Give Me Blood

Chapter 14: Speechless

What are these strange feelings I get from you that are separate from the rest of them? Warm as open flames, cold as aged ice. The rippling waves are subtle but I still notice. It's just one of the skills I honed to better hunt your kind. The power you radiate is not normal, those eyes are not normal. Why are you different from them? Why do you laugh like that? Your smile--what was so funny about what I said anyway?

In his territory, this forest, I shouldn't ask him those questions. Still I settle for;

"The world doesn't last forever for humans. I'm trained to kill you. You'll have to excuse me if I won't indulge in your preaching." His eyes land on me sharply but the look was not. His opalescent green colored irises shift like precious emerald stones in the sunlight. I judge them shamelessly.

He smiles again, dimples showing and I hate that it made my stare stutter. "Are you always this straightforward?" He asks.

"What is wrong with your eyes? Does that answer your question?" My toes were eager to test his waters. Foolish. I forget for a moment who he is, his reputation. My situation which relies on him wanting me here.

"My contacts? They're expensive." He waves a hand over his eyes voice laced in light sarcasm.

"..." Is this really the man who made people shiver with terror at any mention? The same man in those brutal tales of the Crimson war. A cruel warrior, a savage barbarian, a grim reaper...

"Do you ever smile?" He pulls me from my thoughts. His everglade eyes refract a passing ray of light like a kaleidoscope would. No expensive brand of contacts could explain that.

"I'm sorry. Did you want me to smile for you too?" I spit. The amount of times I have been asked this question I am convinced my smile restarts the timer and adds on a year in spite. It irritates the bitch out of me.

"You never need to do anything for me. But if you want know what's wrong with my eyes calling me by my name is the least you could do."

"Sir. William. Crowley. Is that good enough for you?" He grins in response.

"Doctor William Crowley. Or just William. Would it be too much to ask to be upgraded to an acquaintance?"

I could not control the roll in my eyes "I said your name didn't I? William." He smiles. Stop doing that.

"Some of my closest allies don't even know the entire truth behind these eyes. But I'll tell you, Emily, if sharing will make you a fraction more comfortable around me. Though I must ask that you keep this a secret. I have a lot of enemies. I'm sure you're aware seeing as you might even be one."

"I'm not friendly enough to gossip." He laughs. I was serious. I'm blunt but I'm not reckless. Crowley turned enemy would not be the smartest move in my game of revenge. I have too little pieces on the table to take stupid risks.

"Somehow, I don't find that hard to believe. I suppose since Nathan knows my secret, it's only right that the hunter he trusts most does too."

"How long has Nathan known?" I ask a little hurt that he kept this useful information hidden from me.

"From the start of our treaty. He wasn't all that surprised. I imagine he has seen stranger things. I imagine you have too."

"I can be the judge of that." I push.

"This wasn't the place I thought we'd have this conversation. How about we take a rain check and grab something warm to drink instead?"

"..." I give him a pointed look.