Page 7 of On Wings of Blood

He sneered. “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of highbloods where you come from or I really will wonder if you fell from the sky. Or perhaps hit your head too hard against a rock.” He narrowed his eyes. “Or have drunk a little too much?” A hand darted out and he tapped me on the side of the head, hard.

“Ow! I haven’t had anything to drink, you fool,” I exclaimed.

“I’m the fool but you’re the one with naught in your head.” He shook his head.

“I read a passage in a book once...” I began.

“Oh, you can read? I’m speechless.”

I ignored him. “It spoke of creatures with sharp teeth that drank blood. They could not go out under the light of day. They attacked at night, sucking their victims dry. They led long lives.” I snuck a look at him, hoping beyond hope that he’d tell me the book was mistaken.

“Well, three out of five isn’t bad,” he remarked. “We can walk in the light, as you can well see.” He pointed upwards at the fading evening sun, which had come out from behind the clouds. “We lead long lives.”

“But you... drink people?” I stared at him, trying to keep the horror from my tone. “You drink blood?”

He smiled, cruelly and slowly. “We are vampires. It’s what we do.”

“So you’re what? Taking me back to your people to be drained?”

He stretched his arms over his head and I tried to keep my eyes off the muscles rippling beneath the dark cloak. “Perhaps. Who knows what they’ll do with you? It’s an honor to be drained, you know.”

I couldn’t tell if he was joking. Somehow I doubted it. “You’re a monster.”

He smirked. “Stop, you’re hurting my feelings, blightborn.”

“Don’t pretend you have any,” I snapped.

“You’re right. They’re a weakness, so I won’t.”

“Why do you need to take me anywhere? Why not leave me alone where you found me?”

His lips twisted. “On a heap of dead bodies? I should have thought we were doing you a favor.”

I raised my wrists. “Ah, yes, if only all men were as courteous as you,” I said sarcastically, clanging the metal chains together. “I’m quite killed with kindness.”

His mouth twitched. “Many women would beg to be in your position. Perhaps not while walking on quite such a dusty road...”

“I don’t wish to hear of your disgusting sexual exploits,” I said, making a face of disgust. “Save your bragging for your men. They won’t care if you tell tall tales about the women you tie to your bed.”

“I have no need to make up stories,” he snapped, sounding irked.

I tossed my hair over my shoulder but said nothing.

I could feel him staring at the red tresses for a moment. Finally, he said, “You asked why we’re taking you with us? Well, you heard what Lucius said.”

“That it’s because of my hair? A rather stupid reason.”

He snorted. “I agree.”

I glanced at him. “You do? Well, then... Let me go.”

“Unfortunately, there’s more to it than my preference in hair color. I might think your rust-colored locks unsightly,” he said snidely. “But it’s not about my personal preference.”

“Thank the stars for that,” I said under my breath. “I have no wish for you to find me desirable.My lord.” I let the last two words drip with sarcasm.

He ignored me.

After a moment or two, I had to ask. “Fine. What else then? Besides my hair? You said I was a blightborn. What does that mean?”

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