Forever, Jared

Truth

Katie rested her head against the passenger door window, watching the world speed past in a blur.

"What are you thinking?" Jared asked.

"Don't know what to think," Katie said.

"You wanted the truth. I didn't mean for you to learn it all at once. I know it's a lot. Ask me anything."

"Do you drink blood?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I'm a vampire."

Katie burst into laughter.

"There's no such thing."

"You saw me."

Jared's tone became serious. Katie stopped laughing. She thought of the demonic change she saw in Jared back in the alley. Gooseflesh arose on her arms. She remembered Jared's reaction to the waitress's crucifix at the café.

"You're afraid of crosses?"

"You noticed."

"But you're out in the daylight! I thought the sun killed vampires."

"We can tolerate sunlight for short periods. We don't tan, we burn. Sunblock helps."

Katie laughed again. Jared reached over and grasped her arm.

"Please, you need to believe me."

Katie looked down at her wrist, the two indents still visible.

"You have fangs?"

"Yes."

"But not now."

"They retract."

"Did you try to bite me last night?"

Jared brought the SUV to a stop at a red light. He threw his head back, closed his eyes and sighed. 

"I want you to know..." he said, turning to look at her, "...that I would NEVER hurt you. Last night I wasn't prepared. If I'd known I'd be that close to you, I'd have fed sooner."

Katie thought of the mug Marla had brought to Jared, with its mysterious iron-scented contents. She glared at him.

"You DID try to bite me!"

Jared smiled. "Couldn't help myself. You look absolutely delicious."

The light turned green. A car behind them honked. Jared turned and shot his middle finger at the driver.

"Fuck you, I'm talking to my girl!" he hollered.

Katie grabbed his hand. "So you bite people?"

Jared hit the accelerator, propelling the SUV forward.

"No. You can't feed on people without drawing attention. Marilyn runs a blood mobile. One of her charities. She pays the homeless folks twice what the blood bank gives. She sells it to us and other vampires. Everybody wins."

Jared steered the SUV through a series of winding turns, coming to a small park overlooking the East River. Jared and Katie climbed out. Jared stood for a moment with his head cocked to one side, as if listening for something. Katie wondered if they were still being followed.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"We're good."

"Are those guys coming back?"

"Not likely. I'm sure Mikhail reported them. They're in a lot of trouble."

He took her hand and led her down a tree-lined path. They sat on a shady bench with a beautiful view of the river and the Manhattan skyline.