Page 46 of Vampires of Eden

My father is heavily into classic arts and media—theater and the opera, orchestras and ballets. He was thrilled when I told him that I wanted to learn the piano. I enjoy that stuff, too. But I don’t know. Sci-fi and fantasy television just hit differently. Pure fun.

By the time I hear Kathryn and Roland downstairs, Daniel and me have gotten quieter and are more intensely focused on our tasks. This bathroom is in rougher shape than the others, without question.

“Hey guys, is everything alright?” Roland walks into the bathroom, a scraper in hand, ready to go.

“Hey,” I greet. “So far so good.”

“All is well,” Daniel says, vigorously sanding a particularly thick spot on the wall in front of him.

A moment later, Kathryn appears in the door frame, holding what looks like a small stack of letters in her hands. “Hi guys, are we getting along okay?”

I stifle a laugh. I wonder if they rushed back to the houseto make sure me and Daniel weren’t at each other’s throats. “Everything is fine,” I assure her.

“Good, good,” she says absently as she sifts through the envelopes. “Oh.” She smiles as she pulls out a flat, brightly colored card and reads it over. “It’s a postcard from Oliver.”

My throat tightens. I continue my work, but I don’t say anything.

“Looks like he’s doing well,” Kathryn goes on. “He’s enjoying Thailand, and their next project is in Hong Kong! How amazing. He says to tell everyone ‘Hi.’ He’s a sweet vamp, that one. It’s such a shame that he left. We need more purebreds like him in Eden. Alexander, do you keep in touch with him? Are you two still close even though the engagement is off?”

Were we ever close?

Did we get anywhere near as close as I wanted us to be?

The dark sea churns within my heart but I try to push it back. “Um, he calls sometimes, but… not really.”

“Aw, that’s too bad. You two made such a lovely couple.”

I’m so stupid and weak, because the emotional wave swells up my throat. I can’t breathe in here. The familiar, humiliating heat flashes behind my eyes. I lift my forearm to my face because my hands are covered in mud and dust, then close my eyes. I can’t stifle it this time.

“Would you please excuse me for just a minute?” Without waiting for a response, I set my tools down and leave the bathroom as calmly as possible, then rush down the stairs. When I’m outside, the cool air and afternoon sunlight help, but I curse myself when I realize my car keys and phone are sitting just outside the bathroom door.

Not knowing what else to do, I walk around the perimeter of the house in a fog.

You two made such a lovely couple.

I know Kathryn means well, but the phrase is like a knife blade to my chest. Especially after last night and the terrible evening with Lord Lecherous constantly putting his hands on me.

Wouldn’t Oliver and me have made a decent couple?

Couldn’t we have? Eventually, after some time? If he’d given us a chance?

If he’d givenmea real chance?

The back wooden deck of the house has been damp and snowy for weeks. Today, the steps are bone dry from the warmth of the sun. I sit down hard and it’s quiet aside from the birds in the naked trees. I stare into the seemingly infinite woods, taking in the barrenness. The rough edges and twisted dark branches. The mud and dead debris lining the ground.

The depressing state of the scene looks like my life. Like my future.

As I sit in the silence, the tears come.

I let them.

I’m breathing with my shoulders slumped when an electric spark passes over my flesh. I start, then glance backward. Daniel is in the doorway leading into the house.

Fuck. He’s the last vampire that I would want to see me like this.

I face the woods, then wipe my face with the back of my hand, hoping he’ll have the decency to walk away and leave me in peace. But the door creaks open and he steps outside.

“I’ll be back in a couple minutes.” My voice comes out dry and I sniff, discreetly wiping my face with my sleeve.