Page 126 of By the Pint

Dima had done that thing he always did and pretended to sigh.“Well, Goldie and Holly live in Waterside now, across the river, and Taur and Joey are moving to Dinlow, in the Human Realms. I’ve spoken to Mal. He’s going to stay in the flat for a bit. He’s not sure if he wants to look for new flatmates or find a smaller place for himself.”Dima had been tearing up by then, so I’d decided not to press him for further details.

So, back to the club,Nina said, pulling me from the memory, having witnessed the entire thing herself.I don’t need to tell you this, but there are many, many unregistered telepaths in our ranks, and we do not out anyone.

I nodded.What do you talk about? In this club, I mean.

All sorts. Our hobbies, our partners if we have them, our weekends. But, Casey, there is something I’m very keen to discuss—explore—ask?She said, as though she was unsure.I’ve been doing a bit of research myself on human-centred … stuff, and turning, mostly using Tyler as a case study since he still retains some of his human memories. But what I’d like to do now … is study you? I’ve waited a whole year for this, and you’ve become this incredible person with such enviable controlover your powers. I want, no, need you to let me into that mind of yours. I need to find out how your slow turning has affected everything. How your lessons with Dima seem to have … given you a head start on your abilities. I need to know how it was possible that you were a telepath when you were human. If that’s something I can discover, I’d really like to try. Would you let me, Casey? Would you let me study you? We can stop at any time, and if you’re uncomfortable, you let me know. What do you say?She grabbed my hand in hers and gave me big kitten eyes.

I …I glanced at Dima. For what, I wasn’t sure.

I can’t see a problem with it, but it’s your call.He took my other hand in his.

But you can see into my mind, anyway. All of it. I can’t make a barrier strong enough to stop you. Even Dima can’t make a barrier strong enough.

Nina grimaced.While it’s true there’s probably nothing you can do to keep me out, I am seeking your permission to let me in. Will you consent? I won’t pry unless you let me, I promise.

Well, yes, of course I consent,I said.I owe you my unlife.Without Nina’s intervention, the Assembly wouldn’t have let me unlive this long.

By way of answer, she hugged me. “I truly am so very proud of you, Casey,” she said aloud.

Dima wrapped his arms around my back and nestled his head on my other shoulder. “I am, too. So fucking proud of you.”My brilliant, beautiful Casey.

Oh, what have I walked in on here?Thought Vlad the Substitute, stumbling into the coffin room, then promptly turning, and shuffling out again.

“Right, you two better be on your way. I’ve got other patients too, you know,” Nina said, patting me on the chest, andsoftly punching Dima on the arm.Our next club meeting is in two weeks. If you two lovebirds fancied a break from all that … honeymooning.

Thank you, Nina,for everything,Dima said.

I wanted to say the same. To thank her, and Dima, but my throat and mind closed itself off to any more words.

Dima planted a kiss against my jaw.Come on, Moonflower, let’s get you home.

41.

Casey

Dima’s driver pulled up outside of an old(ish) gothic(esque) manor house tucked away on the outskirts of the City of the Undead. Weather-vane adorned turrets tickled the inky blue sky, dusty windows half-glinted from every wall, and angry stone gargoyles flanked every ledge and corner. A path wound its way up to the front of the mini-castle. Shadowy trees grew on either side, and met in the middle, creating a tunnel. It led to a huge, intricately carved, mahogany door. In place of the knocker, a cast iron bat hung upside down.

I instantly loved it. Whether it was the new vampire in me craving the moody extravagance, or because it stirred something in my memories.

Dima watched me closely. Vigilant for any signs I might become overwhelmed. “You ready?”

“Yes.” Because with Dima by my side, I realised, I was ready for anything.

We both leaned forward, seized the metal bat together, and rapped it against the wood. Even though we had the key, we still had to wait for a person inside to grant us entry. For the vampire threshold to drop.

“What happens if you try to cross it without being invited first?” I asked.

“You turn inside out,” Dima said, then snort laughed. “Just kidding. Nothing happens, really. You just can’t do it. Watch.” He slid the key in the lock, the door swung open, and Dima walked into the house. Not into it as inside of it, butintoit. Like walking into a wall or an elephant. He collided with an invisible barrier and bounced back, stumbling a few steps. Like the place had pushed him out.

“Ooh, let me try,” I said as Dima straightened his clothes. I crouched a little and ran at the doorway shoulder first, and … kept going. Straight into the grand entrance hall, moving too fast. The momentum of my jog finally tripped me up at the foot of the sweeping staircase, where I landed in a heap on my knees. “You may enter,” I told Dima, and he skipped inside.

“It must remember you,” he said.

“But I’m a vampire. None of my human memories exist anymore. I’m not the same person.”

Dima shrugged. “Well, the house doesn’t seem to think so.”

There was a clip-clopping sound, followed by the soft slapping of bare feet on wooden floorboards, and two people emerged from a nearby room. A centaur man holding a Steiner of beer? — I sniffed, not beer, cider — and a very small, part-human woman. I read their minds. Their names were Claus and Gabriella.

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