NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: An Evening with Alan – Part 6.
“Yep, we have been together a very long time, Veronica. The last two years or so under the same roof and room.” Amber laughed and faced Alan. “Please don’t release me, Master. It’s been a long time coming that I devote myself to one..or in this case two lovely vampires. I am your daylight lookout.”
First answering Veronica, Alan shrugged. “I suppose I will need to learn how to delegate tasks better, with multiple people.” He offered his hand to Amber, “Deal. I don’t really want to release you anyway. Veronica has to have someone close as she works through her newborn stages. She shouldn’t be tempted to attack you.” He paused, “I could make it a command if you need, my dearest.”
It took a few seconds of looking at Amber before Veronica made her decision. “I am not having an issue right now and she is so close I could bite her right now.” She winked at her friend, “I lost the overwhelming desire to be fed on once Alan turned me into a vampire. Are you the same?”
Amber kissed Veronica on the forehead and stood up. “Not a pressing desire like it used to be. I don’t absolutely need the rush, being a ward presents its own challenge really.” She picked up her pack and slung it over her shoulder again. “That doesn’t mean I don’t like it. I feel different. Neither of you have taken liberty to feed, so I am not totally sure what will happen.” Amber laughed, “I swear I have heard it somewhere that to a vampire, having a ward has blood perks.” Amber spun around slowly to get her bearings. “Where is my room, Master? I wanted to get a little sleep before I do whatever day time list you have for me.”
Leaning over to first kiss Alan, Veronica pointed to her red rimmed eyes. “If you don’t mind darling, I would love to give your new ward a little bite.”
“What is mine is yours, my dear. You know the overall rule, don’t drain her.” Alan leaned back after the kiss and got comfy in the loveseat.
Upon hearing that her blood was necessary for her friend, Amber placed her backpack on the coffee table and pulled her platinum blonde hair to the side, exposing her neck. “Mistress, whenever you are ready.”
Blood hunger was ultimately what made Veronica move from Alan’s side. She contemplated going into the kitchen and drinking from the bottled blood, but her hunger-lust won. “So generous, My dear Amber.”
-Remember what you have seen for the last five years. An eight count or less. You can do this.-
Veronica reassured herself and wrapped Amber into her arms and punctured four holes in her neck and began to drink liberally.
“Not too much darling, remember the normal eight count.” Alan reminded Veronica gently. “Recall that ward blood will nourish you better than normal human blood, so you don’t need as much.”
When she hit the number eight in her head, Veronica stopped pulling blood and thought to herself that time seemed to race by. She pulled away without any hesitation or control from Alan. “YES!” She cheered herself and jumped excitedly. “Alan, I did it…I did it…Oh my god I can do it!” Veronica wiggled her hips as she hopped in place. A few seconds later, She felt Amber slip from her grasp and hit the floor with a loud thud. “What the…” Veronica looked at her friend on the floor, more pale than usual and sporadically breathing.
“Shit!” Alan screamed and ran over to his new ward and using one of his razor sharp fingernails, he sliced open his wrist and pressed it to Amber’s ashen lips. “Veronica…babydoll…close the holes…close the holes before we lose her!”
Horrified at her forgetfulness, Veronica fell to her knees and licked the open wounds closed. “Alan…I am so sorry.” She shook Amber. “Amber, oh god…please forgive me…”
Initially unmoving, Amber didn’t react to the blood flowing into her mouth. When Veronica shook her lethargic body, the dying ward coughed out some of Alan’s blood then due to the sheer volume, ended up swallowing the steady flow down her throat. First his blood burned and left an iron trail in her throat that made her sick to her stomach. Within a few seconds, the queasy feeling subsided and she found herself drawing more from the opening in Alan’s wrist.
“Good enough, Amber. You are drawing in, rather than accepting.” Alan sighed and licked his wrist shut. “Veronica, can you please grab her belongings and the spare cooler from the kitchen?” Alan waited for Veronica to stop shaking and respond to him. “Relax my dearest, she will be fine. Please fill the cooler with ice and blood bottles for her later. If things work out like I think, you will have a blood-sister.” Alan watched Veronica dart off into the kitchen without a word. Looking down at Amber, he cleared the white hair from her face. “Amber. Let my blood work to save you, dear.” He scooped Amber into his arms and watched her instinctively swing her feet in the air. “I see you like being carried.” He chuckled and shook his head as he walked to Amber’s new bedroom and set her down on the plush bed. “Wow…and I thought the news was strange. This evening…very odd indeed.”