The castle seemed to breathe.
The walls pulsed with echoes of distant voices, and the wind passing through the corridors sounded like the whispers of ancient souls.
Lucy climbed a small stone staircase, her steps marked by the metallic sound of wet boots.
At the top, the place was filled with purple curtains swaying gently, hiding the center of a misty hall bathed in a lilac light.
She took a few cautious steps, Dracallion in hand.
Suddenly, the air grew heavy.
Bats began to appear — dozens, hundreds of them — whirling behind her in a dark vortex.
Lucy turned, and the bats began to merge, flesh and shadow twisting until they formed the figure of a nakedwoman, pale-skinned with violet-dyed hair, who let out a low, enticing laugh.
The woman walked slowly toward Lucy, her eyes glowing violet.
"Welcome, dear," she said in a soft, dangerous voice.
Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"So that's how you greet visitors now? I like the flair."
The woman stopped before her, smiling provocatively.
"Is this your first time here?"
Lucy twirled her sword over her shoulder, relaxed.
"Yeah. And so far... I'm kind of loving it."
The woman laughed, a sound that seemed to tinkle in the air.
"Ah... I like enthusiastic guests."
Lucy scanned the woman's body with an ironic look.
"I suppose you're a succubus, huh? Funny, shouldn't an incubus be the one showing up for me? Considering I'm a woman."
The woman began to circle Lucy, brushing her fingers against the vampire's torn coat.
"You're not wrong," she replied, her mouth brushing close to Lucy's ear.
"But you... you're different. I can tell what you like. Both men and women attract you, don't they?"
Lucy smirked, playful.
"Oh, I see... someone here knows how to read sexuality, huh? Then tell me... are you gonna be good to me?"
The woman slid her fingers under Lucy's chin.
"But of course. As long as you're a good girl for me too."
She let out a teasing giggle.
"I'll treat you so well you'll never want to leave."
Lucy looked her up and down.
"Looks like things are heating up."
The woman took Lucy's hand and placed it on her own chest, pressing softly.
"Do you like that?" she whispered.
Lucy stayed silent, eyes feline and unreadable.
Then the woman took off Lucy's glove, licking her fingers slowly, running her tongue along them before sucking them like a candy, provoking the vampire even more.
Her fingers slid down to Lucy's abdomen, tracing the skin with curiosity.
"Even with immortal blood, your skin is warm like a human's. Impressive."
Lucy smiled.
"That's one of my charms."
The woman pressed her body against Lucy's, warmth mixing with the night's chill.
Their lips met.
A slow, deep kiss — tongues meeting, twisting together — hot, hungry, unrestrained.
Lucy trailed kisses down the woman's neck, licking and teasing as the succubus moaned with pleasure, then bit Lucy's lips in return before kissing down her throat — this time leaving light bites, deliberate and playful — before they kissed again.
Then Lucy felt it — the void.
Her life force began to drain, her body growing lighter, weaker.
Lucy's eyes snapped open, and with a sudden motion, she kicked the woman in the stomach, sending her crashing into a nearby pillar.
The succubus laughed, licking her lips.
"Ah... you're fun."
She waved her hand through the air, materializing a tight, black outfit that clung to her form, emanating violet fire.
"You've got such delicious energy. Come, my darling. Let's dance."
Lucy wiped the saliva from her mouth and twirled Dracallion in the air.
"Dance? Sure. But I tend to step on my partners' feet."
The woman laughed, spreading her demonic wings, and the two lunged at each other.
The succubus fired bolts of purple energy, and Lucy dodged with swift spins, cutting through the beams midair with her blade.
Their clash sounded like music — steel strikes, breaths, footsteps, thunder.
Lucy ducked, spun, and slashed one of the woman's wings.
The demon screamed and stumbled back, unleashing a flaming bolt that blasted the floor apart.
The fight raged on, Lucy looking for an opening in her opponent's defense.
She leaped into the air and drove Dracallion into the woman's shoulder.
The succubus fell into Lucy's arms, purple blood dripping, moaning in pain — and still smiling.
"Wow... you're so strong."
Suddenly, a violet blaze gathered in her hand, ready to strike again.
But Lucy was faster — she drew her pistol and fired straight into the woman's stomach.
The shot echoed through the hall.
The woman arched her back, coughing blood, moaning between pain and pleasure.
Lucy sighed.
"Don't you think that's enough?"
The succubus smiled faintly, eyes half-closed.
"Alright... you win."
She took a shallow breath.
"Your father was a handsome werewolf, you know? He subdued many monsters to protect this castle. And you... you're no less impressive. Nor your sister... even with that cold, emotionless stare, I must admit, she's quite charming."
Her body began to dissolve into violet flames, her face still wearing that teasing smile.
"My name is Velmorah... and now I'll be yours, my love."
The flames condensed and transformed into a purple and black staff, fire flaring from both ends, the metal vibrating with demonic energy.
Lucy grabbed it, spinning it between her wrists, testing its balance.
A satisfied smile formed on her lips.
"I love it."
She gave the staff a small kiss — the flames flared softly in response.
"Welcome to the team, Velmorah."
Outside...
On the balcony, Tory was still fighting.
Her twin Uzis roared in her hands, lighting the night with golden sparks.
The Wendigos fell one by one, until the last dropped, decapitated by a precise burst.
She exhaled deeply, her breath visible in the cold air.
Holstering her weapons, she looked toward the castle entrance where Lucy had disappeared.
"Let's see where that vampire ran off to..." she muttered, beginning to walk.
The sound of her footsteps echoed until it vanished into the corridor's darkness.
And the castle — alive, pulsing, hungry — waited for her.