It was stupid to think I'd be able to have a companion without them ever finding out what I am.
My hand drifts to the hilt of my sword as I listen for any sort of movement from her.
"I don't want to kill you," Lia assures me.
"Don't you see me as a threat?" I question while holding back my hunger.
That is the other problem here... How long can I withstand this? Trying not to feed on those close to me. I don't really have any substitutes like I did back at the manor.
"I think vampires weren't given the proper chance to show they've changed," Lia responds calmly.
"How can I even show any change when I'm struggling this hard right now," I say with a bit of pain in my voice.
I hear her start moving closer.
"I'll help you temporarily till we can find a solution, just don't kill me in the process," Lia replies with a nervous tone.
After a few moments I realize she is standing right behind me so I turn around. She already moved her armor and clothing away from her neck.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
My heart is racing at the sight of her neck...
Somehow I manage to resist digging into her neck and just move over calmly. It takes a second but I press my fangs into her neck with as much restraint as I can.
She lets out a slight moan as they pierce the skin, but she doesn't seem to be doing too bad.
The pain from my hunger is finally starting to fade away as well... Something I needed more than anything. I'm also starting to feel invigorated once again, just like back at the manor.
I take my fangs out from her neck and move away from her.
"Thank you. I really needed to feed a bit," I say with an appreciative tone.
Her cheeks are a bit red too, now that I notice it.
"You don't have to thank me. I know you really needed my help in this moment so it is the least I can do," Lia replies with a nervous tone still in her voice.
"It was the best possible way to solve this without death," I say with relief in my voice.
"From time to time you can have some of my blood," Lia responds without any fear in her voice.
"Thank you," I say gratefully.
Having a guaranteed source of blood is the best way to keep me from losing control. I'd rather not kill her because of my hunger so this works out.
I really didn't expect her to offer this to me...
One less problem for me to worry about until a more definitive solution comes into play for me. She also accepted the fact that I'm a vampire and didn't try to kill me.
Maybe there is some hope for me to make new friends or companions. I doubt more people will be like this; Humans especially won't think entirely like Lia or Mel.
It also doesn't change my current path whatsoever. Humans will pay for the blood they spilled.
"Again, no need to thank me. We should get going though," Lia suggests with a slight smile on her face.
"Honestly I don't really know which direction I'm heading yet. I just know that I'm looking to go to one of the capitals," I say with some uncertainty in my voice.
"It could be risky to go to them, especially with you being what you are," Lia replies with caution in her voice.
"I'll just have to hide myself a bit better," I say while looking down at my hands.
"Honestly you don't fully resemble a vampire with your current outfit. The red eyes maybe, but it is possible for humans to have them," Lia responds while observing me for a moment.
Humans are smart but stupid at the same time so she could be right about this. Red eyes won't entirely give me away... Except hunters can see more than the normal humans.
They are trained find us for a reason so I don't really know what I'll do in that instance.
Avoiding hunters for the time being could be smart until I get stronger than I am now... But that'll require a consistent amount of feeding for me to achieve it.
The more blood I can consume regularly, the stronger I'll become. It'll just help increase my overall speed and strength when needed.
"Do you know of a capital we can head for?" I ask with a curious tone.
"The Ariel Capital would probably be the best place to head for first," Lia answers while scratching her head.
"What's so special about the Ariel Capital?" I question.
"Hunters aren't really there often since they aren't liked by most of the people who live there," Lia answers with a bit of irritation in her voice.
"Why would vampire hunters be disliked?" I ask with a bit of confusion.
"Humans have been divided on it more and more over the years," Lia answers with a serious tone.
Humans being divided on vampires is a first, especially when they have always gone after us. Mel might've been the first sign of the divide and I didn't think of it at the time.
I really am learning a lot since leaving the manor behind. But she didn't mention anything about this during the two months we spent together.
When I go back there I'll have to ask her about it again.
"Seems there is a lot for me to learn still," I say calmly.
"Good thing we have a decently long trip to the capital of Ariel," Lia replies with a small smile.
"Yeah, time to go. I'll let you lead the way since I don't really know where I'm going yet," I say while looking back up towards the path.
"Fine by me," Lia replies before starting to walk.
With the others left behind, it is time to move towards this capital. If they follow us again... I'll kill them this time.