Aversion to sunlight, lifeless blood cells, decaying skin, stunted reproduction capabilities and lack of emotional control all stem from feeding on humans. Consequently, most ranked vampires choose lovers and mates of their own kind. If Ladislao desires to live his life otherwise, it is his prerogative.
“The vampires under his realm feel that he is mucking up our race.” Emory sits up straight, his voice returning to normal now that the apparently shameful part of their conversation has finished. “They feel that as a purebred, he should hold more honor and be more concerned with the decline in the pureblood population since the Vanishing, not frivolously consorting with humans.”
“One man cannot be held responsible for repopulating our race,” Haruka says. “Nor should he be held accountable for the inexplicable circumstances of our past.”
“I agree, your grace. But one man can have great influence. His decision to blatantly ignore the concerns of his kin is causing quite the commotion.”
Reaching down to grab his cup of coffee, Haruka nods in agreement. “Perhaps some diplomacy would help to ease the tension.” From what he’s read in the news, Ladislao seems arrogant in his views, often shocking reporters with colorful, vulgar statements. The situation in Brazil serves as a poignant example of what happens when disapproval of a vampiric leader malevolently spreads throughout a realm.
“My lord, are you still satisfied with your new source?”
Only pausing a beat, Haruka brings his cup to his lips. “I am.”
When he thinks of Nino, “satisfied” is a gross understatement. He looks forward to Sundays when he can spend time with his charming source.
Haruka often watches him, wondering how a vampire like this can exist, and also how he could be so fortunate in crossing paths with him. Sometimes Haruka is distracted by the golden light in his amber eyes, or the beautiful glow of his honeyed skin and bright smile. He breathes Nino’s scent and his nature twists and shifts from want of him.
Consuming his spiced, delicious blood is heavenly. He always wants to pull deeper—to release Nino’s aura and give him intense emotional pleasure. To formally mark him as his own, making it clear to any other vampire that Nino is his source.
But he resists. Strictly suppressing the urge each time. Haruka prides himself on his ability to control his nature, and he and Nino are friends. He deeply values their relationship and would never jeopardize it. Haruka has never known anything like it.
To talk and interact so freely with someone, without the burden of strict societal roles, great personal sacrifice or rigid expectations… Haruka never could have imagined this circumstance. Not even in his wildest dreams.
“You got another letter today,” Asao says, just before sipping a spoonful of soup. When he finishes, he picks up his glass of water. “This makes eleven.”
It’s evening. Asao and Haruka are having dinner together in the kitchen. Haruka sits back and sighs. “What could she possibly want? And why does she know where I am?”
Asao stands from the table and gathers their bowls. “If someone is determined enough, you’re not that hard to find. She obviously wants something from you. Selfish harpy.”
Haruka closes his eyes. Despite not having seen her in almost seventy years, the delicate features of her face emerge behind his closed lids: warm brown eyes speckled with flecks of blue and set in a delicate, oval-shaped face. With the image comes a wave of bitterness and regret. Shame and self-loathing. He’d made a vow to her. Sincerely chosen to dedicate the span of his life, blood and body to her. But where is Haruka now? He tries not to think about it too deeply. When he does, he feels wayward and lost—like a kite without a string.
With his eyes still closed, Haruka lifts his chin and silently sniffs the air. Like a sensitive alarm system programmed within his body, the familiar vibration of his vampiric senses dispatches a wave of warning up his spine and directly to his brain. Someone unfamiliar is drawing closer to his home. He furrows his brow, narrowing his perception as he breathes. Not just someone. A group of unknowns.
Asao is at the sink washing dishes when Haruka opens his eyes. “We have guests approaching.”
“Do we know these guests?” Asao says over his shoulder.
“I’m not certain…” Haruka says. He doesn’t recognize the scents but… He focuses and breathes again. Tea tree. Maybe he knows one.
“How far out?” Asao asks.
“Perhaps an hour.” Sensing the presence of another ranked vampire isn’t an exact science. He can only approximate the distance, but it is a fairly reliable and archaic trait within every purebred’s biology. Other ranked vampires have the ability as well, but their homing skills are much less compelling.
Asao turns off the water and grabs a dish towel to dry his hands. “Well, we should give them a proper welcome.”
An hour passes and their guests are being oddly shy. Haruka sits with Asao in the study. The dark bramble of woods on the other side of the glass wall is ominously illuminated by the soft glow of the full moon. The study is silent save for the warm, crackling fireplace behind their armchairs. Asao abruptly yawns, making Haruka flicker his eyes over to his manservant sitting across from him.
“Can we end this?” Asao says, standing. “I’m ready to go to bed.”
Haruka stands as well. Enough is enough. He walks out of the study and down the hall to the main entrance. He grabs his long wool coat and swings it onto his body. When he opens the front door and steps outside into the moonlight, his manservant is at his side.
The night air is frigid and crisp. Haruka exhales to untie the knot of his aura deep within him, his breath fanning out in a puff of wispy smoke. The pressure within him expands, making his eyes alight and burn bright red. Looking out and scanning the woods, he concentrates. It’s been a while and he doesn’t want to make any careless mistakes.
Two… one… two.
He presses the heavy weight of his vampiric aura out and over the wide expanse of the skeletal woods. It stretches before him like a wide, infinite fan of light, rushing forward against the ground in search of its targets.
Loud cries echo through the air, one after another, as Haruka successfully grasps each of his victims. When all five are secure under his subjugation, he slowly lifts his head, simultaneously raising each form high above the cover of trees and shadows. They come into view, their bodies completely stiff and floating against the night sky like a group of red, hazy asteroids drifting through space.
Willing them forward and directly into his line of sight, Haruka holds them a short distance from the porch where he stands. He places his hands in his pockets and walks forward. When Haruka is standing in front of the one he holds in the center—the largest of the five—he looks up and into his strained face.
“You have an affinity for these late-night, unannounced visits,” Haruka says, watching Gael’s eyes flicker wildly in panic.
Asao yawns, stepping up beside Haruka. “He brought friends this time.”
“I suppose I should be honored by this? I was weak before, but he still sought assistance.”
“Yeah, but did he not realize you’d know they were hiding right outside the damn door?” Asao says, frowning. “Give me a break.”
“Asao, please call the police and Emory. He is realm leader so he should deal with this. I am sure Oliver would appreciate some time with Gael as well.”
“Sure,” Asao says, turning. He smirks. “The police won’t be able to hold a bunch of bulky first- and second-gen vampires. You should help them out.”
Haruka tilts his head, considering. “I will make certain the police have an advantage.”
