Kat’s capacity to take her new life with ease neared overflowing. We did have big tasks ahead, but she needed a break. This was her life now, you can’t stop being a vampire, but I could show her the advantages of an immortal life.
I helped her land on the ground three stories below the apartment without injury. Her feisty expression made me smile instantly, and she pulled away from me.
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“We survived perfectly fine.” She could jump off, hit the ground face-first, and lived. However, naturally she would have landed on her feet.
“Let’s walk.” I lifted my arm for her to take. Her brown eyes stared for just a moment before placing her arm on mine. I had a reason for tossing us off the balcony, and my kitten was a curious one.
“I didn’t want this for you, but I am not sad that I get to be with you for eternity.” I wished to ease her hackles with the truth. She had changed everything for me.
“That’s if I don’t kill you after a hundred years.”
“Yes, there is always that. Now, about the fall. Don’t scowl, it makes me want to fuck you and there are a lot of people around to witness.” I smirked as her expression instantly changed. I missed touching her, but patience was needed in our situation.
“As a human, your mind and body will naturally protect you from harm. The same goes as a vampire, but those instincts are stronger and faster. If you fall off the balcony, your body will shift to land feet first. It’s nearly impossible to hurt yourself. Even attempting to stab yourself with a dagger will be harder than you can imagine.”
“I thought you disliked being an immortal.”
I had been angry at first, then I relished in the benefits a little too much. I’d found a sliver of happiness during my time with the monks.
“Honestly, it took meeting you to really see the beauty in this life. All the perks give me an advantage to keeping you safe, and if I hadn’t been long-lived, I wouldn’t have met you.” I’d lived hundreds of lifetimes, I’d travelled the world at the time, and now wanted to experience this new time with Kat.
“Gah! Your sweetness is killing me.”
“I’m going to show you the benefits of being who you are.” I whirled us into the shadows. Kat had gotten used to my shadow travel but was surprised to find us in the forest instead of the busy nightlife of the city.
“Close your eyes and just listen.” She did as I commanded. Her hand loosened its grip on my arm. I did the same to hear what she did. Leaves fell to the ground in soft circular motions, the sound slicing through the air with little puffs. Owls hooted in the distance, and the sounds of rustling earth echoed in our ears as creatures settled in for the night.
“That’s pretty cool.” She whispered to keep with the near silence of the forest, and I requested she open her eyes again.
“Sometimes I would just sit and listen to nature for hours. It calmed the ache for blood and rage. Now, climb this tree with me.” I walked us to a large camphor tree and watched as her eyebrow arched delicately.
“I don’t think turning into a vampire will change my lack of outdoor skills.”
“Just do it, Kitten.”
She sighed and grabbed onto the limb to hoist herself up. She moved easily, of course, completely able to lift her body with her new strength, but there was an easier way.
“You asked if I could walk on walls once. I can, if I want. I don’t know the science behind it, but we are able to adhere to surfaces. I placed my foot on the bark and my body turned sideways as I walked up the tree like it rested on the ground instead of remaining vertical.
“Now that’s freaky.” She giggled, but then tried to do the same with her hand grasping onto a branch for support. It took time to truly trust a vampire’s body and remember that death is nearly impossible.
“This is awesome. I am defying gravity!” She hopped on the side of the tree, then did a little wiggle.
“I don’t know exactly where this power dilutes out in the newer vampires, but I do know most cannot do this.”
“But I’m close to the original, so I can. Got it. Sunlight hasn’t bothered me, but I imagine there is a limit to that, too.” She walked around large branches and tested the new limits of this amusing power.
“You should be able to spend a few hours in the brightest part of the day without much issue. A headache may blossom but that should be the worst.” I walked over to her completely upside-down body and laughed at her disheveled appearance. Her hair danced in the wind with the leaves, and her clothes remained within gravity’s grasp. Her shirt fell down to expose her bra and breast that tried to escape the confinement.
“You already know your body will heal, and that unfortunately salt will stunt the healing and will leave scars.” She nodded as I worked down the knows of being a vampire. She gazed at her wrists, where the chains had left their permanent mark. Quickly, I lifted her hand and kissed the reddened skin.
“How can we be killed? I know it’s different for you versus everyone else, but it would be good to know.”
“They didn’t have such medicines in my time. Herbs but nothing powerful. However, in this time, I believe the constant use of antibiotics or poison would eventually do the trick. Prolonged exposure to fire will also kill any vampire. The plague mutated and changed me. However, it is still only an illness. Extreme heat and medicines that kill all bacteria and some viruses are on my do-not-play-with list.” A vulnerable feeling ran up my spin. It went against my nature to reveal what may kill me, but Kat needed to know, so I shook the feelings out—a move that didn’t go unnoticed.
“I’ve seen you rip people’s bodies like a sheet of paper and you tell me that nothing else can kill you but long exposure to high heat and antibiotics could be your downfall.” She giggled and while I saw the irony, I didn’t laugh.
