Page 4 of The Vanishing
“From someone you dislike?” Junichi asks.
“From someone I do not know and have never heard of.” Haruka lifts his bright burgundy gaze toward Nino. “May I please have a cup?”
Nino nods and turns toward the cabinet to grab a mug. “What’s the request for?”
“Introductions.” Haruka folds his arms. “The vampire is Lajos Almeida, which is undeniably synonymous with Ladislao Almeida of Rio de Janeiro. But I have never heard of this particular vampire within the clan’s family lineage.”
Tense, Nino walks around the counter with his mate’s coffee. In light of both Gael and Ladislao disappearing last year, having anyone associated with the Almeida Clan so close to their home feels like a bad omen.
“Why would someone from the Almeida Clan want to meet you?” Junichi asks. “I hate to say this, but things calmed down in Brazil after Ladislao vanished. It’s obvious that he was the root of the problem. Crazy male…”
“You’ve met him?” Nino asks.
“Yeah. Only once, but he leaves an impression.”
“We have a connection,” Haruka says, accepting Nino’s offering. “We crossed paths with one of the Almeida Clan’s associates last year. There was an altercation regarding my family’s research, but then he escaped and I have not seen or heard anything since.”
In a fog, Nino sits down at the table beside Haruka. The associate is Gael Silva, a large, domineering first-generation vampire they met in England more than a year ago. He’d attacked Haruka after learning about theLore and Lustmanuscript—an impressive compilation of accounts on forming vampiric bonds. The research is invaluable, giving shape to a topic shrouded in much mystery.
Gael’s brutal response had convinced both Nino and Haruka that they should avoid revealing the manuscript’s existence. At least among strangers.
With his fingertips, Nino slides the request within his line of sight, then reads the details. The appeal is for one month from now—the exact minimum amount of time considered proper when making formal requests of purebreds. Nino pushes the letter away so that it sits in the middle of the table, unsettled by the sense of foreboding emanating from it.
Junichi picks up the paper to read it, his black irises scanning. He pulls the letter to his nose and inhales. “Smells strong—like sage. This Lajos is probably purebred?”
Haruka blows out a breath. Concern is etched in his forehead. “So it would seem.”
“I don’t like this.” Nino shakes his head. “How did he even find us? When we legally registered our bond, I made sure that all of our records were kept private. Nothing comes up if you search us online.”
“Oh, the two of you registered your bond with the human government?” Junichi asks. “Most bonded couples don’t bother with that step.”
Haruka brings his coffee cup to his lips. “My mate is of a meticulous nature—much more so than myself.”
“It… just makes sense?” Nino grins, embarrassed. The decision is unconventional. But in Nino’s mind, if anything serious ever happened, it would be better for them to have legal responsibility for each other. No questions asked.
He looks down at his left hand against the table and flexes his fingers. Another unconventional desire. He sighs, his heart light from the beautiful ring wrapped around his finger. It’s black zirconium, but the inlay is textured with amber stone. It’s perfect and looks like something found and cultivated from a dense rainforest… maybe from behind a waterfall.
Remembering Haruka’s words and seductive actions last night gives Nino a rush of warm goosebumps. When Haruka lets loose, he reminds Nino of a panther—dark, seductive and devoted in his every movement. He’d given Nino what he’d asked for and much more.
“When I met you at the welcome celebration last year, it was obvious that you were a vampire with a plan.” Junichi raises his eyebrow at Nino, teasing.
Nino shakes his head. “No, I—I didn’t… not exactly—”
“The way Haruka took your hand without question and let you sweep him off into the woods spoke volumes.”
“We did not go into the woods.” Haruka frowns.
“Everyone went wild,” Junichi says. “Like, ‘Who is this stunning amber vampire that just walked in and stole our realm leader away?’”
“They bonded on thefirsttry—”
“Asao.”
Haruka’s manservant walks into the room—salt-and-pepper and broad-shouldered with his head high. Despite Haruka’s furrowed brow, the older vampire grins as he takes hold of the coffee pot. “Jun, did he ever tell you he freaked out afterward? Tore up the house?”
“Asao, none of that information is necessary right now,” Haruka admonishes.
“It’s your anniversary.” Asao shrugs, unbothered. “It’s good to reflect. You’ve come a long way, hasn’t he, Nino?”
