Page 53 of Into The Light

“Are you serious?” Emilia said, her excitement barely contained. “Is this for real?”

“Your carriage awaits,” I responded.

She held my hand while I helped her inside. I slid along the burgundy velvet seat and settled at her side.

After returning to his seat, the driver turned and placed his top hat back over his thinning grey hair. “Are you ready?”

Emilia nodded and I waved him on. “We are.”

The driver clucked his tongue, sending the horse trotting off. The carriage turned onto Madison Ave and headed toward the entrance to Central Park. She sat beside me in silence, taking in the sights and sounds of the city until they disappeared into nothing but the chirping of crickets and the soft crackling of branches as we made our way into the park. The clip-clop of hooves kept a soothing rhythm while the horse pulled us toward our destination. He veered left onto the smaller path and soon we arrived at Gapstow Bridge.

Candles lined the entire stone arched bridge; another flourish Mark had arranged. It glowed in the warm lights and illuminated the soft flowing water beneath it.

“Aiden... it’s so beautiful,” she said, staring at the impressive sight. “Is this for me?”

“Of course,” I responded, climbing out of the carriage and helping her down.

I walked her along the bridge until we reached the small table draped in white linen and topped with two candles, a small flower vase, a glass of wine and a silver lidded platter.

“Please, have a seat,” I said, pulling out her chair.

She smiled up at me when she sat, and her gaze followed me until I took my seat across from her.

“What is it?” She examined the silver dome that shone in the candlelight.

“Open it and see.”

When she lifted the lid her eyes popped open and flew to mine.

“Seriously?” she exclaimed. “You have all my favorite foods here! Pizza, sushi, and spaghetti?”

“Only the best from New York’s finest restaurants. Please, enjoy your dinner.”

“I don’t know which one to start with.” She laughed before settling on a piece of sushi, moaning while it slid past her lips. It was another sound she made that sent visions of her writhing beneath me flashing through my mind.

With each bite she closed her eyes and savored the tastes from the best selections in the city. Before, when she had told me how much she enjoyed food, I didn’t realize just how much she appreciated all the flavors. Her pure and raw enjoyment of them made me long to taste them with her... to experience things as she experienced them. For the first time in centuries, I craved something other than blood.

“Oh, my God!” she said, her mouth still full of food. A powerful swallow cleared her throat, and she sat forward in her chair. “Your dinner!” She lowered her voice and glanced around us. “You haven’t fed tonight! I’ve been so caught up in this experience I just realized that we haven’t done our thing.”

“I fed on a bag when I woke up so you could have the night off,” I whispered back.

A look of disappointment washed over her face. “Oh, I see.”

“Does that upset you?” I asked. Her discontent surprised me. I thought she would enjoy an evening not forced to be my live feed bag.

A non-believable shake moved her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m just surprised is all.”

I heard her heart race when the lie came out. A trait shared by all humans. It upset her that I hadn’t fed on her. I scrunched my brow in response.

She wants me to feed on her?

“I’m sorry, I assumed you would appreciate the vacation.”

“I don’t mind doing it, you know,” she said. Her eyes conveyed the surprising truth. She truly enjoyed it.

“Perhaps later,” I said. Her eyes twinkled for a moment and she nodded. She enjoyed it more than I realized.

After finishing her last bites, she sat back and pushed her plate forward. “This dress and that much food may have been a bad idea.” She puffed out a long breath.