SNIPPET SATURDAY - Endings

This may be a total spoiler, but I couldn't leave it out of this theme. Endings for one were only the beginnings for another. This is a poignant short story I wrote for the GIRLS WHO BITE anthology. Makes me cry every time!

The Gift of Lillith

in the 

Girls Who Bite Anthology  

EXCERPT

I sat for a long time staring at the beautiful, vibrant red-head, gyrating around the floor like there was no tomorrow.  For her, there would be none—for me an endless procession of tomorrows. Molly had lived only twenty five years. I'd lived more than two hundred. She was just beginning her life—I was tired of mine. I wanted to grow old and die. Molly wanted to live.

I stood, walked across the floor, knowing exactly what had to happen, should Molly choose. As if on cue, the music ended and the band went on break. Molly stood out in the middle of the floor as everyone else filtered back to their tables and drinks. Someone played a soft lilting song on the juke box.

I gathered Molly in my arms and swayed with her to the music. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want your pity, just your love."

"Honey, you have my love." I hugged her closer, my eyes filling with tears.

"I wanted you in my life, to grow old with and love for a very long time. But I don't have that long."

"You could, if you choose."

Molly shook her head. "The doctor gives me two months. How can I pack a lifetime in two months?"

"I know how you can live longer."

"You can?"

"Do you trust me?"

She nodded. "With my life."

"I can give you more time in your life, if you let me."

Light from the disco globe shone in her eyes. "How?"

"Just one bite." I ran a finger along her neck, stopping at the base of her throat where her carotid artery beat strong.

Molly leaned back in my arms. "Huh?"

"It's a gift, kind of like the myths of the vampire, but not."

"Vampires aren't real."

"No, they aren't, but I am and it will only take one bite from me and you'll be cured."

"I've never seen you drink blood."

"I'm not a vampire, and you won't be either. You won't crave blood or have to stay out of daylight. But you will live forever or until you decide to pass the gift to the next woman." I cupped her cheek. "Only one woman at a time can carry the gift."

"What gift is this?"

"A gift as old as Adam, the gift of Lilith." I chuckled. "Don't look so doubtful. I'm over two hundred years old."

"What?" She tried to pull free of my arms.

I gently hugged her to me, swaying to the music. "The question is, do you want to live?"

"Yes." She sagged against me, the music the only sound for several moments. "I want to live with you forever, Katherine."

I stopped moving. "That can't be. When I pass the gift of Lilith to you, you will become immortal and I will grow old and die."

"But I don't want you to die. What good would it be to be immortal without you?"

"I've had a long life, you haven't. You have much more to experience—I've had enough. I want to grow old and die. Please, let me give you this gift. I want you to have it."

"But—"

"I ask again. Do you want to live?"

She stared into my eyes, her own filling with tears. "Yes."

I smiled and folded her into my arms. "Then dance with me."

As we moved around the floor, Molly relaxed in my arms and I spoke of the women who'd come before us, of the memories that would soon be Molly's. I knew I'd found the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, someone who would understand me and stand by me as I grew old. As the music slowed, I sank my teeth into Molly's neck, our lives became intertwined, our pasts joined.

A new song started. Molly looked up and smiled, and I knew she would be alright. I'd given her the gift of Lilith, and in return, she'd given me the gift of her love.

GIRLS WHO BITE WEBSITE 

Check out the other authors who are participating in Snippet Saturday:

Lauren Dane 
Rhian Cahill 
Eliza Gayle 
Selena Blake
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
HelenKay Dimon