Tracing Lines of Red

Tracing Lines of Red (chapter 12)

"Stop. Don't you think you've seen enough?"

I pulled back, savoring the taste of blood on my lips. I met his eyes, my own shining blood red, the eyes of a vampire.

"You wanted this." I reminded him. A scent was carried by the wind and I looked up. Raven was coming.

"You saw my past?" he asked, shame coloring his face.

"It's not like I could block it. You shouldn't have been thinking of it. I wouldn't have seen it if you concentrated."

"All right." he finally said. "I don't regret it. I would have told you eventually anyway. Anytime you need blood, come to me."

I gritted my teeth, feeling my fangs pulse at the thought of his blood. Why did I want more, when I had already took so much? I reached out carefully, gently, my fingers caressing his neck. I felt myself shiver as I tried to control myself. I quickly healed the bite wound, pulling my hand away. I licked the blood off my fingers, staring at him, watching his face.

He grabbed my face, slipping his fingers in my mouth, one of my fangs touching the tip of his finger.

"I told you. Anytime you need blood, take mine. It's better for you. Raven's blood is nothing. Human blood will make you stronger."

"I don't feel strong." I said quietly, my voice shaking. I grasped his hand and pulled him to me in a tight hug. "Care about yourself more. I don't want to hurt you."

"Isn't it a bit too late for that?" a voice said coldly.

We both looked up to see Raven glaring at us, anger radiating off of him.

"I thought I made it clear his blood is not yours to drink."

I blinked and he was suddenly in front of me. I wouldn't fight back. I deserved this after all. He shoved me back and I went flying, landing in the lake. I surfaced, taking a breath, only to have cold hands close around my throat. I felt my heart pounding desperately, trying to circulate oxygen I didn't have.

"Stop!" A loud splash and I was drowned in water for a second. Raven's hands were removed and I could suddenly breathe. I looked up to see Shadow standing between me and Raven, protecting me.

"Why are you protecting her?" Raven snarled, his fangs glinting and his eyes flashing red.

"It's not her fault. I forced her to do it." he growled, equally fierce. It reminded me of his parents that I had seen in his memories. I sighed and pushed Shadow behind me.

"Punish me if you want." I said, saying nothing else, just looking him in the eyes.

He grabbed me and Shadow and carried us to the shore. "This is the worst timing, Marie."

"What do you mean?" There was a sinking feeling in my stomach as a chill ran up my spine. Yes, it is cold but I'm pretty sure that just had nothing to do with temperature.

"Arthur is coming." Beside me, Shadow tensed. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, hoping to catch the scent of that vampire. I cast my senses out as far as possible.

My eyes snapped open when I realized he was at the edge of our territory. And he was fast approaching.

"See why I was so angry? Because of you, Shadow is weak right now and can be attacked very easily. And you are only a newborn vampire. None of you stand a chance." Raven said bitterly.

I felt my eyes flash red in anger. "We weren't the ones knocked out after a single hit."

"At least I wasn't almost killed." he retorted.