Crispin the Vampire: The Cross of Blood

6

I turned to look at her. Whom is this mysterious girl? Suddenly I was aware of how beautiful she is. She batted her eyelashes, as if guessing at what I was thinking.

"What-" But my thoughts were broken as the people emerged from the church. They all went their separate ways, some to the fields, others to their cottages, while most stayed in small groups to gossip.

The steward and stranger remounted their horses and retreated to the manor house. Several village men followed, but at a distance. I caught snatches of conversation from them.

"Asta's boy is a...?"

"And there is to be..."

"You think it's because of that strange girl..."

"The girl? For sure is a vam..."

She cleared her throat, turning my attention to her. Her bone white fangs were still out. "Will you be so kind as to give me answers?" I asked, surprising even myself. She howled with laughter, showing off pearly teeth. "You're...hilarious..." She gasped.

That girl shall be the end of my pitiful life!

I turned away, trying to decide what to do. Should I go to the village for help? Perchance Father Quinel could help. He is the only one whom I can trust. Had not my mother trusted the priest? Was he not the only one who had treated me with kindness in the village?

The girl touched my should softly. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to offend you." I was surprised once again. This most certainly did not sound like the mysterious girl I know. Then she grinned wickedly. "Or maybe I did..." That sounded like the girl I know.

"There is something you must know. And you must know before it is too late," she whispered. She had my ear. "The truth is, I am a..."

Shouts interrupted her. The steward-looking slightly green-and bailiff emerged from the manor house, along with armed men from the village. Armed with glaives and bows, they struck fear into my heart. I even saw a longbow carried by Chole, the fiercest woman alive. No one dares refuse her anything. Just to see these people confirmed my worst fears: a hue and a cry had been raised against me.

I crouched down as low as I could, so as to not be seen, but to watch the search party as long as possible. When they became hidden by forest cover, it was time for me to retreat. I would have to wait to see the priest.

"Now would be the perfect time for me to tell you about your heritage." What is she talking about?

"You see, you and I are vampires. Not the creepy, sparkly kind from Twilight, but the real deal. The vampires that have been terrorizing humans for centuries. So that means we crave blood, preferably human blood, and need fangs to do that." She checked my face for a response. Now I understood why I had been craving blood.

"And these babies here-" She patted her fangs- "Are dead real." The girl laughed at her own pun. "Oh, and we're immortal. Not the kind that just can't die from old age, but the kind that can NEVER die." She hit the rock for emphasis. Her hand was cut, and started to gush blood. Then, magically, it started to heal right in front of my eyes. And that can happen to me, too?

"There's lots of other stuff I'll tell you as we go on our journey. You're coming with me, by the way. And you're my property, FYI."