The Gambler

Drip

I walked down the hallway towards the dining room, my stomach growling. I woke up alone, much to my dismay. Yet, when I had woken up in the middle of the night Grayson was sleeping next to me..

I cracked open the door, poking my head in. I didn't want to walk up on anyone else eating and have to talk to them. I was feeling antisocial.

Jewel, Xavier, and Grayson were the only ones in here. Thank god. Jewel quickly waved me over and got up giving me a big hug. I hadn't seen her much in the last week.

"Grayson was kind enough to get you the foods you've been craving in the mornings" she gave me an impressed look and I smiled, sitting down. He was resting his head on his hand, concealing a smile.

"I do pay attention, you know." He smirked at her as she shrugged. I ate happily, listening to Xavier tell jewel a story. Grayson watched them intently, he seemed completely zoned out.

I saw him looking at me out of the corner of my eye and my cheeks heated up. He was staring at me like he used to.

"So" Grayson cleared his throat, earning a glare from Xavier.

"Are you two secretly together?" My eyes widened and I quickly kicked him under the table. Jewel choked on her food and Xavier eyed Grayson, slowly rising his drink to his mouth.

"You almost let me forget how blunt you used to be." He grumbled and Grayson tilted his head in interest.

"So..not secretly together. Just in obvious denial of the blatant connection you have?" He rubbed his chin and I held back my laugh. Jewels face was bright red.

"Grayson" I warned, shooting him a glare he smiled mischievously.

"Just giving them something else to talk about instead of Xavier's boring stories." He stood up, patting Xavier on the shoulder he left the room silently.

I mouthed an 'I'm sorry' to jewel and cleared my plate, leaving them to their..discussion.

I was glad he said something though. I've been rooting for them to be together...

I caught up to Grayson, he was heading towards the section of the castle that was for live feeding.

I looked at him in confusion and he mocked my expression.

"Did you always follow me like a lost puppy?" He stopped abruptly, his tone playful.

I glared at him and crossed my arms.

"No, don't be conceited. I'm simply curious." I snapped back and he rolled his eyes.

"Curious about what, exactly?" He continued walking and I followed beside him.

"You don't normally...uh..." I trailed off. How does one politely say you don't normally like to dig your fangs into a strangers arm?

"I'm just going to get fresh blood." He spoke plainly and I nodded, folding my hands together. I grimaced when we entered this hall. It was lined with rooms that held humans, pets, or the lesser common blood slaves. It..was terrible. Each room had a viewing window with one human and typically one nurse.

I tried not to look as we passed each window. I didn't like the sight. Grayson kept his eyes straight forward, pausing at one room.

The nurse outside smiled at us, silently opening the door and letting us in. The human trembled on the bed, staring at us with wide eyes. It was a teenage boy.

Grayson sat in the rolling chair, kicking off from the wall he rolled over to the boys bed.

"Hello" Grayson looked at him and the boy stared back in fear, covering his arms.

Was he really going to do it?

"Come on then" Grayson grumbled, beckoning for the boys arm. He slowly held it out, shutting his eyes.

Grayson reached over and grabbed a syringe and I stepped forward, staring in confusion. What was he doing? I had no idea if this Grayson regularly fed from humans. We never spoke about that..

"Just a pinch alright." He muttered, sliding it into the boys vein. His eyes flew open and he stared at Grayson in shock.

Graysons eyes flicked to the boy, raising an eyebrow. I watched as the blood ran up the tube, pouring it into a bag. My throat suddenly
itched.

"I wasn't going to bite you" Grayson spoke with a suddenly gentle tone and the boy looked at me.

"Thank you" he whispered, eyes going back to Grayson.

"Why are you here?" He tilted his head at him and the boys voice trembled.

"I was out past curfew. Getting medicine for my little sister." He whispered this shakily and Grayson looked interested suddenly.

"You're good with children then?" The boy nodded slowly. What was he doing?

Grayson waved the nurse in, bandaging the boys arm. He picked up the blood bag and handed it to me.

"Keep this one alive please." The nurse nodded, scribbling something down on the clipboard. The boy stared in shock and Grayson nodded towards the door.

I clutched the blood bag, the hunger suddenly very apparent. God this felt horrible...

"And no more live feedings from him. Blood drawn only." Grayson looked at the boy as he said this, smiling lightly. The nurse bowed her head and wrote it down on the clipboard and we left silently.

"The bag is for you. The fresher the better." He smiled at me as I nodded. Concern filled his eyes as we walked down the hall.

"Jeez Elizabeth just drink it." He touched my shoulder and I kept my eyes straight ahead. I didn't want to think about his blood.

I nodded to myself and went to open it, Jewel was suddenly walking towards us with Xavier looking quite concerned. She was wincing in pain.

"What happened?" I spoke slowly and Grayson suddenly stopped, grabbing my arm and pulling me back a little. Then I could smell it.

Jewel sighed, raising her hand up.

"Dropped a cup and cut my hand like an idiot." She grumbled and my eyes fixated on the blood.

"Keep moving please" Grayson spoke wearily, his grip on my arm tightened. My throat burned as I watched the blood coming from her cut. Xavier's eyes widened and he nodded, pulling Jewel away. Not before I could hear a drop of blood hit the tile. My entire body tensed up. I wanted to chase her down..

"Drink that before you hurt someone" Grayson whispered, interrupting my instinct. I hastily opened it and sighed in relief.

"That was sudden" he muttered, seeming deep in thought. I nodded slowly, worried these sudden hungers were going to be a new thing until the baby was born.

"My dad wants to have a talk with me, you can sit in if you want. I don't recommend it though." He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and I shrugged.

"If you don't want me to I won't." I didn't mind, I knew how they were.

We stopped outside of one of the reading rooms, Graysons eyes narrowed, watching John as he entered the room.

"Actually, maybe you should. Having you near might keep me calm." He spoke through clench teeth and I nodded nervously.

Great.