Tracing Lines of Red

Tracing Lines of Red (chapter 8)

Weeks passed and Arthur hasn't shown up yet. I've been living off of rabbit blood. Raven had laughed his head off at me when he saw I had drank all the packets. He had to go get more and even the new supply was emptying quickly. I haven't drunk from Raven at all. I wanted to prove to Shadow we weren't all just monsters. He doesn't like that I'm "ruining his image of vampires". Whatever.

"Marie. I'm worried about you." Raven said one night. I had been sitting on the roof, the place I had been turned into a vampire. I think this is the place he turned all his past servants into vampires too because it reeked of blood. He followed me up here.

"Why?" I asked.

"You know why. You haven't been drinking my blood ever since that night I took so much of yours. Surely you're starving right now."

"I am." I admitted. "But I want to see how long I can survive."

"You'll regret it. Someday, you'll lose control. You could hurt someone. Shadow's in the most danger, since he's human. If he's dying, I won't hesitate to turn him into a vampire. And we both know that's what he never wants to become."

He grabbed my arm and pressed his fangs to my wrist, not quite piercing the flesh. He looked at me, as if asking permission. I frowned and nodded. I would let him drink anyway. He doesn't have to ask anymore.

I felt him looking through my feelings and memories. My eyes widened.

"Hey! Stop that." I tried to pull my hand away but he wouldn't let go. "Stop...." I pleaded, feeling vulnerable to him once again.

Relenting, he pulled away. He licked the blood that had dripped and then he healed the bite.

"So you and Shadow had a fight. And now you want him to know that not all vampires are monsters."

I nodded, pulling my arm away from him.

"You should stop." he said. "He's a hunter. One person isn't going to change his mind. I feel it everytime I drink his blood. He hates it. He hates being here. He hates all vampires."

I turned my head away, biting my lip in frustration. Of course, I forgot I had fangs and I tasted my own blood. Raven put his hand on my chin, forcing me to turn back to him. My blood had leaked down the corner of my mouth, dripping down my chin. He brought his face closer, licking it off. His tongue touched the corner of my mouth.

Surprised and embarrassed, I backed up quickly.

"Want me to kiss that better?" he asked, smirking. Ignoring him, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him closer.

"Forget Shadow then. He's too stubborn. I'm tired and hungry. Extremely hungry. And you smell wonderful."

I drank his blood greedily, taking care not to spill any on his shirt. Maybe I would get praised for that. Extra credit. This sure tasted absolutely delicious. I can't believe I went so long without it.

"Thank you." I said. I left him there on the roof and jumped back down, walking in through the front door. Only to come face to face with Shadow.

"Just because I'm human doesn't mean I can't sense a vampire's blood being spilled."

"Think what you want, Shadow. But rabbit blood is disgusting."