by Anya Nowlan
“So we both agree we don’t want to be married. Great. The door is over there,” she said, pointing her chin at the exit.
“As I said, there’s a tiny problem with that,” Harlan admitted. “Vampires aren’t supposed to claim humans they don’t intend to turn into vampires. We can’t be turning people left and right, so there are strict rules about who gets to join us and who can’t.
“But things must have been more romantic in the past, because falling in love is still a valid reason to turn someone,” he added, seeing the confused, slightly horrified expression on Ruby’s face. “Claiming to love someone just to turn them is very much frowned upon, though.”
Now that was an understatement, but he didn’t want to regale Ruby with the gory details. Just as humans were struggling with overpopulation, vampires had their own overcrowding problems. In the era of smartphones and satellites, staying hidden was more difficult than ever, not to mention more vampires meant needing to have more donors.
“In any case, I’ll have to talk to the man who sent me on this mission to see if I can somehow unclaim you. But until then…” he left his words hanging in the air.
“Alright, fine,” Ruby waved a hand. “So we go to this man and get this cleared up right now.”
“He’s in Romania,” Harlan interjected.
“He’s what?” she asked, shooting up from her seat.
“Sorry,” Harlan shrugged. “But let’s be real here, it’s not like you’re the only one suffering. I mean, look at this place. You don’t even have a decent coffee machine,” he scoffed.
“What do you care about my coffee machine?” Ruby asked, immediately suspicious.
“Because I’ll be staying here, of course.”
4
Ruby
“You can’t be serious,” Ruby said, feeling nervous laughter bubbling up inside her. “I can’t have a vampire living with me,” she added, not trying hard to cover up the disgust in her voice.
She couldn’t really believe she was even saying that. Maybe she had hit her head a little too hard after all.
Didn’t one of those doctors mention something about prolonged disorientation? she thought miserably, considering Harlan with barely restrained suspicion.
Looking at home already, Harlan raised up both hands, moving them up and down as he mimicked scales.
“Letting a dashing gentleman share your abode,” he said, looking at one hand, “or bleeding out in an alley,” he frowned, looking at the other. “I don’t see how this is an unfair trade at all. Besides, it’s not like I’m thrilled about this.”
“Why did you save me anyway, since this is all such a hassle for you?” Ruby narrowed her eyes at him.
She had no idea if what Harlan was saying was even the truth. Hell, she was having a rough time accepting vampires actually existed, let alone wrapping her head around their weird, backwards customs.
“It’s not like your kind is real keen on respecting the sanctity of a human life and all that,” she added.
The image of Grant tossing Sarah aside and leaving her to die in a pool of her own blood kept replaying in her mind, making her reasonably distrustful of Harlan, who had just shown up at her place and expected her to get on board with all this craziness.
“Just because Grant has gone off the deep end doesn’t mean we’re all evil bloodsuckers,” Harlan rolled his eyes at her. “We were all once human, after all,” he added, and Ruby noted that he sounded just a little less arrogant when he said that.
“So this isn’t all a ploy to get at my neck once I let my guard down?” Ruby raised a brow at him.
“I have plenty of willing necks at my disposal,” Harlan shrugged. “My donors are downright eager to get in my teeth,” he smiled, giving her a loaded look.
Without her meaning to do it, Ruby’s hand flew to her neck, fingers tracing over the raised scars there. She could still remember the pain of Grant’s teeth sinking into her flesh and tearing it apart. Even if Grant hadn’t been particularly gentle, she didn’t think the experience of letting a vampire snack on you could be anything but unpleasant.
“They must have a screw or two loose,” she remarked, before standing up.
“It’s not like you won’t get anything out of the deal,” Harlan commented, folding his hands in his lap.
Every movement he made was so graceful and effortless, as if he were in complete control of every single muscle in his body. He did look very fit, which was hard to not notice as his sharp suit looked to be tailored exactly to his measurements. Ignoring his unnerving poise and pale complexion, he didn’t look undead at all.
It made Ruby wonder, how many vampires she had passed by on the street without even knowing it.
“And what exactly will I be getting out of it? If you’re thinking of saying the pleasure of your company, save it,” she said, starting to pace around the living room.
“I still have a job to do. Catching Grant. I thought you might be interested in that, but if you’re not…”
“I am,” Ruby blurted out, sounding way too eager. “I mean, I’m listening.”
Convincing everyone that she wasn’t, in fact, insane was currently Ruby’s number one priority. And it wasn’t exactly something she could do without getting her hands on this Grant.
Not to mention the fact that she was more than a little eager to finish what she started with him in that alley. This time, though, she fully intended to be the winner. How that was to be accomplished… well, details could be ironed out, right?
