Shape-shifting—my body could mold into any form I desired. A child, an old man, a teenager, or even a beast. I visualized myself as a massive wolf, fangs bared, or a shadow slipping through crowds unnoticed. Disguises, deception, infiltration—perfection. My grin widened. I could walk among enemies and they’d never know.
Then, my tongue brushed against the sharp points of my new fangs.
Blood Drain—the ability to sink these into any being and siphon their life force, their blood fueling my strength. I extended them, retracting them with a thought, the metallic taste of anticipation filling my mouth. Power through blood. Immortality through consumption. My stomach growled—not with hunger, but with lust for dominance.
Necromancy—the dark art of raising the dead, summoning spirits, bending ghosts to my will. A chill ran through me as I imagined an army of the undead at my command, silent, relentless, unstoppable. No more fear of death. No more fear of loss. The dead will serve me.
Night Vision—my eyes could now pierce the dark as easily as daylight. Though my AI Lens already gave me X-ray vision, this was different. No more shadows. No more secrets. I glanced around the room, the details sharper, the colors richer, even in the dim light. Useful. But not as thrilling as the rest.
Then—Vampirism. The true game-changer. Anyone I bit and fed my blood to would become my vampire, bound to me for eternity. Immortal. Stronger. Faster. They would gain hypnosis, enhanced speed, blood-draining abilities—everything but flight.
My mind raced. Natalya. All my women—immortal. Forever young. Forever mine. A possessive growl rumbled in my chest. No more aging. No more death. Just eternal loyalty.
Flight—the freedom of the skies, the ability to transform into mist or a bat. No more boundaries. No more ground to tie me down. I imagined soaring through the night, unseen, untouchable, the wind rushing past me. Power like this... It’s intoxicating.
Sun Resistance—no weakness to sunlight, and neither would any vampires I created be.
And finally—Immortality. My lifespan was already infinite thanks to my Healing Factor, but now, even my soul was immortal. No death. No end. Just eternal power. A laugh escaped me, dark and triumphant. I am unstoppable.
I leaned back, my mind reeling with the endless possibilities. The last time I reached the first milestone—Invisibility was rewarded—had been useful, but this? This was transcendence. A gift beyond anything I could have dreamed.
The moonlight spilled through the cracked window, casting silver streaks across Natalya’s sleeping form. Her dark hair fanned across the pillow, her lips parted in peaceful slumber, her chest rising and falling in slow, steady rhythms. She looked so fragile, so human—so unaware of the monster holding her.
She has no idea what’s coming.
A restless energy surged through me, electric and unrelenting. I didn’t feel tired. Not even a hint of sleepiness. Fuck. I clenched my fists, feeling the power humming beneath my skin. I’ve become a creature of the night. A fucking Dracula.
I exhaled sharply, my breath not even visible in the cold air. No fatigue. No weakness. Just pure, unbridled energy. My body felt alive in a way it never had before—stronger, faster, immortal.
Carefully, I tucked Natalya into the blanket, my fingers brushing her cheek one last time. "Sleep well, wife," I murmured, my voice a dark whisper. "Because when you wake up... you’ll see a whole new world."
Then, I turned toward the window, pushing it open with a single thought. The night air rushed in, cold and crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth. I stepped onto the windowsill, my body humming with anticipation.
Time to test this new power.
I focused, calling upon the Flight ability—but not just flight. Transformation. The Dracula Bloodline promised mist, and I wanted to feel it.
A surge of dark energy rippled through me, and instantly, my body dissolved, shifting into a swirling, shadowy mist. The sensation was unlike anything I’d ever experienced—weightless, free, untethered from the constraints of flesh.
And then—I moved.
No wings. No physical form. Just pure, unbridled freedom as I soared into the night sky, the wind rushing through my ethereal form. The world below blurred, the trees and cabin shrinking as I ascended, higher and higher.
Fuck.
This was euphoria.
I twisted, spiraled, dove, the night my playground. The moon watched over me, pale and silent, as I carved through the sky like a phantom. The cold didn’t touch me. The wind didn’t resist me. I was untouchable.
For the first time, I understood what it meant to be truly free.
I laughed, the sound dissolving into the night, my mist-form pulsing with excitement. This is power. This is immortality.
And then—I stopped.
Hovering above the forest, I reformed, my body solidifying once more. My skin tingled, my senses sharper than ever. I could hear the rustle of leaves miles away, the distant howl of a wolf, the faint heartbeat of a deer hiding in the underbrush.
My fangs glinted in the moonlight, a predatory smirk curling my lips as the night wind whipped around me. This is just the beginning.
With a thought, I solidified my mist form, landing silently on the cabin’s rooftop. The wood creaked beneath my feet, but the sound was drowned by the howling wind. I pulled out my phone, the screen glowing in the darkness as I activated SERA.
"SERA," I commanded, my voice low and smooth. "Update me on the FBI’s movements. Specifically, Agent Claire Starling."
SERA’s voice responded instantly, cold and efficient.
"Affirmative, Master. Agent Claire Starling and her team have joined forces with Andrey. Their current objective is to locate Natalya—they believe that capturing her will lead them to Nikolai’s whereabouts."
A slow, dangerous chuckle escaped my lips. So they’re still chasing ghosts.
"Where are they now?" I asked, my fingers tightening around the phone.
"They are currently inside Natalya’s villa," SERA replied. "Scanning for digital footprints, surveillance logs, and interrogating staff who may have information on her whereabouts."
I grinned, my eyes gleaming with dark amusement. They’re wasting their time.
"And Claire?" I pressed, my voice dropping into a growl. "What’s her role in this?"
"Agent Starling is leading the interrogation efforts," SERA informed. "She has been aggressive in her pursuit, utilizing FBI resources to track Natalya’s last known movements. However, they have yet to uncover any meaningful leads."
I exhaled, my breath forming a faint mist in the cold air. Pathetic.
"Keep monitoring them," I ordered. "If they get too close, I want to know immediately."
"Understood, Master," SERA responded. "Shall I prepare countermeasures in case of direct confrontation?"
I paused, my gaze drifting toward the cabin window where Natalya slept peacefully. No. Let them come. Let them think they’re close.
"Not yet," I murmured, my voice laced with dark promise. "Let them dig their own graves first."
I ended the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket. The night was still, the forest silent, but my mind was alive with possibilities.
Claire and Andrey thought they were hunters.
But they were prey.