Vampire 8
Tang Xi followed the system’s guidance and ran upstairs, choosing the most inconspicuous-looking room among the many available to hide in.
Only after entering did he realize he had hidden in a changing room.
The screams from downstairs never ceased, their shrill intensity making Tang Xi tremble.
Terrified, he opened a wardrobe door and slipped inside.
[This should be safe… right?]
He curled up into a small ball, shaking.
1551 reassured him, [Don’t worry, the vampires won’t come upstairs.]
But as soon as those words fell, an even closer scream rang out.
Then came the sound of someone crashing into the wall.
That person, stumbling in fear.
Tang Xi was hidding in the wardrobe but still couldn’t block out the noise.
Even their final pleas for mercy and agonized screams as they were caught were crystal clear.
Tang Xi was so terrified that he covered his mouth, afraid he would let out a whimper.
Forcing himself to suppress his fear, he asked the system what had happened to that person.
1551, surveying the gruesome corpse drained of blood outside, carefully chose its words: [It’s better if you don’t know.]
It had originally assumed that the vampire would leave after feeding, but unexpectedly, he walked straight in this direction.
As if he had always known someone was hiding here, he approached without hesitation.
Suddenly, the noises from downstairs fell silent, making the sound of boots stepping on the floor particularly distinct.
Each slow, deliberate footstep felt like it was landing directly on Tang Xi’s heart.
He kept asking the system in his mind: [Is a vampire coming? Is he?]
1551 was just as tense: [Breathe more quietly!]
Tang Xi held his breath.
Yet, the knocking still came.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Tang Xi’s face crumpled in despair: [How does he know I’m hiding here?]
It was as if the vampire had pinpointed his exact location. After three polite yet ominous knocks, the door was pushed open.
Rather than a mere formality, it felt more like a calculated act of intimidation—cruelly toying with the helpless prey trembling inside.
He stepped into the room, his tone relaxed. “Did you know? The more terrified a normal human is, the worse their blood tastes. But you… you’re different. The more intense your emotions, the sweeter your scent becomes.”
Inside the wardrobe, Tang Xi felt his heart nearly stop. He prayed desperately that the door wouldn’t open.
But his prayers went unanswered.
A pale hand wrenched the wardrobe open, letting the candlelight spill inside.
Tang Xi gasped softly, shrinking further into the corner.
This vampire’s presence was entirely unfamiliar—he was not his poop scooper. Faced with a stranger, Tang Xi knew his fighting ability was likely so weak that he wouldn’t even have a chance to resist before being drained dry like a mere snack.
But the wardrobe was only so big. No matter how he tried to hide, escape was impossible. Those cold, pale hands seized his ankle and dragged him out.
The touched skin felt as if it were wrapped by a cold reptile, instantly turning red in a ring.
Tang Xi was terrified beyond words, yet he forced himself to put on a haughty act, imitating the original character. “If you dare lay a finger on me, Evans won’t let you off!”
The vampire, Damon, leaned in and inhaled deeply near Tang Xi’s neck, his voice laced with fascination: “Now I finally understand why Father is so interested in you. You smell… exquisite. From the moment I was downstairs, your scent has been impossible to ignore.”
It seemed the purer a vampire’s lineage, the more obsessed they were with the scent of blood.
Tang Xi had no idea how Morse had managed to restrain himself. Just inhaling the scent was nearly driving Damon mad.
Tang Xi’s body went rigid with fear. Glancing downward by accident, he caught sight of something he absolutely shouldn’t have. His mind went blank, and before he could stop it, heat rushed straight to his head.
His entire face flushed red.
Damon let out a low chuckle, completely unfazed. “Bloodlust and desire are inherently linked for vampires. Didn’t you know that?”
Tang Xi, eyes wide and brimming with shame and frustration, snapped back, “Why the hell would I know that?!”
Damon removed his top hat, then his mask, revealing a wickedly handsome face. “Looks like Father hasn’t started ‘training’ you yet. I suppose I’ll have to take his place—”
Before he could finish his sentence, he impatiently leaned in.
Tang Xi pushed against him with all his strength, stammering in panic, “Ev—Evans is the Knight Commander! He hunts vampires like you! If you don’t want to die, let me go!”
To his astonishment, Damon actually let him go.
Tang Xi dumbly looked up, only to see blood rapidly spreading across Damon’s chest.
Morse stood nearby, his face filled with disgust as he flicked the blood off his hand, then mercilessly flung Damon against the wall.
To him, the blood of both humans and vampires was equally repulsive.
Damon grimaced in pain, his mouth opening wide. “F-Father…”
There was no resentment in his heart. At first, he had only wanted to see what kind of person could catch the eye of the vampire ancestor. He never expected that just one glance would completely captivate him.
The scent of that blood was simply too sweet—so intoxicating that, even knowing his actions might cost him his life, he couldn’t resist following his instincts.
On his way here, he had fed on others, yet the moment he opened the wardrobe and caught that distinct, overwhelming sweetness, his eyes turned red.
It was like a poppy flower, but a thousand times sweeter.
Damon never managed to utter a complete sentence before he died completely, his eyes still locked onto Tang Xi.
Vampires were incredibly difficult to kill. The purer their bloodline, the closer they were to immortality. Even the Church had to go through great trouble to take one down.
But to Morse, they were nothing more than ants.
Without so much as a glance at the chaos below, he reached out, wrapped Tang Xi in his cloak, and picked him up.
