The Vampire's Coveted Nectar

Chapter 2 : Study and Decisions

My fangs lengthen as I pierce them into my blood pack, never taking my eyes away from the computer screen. Hemera is beautiful, and it's impossible to take my eyes off her. I've only seen eyes glow like that on other vampires. Is she really human?

Her blood is magical, for god's sake. Blood that I've learned also allows vampires to ingest human food without it tasting like ash. My stomach growls upon learning that. To think, if I could get my hands on that blood, I could try out so many recipes, even if the satisfaction would only be temporary.

It's why I grabbed a blood pack earlier than I should have. At least it's something to satiate me. Even if her blood would be tainted from the tattoo ink…

My fangs lengthen as I pierce them into my blood pack, never taking my eyes away from the computer screen. Hemera is beautiful, and it's impossible to take my eyes off her. I've only seen eyes glow like that on other vampires. Is she really human?

Her blood is magical, for god's sake. Blood that I've learned also allows vampires to ingest human food without it tasting like ash. My stomach growls upon learning that. To think, if I could get my hands on that blood, I could try out so many recipes, even if the satisfaction would only be temporary.

It's why I grabbed a blood pack earlier than I should have. At least it's something to satiate me. Even if her blood would be tainted from the tattoo ink…

My fingers flex as my nails lengthen into claws and the veins stick out, throbbing as my dead heart starts coming to life. Nianor! Calm down. It's just a computer screen! I scold myself at this juvenile reaction.

I growl and throw myself away from the screen, heading once again to the kitchen. Vampires have long since started storing blood like this, so we can easily live alongside humans. And it's animal blood to boot. It's not nearly as satisfying, but with human advancements and our existence still unknown, we can't risk drinking straight from humans.

I reach the kitchen and consume another blood pack in no time at all. Perhaps I ought to go hunting. Yes, that will be sure to ease my nerves and calm my heart back to its slumber.

James, one of my human servants who acts as my proxy during the day, is heading towards me when I speed past him. He cries out and plasters himself to the wall as I shift into a bat, passing swiftly. He calls out my name a moment after, but it goes ignored on my part.

I've never had this kind of reaction to a target before. I don't even think I should kill Hemera just because Kirnon has some sort of juvenile grudge against her. The Orsovas hold false blood drives to access her blood without drawing attention to it. Why can't I simply offer her a better job and get the same access to her coveted blood?

I can test the first few batches of blood to see if the effects get muddied when mixed with animal blood. If not, I can easily distribute it among my family. We'll gain the upper hand drinking the equivalent of bloodied steroids!

The window rattles loudly as I fly out of it. I often forget how much sound increases when I shift. It's why I don't do it very often. The sounds are too overwhelming. I may live on the city's outskirts, but the city sounds get to be too much even here. But in this case, it's exhilarating to fly above the trees, searching for prey. Even if the act in itself isn't enough to calm me down.

I shriek as I dive-bomb on an unsuspecting deer, morphing back into my humanoid form. It lets out a shriek as my fangs sink into its neck, giving up its will to resist as the venom starts taking effect.

It isn't until I've completely drained the creature that I begin to calm down and feel foolish for my reaction. A vampire my age should not have lost control like that. I am over five hundred years old! Only amateurish vampires under the age of one hundred should be reacting like this. I wasted so much of the deer's blood as I rushed to squash it! I groan as I clean my chin. I truly was wasteful and foolish.

I should have spent time studying its movements and ensuring it couldn't have detected me. I should have been more precise. I've had centuries to perfect the 'art' of drinking, as some vampires like to call it. Then there's the fact that I went out to hunt in the first place. The blood packs at home should have been more than enough.

I can't get my mind off of Hemera, and it's causing me to be reckless. My eyes wander back to the deer, and regret wraps itself around my stomach.

I should at least bring this back. Perhaps James likes venison, and he can share this with family or friends. James being human means he can enjoy the taste. Aside from it being drained, it's a fairly good specimen. I sigh heavily as I pluck it off the ground and carry it over my shoulders back home.

Upon returning, I should continue my research. I still know very little about Hemera. I need to learn her habits and where she works. The idea I had before… Perhaps I need to bring her closer to my inner circle with some sort of incentive that no one would refuse: money. Then, I can gain my intel directly from the source, herself.

It's a simple matter for me to offer and supply a job. All I have to do is figure out which of my father's businesses I could bring her into. He'd be thrilled to get a new employee, especially if it takes one away from the Orsovas.

Yes… Kirnon will simply have to accept the turn of events… His core goal will be reached, even if I take a more nuanced approach. The Orsovas will no longer have Hemera and her blood. That's the main reason he wants me to kill her, and I couldn't give a d*mn if he doesn't like my methods.

Without Hemera's blood, they cannot walk in the day, and my family will have the upper hand. Blood is thicker than water, and I'd do anything to make my parents and siblings proud of me. And I could care less if Kirnon isn't pleased with my reasoning. So, he could request a refund, or better yet, I could always kill the f*cking b*stard!

