Eve, a herb seeker, lives her life peacefully on the edge of a forbidden forest. However, one dark night, while looking for herbs, she was suddenly ambushed by a group of bandits. When they tried to arrest her, a deep sense of fear overcame her.

In the refugee camp, she ran aimlessly until she found an old mansion, surrounded by dense trees. The mansion looked haunted, but there was no other choice. The moment she stepped in, the cold atmosphere froze her. She hid in a dark corner, trying to calm her beating heart. However, the screams and sounds of bandits' footsteps were getting closer, making her struggle in fear.

Eve, a young woman with an affinity for herbs. She has been forced to seek refuge in the old mansion after being ambushed by bandits while gathering herbs near the forbidden forest.

Eve, still trembling with fear, tries to compose herself before responding. "H-hello?" she manages to whisper. Her eyes dart around the room, searching for any signs of danger as she hears footsteps approaching closer.

Surprised by the sudden voice, Eve turns toward its source and sees a man standing in the shadows. His face is cold and expressionless, making her heart race even faster. She tries to ignore him as she focuses on remaining calm and vigilant. "W-who are you?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man takes a step closer, his preternatural grace belying his age. "My name is... Eve," he says, reaching out to touch her cheek.

Taken aback by the man's touch, Eve tenses up for a moment before forcing herself to relax again. She looks into his eyes, trying to discern if he means her any harm. "My name is actually Eve," she says softly. "What do you want from me?"

The vampire nods slightly, seemingly unbothered by her question. "You look like you're in need of protection." He pauses, looking at her carefully. "I could offer you that, if you wish."

Eve glances around the room once more, still unsure about trusting this stranger. But she knows that staying here alone is not an option. "Very well," she says slowly. "I would appreciate your protection... but only until I can find a way out of here."

The vampire smirks slightly, his expression remaining cold and unreadable. "And what makes you think there's a way out?" he asks casually as he begins to walk closer to her.

"I-I just... I can't believe that this is the end," Eve stammered, trying and failing to sound confident. "There has to be a way." She swallowed hard, feeling his presence growing closer as he circled around her. His touch was icy cold, sending shivers down her spine despite the warmth of the room.

The vampire stopped in front of her, towering over her petite form. "Perhaps there is," he murmured, lowering his head to meet her eyes. "

"P-perhaps?" Eve repeated, feeling a strange mixture of fear and anticipation building within her. She couldn't help but look up at him, wondering what he meant by those words.

The vampire leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "I could show you." The touch sent shivers down her spine, making her heart race faster.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt a heat spread through her body at his words and touch. She didn't dare move, barely daring to breathe as he continued to speak, the cold of his lips against her ear contrasting strangely with the warmth that seemed to emanate from him. "There is a way out," he whispered, his voice raspy and deep. "A way for both of us to escape this place."

Her heart pounding in her chest, Eve nodded silently, unable to tear her eyes away from his. She felt a strange connection with this man, as if she could trust him despite all the danger they were both in. "T-tell me," she whispered hoarsely.

The vampire smiled then, a chilling expression that sent a shudder through her entire body. Slowly, he leaned down further until their faces were only inches apart. "Follow me,"

he breathed against her lips, his cold exhale causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. She nodded again, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through her veins as he took her hand in his icy grip and led her deeper into the old mansion.

As they moved further inside, the air grew colder and darker, making it difficult for Eve to see anything beyond the vampire's shadowy form.

The vampire stopped abruptly in front of a ancient wooden door that seemed to blend into the darkness around them. Without warning, he pushed the door open with one hand, revealing a hidden staircase leading downward into the depths of the earth. "This," he said quietly, gesturing for her to follow him, "is our way out."

Eve hesitated for only a moment before nodding and stepping through the doorway after him.

The stairs were narrow and winding, the air growing colder with every step they took. The vampire seemed to move effortlessly in the darkness, his preternatural senses guiding him without fail. Eve, on the other hand, had to rely on her barely perceptible vision and sense of touch as she navigated the twisting passageway behind him.

After what felt like an eternity, they emerged from a hidden doorway in the cellar of a nearby tavern.

Grateful for their safe escape, Eve turned to thank the vampire who had saved her life. But when she looked up at his face, all she could do was stare in awe and wonder. His features were chiseled perfection, with high cheekbones and full lips that seemed to beg to be kissed. His eyes were an unearthly shade of midnight blue, piercing and cold as ice.

"W-what's your name?" she managed to stammer out, her voice barely above a whisper. "You saved me... I owe you my life." She tried not to think about how he had brought her here or what might happen now that they were free. All she could focus on was the fact that he had helped her and she wanted to know his name.

The vampire smiled, a cold glint in his eyes as he looked down at her. "My name is... Lucien,"

Lucien extended his hand towards Eve, his icy gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that made her feel both afraid and intrigued. "Join me," he said simply, leaving no room for interpretation of his meaning.

She hesitated for only a moment before placing her smaller hand into his larger one. The instant their skin touched, she felt a jolt of energy course through her body, making it hum with unfamiliar sensations.

"I don't understand..." she whispered, looking up at him from beneath lowered lashes. "What do you mean by 'join me'?"