“For us.” He sighed. I didn’t understand so I waited, hoping he’d continue. “The vampires.”
So, they were farmers? Boy, did the movies get them wrong.
“To feed on.” He finished.
I froze, my hand resting in the middle of Paisley’s neck.
“Youdoknow that vampires need blood to survive, right?”
I bit my lip and nodded.
“Well, part of the treaty that brought peace to the supernaturals was an agreement that vampires would no longer feed on non-supes.”
“Really?” I held his stare, trying to ignore the tension in my gut.
“Yeah, so instead we feed on animals.”
“Does it hurt them? Kill them?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer. It wouldn’t matter. It’s not like I could change anything about what they were doing, and I would have to accept their way of life eventually. It was about survival after all, and it was better than feeding on non-supernaturals. Right? I wasn’t sure. At least they could give their consent.
“Not at all. We never take enough to make them feel even the slightest bit sick.”
It still made me uncomfortable, but there was something else I needed to know. “Do you only drink animal blood?”
His smile wavered. “Yes.”
“All vampires?”
“All that want to stay out of prison, yes.”
Good. I didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to drink my blood. Some teenage girls might think that would be romantic, but no thank you.
“A part of the agreement that stopped non-supe blood consumption also included not drinking from any of the other supernaturals.”
“Oh.” So, we were all safe.
“Yeah, not that shifters were ever much of a temptation. They taste gross, but witches are forbidden due to the temporary powers vampires got after feeding on them. Too many accidents, so the council made sure that was included.”
“What kind of powers did they get?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s been hundreds of years since it happened. Most of the stories are so distorted and exaggerated that we don’t really know anymore.”
“Hannah mentioned that there are other supernatural species at the school.”
“They don’t really get counted. The trolls, brownies, daemons, and demons are technically from other worlds, so the treaty doesn’t include them. The council only involves themselves in their matters when it affects one of our three.”
“So, you could drink their blood?”
He made a disgusted face. “No vampire would. Trolls taste worse than shifters, and brownies are considered so far below us that no one would want their blood in their system for fear it could weaken their own powers. Daemons don’t have blood, and the only ones here are teachers.”
“And demons?” I asked.
“I think a vampire would sooner kill them than feed from them.” He cringed. “I can’t even imagine what their blood would taste like. Tar?”
“Ew.” This conversation had taken quite the turn. I went back to stroking Paisley’s neck and back.
“Yeah, sorry. It’s not the best topic to discuss, but I guess you’ve got to learn about it at some point.”
“Hannah and the guys said you’re also a witch.”