Chapter 1

I was Darian, the Apex Vampire of the Nether Realm.

A decade ago, nine humans willingly traded their souls, signing a pact with me to become my blood servants.

They believed that if chosen as my companion at the Grand Embrace Ceremony, they would gain eternal access to my potent blood.

Every single blood servant worked tirelessly, collecting soul fragments for me daily, showering me with flattery. All of them, that is, except for Seraphina. She alone disdained to fawn over me.

Yet, she was the one I desired most. I even gifted her rare, powerful souls I'd hunted myself.

I genuinely believed that by choosing her as my companion at the upcoming Grand Embrace Ceremony, my deepest wish would be fulfilled.

But then, Seraphina, who usually showed me no emotion, *dared* to forcefully kiss Caleb, the human boy I had rescued.

And Caleb? He was her own brother.

They'd become my blood servants to save a dying Caleb. I should have realized it then.

Yet, when I granted them their twisted wish, they were consumed by a furious regret.