Page 5 of Lore and Lust
Haruka rubs his palm down his face. Walking in a public area filled with a myriad of humans and vampires on a frigid winter night.God help me.
* * *
It’sdark when they finally arrive at Camden Lock. They navigate the narrow cobblestoned streets and alleyways, eventually standing in front of a bar with an illuminated sign. It shines brightly in white, like a second moon against the deep indigo sky. It readsScotch & Amarettoin relaxed cursive script.
Haruka reaches out to pull the bar door open, but pauses at the sound of his manservant’s voice. “Now… what if this purebred is some kind of crazy pervert and attacks you?”
Standing straight, Haruka genuinely considers the possibility. He can handle a lower-ranked vampire in his weakened state. Another purebred, or even a particularly strong first-generation would be much more challenging. “Most purebreds have exceptional control over their natures, and my primal aura is enclosed. I doubt he would wish to create havoc within his place of business.”
“True.” Asao nods. “I’m suddenly reminded of that one very pushy purebred we met in Montreal. Remember that? What year was that, eighty-three?”
Haruka remembers. He wishes he didn’t. He’s met more than his share of pushy, selfish and entitled vampires. “Why are you reminding me of that rightnow?”
“It’s better to be prepared.”
Again. Not helping. Haruka tugs the heavy wooden door open (a little harder than necessary).
When he steps inside, he’s immediately tense. The luscious smell of the purebred consumes him. The aroma is clean, woodsy and with a hint of something spiced—mahogany but somehow intermingled with cinnamon. The lighting is low, and in combination with the smell, the intimate space feels perfectly warm and inviting.
He glances around, taking in the refined details of the bar. Several tall dark-oak tables with high stools are thoughtfully placed throughout the main floor. Jewel-toned, orb-shaped candle holders sit in the center of each table, creating soft flickers of light throughout the room. The stone walls are adorned with burning lanterns and sconces, giving the overall impression of a romantic, very trendy Renaissance castle basement… if such a juxtaposition can exist.
Even with all these wonderful elements for the eyes to behold, the farthest wall from the entrance is clearly the focal point of the room.
A full bar glows softly in the darkness. The wall is filled with multi-colored bottles of alcohol, interspersed once more with bright candle holders and other curious, antique-looking artifacts. Haruka likens the wall to an apothecary’s pantry filled with exotic potions and mysterious elixirs.
The bar hosts a comfortable crowd of people for a weekday night. Naturally, they have all stopped and are now staring at him. Haruka sighs.To hell with a discreet entrance.
He scans the length of the bar. Empty. The purebred is nowhere in sight but Haruka can feel his energy. He is definitely here.
“He smells nice,” Asao says brightly, standing behind Haruka. “I’ll stay by the door?”
“Fine.”
Haruka walks forward, ignoring the blatant stares as he skillfully moves his tall body between the tables to follow the narrow path to the bar. As he approaches the counter, a male ducks out from behind a heavy velvet curtain covering a doorframe on the opposite side of the bar. Their eyes meet. Haruka stops dead. The purebred pauses as well—rigid as he stares.
The knot of Haruka’s enclosed aura pulses in his core. It’s subtle, but it independently shifts as if to untie itself from the forced hold. His nature has never done this before. It’s bizarre. Surprised, he almost takes a step back and away from the male gawking at him.
With his pulse racing, he takes a deep breath to gather himself and steps forward again. His action sets the creature behind the bar into motion, and he too cautiously shifts closer to the counter between them. Before Haruka can introduce himself, the purebred speaks.
“Hi… It’s Haruka, right? Haruka Hirano?”
Haruka pauses again, blinking. “How… Why do you know my name?”
“I think every vampire in the UK knows who you are. You’re pretty famous. I had no idea you were this young though.” The purebred shifts his golden-amber eyes to the side, then runs his fingers into his thick hair—coppery-brown in color and styled in a modern trim with wavy length in the top. His honeyed skin practically glows under the soft lighting of the bar.
He flickers his eyes back toward Haruka, sulking. “Am I in some kind of trouble? Is that why you’re here?”
Haruka softens his expression, oddly wanting to put him at ease. “Not in trouble. May I sit?”
“Of course, please. Would you like a drink?”
“Merlot, please,” Haruka says, making himself comfortable atop the closest bar stool.
“No problem.” The purebred turns away, then briskly turns back toward Haruka. For the first time, he offers a timid smile. “I’m Nino, by the way. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
Nino runs his fingers through his hair again, hesitating before making himself busy behind the bar. He pulls a bottle from the illuminated shelf, then glasses and a handled corkscrew from underneath the bar. His movement is fluid now, like a fish swimming underwater.
