Page 153 of Vampires of Eden

Daniel visibly tenses and lifts his tea cup to his mouth. I stare at him but address my father. “Yes, it is.”

“You must forgive me for exploiting this serendipitous opportunity, Daniel, but your being here could not have come at a better time.”

Daniel blinks, confused as he lowers his cup. “In… what way, your highness?”

Father leans forward on his elbows and with his hands clasped, zeroed in on Daniel.

“Let me start at the beginning. Within my possession is a very old piece of music. We believe that it was written by an Eden native who has long passed—Elmhurst Thorn. First-generation in nature. An extremely talented musician of his time. However, due to the restrictions of our culture, his career and exceptional talents were never encouraged as they should have been.

“The piece is sensational and complex. A piano concerto that is reminiscent of a deeply emotional journey. A life shrouded in darkness, but slowly cast into prolific light. The dead stillness of winter converging and morphing into the warmth and exuberance of spring. For two years I have tried to commission a quality pianist to maintain residency within Eden for a season to showcase this piece. I was finally in close talks with an artist, but the deal fell through yesterday. All of the other elements are in place except for my pianist.”

Father sits back and takes a breath. He steals a glance at me before addressing Daniel once more. “Perhaps you can sense the reasoning behind why I find your presence here fortuitous?”

Daniel shakes his head. “Your grace, I-I haven’t played the piano in nearly three years. If I’m understanding your intentioncorrectly—and, please forgive my presumption if I’m wrong—I amnotan appropriate choice for this role.”

Undeterred, my father tilts his head. “Why haven’t you played in three years? Has the vineyard kept you so preoccupied?”

“I—No, it hasn’t. I…” Daniel inhales sharply as he glances off. “I haven’t had access to a grand piano, for starters, and?—”

“This is not a problem,” Father interjects. “I’m happy to grant you access to the rehearsal rooms of the Royal Opera House—whenever your schedule allows. Or the piano here in the ballroom, if it pleases you? I’ve been waiting for years to showcase this music, Daniel. I am a patient vampire. Something tells me that you might be the missing piece to this equation. I’d much rather highlight a local talent than hire someone from abroad. Does this not embody the spirit of uplifting Eden from within?”

My eyes flicker back and forth between Daniel and Father. He had relaxed over the course of our lunch, but now, Daniel is obviously uncomfortable with this proposition. I know he’s been avoiding the piano because of Josefina. Selfishly, I want him to do this.

In Daniel’s rigid silence, my father goes on. “At least review the music? Come to the Royal Opera House this week when you are free. I’ll give you my assistant’s info so you can set up an appointment. If the music speaks to you, we’ll schedule a customary audition later on with the other board members.

“Please, take some time to consider. This is the second occasion upon which you’ve immediately refused an opportunity that I have offered. Grant me the courtesy of, oh, let’s say a week’s worth of contemplation?”

Father smiles, lifting his eyebrows and briefly glancing over at me. “Convey your decision via Alexander by next Sunday. That way, if you decline, you’ll never need to set your eyes upon this bullying old vampire again. Agreed?”

Daniel peeks up at me, then back down to his empty plate. He nods. “Yes, your highness. I’ll… I’ll consider it.”

Father surprises me when he clasps my shoulder, grinning ear to ear. “Excellent. I’ll look forward to your reply.”

A brisk wind flutters my hair as I stand outside the front double doors of the estate. The sun is bright and the warmth of it feels good on my face. Birdsong fills the air like an invisible, chaotic but perfect symphony reverberating from the surrounding trees.

With lunch finished and my father tucked away in his study, Daniel has insisted that he return to the vineyard. We’re waiting together on the steps for the driver to bring his van around to the front. Raphael is behind us. The silence is palpable and I can tell Daniel is processing my father’s offer. Hard. Like cement churning in a mixer.

“Thank you for staying,” I say quietly as the van comes around the corner. “See? My father isn’t so bad?”

Daniel stares at the red brick intensely. It feels as if he’s a million miles away. I want to reach out and take his hand or embrace him. For us to reconnect somehow. To prove that last night and this morning weren’t a figment of my perverted imagination.

He snatched his hand from mine earlier, and I notice how he keeps a polite distance between us in front of the estate staff. He barely looked at me in front of my father.

How can we possibly do this?

“His offer is too generous,” Daniel says thoughtfully, still staring at the ground. “I shouldn’t accept it.”

“You can think about it until next Sunday. Tell me then.”

He nods as the van is parked in front of us. Daniel glances up at me and there’s hesitation in his pale eyes.

“I… I will. We’ll talk later?”

“Sure.”

We’re frozen in stasis. He swallows, takes a breath, then moves down the steps with his duffle bag in hand. “Okay… see you later.”

I don’t respond because I feel… shocked? Affronted?