ISADORA
Though the blood of animals is not sufficient, I understand that I have no other choice. At least my body does not reject it, unlike when I was pregnant, and it craved human blood. Initially, Andres’ blood was enough, but as the child grew inside me, it ceased to suffice.
Tension still gripped our community. Andres seemed to have turned into a monster out of anger. He was determined to find and kill the person who crucified his father. Alejandro no longer had to go to the church as the men were preoccupied. Those who remained were advised not to go out at dusk. We all stayed in our homes while Andres and his men patrolled the area.
It’s ironic. When women disappeared from our community, no action was taken, but when a man was killed, they sprang into action.
And…
“How are you, Isadora?” Andres asked as he entered our home. Alejandro was beside me, and our baby slept peacefully in my arms.
My gaze met Andres’. His eyes were dark underneath, and it was evident he was not well. Understandably so, since his father had been crucified, his blood spilled on the church floor.
It was an insult. A monster would never taste the blood of someone like him.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied. His eyes shifted to my baby and then to Alejandro beside me.
“Once again, no one should go out. The men will not sleep tonight, and you might be mistaken for…” He met my gaze again. “…a monster.”
I smiled faintly. “Understood, Andres.”
He was about to leave but hesitated and turned to face me again. “Do you need anything from outside? Food? I know you’re still healing and might need medicine.”
Blood.
“Not for now,” I replied briefly. “My husband cooks for us now. As for medicine, I have plants in my garden for cleaning my wound.”
Andres nodded and finally left. Alejandro stood up and securely closed the door.
“When Rafael reaches three months, he will start craving human blood,” Alejandro said as he sat beside me, kissing my temple. “We need to leave this place, my love.”
I nodded. “But… not yet.”
Alejandro looked puzzled. “Why?”
“Not yet… not now.”
“As you wish, my love,” he said, kissing my temple again.
My attention shifted to my sleeping baby, Rafael. He resembled his father so much. He always slept and… I don’t know, but he drank breast milk. I also had milk, perhaps my body was normal during pregnancy, and it only craved what my child needed.
“Isadora, you should rest your arms,” Alejandro said, blowing out the candle on our table.
I smiled. “Have you forgotten that I no longer need to rest my body?”
I stood up from my seat, my eyes finding him in the darkness.
Much had changed in me since I woke up. I no longer needed to adjust my eyes to the dark because I could see clearly. I had broken several plates because I couldn’t control my strength.
I walked silently in the dark, heading to the room. I gently placed my baby on the small bed, kissing his forehead. Once I was sure he was still sound asleep, I stood up and looked at Alejandro standing by the door. I approached him, and he smiled slightly before meeting me with a kiss.
“There’s chaos outside, my love,” he whispered in my ear, sending a delightful shiver through me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
“I won’t ascend to heaven because of all the wickedness I’ve done,” I whispered. And yes… I accepted the truth. The reality that… this is our situation.
I didn’t know why it was so easy for me to accept everything… so easy to accept that I had a child and…
I looked into Alejandro’s enchanting eyes in the darkness. It was so easy for me to accept him.
“I never mentioned this,” I started. “But your eyes feel familiar…” I saw him smile faintly in the dark. “As if this isn’t the first time I’ve wished our situation was different, so I wouldn’t fear the night and what the next morning would bring…”
His grip tightened around my waist. I looked up to offer him my neck. His kisses were gentle, and I gasped when he lightly bit my skin. “I told you, Isadora. Even if I have to wait centuries, I will wait.” He pulled away slightly, releasing my waist and gently pulling the ribbon of my dress at my chest. “Even if this time isn’t meant for us, I can wait again.”
I shook my head. “Again?”
There was a strange pain in my chest when I heard that. I felt disappointed and… saddened. But he only smiled and let my dress fall to the floor. His hand moved from my chest to my neck. “You belong to me, Isadora. Not to Andres, not to anyone else, understand?” he whispered against my lips.
I nodded. “Yes, my love, only to you.”
And he closed the gap between our lips. His cold lips… yet his kiss brought warmth to my chest. I smiled when I heard his soft laugh as I effortlessly pulled him closer.
“Gently, Isadora,” he said. There was a playful joy in his smile. “My bones cannot withstand the strength of a young woman.”
I found myself lying on the bed and raised my brows. “How old are you?”
His grin widened, nearly taking my breath away. He was so beautiful to look at… I could gaze at him even if it meant my death.
“Show some respect to your elder,” he said, removing his white shirt. “Be a good girl.”
“What?” I asked. “Are you cursing me in a language I don’t understand?”
He didn’t answer, and neither did I, because his lips were already claiming mine.
Morning came. Neither of us slept because we didn’t need to rest. We spent hours lying in silence. When our baby cried and was hungry, I took care of him because Alejandro had been caring for him alone while I slept for several days.
Days passed, and the tension outside eased a bit. Only slightly, as the people’s fear was still palpable, their whispers and secret conversations among neighbors still lingering. No one dared speak openly because Andres was not to be crossed, especially after his father’s death.
We started going to church again. Alejandro was once more called to assist with their investigations. My child and I stayed at home, with many curious about us, especially since I had given birth without them noticing.
Perhaps we could stay here a bit longer.
I just wanted… I wanted to imprint all the happy memories of my late parents and siblings before I forever left the place and home where I grew up.
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