Essence

Max stood up. His legs obeyed her, not him.

She circled him. A predator inspecting meat.

-Good, she said. Now kneel.

He dropped. His knees hit the concrete.

She grabbed his hair. She yanked his head back. His throat was exposed.

-Mine to command, she said. -Mine to feed.

She struck. A sharp bite, but temporary.

Max gasped. The wound closed, a mark.

-Rise, she said.

He stood. He followed her. He was a puppet on a string.

They reached the gates. They swung open without a sound.

Something moved in the dirt. A shape. It shambled toward them.

Buffy snarled. She moved in a blur. She grabbed the thing's throat. She ripped its head off. She tossed it aside like trash.

-What was that? Max asked. Another vampire?

She wiped her hand.

-A worm, she said. Rot given weak purpose.

She grabbed his arm. Her nails dug in.

-They sense my power, she said. And now they sense you.

-Do I have power? Max asked.

She leaned close.

-You have my essence, she said.

She smiled.

-They’ll all want a taste. But you belong to me.

She led him deeper. She was slow and deliberate.

-You feel them watching, don't you? she asked.

Max shuddered.

She tightened her grip.

-Good, she said. Let them see. Let them know you are marked.

They stopped at a large mausoleum. The door creaked open on its own.

-Our throne awaits, she said.

Max followed her inside.

The heavy stone door ground shut.

She released his hand. She glowed in the dark.

-Kneel, she commanded.

Max knelt again.

Her fingers cupped his chin. She tilted his face up.

-Forever starts now, she whispered.

Her lips met his. She bit him. She deepened the kiss.

She stole the breath from his lungs.

She pulled back. A thin trail of blood connected their lips.

-Mine, she breathed.

-Every beat of your heart belongs to me.