Blood Reaction A Vampire Novel (8 page)

“I rarely occupy a human home, but I certainly make use of the shower when I do. One of the greatest inventions of the human race, if you ask me,” he noted as he continued to towel off.

“What’s your name?” The words were out of my mouth before I realized I had thought them let alone spoke them. He hesitated momentarily before continuing to rub himself down. If I hadn’t been studying him so intently, I probably wouldn’t have recognized the hesitation.

“I have no name. Names are unimportant.” He didn’t answer any further.

“Really. Then why did you ask for mine?” I continued. He grinned slightly at the edge in my voice. His answer was irritating and I couldn’t keep the tone from creeping in.

“I already knew it, Annalice, just as I knew about Ellie and your mother's whereabouts. The name itself is unimportant but you telling it to me is a sign of submission. A sign that you recognize my possession of you. But I have no need of a name as you possess nothing of me.”

With the silence broken, it was easier to persist. “I just need to call you something. You must have had a name when you were human.”

At the mention of his former living state, his face froze in an angry scowl for a split-second before answering. “You will answer me, not call me.” Turning scornful eyes on me, he whispered silkily, “Unless you plan on moaning it into my ear later?”

His sarcasm was well played and I felt myself get hot again from the intensity of my embarrassment and I dropped my gaze as I couldn’t stand the humiliation any more. When I opened them, he was gone.

Angrily I threw open the shower. When I stepped out twenty minutes later, I felt a little better. After putting on clean clothes from my closet, I went back into the living room. The lights were on and he was sitting on the couch, flipping through one of my magazines. The activity was so ordinary that it seemed surreal.

Looking up, he placed the magazine down and leaned back into the couch. “My name was Asa. I suppose it will do no harm for you to know it.”

Asa,
I repeated it in my head.
Not a name I had commonly heard. “How could it possibly hurt for me to know your name?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Sighing softly before speaking, he finally answered, “I often forget how you humans today think. It is one of the reasons I choose to spend some time with one every few years. When you live as long as we do, it is easy to become outdated. It can happen in only a few decades. I have not taken a companion since the late eighties so you should feel honored I have chosen you.”

Pausing with a smirk on his face, he waited for a reaction, which I didn’t give him and so he continued on. “Names are quite powerful. Humans today do not seem to realize that your name is a window to your soul. However, since I am lacking a soul, I suppose it can do me no harm for you to know it. It was a nice name, do you agree? My mother named me after my uncle. Do you know what it means?” He looked at me questioningly.

Seeing me shake my head no, he continued on. “It means healer or doctor. My mother took a lot of pride in the names of her children, mine especially meant a lot to her since it belonged to her youngest brother. She placed it upon me at birth, hoping it would imbibe me with the spirit of charity and mercy. I certainly turned out to be a great disappointment. Therefore, I rarely use it but please feel free to call me by it if it makes you more comfortable.” He made a small bow in my direction as he returned to his magazine.

“Superstitious, huh?” I murmured absentmindedly while walking towards the kitchen. “I would say that puts you being born at least before the 1930s.” Trying to act nonchalant while I probed for information, I waited expectantly for an answer that never came. When I turned around, he was gone without even a footstep.

Hunger was still gnawing at my insides and the main thought on my mind now was food and something to drink. It occurred to me that he probably had plans for me that didn’t entail eating so I should eat when I could.

The reaction to his bodily fluids hadn’t completely abated. It was weaker for sure, but my every appetite was still raging stronger than it should be even given my current situation. Despite my disgust at my previous reaction, I knew it would take little action on his part to have my knees quivering again.

Since it seemed likely I would end up on my back again, I took the opportunity to search for something to eat before my stomach ate through itself.

Certain that I was dangerously anemic, I searched for something both quick and high in iron. Finally giving up, I reached for the peanut butter again, a reasonable choice.

Pulling up one large spoonful after another, I ate each one as quickly as I could while mulling over some questions that were eating at the back of my mind. The main question being why did I not feel worse than I did?

For someone who had probably lost four or five units of blood, I didn’t feel half bad. A little dizzy, but otherwise I didn’t really have many symptoms.

Turning it over in my mind, I ate at least a quarter of the peanut butter and was still not full. Then it hit me again. I was still like a crackhead. It all came back to his spit. His bodily fluids must also contain adrenaline-like substances in addition to neurotransmitters. That’s what was keeping me going. He was injecting me with a stimulant every time he bit or kissed me.

But why? What benefit did that provide to the biting vampire? Did it help keep the victim alive so they could be a victim longer? Was it protection for the vampire in some way?