“O-oh, sir! You're-you're back," James stammered as he straightened his coat. I quickly returned home during my brooding and found him waiting for me at the main entrance. “Oh, you have a deer with you..."

I drop it down on the ground with a heavy thud. Only after it occurs to me that doing that may have harmed the meat, but oh, well. “Yes, a gift for you. I know you're primarily a carnivore."

You do so much for me, so this is the least I can do for you in return. Of course, I don't add that. He's already flustered enough. I wouldn't want to make the poor man blush.

He had offered me countless recipes that allowed me to try human food. I've had dozens of steaks drowning in blood, but the meat still tastes disappointingly like ash. James' effort to help me satiate my appetite was greatly appreciated despite the outcome.

James looks taken aback, but he simply clears his throat and nods.

“Is this not sufficient?" I ask in a somewhat annoyed, deep tone. Is this really not good enough for him? What more does he want? It's a whole deer!

James startles slightly at my tone and rushes to say, “Hmm? Oh! No, sir! This is more than enough. It's just, I haven't the first clue of what to do with it… I've always gone to supermarkets and bought meat there. I haven't skinned an animal before. Oh, I think its eye is looking at me," he nudged the carcass with his foot in disgust.

Ah! That's right, some humans hate having their food look back at them! That must be why he's reacting like this.

“Ah, I see. That won't be a problem. I'm sure you can take this down to a butcher shop and get money for it." Do humans still do that? I don't even know what I just suggested qualified as practical advice. Humans seem to evolve so quickly it's hard to keep up with all the changes.

“You can't exactly do that anymore… they have their own channels for supply, and as far as I know, don't take animals you bring in." James sighs heavily. He removes his glasses and uses the hem of his shirt to clean the lenses.

“Oh… It seems I am not as in touch with modern society as I thought I was." God d*mn it, why do humans have to change so much in such tedious manners? This is why I can't be around most humans!

“I'm sorry, James. I didn't think of that. I'm not as experienced in the human world as you are! I can always take this back out and let the wildlife have it. I'm sure crows and wolves would love the free food." I go to pick it up, but James stops me.

“Oh, no! It's fine. I do have a friend who would be more than willing to help me with this," he assures me with a faint smile, suddenly looking at his wristwatch. “Oh, sir, you must be getting inside. The sun will rise any moment now."

As if on cue, the early light of dawn touches the landscape. At this time, the light does not affect me as it would most vampires, an attribute I can thank my darker complexion for.

My parents still like to comment on how other vampires envied us for our slight tolerance of the sun. While some envied us, others treated us as lesser, like some kind of weird beasts.

Still, I can feel the faintest light singe my skin. I instinctively recede into the darkness of my own home as James shuts the door. “Should I have your room prepared for you, sir?" I wish he'd stop calling me that. We've been friends far too long for him to continue that drivel.

I sigh and shake my head. "No, you don't need to do that. And stop being so formal. We're friends, aren't we? So stop calling me 'sir.' With that clear, I'll take this to the cold room so you can get started on today's duties. I believe my father wanted you to look into-"

"Working at his most recent endeavor, yes, I saw the note. And Nia, you know I'm on the clock now. It's not appropriate to call you by your name." James sighs, following me through the pristine mahogany halls.

Wait a minute! Oh god d*amn it Kirnon! Can't you wipe your god d*mned feet?! You tracked mud all through the place and on all the carpets!

While I silently curse my good for nothing uncle, James has to avoid the various bits of decor lining the hallways I decorated so they're not entirely bare. Some of it's my own style, a simple chest or bookshelf, or even a table with a floral centerpiece. Other pieces are to remind me of my family's home in Africa.

I'll admit, sometimes I wish I could have seen the place before my family was brought here. Most homes in Africa wouldn't protect us from the sun, and modern cities offer their own problems. I'm tired of Seattle as it is. However, I suppose I could always hire someone to build my own private home in Africa, though I doubt James would want to come.

Maybe once this stupid war to see which clan is stronger is over, I should look into that. It would be nice to exist in my home country for the first time in my life.

Once again, lost in my thoughts, it just dawned on me that James referred to me casually! He didn't call me sir! Finally! "You just called me Nia." I roll my eyes. "Why was that time any different?"

"Just making a point, sir." James smiles as I place the deer in the cold room.

Ugh, the sun is already making me want to sleep. I'm sick of sleeping during the day. It's just further reason why I need to keep Hemera alive.

"Just stop calling me sir, James. It's tiring. On the clock or not, you're my friend and one of the few I trust to take care of my affairs during the day. I don't call many humans friend, you know."

"I know. I'm glad you've come to trust me. Nia, unless you plan on drinking more blood packs than usual, I suggest you get to bed. You already look exhausted."

I nod and suppress a yawn. Yes, bed is best now. "Good night, James."

James wishes me goodnight as I walk away. I was hoping to get more done, but that's all going to have to wait for dusk.