Autumn Moon

“Do you know anything about vampires, the chiang-shih as the Chinese call them?”
“What? Are you going to tell me another story?”
“Bloody hell, just answer the question.”
“Of course I know what a chiang-shih is. I had slumber parties, but I outgrew believing in them when I turned twelve.”
“Enlighten me.”
She took an exasperated breath. “The Chinese believe that a person has two souls. One soul can leave the body and roam the earth.”
“Go on.”
“If the two souls aren’t reunited the body dies and the soul will roam the earth forgetting the human aspects, turning toward a more animalistic way of life, craving the essence of the living.”
“Blood, the essence of life.”
“Sure. Whatever.” Her shoulder lifted in a shrug. “What does this have to do with my uncle or me for that matter?”
His gaze lingered over her. She squirmed, but didn’t look away. “Everything. I’m afraid you’re in danger now. I’ve tasted you.”
“Excuse me.”
“The kiss.”
“One kiss doesn’t—”
“I know how your heart beats.” He placed his hand on his chest, tapping. “Thump-thump—thump-thump. I’m a vampire, a chiang-shih and I have two days to reunite my souls.”
She stared at him for a blink of second before she turned and headed for the front door while mumbling under her breath. “You are a lunatic. Too bad, too, because you’re a good-looking guy, not to mention a great kisser, but having a screw loose is where I draw the line. I’ve listened to what you had to say. Now I think you better leave.”
He moved fast, faster than a human. He stood, leaning against the front door as if he’d been standing there all along.
She stopped in her tracks, turned around to make sure her eyes hadn’t deceived her and that he truly had materialized in front of the door. He knew his movements would spook her, but he didn’t have time for delicacy. He needed her to believe him.
“Holy, holy—how did you do that?” She looked at him again. “Are you some kind of magician?”
“I told you—vampire.”
She backed up a step. “Okay, say you are. The chiang-shih of legend is known to have a hideous green phosphorescent glow about it, serrated teeth and long talons.

You don’t have any of that. Where are your fangs? Huh?” She whirled around to flee, but he was there in front of her, blocking her way.
She opened her mouth to scream but he was quicker. He kissed her—again. He was a vampire and most of the time he craved blood, but with her he craved her mouth—among other things. He plundered, taking and damn if the woman didn’t respond. She may be afraid of him but there was a connection between them, something that bonded them. She had to be the answer to his prayers.