She seemed to be waiting for someone, her expression distant and thoughtful. But to Kai, she was more than just another person on the street no,no,no she was an opportunity. The hunger clawed at him, but he forced himself to stay in control. This was Julia Wicker, and if he played his cards right, she could be more useful than just a quick meal.
Kai's instincts screamed at him to attack, but his mind, sharpened by both Kai Parker's cunning and his Elijah's willpower, held him back. This world was full of possibilities, and he wasn't about to squander his second chance by giving in to the hunger at least, not yet.
From his position across the street, Kai watched as a man approached Julia.
The guy had that boring preppy look, clean haircut, sweater over a collared shirt, the kind of face you'd expect to see teaching an intro philosophy class or waiting in line at Whole Foods. Julia turned as he walked up, casually flicking her cigarette to the ground and crushing it beneath her boot.
"Hey," the guy said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
"You ready?" Julia asked, brushing some hair behind her ear. "Q's waiting. We've got that study session."
'So… that's James', Kai mused, studying their interaction. The boyfriend. The mundane and the placeholder.
He leaned casually against a lamppost trying his best to ignore the hunger ravaging his stomach, ears tuned in like a radio dialed to their frequency. Their conversation was mostly light mentions of classes, Quentin being weird about his card magic tricks again, the usual small talk. Julia seemed a little distracted, though and a little Tense.
Something in her body language told Kai she was holding back. She wasn't as relaxed with James as she pretended to be, something most would notice unless they have heightened senses. 'Interesting.'
As the two turned to leave, Kai blurred past them with vampiric speed just enough to beat them to the next corner and casually "bump" into them.
"Whoa!" James flinched as they collided. Julia stepped back, blinking.
"Oh, sorry about that," Kai said smoothly, steadying himself. "Wasn't watching where I was going."
"No, no, we weren't either," Julia replied quickly. "All good."
Kai's eyes locked onto hers for a second longer than necessary. "Hey… don't I know you from somewhere?"
Julia's brow furrowed, cautious now. "Uh… I don't think so?"
Kai laughed, stepping back with a grin. "Sorry, my head's all clouded up. Long night. My mistake."
He gave a slight nod, offered them both a polite smile, and slipped past them. As he walked away, he could feel Julia's eyes still on his back but he didn't look. He didn't have to.
Behind him, James turned to her and asked, "Do you know him?"
Julia shook her head, frowning a little. "No. I think he just… confused me with someone else."
They kept walking, but a second later, Julia flinched and reached up to her neck. "Ow, what the fuck?"
James stopped. "What? What's wrong?"
She rubbed the spot and shrugged. "Nothing. Must've been a bug or something."
Across the street, Kai stood hidden behind a wall, smirking as he twirled a single brunette strand of hair between his fingers. He tucked it carefully into his coat pocket. A little souvenir.
He watched them disappear around the corner… when suddenly, wham, someone stumbled into him from the side.
"Whoa, shit sorry," a girl slurred, grabbing his jacket to keep from falling. Her breath reeked of vodka and something fruity. "I wasn't even oh my God, I am so drunk."
Kai caught her effortlessly, his reflexes automatic. She was young, early twenties, red-faced, and swaying on her feet.
"You don't say," he replied dryly, one brow arched. His eyes flicked toward the street. No one was paying attention.
Then an idea hit him.
He tilted her chin up gently, meeting her glassy gaze. "Hey… look at me."
Her eyes tried to focus. "You're really, like… handsome."
"Yeah, I get that a lot," he said flatly, staring deep into her eyes. "You're not afraid. You're going to stand still and shut up for a second."
Nothing happened.
She giggled. "Wait, is this, like, a magic trick or somethin'? You sound like one of those Facebook weirdos."
Kai blinked. "Wow. That was pathetic."
He leaned in closer, voice smoother this time, coaxing the power behind his gaze. His eyes glimmered faintly as he locked onto her once more.
"Shut up," he whispered. "Don't be afraid. I'm just going to have a taste. Gotta disvirgin my tongue with blood."
She stared blankly, eyes glazed.
Kai paused. "…Okay yeah, that sounded way less creepy in my head. Whatever bon appétit."
His fangs slid out with a satisfying snap, and his eyes shifted the sclera turning black, the irises glowing red, and the veins beneath his skin surging and pulsing. He leaned forward and sank his fangs into her neck.
The instant her blood hit his tongue, his knees nearly buckled. It was hot, thick, and electric liquid life bursting down his throat. A euphoric wave slammed into him like a freight train, lighting up every nerve in his body. He moaned quietly, eyes fluttering. 'God, it is better than sex, better than drugs. Better than everything.'
He swallowed again slow, greedy gulps feeling the girl weaken slightly in his arms. The hunger roared inside him, but some small sliver of control yanked him back.
Reluctantly, he pulled away, his fangs dripping, blood smeared on his lips and chin. He licked it off slowly, savoring the last traces.
"Goddamn," he breathed. His body buzzed with raw energy. Every cell felt like it was sparking. His veins felt like they were on fire in the best way.
She swayed in his arms, pale and dazed.
Kai bit into his wrist and offered it to her. "Here. You'll feel better."
She drank unconsciously from his wrist, the healing properties of his blood working almost instantly. Her color returned slightly, her breathing eased. He wiped the blood off her neck and adjusted her coat.
"No one saw this. You tripped. That's all," he whispered, brushing a hand over her forehead before compelling her memory.
Then, just like that, he vanished in a blur of speed, the night swallowing him as he made his way back to his apartment heart pounding, stomach full, and mind racing.
The first taste was everything he'd imagined.
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