The wizard stormed off, and the werewolf strode after him keeping pace with his much longer legs.
“And now they’re out of my hearing range—too much noise in this city.” Connor raised an eyebrow as he glanced down at me—I’d learned in our short friendship that he had very expressive eyebrows. “Might I enquire what caused you to suddenly become so interested in listening in?”
“Just curious what a werewolf and wizard were doing together.” I started to pull my hand from Connor’s grasp as planned, but Connor slid his grasp down to my wrist and placed my hand on his chest. “I’m still wondering what has caused this sudden bout of touchy-feely-ness you’ve been displaying for the past few weeks.”
Connor held my hand flat against his chest—which was cool on my fingers as vampires had naturally low body temperatures. “Loneliness?” he suggested.
“You’re lonely?” I asked.
There was a new mischievous glint in his eyes. “I didn’t say I was the lonely one. I’m very concerned about you.”
I’d been busy watching the werewolf and House Tellier wizard—they’d reached Main Street and were joining the flow of traffic. Only half listening, I started to shake my head but stopped and considered it.
I’d moved to Magiford at the beginning of the year, leaving my family—my entire support network—behind. I’d made a few friends, and I was making inroads with my squad—at a very slow rate—but if I was focusing on time spent outside of work, I spent the most time with Connor.
My family weren’t huge cuddlers—that was for werewolves—but I did miss Nan’s tight bear hugs, leaning against my dad on the flight home after a night of tracking vampires, and my mom’s gentle fingers when she’d braid my hair for me because I was busy cleaning a gun and it kept getting in my face.
I was lonely—not horribly so—but enough to feel a tiny nag of pain. Connor had filled much of that space, so I hadn’t thought about it in a while, but he was right.
What does that mean for him? He’s never been interested in any of the humans in our apartment building. He seems to have fewer friends than I do, but I suppose I could be completely off base about that as I have no idea what he does at night.
“Perhaps you’re right. It is generally believed that people don’t get enough hugs,” I said. “Skinship is very important to general mental health.”
Connor stared at me, then relaxed into a low chuckle. “You do throw me sometimes with how logical you are, Brunch.”
“Thank you,” I said. “You’ve run out of new food terms of endearment, haven’t you?”
He raised his eyebrows at me and looked downright arrogant. “Well, I’m not going to call you Potluck, because you’re just for me and not to be shared.”
“That is very on brand for you,” I acknowledged. “Back to our conversation, I’m very impressed with how emotionally intelligent you are.”
Connor still had possession of my hand and was still holding it pressed against his chest. He shrugged as he relaxed his grip on my wrist and slid his palm up the back of my hand to cover my fingers with his. “It’s not that shocking I’d recognize loneliness. It’s probably the strongest emotion vampires are forced to tangle with.”
“Loneliness? Really?” I asked.
“Living for eternity, doomed to watch everyone around you die or give up—what else would you call it?
“But you have other vampires,” I pointed out.
“I was referring to the vampires.” Connor seemed overly absorbed as he stared down at my hand that he had pressed to his chest. “Humans die in the blink of an eye—they’re closer to the lifespan of a fish than a dog for us.”
“Okay, but my point still stands—you have other vampires.”
“Who typically don’t make it past a few centuries,” Connor said. “And those who don’t croak are often taken over by the cynical fatigue with life and enter an endless sleep. They may as well be dead. For a longer-lived vampire, there aren’t many who stay.”
I studied Connor’s face, looking for signs of what he was feeling. He was rarely serious, but this seemed like a moment when I was getting a true glimpse of him.
“Long lived vampires are doomed to a painful, lonely future. It’s inevitable,” he concluded.
I studied Connor’s face, my heart squeezing. “Is that what you’ve been feeling? Lonely?”
Connor flicked his eyes in my direction. A heartbeat passed and he grinned, his eyes glowing with humor. “No. I’m too young for such tripe. Why else would I risk spending time with you?” He winked, then finally pulled my hand off his chest.
There was something about the wording that caught my attention, despite his carefree attitude. If you’re so young that you don’t care… why would you call it a risk?
Connor started to raise my hand to his lips. I knew he wouldn’t bite me but with my blood being the strongest poison to vampires on earth, I wasn’t going to leave room for any mistake.
I twisted my hand in his grasp so I could squeeze his fingers, then pulled my hand free before his lips could brush me.
“Thanks, Connor.” I smiled, hoping it would show how much I appreciated him even if I wouldn’t let his lips touch me jokingly.
“But of course.” Conner stretched, then picked up his half drunken blood pack. “I refuse to eat this subpar offering,” he grumbled before tossing it in the trash.
My conscience prickled as I watched him—Connor never knew just how close he was to death whenever he got close to me.
I’ve only known him for a little over a month, so it’s too early to tell him about my job yet. But next year, I could risk it after a few more months of knowing him.
I wasn’t stupid. I spent the most time with Connor, but he was still something of a mystery. Besides, my background wasn’t only my secret to share, but my family’s as well.
“Right. I’ll take another sip of water, then start my sprints.” I squatted down and picked up my bottle. The metal squeaked as I unscrewed the lid.
“Yeah, yeah. Your run must continue.” Connor yawned—flashing his pronounced canine teeth. “Why do you have to train for so long?”
I took a sip of water, then screwed the lid back on. “It’s important to have a strong foundation for physical health,” I said. “Which includes running, flexibility, reflexes—”
“Wow—okay. You’re making me tired just listening to you.”
“You’ve forgotten how bad it is because you have vampire agility and senses to count on.” I paused. I’d asked before and he was cagey, but he didn’t shut me down, so I think I can risk being more blunt… “How old are you, anyway?”
“Old enough that if I tell you, you’ll probably stop hanging out with me.” Connor sighed mournfully. “You’ll think I’m no longer cool and fashionable, and that my handsome, gorgeous, amazing face is just an empty shell.”
I set my water bottle down, then stood up. “I’d never think that.”
“Thank you.”