26 .Victor
⟡ Empty Corridor — The Shadow Dares Again
Marcelline stepped out of the professor's office, heels clicking, expression back to her cute, indifferent sweetness…
But the irritation under her skin burned hotter.
Marcelline (under her breath):
"You dare to brush past me…"
Her eyes narrowed, turning sharp for a split second.
She continued walking—
And then—
WHOOSH—
The shadow tried to rush past her again, faster this time, almost mocking her.
Wrong move.
Very wrong.
Marcelline didn't even look.
Her hand shot out in a blur.
Fingers closing around a collar—
SLAM.
She pinned the figure HARD against the wall, the plaster cracking behind him.
Her sweet face turned cold as ice.
Marcelline (slow, lethal tone):
"Try that one more time…
and I'll feed your ashes to Amara's husband."
A low, dark chuckle vibrated near her ear.
Male.
Smooth.
Seductive.
Shadow:
"Oh, darling…
if you wanted me against a wall,
you could've just asked."
The shadows unraveled—
revealing him.
Tall.
Sinfully handsome.
Red eyes glowing with hunger and amusement.
Black hair falling over his forehead like he stepped out of a vampire seduction manual.
Victor Valtieri
—Leader of the Vampire High Table.
—The most dangerous blood-sucker alive.
—And a shameless flirt who worships Marcelline's power.
He smirked at her, fangs peeking.
Victor (purring):
"Mmm… your grip is deliciously firm today."
Marcelline rolled her eyes so hard they almost fell out.
Marcelline:
"Victor.
Why.
The hell.
Are you here."
He pretended to wince dramatically, even while pinned.
Victor:
"What, no 'hello, Victor, my favorite immortal annoyance'?"
Marcelline tightened her grip on his collar.
Victor inhaled sharply—
not in pain, but because he liked the dominance.
Victor (whisper-growl):
"Careful, sweetheart…
I might start thinking you enjoy manhandling me."
Marcelline's voice dropped into pure threat.
Marcelline:
"Touch me and I'll rip your heart out."
Victor smirked wider.
Victor:
"Kinky."
She shoved him harder against the wall.
Marcelline:
"Stop that."
Victor raised both hands like a gentleman who wanted to be arrested.
Victor:
"Fine, fine.
No inappropriate touching.
Yet."
Marcelline growled softly.
Victor's voice lowered, silk over steel.
Victor:
"I'm here because something dark is moving.
Even darker than me.
And it's after someone."
Marcelline's eyes flashed.
Marcelline:
"Who?"
Victor leaned closer—
close enough Marcelline could smell that intoxicating, forbidden vampire scent.
But he didn't touch her.
He wouldn't dare.
Victor (seductive whisper):
"Someone whose fate… is tangled with yours."
Marcelline's grip loosened just slightly, curiosity flickering.
He felt it and used the chance to slide one hand up—
not touching her, just hovering teasingly near her hair.
Victor (soft, dangerous):
"You sensed it, didn't you?
That pull… that tremor in your soul."
Marcelline pushed him back again before he got too close.
Marcelline:
"Stop being dramatic and talk."
Victor grinned like a devil in love.
Victor:
"Tsk, tsk.
You break walls, crush monsters, terrify beasts…
and still look adorable doing it."
Marcelline's eyebrow twitched.
Marcelline:
"I should've let Amara eat you."
Victor laughed.
Victor:
"Try it.
Your beast queen friend can't stand my charm."
Marcelline:
"Shut up and answer, Victor."
He stepped out of the cracked wall, brushing dust off casually.
Victor's smile faded slightly.
His tone became serious—rare for him.
Victor:
"A cursed entity is hunting someone…
and I'm here to warn you.
Whatever it is—
it's powerful."
Marcelline crossed her arms.
Marcelline:
"And why do you care?"
Victor took a step closer, his red eyes glowing softly.
Victor (a little softer, but still flirtatious):
"Because you're the only woman on this planet who can kill me…
and I find that impossibly attractive."
He winked.
Marcelline:
"…Idiot."
But she didn't let go of the warning.
Something dangerous was moving.
And now even Victor—the flirtatious, untouchable High Table king—was uneasy.
Something big was coming.
And Marcelline was now in the center of it.
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