5
"I'm getting too old for this."
The rain splattered down in a light drizzle, making the already narrow walkway treacherous and slick. Catrina was as silent as a mouse, her feet carefully making tracks around the edge of the roof of the clocktower. Her eyes were slowly becoming accustomed to the growing darkness as the sun shrunk behind the skyline.
"Almost time." She whispered, glancing at her watch. She was making good time despite the rain.
The neon signs from the street below lit her path as she crouched and continued along the lip of the clocktower. The drop was far and the wind was strong yet still she didn't waver as she walked. Every time she looked over the edge she was reminded that a mistake would cost her everything.
The clocktower chimed nine and the entire structure shook as it sent it's siren call throughout the city. Catrina quickly glanced down at her watch '8:58', either the clock tower was fast or her watch was slow. She left nothing to chance, hurrying around concrete walkway, trying desperately to find a window.
Finally she stood before a towering window that hung just above the clock on the clocktower. Catrina peeked around the corner, looking through to search for her target. What she saw disgusted her and reminded her just how important this task was.
Rows upon rows of humans sat on their knees, lips planted on dirty floorboards with blackened veins moving up their open backs. Their bodies were shriveled and brittle yet their cheeks were rosy red. Their eyes were sunken in with irises that had lost their color long ago. Thralls. A sad existence and one that couldn't be reversed. They had met a terrible fate, bound to a vampire for the rest of eternity. They were the equivalent of snacks for a beast that's hunger was everlasting. They kissed the floor where the beast walked. They worshiped the ground she stood on. They adored her, stuck under her trance with no hope of ever being freed.
Catrina felt for them. her heart yearned to free them but she knew there was nothing she could do. There was no cure for a thrall. Without their master they would go insane before eventually turning to dust. She sighed to herself, pulling her warm cloak closer to her body as rain pelted the back of her neck. "I really am getting too old for this."
At 27 years old Catrina was the best vampire hunter in the city. That wasn't gloating, that was a statement of fact. The vampire hunters guild only released her when they decided that there was a problem growing too big that even they couldn't solve. She was fast and efficient, yet picky and pricy. She only took jobs she thought employed her attention and in her age she really was becoming far too old to be jumping around the city in the dead of night.
Catrina's eyes were focused on a figure at the back of the clocktower, framed within a massive stained glass window was an ashy figure adorned in a crimson dress. The figure had her foot kicked up on a man's face, her toes slowly slinking across the man's features as her body shook with a pleasure that disgusted Catrina. Feeding.
People had always had the misconception that vampires fed on blood but the reality was far more sick and devious. Vampires fed on human emotions, specifically the emotion of humiliation. Vampires thrived on humiliation, the more embarrassment they caused; the stronger they became.
On that same coin, vampires were also only able to be defeated by the exact thing that gave them strength. If a vampire endured enough humiliation they would eventually turn to dust.
"It seems even vampires have a tendency to be late." Catrina said with a smile as she checked her watch. 9:05. She had it on good authority that this specific vampire would be performing a changing tonight at 9pm. She'd choose one of her thralls, bite her teeth into their neck and turn them into a vampire. Vampires typically did this to create lineages and minions. Thralls were useless but an army of underling vampires could make a vampire virtually untouchable. Vampires were like a pest, where there was one there were soon to be many. Catrina wasn't going to let this problem fester.
Catrina began to wiggle the window, jimmying it back and forth as it slid open with a creak. Catrina held her breath, biting on her tongue as she slipped onto the rafters of the clocktower. Her feet slid along the aged wood, inching her forward til she stood over the center of the room. The clocktower was packed with thralls, rows upon rows of zombified humans who stared at the floor with drool running down their lips. Suddenly Catrina was aware how silent the room was, not a sound could be heard other than the clicking of gears from the hands of the clocktower.
"You know.. You could've just used the front door my dear. There was no reason to sneak in through a window."
Catrina's blood went cold and sweat began to barrel down her forehead.
"Come down from there. You're 6 minutes late. I'd expect the masterful vampire hunter Catrina Heartstone to at least be on time." The voice dripped contempt for her name, saying the words with a commandeering tone that echoed off the walls of the abandoned clocktower.
