I stepped out as soon as the car came to a stop. My heels clicking sharply against the polished marble, as I walked straight towards the private elevator that led to my office floor. Another perk of being the boss, was that I didn't have to share my space with anyone.
No. I don't hate humans, I just don't like being around them. They are loud, greedy, emotional, fragile things that don't know anything about what real power means. But unfortunately, they are necessary and I have to deal with them every day.
One time, I tried to be like them, but that didn't end well either.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing Nicole, my ever-efficient PA standing by with a steaming cup in her hand. Her blonde hair was perfectly pinned, her smile bright, and her posture straight, like she'd been waiting for me all morning.
"Good morning, Ms. Vale," she greeted sweetly, holding out the cup. "Black coffee. Extra hot, just how you like it."
I took it without saying a word and brushed past her, sipping as I walked. The bitterness hit my tongue like sweet comfort.
"I called you multiple times this morning," she began, following closely behind. "But you didn't pick up."
"I didn't want to," I said flatly.
She sighed quietly and moved on. "You have a meeting with the marketing team at ten to finalize the beauty product line designs. Then at twelve, there's a board meeting regarding the proposed merger with Wilson Global—"
I stopped in my tracks. "What merger?"
She blinked, checking her tablet. "The proposal that came in last month? The board's been—"
"Scrap it," I cut her off, turning towards my office. "Tell the board it's cancelled."
Nicole hesitated, visibly torn. "Ma'am, everyone's been looking forward to this. It's not something you can just—"
I turned sharply, my tone cold. "Nicole, I don't remember paying you to argue with me or offer opinions on how I run my empire. You're paid to do what I ask, Unless you're tired of working for me, in which case—"
Her eyes widened. "No, ma'am. Of course not. I'll inform them right away."
"Good," I said, pushing open my office door. "Now since my twelve o'clock is free, I want Thai food for lunch."
"Actually," she said hesitantly, "Mr. Lucien's meeting has been moved up to twelve. He's been on the waiting list for months."
I groaned, setting the coffee down on my glass desk. "What does he want this time?"
"He didn't say," she replied carefully. "But he insisted it was urgent. And since you've postponed three times already…"
I waved a dismissive hand. "Fine. But tell him he's got only thirty minutes. Nothing more."
Nicole nodded, relief flooding her face. "Yes, ma'am. You also have a few interviews this afternoon. Nothing too serious."
"Good," I murmured, turning my chair towards the window.
That was her cue to leave, but before she could, I added, "And Nicole?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"Change those damn heels. They sound horrible and they're giving me a headache."
Her face turned pink. "Of course, Ms. Vale." She bowed her head slightly and left the room.
The moment the door clicked shut, I let out a long sigh and sank back in my chair. I looked down at the silver ring on my hand, twisting it absentmindedly between my fingers.
Outside the window, the city looked beautiful, the golden sunlight spilling over the glass towers, the faint hum of traffic below. Everything looked perfect.
Everything except me.
Soon it was time for the ten o'clock meeting, and Nicole came to get me.
The moment I entered the boardroom, the air shifted. Every conversation died instantly and every head turned in my direction, and the silence that followed was almost reverent or fearful. I couldn't tell anymore.
I smirked. I love fear.
"Good morning, Ms. Vale," the head of the marketing team greeted nervously. He gestured toward the large screen where his laptop was connected to the projector. "We've finalized the designs for the new beauty line and—"
I leaned back, crossing my legs, my coffee in hand. "Just get on with it."
He started clicking through slides, explaining target demographics, packaging designs, profit projections, the usual corporate nonsense. I nodded occasionally, pretending to listen, until something… shifted.
A chill swept through the room.
Then I heard it.
A familiar soft whisper.
"Sera…"
I froze. My gaze flicked across the room, scanning the faces but everyone was focused on the presentation, listening with rapt attention. But the voice, it was right next to my ear.
I gripped the edge of the table, my pulse spiking. The ring on my finger throbbed against my skin.
"Sera…"
It was closer again this time, almost like a caress.
"Stop," I said sharply.
The room went silent, as every head turned towards me.
The marketing head stammered, "Ma'am? Is… is something wrong? Are none of the designs to your liking?"
I exhaled slowly, forcing my composure back into place. "This," I said, gesturing toward the screen, "is trash."
A collective gasp rippled across the table.
"I don't want to waste my time on something this basic. So scrap it…all of it, and I want everyone to come up with something new, something fresh, something exciting."
He nodded frantically. "Y-yes, ma'am."
"Good." I pushed my chair back and stood up. "Meeting adjourned."
And without saying another word, I walked out.
Once I got back inside my office, I locked the door and pressed my back against it, breathing heavily. The whisper still echoed faintly in my mind, like a ghost I couldn't shake off. My throat burned, the familiar, searing ache that came when the thirst began to rise.
"Fuck! Not now," I muttered. "Not here."
I crossed the room quickly and pulled a leather-bound book from the shelf. The wall shimmered for a moment before sliding open, revealing the secret chamber hidden behind it.
The air inside was cooler, denser, humming faintly with old magic. I stepped in, and the door closed behind me.
Candles came to life on their own as I approached the altar table. A silver knife glowed under the low light. I picked it up and pressed the blade against my palm.
I felt a sharp sting of pain as my blood trickled down into the glass on the table.
"Ad Mortem, retine famem," I whispered, over and over.
The spell pulsed through the room in a low vibration. My blood began to bubble, glowing faintly as it turned silver.
The burning inside me flared. My veins darkened, as my eyes turned crimson red. I dropped to my knees, gasping as the spell took hold, the pain coursing through every inch of my body.
I screamed, clutching my chest, the sound muffled by the magic swirling around me. The blood in the cup shimmered brighter, then dulled as the hunger slowly receded.
Every spell took a little more of me. Every day, I became a little less human.
When it was over, I lay there for a moment, breathing hard, and completely drenched in sweat. The red faded from my eyes, returning them to their usual gray. My hands shook as I reached for one of the sealed vials on the shelf. It was blood from my private bank, it would have to do for now.
I opened it, drank it quickly, and felt the relief slide through me. The veins along my neck faded, my fangs retracted, and my body settled back slowly into control.
I stood up, straightened my clothes, and whispered a quick spell to clean the bloodstains. By the time I stepped back into my office, there wasn't a single trace of what had just happened.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Come in," I said smoothly, turning back towards my desk.
Nicole peeked in, looking worried. "Are you all right, Ms. Vale? The door was locked, and you didn't respond."
"I'm fine," I replied, adjusting my ring.
She hesitated. "Mr. Lucien is here. He's waiting to see you."
I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, "Great. Just what I needed, another arrogant asshole."
Then I looked up, my lips curling into a faint, dangerous smile. "Send him in."