Page 75 of Petals and Fangs

“So, do you like, burn in the sun or something?” “Nope. We don't turn into ashes. That's just a myth. But our skin can be very sensitive. It is different for every vampire. Some can tolerate the light, some can't.”

“What about you? Can you tolerate the sun, Ethan?” she asks, seeming more curious than ever.

“I can. But I'm not a huge fan of it. I would prefer the darkness any time.”

“That's good to know.”

“I am a creature of the night. That is the best way to put it.”

“Oh, I am sure you are. So, you are saying that not every stereotype about vampires is real?”

“Some are myths. Some are real.”

“So, if a stake through the heart wouldn't kill you, what would?”

“Lily don't get me wrong, but you are asking a lot of questions. I assume you are just very curious to know every detail finally.”

“I can't help myself. I am just trying to get all the facts right.”

“Yes. Of course. Well, if a stake were to go through the heart, that would hurt like hell. But, no, it wouldn't kill me. Only decapitation would.”

“Decapitation, wow.”

“Yes. I think I had enough of dying the first time,” I joke, and she laughs.

“Well, what if the stake went through the brain?”

“No, that wouldn't kill me. But I do have an aversion to silver, garlic, and holy water.”

“What about the mirrors thing?”

“Well, we can see ourselves, Lily.”

“Oh, yeah, sure. What about crosses and other religious symbols?”

“Crosses can actually harm us. Not only cross symbols, but other religious symbols, too.”

“I wonder why,” she murmurs under her breath, and takes out her phone.

“What are you doing?” I ask her, a bit amused.

“I am looking up the reason for that.”

“Google is not going to give you an answer,” I say and laugh.

“There has to be something,” she says, and she starts reading.

“Lily, I-”

“Ah, here we go. It is believed that the cross is a symbol of suffering. In Christianity, Jesus was crucified and therefore, the cross became a symbol of suffering.”

“Very well,” I say, smiling.

“Well, is there any truth to this?”

“You could say that. You could also say that our souls are damned.”

“What do you mean by that?” she scoffs.

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