Page 35 of Eternal Surrender

“That.” He pointed to the wall.

All I saw was a scurrying rat searching for a way out, seemingly with a lot more sense than me. And then I realized.

His mouth twitched. “Quickly.”

Trying to hide my repulsion, I grabbed the vermin by the scruff of its neck and held up the squirming rat. “I’ll get rid of it.”

The bat-like creature became flustered, and he did for a moment show a flicker of excitement in an otherwise frozen face. He gestured for it, revealing a glimpse of crinkled flesh dangling from his upper back. This creature had wings.

Holding the rat out in front of me, I lowered the rodent to the ground and let it go. It scurried toward safety. At least one of us would survive the night. Paradom’s expression twisted into something painfully betrayed. I gave him an apologetic, almost endearing look for having let his dinner slip away.

I took in his den, trying to find clues to who this being was from the things surrounding him, working hard at keeping my composure and my own expression polite.

There was a stack of old dirty clothes in the corner, and resting beside them, several moldy-looking books. Almost hidden behind was an empty collection of bottles stacked in a heap.

“Are you really Paradom?” I asked, hoping there was another.

“Are you really you?”

“What happened to you?” I tried to say it gently.

“Mustn’t say his name. Don’t say his name. Don’t even dare to think his name.”

“Who’s name?”

He gawped. “Nothing bad happened, right?” He hesitated. “Listen, do you hear that?”

I wondered whose name mustn’t be mentioned.

He cocked his head. “The one I’m joined with.”

My head felt light, and I leaned against the wall to support myself.

“You’re a pretty one.” He somersaulted off the ceiling, his black wings expanding wide and then raveling again. He was now standing upright before me. “Such a shame it won’t last.”

I tried to rally my courage and fight this urge to bolt. “Clearly you’re a vampire and yet . . .”

“We’re the same, you and I.”

“Yes, Paradom, I too am a vampire.”

He shook his head in frustration. “No, of course that, but you and I are the same.”

“Oh god.” It came out.

“They did it to you too.” He shrugged. “Two of you, now one, yes?”

“How do you know?”

He stepped closer. “In your eyes. And in your head.” He pointed. “See.”

“You read my mind?” A strange gift, considering I thought I’d locked down my thoughts. “You say someone did this to you on purpose?”

“His purpose.”

“Who?”

He waved a long, wrinkled finger at me. “I disgust you.”