Page 21 of Map of Pain
“I should...”Nick gestured vaguely toward the main room, not quite meeting Luka’s eyes.
The vampire nodded, gathering the bag of supplies as he rose with fluid grace. He stepped back, giving Nick space to pass, maintaining the careful distancethathad characterized their entire interaction.
As Nick moved toward the door, he paused, words forming before he could stop them.
“Thank you,”he said quietly.“For the stuff. And for...”He gestured at the bathroom floor, unable to articulate what he didn’t fully understand himself.
Luka’s smile reached his eyes as he signed a simple response:«You’re welcome.»
***
Nick pulled the bag closer to him on the bed, systematically examining its contents. The methodical inventory gave his hands something to do while his mind processed the unfamiliar sensation of being cared for. Each item was still factory sealed, untampered with—protein bars in various flavors, packets of crackers, chocolate bars, and several bottles of water.
The selection wasn’t random. Everything could be eaten quickly if necessary, required no preparation, wouldn’t spoil if hidden away for days. Nothingthatneeded refrigeration or cooking. Nothingthatwould make noise when opened. Survival food.
Luka settled into a chair across the room, opening his book without comment. The vampire didn’t stare or hover,justcreated a bubble of companionable quiet.
Nick unwrapped a protein bar and took a small bite, his eyes darting up at Luka to see if he was in trouble for actually eating it, but the vampire didn’t look up from his book. When was the last time he’d actually tasted food? The Society provided nutrition—bland, calculated calories to fuel missions. Gianmarco used meals as rewards, feeding him exotic delicacies from his fingers. Neither experience had been about enjoyment or sustenance, justcontrol in different forms.
This was different. No one watching for gratitude. No one measuring his consumption against some hidden metric.Justfood because his body needed it.
Nick finished the protein bar and reached for a second, movements more relaxed now. His hypervigilance eased enoughthathe could focus on the taste rather than scanning for threats.Justeating because he was hungry, without fear, felt like something new.
He glanced up again at the same time Luka looked up, noticing Nick’s gaze, and smiled. Something fluttered in Nick’s chest atthatsmile. Not fear. Not the calculated arousal Gianmarcoconditioned. Something warm and unexpected. The sensation confused him, impossible to categorize or control.
He opened a bottle of water, taking a long drink while studying Luka over the rim. The vampire had returned to his book, giving Nick space to eat without scrutiny. Every movement, every choice Luka madeseemedcalculated to avoid making Nick feel trapped or observed.
Questions formed in Nick’s mind, pressing against his teeth. He wanted to ask about Luka’s life, his past, how long he’d been a vampire. The desire to know more about someone else hadn’t surfaced in years. Everything had been reduced to tactical information gathering. Is this person a threat? An asset? A target?
But this felt different. He wanted to know Luka as a person, notjustevaluate him as a potential danger.
Nick hesitated, afraid conversation would shatter the peaceful moment. Would asking questions reveal a vulnerability through curiosity?
“How old are you?”The question escaped before he could reconsider.
Luka looked up, surprise crossing his features before he set his book aside. He held up a hand, flashing one finger, forming a zero, andthenall five fingers.
“105?” Nick guessed.
A nod, accompanied bythatdamn smile again.
Thatwarmth returned to his chest, stronger this time. He found himself relaxing further into the bed, tension loosening as he allowed himself to enjoy Luka’s presence. Justbeing in the moment with another person.
“Do you have family still around?”Nick asked.
Luka nodded and retrieved his phone from his pocket. He swiped at the screen before turning it around to show Nick his lock screen. The photo showed three men sitting on a worn leather couch. Nick immediately recognized Luka in the middle, his beard shorter but unmistakable. On one side sat a massive man with dark eyes and a perpetual scowl, looking annoyed at being photographed. On Luka’s other side was a clean-shaven man with the same face as Luka, grinning at the camera.
“Brothers?”
Luka nodded, his expression softening as he looked at the image.
“The grumpy one is older?”Nick guessed.
Another nod, accompanied by a small smile.
“And the happy one is younger?”
Luka shook his head. He made a“V”with his index and middle fingers,thentapped the shape on either side of his mouth before mouthing“twin.”
