“I did,” I said slowly. Although I had a naturally sunny disposition that was a bit antithetical to being a vampire, I wasn’t born yesterday. In fact, I was born on August fifth, 1913,to be exact. Orthallow, while being a generally amiable fellow, if not a bit taciturn, didn’t give one lick about instrumental restoration.
“Why don’t you tell me about that?”
Did he seem nervous? If vampires had beating hearts, I would just listen to the rate of that particular organ, but as it were, I had to rely on body language and tone alone, unless it was soon after a deep feed.
“Normally, I’d love to, but I’m afraid I have a mission tonight.”
“Of course, of course. But Celestia is in the middle of a conversation, so you’ve got time.”
He had a point. I didn’t want to be rude and interrupt her if she was discussing something important.
“I suppose that’s true. But do you really want to hear about material analysis and de-oxidization of ancient pipes?”
“I… uh,sure.That sounds fascinating. I’ve always been interested in, um…”
“Restoring instruments?” I supplied, keeping my tone earnest even though I was almost certain that something was going on. But I wanted to give my fellow vampire the benefit of the doubt.
“Well, I would say restoration in general. You know, not letting aspects of the past be forgotten.” While I could agree with it, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end when the man slung his arm over my shoulders and tried to guide me toward a different sitting area on the opposite side of the hall. Away from Celestia.
“Orthallow,I’m not an idiot,” I said, planting my feet firmly. Was I enjoying the sudden curiosity in my passion? Of course! But I wasn’t going to let some false flattery distract me from asking Celestia out. I hadn’t been on a date since my sire passed, and I hadn’t had a romance since I’d turned. The timing hadnever felt right, and it wasn’t like I had a bevy of suitors waiting in the wings. In fact, the last person who had been interested in me was a warlock in the forties who was very heavy on thewarpart of that lock, which was why I was completely uninterested.
And I also might have had a hand in him being overthrown in his circle and excommunicated by his patron spirit, but that was a story for another time. Ireallydidn’t like bullies.
“What do you mean?” he asked with a nervous chuckle that was out of place in his normally too-cool-for-school tone.
“I mean, if you have feelings for Celestia, that’s perfectly fine. But let’s address this as gentlemen rather than being petty about it. For all you know, she’ll reject me right off the bat.”
“You think— I don’t— It’s… God,fuck,Rowan, you can be sodensesometimes.”
That wasn’t nice. I affixed the man with a stern look and shrugged his arm off. I was a friendly chap, sure, but I wasn’t a fucking punching bag.
“Orthallow, I came here to have a lovely night. If your intention is to bring negativity into it, frankly I’m uninterested.”
“No, it’s not that, Rowan. It’s just…howcan you not know?” His voice had dropped to a whisper and now I felt more confused than ever.
“Not knowwhat?”
“That Celestia willneversay yes to someone like you!”
“You don’t know th?—”
“Yes, Ido! She talks shit behind your back all the time, as does most of the coven. They only tolerate you because of your blood bank connection. I thought you knew and were just accepting it to get more work, but God, you really believe them.”
I stared at him, a cold, horribly familiar feeling spreading through my body.
“I…”
“I didn’t want to tell you this, because you’re nice and all, but how could you not know, man? You’ve gotta know that someone like Celestia would never intermingle with someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” I echoed faintly. So many insults and rejections played in my head over and over again. It was a tale as old as the day I was turned and yet somehow the dagger’s edge of those memories were just as sharp as ever.
“Come on, don’t make me spell it out. Between your, uh…” He gestured up and down like that explained everything, and sadly it did. I knew exactly what he meant. “And your personality, you’re never gonna fit in here with all these snobs.
“I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while, and I’m sorry I didn’t, but you’re so damn cheery that it felt a bit like kicking a dog. But I really can’t bear it if you go over there and get humiliated. You don’t deserve that, Rowan. I know we’re not close, but please believe me. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
I didn’t know what to say. How many times had I been through this exact same situation? And yet, it still stung so badly.
“All of this just because I’m albino?” I murmured. That didn’t even make sense! Vampires were so naturally pale that my lack of pigmentation should have been the epitome of our funky beauty standards. And yet…
