Page 45 of The Star's Sword

“This is Greg and Mary Rinter,” Simon said. “Some of my first settlers.”

They nodded, still appraising the rest of us nervously.

I supposed humans had a lot to fear in this world where everything and everyone but them had extra strength or powers.

“We love it here,” Mary said, stepping forward in front of her husband as he wrapped his arms around her waist protectively. “Don’t misunderstand, if you see people here be wary or scared. All of us were running from awful things, and Simon here saved us. But the world is still frightening.”

“A lot of people think vampires might just lose control and feed at any time,” Sam said. “I’m not sure humans will ever learn to trust them.”

“Well, my cute little humans never need to fear me,” Simon said, smiling at his friends indulgently. “Do the two of you need anything?” He looked at Mary. “Successful on the pregnancy yet?”

The two gave him an excited look. “Not yet, but we’re hopeful.” Mary looked at me. “It’s hard to find a place safe enough to have children. We trust Simon implicitly to protect us.” She looked up at the sky. “So odd to find a safe place in this world.”

Greg nodded. “What are all of you up to today?”

Simon grinned. “Just my friends, visiting. Samael here is a ninth realm celestial.”

The humans’ eyes widened, and they nodded.

“Cleo is a Morningstar candidate,” Simon continued. “And Cayne—”

“The legendary slayer?” Mary asked, making Greg give her a jealous look.

Cayne merely shrugged.

“Well, unless you had any other questions, we were just about to settle down for breakfast. If you’d like to join us?”

Simon shook his head. “No, we’re just out for a morning walk, thank you. You two enjoy your meal.”

“Who provides food?” I asked, as we walked past several cottages. At the back of the small commune there was a large garden, with rows of corn and garden boxes holding a huge variety of vegetables. There were also fruit trees.

“I had a celestial start us out with some seeds brought straight from the havens,” Simon said, giving Sam a grin. “But I’m trying to bring back natural food for my humans, not merely synthetics created by angels. I think it’s healthier. Should produce good blood.”

I looked around the commune, marveling at the hundreds of people milling about different buildings or the gardens.

Truly, it seemed a bit like a utopia, albeit one where everyone seemed a bit afraid of the leader and owner, Simon.

Even I wasn’t sure if this was a place Simon created out of the good of his heart or just because he loved high quality blood.

After all, Mark had said vampires didn’t have empathy.

I stared at Simon curiously as he explained something else about the garden to Cayne.

My head was still buzzing with questions about what he’d been doing with Vasara. Was there any point asking him more?

As if he could sense my thoughts, his eyes slid to mine, calm and appraising.

“I have an idea,” he said, turning to Samael and Cayne. “Look, I have some boring vampire business to talk about with Cleo. Why don’t you two grab us some nice fruits and vegetables while I walk her back? I have a few things to say just between us.”

Both Sam and Cayne looked ready to protest, but Simon merely sent them a glare and put his arm through mine, walking us back to his home.

As we went, humans gave us suspicious glares, and some moved farther from Simon’s direction as if even being close was dangerous.

I held his arm tight, proud to be his friend, which would hopefully show the humans what I thought about him.

Which was that he could be trusted, no matter what Mark might say about the state of a vampire heart.

“Hurry,” Simon said, as he pulled open the side door we’d gone through. “Up the stairs to my study. I have a few things to talk to you about before the others get here.” His jaw went tight. “And certain things, you have to swear you won’t tell anyone. Swear it?”

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