Chapter 246: We Are the Same
Wofoo’s face paled.
Not a blush of embarrassment, but a sickly white, a sign of deep shame and humiliation. She harbored no goodwill towards pure-blooded vampires, and Adele, surrounded by some of the most powerful and influential young vampires in Twilight City, was clearly one of them.
Wofoo had observed Adele from the shadows, noting the deference shown to her by Dorothy, the Vampire Princess; Hermione, heir to a powerful True Ancestor; and Sharon and Celeste, their love for Adele evident in their every glance. It was clear that Adele was no ordinary girl. Her bloodline, her status, must be far more pure and noble than Wofoo could imagine, a stark contrast to Wofoo’s own lowly position as a mixed-blood at the bottom of vampire society. They were worlds apart, their paths never meant to cross.
And yet, here was Adele, asking to touch her ears... no, not asking, demanding. It couldn’t be a request; Wofoo wasn’t worthy of such consideration. The thought filled her with a familiar wave of shame and despair. But even so, she wouldn’t dare to refuse. So, her face pale, she removed her cap, revealing her pointed, furry ears, her shoulders trembling slightly, her eyes downcast.
“P-please... Miss Adele,” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. “They’re a bit dirty, I’m worried I’ll soil your hands. If you need water to clean them, I’ll bring some for you. Please... please don’t hurt me, I beg you.”
Her words were laced with a desperate humility, a self-deprecation born from years of abuse and neglect. She offered to fetch water, fearing the slightest offense, begging for mercy, her every action a desperate attempt to avoid further humiliation. Wofoo had nothing of value to lose, nothing she couldn’t bear to part with, except her life. She wanted to survive in this city of vampires, and any scrap of respect, any kindness shown to her, was a blessing. Obedience was the key to survival.
Few, if any, had ever shown her the kind of attention Adele was now giving her. At most, she was treated like an animal in a zoo, a source of amusement for bored nobles. She had even been forced to crawl on the ground and bark like a dog, a humiliation she endured silently, her heart a cold, empty void.
Adele, hearing Wofoo’s words, froze, her eyes wide with surprise. She stared at the girl, at the fear in her eyes, but beneath that fear, deep within, she sensed a flicker of defiance, a spark of the true Wofoo, the indomitable wolf spirit hidden beneath layers of carefully constructed subservience.
A cold sweat trickled down Wofoo’s back. She feared this kind of girl the most, the kind whose intentions were unreadable. It bred terrifying possibilities, and the anticipation of pain was often worse than the pain itself. And if those possibilities threatened Wofoo’s life... the beast within her, the one she kept chained and locked away, would break free, unleashing a terrifying fury.
Suddenly, Adele moved.
Wofoo’s heart leaped into her throat. She saw a pale hand reaching towards her. A wave of relief washed over her; whatever Adele intended—to touch her ears, her hair, to slap her, to make her bark—she would accept it. It meant she was of use, a source of amusement, a way to survive in this world of vampires.
Wofoo closed her eyes, bracing herself.