I smile. “Thank you.”
“Can I…Can I spend some time with you?” he asks.
Cyrus steps in front of me. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. It’s time for you to leave.”
He steps closer, sniffing the air. “Just a few minutes?” He looks down. “I’m sorry, sir. It’s just that she needs me.”
“I can assure you, sir, she doesn’t need you,” Cyrus retorts.
The man reaches a hand toward me. Cyrus wraps his arm behind his back and whisks him away in the blink of an eye. Less than a second later, he’s standing in front of me again with the human nowhere around.
“What was that?” I ask.
“That was a rarity,” he answers. “The other side of the coin, if you will. Where most humans have the innate ability to sense danger and run, others are drawn to us. He was attracted to you both physically and energetically. He would’ve died trying to make you his.”
“Like the woman on the train?”
“Exactly,” he answers.
“Why does that make me sad?” I ask.
“Because, unlike most new vampires, you still hold some of your humanity.”
“What does that mean?”
He scoffs. “It means, you’re different, Violet Du Four.” He wraps my arm through his, and we continue walking through the dusty streets of St. Augustine. We walk arm in arm, while humans make wide paths around us. We come to a large open field, and he stops in front of what looks like a spring.
“Do you know what this is?” he asks.
“Water,” I answer sarcastically.
“Right, you are. However, this water is said to hold special abilities.” He bends down, dipping his hand into the hole. “Quite a few people believe this might be the Fountain of Youth.”
I stare into the nondescript spring. “TheFountain of Youth?”
“Discovered by Ponce de Leon, himself.” He scoops a small handful of water from the hole, lifting it to his lips. “It’s believed that whoever drinks from the spring will live forever.” He swallows the clear water in one gulp.
“It’s a good thing you’re dead. If not, that water would probably kill you.”
Cyrus lowers his hand and stares into my eyes. “You’re just a bundle of questions and snark, aren’t you?”
I smile at his description. “I think you nailed my personality in one sentence.”
“There’s more I want to show you.” He offers his elbow once more as we move away from the spring and back toward civilization. Not long after, we’re standing in front of a large building.
“What’s this?”
“The jail.”
I look up at the man whose arm I’m attached to. “Why do I feel like there’s a lesson coming?”
“Because there is.” We walk closer.
“This looks more like a home than a jail,” I announce.
Cyrus looks down at me with an approving look. “You’re smart, Violet.” I fight the smile that wants to appear at his words. Am I seeking his approval?
“Thank you,” I answer.
