Vampire Claus: HOLIDAYS SUCK! Part 1 by Robert Winter

Author:Robert Winter [Winter, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Keyword1, Keyword2, Keyword3, etc.
Publisher: Robert Winter Books
Published: 2022-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

Six

Taviano sensed the first flakes drifting down toward them, descending on their adventure like a benediction. Paul followed Taviano’s gaze skyward and snow brushed his face. He spread his hands wide, sticking out his tongue to catch it.

Sharing laughter on a snowy night after decades alone felt like a reward and a punishment all in one. Taviano was happier in that moment than he could ever recall, basking in Paul’s light. Yet some part of him warned the years stretching ahead would be that much darker by comparison. He wanted to extend the evening forever, but he could sense the cocoon around Paul starting to dissipate.

“We should get you home,” he said regretfully. “You’re losing the warm air.”

Paul sobered as he brushed snow from his eyebrows. “Boo. I don’t want to go home yet. Can’t you just juice me again?”

Taviano considered his demon’s unusual reaction to Paul but still shook his head. “It isn’t worth the risk to you. My demon is hungry and a little restless. When I draw on its power like I did for you and to create my illusion in the shelter, I give it an opening. It’s a constant effort to keep it locked down. The hungrier it is, the harder time I have. If it escaped… Well.”

That sucked the mood out of the dark alley where they stood. Paul’s brow furrowed and in a hushed voice, he asked, “Would you kill me? I mean, would it kill me?”

“So far it’s shown no interest in feeding on you,” Taviano admitted, “but it might try. In any case the amount of blood needed to satiate a bloodbeast isn’t enough to kill a healthy adult. If I let it feed, it usually calms enough for me to force it back. Afterward I make the victim forget, do my trick with the wounds, and move on. But I don’t always succeed in controlling it.”

“From Santa Claus to The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Paul murmured. Taviano looked away. In a stricken voice, Paul exclaimed, “Oh god, I’m sorry. That was super mean. I don’t really think that.”

Taviano sounded hoarse to himself as he said, “You did. And I understand. I’m a monster after all.” He squinted at the sky. “It’s past midnight. Let’s get you home and I can make you forget all of this.” He pulled off the red sweatshirt and offered it to Paul, who returned his thin black shirt.

Dressed in their own clothes again, Paul tugged down his hem and looked ashamed of his outburst. “Taviano, I’m sorry. I don’t want it to end this way. With you mad at me.” More quietly, he said, “I don’t want it to end at all.” He took Taviano’s hand and they began to walk back in the direction of Paul’s apartment.

Taviano could have whisked them there in moments, but he found he didn’t want the night to end either.

A few blocks into their stroll, Paul asked, “Are you…? Wow, this is a weird question.” He stopped himself, but then spit it out anyway.

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