Forbidden Blood

Chapter 5: Unknown Perspective

My cover is nearly blown.

The vampires promised they would remain under a low profile and not kill anyone tonight. They broke their promise. I saw the man drop from the trees and I saw what killed him. I looked up, and I saw a figure in the darkness. The vampire knew exactly what he or she had just done. They exposed me. I guess that's what I get for trusting them.

The witches know someone in our village put a spell on the vampires, but they don't know it was me. I need to redeem myself and put them off the scent. Put the blame on someone else. The problem is, I don't know how.

I sit down on my bed and stare out the window, thinking of ideas to secure my safety. There aren't many things I can do without raising suspicion. I could always just pin it on someone else, but if they think it is a false accusation, they will automatically suspect the accuser.

No bright ideas come to me, which leaves me worried. Soon, Adriana will start looking for evidence, and I can't let her find out it was me. I sigh and continue to look out the window. My eyes drift over to a girl in our village. I recognize her a bit... I think her name is Clara Monroe. Yes, that's it. Anyway, she looks guilty of something. She walks up to the entrance of our village quietly and undisturbed. Something about her demeanor creates a suspicious vibe. Maybe I should follow her.

I quickly grab an overcoat and put on my shoes. I look out the window to make sure she has left before I head after her. The moon is rising overhead as I follow her at a safe distance. She seems nervous and continuously looks around her and over her shoulder. Thankfully, I'm so far behind, she doesn't see me.

It takes a long time, but finally we come to this rocky area. Clara seems to know where she's going, even though she strays from the path a little bit. Maybe she knows a shortcut. I recognize this path; this is the path we normally take to get rare herbs. Darn, I took a false lead. I realize that my journey is pointless, and I am about to head back when I see Clara stop. A man, who I quickly recognize as a vampire, emerges from the shadows. She's meeting a vampire. Perfect.

"Hello again." he says.

"Hi there." Clara responds. There is a soft silence lingering in the air. I decide to find a place where I can listen to their conversation.

"I didn't think you'd come." the vampire says to her as I crouch behind a large boulder with a great viewpoint.

"I found a way to get out without anyone suspecting anything." the vampire smiles.

"I'm glad I get to see you again." he says. Clara pauses and takes a breath.

"Me too." she sounds confused, as if she doesn't understand why she is here. He nods.

"What made you decide to come? I was... almost positive you wouldn't." He frowns.

"I... I don't know." she pauses, "I just did, I guess..." He smiles.

"You're really different from most other people I've met. My friends are all... well... different. I can't explain it." she smiles.

"I feel the same way. Something about you is... it's weird. I can't explain it either." she looks puzzled.

"Either way, I hope we can continue to meet like this." the vampire takes a step closer.

"Look, Vincent, there's something I need to say..." Clara takes a step back. He nods.

"Go on." Clara takes a big breath.

"You're a vampire, and I'm a witch. We shouldn't even be speaking to one another. I should be deathly afraid of you... but I'm not. And even worse, we're meeting in the middle of the night, hiding, and we barely even know each other." Clara pauses, waiting for the vampire, Vincent, to respond.

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"I guess I'm trying to ask you why you wanted to meet me here. Me, a witch, your sworn enemy. I don't understand why you're going to all this risk just to meet me here."

"You're taking the same risk I am."

"Right, but you asked me to come again, even though we met by chance. Why did you ask me?"

Vincent pauses, stumped at her question. I take the time to let all this information sink in. They know each other, but only by a chance situation. They've been meeting in secret, but for how long? I try to piece the information together, but it isn't matching up. Then, Vincent speaks again.

"Do you want the honest answer?" Vincent asks.

"Yes, in all honesty. Why did you want to meet me again?" Vincent pauses and takes a breath.

"Because I feel undeniably attracted to you."

My mouth gapes open as I hear Vincent say this. There is no way that Clara could be falling in love with a vampire. It's way too dangerous. I suddenly don't feel safe anymore and turn, quietly hustling out of the rocky area. I run back to the village as fast as I can once I get out of their earshot.

I must tell Adriana what I've seen.