The Internet Scam

Note:

This is the first issue of Soul Exchange - Life as a Vampyre Influencer Series. All my Soul Exchange chapters/series are connected. Even when each series can be read independently, you will find that some characters would be mentioned from the other series. If you have not checked out House of Trials yet and you are curious about it, come read the Prologue here.

Fun Fact: The Soul Exchange universe was born from my recurring dreams and nightmares. Each chapter is inspired by the new scenes I see in my sleep.

“Hi, this is Vlad again, did you miss me?”

Vladymyr tsked as he paused the video on his phone to fix his hair again. He sported his baggy shirt, ripped jeans, white sneakers that had platform heels, and obsidian beads around his wrists and neck.

Some time ago, he used to have long, dark, luscious hair and he would usually be found in expensive tailored suits – that was until he discovered YouTube and TikTok. Now, his time was mostly occupied with making thirst trap videos and questionable content.

It all began in 2014 – the first time when smartphones became a rave and having the ability to connect to the internet without being on Wi-Fi was not the norm.

Vlad used to spend his nights in one of the most coveted nightclubs owned by the Vampyre Council to find his next meal. It was the lazy way but times have changed, and hunting for prey was no longer “in fashion.” Ever since the Celestial Council pushed for the popularity of Vampyre Fiction to easily cover the mess that vamps would leave behind, humans and other species became obsessed with them.

Access to blood had never been easier. So much easier that most Vampyres became bored of drinking blood and began looking for other alternatives – such as “vamp-veganism: replacing blood consumption with drinking coconut juice and taking iron pills.”

Vlad was the founder of this idea and he wouldn’t have made this movement influential if he had not met Roza, a Nephil (the love child of Archangel Gabriel and a Spartan Queen), that night. She had long dark curls that fell gracefully to her waist, crimson full lips, amber eyes that were framed by long lashes, and she had smooth dark skin.

That night, Roza wore a short black dress exposing her thigh holster that kept her silver blade safe. She held a smartphone in her hand that night and despite the loud music and the chaos in the background, she watched a YouTube video on her phone and laughed at the stupidity of the people in it.

Curious, he approached Roza at the barstool and asked her about it. It was not an easy task to befriend her, since she was known to be one of the most ruthless dogs of the Celestial Council and she happened to be his all-time crush.

Eventually, he assured her that he was not after her blood—he just wanted information about the device and the videos she watched. Enraptured by the power of the device and social media, Vlad bought himself a smartphone.

At first, he utilized the device to talk about his Vamp-Veganism. Then before he knew it, he had all the equipment needed to become one of the most influential TikTokers in the world. He still had kept in touch with Roza—after all, she was the reason why he got to where he was. However, internet fame kept him busy and feeling alive once more.

Once Vlad was satisfied with his video, he posted it and got ready for the night. His phone buzzed with hundreds of notifications from fans and strangers, but he ignored them all.

He was going on a hot date tonight with a guy named Josh. He and Josh had hit it off right after Josh sent him a private message. Usually, Vlad ignored the DMs but something about Josh intrigued him.

He just knew what to say, and he was just flat-out attractive. Vlad fantasized about his grey eyes, blue-dyed hair, and the way his back muscles tensed during his workouts every night (yes, Vlad was shallow and he would be damned if he didn’t support Josh’s gym videos). So, tonight was the most exhilirated that Vlad had ever been. It may be just a one-night stand but that alone was enough for him.

After spritzing himself with cologne, he grabbed a bottle of expensive wine, got to his car, and drove to the cheap hotel just outside of San Jose California. His heart thudded against his chest as he listened to meditation music.

Never in his thousands of years, he was ever nervous about a date—let alone with a human. But Josh was different, and he feared losing the interest of this blue-haired man the most. Once he got to the cheap hotel, Vlad fidgeted with the trim of his shirt while he rode the elevator to the 6th floor.

605, Vlad repeated the room number like a mantra, his sweat beaded on his back. Once the steel doors opened, Vlad dragged his feet to the door and questioned his courage. He was Vlad the Impaler, Vlad the Emperor, Vlad the Vampyre, Vlad the—he took a deep breath and opened the door, as he gripped the bottle of wine in his other hand.

“Josh!” Vlad flashed a smile as he entered but he was greeted by green carpet, an empty bed, and an AC that barely coughed up air. Josh was not even in the room.

His smile fell as he approached the stiff bed and sat on it. The door was left unlocked so perhaps, his lover must have just stepped out to grab ice. He would be lying if he said that his brain didn’t conjure disappointing scenarios. So when he heard the door creak open his eyes lit up, until he realized that the three men that walked in were people he knew about.

