Page 11 of We Were Eternal Once

“Ah, yes,” you say, fumbling through your bag. I wait for your red eyes to glow, for you to make him listen just as you did the man with the cart. Instead, you retrieve a small wax tablet. There are words inscribed upon it, with the seal of the temple below them. The man takes it from you and glances it over, his gaze resting on the seal.

“You’re from the temple,” he says, his voice a whisper. “Is it true what they say about the…?”

There is a tavern next door, I can hear the noise of it. I can smell the blood. I can feel the hearts beating, just as I feel the heart of the man just steps from me. How would it feel to drink of someone other than you? I know I must, but I am stopped by the want of it. Do I want to be with another as I have you?

No. The answer is quick, volatile. I want only you, and you shall have no one but me for all eternity.

“You’ll not be disturbed,” he says, handing you a key. You take it and thank him, and we climb the stairs to our room.

“How will you bury me on the second floor?” I ask.

“Hush,” you warn, pressing a finger to my lips. You do not speak again until we are inside the room, your gaze assessing. There is one straw pallet with fleas and a lamp that settles on the lone table. You investigate the corners of the room, the cracks in the walls, looking for any weakness. Then you turn to me.

“Travel is treacherous for our kind,” you say. “We must only go by night and hide through the day. We cannot be without shelter during the day, and you are so young still—you must rest.”

“Why don’t we stay, then?” I ask. We can return to the shack, where it was just you and I, bathing each other clean in the river.

You stroke my face and smile. “The world is large, Melinoë. Do you no longer wish to see it?”

“I wish to be with you,” I say. Stupid words, stupid girl.

“We have nothing but time, my love. We can stay if you’d like, but not here.”

“Why not?” I ask.

“You will not age and others will—they will notice it. They must never notice that you are ageless or strong or different. If they do, they will kill you.”

“Kill me? Can they?”

“They will try. Sometimes they succeed,” you say softly. Then you purse your lips and drop your hand. “Come, I will teach you to hunt.”

We move through the streets of the city to another tavern. I count the heartbeats of the staff and the patrons as we enter, unable to focus on just one. My hands tremble at my side with need and want.

You settle at a table, then raise your hand to a woman. I sit across from you, tracking her movements as she carries clay cups to us. She pours from a large clay jar before moving away to the other patrons. In the corner a few men play dice, their voices carrying across the smokey room.

A man sits next to you, slamming his mug on the table. Sprays of the wine inside fall over the edge, darkening the wood like blood. I pull my mug close to me to keep from grabbing him.

“Late night for two women,” he says, eyeing us up.

“It is,” you agree. “We are travel weary, and in need of some rest.”

“There’s an inn down the way,” he says, leaning toward you. His breath is hot and smells of wine and olives.

“It’s full, I’m afraid,” you say with a sigh.

I take a swig of my drink, instantly spitting it out. It’s rancid, it’s putrid. I want to scrape my tongue to be rid of it. The man stares at me in shock and I wipe my mouth clean.

“She prefers hydromeli,” you say. “Have you any suggestions for other…accommodations?”

The man smiles and my skin crawls. He is lecherous as he regards you, sliding his filthy eyes along your covered skin. He reaches out and touches your hair, and I am nothing but rage. You are mine, I am yours, and no filthy tavern man…

“Melinoë,” you say, snapping me from my visions of dismemberment. “This man has offered us a place to rest. Isn’t that kind?”

“Very kind,” I agree, my words strangled by the tightness of my jaw. I fear my teeth will crack with the pressure.

“We cannot have it look suspect,” you tell the man. “Meet us outside the tavern.”

“Both of you?” he asks, his gaze darting between us.