Page 37 of Fang Fiction

“I didn’t mean to startle you.” He put out his hands in a gesture of apology. “You just looked so supremely happy, and I thought, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone that joyful on this island.”

“It’s okay.” She cleared her throat and tried to smile. “I’ve never been here before. It’s overwhelming.”

The man peered at her. “You’ve lived here eleven years, and you’ve never been to these pools?”

Shit shit shit shit shit.

“Oh, um. I mostly stay up north,” Tess said quickly, remembering Sylvie’s story. “I was only turned a few weeks before we came here, and with all the fighting…I just figured it’d be safer.”

“That explains why I’ve never seen you.” He took a step toward her. “I thought I knew every face on this island. And I certainly wouldn’t have forgotten yours.”

He knelt beside the pool. He was still ten feet away, but she started to feel nervous. Would the musk oil be enough to mask her human smell, or had the pools washed it away? Then again, hunting dogs couldn’t track their prey in water, right? She was almost certain she’d read that somewhere. Were vampires the same?

“I don’t mean to impede on your solitude,” he went on. “Would you mind terribly if I joined you?”

“Oh.” Tess flushed. “I’m not sure—”

“I’ll bathe in another pool, of course.” He looked at her earnestly. “But only if it’s all right with you.”

“I guess that’s okay,” Tess agreed. “I’ll give you some privacy.”

She didn’t like to turn her back on him, but she supposed he could kill her just as easily whether she was looking or not. She heard the rustle of fabric, then a splash as he sank into the water.

“Ohh, it’s as good as I remembered,” he groaned, and Tess turned back to face him. He looked even better soaking wet—not to mention shirtless.

“Has it been a long time since you’ve bathed here?” she asked.

“It has.” He waded toward her, the water rippling around his shoulders. “Will you tell me more about yourself? It’s been so long since I’ve met someone new.”

“Oh, me?” Tess flushed, her nerves churning. She’d already said one wrong thing; she wasn’t sure she’d survive another. “I’m not very interesting.”

“You said you’ve been up north—have you been there this whole time? Living with others?”

“No, just me,” Tess answered. “I was afraid, you know? I’m so young compared to all of you, and obviously very weak. I probably shouldn’t be telling you that.”

He tilted his head with concern. “I’m not going to hurt you. I know some vampires on this island like to prey on the defenseless, but I’m not one of them.”

“Oh.” Tess nodded. “If you say so.”

“Besides, it can’t have been easy, being alone all these years, no one to turn to for comfort in your darkest moments,” he said softly. “You don’t seem weak to me.”

“No,” Tess agreed, her voice tight. “It hasn’t been easy at all.”

“So why are you here?” he asked. “I mean, why come to this part of the Isle? Why now?”

“Some vampires found me—a hunting party, from Nantale’s clan.” Tess regurgitated the rest of Sylvie’s story. “They said they’d protect me if I came to live with them. And after all this time…I didn’t know how much longer I could really stand being on my own. I thought it was worth a try.”

His face darkened. “You’re living with Nantale?”

“Yes.” Tess frowned. “Why?”

“How have they treated you?” he demanded. “Have any of them tried to harm you?”

“No, nothing like that,” she assured him—though she was quite sure Tristan would harm her given the opportunity.

“Not even Callum Yoo?” The man folded his arms. “I’m sorry, please tell me if I’m overstepping—it’s just that I’ve known that clan a long time, and they’re not to be trusted.”

“Not at all, you’re kind to be concerned. Callum…” Tess paused, trying to figure out how to word it. “Honestly, he’s mostly just annoyed that there’s someone new around. I think he’d rather not speak to me at all if he can avoid it.”