CHASE

Chapter 10

     Tahísa, who supported Orsmund during the escape, was forced to let him fall helplessly so that they could protect themselves from the new attackers. The Viking's vision was getting blurry. Something he thought impossible due to his nature. He ignored his weaknesses and focused on his hearing. Tahísa, rejuvenated from her confinement, was doing the job well. The centuries lived entrusted the experience to her. The monstrous have succumbed to combat practice. After defeating her opponents, Tahísa examined her new partner's appearance. He showed signs of pity. As a result, she dared to project him onto the wall. Still positioned in risky territory, she carried him to where they were safe.

     "Tahísa?"

     The vampire stopped in her tracks as the dry branches of a dead tree vibrated with her first name.

     "Rugui?"  She craned her neck and turned her head to assess the entire perimeter around her.

     "Tahísa!"  This time it was pronounced with more emphasis and confidence.

     There she was, Rugui waiting for her. She laid Orsmund on the ground and held out her arms. She was filled with eagerness to receive her in her embrace. Exasperated, Rugui offered her lips. They enjoyed a long, lingering sweet kiss.

     "Sisters, huh?!"  The vampire was lying with his eyes closed and a wide and ironic smile.

     "He's not fine!"  Tahísa clarified.  "Estrige got him!"  She sounded worried.

     "Don't worry, I'm fine!"  He arched involuntarily.  "I'm still conscious!"

     "Those who sacrifice themselves for us are worthy of our clan's honor!"  Rugui interrupted.  "We don't despise those who prove loyalty to us through actions and character! From now on, I declare you to be a member of our clan!" She guaranteed.  "Let's go!"  Rugui and Tahísa lifted him by the arms.  "The caves are close by."

     The two vampires went down with the Viking making sure he didn't fall. A lime-green lake purred at dawn. Tahísa rested on the bank, supporting herself on her fists. As if an adrenaline hangover were all right.

     "I need blood."  She inhaled.  "Next night."  She laid her face on the back of her hand as she watched.

     Rugui took Orsmund into the lake. They walked until the water level was around their hips, keeping only his head above ground. To clean off what was left of the dried blood, she sat him with his back against a rock.

     "Orsmund?"  She pressed her palms to his cheekbones.

     When she got no response, she brought the vampire's legs together and knelt with her knees apart in contact with each thigh. She leaned towards him and looked up to where Tahísa was perched waiting.

     "I feel the call of the sun!"  Tahísa stretched out her hand to Rugui who held it, affectionately.

     "I know, sweetheart!"  She smiled widely.  "Take a rest! I still have time to help him!"

     With free hand, she used her claws to rip open her own external carotid artery. And she hooked her neck into the half-unconscious vampire's half-open mouth. The fangs pierced her muscle. Tahísa's body stiffened under the influence of the dawn. Rugui resisted the deep sleep that appealed to her for Orsmund to ingest enough blood to survive Estrige's attack.

·

     "Remind me not to fall into the mistake of wanting to collaborate in a new pact again!" Orsmund woke up, leaning back in a more comfortable position.  "Tahísa?"

     "She went hunting."  Rugui sat beside her.

     "I'm very well!"  He certified.  "But this was not what I expected."

     "I just didn't know how you would survive an attack by Estrige. I decided to simply risk it."  Revealed.

     "To what specifically?"  He looked at her askance.

     "In all! I ended up losing allies when The Brothers chased us..."  She sighed.  "I trusted you with Tahísa's survival and I don't regret it! And I knew that for that you would suffer the consequences."

     "And the lack of information?"  He criticized a little offended.

     "I was desperate! I feared for the first time... I was terrified if you hesitated. I had already wasted too much time."

     "It wouldn't be something I'd chicken out of!"  He turned one corner of the lip up.  "Humanized vampire? Anyone in need of a good teaching class?"  He remembered.

     "We are superior!"  Rugui replied with a forced smile.

     "At least you would be prepared not to be taken by surprise!"  Accused.

     "Next time I assure you..."

     "I'm not waiting for the next one!"  He cut the word, rudely.  "I might not even be here for the next one. In fact, you would be ridding my creator of that burden."

     "He would have saved you if he were here."  She released it.  "But it wasn't..."

     "So how did you do it?"

     "I watched a mess. Therefore, I know that your creator's blood heals you from the poisonous contamination of Estrige."  She explained.  "Since you were alone, I could have simply abandoned you. I didn't do it because I thought you were worthy! So, I thought I might be the key. When I saw you drying out and your skin melting in my fingers, I felt a deep inner pain. We had an agreement to fulfill. We are bound by the pact until we seal it. So, I offered you, my blood. It was the only solution left to me. Or I would die with you for not yet fulfilling the role you declared in our engagement. And I still wasn't ready to say goodbye to Tahísa. Not now!"

     "Are you sure about that?"

     "Yes. I watched them experiment with cures against Estrige. What happened to us was new to me. Besides, I implanted my memories in you too. From this moment on, you will be able to listen to them."

     "I know that."  He threw his head back.  "When we committed, you were careful to be restricted as to the amount of blood."

     "And I could finish you when we're done with this!"  She laughed.  "But I won't! I've already reconsidered you! Even considering the consequences!"

     "I never gave you, you don't have, and I won't give you reasons for that!"  He leaned toward her with eyes wide open that revealed the purest of sincerities.  "I respect you! I will always respect you!"  He promised, surely, with conviction.

     After leaving the cave, they separated for two weeks. Rugui made sure of Tahísa's stability and Orsmund was responsible for the continuity of the construction of his own project.