Once Bitten -Part Four-

by =onnawufei

After the second time Donovan drank my blood I became his donor.  He didn't drink my blood exclusively of course, my body wouldn't be able to accommodate such a relationship, but I was his preferred source.  It was an arrangement that was not only convenient for him but one that seemed to bring us closer.  

I wasn't as naive as everyone thought, I did realize that Donovan was attracted to me and of course I was attracted to him as well.  The problem was that I had no experience in relationships or even in attraction.  I'd spent my life doting over my sister, then searching for her and finally mourning her loss.  Mika had been my life for eighteen years, now it was almost as if I didn't know how to live my life.  To put it plainly the thought of intimacy terrified me.

Donovan was patient with me however, never once pushing me or doing anything that would make me uncomfortable beyond blushing.  Leo was a little harsher in his taunting but even he kept it to a minimum knowing that Donovan would beat him to an undead bloody pulp if he didn't.

"What's it like?" I asked one night as he held me in his arms.  

I'd gotten better at staying awake after he drank my blood and had even managed to stay awake a full hour.  Donovan always stayed with me until I passed out, and generally until the next morning.

"What's what like?"

"Being a vampire.  What's it like to know that anyone you get close to will eventually die when you won't?"

It wasn't the best bedtime conversation but it was something I'd been wondering.

Donovan's eyes lowered.

"I don't know," he replied quietly.  "I've never really gotten close to a human before."

"Really?  In hundreds of years... no one?"

"Not really.  I've... been with humans and I've known them but I never got close to any."

He sighed deeply and his bright red eyes met mine.  I could tell there was something more he wanted to say but he seemed to be weighing whether or not he should.

"What is it?" I asked.

"When I was turned into a vampire I was engaged," he said.  "Her name was Julia and well, I was only seventeen and she was sixteen but back then people married young so that didn't matter.  I loved her with all my heart, that's all that mattered to me.  After Leo and I were changed we disappeared for a few days to try and adjust and figure out what we were going to do.  It's not as simple as coming home and telling everyone you're a vampire and just hoping they'll accept it."

"So what did you do?"

"Well ironically enough that's what we did.  Our family had been tearing themselves apart worrying about us but as soon as they found out what we were they told us to leave.  Vampires were... I guess a bigger deal back then.  Now most people don't even believe they exist but then they seemed to be somewhat of a problem.  At the time I hated them for kicking us out but now I understand why they did it.  If they didn't they would have had to watch us eventually die but if they made us leave then they could simply assume we were still alive and well... in a way.  Leo tried to stop me from seeing Julia but I was certain that she would be different and we could work it out somehow."

"But she didn't take it too well?"  I guessed.

Donovan laughed, though it sounded more bitter than amused.

"Understatement of the year!  She screamed, she cried, she tried to kill me.  In retrospect I wonder if our marriage would have lasted if that's how she reacted to traumatizing events.  After that I just didn't see the point in getting close to people anymore.  Why bother?"

I was getting tired but I refused to let myself fall asleep just yet.

"But why me?"  I asked in a voice barely above a mumble.  

He smiled warmly.  It was a welcome change from the sadness and bitterness I'd just seen.

"Because you're special Key," he said gently.  "And you know that."

"Huh?"

He laughed.

"You're so articulate when you're trying not to pass out.  Odds are I could tell you anything right now and you wouldn't remember in the morning."

Donovan was challenging me, and I was more than willing to accept the challenge.  I guess it was my quiet and calm nature but both he and Leo underestimated me.  I didn't mind though, in a way it gave me an advantage.

"Try me," I replied.

"You know I care about you," he said.  "You know that if you gave me the chance I would love you more than anyone else in this world ever could."

All the blood I had left rushed to my face it seemed.

"I'm s-sorry," I stammered.  "I just... I don't know anything about... that kind of thing."

He touched my cheek tenderly and I involuntarily leaned into his hand the slightest bit.  Even my own body was betraying me and I wasn't so sure I could blame it on my lack of reasoning skills this time.

"The most intimate thing a person can do for another is give them their life," Donovan told me.  "And you give me yours on a regular basis.  Remember that and anything else will seem like child's play in comparison.  I have forever Key, but you don't.  Don't forget that."

I nodded, sleep finally overtaking me.