“I need you to jump on my back.”
“What? No.”
“Michael, we don’t have time to argue. This is serious. Please, hop on my back. I need to carry you.”
“I’m too heavy for you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I can run faster if I’m carrying you. There’s no way you’d be able to keep up with me. Don’t make me wrestle you, Michael.”
“Fine.” Michael put his arms around her neck, and Amaia grasped his legs.
“Remember, I don’t need to breathe, so don’t worry about choking me, just hold on tight.” As soon as she had a secure hold on his legs, she took off. It was more difficult running with him on her back than she had anticipated, mainly because she had to worry about branches hitting him. She ran as fast as she could, searching for a place to hide. Off to her right, she spotted a cave entrance. Exploring the area with her senses, she determined from the scent and energy that it was being used by a pack of wolves. It would suffice.
“Do you trust me, Michael?”
“Yes. With my life.”
“Good, because that’s what I’m asking. Stay calm, and everything will be all right.” Amaia dashed into the cave and set Michael down. “Be quiet and follow me. There’s a pack of wolves in here, but they won’t harm us.”
“How do you know?”
“Trust, Michael. Remember?”
Amaia reached for the energy of the wolves, studying each intricacy. Then she set to work manipulating her and Michael’s energy to mimic that of the wolves. If she succeeded, they would be undetectable to the other vampires. The pack kept their distance from Amaia, their instincts warning them of danger. For good measure, Amaia worked to calm their energies. She didn’t need their unease betraying her and Michael to whoever hunted them. The wolves merely glanced their way until Amaia and Michael were settled on the stone floor, and then laid their heads back on their paws.
The vampires were nearby. Amaia and Michael were trapped. They would have to wait, and it could be days. Amaia realized her folly. It would have been much wiser to stay in town where she could have fed off the energy of humans, even though it would have been harder to hide. At least here she was sure they wouldn’t be found. The vampires would eventually give up their search. Amaia slowed her heart and only used the energy necessary to alter their auras. With luck, their pursuers would resign before Amaia’s energy depleted.
***
Late the next day, Amaia could barely move. The effort it took to keep their energies humming at a different frequency was taking its toll. She’d carefully rationed her energy, but she didn’t know how much longer she could last without replenishing.
“Drink their blood.” Michael nodded to the wolves near the cave entrance.
“No. Animal blood will drive a vampire mad.”
“Well, I feel fine. Draw more energy from me.”
“I’m not pulling energy from you, Michael.”
“Then what are you living off of, Amaia? You must take care of yourself.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“It’s my prerogative to worry about you. Who else is going to do it? You’re mine to worry over. Now, why won’t you feed off of my energy?”
“I won’t take anything from you. I’ve already taken your life once. I won’t do it again.”
“This is completely different.”
Of course it was. Amaia knew that. While she spoke the truth, it was only half the reason. She didn’t want to give voice to her deeper concern—that taking too much of his energy may bond her to him enough to lead her to seek death when he inevitably died. She couldn’t afford to risk it and miss out on his next life.
“I’m not going to do it, Michael, and that’s the end of it. They’ll move on soon, and then we can get to a city.”
“I’m not sure you can make it that far.”
In truth, neither was Amaia. She knew starving wouldn’t kill her, but she didn’t know if energy alone would be able to revive her if she weakened much more. “I’ll be able to. Now stop talking before you draw them to us.”
***
Twelve hours later, Amaia felt the vampires’ energies recede. She didn’t dare say anything to Michael until she ceased feeling them for four straight hours. She didn’t want Michael risking their lives by racing out at the first word that they were leaving.
When she was sure, she broke the silence that had enveloped them. “They’re gone. We can go now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s been hours since I last felt them.”
“Good. Let’s get you out of here.”
Her body was stiff and hard to move. There would be no running. She couldn’t even walk. Michael carried her through the woods.
“There’s a human nearby, up ahead to the left. Must be a hunter. I can take a little energy from him to get me to the next city. I don’t want to get close enough for him to see us, though. I don’t want to rouse his suspicions.”