Page 91 of Homecoming

“Vampire children? No, I do not.” He takes a sharp breath and steps away from her. “Dhampirsare legends… fairytales—the stuff of nonsense and nightmares. They do not exist for real but are only in the minds of the drunkenly debauched or seriously ill.”

“You really think that? That they’re not real? But I read differently in that book. It told of children sired from the loins of a vampire. I read it; I know I did. It told of a wolf that birthed a vampire pup. Please, I just need to know if it’s true—if it’s at all possible.”

“Why would you want to comprehend such things? Tales like that can only come from a book of darkness. Trust me, do not concern your mind with those fables. If the tale you read, be it from inebriated sorcerer or drunken shaman, you should conclude it to be a myth. Believe me, such tall stories are told late at midnight, to scare the young. There is no such thing. It is just not possible. But perhaps I would like to take a moment to consider your fascination with such a subject?”

“It just curiosity, like I said. You know, QT, I think we’re done here. We should go. He obviously doesn’t have what I’m looking for and Zak and Digby are waiting outside. They'll be getting impatient.”

“Wait… If I were to find such a book? An extremely rare find like that would be expensive—but if say one did exist…”

“I’d want it. I don’t care how much it costs. If you find that book, I’ll pay.”

“Well, as I said, I can not presently help you. You should go, your alpha wolves are getting restless and restless alphas are not something I would encourage anyone to keep.” He gestures outside to the street where Digby and Zak pace back and forward in front of the glass front door.

“You’re right. C’mon QT, I have my appointment to get to.”

The bell on the door jingles and Kat lets it close slowly behind her.

It bangs shut in the frame and the willowy man watches closely as the four of them disappear down the street.

The vampire rubs his brow with a paisley print handkerchief he pulls from the front pocket of his pinstripe suit—more of a habit than need. Then, as he adjusts his cravat and rummages in the wooden drawer of the glass counter, he pulls out an old tatty and worn address book. Taking a black and gold business card from inside the front cover, he picks up the old Bakelite telephone and dials.

“I need to pass on a message… I am willing to part with information. No, I am not able to come there… I do not leave here… Yes I will wait.” He gulps apprehensively. “No, of course I will be here. Marlow, the old book depository. I was told there may be a reward—a substantial reward. No, of course I have the information, regardless.”

He swallows nervously and as he hangs up the telephone, he again dabs the handkerchief across his brow and sighs.

“Hey,sodidyouget a whiff of that guy? Like that sickly flowery perfume he wears?” Digby frowns. “Ugh, I don’t wanna imagine how long he’s been dead.”

“Yeah, they use sweet floral stuff that to mask the smell of bein’ dead.” Zak takes a large bite from the chocolate-coated candy he retrieved from QT’s backpack.

“Are you serious? Zak, you gotta be windin’ me up!” Digby frowns.

“No, I’m totally serious. He’s a human vamp, right? I heard they can’t even go out in the sunlight—well, not for long—it breaks them out in huge painful boils.”

“But Darius goes out. How can that be?”

“Don’t ask me stuff like that. How the hell should I know?” Zak picks at the chocolate stuck in his teeth. “Dammit QT, this is those caramel candies that get stuck to my gums—I told you I don’t like these ones so much. Darius, he’s a wolf vamp—they’re different. I learned that from one of QT’s books.” He smiles with smug satisfaction and as he looks around, QT snarls. “I know, and I apologized like a thousand times for bendin’ the pages over. I won’t do it again. C’mon let’s go get a drink. Selene’s is just around the corner.”

“Digby, I have to go.” Kat checks the time on her watch. “I have an appointment scheduled with Alana before I meet Darius at the hotel restaurant. I’ll check in with you guys tomorrow.” She kisses Digby with a long, passionate goodbye.

“You know, I could take a rain check on that drink with Noah and come join you and Darius instead?” He grins as he pulls her closer around the waist and rubs himself against her body.

“No. I think Darius needs a little ‘Kat only’ time. We need to be alone for a while. I think he’s feeling a little neglected and I’m going to need to keep him sweet if I’m going to make the team,” she laughs. “Besides, you need to take your new big ‘brother’ for a drink, and don’t forget to tell Rhys the good news. Now go. And Digby, remember… I love you. Oh and please behave yourselves. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Hey, I always behave. I’m not Darius. I know when to… You know what, just ignore me. I love you too,” Digby grins.

Zak, Digby, and QT disappear down the street while Kat heads to the sidewalk on the other side and hails a cab.

“Fuck…” Digby rubs his head. “You know, I nearly spilled what happened while she was away.”

“Noooo…Oh geez, Diggs, what the hell’s wrong with you?” Zak gasps in horror.

“I don’t know. It was a slip of the tongue, but still… why is it he always gets to be Mr. Moody-but-perfect when we all know he’s not. She thinks he’s Mister Squeaky- fuckin’-clean, but if I hadn’t stopped him that night, I reckon he’d have gone further than gettin’ his dick sucked by a vamp.”

“Yeah, well, he was pretty damn drunk. But still, I think it’s for the best if we don’t mention that ever again. I mean it, he’ll be so pissed if he finds out you said somethin’ and from what little I can recall of the night, it was pretty fucked up all round.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right. Okay, c’mon. Let’s go see exactly how much beer it takes to get Noah drunk.”

Thedeathlypalemanlooks up as the bell on the door jingles and a whisper of cold air trails inside the store.

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