Body & Blood

Ethan struggled with the shortened days. The summer before found him frustrated at not having enough time with his new wife. This summer, Ethan found that little had changed to sooth the frustration. Brit recognized that his mood had soured with the limited night that summer provided. After a trip to the library and several conversations with her husband, she convinced him that shortened nights should not prove troublesome. It was nothing that a little travel south could not cure.

Rosalie voiced her concerns to Ethan and cautioned that it was wiser to stay where one knows. Others told Ethan that exploration of new places was a perk given to those such as him. What was the point in immortality if one never tried new things? After a few quick inquiries, Brit and Ethan journeyed to a small island not terribly far from Christmas Island. Ethan had the best assurance that the island’s resort would be quite understanding of his nature. In fact, he was told, it catered to those like him.

On the plane, Brit read tourist information regarding Christmas Island. “It’s not the final destination, Brit. Merely a stopover,” explained Ethan as he bundled her a bit to keep her warm. It was not a comfortable trip for Ethan as they ventured further and further from places that were more familiar to him. Also, the trip took them far from his support network. Ethan struggled to recall the last time he felt so disconnected.

For all his worry, the flight was thankfully uneventful. Brit slept restfully on the trip and often used his body as her mattress. Her warmth was comforting to him. The transfer to the power boat transport was also uneventful. On that transport, Ethan nodded to one of several other kindred on-board. Someone he did not know well, but Ethan had seen Geoffrey enough times to feel more at ease. But then, as they checked in, Geoffrey asked, “So many have wondered when you might tire of your mortal, old boy. No one would imagine this is how you would demonstrate it.”

Ethan’s eyes flashed at the words, but Brit’s appearance at his side kept him from addressing the comments. Geoffrey looked uncomfortably confused and quickly moved away. A quick surveillance told Ethan that Brit was attracting the wrong kind of attention. Pulling her to him, he wrapped his cloak about pressing her against him. When he was very sure that she was simply melting into his embrace, his fangs and crimson eyes warned others there that Brit was his in all ways and was not to be touched. Upon arrival, Ethan ignored all and steered Brit for the dock.

His auspex and domination skills encouraged others to move quickly to get him settled into their private bungalow. When they were alone, Ethan checked the place carefully for any potential breach of security. Finding none, he relaxed. Brit followed him. Watching as he meticulously went through his checks and then as the mist warded the room. “I thought this was a safe place for you, Ethan.”

Grinning to Brit, Ethan said, “One can never be too careful, baby.” He picked up a resort brochure to leaf through. Brit bounced over excited about being in a new place and lay against him to hear what the resort had to offer. Ethan’s muscles began to tense as he looked through the week’s events.

Upon hearing nothing, Brit peeked up to see Ethan’s jaw muscle clench. “Is it not a good place for you to be?”

Placing a hand on her hair, he pulled her against him kissing her hair. “It’s a splendid place for kindred to play,” he replied tensely.

Brit tapped her toes. “Then.” She processed and he heard the soft sound of her shoes touching rhythmically. Tap. Tap-tap. Tap. Puffing her cheeks, she lisped, “I don’t understand.”

Over the next few days, Brit realized she was the lone mortal guest on the island. Other mortals were there as servants or sustenance. As such, the mortal diet was largely vegetarian. Soy products flavored with cayenne or pineapple and other such things that might give favorable flavor to their blood. “Unacceptable,” snarled Ethan into the phone one evening as Brit was waking. He quickly ended the phone call seeing she had risen.

That night, Brit and Ethan were moved far from the main resort into another bungalow by a ghoul that served the resort. Ethan told him, “I wish not to be disturbed except to be brought what I request in the manner that I desire.” The servant efficiently did his work and then bid his leave nearly running down the path. Brit glimpsed the frightened ghoul’s wonder of how such a mix-up could have occurred. Food was brought for Brit. Eggs and cheese had been added to the grains and fruits available. Once the delivery was made, the familiar black mist rose around the perimeter of the bungalow.

Brit did not question why they did not engage in activities at the resort or why they did not go dancing at the main house or dine there. On the third night, Brit woke to Ethan once again on the phone. Food had arrived again along with a scrawny native girl who looked dazed and already drained. “I did not request the item carrying the basket,” snarled Ethan to the person on the other side of the phone as he glared at the cowering girl. “And are you quite sure a transport remains unavailable this week?” As Brit walked closer, the girl weakly held out her hand to Brit as if to try to warn Brit away.

Before Brit could touch her, a man arrived full of apology and escorted the girl away. “She’s almost perished, I think,” Brit lisped as she watched them leave. Ethan closed his eyes a moment. In Brit’s mind, she was not accusing him nor was she damning anyone. There was simply sadness that the girl may be harmed. In the distance, a scream was heard. Walking toward the door, Brit watched toward the forest. Shouts and laughter followed sounding much like a nocturnal fox hunt.

“Sometimes the predator within seeks callous sport with some, Brit,” Ethan said softly. Glimpsing her thoughts, he shook his head. “A bit like our chase games, but with a more permanent ending.” Moving behind her, he pulled her again to him and was very aware of her response realizing he almost expected her to pull from him.

Brit’s hand reached for his and pulled it around her. “You never hid what you are from me, Ethan.” He did not respond as she repeated his own words back to him. “I’ve been chased by you. It is different when you are chased by one who loves you.” He wrapped her closer to him. “I’ve been chased by those who cared nothing for me.” Silence stayed in the air. “It is different,” she said in a whispered voice.

Ethan could not bear the thought of anyone touching her. Forcing the thoughts from his mind, he kissed her hair before saying, “I will always protect you, baby. You are mine in the eyes of man and God. Blessed by Him. My kind understand claims. None shall ever harm you.”

Turning, he motioned to the door and the black mist flowed into the crevices of the doors and windows. “Magic,” whispered Brit. Her voice was soft and seemed almost sultry. He brushed his lips over her neck following the pulse line and wondered whether she would ever become cognoscente of the seductive quality of her voice. He pulled her to the settee before dragging his fangs over her throat. “I want to share in both body and blood.”

Ethan paused wondering if she knew how her words could be interpreted. Turning, Brit cupped his jaw to kiss him lightly before repeating, “I want to share in both body and blood, Ethan.” Shifting her slightly, he caressed her cheek before pulling her closer and tasted her pineapple-laced blood.