The smell of blood caught his attention, causing him to pivot on the spot. It was strong, so strong, and sweet. He followed his nose at a mad dash, eager for a taste.
People crowded the streets near the market. He shoved his way past them with no care for manners. He couldn't hear their complaints, only his own feet pounding on the pavement. Every thud brought him closer to his meal.
He hadn't drank in days. He had been busy with his work, too tired to hunt. He rounded the corner and the smell became so strong his fangs extended on their own. He was lucky he was in the alleys now. No one would see the sharp teeth.
He rounded another corner and froze. The sight deterred his thirst for a moment. A girl who couldn't be more than ten lay curled on the ground, clutching her stomach. She let out an agonizing cry and shut her eyes tight. The salty tears mixed in with the sweet blood. He couldn't help himself. The image of the poor, dying girl before him stripped him of his appetite.
He had only one thought in his mind. Save her.
He was behind her head in seconds. He extended his fangs and caressed her neck with them. Instead of sucking in, he released the vampire venom. He guided it slowly through her veins, pulling the broken skin back together and transforming her blood into vampiric nectar.
He could tell the moment the nectar reached her heart. Her skin became cold, stronger, harder to bite through. He released his fangs and picked her up carefully.
He looked down at her human blood, still smeared against the pavement. He considered lapping it up like a kitten but thought better of it. He needed to get out of there quickly before someone came and assumed him a murderer. He had killed before, yes, but he'd rather not get credited for murder when he had done a good deed.
Speeding his steps, he made his way for the inn, taking care to follow the backstreets and avoid unwanted eyes. He slipped in the back door and set her down carefully on his bed. He sat at a chair across the room and fixed his eyes upon her.
Vampires, unlike humans, were exceptionally patient. He waited there a full four hours before she started to breathe. It took another six hours for her to awaken.