Page 44 of Vampires of Eden

“I was wondering if you were planning on getting up today? It’s late. I knocked earlier but you didn’t answer.”

“Sorry, I didn’t hear. I must have been sleeping still.”

He steps inside and shuts the door behind him. As he moves toward the large chest at the end of my bed, I return to the wallnear Buffy. She’s finished eating and conducting her morning bath.

The sunlight in the room is bright and overly warm. It feels like the promise of spring.

“Are you alright?” he asks, taking a seat and looking alarmed.

I shrug one shoulder. “Eh.”

“Last night was no good,” Raphael says solemnly. He folds his arms and stares down at the carpet.

“Nope.”

“He’s an arrogant turd and I don’t like how belligerent he’s getting with you. I think you should tell your parents that it’s not happening with Lord Cherrington.”

Leaning my head back against the wall, I close my eyes. “Would they listen?”

“Your father absolutely would. If you tell him sincerely, he’ll try to convince your mother. Lord Ansväd already acknowledged that Cherrington is too old for you. I’m not setting up another meeting with him. We’re done with it.”

Unexpectedly, Daniel pops into my head. I think about how he suggested that my relationship with Raph might be inauthentic because of our roles. That Raph only cares about me because I pay him. If that were true, he wouldn’t give a shit about how Lord Cherrington treated me last night.

Raphael has no reason to defend me like this. In fact, it’s in his best interestnotto.

“Thank you,” I say, exhaling.

“For?”

“Caring. About me.”

“Of course I care about you. I raised you.”

This makes me chuckle. “It sounds weird when you say that. You’re not that much older than me.”

“So? Who has spent the most time with you since you were five years old? Who dressed and looked out for you? Who taught you how to tie your shoes, brush your hair and code switch? Me!”

I laugh and my heart feels a little bit lighter.

“Don’t go to the history museum fundraiser today,” Raphael continues. “Stay home, I’ll cancel your invitation—Or, better yet, why don’t you go out to Nantshire?”

“They’re not expecting me today,” I reason, watching as Buffy pads over to Raphael. He bends down, welcoming her with a loving pet on her head. “I told them Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

“You told me that they always need the help,” Raphael counters. “So, if you text Kathryn and ask, I’m sure she’ll say yes. You and Daniel are fine now, right?”

“I think so...” Daniel is weird and I don’t understand him. He’s always making derogatory comments, so it’s obvious that he doesn’t care for me at all, but… talking to him during the car ride home was fun. It surprised me.

I don’t have anyone to talk to about the movies and TV shows that I like. Raphael knows I enjoy these things, but he can’t be bothered. He concedes and watches some things with me, but he’s more of an outdoorsy vampire—hiking, foraging and such. He could probably list the name of every bird native to Eden within the span of sixty seconds.

Daniel seemed a bit calmer in the car, but even still… I’m too fragile today. As if I might break at the slightest poke. “I think I should stay here?—”

“And be depressed?” Raphael asks. “I won’t allow it. Go get some fresh countryside air. It’ll help take your mind off things.”

Annoyed, I frown. “Why are you being so pushy?”

“Because I raised you and I know that going to Nantshire is good for you. You need the escape, so go.”

Raphael is correct about one thing, at least. The drive out to Nantshire alone makes me feel better. When I arrive, the white van from Leoni’s vineyard is parked at the side of the house, which means Daniel is here. I texted Kathryn and asked if I could come today. She said yes, but she didn’t mention anything else. A warning would have been nice.