“I’m very grateful you survived,” Nino says quietly. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it wasn’t easy.”

Haruka slides his hands around Nino’s waist, embracing him against the length of his body. Nino’s eyes widen in the hug, but he quickly closes them and holds his friend a little tighter.

“Thank you for listening,” Haruka says. “I have never… spoken of it aloud. Not once.”

How long can they stand together like this—embracing each other in the soundless, golden sunlight? The solidity of Haruka in his arms, and the gentle rise and fall of his breathing swelling against his chest. Nino has no clue. But he could do it all day. Even then, it wouldn’t feel long enough.

Twenty-Four

The following night, and as per Cellina’s insistence, Haruka accompanies Nino in meeting one of Milan’s most esteemed aristocracy members. Francesco Moretti is curator for the Galleria d’Arte Moderna. Based on Haruka’s admittedly shallow research, Moretti has held the prestigious title for the past two centuries and is best known for his personal relationship with Pompeo Marchesi.

Upon their arrival, Haruka and Nino are escorted down a long marbled corridor washed in dim, romantic lighting. Classic European artwork set in golden antique frames adorns the walls—Trivulzio Madonna by Mantegna, Portrait of a Warrior by Dossi. Moretti has a blatant affinity for priceless Renaissance-era artwork.

The hallway ends at a set of oak doors. The maidservant escorting them pulls one open and steps aside. To his amazement, there is a large atrium set behind Signor Moretti’s home.

The space is a rectangle lined with lush, deep green landscaping. Everything is drenched in the beautiful color: twisting cypress trees along the inside perimeter and thick, manicured grass running throughout the garden like a luscious emerald carpet. Strings of clear light bulbs are beautifully hung above a long table on the brick patio set in the center of the glass house. The modern lighting casts a soft, almost dreamlike haze.

During the ride to Moretti’s estate, Nino was uncharacteristically quiet. Haruka knows that his friend loathes these types of formal events, but he isn’t exactly sure why. It is only a dinner party and Nino isn’t in any danger. The only true threats are boredom and the uncomfortable barrage of flowery compliments.

They walk toward the table and all the vampires there pause to stare. When an older male at the head of the table stands, everyone follows his lead. From his Internet search on Nino’s laptop, Haruka recognizes the leader as Francesco Moretti. The older vampire’s thick silver curls glisten under the soft light of the atrium. His face is chiseled and attractive with a strong jawline. Clearly, he is dignified and well-groomed.

“Younger Bianchi, it is a pleasure to have you join us for dinner in Lord Bianchi’s absence.”

Signor Moretti opens his arms wide and Nino awkwardly steps into his embrace. The older vampire neatly kisses him on the cheeks before drawing back and looking him in the face. “Such a stunning young vampire you’ve grown into. Perhaps I haven’t seen you since before you came of age? Pity.”

“Maybe.” Nino smiles, but the gesture doesn’t reach his eyes. “Signor Moretti, this is my friend Haruka Hirano of Kurashiki, Japan. He’s visiting with us for the week.”

“I have heard.” Moretti beams as if Haruka is a large bag of rare gemstones. He offers a slight bow from his waist. “Impressive purebred you are. Welcome to Milan, Master Hirano.”

“Thank you, signore,” Haruka replies, nodding politely. “Please simply call me Haruka. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Your Italian is beautiful, Haruka. Please have a seat and make yourselves comfortable.”

Moretti goes around the table to introduce each of his guests—their rank, age, profession and any noteworthy distinctions they have achieved. It is tedious. And pointless. Based on his experiences across European aristocracies, no one else will talk at any length tonight. The host always dominates, rarely letting the other guests get a word in edgewise.

Nino pulls his smartphone from his pants pocket and discreetly checks it underneath the table. Haruka doesn’t need to ask why. Cellina is not here yet.

Signor Moretti calls for Haruka’s attention and he straightens his back, preparing for the inevitable onslaught of questions.

Wine is poured. Warm appetizers are served. Just as Haruka had anticipated, much of Signor Moretti’s focus has been on him. His background, his opinions, his breeding, his interests. The conversation is engaging if not slightly wearisome.