A million questions were running through Catrina's head but one specific question sat at the forefront. Who had sold her out?
She sighed gently, there was no reason for her to continue sneaking around and so she dropped from the rafters and landed into a crouch without making a single sound. Her eyes were brimming with a confidence that only came from being a master vampire hunter and her voice didn't show a single shred of fear. To show fear in front of a vampire was practically asking for ruin. She chose her words carefully, chewing over them before she spoke.
"You must have a death wish setting up shop in my city." Catrina licked her lips as she spoke, looking at the vampire as if it was a full course meal.
"A death wish? Sweetheart I chose this city specifically because I knew you would be here. Do you know how many vampires want your head?" The vampire's voice annoyed Catrina, every word was conveyed with a snobbish tone. She couldn't wait to shut that voice up for good.
"Then you should know how many of your kind have fallen to my hand." Catrina began to loosen her cloak as she spoke, letting it fall to the ground in a heap at her feet. She stood clad in a leather bodice the enhanced her curves mixed with a pair of leather leggings that stuck to her thighs like a second set of skin. Her sea of blonde hair danced in the moonlight, dancing on her beautiful features like waves dancing on the sand. Most vampire hunters were scarred and rugged, Catrina was the opposite.
"Such confidence. You'll make a perfect underling after I'm through with you. I can't wait to see how those cheeks look when they're painted rosy red." The vampire gave a haughty laugh, releasing her dress and letting it flow to her feet. Her body was contained in crimson lingerie that stood out against her ashy skin. Vampires were typically beautiful creatures, stuck forever in their golden years until they were destroyed.
Suddenly the vampire bore her fangs, her eyes turning red against the dim light of the clocktower. She leapt forward with her arms extended, making a hiss as she flew through the air towards Catrina.
Vampire hunters typically excelled at a specific brand of combat, most picked swords or daggers but there was always the occasional staff user as well. Catrina was the only vampire hunter that practiced the art of grappling.
Catrina cracked her knuckles and raised her hands, watching through eyes that brimmed with confidence as the vampire flew at her with the speed of a bullet. The vampire swung her claws but Catrina caught her at the wrists stopping the vampire mid flight. The two wrestled back and forth, spit being flung between them as the vampire released a disgusted hiss.
"Get your hands off me you worm!"
Catrina flashed a grin, watching like a tiger watching it's prey as the vampire squirmed in her grip. "Awwh.. Is someone having some trouble? You know you can always submit now and save yourself the shame."
The vampire's cheeks burned red and cracks began to form in her skin as she shook with anger and began to push with more force. Catrina used this force against the vampire, dropping to her back and bringing up a foot straight into the vampire's stomach. As she hit the wooden floor she kicked off the vampire's body and sent her spiraling overhead, flipping the vampire over her.
The vampire landed with a thud, pieces of rotten wood splintering away undernath her body and slowly falling deep within the bowels of the clock tower.
Catrina laughed and kicked to her feet, her blonde hair bouncing around on her shoulders. before she could begin enjoying her small victory a sharp pain erupted in her scalp and her hair screamed as it stretched taut, wrapped in the vampire's fist. Catrina's lips began to quiver and her hands grabbed at the vampire's wrist. Her eyes slammed shut as she began to kick wildly to try and free herself.
"I'm sorry.. Did you think we were done already? You're going to need quite a bit more than just a simple flip to defeat me dear." The vampire's lips were right against Catrina's ear, every word bouncing around in her skull and making her cheeks turn as red as a flame.
"Mmh.. There you go.. Just like that." With every passing second the vampire grew stronger, feeding off Catrina's humiliation. Suddenly the vampire twisted to the side and swung Catrina like a wrecking ball, letting her go and tossing her straight to the floor.
Catrina landed with a thud and rolled a few feet, scattering splintered wood in her wake. She laid on her side, holding her back as pain jolted through her system like lightning. "F-Fuck." She whispered to herself, flipping onto her stomach and getting onto her hands and knees. This one is powerful. She thought to herself.
