Page 17 (1/2)

Monday

The guy squirainst me like a worm on a hook He's in his early twenties, built like a defensive line and pressing hiood grip Culebra said he'd been here before, but the way he's wriggling around, I' him

I s a mouthful of blood, open my eyes, and look up at Culebra I need more but I'm unsure if I should continue

Culebra's ar attention In fact, he looks bored, and when he feels s and says, "What?"

My thoughts reach out Should I stop?

His own coh?

No But he keeps

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

I do They're at his crotch, caressing a bulge in his jeans

Oh od Is he - ?

The lines on Culebra's 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 threeto say All I want is the blood What I need to refresh and restore I've 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 ju 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 rin, but his eyes are clouded He et up "You didn't have to stop, you know" It's a corowl and a whine One hand reh there's not a mark to show I've 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 roo my libidinous donor to his own devices It's Septeing doors In the glare, dust motes dance and twirl on an invisible draft of air

The place is aluy in the back, wait for hi drinks One vaainst the back wall Their thoughts are hot with desire As soon as I pick up on it, I shut down Vay they're e

We cross to the bar where the bartender greets Culebra with marked deference The bartender is hu to be in the presence of supernaturals He asks e'd like to drink

Culebra waves hi 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 Consu 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, it's not perfect, but it's the best we can do