Page 35 of Vampires of Eden

Leoni narrows her eyes, registering the gravity of my statement. Quietly, she walks over to the armchair closest to my head and takes a seat. “I have mixed feelings. Is that a compliment or not?”

“Right, he doesn’t like me,” I acknowledge. “But he can sense me. Nobody can sense me anymore. Not since I’ve been like this.”

When I put my righteous indignation toward purebreds aside,watching Alexander is… interesting. Like reading a book with its pages splayed open and printed in large font.

The first time we crossed paths at Roland and Kathryn’s safe house, he was polite and soft. I sensed a vulnerability in him. I’ve seen it in him before, when he’d come to the cottage to visit with Oliver.

It fucking annoys me. I don’t know why, but it does. Maybe it’s that mirror thing again? Me being angry at him for something that I once saw in myself?

Today, Alexander was guarded. Cynical. He thinks I’m a “callous jackass,” and he’s not wrong, but… I don’t know. Being able to read him this way is strange.

“He senses you, but he dislikes you,” Leoni repeats, sitting back in the chair and folding her arms. “I’m not sure what to make of that, to be honest. Feels like an oxymoron.”

“Right. And he asks me direct questions like you do. Thoughtfully.”

It’s the first inclination, or perhaps, the most natural question to ask when someone is in distress. But when someone says, “Are you alright?” it depletes me. No, I’m not fucking alright. I’m walking around half-drained of my life-force and I look like a ghost from a Japanese horror film. All that’s missing is the white gown and a television set for me to jerkily crawl out of.

I’m not Japanese, but the point remains.

“This isn’t me trying to push any agenda,” Leoni says, “but Alexander was a sweet kid. I think, as we’ve gotten older, he’s been chewed up and spit out by Eden politics.”

I scoff. “Who here hasn’t been?”

She chuckles. “Agreed. Despite all that, I still sense the same little muchacho.”

The day he dropped Oliver off at the cottage, Alexander asked if I remembered him.

I lied and said that I didn’t.

Of course I knew who he was. Everyone in Eden knows who he is. Even if you didn’t, based on his appearance alone you’dassume he wassomeone. He showed up here, gorgeous and exuding bright energy in his designer trench coat, trendy sneakers and that thick golden mane perfectly styled and swept back from his face. Tall, confident and carefree.

He was much younger when he attended one of my final public performances. I remember it because after the recital, his burly father, Lord Ansväd Kendrick, asked me to interview with his board at the Royal Eden Opera House for a concerto position. No one had ever offered me something so grandiose. Up until that point I had only played in a few respectable houses for private events.

It sounded like the opportunity of a lifetime. Something that would have made my mothers proud. An elite and respectable position for a first-gen vampire in this restrictive and suffocating society.

I was twenty-two at the time, but I can easily recall the posh blonde vampire—all adolescent arms and legs—standing just beside Lord Kendrick. Alexander was staring at me with bright golden-brown eyes, hopeful, as if I was some kind of celebrity.

Little did I know, that offer and my not taking it would initiate an inevitable downward spiral. It was, without question, my first poor choice as a young, naïve adult.

How peculiar to have a vampire connected to that significant crossroad in my life reappear, now. And he senses me…

This isn’t a coincidence, because I don’t believe in coincidences. The circumstances around me are changing. As much as I want to, it’s difficult to ignore.

“Are you sure you won’t come to Seze this weekend?” Leoni asks, smiling. “Rest tomorrow and don’t do any work in the vineyard or your garden, then come help me and Puercoespín?”

Staring up at the ceiling, I consider her question. My natural inclination is to double-down and say no—to stay home this weekend, protected in my sterile bubble like I’ve done for the past two years. It’s safe and comfortable and what I’m accustomed to.

Despite this, something about the palpable shift in myenvironment pulls at me and makes me curious. If I decide to go to Seze, surely, Alexander will not be pleased to see me because he isn’t expecting it. He’ll be irritated and caught off guard, which… my darker, more cynical heart finds amusing.

“Text Alexander ahead of time and tell him that I’m coming,” I say, straining my neck to look over at her. “If he cancels because of me, I can’t carry the crates and cover for him, so it’s a gamble. If he backs out, I’ll stay home.”

Leoni purses her lips, doubtful. “He won’t cancel because of you.”

“He dropped what he was doing and left Kathryn and Roland’s house because of me. They had to beg him to come back.” Within mere seconds of my insult he was out the front door. It surprised the hell out of me. I’ve never seen a purebred vampire run away from someone so fast. Like I had garlic and a cross.

That’s not actually a thing, but again, the point remains.

“Hmm,” Leoni bites her lip in a sneaky smile. “I’ll text and tell him the morning of.”