But as he approached, Theo realized Peter collected old books.Or maybe he just never got rid of the books he bought as first editions.He’s a vampire; there’s no telling how old he is.
Theo spottedFrankensteinand several Dickenses.A Christmas Carolwas on a higher shelf than most of the others.The order of the entire shelf was haphazard.On the Origin of Speciessnuggled next toThe War of the Worlds, and Theo’s heart fluttered when he sawThe MonkandCarmilla.And yes,Draculahid on the bottom shelf.
“Feel free to borrow them, although I must warn you that some are quite delicate.”
Theo jumped at the sound of Peter’s voice, but the vampire was standing across the room, under the archway that opened into the foyer.He was holding a laptop, and approached once Theo had turned.
“Not really a complicated issue.”He tapped the device.“Your data was all there, and the drive wasn’t even damaged.I cannot say the same for the hardware, so I transferred everything to this new machine.”He put the laptop on the table next to the contract.“I took the liberty of setting up the OS and the software you had on your old laptop, as well as a few programs I think you might find helpful.”
“My OS?You what?What did you do with my computer?”
Peter narrowed his eyes at Theo.“Your laptop is dead.I’m sorry.But your data is okay.Think of it like a brain transfer.I put the brain in a new body.You might want to consider putting important things in the cloud.”
Theo nodded.“Right.The cloud.I can use that?”
Peter nodded.“Yes.Any issues or questions about the contract?”
Theo crossed his arms.“It looks good.”
“Excellent.”
“But how do I make you adhere to it?”
Peter sat in the far armchair.“Not in a human court, that is true.But you are in New Elvenswood.There is a large community of witches here who would happily help a human abused by a vampire.Did you know they all make fancy stakes at some point in their lives?Truly baffling.At any rate, I personally would advise you to approach the Elven lord watching over this city.”
“What?” Theo said, because while he knew about witches and several other creatures, that was new.
Peter leaned back.“It is how things are handled in this city.”
Theo straightened.“That’s how you’ll make Bernard go away then?By asking the witches for help?”
Peter gave him a level look.“Sure.”
“And how would I contact these people?”
Peter linked his fingers behind his head.“You know the folklore museum?”
Theo nodded.The Museum of Folklore and Local History was a beautiful building in the city’s main square, and when he’d first come to New Elvenswood, Theo had just sat on a bench outside of it and taken in the feeling of being free.
“The building itself is succor.That means that, should any supernatural creature ever wish you or any human harm, go inside and you will be safe.And ask for…well, I’m not sure who runs it now.I can find out for you.”
“You’re saying the museum is enchanted?”
Peter nodded.“In a manner of speaking.All of it was before my time, but it’s my understanding that early on, there were many elven and human relationships here.The human spouses had family and friends, and, of course, any children would’ve been part human.The elves sought to ensure there was a place of safety, and it’s been like that ever since.”
“Right.Okay.”
Peter licked his smooth lips, and Theo found his gaze drawn to the soft pink flesh of Peter’s tongue.Theo remembered Peter gently licking his neck the previous night.It had barely even hurt at all—not the bite, not when he’d drunk.
“Of course, I have no intention of breaking this contract if you are willing to sign and uphold your end.”
“I need to think about that.I just… I don’t want to decide right away.”
Peter nodded.“Of course.I hope you will agree since your blood is really quite tempting.So much like a drug.”He crossed his legs, leaned back in the armchair, and licked his lips again.“But waiting for a good thing to come true will be exquisitely rewarding.”
Theo traced the lines of Peter’s lips and face with his eyes.He couldn’t help himself.At some point between last night and that hot chocolate, Theo had begun looking at Peter not like a threat, but like something else.A possibility maybe.Theo wasn’t sure.
“I’ll let you know after work tomorrow.I should get going now, actually.”
