Page 5 of Relic

FIVE

When I enter Relic, Mattheus is already there chatting with Morticia. They both turn to me, and without words, Mattheus heads into the back room. There are far too many customers present to speak freely.

“Did it hurt anyone that you know of?” I ask as I walk to my bar to pour us both a drink.

“No. It was stalking when I found it.”

“The IDVs are getting bold, stepping out in daylight. I fear for the tourists.”

“As I do. I’ve received word that Orson is back in town. He was spotted in the Quarter last night.”

“Orson? What nerve.” I hand Mattheus a glass.

“I hate him so much. I hope I get the chance to rip him apart.”

“I would gladly watch you do it.” Sinking into my armchair, I cross a leg over the other. “We all knew the lure of this city would be too strong to keep him away for long.”

Mattheus nods after sipping his drink. “Yes. I was counting on it. He’s obviously aware of our interest in him.”

“Obviously. Do let me know if you come upon him.”

“Of course.” Mattheus narrows his eyes. “What’s going on with the mortal? Emery, you say?”

Nodding, I lean back slightly. “He’s attracting IDVs. That’s how I found him. He was being hunted last night. This morning, he showed up here and two of them stumbled in. I hired him to keep him close until I learn what it is about him that’s drawing them out.”

“How interesting. I have not heard of this before.”

“Nor I. I felt it prudent to keep him close.”

A smirk pulls at my friend’s lips. “And that’s the only reason? Certainly not because of his beauty.”

Chuckling, I nod. “Fair enough. Perhaps I’m attracted to him for more reasons than one. I plan to maintain my distance for now. At least until I understand what it is about him attracting danger. I need my senses about me.”

“Good luck. He’ll be desired by our kind.”

“I know.”

“Perhaps you should consider marking him with your scent. Otherwise, you may not be able to keep him safe.”

I consider Mattheus’s words. “It seems premature. I don’t even know if he can be trusted.”

“Of course you do, Horatio. Your ability to see people’s nature is unmatched. What holds you back?”

I stand, going back over to the bar for another drink. “Marking someone is serious, Mattheus. You know this as much as I do. His scent will haunt me day and night. The only end would be his death.”

“Ah. You fear you’ll tire of him.”

“As I often do. I have not even claimed his body yet. I haven’t tasted him.”

“What restraint in the face of such temptation.”

I laugh at that. “Indeed. He was distraught though. I had to make him forget.”

“Unwise to sample him after having the memory potion.”

“Right.” Sitting back in my chair, I remember the fear in his hazel eyes. “He is lovely though, isn’t he?”

“Quite. Trust your instinct, Horatio. It never leads you wrong.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“How is Samson?”

“Quite well,” Mattheus answers, brushing his long hair from his shoulder. “He learns more every day.”

“He’ll be quite helpful to our cause when his powers are controlled.”

“I agree. There’s a powerful witch in the Quarter who mentors him. Her name is Anastasia.”

I nod. “I know her well. How did they meet?”

“She saw it in her cards and found us at the morning market.”

“Excellent. She is good of heart?”

“The best as far as I can tell.”

“Wonderful.”

“Yes, Samson will be ready in a few months. Can you imagine going thirty years of your life with strange occurrences around you and never understanding it was you who caused them?”

“I hear it is common with born witches who lose their family. With no one to guide them, they are aimless.”

“And dangerous. I am fortunate to have found Samson when I did. Another vampire may not have been as reasonable.”

“He is fortunate. Will you keep him?”

“For all of eternity.”

A pang of longing settles in my chest. How I wish I could find a lover I wanted to keep. It’s an enduring flaw of mine that I cannot be happy with one person.

“It will happen for you too, Horatio.”

My eyes shift up to my friend. “Perhaps. Fortunately there are always plenty of beautiful men passing through our city to fill my nights.”

“But you want one to stick.”

I nod, glancing at my drink. “I wonder if I’m broken or defective somehow. Every vampire finds a bride, but not me. No one satisfies me long enough.”

Mattheus shifts on the sofa closer to me, placing his hand on my knee. “The time will come. You are neither broken or defective. You’re simply hard to tame. A man will come along fit for the challenge. Just you wait.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I always am.”

We both laugh at that.

“I should go now,” he says. “The IDVs won’t hunt themselves.”

“Sadly, no.” I stand to escort him out. Once we’re on the sidewalk, I grab his arm. “One question.”

“Yes?”

“Do you think it’s foolish of me to seek the company of mortals?”

“If you are foolish then so am I and many of our kind. They have an allure, a freshness to them, that no immortal can match. Attraction is what it is. You can’t force it any more than you can deny it.”

Smiling, I release his arm. “Morticia thinks it’s the root of my problems.”

“Morticia is a lovely creature, but a jaded one.”

“True.”

“Follow your heart and your cock.”

I laugh. “You’re a wise one, Mattheus.”

He tips his head to me before vanishing. I stroll back inside the shop, my mind filled with images of the mortal. I’ll seek him out tonight, ensure he’s safe, and perhaps, I will mark him. At least then I will know no other vampire can claim or harm him.

If I follow through, by morning every vampire in New Orleans will know Emery belongs to me and risk their eternal life if they choose to fuck with him.