Raven accepted that, falling silent when one of the servers brought them each a large mug of blood, warm to the touch.Maxim watched with some satisfaction as Raven gulped down almost the entire thing, his eyelids fluttering with pleasure when he put it back down in front of him.
“This is really good.Hits the spot.If that’s a metaphor you can use for blood drinking.”
“I think that’s apt.”Maxim took a much smaller drink from his own cup.“Do you think you’ll enjoy it?Taking care of my treasures?Or would you rather explore a different option for work?”
Surprise spread over Raven’s face.“You mean I don’t have to clear out that floor?”
Maxim tapped his index finger on the table.They’d set out tablecloths for the day, though they usually removed them for the night.The cloth was purest white, and not for the first time, Maxim wondered at the wisdom of this, but Morgan was adamant about having the place look fancy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“No, you don’t.Though I would like you to remain the guardian I know you can be.But, you see, it’s mostly memories for me up there—for Heath too, much as he’d like to engineer unfortunate accidents—and to do it justice, I think your heart should be in it.”
Raven nodded and finished his blood.Maxim was quick to signal their server for a refill, and Raven stayed silent and pensive when the server picked up his empty cup.The silence continued until after a new one had been placed in front of him.
“Can I ask you something?”
Maxim nodded.“Go right ahead.”
“Why not do it yourself?Why have me do it?I mean, you know what everything is.I think I learned about no less than three milestones in photography while we were up there.”
“Ah, but do not forget, having photography to begin with is a milestone in and of itself.There used to be paintings only if you loved something enough to want to capture the shadow of it.But to answer your question, yes, I do know what everything is.And I wouldn’t mind assisting you like I did today.But going through everything myself… Raven, quite simply, I think I’d be losing myself to the memories of the past.If not for you, it’s quite likely I’d still be listening to that recording of Heath singing.”
Raven’s expression was incisive, and Maxim was almost sure that it was the studious side of him, the inquisitive learner he’d been before his life had changed.Much like the things in my collection, that part of himself isn’t really lost, just…no longer suited for the present.Though it had to exist to form the present version of who Raven is.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Excellent!”
“But about the lying—”
“Huh?Whatever are you speaking of, Raven?”
Raven gestured.“The pens and the—I don’t even remember what I’m supposed not to tell Heath.”
Maxim twirled the end of his braid around a finger.“Pens?What pens?And I’d never suggest you lie to Heath or not tell him that his plan to drown my phonograph cylinders in the Atlantic failed.”
Raven sighed.A whine came from the direction of the kitchen, and both of them turned to see Ume jogging toward them, followed by Jason, his school bag slung over his shoulder.
Ume yipped at Raven as if to catch him up on the wonderous find of one Jason, and Raven scratched the eager dog behind the ears.
“Here you are.Clement was saying weird stuff again, but he mentioned you guys were having lunch.”He glanced at Raven’s cup.“You know, color-wise, you’d think blood would be redder.”
Raven shrugged.Maxim’s phone pinged, and he pulled it from his pocket to look at the text from Bryan.
Dr.Morris and Detective Adler are here.
Maxim put the phone away again and finished his own blood, then stood, turning to Jason.
“You could always ask the staff for a vibrantly red cocktail instead, Jason.If you two will excuse me?”
Raven bit his lip.“I think Ume really wants to head outside.Is that okay?Is it okay if I take him, I mean.”
Maxim saw the quizzical look on Jason’s face, and saw it shift into a frown he then hid.
“Of course it is.The three of you have fun.”He clapped Jason on the shoulder.
“We will,” Jason said.He took the chair Maxim had abandoned, giving the now-empty cup a sniff.
Maxim took a deep breath as he walked away, forcing himself to keep his back straight and his steps measured.Onward to the cells below.I must not, and I will not fail in my duty.
