“Do what?” He moves to close the door, but I stop him.
“That blood—or I assume it’s blood, anyway—appeared out of thin air.” I wave my hand inside the fridge, seeing if it’s just an illusion. But all I sense is space.
He looks at me, his brow pinched. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to figure out how this thing works,” I admit, frowning back at him. “Was the glass disguised or something?”
His long lashes wink at me as his eyes open and close in a slow blink. “You’re a confusing human.”
“You’re a confusing Strigoi,” I return. “Well, that might not be fair to say. You’re only the third one I’ve ever met.” I return my focus to the still-open fridge and feel the sides of it, continuing my investigative quest. Iwillfigure out how this works.
“You have to tell it what to give you,” he says slowly. “And what do you mean, I’m the third one you’ve met? Did you grow up in isolation?” I glance at him to see his expression morphing into surprise. “Is that why you’re here? Have the Strigoi finally gifted me with a companion?”
“I… Maybe?” I frown at him. “And when you say I have to tell it what to give me, are you talking about the fridge?”
We stare at each other for a long beat.
“This is… interesting.” That’s all he says for a moment before adding, “I’m not sure if I like this development or not. You’re rather naïve for a human.”
“I’m not naïve,” I reply, somewhat offended. “I’m just new to this world.”
“New how?” he asks, leaning against the counter as he sips his drink.
“Your son found me in a different realm,” I explain. “And in my realm, a refrigerator doesn’t magically produce glasses of blood.”
“It’s actually a blutini,” he informs me flatly. “Some blood, but mixed with bubbies.”
“I…” My brow crinkles. “What arebubbies?”
We engage in another staring contest, then he reaches into the fridge and pulls out a bowl of what look like ruby-red berries. “It’s a fruit.”
“Are they safe for human consumption?” I ask.
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t be,” he replies.
“In my world, some berries are poisonous.”
“Oh.” He cants his head. “Tell me more about your world.”
Before I answer him, I try putting my hand in the fridge again and whisper, “Bowl of human-safe berries, please.”
To my shock, one appears right in my hand.
“You don’t have to say it out loud,” the former king tells me, sounding somewhat amused. “You just think of it and it exists.”
“Anything?” I inquire.
Hmm.
“Grilled cheese sandwich like Radu made,” I suggest.
When that materializes next, I gasp.
“Holy wow, this is amazing.” The words are a whisper to myself, but the Strigoi beside me clearly hears it. Because he makes a choking sound.
Glancing at him, I realize he’s chuckling. Or trying to, anyway.
“This does not exist in my world,” I inform him. “At least, not that I know of.” I frown. “I’m going to be most disappointed if I find out Ciprian has one of these in his castle and didn’t show me.”
