Pure Blood (Vampire Queen)

Six

Gigi walks down a long flight of stairs, holding a candle. She comes up to a wooden door and opens it. Inside, the room is dark with nothing but a bed in the center. Lying in the bed is an unconscious man. Gigi walks around the bed and sets down the candle. She then pulls out a knife, cuts her wrist and holds it over his head, letting her blood drip into his mouth.

"Hello LaRoche," she says. "I can't wait for the day you wake." she sits down on the bed. "There were three newborns today. I was supposed to help them suppress their blood lust but mine was getting in the way. I wanted them to put up more of a fight. I wanted someone to bleed, but to my demise, I didn't even have to get up from my seat. Such a disappointment.

I don't know why but I was so thirsty being in that room with them. My throat was ridiculously dry, they just smelled sooo fresh. I felt like a regular vampire feening over a human." she sighs. "There was one named Zero, and it felt like his blood was calling to me. It reminded me of Maro, they smell so similar, so..." she trails off. "I'm beginning to thirst more and more these days. I can feel the darkness growing in me and I fear it will take over. If it does, soon my friends, my family.. could all be in danger. I don't know how much longer I can't hold myself back. How can I teach others to control their urges when I can barely control my own?" Gigi covers her face with her hands, "I'm lost and I don’t know what to do."

~

The next morning, Gigi wakes up to the sound of the doorbell. She sleepily walks down the stairs as the ringing continues. She mumbles under her breath, annoyed, and opens the door. Standing outside is Ash with a big smile on his face. He looks Gigi up and down, admiring her morning look. She looked beautiful in her oversized bunny eared hoodie and messy hair.

"What are you doing here?" Gigi sighs.

"Geo wanted me to come by this morning, is he here?" he says.

"No he's not. Him and Chachi went to go get breakfast"

"Do you know when they'll be back?" he asks.

"No."

"Okay.. well let them know I stopped by."

As Ash turns to walk away, Gigi gets a sudden feeling of loneliness. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she whispers before reaching out and grabbing his arm. "Do you want to stay here until they get back?"

Ash looks at her surprised, "Is that okay to do?"

Gigi nods her head before leading him to the living room. "I have to go change, make yourself comfortable."

Gigi walks upstairs to her room, moments later she comes out wearing a short black long sleeved dress that expands outwards below the waist. Her crimson hair curled perfectly at the tips. Ash's gaze stays glued to her as his eyes travel down her body. He stops at her feet and laughs to himself. She steps into the living room wearing fluffy white unicorn slippers.

"Cute," he whispers.

"What?" Gigi asks.

"Your shoes. I didn’t peg you as the unicorn type."

“What you thought I was a black cat kind of girl?”

“Something like that.”

Gigi smiles as she sits on the chair beside him and crosses her legs, "Would you like something to drink?"

Ash nods his head, "Sure."

Gigi claps her hands together, a tall man in a suit enters the room and bows in front of her. Ash notices a bite mark on his neck. No doubt Gianna’s.

"My lady?" the man says respectfully.

"Rabi, would you be so kind as to get me and my friend here something to drink?" she smiles.

"Of course," turns to Ash, "what can I get for you sir?"

"Oh uh, what do you have?"

"I can make whatever you like."

"A lemonade would be fine then, thank you."

Nods, "And for you madame?"

"I'll have my usual with a light breakfast please." Gigi says.

"Of course." Rabi walks out leaving Gigi and Ash alone. They sit in silence for a moment.

Gigi c***s her head to the side, "Why are you so afraid?"

"I- I'm not."

Smiles, "You're lying. I can hear the way your hearts beating."

"It's not that I'm afraid, I'm just nervous, that's all."

"Why?" Gigi questions.

Rabi re-enters the room and hands them both a glass then sets a tray down in front of Gigi with a bowl of fresh fruit and two pieces of cinnamon toast.

"Thank you sir." Ash says.

"Please, call me Rabi. I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other quite often in the future." Rabi winks.

"That'll be all Rabi." Gigi says seriously.

"My apologies ma'am. Please let me know if you need anything else." He bows and walks out. Gigi takes a sip of her drink and looks up at Ash. He quickly looks away. She grins, "What is it?"

