“Have you forgotten how to run?” he asks.
“I’m fucking running, asshole,” I snap.
“Yeah, you’re running like an old lady running for a bus.” He laughs louder as he picks up speed, leaving me in his wake.
I bear down and push myself to catch him up. As Iset him in my sights, I pass him, flipping him off as I go, unable to fight the grin on my face.
I needed this.
I come to an abrupt halt, tilting my head back, scenting the air. Cain comes to a stop beside me, sniffing. I grin.
“Dinner is served.” I run, following the scent, and come to a stop behind some trees. I look down the verge, seeing a man sitting alone, bottles of beer at his side. He sings, slurring his words.
“Belton Beer. Man, I haven’t had a taste of that in forever,” Cain moans, licking his lips.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Tuck in,” I offer.
Cain launches himself, colliding with the man, pinning him to the ground. Cain moves swiftly, the man too inebriated to react. Cain sinks his fangs into the flesh of his neck before the man can even call for help.
The sweet smell of blood and beer fills the night air. The moon glistens off the blood coating Cain’s chin as he looks up at me, smiling like the dangerous monster he is.
“If you are waiting for an invitation to join me, then you’ll be waiting a fucking long time,” he pants, licking the blood from his lips.
A snarl plays on my lips, and I leap into the air,landing beside them, my feet skidding in the mud. Salivating, I lift the man’s arm and plunge my fangs into his flesh. The warm, sweet nectar coats my tongue as I feast, draining as much as my body can handle, as Cain continues to feed from his neck.
Euphoria fills my body, that desire, that drive to hunt, to feed, now sated. I break away and lean back, closing my eyes as I tilt my head up to the moonlit sky, letting it caress my face.
I hear Cain shift beside me, a sigh of satisfaction leaving his lips. “It’s how I imagine a drug addict feels when they take their hit,” Cain breathes.
I grunt in agreement as I sit there, bathing in the silence of the night.
“We should head back,” Cain suggests. “Don’t want to be out here longer than we need to.”
I nod in agreement.
“Let’s clear up our mess first. I don’t want people finding him out here. Too close to the compound,” I state as I bend down, lifting the guy over my shoulder.
“The river?” Cain suggests, pointing south.
“Good idea. Grab his things. We’ll throw it all in there.” I gesture to his beers.
We move at speed to the river, the only sound the crunching of the leaves and sticks beneath our feet. Wecome to a stop, the sound of the river flowing by, the reflection of the moonlight flickering across it.
I throw his body. It lands in the water with a splash. Cain throws the remainder of his things with him. We stand there for a moment longer, just watching his lifeless body float away.
“Ever been a time you felt guilty for feeding?” Cain asks.
“At first, maybe. Now? It’s just a transaction. A need for survival.” I shrug. Any feelings and emotions are long dead from taking a mortal life to feed.
Once back at the compound, I waste no time in going to her, and I’m pleased to see a door has been replaced on my room. As I enter, I find her sitting up on the bed, books splayed around her, her face scrunched up in concentration as she reads. Her dark hair is drawn over one shoulder, exposing her delicate neckline.
“Petal…” I call her, my voice rough with desire as I gaze upon her.
She snaps her head up and her lips part in surprise. The sound of her breath hitching in her throat will forever be one of my favourite sounds.
“I’m reading,” she states.
My lips twitch. “I can see that,” I say as I move behind her, lightly placing my lips on her bare neck.
