The Light of Oriah : Burning Jungle - Part One by Sam Vickery Read Free Book Online Page B

sky as he resumed
speaking. “His mate was passing by the same route, and in a cruel
twist of fate, she smelled the blood which led her to us, to my
sister. She drained my sister right there on the field, just
seconds after my birth. I remember her face, she was so very
frightened,” he paused, his brow creased as he recalled the horror.
“For some reason, I suppose because I was infected with the venom,
she had no interest in me and simply left, leaving me helpless and
alone there in the field. As the day transcended into night, I
remember thinking over and over again that I must never bite a
human, that they wouldn't survive it.
    I lay in the field for two days, starving, craving, lonely.
On the third day a young woman found me. Her name was Abigail,” he
smiled at the memory. “She wrapped me up and took me home with her,
feeding me sheep's milk, and caring for me. She knew I was
different but she didn't care, she just loved me as a
son.”
    “When I began to walk, at just three months old, she realised
quite how different I was. It wasn't long after that I began
hunting. Small creatures to begin with, a squirrel or a rabbit, but
I quickly developed skill and began catching bigger things – foxes,
badger, deer, wolves. She understood then I think. I wondered if
she had been expecting this. But still, her love was unwavering,
unconditional and she took it all in her stride. I stayed with
Abigail her whole life, nursing her through old age, as I would
have my biological mother. When she eventually passed, all too soon
at sixty-eight years old, a ripe old age for that time but just a
flicker in a life of eternity, I went searching. I wanted to find
others like me, and I found many. I uncovered so many Vampire
covens, but found them all so bloodthirsty, single minded in their
hunt on the humans – I couldn't be around them. Every time I even considered
exploring that path, my sister's face came into my mind and I
couldn't bear it... I think you are the same though, am I right?”
he looked down at my upturned face, expectant and
hopeful.
    “Yes, you're right. I have never tasted human blood. Although
I have never been so close to them before,” I said, ashamed at my
thoughts. “I didn't know they would smell so good... This past few
weeks have been... difficult for me,” I said, not meeting his
eyes.
    “I know. You do get used to it, I promise. It will just take
some time,” he reassured gently, understanding consuming his
features. We stayed still, engulfed in the sounds of nature for
some time, our fingers entwined, our bodies warm against one
another.
    “Will you tell me your story now my love?” Sebastian's honey
voice coaxed. I nodded, feeling compelled. I wanted to tell him
everything. I sat up, pulling him up with me, then moved back a few
inches to create some space between us to help me
concentrate.
    “My mother,
Marie, was so brave,” I said, my voice ringing with both joy and
sadness as I spoke of her. It was hard to speak her name, but
Sebastian's calm presence made it easier for me to open up. “At
nineteen she married my father already carrying me within her womb.
Of all the men she could have chosen, I know she picked the best.
My father was made for my mother, I can't imagine two people more
clearly meant to be together...” I looked up quickly, smiling as I
met his intense gaze. “Well, that is until now.” He pulled me
closer, smiling as he ran his fingers down my arm, sending shivers
through me.
    “Continue the
story,” he urged. “I want to hear how you were born.” Flustered and
overcome with a desire to kiss him again, I tried to remember where
I had got to.
    “Okay... um,
so my father was in the army. He was huge, and I suppose for a
human, very strong. He was a soldier and my mother travelled to
every post with him. When she was in her second trimester of
pregnancy, they were sent to the Congo. She told me the pregnancy
was normal, healthy, and she felt great. She had a lot of