need to go to the blue pavilion, but I have almost no money with me, What to do? What to do?]

Vladimir was lost I thought so deeply that he could not hear what Gracie said to him.

After some time of walking, they got to the front gate of the blue pavilion." Vladimir, what are we doing here? ". Darcie asked.

"Did you not hear what I told that merchant, We are staying here, remember?" Vladimir said gently patting her head, trying his best to look as loving as he could as they were in public.

Vladimir held Gracie most affectionately as they entered the inn and all eyes were on them.

A tall silver-haired man and a beautiful blonde girl with big hazel-coloured eyes walked in side by side, hands locked together.

Vladimir had just walked to a table and sat down with Darcie when a server came to them. " Welcome to the prestigious blue pavilion, What would you care for?" the server asked as politely as he could.

"A room and a meal will do" Vladimir answered the server.

"Very well, follow me". The server led them upstairs to their accommodation and Vladimir picked a very large room, furnished with bamboo furniture.

Vladimir and Darcie settled in the room. This was Darcie's chance to ask her questions as her curiosity was getting the best of her.

"Vladimir, can you give me the answers now?". Darcie asked.

"Why not, but first I have something to tell you...". Vladimir walked up to Darcie and kept walking till she was up against the wooden wall. Darcie's breathing became hard.

"...what is it that you desire". Vladimir's eyes glowed a black light as he spoke in a profound melancholy voice so unfamiliar to Darcie yet so suggestive and alluring, forcing her to say her deepest desire, locked away deep in her heart.

Tears began flowing from Darcie's eyes as she spoke. "My mother...her death wish was for me to become a great mage; I desire to become a great mage."

[You can grant it to her, but she would be loyal to you, that's the clause, that amulet you found on Baron Mason's body should do the trick, but don't give her yet, I'll tell you what to do]. The deity informed Vladimir.

[ alright]

" I will grant your desire...". Vladimir paused before continuing. " But I want something else in return"

"What?! I am stronger than you, you know that". Darcie was in a state of disbelief.

"Do not underestimate me" Vladimir was visibly angry with Gracie because of her response.

"Okay... Okay, what do you want in return?". Darcie asked half-heartedly.

" you... I want you"

This was something Darcie had wanted Vladimir to say to her, and he was saying it now, Darcie could not stop herself from blushing, Vladimir looked so manly.

Darcie was about to lean in for a kiss when Vladimir stopped her and walked towards the table on the other side of the room.

[What just happened? I thought he said he wanted me. And he is rejecting me?]. Darcie was in distress.

Vladimir took out the amulet he wore and placed it on the table. [What should I do to it now?]. Vladimir asked the deity.

[Put some drops of blood on it to make it yours, and make Darcie pour some drops as well]

Vladimir followed the deity's instruction as he bit his thumb, his blood came out and he let it drop on the amulet.

Darcie became curious as to what Vladimir was doing as she inched closer to see for herself. Before she could get to where Vladimir was she saw a bright glow from the table Vladimir was at.

She walked closer towards the table to see that the red glow was coming from an amulet.

Vladimir turned around and held Darcie's hand exposing her thumb. "What...!!!!!". Before Darcie could ask Vladimir what he was about to do, Vladimir had already brought her thumb to his mouth and bit it until blood came out.

"ouch... What did you do that for?"

Vladimir brought her finger to let her blood drop upon the amulet despite her struggle. After what seemed like seconds Vladimir let Darcie's finger go.

Darcie was shocked. " What did you do to me?".

Vladimir was calm as he answered. "I said I will make you a great mage did I not?"

"You did". Darcie answered.

"You did not even let me finish what I wanted from you. but enough of that Here, wear this around your neck". Vladimir handed Darcie the amulet that had changed from its former world shape to a black heart-shaped hard material covered in exquisite designs.

Darcie took the amulet and looked at it with prying eyes. "What is this?". Darcie asked.

"Humph...". Vladimir chuckled. " I hate to repeat myself. What do you have to lose? If it does not work, you can give it back to me". Vladimir smiled in a sinister manner.

" hmpf...". Darcie begrudgingly wore the amulet. " See nothing happen..."

Darcie's voice was cut short when the amulet glowed again and her sight became blurry. Then she fell to the ground.

[Is she okay?]. Vladimir asked the deity.