Page 78 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver

“Tell me the reasons. Tell me the feelings.”

“You don’t want to hear this,” I say. “We don’t need to do this. We don’t do this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Talk candidly and honestly. We never have.”

Alexander sits upright and folds his legs as he faces me. “We could try? I’m serious, Oliver. Tell me why. I would like to know.”

My spine stiffens as I cross my leg. “If you call me some stupid name or insult—”

“I won’t! Look at you. See? This is what I mean. Your arms are folded, your legs are crossed and you’re as rigid as a board. Totally closed off from me, like always.”

“You’ve never given me a reason tonotbe rigid around you! Suddenly I’m supposed to bare my soul?”

“No, Ollie. You don’t need to do that, I just want… Could you try to relax, please? I only want to listen. I promise.”

Breathing, I roll my shoulders as I unfold my arms. I set my palms at the edge of the ottoman. Before I start talking, I want him to answer my original question. “Why did you come in here this early? You’re not even dressed.”

“Because I felt the essence of your nature flare outward this morning. It was so unusual to feel it radiate strongly like that. Part of me was afraid of what I might find, but I wanted to know.”

Seriously? Was the strength of my nature that profound? That Alexander would sense it from across the estate? Does this mean that other vampires may have felt it too?

“Were you with him this morning?” Alexander asks. “Is that why?”

I roll my shoulders again. I’m really not comfortable answering these kinds of questions. “I was having lurid dreams.”

He scoffs. “Liar. You’re such a terrible liar.”

“A minute ago, you asked me why I like Aries—”

“I asked why you love him.”

I take a breath. “He talks to me openly and candidly. He listens and respects me—”

“He’s first-gen and you’re the purebred son of the lord who’s hired him—of course he’s going to listen to and respect you.”

Pausing, I stare at him without speaking.

“What?” he asks. “It’s true.”

“Right. So, if you’re going to cut me off and demean and negate everything I say, then I don’t want to talk about this. Iwon’t.”

Alexander meets my gaze for a moment, considering. “This is where I go wrong, isn’t it?”

“You like to cut me off. You enjoy telling me that I’m being stupid or naïve in some form or fashion. This is why I don’t bother talking to you. Why should I waste my breath?”

“Alright, I’m sorry. I get it.”

I roll my eyes. “Stop being sorry and just listen without judgment for once. Stop being so fucking self-centered.”

Alexander nods. “Aries is not self-centered, then?”

“He isn’t,” I confirm, refolding my arms. “He’s thoughtful and patient. He considers me and helistens. He does not demean or belittle me, and it isn’t because I’m the purebred son of his employer. It’s because he respects me as a vampire—as another living, breathing entity. He doesn’t want anything from me. There’s no selfish ulterior motive behind his actions.”

There’s another pause when I finish, but this one seems intentional. Alexander is listening and processing.

“May I ask a question?” he says.