Sanguine Dawn by Elizabeth A. Freeman (best classic books txt) 📕

before regarding Arlen, “As I'm sure you've already gathered I feed on blood. It doesn't matter what kind of blood, animal or humanoid makes no difference. You had asked about the goat's placid behavior before. My kind have the ability to control the minds of less intelligent creatures. That's why the animal didn't resist.”

“Telepathic abilities... Amazing. What about how you healed the bite marks?” Arlen leaned forward, his eyes bright with almost childlike enthusiasm.

“All of my race has extremely powerful natural regeneration abilities. As long as we are not undernourished even wounds that would be fatal to a mortal are simple to regenerate. Properties of that ability to regenerate are present in saliva, so after feeding the wound closes on its own due to exposure to the saliva.” Gil explained evenly, a small smile on his lips.

“Oh wow... That's absolutely remarkable. It makes so much more sense though, especially if you were keeping a food source alive. An open would would get infected and putrefy but because it's healed there's no need to worry about disease. I wish you would have just told me from the beginning that you can only consume blood.” Arlen grinned as he finished speaking, leaning back slightly.

“Well, I had never tried alternate food sources so it had never occurred to me that I would have such a great intolerance to other foods. I also didn't think my natural diet would be all that well received. You see, on my world my people have humanoids that we cultivate as livestock and pets,” Gil paused and frowned slightly, “I realize it sounds cruel but the practice was established so many aeons ago that those mortals don't know the difference. There are some sick individuals where I come from who have grown bored with our standard source of food and decided it to be far more entertaining to kidnap mortals from other worlds for the taste of different blood. These victims of abduction have generally reacted very poorly to the idea that my kind feeds on blood.”

“I guess I can see how you would be hesitant to tell me if every other person you had met freaked out. You don't have to worry about me though. My dream is to learn and understand everything this world has to offer and use that knowledge to help others.” Arlen smiled openly, canting his head slightly to one side. Gil regarded him silently, his eyes tracing the way Arlen's lengthy hair fell about his shoulders.

“You are a truly genuine person. It's refreshing.” Gil complimented, his fierce eyes suddenly very gentle.

“I'm not perfect by any means. I just try to do my best to use my natural talents for the good of others.” Arlen shook his head in dismissal.

“Back to what we were discussing, remember what I was explaining about regeneration? Now that I've fed you should be able to see the effects.” Gil reached for one of the bandages covering one of the lacerations on his chest. Arlen was about to protest but as the gauze was torn away what lay beneath was not a wound but pristine smooth skin.

“My god... Your wound is gone! Are they all gone? Let me see!” Arlen stood quickly, and began to peel Gil's bandages away. The red-head watched with amusement plastered upon his face as Arlen removed each strip of gauze. As he finished Arlen sat back down in the stool, eyes wide as though it was almost too much to absorb.

“Hey, are you okay?” Gil reached out to tap Arlen's knee. At the touch the blonde returned his attention to Gil once more.

“Am I okay? I'm better than okay! I've just never seen anything quite like it. Imagine the possibilities! If I could figure out how that works I could save so many lives.” Arlen mused, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling in thought. After several moments he returned his attention to Gil once more.

“The only thing is it's going to get expensive feeding you. I'll run out of livestock before long and animals aren't cheap.” Arlen regarded Gil seriously.

“You needn't worry about that. I can hunt for myself now that my wounds have regenerated. I should probably do so under the cover of night though. I doubt that most would be as easy going about my diet as you are.” Gil replied.

“Definitely. The villagers are far too superstitious. They'd probably think you a witch or demon or some other nonsense,” Arlen hesitated, turning to glance out one of the cabin windows, “Of course if you got hungry during the day it would be fine if you needed to drink a little of my blood to hold you over until night.”

“Oh?” Gil questioned, raising an eyebrow at the offer. Arlen nodded in affirmation, turning to face Gil once more.

“I'd rather you get enough to eat than have to starve all day just because the villagers are idiots who might freak out.” Arlen stated firmly. As he finished speaking, the alchemist's stomach gave a loud growl of protest.

“Sounds like you're the one that's hungry at the moment. Why don't you fix yourself something to eat and we can talk more after.” Gil said with amusement lacing his voice. Arlen adjusted his spectacles, grinning in embarrassment.

“That's probably a good idea.” he agreed, though remained seated for a long moment to peer at Gil before finally rising and setting about the task of preparing a meal for himself.

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Publication Date: 07-29-2011

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