“I understand,” Benjamin says. “You’re not the first person to come to me with such concerns. Most valentine contracts last a year, and you’re under no obligation to continue beyond that. I’ll focus on finding you a patron who can be discreet, and out of the public eye as much as possible. Most of us prefer that, despite what the magazines and TV may suggest.”
I didn’t know that was an option. But my hope dies again as quickly as it flared up. “My public image also… isn’t the onlything that concerns me.” I drop my gaze. I’m not sure how to put this into words without feeling foolish, but I know I have to say it before I sign anything agreeing to this. It wouldn’t be fair to Benjamin or to me. “I’m… not looking for a romantic relationship. And I’m not a casual sort of person when it comes to those things. So… I would prefer to avoid anything, um, intimate. Is that possible?”
I feel stupid even asking. It’s like looking for a sugar daddy and asking,actually, can we just be sugar friends?But I have to know.
I’ve had only a couple of romantic relationships in my life, and they were enough for me to decide I don’t need that kind of distraction.
Benjamin’s brow creases as he considers. “It’s not unheard of, but it will make it more difficult to find a patron for you. Feeding is inherently intimate. Most vampires desire the… full experience, shall we say, with their valentine.”
My heart sinks, even though I already expected as much. “I see.”
“I will do my best to find you the match you’re looking for,” he says. “That’s all I can promise. But you will be paid for the night of the Valentine’s Ball, with or without a more long-term arrangement. Are those terms agreeable to you?”
I suppress a sigh. How can I say no to that? Especially with my roommates relying on me? “Okay.” I massage my temples. “Can I see the contract?”
Chapter Four
Beside our parked car, Sophie, Elaine, and I share a group hug and a short celebration involving lots of excited squealing. Payment for the Valentine’s Day Ball won’t solve all of our problems, but the money will give us enough to pay for a first and last month’s rent on a new place, so our situation just got a little brighter.
We drive back to our condemned apartment, where that orange notice on the door doesn’t scare me quite so badly anymore. Everything important fits in one suitcase, a habit I never broke after a childhood of moving every several months. Then, they drop me back off at Benjamin’s, where I’ll be staying for the next week to train for the ball.
“I still don’t get why you have totrain,” Sophie says, pouting at the little gothic house like it’s done this to her personally.
“Vampires are strict about their etiquette,” I say. I’d been relieved to hear there was training involved, since I’ve heard rumors of the strict, old-fashioned expectations at private vampire events. “These balls are basically like traveling back to the Regency era. Lots of rules and dance steps to learn.”
“Except they can eat you if you curtsy wrong,” Elaine says.
“Benjamin assures me they’ll only eat me with consent. I’ll have a blood card with my tasting notes, where they sign up for time slots and everything.”
My friends exchange a glance and burst into giggles.
My face flames. “Not likethat. My God, you two…”
When their laughter finally dies down, silence lingers. As I hesitate, looking from Sophie to Elaine, I find myself fighting back an embarrassing desire to cry.
“You guys will be okay?” I ask.
“Sure,” Sophie says. “I’ll stay with David.”
“And I’ll be at my parents’ place,” Elaine agrees.
“Keep researching new apartments,” I say.
“We will.” Sophie grins. “Don’t have too much fun without us!”
With one last goodbye, I head inside to train for my big night.
* * *
I throw myself into valentine lessons with the same intensity I dedicate to everything else. If I’m going to do this, I plan on doing it well. I show up to our first middle-of-the-night lesson yawning but prepared, with a notebook and pen in hand.
Benjamin smiles when he sees me. “So different than my previous trainee,” he says, with a wry shake of his head.
“How many valentines have you arranged matches for?” I ask, remembering that singular rave review.
“Just the one,” he says. “The Valentine Society just opened last year, so most applicants go to the larger agencies with vampires who aren’t, well… courtless, like I am. And I’m careful with those I select. Most vampires only consider the taste of a human’s blood, but to me, it’s the enjoyment of being bitten that’s most important.”
“Is it really so rare?”
