Ruthless

Parts of ourselves we keep hidden

Keana's POV

It has started once again. My hunger has awoken, it happens every winter, it intensifies with a mind of its own and lately I have not been feeding as I am used to. Perhaps with so much rush, anxiety and stress I had push away my primal need. The one that pretty much keeps me alive and my body has begun to weaken.

"Well don't you look dead." My sister greeted once upon we were sitting down at the dining table. Eden was there too, her eyes held unnecessary worry. Even her little sister was there, Rhea insists only they are able to serve her plate now. I could hear their hearts... their breaths...the blood coursing through their veins.

"I am only tired from all this traveling." With such delicate hands my sister lifted her cup of ginger tea. Her deep deep eyes noticing the shower of lies I was providing.

"Do not try to hide what is your nature, why have you not fed yet?" Instinctively my eyes shifted to the young sisters, Eden was staring very intently as if I was about to die from some terminal illness.

"You know my rules, Rhea." I almost whispered. She scoffed, putting her mug down and calling for another set of servants to come rushing to attend her like the queen she is.

"You, redhead come here." Her voice came out soft yet demanding. "Rhea, stop it." I spoke gripping the glass of juice in my hand.

"Yes ma'am?"

"My sister here has not eaten out of pure stupidity and I cannot handle a weak ruler in my palace." Just like that with a knife that was there to cut some cheese, Rhea cut the girl's wrist. A whimper along a gush of red liquid came out and my entire body stiffen on the chair behind the vast table.

"It is yours to take little sister, do not forget who you are." My eyes turned bright as the sun as I could feel my fangs elongate beyond my control. The scent of the sweet crimson liquid was too strong. "I am so sorry." I whispered to the young redhead, before fleeting the scene.

Even inside my room the aroma of the blood still danced and made the space its own, tempting me to forget my so called values and give into my nature. I quickly served myself a glass of whiskey, to get rid of the tingling sensation on my tongue.

"Keana, are you alright?" The grip on the glass in my hand tighten, at such time I need to be on my own since I can easily lose myself.

"Eden, not now please." I looked at the window with the family portrait on it. Seeing how naive and innocent we Lombardi's once were. "Let me help you." Her voice filled the tension in the room, her hand came in contact with my bare arm and I quickly retrieved, her warmth only reminds me of the blood coursing through her feminine body.

"You can not help me, I will find what I need somewhere else." This time I did look at her, she could see the hunger within my eyes yet she was not afraid of me and for a moment I was reminded of my once lover.

"I can, you have done so much for me already, a little blood will not kill me. You require the source's permission to drink it correct? That is your rule?" How she knew that information astounded me if she knew of my rule then she must know each of the siblings has one as well.

"It is, but please. I can't do that to you." She sighed walking closer.

"You are my best friend, you brought comfort even in hell and you once even lost your life to defend my honor. You have my permission to drink my blood." At her words my eyes turned bright blue and golden, my fangs extended and though I was hesitant my body was weakening in the palace because I refused to ask for any blood.

"Eden, I am sorry. Are you completely positive?" She only nodded while moving her golden hair to the side; exposing her long velvety neck and that one vein that controls my desires. When I am on a feeding mode, I am able to see beyond the layers of skin. I am able to see every single vein, the heart beating, this person's health. I am able to fully scan their bodies. It was no different with Eden, her heart beat was wild, pumping more blood through her arterial system.