Chapter Forty Five: Prey

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Sam:

Stalking my prey was easier said than done.

Using the whole area to assess when the wind hit the trees, the birds chirped, and the animals scampered was easier said than done. Just to time the best advantage of attack to make the kill. Xanthe made it seem so easy, even taunted me with the skill as demonstration. All I had to do was remind myself that he was an old man and knew the tricks to these tactics. Never would I have assumed I'd be the predator, stalking my prey to feed like some demonic cannibal.

The sound of blood pumping in his veins was driving me to a point past insanity. His scent that was usually comforting was making it harder to concentrate. At my wits end, I peaked around the tree with a quick glance hoping he didn't catch on to my location.

"I see you." Xanthe spoke making me stop in my tracks with a scowl. Mentally face palming, I emerged from the trees to face him, hoping he would call this stupid practice and let us go home.

"You're like a billion years old! This isn't fair! How am I supposed to sneak up on you anyway?" I crossed my arms over my chest and mustered everything I could into a glare.

"With practice you'll get better, that's why we're doing this. Use your senses Sam. What do you smell, hear, see about the surroundings? What can you use to your advantage?" Xanthe pointed to the sway of the trees listening to the commands of the wind.

"All I can smell is you!" I complained. "I'm starving!How can I even concentrate?"

Xanthe smirked with that sadistic smile that told me he knew exactly what I was thinking. Xanthe made sure he didn't let me have one drop of blood all day, trying to teach me some sort of lesson about stalking my prey. But this was infuriating, how could I focus when the only thing on my mind was blood?

Frowning, I tried to focus on my surroundings instead of his beating heart. The meadows seemed greener than before, and the flowers grew in hundreds all around us. I could hear the animals that lived nearby, maybe even a couple miles away. I wasn't sure how to feel about my situation still lost in my own emotions to my new cannibalistic state.

"Try again." Xanthe played cool. "If you want to eat you have to be able to hunt for it."

"You could go easier on me," I tried not to pout but Xanthe only smiled at my pain.

"Then you wouldn't learn. Vampires are predators and need the ability to sneak up on their prey unsuspecting. All you have to do is focus and you'll manage." Xanthe lectured and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

Groaning, I willed myself to try a different approach. Disappearing into the trees I listened carefully to the sound of his breathing.

I could feel my fangs ache in my gums as I approached his location slowly, not making a sound. He had his back turned to me, and hope fluttered in my chest. Emerging from the trees I made my attack. Xanthe at the last second turned and pushed me backwards at least three feet. My butt hit the ground on impact, instantly shooting a wave of pain through my body.

Xanthe laughed at my failure, crouched down in front of me and smiled like the devil he was.

"You can't just charge at me, love. How is that in anyway stealthy?"

"I'm doing my best!" I growled low, getting angrier by the second. Trying another approach would not get me anywhere, especially when I was up against a powerful vampire like Xanthe. He was way too experienced to sneak up on and he knew that.

Xanthe reached a hand out to help me up and I took it, dusting off my behind of any dirt.

"I'll never get this, Xanthe," I pouted, hoping to tug at the devils heartstrings. When Xanthe reached out to cup my cheek with his warm palm I knew I had him.

"You will baby, like I said, it just takes practice." Xanthe cooed, brushing a piece of stray hair behind my ear.

Leaning up, I pressed my lips against his and Xanthe eagerly accepted the embrace and pulled me close. He was so easily predictable and pressed me against a nearby tree, using his free hand to run over my thigh. I briefly pulled back to kiss down his jaw then down to his neck. My teeth quickly elongated to a sharp point as I sunk my teeth deep into the flesh. Xanthe groaned, holding onto my shoulders.

"You little shit." Xanthe chuckled, and pulled me close as I drank my fill. Controlling this hunger was getting easier but I couldn't help but drink as much I could from Xanthe. He shouldn't complain either since he's the one that made me this way.

"Baby, just a little more." Xanthe chuckled, running a hand through my hair.

Pulling back I licked the wound until it closed before nuzzling up against him as the blood rush ran through me.

"Full?" He asked, and I nodded with a sneaky smirk. "Good, now let me show you how it's done."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "Aren't we done?"

"My turn to be the predator," he smirked with a tone that sent shivers down my spine.

Before I could ask another question Xanthe disappeared before my eyes, leaving me standing there dumbfounded. Instantly, I started looking around at my surroundings. A brush of wind moved passed me and I turned on the defense. My senses were more heightened now that I actually fed but I wasn't sure I could pick Xanthe out between the trees.

"Sam...." Xanthe whispered and I quickly turned.

There was nothing there, not even a whistle of the leaves.

Before I knew it I was pressed hard against one of the trees and Xanthe was pressing hard into me. He smiled, sharp fangs elongated that made my heart drop into my stomach. Yelping a hand reached up and pressed a hand to my chest as those sharp fangs hovered over the artery. His teeth dragged sensually down my throat, a very dominant gesture between vampires. Letting me know that he could rip my throat out if so wished.

"My turn," he whispered before sinking his teeth deep into my neck. Gasping, I felt that tingle run down my neck and all the way down my spine as the pleasure of his venom ran through my veins. He didn't feed off me often, knowing that the effect would be devastatingly addictive.

I resisted the urge to moan, biting my lip to keep myself quiet. The feeling was euphoric, rushing sensations all over my body.

Xanthe relented pulling back briefly to whisper in my ear. "That feel nice?"

I nodded, turning my neck hoping to get him to continue but he only chuckled, pulling back away from me.

"Well you're not getting another thing until you can win, babe." His tone was meant to tease but I couldn't help but get flustered.

"Why?! You know I can't!" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Doesn't mean you can't try," he chuckled. "Let's go again."

"I don't want to," I crossed my arms, glaring hard.

"I wasn't asking."

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