Lost in thought and pondering this question, I was still eating peanut butter when the fine hairs rose on the back of my neck and traveled down my spine. The terror didn’t make it to my knees this time before I was able to bring my mind under control. Turning around slowly, peanut butter jar still in hand, I was face to face with my attacker again.

Standing only a few inches from me, his presence was nearly overpowering and it took my constant attention to keep my breathing steady.

“I had almost forgotten about feeding you, I was so interested in feeding myself. Where should we take you to eat? I know you could prepare food, but let us not waste the night and I doubt this,” he stopped for a moment to pull the jar out my hand, “will keep your strength up. I will feel cheated if you do not survive the week. Besides, being out in public with you will also give me the opportunity to study the humanity around me.”

As hungry as I felt, it sounded like a good plan to me. “OK,” I quipped quickly and grabbing the keys to my car off the counter, I walked out to the garage with him following behind me.

Walking to the passenger seat, I tossed him the keys without any warning. Just as I expected, he caught them without any effort but with a puzzled look. Since he was clearly used to being in control, I had expected him to want to drive.

“I never became proficient at driving,” he noted, walking to the passenger door and tossing the keys back to me, which I just barely caught.

“Why not?” I asked, shocked that anyone, vampire or human, had never learned to drive.

“I have never seen the point. My movements are much more discreet and less traceable without a car.”

Getting into the driver’s seat, I motioned to his seat-belt out of habit. He looked a little confused, not knowing what I was trying to point out. Leaning over across him, I pulled the strap across his waist and buckled it into place. My hand was still on the buckle and our proximity was close.

In a split-second, his hand was on the back of my neck, his voice low in my ear. “Your concern is so kind.”

Aiming my most condescending look at him, I replied, “I’m not that kind. I would actually like to see you go through the windshield but it probably wouldn’t kill you. And I don’t want to get stopped and watch you kill a cop. So put it on. Please?” I added hastily as he raised an eyebrow at me and I remembered who was in control.

It was about thirty miles to the nearest restaurant, one of my favorites. Putting the windows down once we were on the main road, the wind blew through my hair and cooled down my tingling skin. I felt so much more free whipping around the curves that weaved through the darkened mountains, even though it was an illusion. I was still a captive, but the cedar smells of the cold forest we were driving through combined with the breeze off the mountain took it off of my mind to some degree. The night was cool but not cold and it would have been a great drive if he hadn’t been sitting beside me.

Turning up the radio that was tuned into an old seventies station, I drove faster than I would normally have done. Usually I was a calm driver. With Ellie depending on me, I always tried to play it safe. Maybe that weight was somewhat lifted off of my shoulders because I had done everything I could for her.

My fate was up to Asa now. If I died in a car accident tonight or by a vampire’s fangs in a few days, the difference was minimal. And so for the first time in my life, I let the horses underneath the hood of my Camaro really run.

It was exhilarating. My captor never said a word, just sat staring out the window as we twisted sharp turns one after the other.

Unfortunately, the road leveled out and my short-lived feeling of freedom came to an end, but on the flip side that meant we were closer to town. My stomach was aching as we pulled into the parking lot. I was sure I had never felt so hungry in my entire life. The restaurant was a sight for sore eyes.

Asa indicated with one finger towards the most distant end of the parking lot. Pulling into darkest corner, I shoved the gear shifter into park and walked quickly to the front door of the restaurant, not bothering to see if he was behind me. I knew he was, I could feel him back there.

Ellie and I spent as much time around these tables as we did our table at home so I automatically headed towards one of the more comfortable ones that I was used to in the back of the restaurant. It was quieter back there and I often sat there when I was on call so my pager wouldn’t annoy the other guests seated at the tables around me. I didn’t bother to pick up the menu as I knew it by heart. One of my favorite waitresses, Lisa, waved as we sat down and immediately headed in our direction.

Feeling self-conscious for no reason, I pulled my hair down around my neck hiding the no-longer existent puncture wounds and smiled in return.

“What’ll it be?” Lisa asked as she made it to my side of the table first.

“I’ll take a quarter pounder, fries, and a large diet coke. No wait. Bring me the real thing.” I ordered the first cravings that came to my mind.

Lisa laughed. “That’s not usually on your diet.” She was looking at me a little incredulously.

“I’ve been donating blood recently so I have free reign to eat some protein. I’m just following orders.” I laughed back at her.

“For you, sir?” Lisa asked, turning her attention to Asa.

