A Touch Too Much by Chris Lange Read Free Book Online

race.”
    “Vampires used to be humans. It is said in our ancient prophecies that God turned a man into the first vampire to punish humanity for its sins. As a result he was condemned to feed on his own former kind for eternity. Never to see the sun again. He roamed the Earth for a long time, alone, drinking from his prey to survive, and killing them. One night, he got careless. He fed on a human, and left her for dead. Unfortunately, she wasn’t quite dead. The next day, she had become a vampire.”
    “That’s impossible. I’m not an expert, but it’s common knowledge humans don’t turn into vampires unless they also drink their blood. Well, that’s what I’ve always heard anyway.”
    Rogan smiled dismally. The muscles of his arms tensed as he leant forward to shake his head. “Believe me they do.”
    “How?”
    “A toxic fluid in our fangs. When we bite, it seeps into the blood. If we don’t kill the prey, the deed is done.”
    Gross, so gross. A little disgusted, Liv didn’t need a movie screen to picture the pain and terror some humans had had to endure in the past. Yet, if creating vampires proved that easy, there should have been millions or billions of them around. All things considered, humanity should already have been eradicated. So, what had gone wrong?
    “Does it mean a new race was begotten?”
    “When the number of vampires increased, humans became conscious of their existence, and of the subsequent danger to them. Various inaccurate accounts were told, later written, evolving into myths with the passing of time. You know, myths are usually true but rarely right.”
    “What happened then?”
    “The vampiric population grew and grew to the point where war was unavoidable. We may have great speed and strength, but humans possess something very special indeed—stubbornness. They quickly understood we were immortal, but not invincible. By sheer force of arms and will, they drove the vampires out of this world. No prisoners. They slew many, and banished the rest into a place we call the Overworld.”
    That must’ve been where Rogan had come from, the other universe he had mentioned once. Although Liv would have loved hearing all about this mysterious Overworld, she knew they may not have time.
    “I’m guessing no humans escorted vampires over there, so how did they feed?”
    “First, councils were constituted. As the Dividing War had taken a heavy toll on both sides, humans and vampires made a truce. Besides, the Formula had just been invented, so they agreed that a portal between our two worlds was to be left open to ensure the survival of my race.”
    “A portal? Who created it, and how?”
    “I’m afraid this knowledge has been lost with time, at least on your side. Although we need to keep it open, strict rules were dictated. Only hunters and warriors were allowed through the portal once a month by way of a transportation device.”
    Raising his arm, Rogan showed her the watch on his wrist. Liv recognised the peculiar object at first glance.
    “Khord has the same watch. I heard it in the parking lot, and also at home. Why did it beep?”
    “Because I’d spent him. He was drained. The laws of nature are somewhat different in the Overworld. We are bound to these rules, just like you’re tied to your laws. Here we’re less efficient, and prone to weakness. The watch is also an alarm to tell us when it’s time to be refreshed.”
    “What’s that?”
    “An immersion in a tank of Formula. Even diluted, human blood is still a source of great strength for us. Actually it works like a battery, and a few hours in the tank are usually sufficient.”
    Okay. If Liv had her facts right, vampires fed on a drop of blood every now and then, mostly stayed in their Overworld dens, and needed to rush home for a check-up and a long soak when their watches rang. Interesting! Yet the handsome vampire by her side didn’t appear to abide by the same rules. What was different about him?
    “Rogan,