Page 80 of Inhuman Nature

“I—” Kit started, then broke off, turning to gaze out of the window again. “A sister. I had a sister, too. She’s the only one I miss.”

“That’s good she was there for you,” DJ said.

Kit just gave a humourless laugh. “Yeah, being gay in the eighties wasn’t much fun.”

Rake nodded to himself. “Can’t say I envy you.”

“It was lonely,” Kit said in a voice almost too quiet to hear.

Rake didn’t know what to say to that. His throat felt tight, and he snaked a hand over to grasp DJ’s thigh.

The car was quiet for the next mile until DJ broke the silence again. “Okay, Kit, but can we talk about how you’re speaking about being alive in the eighties when you look like you aren’t old enough to have celebrated the millennium?”

“If we must.”

“How old are you?” DJ asked, no pretence at tact.

“Mid-fifties.”

“Damn. You’re the same age as my parents.”

Rake didn’t miss Kit’s eye roll. “Yes, yes, I’m ancient. Rub it in, why don’t you.”

“There’s something else I meant to ask Shaun, but didn’t get the chance to,” DJ said.

“Go on.”

“Does your hair stop growing?”

A small smile played on Kit’s lips. “It does. Once it’s cut, you’re stuck that way.”

“Damn,” DJ said. “One haircut for the whole of existence.” It was so like DJ to focus on such a small part of vampirism that most others would overlook, that Rake couldn’t help but snort with laughter. “What?” DJ asked, speaking in a low voice. “It explains how Shaun’s so smooth everywhere.”

“Uh, TMI?” Kit said.

“Shit, sorry. I forgot about the vamp super hearing.”

Kit huffed. “I’m pretty sure I would have heard that even without it.”

“Well, I’m also a chronic oversharer,” DJ explained.

“Okay?” Kit drew out the word, sounding confused.

“Just telling you!”

“I didn’t need to know that either.”

“See? Oversharing.”

Rake pressed his lips together to stop himself from laughing. “So, Kit. Do we take you straight to Lynette?”

“To your place first. I need to make sure that you get back safe. Then I’ll find out what’s going on with Shaun.”

Kit said no more, so Rake turned in his seat to face him. “And you’ll help us take Lawrence down?” he asked.

Kit met Rake’s eyes. “I will.” The promise lacked true conviction—a minute tremble in Kit’s voice giving his apprehension away.

Nevertheless, Rake nodded. “Thenthat’s what we’ll do.”