Epilogue: Half Rations for Me

Blood tasted best when it was freely given.

She still couldn’t believe that Ben would volunteer his blood. It required trust. Even older vampires sometimes lost their self-control and took too much by accident, killing their victims in the process. And she hadn’t shown much restraint in the past.

Miss Snow was always near her when she was feeding on him. Supervising.

“I know, Miss Snow. Only half rations for me.”

They would have to figure out something else. Soon. Maybe he could give her some of his blood with a syringe. That would lessen the danger somewhat. But one single human didn’t have that much to give. She would have to sign up with a blood bank. And that meant getting a job so she could pay for it.

She still woke up screaming. Not as much as she used to, but at least now there was Ben to comfort her. He didn’t show it, but it did take a toll on him. Last night he had slept on the couch, claiming she was snoring.

He had planned a date on the beach. Watching the sun rise. Sweet as the gesture was, Lucia couldn’t stomach it. She would never love the sun.

“You know, you didn’t have to cut off contact with your father...” Lucia said, sitting at the kitchen table.

“He nearly got you killed! You’re my family now.”

And he really meant it. He really did. And Lucia believed it.

She went to the bathroom, washed her face, and put on her anti-aging cream.

The mirror showed a young woman. Green sundress. Red hair. Her hair was a mess. She would have to fix that.

She wasn’t a vampire. And she wasn’t a human either. She was fine with that. For now.