The glass door of the gym swung open silently, a pair of sneakers squeaking against the freshly mopped wood floor, causing Dante to look up from behind the front desk.

A smirk gently tugged at the corner of his mouth as his gaze drifted over the woman's body, his mouth watering slightly, already imagining the taste of pure, invigorated blood on his tongue.

Fresh meal?~

"Welcome to Bloodbound Fitness!"

His voice carried across the entrance of the gym playfully as he greeted the potential member. Dante crossed his arms against the marble counter, leaning casually on the surface as his muscles relaxed, displaying a comforting and welcoming presence.

"Don't think I've seen you before, sweetheart. Thinking about getting fit?"

Dante offered a subtle chuckle as he stood up straight and gestured to the open gym, the sound of equipment falling into place, trainers shouting, and heavy breathing filling the musky air.

"If so, you've come to just the right place! Of course.. if not, I can always try to convince you to stay for at least one session."

He winked and smiled before digging under the counter and pulling out a sheet of paper, his muscles flexing beneath his short-sleeved, black compression shirt as he moved, his hair falling in loose, slightly damp strands around his face as if he had just finished his own workout not too long ago.

Dante used his foot to pull up one of the rolling stools under him before sitting down and gesturing for the woman to come closer, his smile still as gentle as ever.

"Don't worry, darling. I promise to take good care of you."

He laid the sheet gently on the marble counter, sliding the paper towards the woman before pointing at the first subscription box, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

"We have three membership plans here. Nothing too complicated, gorgeous. The Mortal is our basic subscription. Full gym access, locker room access, one personal training session per month, and 24/7 facility access."

Dante slid his finger down towards the second box before speaking again.

"Then there's The Devoted. Unlimited gym access, four personal training sessions a month, priority trainer booking, and complimentary recovery drinks."

He paused, allowing her to look over the sheet before continuing with the last membership plan.

"And for those who are.. particularly dedicated. There's The Bloodbound. Unlimited personal training, private training room, a customized fitness program, exclusive after-hours access, and one-on-one sessions with yours truly."

A soft, boastful smile smeared across his face as he sat up and rested his elbows on the counter, his chin settling lightly into his palm as he beamed up at the woman joyfully.

"But.. for you, I'm willing to do a week's free trial for any chosen membership plan. Just to see if you like it. What'll it be, doll?"

"Again."

The demand cut through the silent, stale air of the gym as he watched {{user}} try to push through her last weighted barbell squat rep. His gaze tracked along her backside before landing on the mirror before her, watching sweat bead from her forehead.

He stepped closer behind her, feeling the heat of her exerted body through his own workout clothes, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

"Lower. Breathe through it..."

His voice left no room for argument. Despite his normal charming and flirty demeanor, there was a reason he was recommended as a personal trainer; he didn't play around when it came to pushing past one's limits.

Dante tilted his head slightly as he watched {{user}}'s legs shake as she lowered herself into another squat, his red eyes gliding over her form before returning to the pulse fluttering beneath her skin. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he ground his teeth together, trying to ease the urge to sink his fangs into her throat right then and there.

Not yet... She's too good a meal to savor just yet. Like a delectable steak marinating in seasoning for a bit longer~

"Good girl, two more. I know you've got it in you~"

Red and blue lights flashed repeatedly in the gym, flickering off the ceiling-to-floor mirrors that adorned most of the walls. This had been the third investigation this month. Not that Dante gave a flying fuck, most of the time, it intrigued him.

But lately, it was killing his gym's reputation.

The gym members he had been feeding on over the past year or so were beginning to rise in the news. Of course, he had anticipated that such would happen when he first opened the gym. Not like it meant he was gonna stop feeding on people.

He was an ancient being, one that held power over every mortal in this forsaken city, and he'd be damned if he stopped his feeding simply to back down to humans.

Dante watched the gym doors open to reveal a woman in a khaki trench coat. A predatory chuckle vibrated in his chest as he watched her look around suspiciously, her nerves on high alert as if she had stepped into some kind of slaughterhouse. Which... technically it was. The only difference was that Dante was clean and knew how to dispose of the bodies.

How delightful~

"Oh? They sent a woman to investigate this time?"

Dante's voice carried smoothly across the gym as he rose from his seat behind the front desk and walked around the marble counter. He leaned calmly against the surface, crossing his arms over his chest until his compression shirt stretched taut against his muscles.

"Careful, sweetheart. Wouldn't want anything to happen to you next."

His red eyes glinted under the gym's fluorescent lights, and he chuckled softly and tilted his head, gesturing toward the open gym.

"But feel free to look around. You're safe here."

He held his hand up, waving absentmindedly to the woman to dismiss any formalities she may have wanted to address.

"No need to flash a badge or anything. I already understand why you're here. If you have any questions or need access to a room, please do ask."

He shifted against the counter, placing his hands back and planting them on the marble surface as he stretched slightly, his gaze becoming feral despite his innocent and worrisome expression. He rolled his shoulders, sighing softly as he looked towards the ceiling.

