Tail Spin

Blood Tasting

Christian yelped when Ashley made a sharp turn in her red Mercedes Benz EQS.

"My driving's not that bad." Ashley spat at him

"Not bad? You ran a few red lights. You almost wrecked into a couple of cars when you were going into another lane. You also ended up on the wrong side of the highway once. And every time you turn, I swear the car is on two wheels instead of four. Did you not learn anything when I taught you and the others how to drive?"

"You're over-exaggerating." Ashley said.

"I most definitely am not." Christian hissed at her before screaming when she picked up speed and zoomed down the road.

When they arrived at a Villa on the outskirts of town, "Thank God we made it!" Christian felt relieved when he jumped out of the vehicle and kissed the dirt beneath them before spitting it out.

"Don't say the G word." Ashley said. "It makes my skin crawl. And stop that, or else you won't be able to taste the blood properly."

"Ashley?" They see a young brunette with her hair put up in a messy bun as she wears sportswear.

Ashley squealed in excitement as she rushed over to the girl. "Francesca. Fancy seeing you here. How have you been?"

"Doing well." Francesca spoke with an Italian accent. "Just got accepted into the Olympics to compete in extreme sports."

"Nice." Ashley said. "And your cousin and father?"

Francesca huffed. "Same as always. "My father is still as protective as ever. And my cousin's as dull as ever."

"But you still love them, right?"

"Of course." Francesca spotted Christian and read his aura as a red bunny. "And who's this adorable ginger?" She asked as she rushed over to squeeze Christian's face.

"This is my brother Christian." Ashley said.

"Really?" Francesca quirked a brow "You've never mentioned him, nor have I seen him before."

"Oh, right." Ashley said. "This is my long-lost brother. He was separated from us years ago, and reunited with us a few years ago, and with getting to know each other again and schooling and work, we never got around to talking about him."

"Don't I feel special." Christian mumbled sarcastically.

Francesca smiled while still holding onto his face. "Nonetheless, it's great to meet you. I'm Francesca Acari. Despite our age differences, Ashley and your sister Sarah, are good friends of mine."

"Good to know." He grumbled. "Can I have my face back?"

She giggled before releasing him. "You guys should join me during the tasting."

"We'd love to." Ashley said in anticipation as Christian rubbed his reddened cheeks.

When they entered the Villa, "Welcome." A handsome man dressed pristinely greeted them. "How many in your party?"

"Three." Francesca answered.

The host grabbed a few menus. "Follow me." Everyone followed him down a narrow hallway and entered a dining room well lit with a long oval table in the center where are people seated with red drinks in their hands.

"I don't think I'm dressed for this place." Christian whispered to his sister as he observed how the other guests were dressed.

"Don't be silly." Ashley whispered back to him. "You look fine."

Christian blustered when they stopped in front of three chairs in the middle of the over-sized table. "One of our sommiers will be with you shortly." The host pulled out the two chairs for the girls and they thanked him before taking taking their seats. Christian cautiously sat in-between Ashley and Francesca.

"Okay." Ashley wasted no time and shared the menu with Christian. "Since you're a beginner, I recommend these drinks to try."

"O negative supreme. B positive natural. AB positive a la carte." Christian read where Ashley's finger would point. "I just don't get it." He mumbled to his elder sister. "All blood's the same, right?" His face heated up when Ashley groaned in agony as Francesca chuckled upon hearing him.

"There are different textures to them as well as how potent they are." Francesca explained. "For example, rare blood types have a more aromatic scent to them, and taste better than the most common blood types. There's also animal blood. Which is healthier than human blood. If compared, you can tell the difference right away."

"Is it like regular Coke versus diet Coke?" Christian asked earning a jab to his side from Ashley.

"Exactly." Francesca answered in amusement.

A thought went through Christian's mind. "And what about supernatural beings?"

Francesca's eyes widened as did his sister's. "Why would you ask that? Drinking another supernatural person is against the law."

Christian's looked at them surprised. "It is?"

"Yes it is." Ashley answered him. "And asking something like that will make people suspicious of you, so don't even think about bringing that up again."

Christian drooped. "I didn't mean to." He muttered. "I was just wondering if supernatural people's blood is different from a human's, since human and animal blood vary."

Ashley and Francesca looked at one another before Francesca cleared her throat. "Let's put it this way." She said to Christian. "If a human's blood is like Coke. Then a supernatural's blood is more along the lines of an energy drink."

"Oh." Christian mumbled. "You get that extra boost of energy."

Francesca nodded her head at him. "Exactly. Now, let's put this crazy idea under the mat so we can start tasting."

Ashley's eyes lit up. "I'm way ahead of you." she waved her hand and waved at a server. "Garcon!"