Page 39 of Alastair

The phone rang in my hand, and I answered, “Yes?”

“First of all, I’m not Sleeping Beauty,” Konnar grumbled, voice tired. “I’m a very classy, handsome vampire who needs rest to remain as such. Second of all, what’s this about dating?”

“Sex, to be specific.”

A short pause followed before he said, “Is this truly my dearest friend Alastair? Perhaps I’m already asleep.”

“You’re right.” My cheeks heated. “This is silly. Go to bed.”

“Wait,” Konnar said, and I heard the rustle of sheets. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Where do I even begin? I nearly got myself and Phoenix killed in Echo Bay. Then Lazarus showed up and risked himself to save us. The archangel Michael barged in earlier with his force of angels.” My voice sounded snippy, even for me. “He took control over my army. He also belittled me and challenged my actions. Lazarus is angry with me. The weight of this war is on my shoulders, crushing me more and more into the ground. It’s hard to breathe. I feel as though I’m losing my sanity. It’s amped up my annoyance, which in turn, stirred up my neglected libido apparently because all I find myself thinking of now is finding someone to rail”—or to rail me, I kept to myself—“if only to release some steam.”

More silence.

“Konnar? Did you fall asleep?”

“I’m here. Just… processing.” Konnar breathed out. “If you are truly searching for someone to share your bed, any number of men and women would be falling all over themselves for a chance to sleep with you.”

Pride puffed up at his words. The conceited bastard.

“You know me, Kon. I’m a private person. I don’t share my bed with just anyone.”

“Do you wish to know my true thoughts?”

“Of course.” His opinion was one of the few I valued.

“Perhaps it’s not sex you crave but, rather, validation,” he said. “You’re stressed. Overwhelmed. Tensions are high. You mentioned the archangel. It seems to me as though he’s made you doubt yourself.”

I stopped walking and cast my eyes to the moon. “That’s… likely.”

“And you’re worried he’s going to steal your glory.”

A vision of Michael and Lazarus appeared in my head. In it, they laughed and drew closer. It wasn’t only the glory I feared he’d steal.

Wait.What did that mean? I quickly shoved the image and corresponding thought away. Which only confused me further. It was no concern of mine who Lazarus called lover or friend. It didn’t affect me whatsoever.

I exhaled and rubbed at the back of my neck. “I think I may just be tired. It’s been a long day, and I haven’t slept in quite a while.”

“Then let’s continue this discussion another time. But, Alastair? There’s no shame in admitting you’re lonely and need companionship. Whether you crave a loving partner or simply a warm body to lose yourself in for the night, we are not meant to be alone forever.”

“I had a loving partner,” I said. “Joseph.”

“I know.” Konnar’s voice was soft. “I also know how hard you grieved his passing. However, that grief has left you now. You’re ready to move on.”

“I thought you were my friend, not my therapist.”

He chuckled into the phone. “Am I not a bit of both? We share our dirty little secrets with each other and listen when the other needs to vent. We give advice when necessary. Trust doesn’t come easy to either of us, yet we share our trust in each other too.”

“I have no dirty little secrets,” I said, then joined him for a laugh. His friendship had been the most rewarding aspect of moving to Echo Bay. Well. One of them. Clara had become a huge part of our family in the time we’d known her.

Konnar yawned. “I apologize, but unless you wish to hear me snoring in the next five seconds, we should bid each other farewell.”

“Good morning, old friend,” I told him. “Sleep well.”

“Good night, my more ancient friend. And you do the same.”

With my chest lighter than it’d been earlier, I disconnected the call and shoved the phone back into my pocket. The night was quiet, apart from the insects buzzing in the trees. The harbor was to the right, as were many of the shops that bustled with activity during the day. The lights were out now as the island slept.