The Hunger by Susan Squires Page A

Asharti, and coarsely made. It could have been worse. Stephan had taught her to call her Companion gently so it would not overwhelm her like it did when she was hungry and desperate, but slide up along her veins to do her bidding .
    The young man looked at her with his own kind of hunger in his eyes. “What is this?” he asked. But Beatrix had let her eyes go red. She had him .
    “Come with me.” She backed toward the shelter of the narrow yard. The young man, now slack-eyed, followed. When they were hidden, she made the man kneel. Why couldn’t they feed in a nice dining room like the one at home? This one smelled. Since Stephan made her bathe regularly and followed his own advice, she found the scent of unwashed men repulsive. But her distaste was overwhelmed by the call of her blood. She thought about the man lifting his head, and he did, baring his throat. She could feel the blood pulse in him. It excited her and the one who shared her body .
    Asharti glided by her. From behind her Stephan said, “Draw your teeth.”
    She ran her tongue over her lips. Her canines were already sharp and long. She was breathing heavily. She imagined blood coursing down her throat .
    “Feel for the pulse,” Stephan instructed. She caressed the strong throat. Yes, there it was, beating at her thumb. Her growl surprised her. “One gentle bite, no tearing, and then you suck. Your saliva will keep the blood flowing.”
    She glanced up as Asharti pulled another young man to kneel beside her own. A shock of gold hair, sleepy blue eyes — she saw no more. She could spare no attention for Asharti. She placed her canines over the throbbing pulse and bit down. Her canines pierced the salty-tasting skin easily. Blood flowed up around them. To suck was natural. She pulled in rhythm to the heartbeat and the thick liquid coursed down her throat. She sucked and sucked. Her Companion sang a familiar song in an ecstasy of fulfillment. Beatrix shared the ecstasy as her reward for providing the blood. It sang in her veins and she was whole, powerful and whole .
    “Enough,” Stephan said above her. He shook her shoulders. “Enough, Bea.”
    She raised her head and licked her lips, blinking at him. “Good.” He smiled. “You mustn’t take enough to kill him. Now button his shirt.”
    Beatrix reached for the man’s collar. Stephan moved to Asharti, who pulled at the neck of her chosen. He watched for a moment then called, “Enough,” his hand on her shoulder .
    Asharti pushed his hand away and continued sucking. Stephan shook her, but Asharti wouldn’t stop. Finally he took her by the neck with one hand, pinched her jaw open with the other, easing her canines from her victim’s throat. He drew her up bodily and looked her in the eyes. “Enough,” he said sternly .
    Beatrix led her young man past Asharti and Stephan. How had Asharti missed hearing Stephan’s order? Asharti raised her eyes. Beatrix was shocked to see open rebellion there .
    Stephan set her firmly on her feet. “The whole point was to take only a little, Asharti.”
    “I like the last drop,” she said, sulky. Then she raised her eyes to Stephan. “Do you not like to feel the life coursing into you? Have you never taken the last drop?”
    “I have.” Stephan swallowed. “But that is not how we survive. Do you not listen?”
    “I listen.” She shrugged .
    “Well.” Stephan’s voice hardened. Raucous singing echoed from the street. “Let us go home for tonight. We will try again another time.”
    He folded the two girls in his cloak, and just as three men turned into the yard, yelling, “Hey, who goes there?” the darkness whirled up around them and they were gone .
    Later that night, Beatrix slipped into Asharti’s room, drawn by her need for answers. Asharti was sitting in bed, staring at the fire. At the opening of the door she looked up. Whatever emotion was in her eyes drained away. She smiled. “So, Bea, we graduate.”
    Beatrix nodded and sat on the