The Guest & The Change - By M. D. Bowden Page 0,25

from behind. Focusing on her blood flowing, he wanted to rip into her neck right there, but managed to resist, withholding temptation.

He sent out tendrils of power, coaxing her mind, making her more receptive, and she turned, eyeing him appreciatively. She began to dance with him, bringing her hands up to his shoulders and they swayed together. Her friend rolled her eyes and moved off.

The girl he’d chosen looked pretty but torn, short dark hair, dark eyes heavy with eyeliner. She danced like she was trying to lose herself with him, forget the normality of life.

Jo felt, heard and smelt her blood, flowing around her body, her heart beating fast with her movement, her attraction. He caught her chin with his fingers and brought her eyes up to his. ‘Let’s leave,’ he said, projecting influence. He caught her hand, and this time it was him leading the girl outside.

He pulled her into the same alley, but not so far down; he didn’t want her to notice the other girl lying on the ground. He couldn’t resist and turned to face her, his teeth instantly extending. She sensed the change in him, sensed she was in danger and tried to step away, but Jo grabbed her, he didn’t have Sebastian’s patience.

He did as he’d been longing to do all day, he yanked her head aside by her hair and sank his teeth deep into her neck. She yelled out and he reached around with one hand, smothering her cries, using his left hand and his teeth to keep her in place. He drank her as fast as he could, gulping the real, intoxicating liquid. So much better than alcohol, so much better than that deer.

She weakened and stopped fighting. He sank his teeth deeper, trying to get every drop of her before she fell, drained, dead, in a heap on the wet ground. He staggered back, buzzing with blood, with life.

Sebastian was there, watching. Jo had been so enthralled in his feed he hadn’t even noticed.

‘Pick up the girl Jo, take her further into the alley where your next victim won’t notice her.’

Jo did as he was told, feeling amazing. He picked the girl up, she was light like a doll, and carried her deeper into the dark. He discarded her by some bins and turned, wiping blood off his face, not giving her a second thought, and returned to Sebastian’s side, awaiting his next command.

‘I’m impressed. You managed to restrain yourself until you were out of the bar, I wasn’t sure you could manage it. It will be sometime until you can control yourself enough to interrupt the feed. But you can kill; just make sure you hide the bodies. Killing is all part of the plan.’

Jo regarded Sebastian, life strumming through his veins, he still felt eager, hungry for more.

***

Sarah was ready to leave. She had put on tight faded jeans with black boots and wore them with a high necked black top. The idea was, if vampires couldn’t see her neck it might reduce temptation.

She’d applied makeup to help her blend in. Then she’d covered herself up in a very thick coat and hood to keep her warm and dry. In the pockets she had stashed some wooden stakes Daniel had given her. He’d even given her a little tutorial, getting her to practice on him, except without actually stabbing him, of course. They had spent an age waiting to go out, waiting until it was late enough. Sarah had put on a movie to try and calm her mind. Not that it had worked, although it was hard to think of anything apart from Daniel, with him so close. Regardless of their situation.

As they left together to go out, it felt completely different from earlier. Sarah couldn’t believe it was only this morning he had knocked at her door. So much had happened. She was feeling more comfortable with Daniel, and he was more protective than ever, as they headed out into the dark together. He kept his arm around her and constantly looked about. Sarah sensed he was on edge, like he was expecting someone to attack before they’d even left her drive. The Victorian lamps only provided minimal lighting, enough for Sarah to see where she was treading, and the odd tree branch. She suspected Daniel’s eyesight was much more acute though, and wondered how much of an advantage he had.

As they entered the main streets it was silent, nobody out in this region so