Dance Floor

Odel lay limply on the floor, her body almost drained of energy, wrapped in fear and exhaustion. A piece of cloth covered her body, her eyes half-open, staring at Clayton, who still stood anxiously, trying to contain his anger. Irene was slumped against the wall, looking shocked and annoyed, but she quickly rose and dusted off her clothes.

"Odel, are you alright?" Clayton asked softly, trying to approach the girl.

But Odel just stared at him in fear. She felt like there was no one she could trust.

"You're all monsters!" she said.

"Irene, why were you so harsh towards her?" Clayton seemed frustrated.

Irene, now standing upright, looked at both of them with a warning glare.

"I just wanted to dress her. What's your problem? She needs to be ready for tonight's event. Announcing her in front of the vampire nobility is what should be done right now!" Irene replied.

Clayton sighed heavily.

"I know, Irene. But not like this. We can't just force her." He looked at Odel who was still lying weakly.

"I will protect you, Odel. No one will touch you," said Clayton.

Irene smirked. "Do whatever you want, Sir Clayton. The vampires down there are waiting, and Miss Odel is part of their purpose tonight."

But Clayton ignored her. He looked at Odel with concern.

"Odel, get up. You're not alone. I'll make everything alright."

But Odel only bit her lip and turned her body away, covering her face with both hands, trying not to feel the increasingly terrifying reality.

"What do you want from me? Why am I trapped here, among all of you?"

Clayton snapped his fingers, and the man took a beautiful dress from the closet, floating it right in front of Odel.

"Wear this, I'll wait for you outside! No one will dare touch you! You're my fiancée!"

"What are you doing, Clayton? She's also our fiancée!" Daffin and Emilio, who had now entered Odel's room, responded.

"Why are you here? Get out! Let her change her clothes!" Clayton ordered.

Odel looked at Clayton with hesitation. Of all the vampires, Clayton was the one who had helped her the most. For now, she had no choice but to trust him. However, Odel remained silent, just holding the dress without doing anything.

"Goodness, you're taking so long! Sir Clayton, whatever happens, take her downstairs! The party tonight is for her! I'll entertain the guests! I'm leaving!" Irene said, leaving the room.

Odel watched Irene leave with Daffin and Emilio. Now, only Clayton remained in the room.

"I'll wait for you outside, change your clothes at your own pace! One more thing, I'll make sure you're safe. We're only having a dance party! Follow me, and everything will be fine!" Clayton said, gently stroking Odel's hair, before stepping out to give her space.

Odel stood still, her eyes still open but empty, as if she couldn't comprehend what was happening. The atmosphere around her felt more trapped in uncertainty. Clayton had left, giving her space to change, but somehow, Odel's heart felt heavier.

The confusion and fear were deep. Every word spoken by Irene and Daffin seemed to echo in her ears, adding tension to her heart.

"Our fiancée," Daffin's cold smile formed a terrifying image in her mind.

From the first time Odel had been brought here, she had already felt trapped, but now, that sense of entrapment seemed to tighten around her body.

Odel looked at the dress that Clayton had prepared for her on the bed. It looked beautiful and luxurious—a dark, shimmering color with almost too-perfect ornaments. Yet, in Odel's eyes, the dress felt more like a symbol of a prison than freedom. There was no choice but to wear it, though the reluctance gnawed at her.

She closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. But each time her thoughts tried to run toward an escape, the voices of the vampires haunted her: "You are part of their purpose tonight." What did that mean? What did they really want from her?

With a heavy heart, Odel stood up and changed into the dress. It fit her body perfectly, though she felt uncomfortable. But even though she didn't know what would happen tonight, she knew one thing: she couldn't face them alone. If there was anyone who could help her escape this world, it was Clayton.

When Odel finally finished putting on the dress, she walked to the door and cracked it open slightly, seeing Clayton waiting for her outside. His face looked serious, but there was warmth in his eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his voice full of concern.

Odel just nodded slightly, though her heart was still filled with confusion. "I… I don't know anymore. This is all so scary." Her voice was barely audible, but Clayton stepped closer and placed his hand gently on Odel's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Odel. I'll keep you safe. We'll get through this night together. I promise, no one will hurt you." Clayton gently lifted Odel's chin, looking directly into her eyes. "Trust me."

Odel felt a subtle tremor within her. Maybe she didn't fully understand the meaning behind Clayton's words, but at that moment, they offered some comfort, some reassurance. In this dark, threatening world, Clayton was the only person who seemed genuinely willing to protect her.

