He knows she is there before he turns around. He can feel her in the heat of the red and black whisps that always follow the blood moons. Sometimes she takes her time. Sometimes she stalks him, trying to catch him off guard. He has wondered when she would come back while the moon was still tinged red. Because she always comes back. He hears her draw in a breath, but spins and slams her to the ground before she has a chance to speak. He has his blade drawn and against her throat, and she looks at him and laughs. ”Do it,” she says. “You know I want this.” He does. Instead of blood, it is gloom that spills from her throat. He shudders. He is cold where her body was pressed against his—where her naked body was pressed against his, and he chokes back a wave of nausea. When he stands, she is gone. He looks up and watches the last of the color fade from the moon