The Pact: Bruno and the Crimson Veil

Seated at the table, I stared at Flávia.

Her beauty was truly hypnotic.

She had the strange power to make a man choose between two instincts: possess her… or protect her.

What a curious woman, I thought.

I didn't want to look away.

But why?

My eyes scanned every trace of her face, trying to understand.

Shifting between discomfort and fascination, my gaze didn't go unnoticed — Flávia clapped her hands lightly.

Almost instantly, a few maids entered and served us.

Flávia began eating naturally. Her movements were so graceful that it felt like the entire world slowed around her.

Only the wind blew, as if everything paused just to admire her presence.

I waited, then asked calmly:

— What do you want from me?

She chewed quietly, then met my gaze with a hint of shyness.

— Bruno… don't take this the wrong way, but… could you ease up a little on the hostility?

Then, more puzzled, she asked:

— And why are you staring at me like that?

— Did you give me something while I was asleep?

— Your face feels... like it's enchanting me.

She blinked, clearly confused, and then blushed.

— Thank you for the compliment… but no. I didn't give you anything while you slept.

— As for what I want from you… well, let's go back to the beginning.

— Vampires… often live long, monotonous lives.

— But when we find something — or someone — we love, we do everything to hold onto it.

— Around 14 years ago, when you were just turning two… I saw you.

— In your mother's arms… chubby, with round cheeks.

— And that… did something to me.

Her eyes sparkled.

— For the first time in my life… I loved something.

— I loved you.

— I watched you grow. Every phase of your life.

— I saw how hard you worked to lose weight after the pandemic.

— I watched you struggle and persevere.

She lowered her voice:

— But you were happy — with your family, your friends…

— I couldn't take that from you.

— If you lost everything, you'd be miserable here.

She exhaled slowly.

— So I cheered for you.

— And when you needed help without even realizing… I helped, secretly.

Her tone trembled.

— But when I saw you being thrown by that car… my chest ached.

— I couldn't take you from your happiness… but I also couldn't let you die.

— I set fire to that construction site where your body landed… and I took you.

— With human medicine, you wouldn't have survived.

— So I saved you… my way.

— Even if it was without your consent.

— …But why? — I asked quietly.

She looked straight at me.

— Because I love you, Bruno.

The words hit like a thunderclap.

I froze.

She loves me?

I may be tall, my body slightly toned…

But I never saw myself as handsome.

At best, average.

Her comment about my baby cheeks struck deep — it had always been my biggest insecurity.

So it confused me.

Was that when it all began?

I couldn't say a word.

I simply watched her eat, calmly, with a faint smile.

A dark question lingered in the back of my mind:

Was it love… or obsession?

I didn't know.

I couldn't tell.

She was stunning — a literal dream.

In my human life, not even a woman one-tenth as beautiful as her had ever looked at me.

Minutes passed.

Flávia finished her meal, wiped her lips with a napkin, and rose gracefully.

— Please, follow me, Bruno.

I walked behind her.

Trying to catch a glimpse of her face from the side… the air felt heavy.

My steps echoed — hers didn't.

Hers were silent, refined.

We entered a small, elegant room.

It was cozy… but strangely prepared, as if anticipating what was to come.

She guided me to a two-seater sofa.

And then — unexpectedly — she sat on my lap.

Her intense gaze locked onto mine.

And in that moment… it wasn't just our eyes that connected.

My body responded instinctively.

I was fully erect — pressed between her legs — and she, blushing, began to reveal her clavicle.

The scent coming from her was intoxicating — sweet, mature, and dangerously seductive.

I embraced her and buried my face into her neck.

That scent drove me wild.

I inhaled her deeply. First her collarbone… then up to her neck, behind her ear… then down, near her chest.

Her entire body exuded that sweet, irresistible scent.

I couldn't let her go.

Maybe it was instinct.

Or maybe… it was just her.

My mind screamed:

Take her.

Protect her.

Make her yours.

She responded to my touch.

Her cheeks flushed.

Her eyes sparkled… with something like hope.

Her lips seemed to call me.

And her neck… was magnetic.

I leaned in.

She didn't pull away.

Our lips met.

And all the repressed desire inside me threatened to burst.

— Flávia… — I whispered — What have you done to me?

She stammered softly:

— You've been asleep for three days… without a drop of blood.

— Your body is reacting to mine… intensely.

— Whether from hunger… or… — she paused, whispering — desire.

— I can hear your heart beating, Flávia.

— Your scent hypnotizes me.

— Your body… it's calling to me.

— That smell… it's so sweet…

She bit her lip.

— Bruno… you're still weak.

— Your soul and body are still stabilizing.

— You must drink blood.

I tried to resist.

I really did.

— Flávia… I'm burning up — I whispered.

— I need more than just blood.

But my body gave in.

My fangs sank into her clavicle.

My hands slid down to her hips — soft, full, perfect.

Her blood was divine.

Sweet… euphoric.

I couldn't stop.

She held me close as I drank.

Three… maybe four minutes passed.

And then… everything faded.

The thirst was gone.

My strength returned.

But… tears rolled down my cheeks.

— I'm sorry… — I choked out.

— I gave in.

It wasn't just the hunger.

It was Flávia.

I should have gone slower.

I should have respected her.

But the thirst… the overwhelming emotions… turned me into something else.

A monster.