Crimson River by Wulfshard (bts books to read txt) 📕

There was too much sunlight, and the sunglasses weren’t strong enough for my sensitive eyes. The mid-winter sun felt hot on my pale skin. Leaning against the building, my fedora not blocking much more sun than the glasses, I watched them mill passed with mild fear or disinterest. All of them glanced and hurried on by now; they knew already what I was. It was easier for them every day to see us; to point us out.
They’re making this harder than it needs to be. Honestly. It’s not like we’re killing them now. And there are those born hovering about, too.

Finally the group of girls I’d been waiting for came out of the cafeteria. A scent hit my nose, and I only just held back the hiss of frustration.
“Girls…you understand that I’m not born, right?” I demanded as they approached me giggling. They were all around fifteen – the leader maybe a little older. I couldn’t tell anymore; the adolescence of today acted like young children from my days, and every girl older than ten had boobs. Puberty was earlier every year.
They’re growing up faster physically, but mentally they just keep getting dumber…

The leader was the one to answer. “I’m pretty damn sure I didn’t feel her heart beating.” She was short for her generation, but her hazel eyes were as merciless as her curves and bumps were alluring. Her long black hair and pale skin had been what had originally drawn me, but the scars along her wrists, lower arms and neck were what made the choice easy.
“That’s right. So who suggested that I wouldn’t smell the heroine you’ve just injected into your damn veins?”
They looked confused a second, then burst out in laughter. “Some guy gave it to us a while back.” The third rank said as the other two laughed. She was tall with blond hair and gray eyes. It was easy to see why she wasn’t top-dog, even though she had a healthier body weight, olive skin and an athletic body; she was too smart for the guys. “I only agreed when he said vampires love it.”
That’s just stupid. I’m not getting high around a bunch of other vampires.

“Get lost.” I hissed angrily. “I don’t care if I was half-dead and desperate; I’m not feeding from druggies.”
The three of them stared at me with eyes filled with confusion. “But –“
“I’m not biting any of you three.”
There should be somebody else…

“Whatever.” They flaunted off. I could smell the confusion, the need they all went through.
I hope when they bleed themselves trying to get high that they cut too deep and are found in a pool of crimson.

Feeling weak with hunger and hot from the sunlight, I watched the people milling about. Too many of them shied away from me.
How am I going to hunt with five minutes to class and hunters wondering the halls to control my kind?

Furious that I was being tamed like some dog – that I had to ask permission every time I fed on anybody – it was difficult to not punch a hole in the wall. Suddenly a boy broke from the crowd. Inwardly flinching when I saw the hunter uniform they were required to wear now – thanks to the government’s new laws.
At least they’re easy to spot in that shit. Why the hell would any hunter in their right mind agree to wear a white and lavender silk uniform? The men look almost gay and the sskirts inhibit movement.

He approached her unsurely. “Are you alright, vampire?”
Does he have to approach me like that?

“Be a little polite, kid. My name is Aria Le’von. Now what’s yours, hunter?”
He looked at his feet a moment. “It’s Vince Leon.”
I felt my eyebrow raise slightly with my interest. “A Leon in school huh?”
He nodded. “Um…I’m supposed to ask for your ID.”
“Why?”
“It’s protocol if I approach you for any reason. If you’re not feeding properly then I need to record your name…and you look like the sun is getting to you.”
Sighing, I reached into my purse and handed him the ID. He looked it over, wrote something down and gave it back. “Sorry about that. Now…um…everybody is a little skittish around the ancient vampires, so never mind those girls.”
“We had prearrangements that they seemed to fuck up. So I told them to hit the road.”
“But you should really feed soon.”
“You should leave me alone before it’s your fucking neck.”
The boy looked back. I noticed he kind of looked cute in the outfit, actually. His skin held that natural tan of some other country, as did his accent. It kind of sounded like a mix between Hispanic and Cherokee. Though he was lean and his hair was so dark brown it looked black with the sunglasses, his high cheek bones made it evident he had Native American in his blood anyway. Vince was a little taller than me, but that wasn’t hard anymore; people were taller than they were during my generation.
“I…uh…wouldn’t mind.”
Instantly the thought of some kind of trap slipped into my mind. “Why would you let a vampire feed from you? You're family kills my kind and all that. Wouldn't you hunters rather see me dead?”
He sighed. “What do I hunt anymore? I just came up to you and talked to you like an officer to a foreigner or gangster. We should really change our career name, but I have a feeling the Association will want to keep that for the good old traditional days when we were more than officers of the government that made sure the big bad vampires sat and stayed for us.”
I like him. He amuses me.

