The First Bite

Max tried to pull back. Instinct took over. But he was slow. Her gaze held him in place.

-I’m Max, he stuttered.

Her grip tightened. It was cold. Unyielding. Like iron.

-I know, she said.

Her other hand slid into his hair. She forced his head to the side. The line of his throat was exposed. Vulnerable.

-The pain ends now, Max, she said.

Her fangs lengthened.

-What’s happening, he grumbled. Who are you?

She smiled against his skin. Vicious.

-Your absolution.

She sank her teeth deep into his neck.

She drank. The salt of his tears mixed with the copper of his blood. A shudder ran through her. Ecstasy. She pulled the warmth from him in deep, greedy draws.

Max felt his body leaving him. He fell into a waking slumber.

She held him up. His life flooded her senses. Rich. Full of grief.

-Shhh, she murmured. Just let go. It’s easier this way.

Max blinked. The fog lifted.

-No, he yelped.

He sounded like a man waking from a nightmare.

-No, he said again, louder.

He tried to wriggle free.

Her eyes flashed. Her grip tightened.

-Fight me? she hissed. Her voice was a rasp.

She yanked his head back. Her fangs dug deeper. She took a savage pull of blood.

-You’ll surrender, she said. You humans always do.

Max faltered. He started to faint. He caught himself on the tombstone. His wife’s stone. It gave him strength to pull up.

-No! he shouted. Stop. What are you?

She recoiled. She snarled and wiped a trickle of blood from her lip. Her eyes burned.

-What am I? she asked.

She lunged. She pinned him hard against the cold granite.

-I am your nightmare, she said.

She leaned close.

-And you are my supper.