Tracing Lines of Red

Tracing Lines of Red (chapter 4)

I woke up to the scent of blood.

I sat up, my fangs pulsing, itching to bite someone. Standing up, I rushed to the bathroom and washed my face, trying to distract myself. Brushing my teeth, I sighed in annoyance when my fangs ripped the brush to shreds. Then I rinsed my mouth for as long as possible.

Finally, I could ignore it no longer. My eyes glowing red and my fangs throbbing painfully, I followed the scent of blood. I stopped at a door that was open just a crack. I sensed Raven and Shadow inside. I peeked inside and confirmed my suspicions. Raven's back was to me so he couldn't see me. I bet he didn't even notice me, he was so preoccupied with Shadow's blood. Shadow was facing me and our eyes locked.

I was shocked by the intense sorrow and hatred in his eyes.

"Go." he mouthed silently to me.

I ran down the hall, far away. I had to run away before I lost control. I collapsed, leaning my back against the wall. I gripped my throat while every single breath I took sent pain throughout my body.

The thirst was unbearable.

I bit down on my lip hard, tasting my own blood. I stumbled to my feet, heading to the kitchen. I still smelled Shadow's blood. Which means the scent of mine didn't worry Raven at all. Biting my lip harder, I opened the fridge, finding packets of blood. I grabbed one, ripping it open savagely and draining it in seconds. Then another and another. I don't care if it's rabbit blood. I just need blood. I need to get Shadow's scent out of my mind.

Soon, there were no packets left. I was still hungry. I headed for the front door, hoping fresh air would calm me down. Wind and rain blasted at me. Of course there had to be a storm tonight.

Instead of going back in, I stepped outside, slamming the door closed. The rain pounded down on me. And finally, after all this time, I began to cry.

What had I become? The smell of blood drives me crazy. Makes me drain dozens of packets of blood. Makes me stand in the rain and freeze to death. Makes me wish I had never agreed to this.

Right now I couldn't feel the cold yet, because of my vampire blood. But soon, I would. I leaned against the door, letting tears stream down my face. Worse, I didn't calm down at all. My hunger was still there, impossible to satisfy. I let the rain soak me. Was it possible for vampires to get sick? I hope so. But I don't think so.

The doors opened behind me and I fell backward, landing hard. I looked up, coming face to face with Shadow. Panicking, I scrambled to my feet and backed away from him.

"St-stay away! Don't come any closer!"

Shadow froze, realizing what was wrong. "I'm sorry." he said. "Raven did smell your blood. He knew. But he didn't care because he was hungry too. I yelled at him a bit and now he locked himself in his room."

"You shouldn't have. You're his precious servant. I understand why he'd drink your blood instead of mine though. You smell absolutely delicious, Shadow."

He stared at me. "If you're hungry, drink my blood."

"Shut up! Stay away! I don't want to hurt you!" I backed up even more. I'm such a hypocrite. One second I'm saying he's delicious, the next I'm telling him to stay away.

He walked outside, getting soaked along the way. He reached forward and grabbed my wrist. Then he pulled me inside. I didn't fight. I was weak and cold and shivering. I couldn't fight.

He dragged me back up to my room. I closed the door and sat down, leaning against it. He went into the bathroom and came back out with a towel. Crouching in front of me, he put the towel on my head, drying my hair.

"Vampires don't get sick but I'm sure you're uncomfortable."

"I'm fine." I said.

"You can drink from me."

"No!" I immediately refused. "Stop it! I saw it, Shadow. You hated it. You didn't want your blood to be taken."

He nodded. "That's true. But I'll make an exception for you."

I shook my head. "No.... Stop already...."

I stood up, grabbing him and shoving him against the door, gripping his wrists tightly. I ran my tongue along his neck. My breathing became ragged as I took in his scent. I took in several deep breaths. I brushed my fangs along his neck and I practically shivered in delight.

I remembered those eyes. Full of sorrow and hatred.

I let go of him, backing up quickly.

"Why did you stop?" he asked, walking up to me.

"Get out." I said.

"No, drink my blood."

"I won't do it."

"I'm a vampire hunter. If you drink too much, I'll stop you."

"If I drink too much, you'd be dead."

"Just drink already!" He pulled a knife out from nowhere and made a deep slash at his wrist. My eyes widened, taking in the scent of it.

I slammed into him, slapping the knife away. It flew away, embedding itself in the wall. Grabbing his wrist, I licked the blood. Then using powers I didn't even know I had, I healed it.

"That took years for Raven to learn!" Shadow gasped.

I ignored him and pulled him into a hug. For some reason, that little bit of blood had satisfied me just fine. My fangs retracted and my eyes returned to their original dark brown color.

"Love yourself more, Shadow. If you don't want something, then say so. You aren't alone. You aren't just a servant. You aren't just a blood donor! We're supposed to be friends! Don't throw your life away."

"I could have killed you." I whispered.

Slowly, he hugged me back. "I'm sorry." he said. "Maybe I was wrong."

We were both cold and wet and shaking but I didn't care. Shadow was really warm. I wouldn't suck the life out of him.

I finally pulled away from him and pressed my forehead against his. I stared into his eyes. "Don't do this ever again."

He nodded and I took a step back. "Go take a shower. You'll get sick." I told him.

He moved towards the door. Then he stopped, looking back.

"I wouldn't mind you drinking my blood, Marie."

With that wonderful thought, he left me there. I sighed, looking forward to a hot shower.