Nino has barely said a word since they arrived.

Signor Moretti takes a long sip of wine, then diverts his attention toward Haruka yet again. “We are all well aware of the younger Bianchi’s… troubles. But may I ask—what with your intellect, alluring aura and poise, why have you chosen to remain unbonded?”

Haruka blinks. Troubles? He casts his disbelieving gaze over to Nino, but he avoids his eyes and casually picks up his glass of water—as if nothing untoward has been stated. Haruka takes a deep breath and focuses on Signor Moretti. He quickly reverts to his canned answer. “I have not yet found a vampire that I am compatible with.”

“Perhaps that will change whilst you are in Italy?” He grins, mischievous. The elder gentleman already has someone in mind for Haruka. Perhaps a few someones. They always do. Simultaneously, Nino exhales a quiet groan.

“The younger Bianchi is… inexperienced and ignorant of our social hierarchy.” Moretti lifts his chin. “It is the elder Bianchi, Giovanni, on whom you should focus your precious attention. He is an exceptionally shrewd businessman and well known all across Europe—truly the pride of our region. There is also a ranked female in Rome—”

“Amore, you are being discourteous.” Lilliana, Moretti’s mate, gently smacks his shoulder. She offers an apologetic smile to Nino.

“Are my words untrue?” Signor Moretti says proudly, lifting his large hands in a yielding gesture. “Nino has not acknowledged nor properly engaged with any of us in his lifetime. How can he know? And do you still privately consort with that leech Cosimo De Luca?”

Nino’s jaw drops in naked shock. “No. How do you—”

“Oh, everyone knows about that.” Moretti flippantly waves his hand. “Don’t be a child. There are no secrets in this community. He is a disgrace, but his sister, on the other hand… exquisite. I am looking forward to her arrival tonight.”

Nino runs his fingers through his coppery hair—a clear sign to Haruka that his friend’s stress level is climbing higher.

“Before tonight,” Moretti says, focusing on Nino, “had you even heard of any of the vampires at this table—aside from me, of course?”

Nino glances down the length of the table before offering a polite smile. “No, signore, but—”

“What knowledge do you have of the art world? Did you research prior to this dinner? You have contributed nothing to our conversation—”

“Amore, please.” Lilliana speaks up once more. “He is a very delicate creature. Remember the trauma he has experienced.”

“Delicacies aside, why does he not know our art history?” Moretti asks, lifting his wine glass toward Nino. “It’s our culture, for God’s sake, and it isn’t as if you haven’t had plenty of time alone to research.”

Moretti starts to sip his wine, but abruptly stops, the liquid sloshing in the glass as he leans forward. “Have you heard of da Vinci? How about listing three works of his? Can—”

Haruka quickly releases the knot of his aura from the center of his body, extending the strength of his essence outward to cover the occupants of the dinner party.

He’s had enough.

Twenty-Five

It takes much focus on Haruka’s part, but everyone at the dinner table is suspended in time except for Nino. He has successfully circumvented his energy around his friend beside him so that he remains unaffected.

Nino cautiously turns to look at him with his bright amber gaze. Haruka frowns, unable to mask his discontent. “Nino…”

“Yeah?” Nino’s voice registers much higher than usual as he discreetly scans the table.

“Why is he treating you like this?”

Nino nervously glances around again. “Can they hear us? You froze me before, but I could still hear you.”

“That is because I left your consciousness intact, but I have not done that now. I try to avoid impeding creatures in totality because it disrupts their awareness of the passage of time. Why is Signor Moretti speaking so discourteously to you?”

Nino closes his eyes. “I haven’t… You know I don’t have an official societal role. Along with that, I haven’t formally engaged with our aristocracy at all since I was little. So on the rare occasion that I go to these things, vampires are either resentful of me for not engaging in society or they pity me. It’s just how it is. I think Lina wants me to do these things more so it’ll get better. But I don’t know if it can at this point.”

“Where is she?” Haruka asks. She’d been invited to this dinner because of her passion for the art world. The two of them are technically here to support her.

“She had another interview today and it turned into a dinner thing. She’s been apologizing to me all night via text.”