I scoffed. “You’re going to have to tell an awful lot of religions they got it wrong.”
“Demons,” he went on, even softer, which made me lean in to listen, “do not lose. Whatever they do, they win. No matter how many ages it takes, no matter how many stars rise, catch fire, and burn to ash.”
“So they’re competitive. Noted.”
“Once they take a soul, they will forever possess it.”
I rolled the beer bottle between my palms. That didn’t sound good.
“If we take that as a known fact, which it is,” he said, “then we must ask ourselves something about Bathin.”
“Why he’s such an ass?”
“Why he gave up your father’s soul.”
“He wanted into Ordinary.”
“I agree. Why?”
“I have no idea. Do you?”
Rossi made another dismissive motion with his fingers, and the vampires who had been slowly creeping across the sand toward us stopped, hung their heads and went back to the party. They chose positions close enough they could reach Rossi in a split second. Vampires are fast. They were totally keeping an eye on him.
“They like you,” I noted.
“They fear me.”
“Fear for you, maybe,” I said, calling his bluff. “You’ve made a family and theylikeyou.”
“Have I, now?”
I knew the vampires could hear him. Even over the roar of the ocean. Even over the crackle of the fire. Even over the laughter and singing and general pulse beat of the living.
I knew they were listening to my answer. Listening to him.
“Yes. There wouldn’t be room for many vampires in Ordinary if you hadn’t made a family here. Made peace here. I know you wouldn’t offer this kind of shelter and community if you didn’t like it. You’re a good man, Rossi. Even when you’re moping over old injuries.”
He made atskingsound. “Injuries. These are nothing but a scratch. I’ve had worse opening envelopes.” He waved one hand toward his face and his chest.
“Those almost ended you,” I said softly.
“You underestimate the danger of the envelopes I’ve opened, Myra.”
I chuckled. “Just admit it.”
“What?”
“You aren’t going anywhere. You aren’t going to let someone challenge you, and you aren’t going to give up being the head of the clan.”
The vampires on the beach seemed keenly interested in his answer, if their total faked lack of interest indicated anything.
“Of course I’m not going anywhere,” he said so softly only the vampires and I could hear him. “If there is a challenge, I will meet it. And win. I am a very old vampire. I don’t just stop existing so very easily.”
If they could have breathed, every one of those fangers on the beach would have exhaled as one.
“I know.” And I did. I had read everything there was to read about vampires. But more than that, I had known Rossi since I was a child. I knew what kind of vampire he was, what kind of man.
“Vampires and demons have one thing in common,” he said. “We don’t lose well.”