"It's just.. you don't like blood but here you are drinking it?" he says confused.

“Who told you I didn't like blood?"

"Chachi.."

"Huh, that makes a lot of sense actually." Gigi sighs, "But think, vampires can't survive without blood just like humans can't survive without food. Blood is our life source so it's only natural that I drink it. I just don't eat from humans. You all have a.. bitter taste."

"So what is it that you're drinking now?" Ash asks. "Vampires taste better to me." she says.

Ash couldn’t hide his shock as the glass slips out of his hand and shatters on the floor.

"Oh s**t I'm sorry.' he says frantically.

He then bends down to pick up the broken pieces. As he does, he cuts himself with a bigger piece and drops the shards, wincing. The scent of his blood reaches Gigi and she inhales it deeply. Her eyes widen as she feels her heart stop then quickly sits up straight.

"What the hell is that?" she asks confused and frightened.

"What-"

Gigi quickly grabs Ash and pulls him out of the living room. In the hallways waits Rabi.

"We dropped a cup, please clean up the mess." she says to him.

"Right away ma'am." Rabi wastes no time and walks into the living room to clean up the broken glass.

Gigi drags Ash into a bathroom and wets a towel. As she wipes his hand, a drop of his blood falls on her wrist. She stops and stares at it, taking a deep breath. Ash hears her breath shudder and looks at her puzzled.

"Are you o-"

"Gianna!"

Geo and Chachi burst into the bathroom. Geo grabs Gigi's hand and pulls her away from Ash. Chachi then takes the towel from her.

"I'll take care of this Gi." he says softly.

"Oh my god." Gigi whispers.

Ash watches Gigi walk out. She looks back and he see's fear written all over her face. The door closes behind them. "What was that? Is she okay?" he asks Chachi.

"Oh um, she- human blood makes her sick?" Chachi says, not really knowing what else to say.

"Really? Seemed like something else." Ash says, mainly to himself.

"Oh wow, your cut looks pretty deep." Chachi applies pressure with the towel. "Ow!" Ash shouts.

In Gigi's room, Geo stands leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, as Gigi paces back and forth.

"Are you alright?" he asks.

"Did you smell him?"

"Of course I did."

"Then how could you ask me that?!" she says, plopping down on her bed. Geo just shrugs. "Why does he smell like that?" she asks.

“You aren't really asking me that are you?" Geo tilts his head to the side.

“No," Gigi huffs, "just thinking out loud."

"I think Ash is different. He's not like everyone else."

Gigi sits up, "No he's not. He actually smelled good. So much so that I wanted... to bite him?" she says with disbelief. They sit in silence for a few moments.

"By the way, there were like, 20 vampires outside when we got here." Geo says.

“Ugh, already?"

"There might be more. I'm sure they're here for an explanation."

Gigi walks out onto the balcony and sits on the railing. The first person she see's is Maro, she rolls her eyes. "Son of a bitch." she mutters to herself.

Maro looks up at her with excitement. “Gianna! How are you today?" he grins.

She looks down at him with annoyance, "What do you want Maro?"

"I think you know the answer to that. The smell of blood called to us, care to share?"

"Over my dead body!"

"I can arrange that," he says playfully.

Geo and Chachi step out onto the balcony, followed by Ash. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

"Ah Geo, I was only joking, why so serious?" Maro looks at Ash, seeing a bandage around his hand and laughs. "Oh I see, it was your friend there who was bleeding. No wonder it smelled so delicious. He doesn't smell like other humans does he?"

"He's a rare one indeed." Gigi agrees. Ash looks at them both confused. Maro glances around, "You're missing one. Where's the little kitten?"

"I'm here!"

From behind the crowd appears Kat. She jumps up onto the balcony and stands on the railing next to Gigi.

"Great, now the gangs all here."

"I suggest you all go home. There is nothing for you here but death." Gigi shouts.

"Oh come on Gianna, you aren't really going to make us leave without feeding us are you?" Maro grins.

"Is it really blood that you want?" Gigi speaks as she hops off the railing and onto the ground in front of the vampires. Geo quickly following behind her. Gigi then bites her wrist and holds it out to them. "It's not much but it'll sooth your cravings." Maro watches her blood drop to the ground.