“It works for me, really. Wearing that get-up, I doubt you’ll sneak up on me in the middle of the night. I’m sorry, but it’s a little difficult to stay awake during the day. That means I need to feed twice as often, and we have a right to eat too.”
He shrugged. “Fair enough. So do you want to taste the blood of your enemy or do you want to sulk in the sun about changing times and a temporary lack of power over your prey?”
Okay. I really like him! This is an interesting boy!

“You amuse me, kid.” I smiled slightly. “If you’ll feed me, I won’t stop you. But I’m not making the first move.”
“What? Why not?”
The laugh came more naturally than usual. It was cracked from the pain in my throat and shallow from the fire in my lungs, but I was ravenous! “Are you insane or just stupid, Vince? There are hunters all over this school who will instantly kill me for ‘attacking’ you. Make it very obvious you’re willing or I won’t do it.”
Vince thought for a moment. Then he gave a mischievous smile, took out his issued dagger for protection – hell, I wasn’t saying we were safe, was I?never claimed we were safe – and drew a thin line of blood along his wrist. The scent that hit me was almost overwhelming. It was rich and hot, full of the iron and oxygen that I needed. But I restrained myself. Blushing slightly, Vince very clearly waved me over. Then I let him put it against my lips.
After that, however, it was completely out of his control. The fangs dug in deeply as the blood touched my cracked lips. I felt eyes – curious, confused, disgusted, and amused – on us. He only flinched, trained to deal with this pain. The blood wasn’t just soothing and relieving of the tormenting sun, the agony of my body’s weakness. It tasted amazing. I found as the control returned and the torture faded away it was still difficult to remove my fangs.
But I pulled them out and caught him. He staggered back, looking dazed and pale.
“Y-you were h-hungry…” He was shivering.
Shit. I really should be more careful.

Frustrated at my own carelessness I removed my own coat – exposing me to more sun – and wrapped it around him. Then I quickly retreated with him to the café. Sitting him down in a dark section, I made my way through the more expensive line to fetch him pizza, chicken wings and a salad full of veggies. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a bottle of water and two bottles of V8 Splash. There was no need to even look at the price as I returned to the exhausted human.
The confused look on his face irritated me only for a second.
“It’s for you. I usually buy the person I feed from something to eat. It’s a meal for a meal, you know? I see no reason to leave them miserable…”
“T-thanks.”
After a moment of indecisive hesitation, I slid in to sit across from him. He didn’t make much of it. The hunter ate quietly, looking tired.
Why I am sitting beside him? It'll just cause trouble!

Two older teens approached. One was a lithe warrior of a woman with pale skin, blue eyes and red hair. She was so clearly Celtic it was stunning. The other was a bulky male with sharp, cunning green eyes. He had this Russian look to him. Both of them wore the white and lavender uniforms.
“Yes?” I asked respectfully – if not terse.
“You bit him.” The male said as if in shock.
“I think it was pretty damn obvious that he offered. Hell, the boy put his wrist to my lips. If you expect a hungry vampire to not bite a bleeding wrist pressed against their mouth then you need to give up the crack.”
“What hunter would willingly –“
“How about a hunter doesn’t want her to bite another human? She’s not fed all day; I’ve watched her.” Vince defended me and his decision – sincerely impressing me.
“What’s up with her sitting there watching you eat, Leon?” The woman asked quietly. She was curious, not accusing.
“Oh.” I stretched. “I usually buy a meal for the one who allows me to eat. Why leave them half-starved and weak? Most of them don’t know how to get their iron count back up.”
They both looked surprised.
“And you’re sitting here because…?”
The smile was closed and half-sweet. “Hey, he’s a hunter. I think he deserves a little extra attention for giving one for the people he protects, don’t you? Besides…he’s kind of cute.”
I winked at him, making the child choke on a drink of his veggie juice.
That was worth it.

“Class is starting soon.” I elbowed my way out. Looking back at him with slight concern, I wondered if he’d be alright. “Um…if you have any problems today, especially with other vampires, just tell me. I’ll take care of it. Just remember to say my name, Vince. I’ll hear you anywhere on campus.”
“Shouldn’t he call us?”
I snorted. “Sure. If you two really want to run half across campus and risk his life, he can. And those cell phones are so reliable…”
“Whatever.” The guy muttered. “Just attend your class.”
Vince cleared his throat. “If I need you today, I will be sure to call you.”
With a smart-ass bow, I took my leave. A shiver went down my spine at the thought of helping a hunter. Yet it was only fair to offer him the same twenty four hour protection that I offered all those I took so much blood