Chapter 25A Young Goddess

As we neared our home Khuna looked a bit fidgety. I guessed she didn't feel entirely happy of me defending her instead of the other way around. Or perhaps she wanted to tell me more. I was not entirely at ease either, my strength had come as a surprise to me but I felt as if I woke. As if I suddenly knew of what I could do, how fast I could move, the strength I possessed.

I felt like a goddess...

That destroyed anything she touched...

Khuna stopped right outside our alley.

"I..." She said. "I need some time alone. To think."

I nodded and smiled. "I understand. It's alright."

She paused for a moment but nodded and then walked away slowly. I felt as if she wanted to turn around every step she took but didn't. Just too much on her mind.

We did spend the last two days almost inseparable. And I guess with that guy, Kryss, showing up it might have been too much for her.

A thought just occurred to me and stung me like a shard of glass.

Did she love him?

I tried to get my head straight and walked into the alley. The wall posing no problem as I felt I could probably jump on top of it in one try. I stood there, looking up and smiled. Yes. I could do it.

I jumped and felt the rush of air going past me as I went up. I landed a bit awkwardly still but at least I was on the roof. I knew it wasn't that high as such, but it felt nice I could almost walk in here without effort.

Not completely true, I'd never be able to make such a jump while walking or running. I'd have to focus for something like this. I nodded to myself and walked towards the door.

"Something happen?"

The soft voice of Valerie surprised me and I turned around.

"Yeah. I met Kryss."

She just sighed. "Oh no, not now." She looked behind me. "So Khuna is talking some time to think?"

I nodded, what could I say...

Valerie smiled. "Don't worry, it has nothing to do with you."

"Thanks. You know, Val. There was something I wanted to ask you."

Valerie looked back at me and waited.

"Khuna told me you lived a lot of years on your own. I wanted to ask... if you ever killed."

She looked at me intensely, as if she tried to feel why I asked.

She took a deep breath. "Yes. When I was turned no one told me anything. I didn't drink the first night. Or the second, But I went completely crazy with thirst, I was little more then an animal when I bit my first."

I looked at her, not disgusted but genuinely worried and interested. "What happened?"

She shrugged. "Just an old guy, walking through the park. Strange in a way as he had no dog or anything with him. But I didn't care. I was just sitting on a bench and as soon as he touched me I felt his heat on my skin. I jumped up and bit him. Tore his neck open but didn't waste a single drop." She sighed deeply. "It was... An amazing feeling. But afterward I felt like the devil. I wanted to die, kill myself in the sun. But couldn't."

I nodded.

"It went like that for months... years... Becoming sane and not drink for two or three days, sometimes even a week, until the thirst took me. I hated myself. It... It killed me slowly."

She took a deep breath.

"I finally found a way to survive on lesser blood each time I drank. Needing it only every other day or so. But... I still carried the guilt with me. It was then I met Kai." A warm smile on her lips. "He was only turned a month or two before I found him. Strangely enough I discovered he was a virgin, just like i was."

The subject caused a blush on my cheeks but Valerie carried on.

"We stayed in this city, since it's the one we know. And Kai found us a really nice place to hide with lots of space. He even arranged the money stuff and everything. His computer skills were really useful back then. I could finally buy a new dress." She giggled and winked at me.

"That reminds me, thank you for this." I twirled in it and made a small bow.

Valerie smiled. "It was our pleasure. And trust me, you'll need a lot more. As long as we don't do anything crazy we won't have money problems. We don't really need money for food anyway." She winked again.

It was strange to hear a 'vampire joke' from one itself. Especially with the horror still in the back of my mind. But I smiled.

"So what happened with Kryss?" She asked.

"Oh... I spilled some blood so we had to wash my clothes. He showed up at the laundromat. I pushed him away and we fled. Nothing that special. Khuna didn't want to tell me much about him."

Valerie nodded. "Yeah, there is something strange between them. Kryss usually doesn't bother us much, he moves around a lot. Usually he's surrounded by his little gang of followers. Mostly worthless guys who have been turned by him, he keeps the secret to himself. They all drain life until there is no more." She looked disgusted.

"I mean, I know I killed, but the thirst drove me and I learned the hard way to control it. He just enjoys the kill. Taking a life and their soul."

I nodded, understanding the thirst from the memory of my experience with it.

Valerie smiled sadly as she looked up into the sky. "Come, I want to show you something."