Page 64 of The Tainted and the Tamed
“You could’ve stayed where you were. But you kept fighting.”
“Perhaps that’s unusual to those with good health,” Murasaki said, sipping at her piping hot cup of tea. “I’m used to having to fight.”
“But you aren’t fighting now. Why?”
Murasaki shifted on her cushion. “It’s not a battle I can win. Sometimes the better path is to make peace.”
“Because you don’t want to become a vampire?”
“Yes.”
Momoko sighed. “You wouldn’t be some bloodthirsty beast, you know. My husband feeds minimally, almost exclusively on animal blood. He partakes of human blood once a season. He never kills.”
“The chairman killed the maid who was here before me,” Murasaki said quietly. “He didn’t mean to, but it happened.”
“It happened because he’s tried to deny himself for years,” Momoko replied, exasperation raising the pitch of her voice. “He’s been living a half-life—trying to ignore his vampire nature. He’s a frequent topic of conversation here, as you might imagine. Rarely approving. We sort of feel responsible for him, in a way, even if he is the chairman.”
Momoko paused, drinking down her tea in three long sips, although it was still steaming. “Maybe this is silly, but I thought he was finally starting to change. I assumed it was because of you.”
“I’m not here to change anyone.” Murasaki looked away, her eyes fixed on the dusting of snow in the garden. “Or to babysit them.”
“You didn’t have to, did you? He did it on his own. Maybe not because of you, exactly, but inspired by you. He wanted to live again.”
“Hasn’t he been living all this time? He said he’s hundreds of years old.”
“If one is being literal, yes. It astonishes, to think of how much immortality that man has wasted. It’s a gift, just as much as a mortal life is. It should be treasured, not squandered.”
Murasaki set her hands in her lap. “I’m leaving in the morning. I just wanted to visit you and the doctor one last time—to thank you both.”
“You’ve thanked us enough.” Momoko mirrored her posture, concern scrunching her brow. “But those are just words. Real gratitude would be living well. Or even just living on.”
“I don’t want to be—”
“What you don’t understand?”
Murasaki frowned. “I was going to say a vampire.”
Momoko laughed. “Close enough.”
The door slid open. Murasaki turned her head, expecting Dr. Setouchi.
Instead, a man in a demon mask strode toward her. From the line of his broad shoulders to his height, to his hairline, his hands—there was no mistaking who this chairman was.
Instantly, tension mired the room. Momoko’s gaze darted between the two of them. She looked as though she’d dive out the window if she could.
“Chairman Asami,” Momoko said, turning her body and bowing low instead.
“Momoko.” He inclined his head. “Ms. Mukai. I’ve instructed Dr. Setouchi to prepare enough medicine to last you the month. It will lose potency, but I must insist you leave your forwarding address. You will receive more by post.”
Murasaki cleared her throat. “Excuse my directness, Chairman, but I’ve already told you my wishes.”
“Take the medicine,” he said gruffly. “I won’t beg. I know I’m unworthy of asking you to stay. But though you wish to live separately from me, that does not mean your life must end. It’s my wish that you continue to take the medicine and live.”
“Live as a vampire, you mean.”
“Under whatever circumstance that requires.”
“I don’t want—”