“Water only. I did not donate any blood today.” The vampire smiled politely at the waitress.

“Sure thing, I’ll get the order in ASAP.” Lisa, turning on her heel so that only I could see her face, gave me a wink and mouthed, “He’s hot,” as she headed into the kitchen.

Lisa had taken care of Ellie and I for at least two years; she was one of the few waitresses that survived the high turnover of the restaurant. It crossed my mind, but only briefly, to get her attention about my predicament. Better not bring her or anyone else into this, although I was sure she had gotten a good enough look at Asa’s face to give a description to the police when the investigation into my death began.

That thought took me a little by surprise. How would it happen? Would he drain me and leave my body in my house or would he destroy the evidence? I hadn’t given this any consideration. Which would be better for Ellie, to have a body to mourn, or to live with the one-in-a-million chance that I could still be out there somewhere?

A body to mourn, I decided. It would hurt more to begin with, I suspected, but it would end quicker and she could get on with her life.

The need to know his plans became intense and I couldn’t quit thinking about how I would die. “Are you going to leave my body so my family can bury me, or are you going to bury me somewhere and leave them wondering about my fate? I need to know.” The force in my voice brought his eyes quickly to my face, away from the other people he had been studying.

“I cannot leave your body, drained of blood for the authorities to find, of course. I never leave evidence of my existence for anyone to find,” he explained indifferently and then turned his attention back to the other patrons in the restaurant.

“What about Ms. McElhaney?  What about her body?” I retorted just barely above a whisper.

“I did not drain her.  Her death appears no different than any other brutal assault.  But you... You, I will drink until not a single drop of blood can be expressed from your veins.”  His voice was low and matter of fact. 

His nonchalance angered me and it took all of my control to keep my voice level and low. “My daughter will need closure. No one is going to find my body and say to themselves, ‘A vampire crime! I knew it. They do exist.’ Surely if you’re going to drink my blood, hold me hostage for a week, and finally kill me, you can have the decency to leave something for my family to bury. Make it look like I cut myself or fell or something!” I hissed the words at him.

His hand suddenly crushed mine underneath the table hidden by the lacy cloth covering it. His reflexes must have been lightning-fast because I never saw him move and I doubted anyone else did either. I bit my lip at the pain.

“Do you not yet realize that your life and your daughter’s happiness in the scheme of my existence mean nothing? Your human life is like an evaporating mist. A blip in my long life. And besides, I have no decency! Your family will be blessed to be alive. I give them nothing more.” His anger took me by surprise after his feigned civility. I knew he was a monster, but I had temporarily forgotten.

We were staring at one another intensely. At that moment, Lisa walked up to the table with my order, thankfully, and he released my hand, giving me the chance to break our eye contact. Looking down at my hand cradled in my lap, it was already starting to swell and the shape of his fingers could be seen in a blotchy red pattern on my skin.

Lisa had always been perceptive, knowing just by the look on my face if I’d had a bad day at the hospital. She placed my plate down quietly on the table. Reaching out, she touched my shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything else, Annalice.”

Looking up, I made eye contact with her. “I’m good, Lisa. Thanks.” I gave her my best “everything’s fine” smile that I usually reserved for hospital administrators. I didn’t want her becoming collateral damage. She had two little kids herself.

After she had walked to a neighboring table, I tried to focus on eating. Luckily, the hamburger wasn’t so big that I couldn’t hold it with one hand. Realizing again how famished I was, I tried to ignore the monster beside me and focused instead on the food. He had resumed studying the faces in the restaurant.

The hamburger was heavenly and I ate every little crumb then started on the massive order of fries. I never ate fries, it was like eating a small heart attack, but what did it matter now? I wished I had eaten more of them over the years. Draining my coke, I signaled for a passing waitress who stopped to refill my glass. I drained it again and waited on another.

Lisa passed back by this time with another Coke. “You want some dessert? We have key lime pie tonight, since you’re splurging?” she asked, taking my empty plate and setting the ice-filled glass down on the table.

“Yeah, I do. Bring me a piece to take home too, Lisa. OK?”

She looked at me in amazement. “Wow, you must have made some kind of donation!” She laughed as she walked away.

“You have no idea,” I muttered to myself.

We sat in silence as I ate. Dipping a French fry into a large pile of ketchup, I sucked the ketchup off before chomping down on the fry. He eyed me speculatively with raised eyebrows, but didn’t say anything. He must have expected me to be repulsed by anything that remotely looked like blood.

“So do vampires eat any food at all?” I asked as I waited for the pie, pushing the rest of the fries away.

