“I know.”
“I never will be human. I’m a vampire. Even if I could get approval to stay with you for the next eighty years, what then? I’d have one measly lifetime with you—pretending all the while to be human, watching you age just a little bit more each day, until every ounce of life withers away from your soul and I lose you for good.”
“But at least we would have lived—been a family, had a life together.”
“One life. One. When we could have an eternity.”
“So, that’s it; no negotiation? Your way or the highway?” I scoffed.
“It’s not my way, girl. Do you think I want this?” He pointed to his chest. “God, even if I was willing to stick around to watch you die, it’s not up to me.”
“Well, who decides?”
“The World Council.”
“Can’t we reason with them?”
“No. Discussion closed.”
“Why?”
“Ara, humour me, please—just stop pushing.”
“No, why can’t we reason with them?”
“Because they do not negotiate the laws. Vampire’s in my position stick to their Sets—no matter what.”
“Sets?”
“It’s what we call the communities we belong to—clubs, sort of.”
“Vampire clubs?” My brow arched.
“I said sort of like clubs. They’re there to protect vampires from your society.”
“So, we’re the dangerous ones, now?”
“Yes. Do you know what could happen if vampires were discovered? It could start a war.”
“Would that not be a good thing? You guys would win—then you could live in peace.”
“That’s not the point, Ara. And we would never be in peace. Fear can turn good people into an angry mob. And then…what if we lost? We’d end up locked away or in a science lab being tested on so humans could wield or recreate our powers.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh.” He smiled. “Without a Set, you are exposed, out in the open—no one to help cover up a bad kill, no one to assist with identity change. And I know better than anyone that vampires must be kept under a tight rein—if not, they can become unruly. The law applies to all. Not just those who feel special because they’re in love.”
“But, it would only be for eighty years, then you could go back.”
“It doesn’t work like that. They don’t grant leave to people in my political position.”
“Political position?”
“Yes. I’m a Set leader—on the minor council.”
“Can’t you quit?”
“Would you really ask me to give it up for you, Ara?” One of his eyes narrowed. “Because I could. I could leave, but I’d be hunted like a dog—face imprisonment.”
“Prison?”
He nodded. “And why would I want to quit? I’ve worked hard—spent decades doing unspeakable things to obtain my position. I enjoy my job, Ara.”
“Well, can’t I just come with you—but stay human?” I asked carefully.
He shook his head softly. “No. It’s against the law.”
“Really?”
“Yes, either you become a vampire or I have to leave you behind at the end of the summer.”
“Does…does it hurt…to be changed?”
“Yes.”
“If I—say I decided to be like you, what then?”
“Well, it wouldn’t happen overnight. There are processes to go through. But we’d take our time, prepare you—get you used to the idea first. I wouldn’t rush you.”
“Who would I kill?”
“Who?”
“Yeah, I mean, is it random or do you choose them?”
“Well.” He grinned and picked an ant off the rug, then tossed it onto the grass. “I usually avoid eating comedians.”
“Why?” I asked slowly.
“Because they taste funny.”
I imagined a tumbleweed rolling past. “That wasn’t funny.”
“Okay. Sorry.” He shook his head, smiling, then painted his serious face on again. “Every vampire is different, and the hunt or the kill, it’s very intimate—asking a vampire how he kills is almost as personal as asking what colour underwear he’s wearing.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realise.”
“No, it’s fine. We’re in an intimate relationship, Ara, so it’s okay for you to ask.”
I liked that. I felt special. “So, how do you choose them?”
“It used to be random—usually women. Now, it’s men. I stalk them for a bit, see if they’re worthy of existing, if not—” He shrugged to finish.
“And you enjoy it? The…kill?”
“Yes.”
My body shuddered involuntarily. “And you feel for them after?”
“Now, I do. But only as bad as you’d feel for knocking an old lady over in the street.”
For some reason, I pictured an old lady falling from her walking frame. “How often do you eat?”
“Every couple of days. I can go for as long as five days, but it gets very…uncomfortable.” He readjusted his position.
That wasn’t so bad. At least it wasn’t three square meals a day.
David chuckled lightly.
“So…are you hungry now?” I asked.
“No. I would never be that irresponsible again. To be here alone with you would be dangerous if I were deprived.”
Dangerous? “But you said…just before, in my backyard, that I never have to be afraid of you.”
“Only because I will never again take risks with you.”
“So, have you ever wanted to…feed from me?”
“Yes.”
My breath caught in my throat, and an uneasy silence hovered around us. David’s lip twitched, one eye narrowing ever so slightly, making my heart warm as I read the uncertainty behind his gaze. Then, I burst out laughing. “You should see the look on your face.” I pointed at him. “You’re not sure if you should’ve said that, are you?”
The sweet, familiar smile tugged at the corner of his lip for a second, then, it broke into a broad, honest grin as he laughed along with me. “I just don’t want to frighten or repulse you. I’m never sure what to say.”
I let my bottom lip slip forward into a pout for a second. “I’m sorry. It must be hard for you.”