"Black blood? Is this some kind of joke?" Maro spits.

"Not at all, though you better hurry, time is almost up."

"What?!"

Gigi's bite begins to close. "Anyone? No?" the bite closes completely, "What a waste." She then licks the blood off of her wrist, her eyes locked with Maro’s.

"What kind of vampire feeds on other vampires?" Maro asks. The twins smile wickedly.

"You gave up free blood so easily.” Gigi announces. “I thought you were hungry?"

"Nah we're good, we'll leave now." Maro says in defeat. One by one the vampires bow to Gigi and Geo and follow Maro out of the front gates. Ash stares down at Gigi from the balcony.

"There is something about her that everyone else seems to know... I wonder what it is." Ash thinks to himself.

Kat turns to him and sighs. “How on earth did you cut yourself?" she says.

"I dropped a cup?" Ash shrugs.

“Humans are awfully clumsy.”

They walk back inside, Geo and Gigi walk in through the front door, everyone meeting up in the kitchen. "Thank you Gi." Ash smiles.

"For what?" she says.

"Not letting them drink from me, I guess?"

"Don't worry about it." she smiles at him.

Ash sighs before he speaks again, "What did you mean when you said I was a rare one?"

"I meant exactly what I said." she shrugs

"I don't understand." Ash says

“She means Maro was right. You don't smell like the other humans. Your scent is so sweet to the point that-"

"It's sickening." Geo interrupts Kat.

"Then what do I smell like?"

"Not a human that's for sure." Chachi agrees. "Or a witch, or vampire."

"Definitely not a werewolf." Kat shakes her head.

“So what am I?" Ash asks confused.

Gigi chuckles softly, "Don't make me laugh." she digs in the fridge and pulls out some lemonade and a couple of cups from the cabinet.

“Ash, don't mistake what we're saying for something else. Don't get me wrong, you are different but you are human none the less." Geo reassures him.

They all sit in silence, the only sound being Gigi filling the cups with ice and lemonade. She hands each of them a beverage.

“Gigi?" Ash mumbles.

"Yes?"

"It's been bothering me for a while but.. why do you hate humans so much?"

Gigi sets the pitcher down, not knowing what to say. "I... um.." Gigi looks at Geo for help, he nods his head. "Maybe you guys should get going."

"But-"

"A lot has gone on already, y'know. Let's let things simmer down then we can hang out tomorrow." Geo says.

"I.. I guess." Ash sighs.

"Besides, my parents are coming home early and they won't be too happy to see any of you. You know how my mom likes to prep on Saturdays for Sunday dinner."

"Yeah, you're right." Chachi agrees.

"Come on Ash, we'll walk you home." Kat gestures to the door. "Alright," Ash sighs.

Geo and Gigi walk their friends to the front door and wave them goodbye as they head out the gates. They walk back inside and sit in the living room. Gigi throws her head over the back of the couch and sighs heavily.

“You know you’re going to have to talk to him sooner or later.” Geo laughs.

“Later.”

“We seem to have a problem." Geo asks.

Gigi looks at him, defeated, "Yes, we do."

"Since you ended things with Maro.." Geo’s words drift.

"He's been causing a lot of trouble."

"Others are starting to follow him. They aren't afraid of us anymore, I wonder why. Are we not as scary as we used to be?" he says as if contemplating his own question.

"I'm sure we are, Kat and Chachi fear us, as do our parents. The others just need a little reminder that we mean business, that's all."

“With the way things are going I'm sure we'll get that chance soon enough." Geo smiles, not hiding the excitement in his voice.

“He's after Ash. Indirectly I mean." Gigi sighs.

"You can't be serious?"

“If only it were a joke. First he sent Scoop, who told me that he wasn't the only one targeting him. Maro won't stop until he gets a taste for himself it seems."

“No wonder he got here so quickly today. We can't let that happen. I'll text Chachi to let him know.”

Gigi sits up and taps her fingers on her knee, "I wonder if Scoop gave him my message..”

"I'm surprised he's still trying," Geo says, "knowing what you're capable of, I wouldn't dare defy you.”

"Yet Maro is. And without hesitation."

"Maybe he thinks you won't kill him," Geo laughs. Gigi's eyes turn a dark purple,

“And that is his first mistake."