Free The Rise of the New Bloods, From Dark Beginnings by K A HAMBLY

at his apartment until I sorted something out. It has been a week already and I was feeling rather uncomfortable about staying here under false pretences. Sure, it was all quiet on the ‘Stride’ front and I was thankful I was not walking the streets with Jafar about, but somehow it did not feel quite right, as Blaze had not showed any sign in presuming I was anything different from what I said I was.
    It struck me as odd he did not even show a hint of fear when he was around me.                    
      For the past week, I have sat idly in the apartment while Blaze went out to work as a car mechanic. I did not want to face things right now. I even had to drag myself to a slaughterhouse for food every night.
    The excuses I had to make were becoming ridiculous.
    I could not exactly say to Blaze I’m going out for a drink, he would’ve only dragged me to the nearest bar, and unless they had blood on tap, it wasn’t going to do anything for my cravings.
      T oday, as usual I slumped back on Blaze’s sofa, armed with the TV remote, flicking over the music channels until I could find some decent song to listen to. Music was becoming an escape for me these days, especially with the band and the music lessons with Blaze that would go on until the early hours of the morning.   
      After a few hours of peace, the reality of what was happening around me soon plagued my thoughts again. I took a sip on my cup of blood and rested my head against the cushion. The curtains were drawn and a soft rock song was playing quietly in the background.
    I started to reminisce about my mother. She was a human that had been changed by my father. It was probably why I have always been so curious about humans and their nature, and that ma ybe, despite my urge to suck their blood, I perhaps held some of their traits deep inside me. Staying with Blaze only affirmed my desire to return the Ankh before anyone would steal it. Yet, my meeting with Stride made me re-evaluate the fact it wasn’t going to be an easy task  There was something else I had to do, for that I was certain.
    Almost as I entered into a state of calmness, I heard keys rattling in the lock.
      Blaze walked through the door followed by April. Whether it was the human side to me showing, I do not know, but I shot up from the sofa wracked with nerves.
      ‘Are you alright man?’ Blaze asked as he rushed to the kitchen with a box of food.
    That left me with April, standing in an awkward stance gazing at the poor woman who did not know wher e to look. She smiled at me and put her bag of books down on the chair. A few seconds lingered and then she suddenly spoke.
      ‘Hi, so we meet again. Um, so how has it been, staying with my brother? Is he still a filthy bastard that leaves his clothes all over the floor?’ she laughed.
      Realising that I was now staring at her and making her feel uncomfortable; I averted my gaze from her beautiful dark hair that was tied into a ponytail, and looked down towards my feet. I have never felt so nervous around a w oman before and I think my inexperience was beginning to show.
      ‘Of course he’s still a dirty bastard, but then I tell him, I’m not your mother, so don’t expect me to clean up your crap,’ I laughed, ‘that usually works.’
    April laughed.
      ‘Oh jeez, you’re so funny. It’s no wonder you two get on, you’re so alike,’ she said and walked through the kitchen.
      Alike, I thought. Nothing could have been further from the truth. 
    I followed her out into the kitchen where Blaze was serving out the food. I wanted to ask April about the exhibit but now did not seem like the right time.
      ‘Do you want any food?’ Blaze asked chewing on a mouthful of chicken.
      ‘Er, I’m not fussed,’ I lied. I did not really want to.
      ‘Do you know what? I’ve just realised something I’ve hardly seen you eat a thing this week… in fact I go as far as saying you haven’t eaten anything at