Page 17 of Always Eros
Viv laughs, tucking a lock of her long red hair behind her ear. “Gah, I’m crazy about her. Oh, Eros, I wish you really were the god of love and could shoot her with an arrow. I don’t think she’s into me at all.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She’s so professional and serious. Even when we’re alone, she doesn’t give me any clues at all. I know she dates women, but maybe she doesn’t see me that way.”
“Have you told her how you feel?”
Viv scoffs. “No. I don’t want to make it weird if she’s not into me. I’ll just suffer in silence and take my frustrations out with my vibrator.” She scrunches her nose. “Too much information.”
I laugh, rubbing her arm. “You can’t offend a vampire.”
“No, I guess not.” She smiles, dragging a hand through her hair. “Maybe I’ll get up the nerve one day. For all my confidence and swagger, something about her leaves me weak, but, like, in a good way.”
“There must be something to it then. Maybe she just needs a little hint that you’re into her.”
“Maybe. I know the job is really important to her.”
“That could be it. Just be patient. The best things are worth waiting for.”
She smiles. “Right. Thanks for the pep talk.”
“My pleasure.”
“The patient should rest now, but if he gets agitated again, just text me.”
“I will.”
Viv leaves and I sit back in my chair with my notebook on my lap. My thoughts are on Justice still, which is both intriguing and annoying. It’s been a long time since I’ve been moved by a mortal. Maybe I can swing by the place I left him and check in on him. That would likely put my mind to rest.
* * *
A few hours pass before Syn enters the room for his shift.
“How is Hale?” he asks.
“Resting finally. Viv was here and gave him a new healing potion. It seems to be working. His heart rate is calming.”
“Good.” Syn sits in the empty chair next to me. “Yves contacted the Council to inform them of the attack. They haven’t heard of others, but they are going to investigate.”
“Excellent. It’s very concerning if there are mortals out there aware of our existence.”
“Agreed, and they would have to be mortals. Anyone else would know how to kill a vampire, except for us legacy vamps.”
“My thoughts exactly. I wonder if somehow a mortal was attacked but survived.”
Syn scoffs. “Only a truly sloppy vampire would allow such a mistake.”
“I know, but we can’t rule it out.”
“True. Midnight had a thought. What if a vampire revealed themselves to someone they loved?”
“Oh fuck. I didn’t consider that option.”
“And if their lover ran, they would find it difficult to destroy them even for the good of the whole,” Syn notes.
“Right. Hopefully when Hale wakes he can tell us more.”
“Let’s hope. You can rest now.”