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Connor assumed I was human because my blood smelled human.
To vampires, supernaturals’ blood smelled different. Wizards—the supernatural equivalent of magic humans—smelled awfulas a natural defense mechanism. They smelled so bad most vampires couldn’t stand to be anywhere near them and if they were desperate enough to try biting a wizard, they’d end up gagging.
Although slayers were a subset of wizards, we couldn’t cast elemental magic. Instead, we possessed powers that made us the perfect vampire predator. One of those abilities was that our blood smelled like a regular human’s. Vampires couldn’t tell otherwise until they tasted our blood, and by then it was too late for them.
“I work with supernaturals,” I explained. “I’m a secretary at the Curia Cloisters. You learn quick what a fae looks like verses what a vampire looks like,” I said—using my cover story I’d endlessly rehearsed. “With your modern clothes, I’d believe that you’ve confused people before!”
Vampires were known to favor historic costumes over modern clothes—even regular humans knew that.
“Interesting,” Connor said. “I didn’t know that was a possible career choice for humans.”
“There’s not a lot of us,” I said. “But the Cloisters is talking about making a bigger effort—to promote supernatural-human relationships.”
I watched Connor for any sign of disdain, but his face was still a perfect expression of polite interest. “Fascinating,” he said. “I will certainly make an effort to see this Cloisters of yours.”
“I look forward to seeing you there,” I lied—ideally, he’d never set foot in the building. “So where do you work?”
“I don’t. I don’t need to,” Connor said. “I hate to further the cliché, but I have managed to procure the vampire stereotype of being independently wealthy.”
I wrapped a curl of my red hair around my finger—something I only ever did to sell thetotally a humanact to a vampire. “I don’t know that it’s a cliché, so much as a fact.”
As a vampire slayer, I knew first hand just how wealthy vampires were. Living as long as they did, they got to be very good at recognizing where to invest, who to charm, and where the money flowed.
Add in that they lived in Families, so it was like a vampire elder had a little army of minions to do his bidding, and you had a recipe for wealth that lasted generations.
I don’t know that I’ve heard of a solo vampire being independently wealthy. Well, the Ancient—the top vampire of the USA—is, so I guess it’s possible. Still, it’s odd…
“Yes, thank you for your understanding,” Connor said, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m afraid I should be going.”
“Oh, yes! You’re busy moving in.” I laughed and jangled my full keyring. “Now don’t be a stranger! I’m right next door if you need anything!”
Connor smiled charmingly but he didn’t respond as he unlocked his door and slipped inside his apartment, shutting the door behind him.
Hmmm. He’s walking a careful line of charming and disinterested. The chances that he’s hiding from vampires must be fairly high? But he didn’t seem spooked or nervous when I mentioned the Cloisters, and if he’s a new enough vampire to still be interested in complying with modern fashion I doubt he’d be so good at covering his reactions up.
I unlocked my apartment and stepped inside. I shut the door behind me, locked it, bolted it, then immediately shucked my workout shoes off. I put them in the shoe rack in my front closet and groaned as I raised my arms over my head, stretching.
Why couldn’t talking to people be as easy as talking to vampires? Maybe I’m like this because I only ever talked to my family and vampires when I was out on cases.
The most effective way to fight a vamp was to pretend to be their prey, so I’d been trained since I was a kid to be a convincing normal non-magical human. Pity none of that practice counted to my brain when I was in social interactions!
My phone rang. The ringtone was muffled since it was still stuffed in the sweaty armband strapped to my right bicep.
I struggled to get it out, lighting up when I saw the name that flashed across my screen.
I swiped to accept the call. “Nan!”
“Hello, lass. How are you?”
“I’m doing good.” I glanced at the wall I shared with Connor’s apartment.
Vampire hearing wasn’t anywhere near as good as a werewolf’s but it was a lot better than a human’s.Better to be safe. Especially since Nan is an O’Neil.
Both my mom and my dad came from slayer families but Mom had joined Dad’s family, the O’Neils, so that was the name my family operated under.
“How are you and Paddy?” I padded across my apartment heading into my bedroom.
“Oh, we’re as right as rain. Except your grandfather got it into his cracked nob that our house security measurements need an upgrade. He’s been testing it all day, setting off the alarms so often I hear bells even in silence!” Nan laughed, a familiar sound that made my heart ache just a little.
