As I took a step toward the humans, I stumbled, the knots in my stomach hardening into painful lumps. I caught myself with one hand on the ground before I fell.
The ground shifted, and I could see the women’s faces in the dirt and rotting leaves. The soil, black and lush, shifted until I was surrounded by the faces, the eyes staring accusingly.
"You killed me. Killed me." The accusation was soft, but powerful, the mouths yawning wide as if in horror.
"You took my love, all that I had to offer, and you left me," another cried.
"You owe me your soul," a third demanded.
I drew back with a soft hiss of denial.
"I never touched you, other than to feed."
I straightened my shoulders and faced the women squarely.
"I live by blood and I took what you offered. I did not kill. I did not pr
