The End

Harm and Help

Please don't see me, please don't see me.

I thought hard as I ducked down as quickly and quietly as I could in hopes to avoid the vampire. Next thing I knew I was being pushed up against the building next to me. I was being held off the ground by the shoulders by a vampire. When he had grabbed me I dropped my sword, I struggled to reach the silver dagger in my boot.

"No," the vampire growled as it beared his fangs and yanked my head aside, letting go of my left shoulder. My left foot hit the ground and I tried to bring my right boot up for the dagger.

I screamed as the vampire's teeth sunk into my neck and started sucking. I knew any quick movement could sever my carotid artery and kill me faster. I returned to reaching carefully for my dagger and felt the hilt with my fingers. I was starting to get lightheaded when Nathaniel appeared next to the vampire and growled loudly. The vampire pulled back and turned towards Nathaniel. In the commotion I grabbed my silver dagger and stabbed it through the vampire's heart. Blood, most likely my own, spurted out of the wound as I passed out.

Again I awoke on a soft surface. This time my mouth was dry as cotton and I felt like I had been beaten by Alan. I flinched as the thought crossed my mind, Alan was dead and would never teach me again.

"You're awake, drink this," Nathaniel appeared in my vision.

I took the offered bottle and took a sip, almost spitting it out when the coppery taste hit my tongue. Part of me craved the taste and it helped the cotton in my mouth. "What is this?" I inquired.

Nathaniel grimmaced and looked away as he quietly said something that sounded almost like blood. It couldn't be, only vampires drank blood. I felt for my pulse, still beating strong. "What is it? You mumbled something like blood."

Nathaniel cleared his throat and looked looked a little ashamed. "Selene, it is blood. You need it after the vampire attacked you. Why didn't you wait for full sun?" He asked with some anger in his voice.

"What?" I said, I was in shock. Nathaniel had given me BLOOD to drink.

He again asked why I hadn't waited for full sun.

"I saw the sun rise....I thought it was safe. But, why are you giving me blood and...why does it taste good?" I asked, my voice squeaking towards the end. I was scared now.

Nathaniel sighed, "Vampires come out until full light. You leaving so early was foolish and could have gotten you killed if you hadn't been so close."

"Oh...well that still doesn't explain the whole blood thing."

"Have you heard of dhampirs?" He asked.

I shook my head carefully as my neck was sore.

"Dhampirs are half human and half vampire. They need blood, have some sun sensitivity, but are stronger and faster than humans. Being bit, but not drained can either kill a human or turn them into a dhampir. You must have a gene in order to become one, it's obvious you do or you'd already be dead."

"Oh..." it was all I could say. I was no longer human, I was something new. "How much blood a day do dhampirs need?"

"It varies per dhampir, the biggest variable is injury. The more injured a dhampir gets, the more blood they need, just keep in mind, even the sun will injure you some. I'd say if you don't use your enhanced speed and strength and you minimize getting injured, you'll only need about a pint a week." Nathaniel responded.

"How do you know so much about dhampirs? Is there a book somewhere?" I asked curiously.

He laughed and shook his head. "While you were couped up learning, I was out here, learning. You would be suprised just how much you learn by observation. One positive is you're now harder to kill. The negative is that you're now on everyone's kill list."

I gasped and stared at Nathaniel. Did this mean he wanted to kill me now? Surely not since he brought me back here and was feeding me, right? I didn't know what to think.

As if Nathaniel could read my mind he said, "Don't worry, I don't want you dead. You still smell amazing to me."

I had no idea what smelling great to him had to do with anything, but I would take it as a win. He didn't want me dead...although I could most definitely use a shower as I didn't think I smelled so great.

"So do I get some super healing abilities with all the other stuff, like how lycanthropes do?" I inquired.

Nathaniel smirked, "Yes, you do. I'm sure ypu aren't as sore now that you've drank that pint of blood. I'm going to insist you drink another though."

I hadn't realized that I had drank so much already. I was feeling a lot better. "Wait, why do you have so much blood on hand?"

"It keeps a truce with the vampires. If I feed them blood, they won't attack. Vampires aren't mindless like zombies, but they are driven by thirst until they have had at least two pints of blood. The one you ran into this morning obviously hadn't fed, if you hadn't killed him I would have given him a pint or so to finish filling him up. I think he took almost two pints from you, I'm honestly suprised that you stayed concious for so long." Nathaniel said as he walked over and sat on what was obviously a mattress next to me.

"Well thank you for saving my life, both times. I owe you more than I think I could ever give you in return." I took the last sip of the second pint of blood. And with that Nathaniel leaned over, gently turned my face to him and kissed me.