Adela Augusta Blood Famine

Chapter Twenty-Six

Adela

Adela opened her eyes. She felt a wicked sensation that could only be described as dizzying. Could a vampire get dizzy? Yes, she recalled, putting a hand to her head. But it rarely occurred and it never happened for long. So why was it then that she also felt so... Giddy? It was more than that though. She was tired as well, almost sick. Which was absurd, Adela couldn't remember a time that she ever felt sick, granted she could hardly remember anything at all. She was experiencing so many things at once. Adela looked up to see the deep brown eyes of Chaise looking down at her. Concern?

"Ha!" She laughed. "Oops was that out loud?" Adela put a hand over her mouth, to silence herself but it didn't last long. "The hunter cares? He shows concern, not hatred for my kind?" She scoffed and then realized Chaise was still holding. Confused, she yelled, "Unhand me!" Adela swung a hand at Chaise who stepped out of the way with little problem. She struck the table, nearly tipping it over. It was a strike that could have shattered a jaw if it connected. Instead, it sent the wine case and the lantern flying off the table. Ethan reacted, saving the lantern in the wooden shed over his cargo. Glass shattered around them and Adela hit the floor.

"You dropped me you imbecile!" She yelled.

"I un-handed you." Chaise quipped.

"Well next time unhand me gently. Though there won't be a next time Mr. Comfert. Pfft... Some Comfort you are."

"The wine." Chaise said out loud as if it were a fact he didn't want to acknowledge.

"Yes, the wine was delicious." Adela smiled from the floor. "Thank you Sir Ethan Walker son of... son of... Son of Mr. esteemed winemaking."

"My pleasure." Ethan replied, sounding all too pleased with the situation.

"Adela your drunk." Chaise said.

"You're drunk!" She shot back.

Chaise turned his back on her and faced Ethan, running a hand through his messy hair as he did so. "This is unbelievable." He muttered, though her vampiric hearing allowed her to hear it easily. "A creature whose hundreds of years old, and acts like a child!"

"You act like a child! Childish child actor."

The two men exchanged looks. Chaise looked annoyed and flustered, and Ethan appeared highly amused and jovial. Adela reached out to steady herself on the table. She pulled herself up, her knees shaking, and then she lost her balance. Shifting to the side she pushed the table sending it flying into the wall. The table shattered, the shack shook, and Adela hit the ground again.

"Can someone help me up please?"

"What's going on in there? Is everything alright?" The voice of Henry Comfert called from outside.

"It's fine," His son responded. "Adela's just..."

"I'm just what?"

"Drunk."

Adela put a hand to her chest and gasped "I would never."

She watched as Chaise's face flinched, she couldn't tell why. He reached for the dusty old sheet and threw it to her. She looked at it as the fabric sat on the floor partially draped on her leg. Why the sheet? She made to scoop it up but missed. Her attempts proved successful after the third try. Chaise spoke the truth she was sure of it now. She was drunk. How annoying. She didn't have time for this. As she picked up the dirty cloth she grazed her leg coming to another realization. Her legs! She had toothpick legs! And noodle arms. She was thin, oh, she was grossly thin. Adela examined herself. The dirty dress that she wore didn't fit her in this state; it was sliding off one of her shoulders. Adela gasped and wrapped the sheet around herself.