Page 19 of Crimson Devotion
Breath hitches in my throat, and all sense seems to have left my mind. Ophelia appears in front of me, and the faint breeze of the night pushes her hair back. She stands tall in front of me, her face blank, almost too dead for my liking.
“I will give you human food,’’ she repeats. “But because you’re a newly turned vampire, it will kill you on the spot. You need blood — human blood, little hunter. The decision is yours. Pick.’’
Shivers run down my body, chills spreading all throughout. Almost as if someone’s poured a bucket of ice water all over me, and I’m instantly awake. No matter how much I wish this weren’t my reality, how much I want to kill Ophelia for turning me into this monster, I can’t.
She’s right, and I hate it.
“Blood,’’ I say, words barely above a whisper. The mere thought of drinking blood to survive makes me sick, and I’m wondering how the fuck I’ll be able to stomach it down.
Ophelia nods, a hint of triumph in the little smirk that quirks her upper lip. “Good choice.’’
Without missing a beat, Ophelia picks me up, bridal style, as if I weigh nothing. A small scream of protest slips from me, but she ignores it skillfully. The proximity is…surprisingly relaxing. The ache, the hunger, and the panic I’m feeling slowly start to disappear the longer I’m in her embrace.
That goddamn stupid flowery scent wafts up my nose, and it’s all I can smell, and feel. The anger subsides drastically, and suddenly, it’s like I’m in a protective bubble. It’s warm, and I feel myself relaxing.
Ophelia speeds through the castle. Yet, with this new vision, I see every detail. I thought it would be blurry, given the speed — but it’s clear. Every image on the walls, every crack, every torch that’s lighting up the corridors. All of it is perfectly clear, and even the darker spots seem bright.
She pushes the door open with her foot, and immediately, my senses get overwhelmed. I don’t even know how to describe it — like all my favorite meals all in one. Yet, it’s not food.
It’s a massive walk-in fridge. It’s packed with small blood bags, in various sizes, some even packed in wine bottles. My eyes dart all around as Ophelia lowers me down, then walks over to one of the shelves, skimming through the bags.
“Say goodbye to your heartbeat.’’
“Excuse me?”
She turns around, carrying a blood bag. The liquid inside the see-through plastic container squishes as she squeezes it lightly, eyes flicking up to meet mine.
“The moment you start feeding, you’ll completely turninto a vampire, little hunter. If you opt out, and decide to die, you’ll die from the venom in your veins. It’ll be as painful as a thousand deaths forced upon you at once.’’
I don’t want to die, that much is clear.
But is this the life I can live? Not only to be alive forever — or until I’m killed — but to also have human blood as food? The thoughts are swirling in my mind, yet my eyes are glued to the blood bag. I cannot look away, as if I’m being hypnotized.
The crimson color seems to be calling me, and the longer I’m staring at it, the less I can think rationally. All I want and need is to drink it all, until it fills my stomach. The hunger is slowly starting to get to me, and I step forward, forcing my eyes to look up at Ophelia’s face.
Something odd is in her expression. I’d say it’s worry, but knowing Ophelia, it would be impossible for her to be concerned. Why would she be concerned about me? A small frown is on her face, before her lips thin into a line.
Ophelia pops the small lid on the bag open, and the smell hits me at once. My mouth waters, and I can barely understand what I’m doing. Before Ophelia can hand me the bag of blood, I’m already standing within a breathing distance away from her, my hand circling around her wrist.
I bring the bag to my lips, and that’s when Ophelia squeezes it. Blood flows into my mouth, and I slurp it up, swallowing every drop greedily. This feels better than anything I’ve ever experienced. All the pain in my teeth, all the second-guessing vanishes the moment the first drop of blood hits my tongue, and I cannot get enough.
She squeezes it tighter, causing a bigger wave of blood to fill my mouth. Some of it drips down the corner of my lips, my eyes closed as I savor it. Strangely, it tastes sweet. Like cotton candy I used to get at fairs with my mom, or maybe even those sweet strawberry lemonades Dad used to make for my birthday.
Ophelia tosses the empty bag away, then steps closer to me. Her thumb wipes the drops of blood that are smeared on my chin, bringing her thumb to her lips and sucking it off. My breath hitches in my throat, her eyes directly on me.
The motion is provocative, and I feel heat pool in the pit of my stomach, twisting in something I could only assume is arousal. I try to push the thoughts aside, yet when I see her looking at me with such an intense gaze, filled with longing and lust, I’m barely able to hold myself back from pouncing on her.
Fucking hell, what’s wrong with me?
“Are you alright?”
Her voice breaks my train of thoughts, and I nod, though it’s weak. My entire body feels like I’m floating, like I’m on cloud nine. Everything around me blurs, and Ophelia’s face is the main focus.
“I’m…’’ I try to respond, finding the words difficult to voice out. “I’m okay.’’
“Okay,’’ she repeats slower, in a lower tone, eyebrows narrowing in suspicion. “Alright, if you say so. You’re about to pass out again, though.’’
“What?”
