Blood Tint ~ Part 16

{Start with Part 1}

Blood Tint ~ Part 16
I smiled.

“No, mornings make me feel almost…” I trailed off ‘Almost human’ or ‘almost normal’ are too much clichés. I shrugged. “I don’t have the proper words for it, even after all this time.”

Neave gave me a searching look. I think she understood – or was trying to, at least; her empathetic spark reaching out to me.

“I don’t let him think too much about it.” Daci said, mock maternally. “It’s not good for him.”

I hissed at her and we all set about cleaning up from our thoroughly consumed breakfast.

Neave stopped with a plate and cup in her hands, thinking.

“Ok, I’m all turned around. What day is it?”

I chuckled.

“It can be confusing. It’s Sunday,” I said, “The Gallery opening was Friday night, Poul’s party, Saturday. So it is Sunday evening now.”

Neave looked both relieved and distressed at the same time.

“Phew! It… feels much longer. And like no time at all. I… Well, I have to go to work tomorrow. Painting doesn’t pay all the bills. Yet.”

“I’ll wager it’s just a matter of time, Neave,” I said. I truly believed it, too. I’ve seen my share of successful and not-so-successful artists at this stage in their careers.

“Flatterer. But of course I hope you’re right. Meantime, SoHo Art Supply is what does. Crazy thing is… am I going to be able to sleep tonight? It’s what, 8? 9? I’m not even a tiny bit tired. It’s going to be a tough morning if I’m up all night! At least I could paint…”

“That would, I’m sure be lovely, but I also know how to make sure you get rest, I think.” I said, letting my fangs show in my grin.

Neave shuddered. I could _hear_ the blood rushing to color her cheeks. The marks on her neck beckoned me. Desire – with the slightest undertone of trepidation filled the space between us.

“I think you should go home, and prepare for bed. I promise you’ll sleep very well – and that you’ll wake up in time for work.”

Skeptical, she still nodded. Out of the corner of my vision I saw Daci’s eyes twinkle.

“Sometimes, Alak, I think you missed your calling in the theater.”

“Ignore her,” I told Neave. “There’s a taxi stand in front. Do you need fare?”

Neave blinked at the sudden mundanity of the question.

“Um, no. I’ve got it.”

“Oh, Please,” Daci snorted, “Here, Neave. I am paying your cab, because I know you will neither assume you are being dismissed nor that there is any sort of transaction taking place. We dragged you here and it is only polite to get you home.”

Daci placed a $20 in Neave’s hand, her expression brooking no argument.

“…Ok, thank you, Daciana.”

Neave stood, looking to gather things to go, realizing she had brought nothing with her that she wasn’t wearing. In fact, she was going home with less than she came with, since I’d rendered her panties unwearable. I hadn’t apologized for that. She turned to Daci and I and hesitated.

“I don’t know how to ask this, or even if I should. But… when are you leaving? And where.”

I looked at Daci, then back to Neave.

“We don’t know yet. You, Neave, are part of our calculus now. You have a say.”

“I… still hardly know you. But I want you to stay. At least a little longer.”

I smiled. “We’re not going anywhere just yet. Now, get yourself home.”

I kissed Neave at the elevator door. She bit my lip before stepping away.

{Continued in Part 17}