Page 12 of Lore and Lust
Haruka grins as he stands from his desk. “To each his own. Do you desire breakfast?”
“No, coffee is good. I’m fine.”
The stately vampire moves toward a small, beautifully crafted live-edge coffee table near a sofa in the middle of the library. There is a thick manuscript bound in tawny leather on the table’s surface.
“If you need something, please do not hesitate to let me or Asao know,” Haruka says, standing beside the table. “I am grateful that you have decided to join me in this antiquated endeavor. So I truly wish for you to feel at ease while staying here.”
“You don’t need to say thank you… I should be apologizing to you. It’s something I should help with anyway. I’m sorry I initially refused. That was selfish of me.”
“Tabula rasa.” Haruka bends to pick up the oversized manuscript. “The slate is clean. This reference guide will help prepare you for the ceremony.”
After quickly placing his coffee cup on the table, Nino takes the reference from Haruka’s grasp. It’s heavy and stuffed to the brim with yellowed pages. Nino moves around the low table to plop himself down on the soft couch. Once settled, he runs his fingers across the embossed leather. The material is cool and smooth underneath his fingertips.
Lore and Lust
Hirano Hatakemori | Hirano Hayato | Hirano Haruka
Evidence and analysis of vampiric bonding.
Cases collected starting Kennin 1201, March 22 to Showa 1973, December 23.
“Lore and Lust?” Nino reads. He looks up at Haruka from the couch. The purebred is seated back at his desk. “A little tongue in cheek for an ancient vampiric reference book, no?”
Haruka shuffles papers atop his desk. “Not so ancient. I finished compiling it in the 1980s. And the title is my father’s doing. He was… indisputably coquettish.”
“Wait—youwrote this?”
“With research primarily compiled by my grandfather and father, yes. I simply summarized, typed and organized the material.”
“Incredible.” Nino blinks. “So… it sounds like your dad was fairly good humored and playful. Like father like son?”
“Not particularly,” says Haruka, keeping his eyes on his papers as he begins writing.
“Don’t let him fool you.”
Nino whips his head toward the doorway. Asao is standing here. He walks into the library carrying a bamboo tray with a black lacquer tea set on top. He moves closer and Nino can see that the inside of each cup is coated in bright gold. Intricate pink cherry blossoms are painted on the outsides.
“Haruka definitely has his mother’s calmer, more patient demeanor,” Asao goes on, setting the tray down on the small table directly in front of Nino. “But his eyes and that sultry, ‘come-hither’ nature of his are all Hayato, if he’d ever let it out—”
“Asao—urusai. Damatte kudasai. Sonna no iranai.” Haruka’s frown is focused on his manservant as he switches to his native tongue. But his gaze isn’t angry, more like pleading.
Please stop talking. Nobody needs that.Nino’s smile broadens as he translates Haruka’s admonition in his mind. He’s wildly intrigued by this sudden, candid turn in their conversation.
“So Haruka’s aura is like his father’s?” Nino asks, keeping in English. “My mother’s vampiric essence was dominant in my parents’ coupling, although my brother and I physically favor our father.”
“Right.” Asao nods. “Your mother was Japanese. Do you speak and read it fluently?”
“I can speak it fluently, but reading is hard.” Nino sighs. He probably should have practiced more growing up. He probably should have done a lot of things in his life.
Asao raises his eyebrow, coyly looking toward the desk. He switches to Japanese. “Maybe Haruka could give you some tips while you’re with us? Have some tutoring sessions?”
Haruka instantly lifts his head, frowning yet again at his manservant but speaking in English this time. “He is not here to take Japanese lessons from me. He needs to review the reference—and I have to finish this arduous contract to finalize the confirmation. If we need something,I’ll call you.”
Nino bites his lip to hide his smile. Clearly, this is Haruka’s euphemism for “get the hell out.” Asao winks at Nino in a knowing way as he turns and moves toward the door.
“I hear you, your grace,” Asao says, openly grinning. “Nino, would you like me to bring a pot of coffee in lieu of tea?”
“No, this is perfect. Thank you very much.”
