this, or that you met me.’ And Daniel bit into his neck. Warm luscious liquid spilled down his throat, bringing him life energy. He soaked it up drinking deeply. It had been a long time since he had drunk human blood, he usually relied on animals for sustenance. It would have been heaven if it wasn’t that his heart was breaking.
He made himself stop drinking before the man would suffer too much from blood loss. He pulled back and wiped up any visible blood, pulling the man’s lumber jacket high around his neck. ‘Stay still, this will not take long,’ he uttered, before returning to the other man.
Again he drank deeply, feeling giddy from the blood rush, before influencing them both to forget and return home.
He felt strength coursing through him, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough to defeat Sebastian. He straightened himself up and entered the bar, looking for more blood.
This one was very crowded, he had to push through. Long years of vampirism had trained him not to concentrate on the pulsing of blood around him. If he noticed it all the time it would drive him insane. He worked his way through the crowd to the bar, eyeing up potential victims as he waited to be served.
He ordered himself a large whisky, trying to keep himself in control with the new blood speeding around his body, his senses coming alive.
He needed to take as much blood as possible - the more heightened his senses, the greater chance he’d have of tracking Sebastian and Sarah. He needed a plan though. He’d never defeat Sebastian without one as he wasn’t going to kill humans. However much he drank he would never be as strong as him.
Figuring he might as well increase his strength while he was thinking, he chose a tall girl ordering a single drink at the bar. She smiled confidently as he approached her, looking into his eyes. It didn’t take much influence to get her to leave with him. She followed him out, slipping her arm under his jacket, making him feel uncomfortable.
He took her straight into the shadows and drank as much of her blood as he could risk, before covering her neck and making sure she would forget.
When she’d returned to the bar he stayed out thinking. The girl had reminded him of someone, her dark curly hair and slanting, heavily lined eyes. A witch called Heather. Someone he had known when he lived in New Orleans. It was too far away to go there now, there wasn’t enough time. Plus, it was a long time ago, possibly ten years. It would be tricky to track her down. But she did teach him a few tricks. If he could find the right spell, he might be able to use it against Sebastian, incapacitate him. It could give him the chance to finish him off for good. And rescue Sarah. His heart warmed thinking of seeing her again.
Fuelled by his increased intake of blood he transformed into a buzzard, and soared into the sky, back to his hotel, The Woodman.
***
‘You know Sarah, I really can see why Daniel likes you. Why he’s taking advantage of you.’ Sebastian said. He reached out and down the side of her face, pulling her collar down, exposing her neck. ‘Has he tried your blood?’
Sarah refused to look at him and stayed silent, still feeling sick. She had a bad feeling about where this was going.
‘Do you mind if I try it?’ he asked, but didn’t wait for an answer. His teeth sank into her throat, and again, searing pain ripped through her. He retracted his teeth, and forced her head around so he could look her in the eye. ‘This will not do, you need to relax. Relax. This will let you enjoy it too.’ Sarah’s heart pounded as he leant back in and she felt his teeth pierce her afresh. She focused on her breathing, trying to relax. But he hadn’t influenced her, he was just playing with her, having fun. She knew this, yet she couldn’t take it lightly. She couldn’t let herself enjoy the experience. If she was to let anyone drink her blood willingly it would be Daniel.
As she thought this, he pushed her away, causing her throat to tear. It hadn’t occurred to her that he had been able to read her thoughts, like Daniel had. She hadn’t been trying to project. She sensed that he was hurt and frustrated. He seemed to