Page 60 of Vampires of Eden

“We already did that.”

“No, you didn’t say anything back. How are you feeling?”

Daniel glances toward the fire. “I’m feeling alright. And hi.”

“Is something wrong? Leoni said that you were okay with me visiting?” I wouldn’t have come here if he hadn’t agreed to this. Because, I don’t know… one minute we seem alright, the next, I’m pretty sure he hates me.

Slowly, a smile curls on his lips. A deep dimple that I’ve nevernoticed before appears in his cheek. “Nothing is wrong,” he chokes out. “I just keep thinking about you falling flat in the mud and I can’t stop laughing.” He does this now, laughs and leans over into the backrest of the couch. He covers his face with his palm as his entire body trembles.

Amused, I scoff. “You’re so mean.”

“I amnot—but you should have seen yourself. You slipped and plopped over like dead weight. Then you fell again!” He chuckles but it turns into a coughing fit.

“Was it that funny?”

“It was the funniest shit I have ever seen in my whole life. I’ll never forget that sight. It’s burned into my retinas.”

Sitting back to make myself comfortable, I fold my arms. “Well, I’m glad I gave you a good memory.”

“Yeah,” he breathes, finally calming down as he closes his eyes. “I’m short on those. So, thanks.”

A soft lull falls over us and I absently stare into the fire. I want to ask why he’s sick. How he’s sick. Being out in the rain—even a downpour like the other day—it’s nothing to a vampire’s health. We don’t get “sick” like this. Ever. I want to understand, but… it’s none of my business.

“Now I know why you wear that ugly neon orange parka,” I comment randomly.

Daniel’s brow furrows but he grins. “Is it ugly?”

“It’s hideous. But if you’re out walking and fall somewhere or get sick, the coat makes it easier to find you.”

“Good job, Sherlock.”

“Here you go.” Leoni reappears and sets a healthy bowl of bright red strawberries on the low table in front of us. They’re glistening with water, the tops have been removed and she’s cut them into halves. Perfect.

Taking hold of the bowl, I bring it closer to the couch and in-between us so Daniel can reach. I pop a half into my mouth, then speak around it. “Thanks for washing them.”

“Sure, sure,” Leoni says, heading back toward the kitchen. “Thanks for sharing. I’ll see you two later. There’s barrel topping up to be done.”

As she disappears, I hold the bowl out to Daniel. “Do you want one?”

“Not right now,” he says. “It’s my turn to play detective. You don’t eat meat. Or any animal products.”

The statement catches me off guard. I never talk about this, but I shrug and decide to go with it. “Nope. When I can avoid it, anyway.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t want to. Sometimes, when I’m researching things on the Internet for Buffy and cat owners, I come across videos of ‘odd animal couples.’ Dogs that are best friends with pigs. Lambs with horses, or baby chickens and rabbits that snuggle up with a cat like it’s their mother. I don’t know… I wouldn’t eat Buffy, so why should I eat them?”

No one has ever asked me why before. Raph knows about this because he notices everything. My mother, too. For her, it’s yet another “un-princely habit.” I play with my food, if you let her tell it.

I feel a little defensive admitting it aloud and I’m waiting for his rebuke. For him to tell me I’m a fucking weirdo.

“That’s understandable,” he says. “You’re allowed to make that choice.”

Surprised, I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thanks…” I glance over at him, noticing the dark circles underneath his tired eyes once more. “How… how long will it take for you to recover from this—from being out in the rain, I mean?”

“About a week. My immune system, well, my body isn’t capable of operating at full capacity. I get tired and overwhelmed easily if I’m not careful. But I’ll be back to ‘normal’ by this time next week. Normal for me, anyway.”

Nodding, I bite my tongue and stare down at the bowl of strawberries in my lap, resisting the urge to ask more. I’m about tochange the subject when he speaks again. His voice quiet in the hushed atmosphere.