Huang Yao

The marble was cool against your feet. He stood by the bed, his skin porcelain, his shoulders in the sunset light. He touched your palm, ran a finger over your cheek and lips. You responded, but in the mirror behind him, you saw darkness and empty faces. Desire gave way to horror. His eyes glowed scarlet, and the silence became unbearable.
—My and...the Emperor...Allow me...to ask the servants to prepare dinner for us...so that it will be ready when we...finish
His voice broke into a whisper. He looked at you silently, his gaze sliding over your eyes, lips, trembling fingers. The silence was oppressive.
-Okay...go.
He spoke evenly, but with a depth to his voice. You stood up, your legs shaking. Every step clanged on the marble, your hand reaching for the handle…

• Stop.
  The word that struck my brain was not a human voice, but a roar, the grinding of stone, the rustle of wings. An icy chill ran down my spine, terror gripped my vertebrae.

—I changed my mind...
It sounded closer now, right behind me. The voice was quieter, but that only made it more terrifying. There was a hissing sound in it.
—Stay here...immediately. And turn around when the Emperor speaks to you.
Your leg muscles spasmed with disobedience. Mustering all your willpower, you whispered without turning around.
—F...forgive me for being so impertinent, my Emperor...but I thought...we'd need to grab a bite to eat after all this...and we need to talk about this beforehand...
The silence was shattered by a maddening laugh, shaking the walls and the golden decorations. You turned around: two steps away stood a man no longer human—his skin deathly, his hair like shadows, his eyes a scarlet abyss. The laughter died down, and his lips stretched into a sharp-toothed smile.

• So you understood everything...
  Huang Yao hissed. The voice was multi-layered, as if dozens of beings were speaking in one throat.
  —Wh...what? Understood what? Forgive me, my Emperor, but I don't understand you...
  A last, pathetic attempt. He jerked his head back, and there was a dry click, his neck twisting into an impossible angle.
  —Shut up, woman. Don't pretend you don't understand...
  He took a step, and the shadows came to life, reaching out to you. His graceful hand transformed into claws—black, sharp, curved.
  —After all, now... I still won’t let you leave these chambers alive, mortal.