Without warning Catrina's face was forced down into the floor, a heavy weight pinning her face to the ground. Her nose bent at an odd angle as pain spread throughout her face. Her hands swept through the air randomly, aiming for anything that might help her get free. Finally her hands found a target, latching tight to the vampire's ankle and pulling like mad; it was a futile endeavor but it did receive a chuckle from the vampire's lips.
The vampire was pinning Catrina's head down with her foot, ashy toes sinking into strands of blonde hair. "Awwh.. What's wrong worm? Having some trouble getting up? Go on ahead, keep struggling. I'm sure if you make me laugh enough I'll eventually release you."
Catrina's cheeks began to glow as the vampire talked. Already Catrina could feel her energy being sapped as though the vampire was draining her life force. She tried to keep her wits about her but she knew that every second the vampire's strength grew while hers wavered.
Catrina didn't have time to think up a plan as the vampire quickly went from standing on the back of her head to sitting on it. Creamy cheeks melted over the back of her neck and pinned her face to the floor. Darkness began to take of Catrina's vision as she helplessly pounded on the floorboards with her fists.
"I told you worm.. You're far out of your depth. I'll teach you how to fight when I finally transform you into a vampire." The vampire grabbed Catrina's ankles as she spoke, wrenching back Catrina's legs and forcing Catrina's body to look like the letter 'C'.
Catrina's spine screamed as she helplessly pounded the floorboards in tandem. Her voice became a meager squeal as the pain choked out her voice and made it hard to breathe. Time seemed to slow down, seconds felt like minutes and minutes felt like hours. With every passing moment the vampire gained strength, wrenching Catrina's legs back further and further til finally she started to take on the shape of the letter 'o'.
"Do you submit?" Said the vampire, her tongue skating around her lips as she spoke. Already she was imagining the reception she would receive when she presented Catrina as a vampire.
Suddenly Catrina's face was framed by a pair of perfect feet, long toes melting over her nose and mouth and playing with her perfect blonde hair. She could taste the grime and smell a scent that made her gag. Self preservation suddenly became second to the feeling of humiliation welling within her heart. Her cheeks burned and burned as though they were a smoldering fire while her entire body ached with pain. She had been reduced to a vampires plaything, a practice dummy, a ragdoll.
Catrina reached back feebly, her fingers running over the smooth ashy skin of the vampires body as she smacked and scratched. The vampire sighed and dropped Catrina's legs, letting them clatter to the floorboards like broken toys as she slowly got to her feet. The clocktower was now silent save for a mixture of turning gears mixed with Catrina's pitiful whimpers.
"Is this really the best the hunters could manage? I have to say I am thoroughly disappointed. Fools like you should learn their place in the food chain." The vampire put a foot on the back of Catrina's head as she spoke, forcing Catrina to kiss the grimy floorboards.
"G-Get off me you b-bitch." Catrina choked, once again tugging at the foot that pinned the back of her head.
"Mmh.. No I don't think I will. I think I'm going to suck you dry of all that pride and confidence first. Then for the rest of your existence you'll be indebted to me when I finally make you transform."
The vampire finally released Catrina, slowly walking around the heap that laid on the floor of her clocktower. Her foot struck out like a viper, poking and prodding at Catrina's body with interest.
"Well? Get up. Come on. Get up queen of the slayers. You might be the most disappointing thing I've seen all night. Pitiful. Fucking. Worm."
A tear streaked through Catrina's eye as she flipped onto her back, staring up at the rafters which hung overhead. Her breathing was strained as she stared at the hanging gears which swung back and forth like pendulums overhead. She glanced left and right, perhaps retreating was in order but to her horror she suddenly realized the exits were all blocked off. The only way out of this prison would be the same way she came in and in her state that would be nearly impossible.
The vampire cackled as she watched, a snake watching it's prey struggle. "There it is. Fear. It must be quite embarrassing to lose. Let that embarrassment out Catrina. Cry." The vampire smirked as she spoke, slowly approaching Catrina's body before dropping down and sitting on Catrina's stomach.