"Alright," Odel sighed, trying to reassure herself. "I'll go with you. But if anything happens, I want to run away."

Clayton smiled faintly, then led Odel out of the room. They walked down the large corridor toward the basement where the party was taking place. The closer they got to the room, the stronger the vibrations that came from inside—a deep sound that shook the walls. Odel could hear a chilling, powerful laugh, full of authority. Moments later, they entered a room filled with vampires.

The room was magnificent—sparkling crystal chandeliers, smooth marble floors, and guests already standing around the room. They all wore elegant clothes, but there was one thing common in their eyes—something sharp and intimidating. Odel felt their eyes on her, judging, deciding what they would do with her.

Clayton led Odel calmly to the center of the room, though Odel could feel the unspoken tension within. Everyone around them was silent, only staring with expectant eyes, as if waiting for something big to happen. Then, Daffin appeared from the middle of the crowd, his sly smile turning back toward Odel.

"Welcome, Miss Odel," Daffin said in a voice that sounded like a temptation. "Tonight is a special night. Our guests have been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Odel bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her fear.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Daffin stepped closer, and in one swift motion, he took Odel's hand gently, lifting it slightly.

We desire greatness," he answered. "You are part of the grand plan we've prepared, Miss Odel. Tonight, we'll celebrate the arrival of our new bride. You."

Odel felt her body weaken, and Daffin's cunning smile only added to the fear already gripping her. But Clayton, standing beside her, still looked at her with a protective gaze, as if signaling that he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

The tension grew as the music began to play, and the guests started moving, dancing with elegant and powerful steps. Odel felt trapped, but Clayton pulled her closer, ensuring he stayed near her.

"Don't worry, Odel," he whispered. "Enjoy the party and dance. You have three fiancés, you are the luckiest woman tonight!" whispered Clayton.

Odel knew that this new world would never be the same again, and whatever happened tonight, she would have to find a way to survive. 

The music played softly, and Daffin, who had already taken Odel's hand, led her to the dance floor. The classical music played with an unusual melody, almost hypnotic, making Odel feel as if she were under a spell. The music was beautiful.

"You look stunning, Odel! I will treat you well if you choose me to be your partner," Daffin said with a smile.

As usual, Odel saw his smile as sly, and Daffin, who always acted so cool, seemed even more worrisome than the others. Odel let out a deep sigh, feeling short of breath despite her comfortable dress.

The guests watched the two of them closely. Odel was certain she was the only human in the room. Their gazes were strange, as if they wanted to devour her, yet they all seemed to be waiting for something.

When the first piece of music ended, Emilio stepped forward to interrupt Clayton.

"It's my turn now! You already danced with her! You have no right to dance with her!" Emilio said, cutting in front of Clayton.

He walked onto the dance floor and tapped Daffin's shoulder.

"How long are you going to dance? You're terrible at it!" Emilio teased Daffin.

"You think you're so cool? Show me your dance skills, I want to see you!" Daffin challenged.

Emilio approached Odel, requesting faster music, and began to dance around her. As he had claimed, he was a skilled dancer—charming, graceful, he owned the dance floor. But Odel stood frozen, motionless, until Emilio pulled her into his embrace.

"Follow my lead, enjoy the night, Miss!" he said.

Odel couldn't follow Emilio's steps, but she felt herself floating. Emilio had deliberately used his powers to make her move with his rhythm and steps. It was a mesmerizing dance, and some vampires even applauded.

The guests began to murmur, it seemed they were discussing the engagement of the three influential men from the Doyle noble family. But when the dance performance ended, all eyes turned to Clayton. The man, known to be the most reclusive of his brothers, stepped onto the center of the dance floor.

"Your time is up! Your dancing is terrible, you even made her dizzy!" Clayton said, pushing Emilio aside.

He took Odel's hand and led her, not to dance, but to hold her in front of everyone.

"Are you okay? Come here, with me!" Clayton said.

Daffin and Emilio immediately grinned, not expecting Clayton to be even crazier than they were.

"Don't touch her, she's my fiancée!" Daffin protested.

"How dare you!" Emilio said, outraged.

Clayton looked up, glaring at his two rivals with an intimidating stare. Snarling, he spoke.

"This girl will be mine, don't you ever come near her!" he said.

The music stopped, followed by the sound of applause from a man. The guest turned like a vampire in elegant attire, with a black cloak and sharp eyes, stepped into the center of the room. He had a powerful aura, each movement radiating undeniable strength. Laughing, he looked toward the three young vampires.

"Nice, it seems the competition has begun!" the man, named Baron, said.