Michael watched over Heather while she slept for a short time. It had been an alright date but he probably should have kept better track of the topic he had meant to.
He'd taken her to a Vietnamese restaurant. It was excellent food, good sized servings, fairly cheap even. Not that Michael hadn't had to excuse himself and vomit it all up by the end of the evening but it had provided a good setting and long meal in which he could have a conversation with her.
International politics, trade law and more. Not what most, or even he, would consider to be the most interesting of subjects but the way Heather spoke about it you couldn't help but feel her enthusiasm and it was infectious. It helped immensely in keeping him focused. He listened intently, asked further questions and even made sure they stayed on the topic through some subtle memorization.
Eventually though his resolve gave out and his attention turned elsewhere, and even though he probably could have gotten moreuseful information, he took her back to her apartment and worked out some of his stress and drank his fill.
She'd fallen asleep soon afterward. He had kept her up for a long time talking and blood lose only exacerbated the problem.
This was however the second time he was going to leave before she woke up. Most people considered it very rude but unless she wanted a corpse in her bed burning to ash with the dawn, there was little else he could do.
However, he needed to ensure he could use her in the future and keep her interested in him despite the fact that he left without saying goodbye after every date.
He bit one of his fingers and sluggish blood oozed to fill the wound.
Was that something he was willing to subject her to though? Forcing her interest through the Vinculum, how did that make him any better than when his Sire forced this existence on to him? It had the potential to disrupt her life. She wanted to do things, go places.
He needed her knowledge for the financial power it could help him obtain.
It would only last a year anyway, he justified. It would fade and then she would be free to do as she willed. Just one drop. Enough to keep her interest but leave her free of the Blood's compulsion. He touched his finger to her lips.
Just one drop.