Chapter 521

Katelina woke first the next evening. She watched a spider spin webs in the rafters and wondered how many bugs it took to keep it alive. One a day? One a week? She didn't know much about arachnid biology, just as she knew almost nothing about vampires'.

Jorick woke and the others followed. Katelina marveled that, despite the lumpy bed, she wasn't sore, achy, or stiff. It was another perk of vampirism.

Xandria bounced urgently, and Katelina realized she needed to go. She excused herself to lead the woman upstairs. The smell of her blood made Katelina's stomach tighten. She thought about taking a nibble, but quickly dismissed the idea.

Outside, the sun was down and stars popped out in a clear spring sky. Xandria hurried to crouch down behind a clump of dead vegetation while Katelina stood sentinel-like a few feet away. The smell of Xandria's urine wafted on the breeze and quieted her hunger. No wonder Jorick called them disgusting human bodily functions.