Give a Little Bit of Your Blood to Me, Ch. 2

The appearance of the Red Cross on a battlefield or other occasion of calamity or disaster is usually welcomed with the perception that whole blood is being distributed to those in need.

What is not generally known, except among vampires, is that it is on these occasions that blood is actually collected in earnest.  This is because whenever humanity experiences trauma or strife, the hemocrit or percentage of red blood cells in its blood skyrockets.  Hemocrit means everything to the vampire, it is the difference between drinking blood that tastes like fine wine as opposed to garbage.   In the past, vampires were able to collect blood after scaring the shit out of their victims and then proceeding to suck the blood out of pulsating artery.  Collecting blood in this "old fashioned way" carried with it a number of risks, most notably being detection by humans.   By receiving blood though the Red Cross, vampires have been able to keep their existence more or less secret from mortals.

Speaking of secrecy, Penelope was having a more and more difficult time keeping her secret from Herman.  Covering her face during sex was only the beginning.   Herman was a day person and though Penelope caked herself in sun screen, she could not avoid the natural aversion that vampires have to daytime.  Penelope altered her work schedule so that she would work only at night.  The couple often found time together in the afternoon after Herman woke from his siesta, and Penelope, from her interrupted sleep which normally would have extended to the evening.   It was during this "after siesta" time that the couple often had sex, which kept an otherwise difficult relationship in tact.  At least in the beginning.

Problems began in earnest when Herman altered his sexual routine.   Frustrated with the fact that the pillow was preventing any contact with his lover's face, Herman sought to increase their intimacy through scrupulous attention to other parts of Penelope's body.   Which worked for awhile.  Eventually, Herman became frustrated that his scrupulous attentions were not reciprocated.  Penelope still clung to her pillow.  To do otherwise would have permitted her to bite off more than she could proverbially chew.   Herman began to wonder if Penelope was less adventurous in bed that he might of otherwise hoped.  If he only knew...