Crave by Teresa Mummert Page A

asked, trying to prepare myself for what was to come. He stopped again and I knew he was growing frustrated but he struggled to keep his patience.
    “Like any other vampire.” He stepped toward me and brushed my hair from my shoulder, running his fingers along the bite marks he had left the other day. His eyes locked onto mine and I felt a chill run up my spine. “We cannot be trusted,” he added, glancing down at my still wounded hand. His face looked pained and he took a step backward and turned the other direction. I looked down at my injured palm and realized how hard it must have been for him to be with me all of this time.
    “You’re wrong. If it weren't for you, I would have been dead several times over by now,” I called after him as I stepped closer. He whipped around and a low growl rumbled from his chest.
    “Because of me , it is only a matter of time,” he hissed. His words replayed over and over in my head as I struggled to come to grips with what he was telling me.
    “You won’t let them kill me,” I said trying to reassure the both of us. He looked down at the ground for a moment, his face looked slightly amused.
    “A human putting all of her faith in the same kind of creature that wants her dead,” he thought aloud.
    “I know you are risking your life for me.” Stepping closer to him, I placed my shaky hand on his cheek. His eyes shot up and locked onto mine. He slowly glanced to my injured hand on his cheek and back to me.
    I had made a horribly fatal error. His fangs ran out as I slowly pulled my hand back from him. His arm rose at an inhuman speed seizing my wrist, gripping it excruciatingly tight. I winced in pain. 
    “I-I didn’t think…” I stuttered trying to wriggle free from his grip. His hand clamped tighter around me and it felt like my bones would crack and crumble into dust under the pressure.
    “You didn’t think ?” he asked as his chest heaved. “That is what will get you killed,” He seethed angrily but he seemed to be madder at himself. He released my wrist and pushed me back from him causing me to stumble but I didn’t fall. I doubled over waiting for the pain to subside. I rubbed my wrist gingerly and watched as it turned purple and blue. I looked back up at him. He was standing a few feet away and his expression had become more human, almost regretful, as he glanced up at the clouds. “It’s time,” he said and motioned for me to come to him. I slowly stood upright and nodded. We walked in silence for the rest of the trip.
     
    ***
     
    We reached the property of an old farmhouse that sat back in from the road. It was surrounded by two small storage barns and a large red one used to house livestock. I glanced around nervously hearing movement in the darkness, but I couldn’t make out any shapes. Elijah reached over, putting his arm around my waist pulling me close to his side as we walked up the dirt driveway.
    I suddenly thought of the little boy in the ammo store, whose mother had held him close trying to make him feel safe. At least, Elijah possessed the foresight to try to keep me calm. I decided to believe the lie I had told myself since the moment he stepped out of the shadows the first night we spoke. He was a hunter, giving his life to keep others safe. We reached the front steps and Elijah stopped and turned to me.
    “Whatever happens, we will walk out of here tonight together,” he whispered. Whatever happens? Like getting killed and becoming a succubus? I reluctantly nodded my head. He kissed me quickly on the forehead and knocked on the door. Only a moment had passed before it flung open.
    “Greetings, Elijah,” a young woman who appeared to be in her late teens said with a smile. She was dressed as a flapper from the Roaring Twenties. “You brought dinner,” she said glancing over at me as her tongue ran over her lips. “What’s your name?”
    “Does it matter?” I asked awkwardly.
    She shrugged. “You know, humans don’t name their