I nodded and practically skipped away, excited for my first drink while fully conscious. The heartbeat Dennis mentioned was growing closer, coming from somewhere up the street. Probably far enough that the person wasn’t aware of our presence the same way we were of theirs. Although they might be aware of mine now, as the clicking of my heels was finally within a human’s earshot. It was almost jarring against the otherwise silent street. I glanced around to see no sign of Dennis.
As I grew closer, it became clear why he’d been hesitant to go this route: the human was undoubtedly aware of my approaching footsteps, but for some reason had gone eerily silent. Their heart rate had picked up significantly. Their footsteps were slow. Calculated. Something seemed off—almost opportunistic—about how determined they were to catch someone unaware.
I was perfectly aware, however, of the man lingering mere feet away, concealed within the mouth of an upcoming alley. His ever-quickening heart rate. The smell of beer and his sweat. The scent of delicious blood. I gasped as I was grabbed from the side and dragged into the shadows. A disheveled man shoved me against the wall. I pretended to wince just for the hell of it.
“Gimme your phone, wallet and jewelry. Keep your mouth shut. Make it easy for both of us. Don’t fight and I won’t hurt you.”
“And if I do?” I raised an eyebrow as his gun pressed into my neck.
“Then—”
“Never mind, I don’t care.”I shoved him off and snatched thegunin one swift motion. I marveled its make and model. I hadn’t seen one of these in forever.“Here’s what’s gonna happen,”I cocked the gun and aimed it at his face,“I think I’ll kill you instead.”I smiled as his eyes widened.
“Please don’t, I wasn’t gonnakill you—”
“Why do they all say that like it’s okay?”I lowered the gun and looked at him in disgust.“I don’t give a fuck if you were gonna kill me or not, you shouldn’t be touching me in the first place. Traumatizing people and shit. You’re lucky I wanna keep thisas a souvenir.”I released the gun’s magazine and tossed itaside.
“What’re you doing to my gun?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?I’m taking your bullets out so I won’t shoot my ass off when I put it in my pocket. You’re not getting this back.”I paid him no mind as I continued disarming the gun. By the time I finishedhe was easing toward me,clearly planning the attack again.
I was already bored.
“You do realize you’re unarmed now.”He eyed me hungrily as I slipped the unloaded gun in my pocket.
“Yeah, I know.”
He made a dive but I moved instantaneously, kicking hisneckwith partially withheld force.His head slammed against the bricks and jerked forward. He collapsed in a heap, alive but unconscious. It wasn’t the original plan, but it would work.
“Nice.” Dennis was at the alley’s entrance.
“Were you following me again?”
“I told you he had bad intentions. I was nearby in case things went wrong. I wasn’t gonna leave you alone.” He walked over andnudged the man with a foot.A small trail of blood was running down his forehead.
“I’m a vampire now. I can take care of myself.”
“I didn’t say wrong foryou.”
“You didn’t have to save me this time,” I said proudly. This was nice. I’d missed being self-sufficient.“What do I do? Just bite him like I did with you?”
“Yeah.”Dennis watched as I kneeled and poked the man to make sure he was still out. “Not the neck.”
“I know.” I sniffeda wrist before biting down.
My fangs easily sank in. I took a timid sip and somethingtook over. The craving became insatiable.I wanted all of his blood. Ineededit.I dragged the man across my lap, desperate to get every drop.A minute passed while I drank, feeling his life slowly draininto me.It was exhilarating.
“You should stop.” Dennis’ voice was distant.
I tried to shield my meal but he was too fast—he snatched the guy and dumped him aside, then grabbed my waist when I tried to follow. I pried at Dennis’ tight grip as I was dragged away.
“Vixen,” he grunted in my ear. “Focus. You told me not to let you kill again, remember? You already drank too much.”
Something clicked and I stopped fighting. Several seconds passed before Dennis cautiously let go.
“What happened?” I asked,staring down at the limp man.
“You lost control.”Dennis retrieved the gun I’d dropped and gave it back. I slid it into my back pocket. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. I stopped you in time.”