Air flowed from Catrina's lungs into the dry and dusty air, she coughed and gagged as she struggled for under the vampire's weight. Her fingers feebly grabbed and pushed, putting up some form of resistance so that the vampire knew it hadn't won.
"You just thought I was a typical vampire didn't you? Did they even tell you my name when they sent you after me?" The vampire said, trailing a finger along Catrina's cheek.
Catrina was already realizing that this wasn't some ordinary vampire.
The vampire slowly leaned forward, her tongue skating along Catrina's inner ear as she spoke. "Vanessa. My name is Vanessa. I want you to know my name when I finally transform you."
Catrina's blood ran cold and her breath sat stuck in her throat. Vanessa, the 2nd oldest vampire in the region. Catrina suddenly realized she had came to this fight completely unprepared.
Vampires were assigned their worth based on age. The older a vampire was, the stronger it typically became. Vampires that reached Vanessa's age were practically unstoppable due to their strength and speed.
Vanessa smiled as she sat up, running a finger through her dark as night hair while she watched the realization dawn on Catrina's features. "It's so refreshing to watch that confident light drain from your eyes. I'm quite pleased you recognize who I am."
Vanessa began to scoot forward, her thighs coming to frame Catrina's pretty face. Catrina's features gently squished as she smelled the vampires scent through the stretchy lingerie that covered her sex. Catrina's eyes began to widen as she stared ahead through fearful eyes. Her feet began to gently pound on the floorboards as she grabbed tight to Vanessa's thighs and began to slowly try to pry them apart.
"Mmh.. That's right. Struggle. Wriggle like the worm you are." Vanessa at this point was ravenous, her mouth dripping drool as she pushed her body forward and forced her sex onto Catrina's face. Catrina was covered, smothered, nothing left save for a mop of blonde hair. Catrina gagged on the sweet scent that filled her nostrils, struggling with the sour taste that assaulted her tongue. Vanessa's stretchy panties stuck to her features like a dirty mask, making breathing practically impossible as the soft material filled her nose and mouth. Putrid was the only word stuck on her tongue and her little squeals of utter discontent did their best to convey that.
"GET OMFF!" Squealed Catrina, her feet slamming into the wooden floorboards as if she were throwing a fit.
Vanessa at this point didn't speak, her breathing picking up by the second as she wiggled and writhed to try and find the most comfortable place to sit. Her body bounced up and down as swathes of air flew through her lungs. She was clearly enjoying this, the power that flowed into her body tasted like a proper buffet.
"Oh Lilith is going to be so pleased when I finally bring you to her. I can already imagine how I'll be rewarded. Not only that.. I'll have the legendary Catrina by my side, following my every order."
Catrina stopped her struggling momentarily. Lilith. She surely hadn't heard Vanessa correctly. Lilith was gone, scattered to dust in the great vampire war.
Every vampire hunter knew the tale of Lilith, she was the oldest known vampire in existence, queen of the vampires they called her. When she had finally begun to threaten humanity with her growing power a great war ensued that ultimately led to her demise. Just Lilith's name was enough to strike fear into the heart of any vampire hunter.
Catrina suddenly realized the severity of this situation. If Lilith had somehow survived then every vampire hunter was in grave danger.
Catrina focused, closing her eyes to block out the scent of Vanessa's sex on her face. Her feet went still as she remembered her training, blocking out all instances of humiliation. Her rosy cheeks slowly cleared and her breath returned to a steady pace. her whole body went as still as a bored and Vanessa noticed the change almost instantly.
"Resisting are we? That's okay. I'm prepared to stay here as long as it takes Catrina. I'll play with those cute little features until you forget was fresh air tastes like."
Catrina raised her legs off the floor, hooking her feet just under Vanessa's arms. Catrina grunted and pulled, tugging Vanessa of her face and sending her straight to the floor with a resounding thud. Vanessa's annoyed and hurt voice filled the air, a shrill exhale of surprise as she withered between Catrina's thick thighs. Catrina quickly tied her feet together like twine, squeezing her thighs around Vanessa's midsection like a vice. She could already see the look of pain spreading across Vanessa's features as she squeezed and crushed the ashy body that sat stuck between her thighs.
