Jeanne Stein - Blood Drive

Monday

The guy squirms against me like a worm on a hook. Hes in his early twenties, built like a defensive lineman-big muscles, big gut, no neck. He keeps moaning and pressing himself against my chest and I have to hold his head to keep a good grip. Culebra said hed been here before, but the way hes wriggling around, Im afraid Im hurting him.

I swallow a mouthful of blood, open my eyes, and look up at Culebra. I need more but Im unsure if I should continue.

Culebras arms are crossed on his chest. He isnt paying attention. In fact, he looks bored, and when he feels my eyes on him, he shrugs and says, What?

My thoughts reach out.Should I stop?

His own come back. Have you had enough?

No. But he keeps moving.

He rolls his shoulders again.Hes been well paid. Hes here because he wants to be. He is not a virgin, you know. Hes done this many times before. He moves because he finds it pleasurable. Watch his hands.

I do. Theyre at his crotch, caressing a bulge in his jeans.

Oh my god. Is he-?

The lines on Culebras face deepen as he grins.You could make it more pleasurable for him, you know. All you would have to do is-

I gulp two or three more mouthfuls. I know what hes going to say. All I want is the blood. What I need to refresh and restore. Ive learned to ignore the other sensation, the thrill that spirals into powerful sexual hunger if you let it. When I finish and pull away, the kid actually groans louder and reaches up to pull my head back down to his neck.

I jump to my feet, moving so fast the kid loses his balance and his head hits the floor.

Culebra laughs. I hear as well as sense it.

I reach down and help the kid into a sitting position. Are you all right?

His mouth curves upward in a grin, but his eyes are clouded. He makes no move to get up. You didnt have to stop, you know. Its a combination of a growl and a whine. One hand remains between his legs and the other is on his neck, though theres not a mark to show Ive drunk.

I always make sure of that.

I raise an eyebrow at Culebra.Next time, I want someone who does it just for the money.

Again, the shrug and the upturned palms.As you wish.

I follow Culebra out of the back room of the saloon, leaving my libidinous donor to his own devices. Its September, late afternoon, and bright sun pours through the swinging doors. In the glare, dust motes dance and twirl on an invisible draft of air.

The place is almost deserted. Two humans, friends of the guy in the back, wait for him at the bar, nursing drinks. One vamp couple sit, knees touching, at a table against the back wall. Their thoughts are hot with desire. As soon as I pick up on it, I shut down. Vampire telepathy is not always a good thing. The sexual energy theyre emitting makes me edgy, especially after feeding.

We cross to the bar where the bartender greets Culebra with marked deference. The bartender is human, another of those who find it exciting to be in the presence of supernaturals. He asks what wed like to drink.

Culebra waves him off, reaching into the cooler under the bar for two beers. Culebra owns the place. In fact, he owns the entire town. Without a word, the bartender moves away.

Culebra pops the tops and hands me one of the beers.

I take a long pull. It goes down easily, washing away the salty aftertaste of the blood, refreshing in the way that an icy drink satisfies after eating peanuts or spicy foods. Consuming liquid is the only form of human sustenance left to me.

Culebra is watching me. When I meet his eyes, he nods. What happened back there, its not perfect, but its the best we can do.

I know its true. I dont have to like it.

He leans across the bar, sharp eyes acknowledging a response hes plucked from the air. His face is ageless yet old, the surface covered with tiny lines and wrinkles etched by the stylus of a life I know nothing about.

He shuts me out of his thoughts now, and the ease with which he can do that makes me uneasy. I am vampire and supposedly at the top of the food chain as far as immortals are concerned. I dont know what Culebra is. He hasnt shared that yet. He can read my thoughts and I his, when he lets me. He is the only nonhuman creature who can hide himself so completely that I cant glean the smallest fragment of his true being. And yet, with the death of Avery, in the two months since Ive become vampire, this unlikely character, with the name that means rattlesnake, has become one of my closest friends.

Hes staring again, picking through my thoughts like a beggar with a bag full of clothes-hopeful, expectant but resigned to the reality that all hes likely to find are castoffs. Nothing new and nothing that fits.

So.His mouth turns down in a frown.You havent spoken with Williams yet, have you?

I shake my head.What can he say to me? Nothing I want to hear. And what can I say to him? That Im sorry I almost killed him? That would be a lie.

He sniffs impatiently.I suppose it has never occurred to you that he might have things you need to hear. Important things. Like your heritage and what lies ahead.

My heritage? You mean like finding out Im a descendant of Vlad the Impaler?That provokes a snicker that bubbles up before I can stifle it.When did Chief Williams put you on his payroll? Every time I come down here its the same thing. Its becoming tedious.

The frown deepens.Then take me up on my offer. Stay here. Work with me. I can teach you what you need to know.

I lay the bottle down on the counter and wave a hand.This is what I need to know. I have a life in San Diego. My home is almost rebuilt. My business is going well. How would I explain leaving all that behind to move down here? What would I tell my parents?

Culebra radiates aggravation.This concern for mortals. His tone is sharp.I understand now why Avery found you so irritating.

My shoulders draw tight. The mention of Avery, my vampire mentor who betrayed my trust and almost destroyed me, evokes a sharp pain of loss. I loved him, which made all that happened between us that much more hurtful. Culebra knows this, and his remark is deliberate and cruel.

I place both hands on the bar to steady myself before raising my eyes to meet his.You cannot bait me. I owe you a debt. One I am willing to repay. But I will not relinquish whatever natural time I have left with my family and friends to stay here with you. My life is my own. I thought you understood that.

A life that involves chasing human scum wanted for petty crimes. You deal with criminals. You are above that.

I smile.This town, Beso de la Muerte, Kiss of Death, isnt this a Mexican hideaway? Isnt this home to criminals both human and otherwise who have earned your protection in one way or another? You, too, deal with criminals. How is that so different from what I do?

Culebra has no answer. A long moment passes. He looks away, then back at me and the rancor is gone.Sooner or later you will have to accept what youve become.

What have I not accepted? Im here, arent I? I will not deny myself the time I have left with those I love. Neither will Williams. Neither will you.

Suddenly, the cloud lifts from Culebras face and his thoughts clear, become neutral. The corners of his lips curl upward.Im impatient. An illogical emotion when dealing with one who is immortal, I know. But now you had better go. The lines at the border crossing will be long. I believe your parents are expecting you for dinner.

Something I know I hadnt mentioned. I raise an eyebrow. Again, he has pulled a bit of information from my subconscious. I scowl at him.