Color Me Crimson | 𝘙𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘝𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦

3͓1͢

"Stay here, I won't be long." Levi's hand brushes over my shoulder and down my arm. The touch is simple and innocent, but carries so much meaning.

He nods at the man behind the deli counter and slips out the glass door, the chime ringing as he exists into the night.

The last meal I ate was brunch, but my body doesn't seem to register the need to eat. Unlike Levi, my hunger isn't triggered by being too close to a food source. I'm far too busy digesting the new knowledge of what I am to consider digesting food.

As I sit, small fragments of the day float back to me, but only a few pieces at a time. Almost as if my memory has turned into a movie which I'm unable to watch straight through.

Vampires were one hurdle, but the existence of Necromancers is a level above. Much less being one myself. I shuffle through memories, jumping from one scene to the other to see if there were other signs I missed. But everything is a blur, and all I can do is skim past parts of my life I'm already familiar with.

"How does a house special sound, young miss?"

I glance over at the man behind the counter. A salt and pepper beard frames a worn face, but his eyes and smile are as youthful as ever. "That would be great, thank you."

Levi will worry if I don't eat, and if nothing else I can take it to go. "Actually, can you make two?" I'm not sure if Levi will want people food, but since he always eats with me, I figure it won't hurt to have an extra on hand.

"Sure thing." The man gets to work and soft pop music fills the store.

On the way here, Levi explained that this was his default destination of sorts, a place he uses when he needs to lay low.

About twenty or so years ago he took down a drug ring here and the owner of the deli happened to catch him in the act. Although he witnessed Levi's obvious inhuman nature, the owner was grateful for the intervention and has been kind to Levi ever since, exchanging free meals for continued protection.

Due to their friendship, the store has been able to maintain a decent and profitable business. It's no surprise that Levi can counter an entire gang by himself, but I'm still impressed.

"You two make a fine couple," the man says as he works on the sandwiches. I'm glad his attention is focused behind the counter, because the words bring heat to my face. Despite my silence, the man continues. "My apologies if I overstepped, young miss."

"Oh no, it's okay," I say. "I've had a long day."

"Ah, then I know just what you need." He puts down what he's working on and walks around the counter to the refrigerated section. Taking out a boxed drink with a cobalt blue label, he grins and sets it on the table in front of me. "Many customers come to buy this, a natural energy drink that's quite tasty."

"Oh, thanks." I rotate it as he walks away, inspecting the label. Vanilla flavor. Doesn't look too bad. I break the seal and raise it to my lips.

"Works well as an aphrodisiac too, I hear." My hand flies to cover my mouth, hiding how I almost choked.

"But who knows." He waves his hand and picks up a condiment bottle. "I've never tested it out myself. You'll have to let me know."

How do I respond to that? Instead of replying, I set the container down and replace the cap.

"How long have you two known each other?" he asks.

"Not long." In reality it's been about a week, but feels much longer.

The man continues to talk, either glad to have a customer or bothered by silence, perhaps both. "Levi brings in children sometimes, but never a woman."