Seven

 I was so stupid. I had really thought that life could change, but it never does. I ran aimlessly not knowing where I was. The well manicured grass turned more wild as I hit a tree line. Clearly no longer Cadogen’s property. I ran until my lungs felt like they would burn out of my chest. I should have paid attention when we were on the way here. I knew that they had used some sort of magic to make the trip shorter but I was starting to panic. I was lost. I just needed to find a town and then everything would be okay. The forest was alive, birds chirping melted snow falling. I was starting to get cold. I hadn’t realized how cold it was but now that I was slowing down the cold was starting to seep into my body. I just had to make it to a village or town. My legs burned with every step. It was contrasted by the pins and needling feeling in my feet. I hugged Cedar tighter. I walked for hours. At least it felt like hours and the sun moved in the sky. I finally came upon a little ramshackle hut. It would at least get us out of the cold. I knocked on the door.

 A tall husky man opened the door. His beard was huge and went past his shoulders. His hair was slicked back into a pony. He cocked a brow at me and then started to look behind me. 

“Can I help you?” His accent was thick. His eyes looked bored.

“My brother and I need some help. Could you let us warm up and I promise we will be on our way.” I was trying not to sound desperate. He took a small step back to look at me. 

“What will you give me? Grimsfell is about an hour on horseback just north.” He stepped out of the doorway. 

“I don’t have anything.” I said trying my hardest not to be desperate. He clasped his hands together. 

“Come in.” He ushered us into the small space. It was set up basically the same way our old house was set up. 

“Put the boy down and follow me.” He felt so much bigger in the small space. My heart leapt into my throat. I swallowed the lump that was starting to form. I gently put Cedar onto his feet. He grabbed hold of me. I pried his little hands off of me and turned him towards the door. I walked into the small room. A bed, a nightstand and a chair were the only things in the room. He heavily walked over to the chair. He sat with more grace than a man of that size should have been able to achieve. He pointed at the bed. Shakily I sat. This man’s eyes hid the red. It was lingering behind the brown. He was also a vampire, but I guess that made sense. This was Veinlend. 

“Now I’ll give you a couple of options young lady. If you really want you can go to Grimsfell after my request or you can stay with me. I need some company. I hate going into the city for company. I can give you a good life. A modest life but a good one. You are human, Grimsfell will be dangerous for you, but if you insist I will take you. I want to drink from you. It has been days since I went into the city. I promise I will only take what I need. I was not made, I was born so you don’t need to worry about my control.” He wants to drink my blood. I didn’t know why but it was scary. He waited while I wrestled with the thought.

“Can I ask a question?” My head was racing. He nodded, giving me the floor. 

“How are you capable of opening the door if you are a vampire?” A small smile played on his mouth. 

“My father wasn’t. He was my mother’s donor. I’m half so I can go outside. This is not the case for everyone. Halfbreeds tend to take different things from their parents.” I shiver. Goosebumps raise on my arms. 

“How much blood?” I ask truly, letting the idea win. 

“You are not very big. So I’ll only take a small amount. If you choose to stay I will plump you up.  The plumper someone is the more blood they have. If you stay I will make you my wife and my donor. I’m lonely. Halfbreeds aren’t really accepted, especially in the working class. Aristocrats get passes but working class people don’t like the mixing. It’s why I live out here. I also won’t lie to you. Sometimes I have to fight those who believe I shouldn’t exist, but I will feed you well and your child out there will never be that small again."  He patted his own belly. He was a large man. He wasn't lieing he was being direct with me. He wanted my blood and in exchange I could live here with him under his protection. Truley I had no skills no prospects. This was my way to keep Cedar safe.

“Okay you can have some of my blood.” I breathed unsure of what I was doing. He smiled. The smile met his eyes. His big body didn’t loom. He sat back and took a breath just like I did. I started to feel relaxed. He patted his lap. Still unsure, I straddled his wide lap. He moved my hair to one side and leaned in. His nose buried into the crook of my neck and he inhaled. He shuddered, his hands roamed down to my wrist and he did the same. He smelled my wrist and shuddered. I hovered above him, still apprehensive to sit fully on his lap. 

“Am I just drinking from you or are you staying? If you’re staying I want your neck.” His huge hand came up to my throat and his thumb massaged the huge artery there. The moment was so sensual. The same hand roamed down to my hip and moved me against him. He wanted me to stay. I knew that was what he wanted. But would this be the right thing for Cedar? Maybe I could make it the right thing for Cedar. I brought his hand to my neck and leaned into him.

“We can’t. Not in such a small space. My brother is just outside the door. If I stay, will you make a place for him? Will you make sure that we will have our privacy?” I rocked my hips against him. I could feel how hard he was. He grabbed my throat a little harder. Not rough just holding on tight. 

“I will build you whatever you want if you stay. I will give you whatever you want if you stay.” I arched my head back to give him the access he wanted. He wanted blood. He would make sure that Cedar lived a good healthy life. He could have blood.