And not for good reasons.

“Boys!” Vlad displayed his pearly whites, careful to show off the fangs that were itching to come out. “You must be in the wrong room. I know I’m beautiful, but please. Not interested.”

The three men looked at each other and frowned. They all wore similar clothing: black gear that mimicked the High Celestial Council Venatoribus (hunters), except that their weapons were not as deadly and their clothing was made from cheap fabric.

Their muscles bulged from extreme workouts and training. On their necks, they had wolf tattoos – to signify that they used to be blood consorts. Vlad always found the symbol ridiculous. Sure, the Vampyres and the werewolves have their disagreements, but the werewolves would tear a human apart.

These men were human hunters who likened themselves to the bringers of justice. In reality, however, they were just lunatics who held onto prejudiced beliefs.

Alright, perhaps, there was some truth to their beliefs. Vampyres were not always kind to humans and Vlad had been known for his gluttonous ways. But that was centuries ago! He was young and reckless. Everyone went through that rebellious phase. He should get a pass just like everyone did.

The men moved as stealthily as they could with their silver stakes in hand. Vlad raised his right brow. They couldn’t be serious. Sure, they may have years of training but Vlad had been slaughtering armies for thousands of years.

He could hear their erratic heartbeats, smell their fear, predict all their moves, and if he focused enough, he could hear their thoughts. For example, the brunette named Jason was only 35, and he was definitely enjoying this chase more than a normal person would.

Vlad shuddered at the thought and crossed his arms to his chest. “You three know that I can snap you all in half within a second, right?”

“SHUT UP, VAMPYRE!” Jason shouted as he splashed water at Vlad’s face and clothes.

Vlad blinked. “Was that holy water?”

The three of them paused, horrified that the water did not affect him. Of course, there wouldn’t be. Holy water was a myth that the Vampyre Council created for their entertainment.

“Clearly, none of you three know what you’re doing.” Vlad sighed as he picked up the bottle. Disappointment overwhelmed him. Not only he had been ghosted but he also had to deal with très idiots tonight. He opened the wine and drank from the bottle. At least, he can drink his disappointment away. “Solid advice from me…if you want to take down a God like me: you should probably do your proper research, and practice on newbie vamps first.”

However, the très idiots didn’t listen to a word that Vlad said and they rushed him with their blades pointed toward his heart. Instinctively, Vlad dodged their callous attacks by breaking their kneecaps, twisting their necks, and taking out their hearts while drinking his bottle of wine dry.

Once he got the last drip out, Vlad disinterestedly gazed at the mess he made in the room. All three of them were unrecognizable and the heart in his hand continued to beat. The walls were painted crimson, guts hung from the already struggling AC, and worst of all, Vlad was drenched like he had just come out of a slaughterhouse. He was not excited about the stink that would stick to his car for days.

He rolled his eyes and tossed the bottle on the bed. He figured that the easiest way to rid of the evidence was to set the place on fire and let the Councils cover up the story again.

Vlad pulled out a lighter from his pocket and looked for a magazine to burn. It was then he noticed the phone that was filming the whole thing live on TikTok from the closet.

His bloodied face stared back at him as panic coursed through his veins. How was he so reckless that he didn’t notice something obvious from the start?! Horrified, he grabbed the phone and destroyed it. How many people have seen it? 100? A million?

A text from his mobile startled him, and with shaking hands, he opened the message from an unknown number.

You have violated Code 4040, section a, for the third time this century.

“F*ck!” Vlad paced the room, ignoring the sloshing noises from each step. He had royally screwed up. He was going to be forced into hibernation for the next six thousand years or worse, they would call the hounds and have him chained in hell for Goddess knew how long!

“Roza, I f*cked up.” Vlad took a shaky breath as he continued to leave her a voicemail. “I don’t know who else to call. I hate asking since I know you finally gained your freedom from the Councils...I will give you anything you want, but if you don’t hear anything from me again, please save me.”

Vlad set the place on fire and ran toward the parking lot at a blinding speed, but even then, he was not fast enough. A knee met his gut and he was sent flying backward. His head hit the concrete and he coughed as his body attempted to heal the organs that have been punctured by his fractured ribs. Before he had the chance to see who his attacker was, a bag was put over his head and a needle was stabbed deep into his neck.

His consciousness wavered as his body went limp and numb. The concoction from the needle slowed his healing and suppressed his abilities.

He was so f*cked. He just knew it.

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