Space Vampire

by Ruby Dixon

When I find the window, my mouth goes dry. Sure enough, the evacuation pods are all gone. All except one that sticks out like the last niblet on a cob of corn. Son of a bitch. The station is quiet because everyone hightailed it out of here, and I was left behind.

Spoiler alert: The entire universe is full of jerks.

I’ve drunk all of the contents within a day, just to rid myself of the violent blood hunger that was clouding my thoughts.

Dang

my skin burns wherever the light hit it. There’s a setting in the lab for dim lighting that won’t burn me, but I don’t know what it is, and it’s clear this stranger doesn’t, either.

Bad news for you, though.” Her voice drops to a dramatic whisper. “If we run across the monster, I’m going to trip you so he eats you first.” I snort at her bold statement.

I’d grown tired of their poking and prodding and broke my restraints when they’d tried to give me yet another one of their “experimental” treatments that left my insides burning and painful and made me hurt for days on end.

“Bad news,” I growl, echoing her words. “Oh?” Her voice is a little uncertain, and she shivers even as she tilts her head back as if to look at me. I lean in close, mouth watering again at her delicious scent. “Little one, I am the monster they fled.”

If he’s not on their side, he’s on mine. If they think he’s a monster, he can be my monster.

I take another step forward, only for an oversize, warm hand to clasp my arm. “Don’t. You’ll step on glass.” “Oh.” I remain where I am, because that was kind of him. His skin against mine feels good, like a heating pad,

I’m really curious about his face. I also think the hand on my arm might have claws, but I’m scared to check.

He hasn’t let go of me. His hand skims up my bare arm, as if petting me. I should be more afraid. This is the monster, right? But he’s not being particularly monstrous to me. He just skims a claw along my arm, as if testing to see that I’m real.

“The lights hurt my eyes and they make my skin burn.” I take that in. Really take that in. He hates the light. He drinks blood. This is starting to feel like a prank. My fear bleeds away. “Are you . . . trying to tell me that you’re a vampire?”

I suddenly feel like a rabbit having a casual conversation with a wolf. “And . . . are you hungry right now?” “Ravenous.” Oh dear.

His thumb moves on my arm, and then he drops his hand. “I am more interested in talking to you than drinking you down, no matter how good you smell. You haven’t run away, even though you’re afraid. I can feel your pulse hammering.”

And I’m not running away because if you’re their enemy, you’re auto...

“Whatever you call it, it is all the same. I am not normal. They changed something inside me. And now I am . . . hungry.”

Well, that makes two of us, except I want to eat noodles and he wants to drink me like I’m a walking, talking juice box.

“Why do you care what I do?” “Because I do have a plan, and I need to see if it aligns with yours or if you’re going to just kill me.”

“Why would I kill you when you’re so very interesting to talk to? And you seem to know what I am, which makes you cleverer than the scientists that left here. So I want to know more.”

“And you’re not going to kill me?” “No.” “Even if I smell really fucking good?”

He leans in close, warm, coppery breath infusing the darkness around me. “Creature, you smell incredible, and I can hear your pulse pound with every beat of your hea...

That shouldn’t make me pulse betwe...

same girl same

And if we’re going to be friends, you need a name. I’m not calling you Dracula. That’s an...

“I told you, I only have a batch identification number. Project va’DorV8.3.” ...

“You know what? Dracula’s a better name. Or how about Vlad? Vlad the Impaler?” “I will use that one. It sounds intimidating.” Yeah, ...

“Okay, well, if we’re friends, Vlad, can I get you to promise not to kill me?” When he pauses for longer than I’d prefer, I point that out. “An immediate answer would be better than one where you have to think about it. Just saying.”

lol

He huffs, amused. “I don’t want to kill you. You’re the first one that’s talked to me like I’m a normal person, not a mistake.”

Aww

And I want to get a look at you, Vlad. See if you have other typical vampire characteristics.” See what I’m working with. See if you’ve got the look of a cold-blooded killer on your face. See if you’re looking at me like I’m a human or a hamburger.

“You are a bossy thing for a pet,” he mutters. Instead of taking my hand and leading me out, though, he picks me up by the waist and carries me. I bite back a yelp, my arms automatically going around his shoulders.

My hands touch thick chest hair

ew

Light paints a line on his face, showing deep-blue 26skin, a strong nose, and an angular face. His eyes are stunningly red, the color of blood.

deep-blue hand extended toward me is huge, with three long fingers and a thumb, each one tipped by a nasty-looking claw. A thick vein traces over the back of his hand, and his fist looks strong and brutal, like he could snap my neck without trying very hard.

He doesn’t step out as much as he stalks out, as if he’s had enough of the shadows and demands that the light bow to him. He loomed over me in the darkness, so it doesn’t surprise me that he towers over me now, but I am surprised at the sheer breadth of his shoulders.

No wonder he was able to get the door open with ease. His biceps are bigger than my thighs. His thighs are bigger than . . . well, they’re huge.

Strangely enough, he’s got thick, dark lashes, heavy eyebrows, and short black hair that sticks up from his head in spikes. If I wasn’t familiar with aliens at this point, I’d say his Halloween costume looks very authentic.

He takes two more steps and then he’s looming over me again, and I don’t even come to his shoulder. I really, really wish it was just a costume.

A slow, feral grin curves his mouth, and I find myself smiling back.

“I’m leaving footprints on everything. All the mesakkah are germophobes, so they’re going to piss themselves, trust me.”

“It seems childish,” I point out. “It absolutely is,” she says, even as she jumps again. “Did I mention that my master makes me sleep in a cage at his feet? And puts bows on my head like I’m a toddler instead of a thirty-year-old woman? And starves me? He’s lucky I don’t leave a different kind of present in his bed.”

I enjoy her conversations. And her scent. I like how she tries to be fearless around me even when I can taste her nervousness in the air. She refuses to give in. 33 Dana’s stubborn. I like that a lot.

Interesting that she’s decided that we should work together long term instead of just going our separate ways. Not that I mind this. I like the idea of staying at her side.

She’s right that she’s fragile and needs someone to look out for her. I don’t mind doing that job, but I’m going to have a problem soon.

Her gaze flicks over my chest, and a new scent blooms in the air to pair with her blood scent. It’s musky and makes my cock harden, and suddenly I’m full of wanting for more than just blood.

“I don’t 36feel the same wildness right now. Perhaps if I keep the hunger at bay, I won’t need large amounts. Just one bag. Maybe less.”

Dana nibbles on a chunk of dried noodles, studying me. “Well, if it hurts, we’re not going to do it again.”

Her thoughts are chaotic and leaping all over the place, and I’m not following what she’s suggesting. “Do wha...

She puts an arm over the front of her face and changes her tone of voice. “Vant to suck my blood?” A ragged groan escapes me and my cock surges in my loi...

I’m not a total nitwit, offering myself up to a vampire. I know I’m playing with fire. It’s just that . . . Vlad seems kinda nice, if clueless, for a monster.

If we work together, we could flee the station and find someplace more hospitable for both of us. But first, we’ve got to figure out his feeding problem.

“You are certain you wish to do this?” 38 Oh, hell no, I’m not certain at all. But it’s better to be his friend than his enemy. He needs me to stay alive, and I need his strength.