NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Blood Coursing – Part 3.
Vivienne reached the open door at the back of her home and admired the last vestiges of the deep red sunset combined with the gentle sounds of the ocean water lapping on the shoreline. Closing her eyes briefly, the ancient vampire recalled the rays of the sun from a distant memory and how it used to kiss her skin with a subtle warmth. -Faye is that same comfort and warmth.- Her mind reflected for a few brief moments before spotting her Tigerlily running in quick circles through the sand along the surf's edge. Taking a healthy intake of the salt air, Vivienne detected the alluring scent of blood from multiple points along the beach. “Faye.”
“Vivienne!” Faye bolted over to her creator, half smiling with excitement. “The water. I was out there and it felt like having my hand in tap water.” She exclaimed happily. “I should be shivering from it being near freezing.”
“Very good, mon amour.” Lifting her finger, Vivienne expressed a concern. “I may remind you that we are trying to look human. You will notice that none of them are playing out there. Secrecy is our best ally.”
“Right. What was it that you wanted me to know? You mentioned one final thing?” Faye commented quickly, and wrapped her arms around her partner.
A light coo rattled its way from Vivienne before she spoke, “Very distracting, my love.” She laughed and kissed Faye’s forehead, “Alas, this is important.”
“All ears.”
“Very well. This is an unlikely event, but there are humans that I have deemed true believer’s.” Vivienne holds up her finger when the mystery flashes in Faye’s green eyes. “These are people that have in some way become too attached to a belief. That belief in whatever system it is, it can be Christianity, Taoism or even ancient beliefs. As far as I can tell, it is their conviction of a higher power that does it.” Vivienne twirls one pink braid, “That kind of person will resist your abilities and their blood won’t even nourish you. It is best to just leave them be.” Vivienne laughed, “You can almost tell that person in a crowd. Worry not, the chances are minuscule that you will meet one here in Virginia Beach.”
“Do they have a different scent or anything?” Faye pulled from the hug and looked questioningly at Vivienne.
“I never looked into it that closely. We can certainly do so, should you run across one.” Vivienne paused and pointed at the houses along the shore with lights on. “Do us both a favor, keep your hunting away from the house the best you can. I suggest at least a mile from here. Happy hunting, mon amour.”
Vivienne changed into her small raven form and took to the skies, circling once around Faye. Vivienne marveled to herself as the Korean woman’s body once again decorated itself in thick black stripes. -Fascinating. I love how she associates hunting with a tiger. My Tigerlily.- Taking a quick updraft of night air under her wings, Vivienne flew off in the opposite direction.
It took a few minutes of flying, but Vivienne found what she knew to be a rental unit with a small gathering of six people. Circling silently, Vivienne noted that the six were split off into pairs, with two of them dancing to Ozzy Osbourne’s song “Shot in the Dark”.
“…But just like the wounded and when it's too late
They'll remember, they'll surrender
Never a care for the people who hate
Underestimate me now
But a shot in the dark
Just a shot in the dark
Nothing that you can do
Just a shot in the dark
Always creeping up on you, all right…”
-I love this part- Vivienne told herself as she circled one final time, to ensure that there weren’t any onlookers. Folding her wings to her tiny form, she dove headlong towards the little group, relishing the cold air thrumming her feathers. Leveling off when her claws clipped one of her victims hair, Vivienne flew around until the six were swatting at the air trying to fend off the erratic attack.
“What was that?” A woman questioned and looked up to the sky.
“A bat?” One man answered, now holding a broom. “Come on back you little mother-fucker.” He glanced up as well.
“That is just a touch rude.” A French accented voice came from dunes. “I will admit you have a fun taste…” Vivienne chuckled, “...taste in music.” She appeared to the shocked six on the deck and placed her finger over her mouth. “Shhh, this won’t take long. It will be better for us all if you do not scream.”
Hunger overcame the vampiresss and she sprinted between five of the six, pressing her lips quickly to each of their throats, sending them into a euphoric state. Vivienne stopped in front of the man with the broom and blinked her startling blue eyes. “I haven’t forgotten you, My rude morsel.”
Overwhelmed with fear, the man felt a warm river flood his pants and stream down his leg as he noticed Vivienne's four fangs lock into place. "Th...this...no..you..not...re...real..please...d-d-don't." The man pleaded desperately.
Quick as lightning, Vivienne’s hand clamped around the man’s throat. Glancing once more around the area and seeing it clear, the French woman drove her fangs into the soft flesh of the man’s neck. Flooding through the four holes and over her dry tongue, Vivienne sighed with contentment and relief as the blood coated her throat and quelled the burning. -Vigorous.- She told herself as his heart beat wildly, sending pulses of his hot life between her lips. All too soon, Vivienne felt the man’s body succumb and float away in a light dust into the night. Infused and reinvigorated, she licked her lips and walked to her next meal, “Not a drop wasted.”
Catching the scent of sex from the woman she’d approached, Vivienne paused for a moment. A warm pulse from her mind shot down her spine and between her legs thinking about Faye’s finger that had penetrated her earlier in the evening. Rather than gripping the woman, Vivienne slid her hand down the front of her buttoned jeans. -Focus, the charm will wear off.- With an unsatisfied grunt, she resumed her feeding. Thankful that the woman’s blood didn’t fill her with extended desire for Faye, Vivienne consumed the remaining five people and left the house with a slight sloshy feeling in her belly. “Time to see how Faye is doing.”