His voice held annoyance when he answered. “Why do you ask these questions, knowing that I am going to kill you? Do you think by acting interested in me I will decide to spare you in the end? Do you think you are the first human that has feigned an interest in me to try to save their skin?”

“Do vampires have no curiosity?” I jabbed back. “And I promise that the ‘you’re going to die part’ hasn’t escaped me.”

The silence resumed as I waited for my dessert. I could find nothing else more interesting than him in the room and so I let my attention fall on him completely. He seemed to be staring off in space, not in my direction, so I took the opportunity to appraise him head to toe again for the second time, but this time with his clothes on.

I have to say, he really looked human. No one in the room, I noticed as I surveyed the crowded restaurant, was paying us any attention other than the occasional female whose eye he caught in a quick lustful glance. He didn’t stand out in any odd way, he was very handsome, but other than being very fair-skinned, he didn’t look scary or overtly threatening when his fangs were hidden. But I knew from experience he could easily turn that side of himself on or off at will.

Tonight he was wearing a dark blue thermal pullover with stylish blue jeans and boots. I hadn’t noticed before but he was wearing a ring on the fourth finger of his right hand. It looked silver but it could have been platinum or white gold and the design, nearly worn away, was unrecognizable to me.

Several locks of his hair had fallen back across his eyes, adding to his absurd sex appeal as it gave him a look of innocence. I noticed he caught the eye of every woman that walked by our table on her way to the restroom. Apparently, a couple of the women needed to use the bathroom several times during the course of my dinner.

I had a thousand questions for him and I was burning with curiosity now that I had resigned myself to my death. Why should he not answer my questions? I could see no harm in it.

Feeling my eyes on him, he turned his regard back to me. “Fine. What do you want to know? I will answer a few of your questions. A few so you better make them good ones. It seems you are going to stare holes through me if I don’t. But make no mistake, I am not going to become sentimental about you. You may come to know me, think you understand me, and I will still kill you. It seems a cruel trick to play on yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I have no illusions about you, just questions. I’m a doctor, you know. Very practical and naturally curious especially about scientific anomalies such as yourself.” I spoke quietly. He laughed slightly and with a slight bow of his head, he prodded me forward. “How old are you?”

Taking a slightly deeper breath as if this question annoyed him, he answered, “I was born sometime in the year 1831. I died in 1858.” The smile that was on his face moments ago was now gone.

“Why does that question bother you so much?” I questioned in between a long draw of my soda.

Giving a slight sigh, he answered, “It is inevitably one of the first questions a human will ask. It gets tiresome after a while. You are all so predictably obsessed with age. Surely, Doctor, you can come up with a more interesting question.”

As any woman in her thirties can understand, that answer was irritating to say the least and I sighed back at him. “For someone who will never age or die, don’t you think you’re being a little judgmental?”

By that time, my second pie had arrived and deciding to go ahead and really splurge, I sank my fork into it with a little force, throwing back a large bite before saying anything else. “I thought you needed me to help update you on the twenty-first century. Is that really true because you haven’t asked much of me except for blood and sex?” I grabbed another bite of pie and waited for him to answer. He didn’t answer immediately so I continued on. “How many humans have you held hostage, killed, and why do vampires have sex anyways, and why would you possibly care about remaining up to date?”

He was staring at me now like I was insane. “You are quite morbid for a human and you are certainly the most brazen hostage I’ve ever had. Perhaps that explains why you have no mate at your home.”

Did he mean that as a jab or was that just an observation? Raising my eyebrows at him, I waited for answers.

Tapping his right index finger absentmindedly on the table, he began. “Can you imagine what it is like to exist in a world that is ever-changing but never change yourself? I was born in a time of lamps and candles where the world went to sleep with the night. Then I became a nightwalker and learned to live in the night, in a land of darkness by becoming part of the night and blending into it. And now you humans have lit the night up. At first, it was just the occasional dim lighting in the homes of the wealthy, but now it is entire cities and sometimes I feel like I cannot escape the light. And now, you have even recreated the sun.”

He paused here for a moment when the waitress refilled my drink again. When my glass was full and the waitress gone, he continued. “I am a nomad but every few decades or so, I realize that I have become so outdated that I must make contact with a human to remind me of our differences and why I will never be like you again. To learn again how you think and act. I fear that at some point in the future, the night will no longer provide shelter for my kind as it will be as brightly illuminated as the day.” He stopped now, studying various people in the restaurant again and I waited, but he didn’t resume.