A vampire's Choice

The woman in the mirror staring back looked like a stranger. Her features were still the same, but a glow was now present. Splashing warm water on her face, Lisa let the drops run down her face, not wanting to brush them away. Since she had received his blood, all her senses were heightened. The slightest touch felt five times more powerful, and she basked in it. The green and blue eyes gazed back at her, a new shine to them. It must be the blood in her system, as it could be the only reason for the change. Finally patting away the water with the towel hanging on the side, Lisa fixed her hair, taming the pieces that have escaped her ponytail before straightening her shirt. With a final glance of approval, she exited the bathroom, gently closing the door behind her. Making her way back to the seat, she froze in her tracks. In front of her was Roger, still in the chair she left him but with a glass in his hand. The crimson liquid a stark contrast to the pale fingers wrapped around the stem. With his eyes closed, Roger could not see the curious gaze fixed on his meal. Slowly edging forward, Lisa silently dropped into the seat opposite him as she stayed glued to the blood: making her wonder where it came from. Did someone willingly donate? Or was someone's life taken to sustain his?

The sound of metal sliding into metal awoke Roger from his thought, opening his eyes and landing on Lisa's own. For a second, he was shocked since he did not even hear her approaching. No, he had been lost in the memories of that first night. The moment he had thought his old love had returned, only to realize Rebecca was not back and in its place was a human the complete opposite. Unlike Lisa, Rebecca had never questioned his being. When he had informed her of his vampire side, she had shrugged her shoulders and moved on—a sign she did not care about his past, only how she could use him.

"Did I interrupt you?"

Roger placed the glass in the holder between the seats, the crimson liquid disappearing. Lisa escaped the thrall the blood held over her, allowing her to focus back on the man before her.

"No, not at all,” Roger exclaimed, "Just wondering what we will encounter when we land."

Fighting the urge to ask about the blood, Lisa instead focused on where they were heading. "So why exactly are we going to the pack of werewolves? How will they be able to help?" When Roger had told her about leaving, the words werewolf pack excited her and scared her. Were they the same as the one who hunted her? Or worse?

"One of my closest friends is part of the pack: married to the Beta. Her name is Vanessa, and we go way back. I told her about your attack and the monster that is after you." A sharp pain pierced Roger's heart as he told the blatant lie, but even Lisa could not accept a mate bond. "She has some information about it, but we need to go to her to get it."

"And they haven't heard about emails before?"

Roger chuckled at her joke. “Werewolves have adapted more easily to the technological world than I dare say vampires have. But in the supernatural world, we still believe in handling situations face to face and not leaving a digital footprint. We have survived this long in the shadows, and the need to stay hidden is stronger now more than ever."

"I can understand that. It is already difficult to hide in this modern world. Must be worse for your kind." Lisa would know. The lengths she had to go to had almost broken her: but not quite.

"It is. With cameras practically everywhere and digital records, supernaturals have learned to adapt. We change identities every couple of decades, scrubbing our previous life away. Also, making sure we do not make connections to mortals."

Lisa's eyebrows turned in as she became perplexed. "That must be a sad existence."

Roger glanced down at his cup, not wanting her to see his pain. The more he spoke with her, the more he realized she actually could understand his life, which sparked the dying flame of love. What if she was his mate, his other half? Could she accept him? "It is. But often, more times than none, we do have other supernatural friends. We might not see each other for hundreds of years, but we know at least they are there and will help when needed."

"Like Vanessa?"

"Yes, like Vanessa."

"Have you two ever, you know..." Lisa turned red at the mere mention of sex. "Been together?"

Roger's head shot up at speed. Lisa could not see, making her blink a couple of times to register he was looking at her. "No, never.” His voice rose as he tried to reassure Lisa. Again, not knowing why he need to defend his sexual history from her.

"No need to get mad."

Quickly brushing the fallen hair from his forehead, Roger picked up his glass before taking a large sip. The blood did not hit the spot as a fresh host would, but it was all he had. "I am sorry, I did not mean to. The bond Vanessa and I have runs deep. I consider her my sister."

"Well, then I cannot wait to meet her."

"I think you would get along quite well."

"Wait, if you have known her for so long, does that mean werewolves also don't die?"

"Not exactly. We creatures are not completely immortal. We all die, just not as easily as humans. But to clarify, Vanessa did not use to be a werewolf. She was actually a witch. Recent actions changed her."

Lisa's mouth dropped open. “You mean supernaturals can change their species?"

"No, we cannot. Her case is a special one."

"But how?"

"Let's just say an actual God helped her."

"What!" the exclamation came out louder as the blow from hearing Gods exist was too shocking. "So, God is real?"

Shifting to buckle up the belt, Roger smirked. Discovering vampires are real was like sleeping to Lisa, an everyday thing. But mention a God, and she literally freaks out. "I do not know about your God, but apparently, one of ours is real. And I have met her."

"That is amazing. Can I meet her as well?"

The smirk turned into a full smile. "We shall see. For now, you should rest. We will be there shortly."