In the days following his takeover of the slave pit, things fell into a regular schedule. With the slaves' rest time increased and a ban on unwarranted whipping, the castle's construction speed skyrocketed.
Pleased with his progress, the vampires ignored the fiend's complaints about his new policies.
Having discussed with Hilda and Senna, Hector had learned that the slaves firmly believed that the trial goal was to kill the banished Queen Hella. Unfortunately, that goal had seemed impossible for the longest time.
Even the leadership amongst the slaves had begun to despair. Having very briefly met with the leadership, and using Hilda as a go-between, Hector had managed to establish an understanding with them.
Thankfully, the two years they had spent trapped here had not completely broken most of the slaves. Realizing that they now had a man with direct access to the castle had given the slaves renewed hope. Paired with a better sleep schedule and better food, the slaves were beginning to prepare for a second rebellion.
***
Hector kneeled in the throne room, the vampire queen lying across her throne. Her legs propped up on the armrest revealed a significant amount of skin as her dress was cut at the hip.
"Dear Hector. You are no fun. All you ever talk about is slaves this and construction that. Tell me, do you truly have no interest or personal greed?" She asked, her sultry tone clearly flirting with him.
Hector struggled to remain calm in Hella's presence. She was a beautiful predator, and he felt like he would be eaten at any moment. The queen had summoned him daily so that he could make a direct report on the castle's progress.
This was, however, bullshit. Hella could not have cared less about the construction of the castle. At least, not as long as it got done.
What she had wanted was alone time with her new favorite plaything. Hector had begun to take advantage of her interest, but that was a double-edged sword. It was like fishing for an angry, great white shark while only in a canoe. If he weren't careful, he would get bit.
"I am plenty selfish, Your Majesty. It is just that right now, I do not possess the means to pursue my desires." Hector said.
"Oh? And what are these lofty desires that you wish for?"
"Power. More power." Hector whispered honestly. There was no point in lying to Hella. If he didn't believe his own words, she would sense it.
"Power? Are you unsatisfied with the position I granted you?" A sly smile spread across her face, "Hector dear, are you saying you'd like to be my concubinus? That would certainly give you more power… and pleasure…" She purred, playfully twirling her long silky hair with her finger, adjusting so that the slip of her dress rode up her ass, revealing the beautiful pale skin of her upper thigh.
"I meant personal power. TRUE power." Hector clarified, averting his gaze from the woman.
Hella sniffed, "How boring. But, I guess I could be tempted to help you… If you were to entertain me."
Hector paused, turning back to Hella, "Help me become stronger?" He asked.
"Oh, so that caught your attention?" She huffed, puffing her cheeks out playfully.
Hector nodded his head, trying to ignore the woman's flirtatious attitude. It was… Hard. Hella was a vampire, a monster, a murderer, a slaver, and a horrible creature that only deserved death. However, she was still very gorgeous.
Resisting a pretty woman was possible… but hard. Especially when one was as blatant as Hella.
"What do you mean? How can you helpMe to become stronger? No matter how hard I try, I cannot cultivate yet." Hector said, eyeing her curiously.
Having finally obtained the man's attention, Hella pushed more. "Well, it's true I cannot help you with your cultivation. After all, humans must first escape the infernal realm in order to obtain the ability to cultivate."
"You know about that?" He asked, startled.
"That's right. Most high-ranking demons know how you all grow stronger. After all, more demons die due to you bastards than to any other causes. Especially that Heavenly Demon bastard." She cussed, her voice filled with annoyance.
Hector wasn't sure how to respond. However, he felt that he should avoid mentioning being a member of the Sacred Flame Sect.
"Your majesty.."
"I told you to call me Hella, dear."
"Your majesty… How can you makeMe stronger?" Hector asked.
She paused, assessing him for a moment before sighing. "Hector, while you are not a vampire, you possess many of our traits. This includes a blood core and some physical characteristics…
"Have you ever felt like your blood was so limited? It had more potential, but you simply can't access it?"
Hector nodded. "I have. My father also often complained that he was 'so close!' to becoming stronger, to unlocking his blood."
She nodded, "That is correct. Every vampire possesses hidden abilities that lay dormant. I can awaken these powers for you."
She gave him a predatory stare; standing up from her throne, she descended the stairs and walked over, stopping just in front of Hector.
She was as elegant as ever, her soft pale skin shining in the torchlight, her long silver hair flowing behind her. The dress she wore was a sleeveless blood-red dress with a deep v-neck, gothic black lace, and a large side draping slit that revealed the woman's long sexy legs.
It fit her robust figure perfectly, highlighting her beauty. The dark gothic style elevated the vampiric look to a level of artistry he had never seen.
She reached down, gently hooking her finger under Hector's chin, raising it up. Gazing into each other's eyes, Hella smirked softly, "I can do this thing for you. I can give you powers hidden inside you. I can awaken the vampiric lineage that lays dormant."
"What will it cost me?" Hector asked, his heart thundering as he imagined obtaining the power his father had strove for all his life. Oh, the irony. It would be his 'useless and pathetic son' who would obtain this great power.
"Oh, Hector, dear. Al, I want… Is your body."
"My body?" Hector asked, taken aback again by the queen of vampires.
Her eyes burned with lust and hunger, trailing down her own body with slow, deliberate grace. "I've lived in this wretched place for nearly three years," she murmured, voice thick with longing. "Surrounded by filthy humans and decrepit old vampires—none of whom possess what I crave…"
She stepped closer, her words a sultry whisper. "Hector… only you can give me the pleasures I desire. No Succubi, no demons to indulge in. Only you. You carry vampire blood, but not the male vampire's… unfortunate weaknesses."
Her fingers brushed his cheek, light as silk. "You are worthy of me."
He froze, his heart thundering in his chest, his cheeks flushing red at the thought of bedding the beautiful vampire woman.
His mind was struggling to maintain control of his little brother, who was pushing desperately for Hector to accept the offer.
Hector found the offer difficult to refuse. Power and pleasure… It was true temptation. He considered, allowing himself to mull over the offer. The allure of power and his lust for the woman was great, but he could not shake his internal disgust at the woman's evil deeds.
Time passed as Hector considered, until finally, he came to a conclusion.
"I…."