The young master looked utterly petrified, and Morse’s heart ached at the sight.
Tang Xi was still struggling to process everything. He had thought Morse was left behind at the estate, never expecting him to suddenly appear now.
To make matters worse, in his moment of terror, his tail had instinctively emerged.
Now, it was tightly pressed against his waist, as if afraid the man would notice it.
A pair of enormous black wings unfurled behind Morse. Without sparing a glance at the chaos below, he carried his most precious treasure away, relief washing over him at having regained what was nearly lost.
In just a few fleeting moments, Tang Xi realized they had arrived somewhere unfamiliar.
He was still in shock over those massive wings, completely forgetting the accusations he had been ready to hurl at Morse.
1551 spoke up to explain: [Vampires are just bats, after all. Having wings is normal. But in this world, only those with pure bloodlines possess them.]
Tang Xi was momentarily stunned. [Oh.]
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his foot. Instinctively, he tried to pull it back, but failed.
Looking down, he saw Morse gently rubbing his ankle.
A fresh red mark, left behind by that vampire, stood out starkly against his pale skin.
Though he still didn’t understand the situation, the spoiled little cat couldn’t help but blurt out before thinking, “What are you doing?”
Morse looked up at him deeply, then lowered his head and pressed a kiss onto the mark. His tongue flicked out, wet and warm, tracing over the spot that someone else had tainted.
He didn’t stop until the unfamiliar scent was completely erased.
Like a beast eager to mark its territory, his breath came out hot and urgent against Tang Xi’s delicate skin.
Tang Xi whimpered and instinctively tried to kick him away with his other foot—only for Morse to grab that one too.
The position suddenly became dangerously intimate.
Morse leaned in, pressing down on him. “Why Evans?”
Tang Xi, already flushed with embarrassment, blanked out for a moment at the unexpected question.
Seeing his confusion, Morse clarified, his voice low and insistent. “Why, when you were in danger, did you only think of Evans? Why didn’t you call for me?”
Just the thought of it made Morse burn with jealousy.
He needed an answer.
Tang Xi’s eyes welled up with tears, his voice trembling. “I… I thought you were at the manor.”
Morse stilled.
In an instant, his rage cooled, and he reached out to wipe away Tang Xi’s tears.
He had frightened his little treasure.
Morse’s voice softened with guilt. “I’m sorry… It’s my fault. I should never take my eyes off you.”
His precious one had no idea who he really was—no idea that he was actually Grover.
And today, he must have been terrified.
The atmosphere grew thick, charged with an emotion Morse couldn’t name. Gently, he pulled Tang Xi into his embrace, planting soft kisses at the corners of his reddened eyes.
Finally, Tang Xi calmed down.
As his emotions settled, his fluffy cat tail began to sway unconsciously.
Morse’s eyes flickered with surprise. He could clearly feel something soft and furry brushing against the back of his hand.
Without a word, he reached down—and found something that shouldn’t be there.
Right at the base of Tang Xi’s spine… a tail.
Tang Xi, still busy playing with Morse’s dark wings, suddenly stiffened as a large hand grasped the root of his tail. A jolt of electricity shot through his body, making his waist go weak. He could only collapse helplessly into Morse’s arms.
Whimpering, he protested. “Let go…”
Morse didn’t just refuse—he tightened his grip, kneading the sensitive spot.
Leaning in close, his breath ghosted over Tang Xi’s ear as he whispered, “Young Master… what’s this, hmm?”
Tang Xi’s cheeks turned red, his eyes misty as he hesitantly answered, “It’s… just part of the costume.”
Morse paused for a moment, glancing down at the fluffy tail twitching in his hand. He gave the base another firm squeeze. “Oh?”
At that moment, Tang Xi’s ears popped out from his hair, twitching slightly in the air.
Even someone as ancient as the vampire ancestor had never seen such a sight. With a mix of curiosity and something more wicked, he reached out to trace the tips of Tang Xi’s trembling ears.
Knowing he had no way to hide it anymore, Tang Xi gave up entirely and bit down hard on Morse’s massive black wings.
Morse let him bite, not even flinching. Instead, he chuckled softly, worried he might hurt his little teeth. “Careful, don’t hurt yourself.”
Tang Xi bit down for a long time, only to leave behind a faint mark of saliva.
Feeling his pride as a man take a serious hit, Tang Xi grew even more frustrated. He pushed Morse down, straddling his waist, and glared at him.
“Why did you lie to me?” he demanded.
Morse retracted his wings, his lips curving into a teasing smirk. Sharp fangs peeked out as he asked, “How did I lie to you?”
“You… You’re a vampire!”
It seemed only now did Tang Xi fully realize that the man beneath him was a dangerous and ruthless creature. His body tensed, and he instinctively tried to escape.
But just as he lifted his hips to move away, two strong hands clamped down on his waist.
Morse smiled, his golden slit pupils gleaming. “I never lied to you. You just didn’t notice.”
Tang Xi froze, his tail giving a sharp flick in irritation before smacking Morse across the chest. “I’m not stupid!”
Seeing that Morse wasn’t angry, Tang Xi’s courage grew. His voice took on a slight whine as he pouted, “Let me go right now, or I’ll have Evans lock you up.”
Evans.
Again.
Morse’s pupils contracted, his gaze darkening with unrestrained murderous intent.
Author’s Note: Next chapter—Morse is about to make his move!