Blood Tint ~ Part 21

{Start with Part 1}

Blood Tint ~ Part 21

It wouldn’t have been worth it to be evasive or incomplete.  Catherine would have gotten it out anyway.

She settled back in her aged leather chair and smiled.

“Do go on.”

“I plan to. Which is why we’re staying. An artist in SoHo, with a show coming up in April. You’ll probably hear about that soon. I only met her a few days ago.”

“So quick, and so sure. You are the impulsive one, Alak.”

Now she was teasing me. It wouldn’t work, this time.

“I’ll let you know more when there is more.”

Clearly this was not the full measure she wanted, but I’d given her some tidbits and, yes, a promise.

“All right, Mister Mysterious, I’ll arrange a guest pass, shall I?

I nodded, wondering what Neave would make of the hostel community. She certainly wouldn’t be the first non-vampire to see it, or to be a ‘guest’ of a resident. Down there was a bit of a different world, one I didn’t usually care for myself, even though it was full of ‘my kind’. Part of it was that even after centuries, there were still prejudices, even among us. Daci’s relationship with me made my nature easier to accept, but most vampires, even those who knew me, took time to warm to me. I preferred Daci’s company, of course, and the company of humans. And, fortunately for me, Daci felt the same.

Catherine steepled her fingers under her chin and slid her gaze over to Daciana. They knew each other ‘from way back’ as they say, though, Daci said, never that closely.

“And you, Daciana – are you chaperoning? Sharing? Or striking out on your own this summer? I’m sure you won’t be leaving Alak alone with his bauble.”

If it were meant as a dig or a query, Daci quirked her lip and answered lightly.

“Perhaps a bit of all three. I’ll-“

Daci’s phone chimed quietly, and she excused herself to step out of Catherine’s office to answer. I caught the timbre of Pohl’s voice on the phone as the door closed behind her.

“Ah, she’s already taken care of a plaything for herself, I see,” Catherine jibed, but I knew her curiosity wasn’t satisfied. She knew there was more story, and she knew she’d get it before too long.

She did, however, conduct business first. There were indeed a good set of rooms at the hostel, and it wasn’t that much farther uptown than the Grand. With the two of us the place would be about three-quarters full, and we knew some of the ten others staying there for the summer season. Most had already moved in. Daci came back in with plans for the evening – Broadway with Pohl – and we arranged to move next week.

After a few other arrangements, I went to Neave that night, in the wee hours, to tell her about the plans. My arrival through the skylight didn’t wake her, and the gentle puncture on her neck didn’t startle her very much at all as I settled over her. I only took the tiniest sip, but it was enough to nearly drug both of us.

After, as we curled together, panting, Neave asked if I wanted to stay the day.

I eyed the skylights for closure and cracks and agreed. We made a tent of the blankets against the imminent dawn and Neave napped with her head on my chest. I hugged her close as I felt the sun rise on the other side of my shield of blanket and walls.

Neave made sure I was well nested before she departed for work, and I slept, if fitfully, until she came back in the evening. She awakened me crawling under the covers, and engulfing me with her mouth. I’d heard her come in the apartment. I’d heard her come in the building, but the quickness of the sensation was still just a little breathtaking. She grazed me with her teeth as she sucked, a wink and tease of growing familiarity and comfort. She practically purred as I wove my hands in her hair and guided her down on me. By the time she’d done with me, and I’d done with her, it was near full dark. I told her about the arrangements for the hostel, and, after helping her become good and tired, took my leave. I invite her to dinner and a last weekend above ground at our place Friday night. I’d intended sneak a little visit Thursday – tonight – as well, but, well. Plans change.

{Continued in Part 22}