Saved by a Vampire

Chapter 7

My chuckles eventually subside and Chris smiles meekly at me. I wipe the tears from under my eyes.

“No, really. What’s the secret?” I smile at him.

“That was it. We’re vampires. That’s how I was able to heal you and why my eyes turned red. We are vampires, Lily.” He could see realization sparking in my eyes, but the logical part of my brain still said that vampires didn’t exist.

“Prove it,” I said, stubbornly. I didn’t want to be tricked into proving how gullible I could be.

“I think you’ve already seen enough: the fangs, the blood, the red eyes,” he chuckled.

“You could be one of those people that think they’re vampires and they kill people to drink their blood,” I reasoned. “Wait, does that mean you’ll kill me?” I didn’t believe my own words. I leaned in closer to him, inspecting him for the sparkling skin or remnants of his last meal.

“I promise you, I am a real vampire and that I will never drink your blood or kill you. You’re different, Lily. I care about you.” He gently brushed the side of my face with his fingertips. My dull, brown eyes met his bright, green ones. He leaned in, slowly closing the distance between us. The door slammed open, revealing a fuming Haleigh. Frozen, unable to move, I was like a deer caught in headlights. One moment I was on the bed, the next I was slammed against the wall with Haleigh’s hand wrapped around my neck.

“You little bitch!” she spat at me. “I knew it was wrong to have you here! We should’ve drained you as soon as you arrived.” Her manicured nails punctured my neck, giving her free access to my blood. I struggled, but it was no use.

“Haleigh, stop!” Chris said, his eyes turning red. He tried to rip her away, but her hand kept closing tighter and tighter, restricting any air into my lungs. As tiny droplets of blood ran down the side of my neck, my hands wrapped around her wrist, trying to push it away. Finally, Chris managed to unclasp each individual manicured finger from my neck and fling Haleigh across the room.

I fell to the floor, gasping for air, clutching my neck. My body was tingling, needing more oxygen to circulate.

“I’m sick and tired of this, Haleigh! I can only tolerate your bloodlust for so long. And don’t think I didn’t see the people you drained in my house! Its one thing when he does it. It’s an entirely other thing when you join in. I will not have members of my coven killing humans senselessly!” Anger radiated off of him, causing Haleigh to tremble. I had to do something. My entire being wanted to protect Chris from doing something he would soon regret.

Using the wall as my support, I slowly got up from the floor. I ignored my own discomfort, as I was bleeding in the same room as a vampire, and embraced his tense, muscular body. He stiffened even further, and then relaxed in my arms.

“Out,” he directed at Haleigh. Sending murderous glares my way, she left the room, slamming the door behind her. Chris turned in my arms and kissed my forehead.

“I’m sorry you were hurt,” he whispered. “Let’s go take care of your wounds.”

“You aren’t uncomfortable with the blood?”

”I’m trying not to breathe through my nose or even think about it. Or what she did to you.” He exhaled sharply.

“I’m not hurt too bad…”

“Bullshit! She’s a vampire, Lily. You’re a human. She hurt you, just admit it.”

“Chris, its okay… My mom has done worse.” I tried not to think about the beatings, the rape and all the other shit she put me through, but I couldn’t help it. The thoughts raced through my mind and I shuddered. Chris was stunned. He couldn’t imagine a human worse than vampires. He pulled me into a hug and nuzzled his face into my neck. I relaxed, strangely feeling safe in his encompassing arms.

“I’m so sorry, Lily. I should’ve saved you sooner.” The pain gently receded as Chris held me. He lay me down on his bed and snuggled up next to me. I was all too happy to fit into his large form and for once, feel safe and protected. But, that wasn’t enough. I wanted some answers.

“Chris?”

“Yes?”

“Who’s the guy you mentioned earlier and what’s your coven?” I turned to face him.

“I can still smell your blood on the carpet,” he said, dodging my question.

“Chris, please answer me,” I pleaded, softly. He sighed.

“The guy I mentioned is my father. He visits every so often to drink from a large number of humans. He’s a nomad and sometimes needs a place to stay. I have to allow him to.”

“Why do you have to? Doesn’t it stress you out?”

“Yes, but he is an elder. The elder. No vampire can defy him, regardless if they’re his children or not.”

“How is he your father? Did he make you?”

“Yes, he made me, but with my mother. I am a born vampire. Haleigh and Jamie are made vampires. That’s why they have a heightened bloodlust.”

“There are born vampires?” I was confused. I didn’t think that vampires could reproduce like humans did.

“Yes, there are born vampires. We aren’t that different from humans.”

“Well, you have covens. Humans don’t have covens,” I pointed out.

“That’s true. But you do have families. Covens are like adopted families.”

“Oh. So, who’s in your coven?”

“Jamie, Haleigh, and a few other vampires. Is that enough?” He dragged me closer as I nodded my tired head. I soon fell asleep, but not before someone opened the door and whispered. I couldn’t hear what they said, but he left my sleeping form on the bed, curled up, missing his presence.