Free Crimson Groves by Ashley Robertson

came over with Adam, another donor, yesterday around six in the evening. Adam had left a few hours ago, and since we were going to the club tonight, Bronx told him he wouldn’t need any more donor services at the house. Lily agreed to stick around in case I needed her before the big event tonight, which obviously I did.
    “This will be the last time I need you today. I don’t want to take too much blood from you,” I said.
    She stared at me eagerly, then leaned forward, her medium-length hair falling to the sides. She put her hand on my back. “Abby, I feel fine. You’re always so worried about hurting one of us. Trust me, there’s no reason to worry at all. I’m the one receiving the big benefit from the bite. I don’t see you feel ecstasy when you bite me.”
    “Thanks. But you don’t see much of anything when I bite you.” I playfully nudged her arm. I enjoyed making small talk like this with every donor I fed from, especially Lily. A special friendship was forming in so little time. It’s rare, but when you find a bond like that, it’s usually one to hold onto.
    Lily leaned closer to me, brushing her hair back with her fingers, exposing her bare neck. She wore a comfy red tee shirt and dark blue jeans. Her bare feet showed off her recent pedicure with light pink toe polish. Isn’t there a rule about not mixing pink and red?
    The mattress dipped as I got on my knees, making her slide into me. I cupped her face with both my hands. It was warm, alive. Her body trembled. My grip tightened, fingers pressing into her delicate skin. Her head tilted sideways. She was moving it more than I was. My, my, weren’t we eager? No complaints here. It gave me a much better vantage point for that delicious vein. My lips dropped slowly to her neck—like flying to the ground on a parachute, eager to get down but definitely enjoying the ride. My fangs popped out, gently grazing her skin. Her pulse sped up—thump, thump, thump. Tingles shot through her body like tiny electric currents. I could sense them. I could feel them. A faint whimper escaped her lips.
    I got excited knowing she wanted me to bite her. My mouth opened wide, anticipating, ready. I bit down into her hard, instantly tasting her delectable blood. Thick streams of velvety goodness swished inside my mouth, down my throat. I closed my eyes, squeezed them shut, and drank to the sweet sounds that slurping blood makes and Lily’s melodic hums and sighs. Music to my ears, I tell ya. I could turn this up and listen forever.
    Her voice faded; her head lay motionless in my hands. Like a kitten lapping milk, I flicked my tongue back and forth across the bite marks in her neck. Me a kitten? This would seal the wound so it healed quickly without scarring, and, of course, I wanted to make sure there was no blood left behind.
    A full-length mirror hung across the room on a wall, in between the closet and master bathroom. I was content with a full belly of blood, my anger just a shadow in the distance. Suddenly I stood in front of the mirror, never having felt my feet move. I was just there. Abracadabra. Magic. My reflection looked back at me. My eyes were normal, a light bluish gray color, like the sky before it rains. They looked human, innocent, harmless. Soft, fine blond hair framed my face like thin silk curtains. A few wispy strands draped across my forehead above one of my eyes. Lily’s blood smeared the corners of my mouth, still wet and sticky. I wanted to lick it. Saliva built up in my mouth. I swallowed hard, fighting the impulse to act like a monster. Sometimes it was nice to feel human, even though I wasn’t. My stomach tightened, and waves of heat crawled up my back. A scream built up deep in my throat, but I held it there, couldn’t let it out. My tongue eased out of my mouth, across my lips. Back and forth, faster and faster, until all the blood was gone.
    I hated being a vampire, I hated drinking blood (not really), and I hated being trapped inside during