After a long moment, and a slow blink, Kip finally says “You’d do that, for me?”
Apparently, my sense of self preservation is gone. MIA. Nowhere to be found. “Yeah, I would.”
Kip stares at me in awe. “Are you sure, Charlie? It’ll probably hurt. But I promise I’ll be as gentle as I can. And I don’t think I need much. Tyson said that I don’t need to drain anyone. And that I can use my blood to heal you after. I can even try and make you forget it happened, if you want.”
“No. That’s a hard line, for me. No messing with my head.”
“Of course, I’d never do anything without your permission.” Kip nods. “That’s why I didn’t do this the way Tyson wanted me to. And why I’m not sure if I can be friends with him anymore. Did you know that he picked me to feed off of because he thought I was dumb and an easy target? Not only that, but he would get me blackout drunk, feed off me without me knowing, and then erase my memory! I would never do that to anyone, even if it meant I would die.”
I reach for Kip’s hand, his talon’s less sharp and exposed than they were before. His eyes have calmed, and his fangs have receded significantly. I realize how scared he must be, and how it has to feel for no one to believe him. To think that he was going to die, and that he accepted that? That he’d rather cease to exist than hurt someone?
“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, Kip.” I give his large hand a squeeze. “And I’m sorry that Tyson did that to you. That was so fucked up of him.”
A tear drips down Kip’s cheek. “Yeah, it was. Super fucked up. And uhmmm…thank you, for offering to let me feed from you. I don’t want to take advantage of you though, so maybe we should wait until you’re completely sober. I’m a firm believer that you can’t consent if you aren’t sober.”
“I was pretty drunk earlier, but this conversation has sobered me very quickly. But maybe we could head somewhere so I can get some food, and water? How long do you have before you go ‘feral’, as you put it?”
Kip rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Uhh, well…I dont really know. Tyson didn’t give me a timeline. He only said that if I don’t do it willingly, my instincts would force me to. And I’m now realizing that I might’ve put you in danger accidentally, seeing as it could happen any time…”
I stifle a wince. “Yeah, we really don’t want that. But, I am honestly feeling pretty sober now. Maybe we should just do it?”
“Like, right here? Right now?”
I nod.
“You want me to bite you, in the middle of this vampire club?”
“Wait, do you think this club is really for real vampires then? I thought it was a gimmick.” Peering around, I try to sneak looks at the other patrons to see if I can pick out anyone who might actually be a vampire, but it’s too dark in here to really tell.
“I mean, yeah. The bartender is for sure. I’m sure there are others, too.” Kip shrugs nonchalantly, like he isn’t turned my whole world on its head.
“What?! The bartender is a vamp? How do you know?”
“It’s the silver eyes. Dead giveaway.” A smile spreads over Kip’s face for the first time since our conversation veered to his vampirism. “Get it,deadgiveaway?” He snorts.
I punch him lightly on the arm, and it feels like hitting a stone wall. I shake out my hand, hissing. That’s going to bruise. “Damn, dude. Has being a vamp made you this solid, or have you always been built like this?”
“I lift, remember? It’s like my number one past-time. And I’m a personal trainer, so I’m constantly working out.”
“Right, right. Okay so, back to the task at hand. I’m pretty sure the curtains surrounding every booth aren’t only for people to use if they’re getting frisky. It would make sense that vampires might want privacy for feeding.” I shuffle out of my seat to pull the curtains closedaround us. Darkness envelopes the booth, only the dim flickering of the chandelier above us casting light through the small space.
I slide back into my seat, scooching close to Kip.
Kip swallows thickly. “Are you sure about this, little dude?”
I roll my eyes. “I hate it when you call me that.” Okay, I don’t actually. For some reason, it feels like a compliment coming from Kip. But I feel like I shouldn’t like it. “And yes, I’m positive. Let me help you, Kip. Like you helped me last night.”
“These are two very different situations, Chuck.”
“Not in my mind. Things could’ve ended badly for me last night. I could’ve cracked my skull open on the bathroom floor. Or ended up sleeping on the street. Or have someone hurt me while I was so wasted. You helped me, and now I’m helping you.”
Now that I’ve accepted this, is it weird to say I’m kind of…excited? Like…this is honestly pretty fucking cool. Vampires exist! What if other supernatural creatures exist too? “Do you think there are werewolves and shit too?” My thoughts leak out of my mouth. “Nope, sorry. I’m getting way too enthusiastic about this. Do you know how many vampire books and movies I’ve watched? To think that they’ve been real this whole time…”
“It’s really cute, seeing you so excited. You come alive, and it’s really beautiful. You’re really beautiful, Charlie.”
Heat rises in my cheeks, and I know they’re stained crimson. I wonder if Kip can hear how that made my heart flutter? Can he see or hear the blood rushing through my veins?
Kip groans gutturally. “God, I can smell you from here. You smell…fucking mouthwatering.” His fangs extend, his eyes picking up their swirling pace.
