Drinking Blood For Squeamish Vampires by Laura Greenwood

Author:Laura Greenwood [Greenwood, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Drowlgon Press

Eleven

Bernie

* * *

A steaming pot of tea sits next to the shots of blood, and I try to fixate on that instead of the tasting to come. It doesn't escape my notice that the amount of blood in each of the glasses is smaller than last time, more like a tiny taster sample than a shot.

It's still almost too much for me knowing that I'm going to have to drink those.

"If it's too much, we can try something different," Shane says as he sits down opposite me.

"There is nothing different," I point out. "How are we going to figure out why I can't drink blood if I don't try?"

"Have you done any spot tests on your skin?"

I frown. "Not on purpose, I guess. But I've spilt blood on myself and nothing's happened."

"Ah, then that's probably a waste of time, and a bit messy." He picks up the pot and pours a mug of tea, pushing it towards me. "It's ginger tisane."

"You're going to have to explain that one."

"Ah, ginger is supposed to help with nausea. I thought that if you drank some between bites, it might help."

"I see. I've never tried anything like that, though I have tried an anti-sickness tablet."

"Did it work?"

"Not even slightly. If anything, it made things worse, but maybe this will." I certainly hope so, I don't want to end up retching in his sink again.

"Is there one you want me to drink first?"

He shakes his head. "Whichever you want."

"None of them?" I ask half-hopefully.

He chuckles. "If you really don't want to drink any of them, then you know I'm not going to force you," he points out. "But I think I know you well enough to be reasonably sure that you're going to anyway."

"You'd be correct. Wish me luck."

"You don't need it, you have courage."

I smile gratefully at him and pick up the first glass. I take a deep breath, readying myself for what I know is about to come. Though I'm going to be more careful this time and take it slowly.

I take a sip, grimacing as the slightly metallic taste fills my senses, overtaking everything. My stomach churns and tightens, feeling as if it's twisting around itself in an unnatural way.

I set the glass down and force myself to swallow, screwing my eyes shut in concentration.

"Have some tea," Shane reminds me, nudging the mug towards me.

I open my eyes and nod, picking it up and taking a sip. It helps relax my stomach and somewhat masks the taste still lingering on my tongue, but it hasn't done anything to make the experience more pleasant. Not that I truly expected it to. I suppose if it manages the worst part of my response, then it's a good thing.

"Want to tell me what you tasted and felt?" Shane asks, a pen poised above a sheet of paper that I assume has the name of the blood brand written on it.

"It was hard to swallow and it felt like my stomach was tied up in knots," I say.

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