“Very good,” is Theo’s reply. Despite the frigid air, he removes his sweater and smiles as the morning light touches his bare skin. He bows his head toward me. “Thank you, Master.”
“It was earned,” I say.
It’s true. Of the five hundred and some followers who live here or in the surrounding settlements, only the best are awarded sunwalker spells. They’ve been with me the longest or proven the worthiest, and after twenty years, only five have claimed the honor.
Oskar. Milas. Beatrice. Amelia. And now, Theo.
Within minutes, the others arrive, all wearing black leather and bloodied smiles. Beatrice attempts to wipe herface, but the others wear their breakfast proudly, eyes dark with satisfaction.
Theo tugs his shirt back in place, scowling when Milas whistles at him.
“Don’t get dressed on our account,” Milas calls. He stretches an arm around Amelia’s shoulder, tugging her against his side. “Personally, I think we should all get naked. Why don’t you start, Amelia?”
Amelia smacks him playfully on the back of his head, but Beatrice smirks at me, like maybe thereshouldbe a new dress code.
“Another time,” I say, winking at her. Then, glancing between all of them, I add, “I hope you were subtle. That’s not exactly the best example for our newcomer.”
“Wait, was that…is thatfresh?” Theo asks. He starts across the yard, movements staggered and awkward. He frowns as he jogs, adjusting to his drastically weakened muscles, and I hold back a laugh.
“Always,” Milas drawls. He strokes Amelia’s arm, and she quickly shoves him off, glaring. Unbothered, Milas continues, “We came across a fisherman by the river. Completely alone. Too good to pass up.”
Fresh blood isalwaystoo good for them to pass up, especially when hunting is involved. There’s something inexplicably different about drinking in the wild, rather than from the wrist of an occupational bloodletter.
“Don’t worry,” Beatrice says. “We were discreet. I cleaned up after us.”
“I know,” I say. It’s the truth. Beatrice is my most level-headed follower, and she’s quick to shoot me a reassuring smile now.
She steps closer, surrounding me with the intoxicatingscent of fresh blood and her sugary perfume. I trail my fingers over her ribcage, down to the flare of her hips. Her dress ends several inches above her knees, and I tease the hemline.
“Hells, I’d love to fuck you in this,” I tell her.
Oskar clears his throat beside me, but the others barely react. The old man is the only one easily offended. The rest of us? We’re always ready to feast, flirt, and fuck. Typically in that order.
“You probably will,” she says breezily. Then, she saunters across the courtyard, swaying her hips as she walks. Amelia meets her partway, linking their elbows together.
“You deserve better. Both of you,” Oskar says. He drops his cigarette butt on the cobblestone and smashes it with his heel. “Games like this don’t end well.”
“I disagree,” I say. “I think this will end with Beatrice bent over my desk and my cum between her legs. A perfect ending, if you ask me.”
“Or perhaps it will end with your severed cock onherdesk,” he argues. With slanted brows he leans closer. “Truly, Sebastian. Love has driven people to madness.”
“What’s love got to do with fucking?” I ask, unable to keep the smile off my face.
Oskar doesn’t reply. He only sighs, as if I have simultaneously disappointed and exhausted him.
I laugh and slap him on the shoulder.
It’s been twenty years since Freja died, but Oskar still pines for her. It’s a sentiment I don’t understand and don’t particularly care to. His affection for her has left him lonely and sore, and yet, he’s convinced I need that sort of debilitating love for myself.
No. Thanks.
“You have the brain of a witch and the instinct of a vampire,” I say. “But that heart of yours is bloody human.”
Two hours later,the courtyard’s table is covered in parchment. Only glimpses of stone are visible between faded maps, torn grimoire pages, and more than one stolen letter. We’ve spent most of this session getting Theo up to speed. Even though he’s been a follower for twelve years, he’s never had access to information like this.
As we near a close, he has a hand on either temple, massaging slowly. I can’t decide if he’s trying to rub the information into his brain or if we’ve given him a terrible headache. Either way, it’s clear we’ve covered enough for today.
“We’ll pick back up next week” I announce. I stack the papers nearest to me, and Milas does the same on his end. Looking to Theo, I add, “Plan to meet with Amelia before you go into daylight alone. She’ll walk you through everything you need to know.”