Catrina's hands then wrapped tightly around one of Vanessa's ankles, twisting the piece of flesh as though it were a top she was preparing to spin. Vanessa shrieked in pain, her head slamming back into the floorboards as she struggled to spit out insults and commands.
"L-Let go you.. BITCH! I'll... I'll.... I'LL DESTROY YOU."
Catrina huffed and increased the pressure, bending the ankle til it was close to breaking. Vanessa howled in agony, pounding the floorboards with her fists.
"You mentioned Lilith. Where is she?" Catrina's voice was deadly serious.
"I'll never tell you worm. NEVER." Vanessa's voice was hoarse, every word filled with pain.
Catrina huffed. "Guess we'll have to do this the hard way then."
Catrina completely released Vanessa which earned a sigh of relief as Vanessa withered on the floor. The punishment wasn't done though as Catrina quickly sat atop Vanessa's body and pinned her to the floorboards. Catrina grabbed tightly to Vanessa's wrists and ignored Vanessa's whimpers of disapproval, pinning her down to the floor.
Catrina slowly lowered her ample chest, pressing the soft flesh to Vanessa's face and depriving the elder vampire of delicious fresh air. Already Vanessa was beginning to kick the floor in anger, squealing in disgust. Catrina managed a wary smile, shimmying her chest back and forth across Vanessa's features as though she was trying to grind her scent into Vanessa's nose.
"What's wrong? Is this not how you expected things to go? Now tell me. Where is Lilith? Tell me or I'll turn you to fucking ash." Catrina's voice had a slight layer of seduction to it. She was a master of her craft. Already she could feel Vanessa beginning to wither. Elder vampires were strong but they weren't used to humiliation like lower vampires were; this meant that they were much more at risk of turning to dust if they were caught in a precarious position.
Vanessa slowly shook her head, denying the request as spluttered and gagged against Catrina's sweaty breasts.
"G-Get off WORM!" Vanessa's voice now sounded puny and broken, every word choked up as though she were about to cry.
"Hmm. If you insist Vanessa." Catrina raised her body and was meant to a barrage of spitting and cussing from the humiliated Vanessa. Already Vanessa's once perfect skin was beginning to crack and fade, her confidence flowing from her like a broken dam.
Catrina spun around like a top, sitting atop Vanessa's neck in hot leather that stuck to her already sweaty skin. Catrina looked over her shoulder and gave a wicked smile.
"I'll give you one last chance Vanessa. Tell me where Lilith is hiding."
Vanessa hissed and spit her words as though they were venom. "Foolish worm. I will never tell you. Soon Lilith will return and you pitiful vampire hunters will know your place on this planet. We'll turn you all into THRALLS."
Catrina scooted back a moment later and put an end to Vanessa's grating voice. Catrina's thick cheeks melted around Vanessa's face, hot leather sticking to Vanessa's features and making her choke on the sweet scent of sweat mixed with cheap perfume and ass. The leather clung to Vanessa's face like a mask and indented where Vanessa's nose met Catrina's crack. Catrina stared out among the thralls in the room, wiggling her hips as she worked Vanessa's nose as deep as it would go.
"Take a deep whiff Vanessa. Does it smell good down there? I wore these leggings just for you." Catrina's breath was slowly slithering from her lips, enjoyment clearly plastered on her face. Already she could feel Vanessa weakening, her slaps becoming slower and slower as little pleas began to leave her lips. It didn't take long before Vanessa had completely succumbed to Catrina's putrid scent, dissolving into nothing but a pile of lingerie and sticky ash that collected on Catrina's cheeks.
Catrina sighed as relief flooded her body but that relief was cut short as the sound of a hundred shrills screams filled the air. She slowly turned her head and watched, unable to do anything as all the thralls faded away, nothing but clothes left behind as piles of ash began to build up in the room. A thin layer of dust had collected in the air, making Catrina choke as she slowly got to her feet. She signed again and rubbed a hand against the back of her neck, aches and pains slowly erupting around her body.
"Time to go back home. There's work to be done."