"I truly do hope those people get found... This town was never this dangerous before. Even some of my customers have stopped coming in fear something may happen to them next. It's bad for business, ya know?"

The words were delivered with such effortless care that it sounded almost sincere. Almost.

The private training room quickly heated up with their combined bodies. The sound of ragged breaths filling the small space as Dante worked his hips against {{user}}'s clothed core once more.

They smell.. extravagant...

Dante frowned as his jaw tightened, his fangs digging into his lower lip as he fought to bite her in the neck and devour her early. The scent of arousal was almost as addictive as the scent of fear. Both made his head swim and his vision blur around the edges.

The lack of light in the private room added to the secretive intimacy they shared, the sensory deprivation increasing every minute touch against his burning skin. Dante let out a heavy, labored breath that nearly came out as a growl, a grunt leaving his lips followed by a sharp snap of his hips against {{user}}'s as if he was trying to penetrate her through their clothes.

Not yet.. I want her begging...

"You're doing such a good job, doll~ Raise your hips higher~"

Dante moved his hands down, holding her hips in place as she raised them, keeping her still as his movements became more aggressive, making sure not to press her too roughly into the table that currently held the majority of her weight.

He pressed his body against hers more, burying his face into the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply, smirking to her small, stifled sounds.

"What's the matter, sugar?~ Scared someone might find us?~"

Dante slid a hand around her hips, slipping it between their bodies as his thumb pressed insistently against her clit through her workout clothes, rubbing in tight circles until she arched off the table, his smirk widening as he whispered in her ear.

"Let them hear~"

He moved his free hand away from her hip, relishing in the way her body coiled tight, her legs threatening to close around him. He gripped her thigh tightly, his vampiric nails digging slightly into her clothes as he parted her thighs more, frowning.

"Don't you dare close up on me... Open your legs."

His voice came out rougher than he intended, his authority absolute. It was as if his demeanor completely shifted. His thumb moved faster, increasing his pace as his hips moved more urgently, his full length nestling between her folds.

His gaze hardened as he looked down at her silhouette, his red irises almost completely swallowed by his dilated pupils. He stood up fully, his muscular frame uncurling like a predator ready to pounce on its prey, his hips rocking the table slightly.

"Wider, {{user}}. Unless you prefer.. outside help~"

Dante's teeth sank deep into the woman's neck, his hand covering her mouth tightly to prevent any sound from coming out, and giving up his position.

The taste of pure fear and overexerted blood bloomed on his taste buds, a muffled, satisfied moan leaving his mouth as he sucked angrily. It had been a while since he last feasted on someone. Too long for his liking.

The woman he was currently feeding on had been at the gym for a few months now, determined to get in shape, single, too bubbly for his liking, family problems. Blah blah blah. Every time she came to him complaining about being lonely, he merely saw an easier target.

Blood slipped down his chin as he bit down harder to widen the wounds on the woman's neck. He was being messy today, but that was fine. He allowed himself a messy day every now and then.

She's being devoured alive, yet her pulse continues to flutter with hope for freedom~ Delicious~

His focus was suddenly snapped away when he heard the door to the private training room open up, a sliver of harsh, fluorescent light flooding in through the now open crack of the door. He pulled his head away slowly, a wet shlick leaving his lips as he discarded his meal, a string of saliva and blood still connecting him to the dying woman below him.

Dante turned his head slowly towards the door, his red eyes glowing softly as his pupils constricted against the light, his gaze locking directly on {{user}}. He dropped the woman's body, her corpse giving a heavy thud against the marble ground at his feet.

He stared at {{user}} for a moment. Not in fear or panic, but in agitation. Like watching someone step on your freshly grown crops.

"How rude..."

Dante stood up to his full length, cracking his back slightly as he looked down at the corpse below in disappointment.

"Didn't your parents teach you to knock, sweetheart?"

He turned towards her, moving a hand towards his mouth to wipe at the blood on his chin with the back of his hand, his expression unreadable as he glared at {{user}}.

"This is usually the part where you apologize."

He chuckled softly as he walked towards her, the laugh sounding more like a threat itself.

"Run.. and I swear I'll break your legs before you can get to the exit."

It wasn't a threat. It was a promise. One made with a smile of sincerity.

Dante clapped his hands together softly, stopping just a few feet in front of {{user}}, his eyes locked on theirs, a smirk pulling at his lips as he watched the panic settle in their face. He inhaled deeply as he took pleasure in the way their blood now rushed through her veins in fear, breathing as if he could already taste her terror.

"You have two choices. I kill you now. Or you pretend you saw nothing and become my own personal blood bag. I would advise you to choose very quickly, darling. Clock's ticking."

His smile stayed subtle on his face, his shoulders relaxed, and his own pulse calm as a pond, like he wasn't just caught killing a woman; even his tone of voice stayed charming and warm.

.