Chapter 10: Darkness and light

Christine carefully laid Blackheart on the sofa, her heart breaking with each agonized breath he took. "I know you don't need to breathe, so stop. It's only making the wound worse."

"It won't make a difference. Trust me." He stopped breathing, but blood still flowed heavily from the wound. "See?" Christine fumbled for a first aid kit, wondering how he could be affected by the bite.

"W-will you be t-turned by the bite?" He shook his head.

"No. But this could easily kill me. There are toxins in a vampire's bite that are lethal to a demon that's not careful. Even me." He hissed as she began to pull off the pieces of ripped cloth that had stuck to his open wounds. "I'm lucky. Usually, a demon doesn't have any help, so he dies off within a few hours, sometimes less. But thanks to you, I should be able to make it.

"I most certainly hope so." She gently moved aside his sleeve so she could see the wound. She sighed. "Looks like that monster took a piece of you with him."

"Wouldn't be surprised if he did." Christine started to wash the dried blood from around his wound. "Christine?"

"Hmm?"

"How did he know you? And did you know he was a vampire?"

"No. I didn't know he was a vampire. I thought he was just some thug. All I knew was that he was immortal. He's one of the men I turned down while you were gone. Unfortunately, he's very persistent." Blackheart smiled.

"Thanks for staying loyal to me. Sss… aah."

"Relax. It'll only make the pain worse. And you should have known I remained loyal to you. That pulse should have never faltered." He nodded, trying to ignore the burning pain in his neck. He concentrated on Christine, who began to blush. "Um… w-we kinda need to…"

"I know," He answered, using his good side to sit up. His whole left side had gone completely numb and he could barely move. She helped him remove his duster and shirt, then laid him back down.

"You should rest. Regain your strength."

"Perhaps. But that would leave both of us vulnerable. I can't fight with this wound and I couldn't bear to see something happen to you." She shook her head.

"Blackheart, I know how to defend myself now. I don't need protection. You do. Now, please rest. You're very weak. If you don't, this could all be for nothing. Just rest." She placed a hand against his face, surprised to find it was quite warm. "You're burning up." She pressed a cold, wet rag to his forehead, trying to bring down his apparent fever. He nodded.

"The toxin's beginning to work. There's not much you can do at this point."

"Is there anything for it? An antidote or something?" He just shook his head. He was growing weaker. "Then rest now. Please. You're too weak to stay awake much longer. Please, rest."

"Christine…"

"No. Rest. I'll stay and take care of your wound. But you need to rest." Blackheart just looked at her. He knew she was right. He felt the toxin burning through his veins. The only hope to counter it was to rest. He closed his eyes, and almost instantly was asleep.