Running with Shifters (completed)

Chapter 3 Isadora

Chapter 3

Isadora

I turn down another alley, in hot pursuit of the vampire woman. I don't entirely know why I'm chasing her, besides the fact that she smells beyond delicious. Afraid that for some reason my body wants to eat her, I just manage to slow my strides so that I'm always only slightly behind her, unable to fully override my body's want for her sweet-smelling blood entirely.

I try to get her attention telepathically and am once again barred by what I can only describe as a mental wall. I don't exactly know what happened. She walked in and I did the same thing I did to everyone else I've seen since leaving the hotel; using my telepathy to talk to her and see whether or not she could hear me. Once she responded like it was the most normal thing in the world I kind of flipped out. One second I was flipping out, afraid I might Craze again and kill her too, and the next I just... snapped out of it, realizing that it truly wasn't my fault they all died.

It was Jem's fault. If she hadn't taken them with her (for whatever reason, I'm still not sure) we wouldn't have had to defend ourselves. Not that they attacked first, but we all knew the threat was imminent and acted proactively.

But that revelation has nothing to do with the fact that I want, no, crave to taste her blood.

I now understand what that bow-wielding vampire meant; vampire blood is so much more delectable than what I imagine normal human blood to taste like (now that I think of it I realize I've only ever tasted vampire blood, besides my own, but it tastes way better than mine). It's thicker than mine, and much, much sweeter, almost sickeningly so. But just like a kid who's had way too much Halloween candy, I still can't resist the temptation of one more bite.

A scent similar to the woman's wafts to me, drawing my attention away from her and to the opened door of a bar that we just passed. Must be another vampire. My feet still following her instinctively, I turn down another alley and come face to muzzle with the gun she just pulled. Stopping mid-step, I save myself from getting my eye gouged. We both take a few steps away from each other and slowly sense returns to me. I can't believe I just tried to do that. If it wasn't for the gun, I have no doubt she'd be dead now, another death for me to regret.

She stares me down, brown eyes glinting murderously, and I hear her actual voice for the first time. "What do you want? Why are you following me?!"

She sounds hysterical, which is completely understandable, and I think about how to answer her. I can't tell her that I was trying to eat her, she'd definitely shoot me if I did, so instead I say the only other thing that's been on my mind. "I'm curious, how did you block me out?" I tap my temple and she flinches at the movement, apparently thinking I was attacking before understanding what I meant.

"That's all, really? You chased me halfway across the city just for that?" Did I really? Oh well. I shrug and she does the same before explaining. "I was turned by an Ancient, he taught me how to block it. Now, if that's all, I'll be on my way and suggest you don't follow me."

She goes to lower her gun when I smell Chinese food and hear paws moving across the pavement. The others are here. She apparently sees something and flinches in what I can only guess is surprise, accidentally pulling the trigger. In the blink of an eye I've already moved to intercept the bullet before it hits anyone.

It buries itself in my bicep and I stifle a shriek at the searing pain before it lessens and I know I've entered the Craze. I take a step forward and before I can move any more a pair of ridiculously strong arms wrap around me, pinning me against Eli's chest. She stares at me, shocked into silence at what just happened, and drops the gun. All the while her eyes never leave mine and I watch as she struggles with herself until she can speak again. "What... what are you?"

Lin comes into view now and approaches her tentatively. "For your own safety, I suggest you leave now. Get as far away as you can, as quickly as you can." She slowly looks away from me before nodding and scrambling up the fire escape of the building next to us, disappearing from view.

Lin turns to me, worry painted on his face, and he tries to calm me, stroking my face and whispering words I don't bother trying to focus on. My throat feels like its on fire. I need blood. Eli relaxes his hold on me just enough for me to move my arms more and before I know what I'm doing I've already sunk my fangs into my forearm, sucking my blood and groaning at the sweetness as it soothes my throat. It's definitely not as good as vampire's blood, but it's enough to help me think straight.

Unlatching my mouth from my arm, I watch as the teeth marks and puncture wounds heal over almost instantly.

I look to Linden and he nods to Eli; apparently my eyes are green again because the restraining arms disappear a second later.