The Ships

Chapter 5

Heita noticed her the minute they waked into the midnight dance. Her waist and feet co-ordination as she danced. Her hearty laugh. She oozed confidence as she danced. She knew all eyes were on her and she loved it. He had never quite seen anything or anyone like her. She smelled of innocence all round and it was drawing him in. It was almost intoxicating really. He simply had to have her. He needed to escape Ndeuya. She would obviously track him by scent and catch up to him sooner than later but he first needed to have this beauty. He could worry about Ndeuya later. He hadn't fed on a human for years. Ndeuya had a him on a strict animal diet and he loathed animal blood. It stank, tasted gross and it did not satisfy the cravings. He felt the craving again as he walked towards the circle and felt the rush through his body. He wanted her. He wanted her blood. He watched the girl with the bangles as she danced. He just needed to get her alone. Should be easy enough. He just had to lose Ndeuya. He looked back at her. She was engrossed deep in a conversation with some guy. Ndeuya wasted no time. She was swift with her kills. She was in and out. This was his chance to escape her. Without taking his eyes off the girl with the bangles and pigtails. He walked round the circle away from Ndeuya. He would have lost her for a while but it wouldn't be long before he found her.

The girl and her friend danced out of the circle. He took a deep breath, it was now or never. He walked up to the girls who were laughing. The stopped laughing as soon as he walked up to them.

"Yes?" the girl with the pigtails asked quizzically.
"You guys were great. I don't think I have ever seen anyone dance like that."
"Well we are the best." He smiled. Arrogance, he liked that. She would try and be a challenge but with just the right amount of persuasion and sex appeal, he would have her ensnared in no time. He loved challenges though, they always turned out better than he expected and boy was it all worth it in the end. The girl's friend interrupted his thoughts.

"My name is Ndamona. The cocky one who believes she can dance is Ndina."
"I am not cocky. I simply know I can dance."
"Well not cocky dancer, my name is Heita." Ndamona who was the first to introduce herself reached out and briefly touched his hand and as if she had touched a hot coal dropped it. Swaying backwards. Ndina looked at her concerned.
"Are you ok?
"Yeah. Yeah.It's nothing, I haven't had anything to eat today so maybe it's the hunger, dancing and dust that has me dizzy. I just need to sit down for a bit." She swayed some more and this time Ndina caught her by the arm.
"It doesn't seem to be nothing. Come on. Lets go home. I'm sure my dad wont mind if you spend the night tonight and go early in the morning."

This was not going to plan, Heita though. If the Ndina left now, who know how long before he saw her again. The next moon dance or if Ndeuya had her way, never again and she smelled so good, of pure innocence that he just had to have her.

"No,No." Ndamona said once more rudely interrupting his thoughts. " I just need to sit down and I know how long you have been dying to come at the dance. Just sit me down by the fallen tree for a few minutes and I should be quite alright." She turned to Heita. "Will you please be so kind as to help me to the tree please."
"Sure of course." He swooped her up in his arms and started towards the tree.
"Hey. Wait for me." Ndina called after him.
"Catch up Ms. Good Dancer, I'm sure you have the stamina."
"Of course I do. More stamina than you Mr."
"You think so?"
"Think? Oh no pretty boy, I know so."
"Ah you are cocky so it seems."
"I prefer to call it confidence." Heita put Ndamona on the tree. He turned to Ndina. She was facing him and closer than before. He need only reach out and he could stroke her arm. He could also see her a bit more clearly now. She had big oval eyes and the moonlight danced in them and made them sparkle.
"Perhaps. Either way I like it." He said almost in a whisper. She smiled and walked to Ndamona who seems to have faded in the back in the brief moment that they had. "Are you feeling better Ndamona? We can still go home you know." Ndamona shook her head.

"No Ndina. I'm ok. Stop forcing to go home. I just need to catch my breath and I'll be good to go again. How about you and Mr. whats your name? I'm sorry I never quite caught it."
"Heita"
"yes, how about you and Mr. Heita go get me brewed ginger, while I sit here and quickly rest for a while? and yes I will be OK here. I'm surrounded by people." Heita liked Ndamona, it was like she was pushing her friends into the claws of death and he liked it.
"OK. I wont take long I promise. Come lets hurry Heita." She took his hand and started towards the other side of the field where the brew was being sold.
"Oh take your time girl. I'm not going anywhere." Ndamona shouted after the pair.

Heita clasped her hands in his. She looked back.
" Are you ok? Or are you too getting sick?"
"No. You just took my hand and I thought it would be rude to not reciprocate."
"Aah yes. Because you are such a perfect gentleman I assume?" He clasped her hand even tighter.
"Your assumptions are right Ms. Ndina. But you see, I'm only a gentleman when need be."