Page 48 of The Star's Sword

“Simon, why is she obsessed with you? I thought celestials hated vampires.”

“She’s part vampire,” Simon said. “Since I’m the first vampire made by the celestials, that makes me something of a god to them.” He bared his fangs. “You know, since I turned the first ones, and so forth. I literally created the other hybrid vampires by turning humans.” His gaze went solemn. “I have fed thousands of times just to survive.”

I couldn’t imagine what that would be like. How alone he must have felt.

“Vampires, especially when they have other blood as well, want to meet me or idolize me. Whether it’s because I’m rich, or I’m charming, or they just want a unique experience. But the rest of the world hates me on sight, including humans.” He sighed. “I’ve been trying for years, and even though I haven’t fed on a human without consent for eight hundred years, they still run from me.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “But all the same, don’t fuck Vasara for me. I really can’t imagine how it would help.”

Simon frowned. “That’s what worries me, Cleo. There is so much you don’t understand about the politics of our realms, due to coming from the havens. Celestials have a lot of power here, especially from the eighth realm. Vampires both fear and cooperate with celestials. So I’m just giving her what she wants until she gives me what I want.”

“And what’s that?” I asked.

“Vengeance,” he said, smiling.

“Do you know her? From before, I mean?”

He shook his head. “Look, all I really wanted to say was can you just tell the others I’m dating her?” He grinned. “And let me feed on you. I want to taste Morningstar blood.”

“But if you don’t have sex, why couldn’t you feed on me normally? Why would you care about me opening the relationship?”

“Well, I don’t have sex much, myself, per se, but I do like feeding while humans are ‘en flagrant’ if you know what I mean.”

“What?”

“Mid-coitus or other sexual act.”

I laughed. “You’re so weird, Simon,” I said.

“No, you are,” he said. “You’re the one who claimed you and Samael would always be monogamous, and here you are, all over Zadis.” His eyes flashed. “Speaking of that, Cleo, why do you think Samael is so eagerly pushing you toward Zadis? Doesn’t it seem a bit odd?”

I shrugged. “There has always been something between me and Zadis.” Just thinking of the green of his eyes made my heart race slightly.

But shouldn’t I only love eyes of red?

Simon studied me. “We only have one life, Cleo. There’s nothing wrong with having multiple connections. Just make sure you’re going into it for the right reasons and that everyone understands everything going on. Otherwise things could get complicated.”

“How?” I asked.

“I can’t really explain it,” Simon said, looking to the side. “But something about the way Samael is acting, it feels like he’s hiding something, doesn’t it?” There was something in Simon’s eyes that said he knew what it was, but wasn’t going to tell me.

Suspicion tightened my stomach. I’d been sort of thinking the same.

But how to get Samael to talk about something when he was so clearly decided not to?

“What about you?” I asked. “You really want everyone to think you’re dating my enemy?”

“I’m just protecting what I want to protect,” Simon said, suddenly looking very tired. “And I don’t need Cayne poking around and worrying that I’m being hurt.”

“And you aren’t?” I asked, concerned as his friend. “I mean, you’re stronger than her, right?”

Simon smiled. “I’ll let you know if I need you, Morningstar. Of course, letting me have your blood would be helpful.”

“If you really want it, I’ll talk to Samael.”

“It should be your decision,” Simon said. “But we could have a small revelry. You, me, Zadis and Samael. Could add Mark for even more power. Your inner demon would appreciate it, after all.”

“Stop, stop,” I said, putting up a hand. “Simon, I can barely take the thought of adding one new person. And it’s someone very dear to me I was attracted to from the start.”

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