Page 86 of Only Human in Strangeville

“Yes, please. I’d like to know more about all of you.”

His smile widened. “And, as much as you care to share your past, I’d like to know more about where you came from.”

“When this is all settled.”

Katsuro inclined his head.

Once we’d finished our tea, he helped me to our feet. “Nimbus, feel free to amuse yourself in the gardens, but please don’t eat my fish.”

The cloud dog held up his paw as if in promise before trotting toward the closed door and disappearing. I could see his silhouette appear on the other side of the thin walls and he wagged his plumed tail as he trotted back toward the garden.

“Now, shall we?”

I licked my lips partially in nervousness, and partially in anticipation. “Yes.”

The vampire smiled, showing more than a hint of fang. He was clearly ready for this, too.

Katsuro’s bedroom was elegantly simple. The bed low to the ground with a deep green comforter that looked extremely soft. He had a low dresser along one wall, a taller wardrobe, all of simple stained oak, and another door that opened off to the side. Presumably a bathroom of some sort.

That gave me a moment of pause. Did vampires have plumbing? I knew he bathed, but was I going to have to get creative to go to the bathroom down here?

The vampire arched an eyebrow at my hesitation.

“Oh, just wondering about bathrooms.”

He chuckled. “A fair concern. There are enough humans down here that we installed regular plumbing in all the houses. Take a look.” Katsuro slid open the door I’d guessed led to a bathroom, and I looked inside.

“That’s not just standard plumbing,” I said with a jealous groan. “That’s a freaking bathtub with jets that I could practically swim in.” Not to mention a really nice walk-in shower big enough for at least two, and a regular toilet and vanity. Somehow the modern appliances didn’t clash with the style of the house at all. He even had a wall of plants to help the feeling of being close to the outdoors instead of living under a ton of rock.

“Our water supply is an aquifer near here and we recycle extensively so that the majority of the water we use for frivolous things like a giant bathtub is reused.”

“Nice touch.” I smiled up at him before stepping back and letting him take me into his arms. I leaned against his chest while he held me. “The humans?”

“Willing,” Katsuro replied. “Some are staff. Some are donors. Some are both. Well paid or otherwise compensated. A handful of families that have served some of the vampires for centuries live down here, as well. The only thing they must accept is that if they ever leave our service, they must allow us to alter some of their memories. They will still remember us, but not how to get into our domain or any of the secrets they learn down here. For example, the details about the security system.”

“Oh. You didn’t ask me?”

Katsuro smiled. “My dear, we’re to be bonded mates. This is entirely different. Even if you were to move on at some point in your life, you would still be welcome here and trusted not to divulge our secrets.”

“I see. I take it that it would be very rare for a bonded mate to leave?”

“Nearly unheard of.”

“You sure you want to be stuck with me?”

Some of the uncertainty I felt must have shown through my voice. Katsuro briefly tightened his grip before turning me to look at him.

“I have never been more certain in my entire life, Hannah. You call to me in a way no one ever has.”

The sincerity in his eyes and the solid grip of his hands on my shoulders helped convince me. “We’ve only just met.” I protested one last time.

“Do you have doubts?”

Did I? After a quick moment of thought I shook my head. “No.”

“Then why should I?”

“You’re like this super powerful being, politically and supernaturally. I’m just me.”

---