Page 160 of Vampires of Eden

In the Hall of the Mountain King. Grieg. InB minor.

As a child, I loved this song. My mother introduced this modified version of the orchestral piece to me and I clung to it. The fantastical story it told and the vivid imagery it conjured within my mind—of a boy fighting against impossible odds. The rebellion and danger. Peer’s will and bravery.

All of it sang to my naïve, adolescent spirit, and once I learned and memorized the basic notes and melody, I let loose and made it my own. The sheer drama within the composition thrilled me—the escalating tempo and staccato, the crescendo and the impressive use of the entire goddamned range of keys. The music discreetly crawls from one octave to another until the low, slow groans of the earlier notes transition into shrieking calamity and terror.

That same feeling bursts from me as my hands and fingers sweep over the keys with exhilaration and delight. Unfiltered amusement. The piano yields to my whims and sings the frantic melody as if it never forgot me. She remembers me and I remember her. Despite everything, miraculously, we still know how to have a good fucking time.

I hit the final notes hard and with flare, like an exclamation point at the end of a long and playful manuscript. An exciting story with many obstacles, but it’s finished now and I’m done.

My chest heaves as the energy from the music and my effort reverberates against my skin and racing heart. I set my palms against my lap and inhale, letting my shoulders rise and fall.

Fuck. That feltgood.

I laugh out loud. “Well… that was unexpected.”

When excited applause registers from behind my back, I nearly jump off the bench. I turn and Lord Ansväd Kendrick hovers just inside the double doors, watching me with an expression of awe and delight in his eyes.

“Bravo.Bravissimo. I have never heard that piece played that way—with such rapture, emotion and adventure. With such… thrilling madness! Your hands were like lightning striking the keys.”

Still catching my breath, I rub my palms against my thighs. Yeah, well, he wasn’t supposed to hear it, though, was he? “Thank you, your grace.”

He steps forward, slipping his palms behind his back. “You said it’s been three years since you’ve played?”

“Or more?” I shrug. I can’t remember the last time, honestly. Those years of me starving and half-mad with bloodlust are a blur. I don’t care to recall or think about that time too deeply.

At my side, Lord Ansväd regards me with patience. “Truly, you are a wonder, Daniel Lim. May I say, that I have spent much time outside of Eden, and what’s remarkable to me is that talent, success, prosperity and love are not dependent upon a vampire’s social ranking. These things are available to any and all who wish to partake in them. I feel that we should follow in this trend. Here, in Eden. Do you agree?”

I nod. Why does it feel like anyone and everyone is lecturing me lately? Because the universe knows I’m hard headed? “I agree.”

Ansväd grins, then turns on his heels. “Well, we must be bold, mustn’t we? Unafraid to lead the charge. It has to begin with someone. Somewhere.”

It’s suddenly strange to me that I’m talking to the figurative “King of Eden,” yet he’s acting as if it’smyresponsibility to spearhead the radical changes that Eden is in desperate need of. Me, a first-gen nobody. “Forgive me for possibly speaking out of turn, but wouldn’t it be easier for the king himself to lead the charge?”

Thoughtfully, Ansväd meets my gaze. “It would, ideally. In my younger years, I made many attempts to redirect our society. Unfortunately, not one of my peers agreed with me. None were ready to embrace my ideals, nor the more casual practices of global vampire aristocracies. There comes a time, I believe, where the challenge must be passed to the next generation. Our society is much different now, and I feel certain that Alexander can succeed where I have failed. Does this answer your question?”

I nod, understanding. “It does.”

He stalks toward the doors. “Enough from me, I will leave you. Take the music home to study it, if you wish. I have copies. I look forward to your answer this weekend. Enjoy dinner tonight.”

Incredible. “Thank you, Lord Kendrick.” Smiling, I pick up the folder and peel it open, glancing at the sheet music tucked inside.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes in my coat pocket. Lord Kendrick leaves just as I pull the device out with one hand to read the screen. A message from Alexander.

[Raven King, are we still on for dinner?]

With the folder and sheet music settled against my lap, I send a quick response.

[Yes, sweet prince, we are. See you soon. xx]

CHAPTER 38

Daniel

This restaurant,The Wanderer, is something else.

Moody but bright with black and white paisley wallpaper and velvet green tufted booths. Metal bird cages encasing both trailing leafy plants and naked, elaborate bulbs hang from the ceiling, showering the room in complex patterns of light and shadow. The atmosphere is calm as I step inside. Soft jazz music floats through the air just above the static of contented conversation and laughter.

Call me self-absorbed, but I half expected every vampire in the room to stop and stare when I entered. That everyone would immediately identify the trespasser among them. The first-gen vampire wrongfully carrying Prince Alexander Ethan Kendrick’s scent.