A smile hovered over Harlan’s lips and the way he was looking at her made her feel way too much like a tasty meal. Or was it something other than her blood that had piqued his interest?
“As far as I know, Grant is still in New York. Why he hasn’t left after I made my presence known, I couldn’t tell you. Seems he has some kind of unfinished business here. If I can find out what that is, finding him won’t be that hard,” he replied.
“And you need my help?” Ruby asked.
The words had barely left her lips when Harlan was standing in front of her. She hadn’t even noticed him make any move indicating he was about to stand up, yet here he was, his face mere inches away from hers.
Fear mingled with something else as Ruby stared at him. Undoubtedly, he was a handsome man. That was even an understatement, if she were being completely honest.
But she could never find him attractive. He might not be a coldblooded killer, as he’d like her to believe, but he was still someone who fed on people to survive.
Now that’s just gross, she thought, suppressing a shudder she convinced herself was one of fear.
“I don’t need anyone’s help,” Harlan said. “But you might have human connections here in New York that could be useful,” he shrugged, stepping away from her to walk back into the kitchen. “But make no mistake – when it comes to my kind, you are pathetically outmatched,” he finished, starting to rummage through her kitchen cabinets. “And I did do you a favor by not letting you be consumed for lunch.”
“You know you’re being a very rude guest, right?” Ruby huffed.
It was hardly the biggest problem she had with the whole situation, but Harlan’s questionable manners were the only thing she might complain about and actually see something change.
She couldn’t kick him out, because, well, if three shots to the stomach didn’t take down Grant, she doubted she could beat him into submission and force him to leave. And then there was the pesky fact that Harlan had saved her life, and he would get in trouble with his vampire bosses if they didn’t act like she was claimed by him, whatever that actually meant.
But the carrot on the stick that made Ruby try to make peace with having a vampire under her roof was the possibility of tracking down Grant. That man had gotten away with murder, and that just couldn’t stand with Ruby.
That woman he tore apart deserved justice. And Ruby would be lying if she said a part of her didn’t yearn for revenge for what Grant had done to her. An
d as Harlan had perfectly illustrated with his little demonstration, vampires were a lot faster than humans. If she tried going after Grant on her own, it was all but guaranteed the man would be picking her out of his teeth before she could even do any damage.
And speaking of damage, she didn’t even know what kind of a weapon would work on a vampire. It didn’t seem that movies had the answer, since Harlan was ransacking her kitchen in broad daylight without turning into ash.
I need to find out how to kill vampires, she thought, eyeing her new roommate. And who better to teach me than someone who is a vampire himself.
5
Harlan
“Was the couch comfortable enough?” Ruby asked as she strolled out of her bedroom wearing her pajamas.
Running a hand through her hair, she smoothed out most of the kinks as she headed for the bathroom, right next to the kitchen. Harlan was sitting at the kitchen counter, clad in the same suit as the day before, but with the jacket draped over one of the chairs.
“Comfort isn’t really a concern for me,” he replied, considering if the cheap stuff that barely qualified as coffee he’d found in Ruby’s kitchen was even worth drinking.
It wasn’t that the caffeine would really even have an effect on him, and he certainly didn’t need to drink any sort of liquid at all, except for blood, of course. But having been alive as long as he was, one started to miss the little routine things in life.
Like having a cup of coffee in the morning.
He could still appreciate the taste, even though he knew it wasn’t the same as for humans. When he was first turned, the difference had been more notable. Things he’d eaten just days before now tasted different, duller, in a way. Now, he hardly remembered his human life well enough to make any comparisons.
That didn’t mean there weren’t things he liked, just for the pleasure it gave him. Like freshly ground, French press coffee, or Belgian chocolate. He liked trying new things as well. It kept immortality from becoming too boring.
Not that this forced mission of his hadn’t turned out to be a lot more interesting than he’d expected. The choice to claim Ruby as his was spontaneous, and perhaps foolish on his part. It complicated things unnecessarily, and Ruby herself definitely wasn’t happy with their arrangement.
But he couldn’t let Grant rip her throat out right in front of him without doing anything, either. Julius would probably call it ‘undue sentimentality’ or something ridiculous like that, since making sure Ruby and that other woman got medical attention had cost him his shot at apprehending Grant.
Still, he didn’t regret his decision. Too many vampires became alienated from their humanity over the years, and he didn’t want to turn out like that. Besides, as far as fake brides went, Ruby definitely wasn’t the worst choice.
As he had told her, it would be best if they were seen together. Harlan didn’t know if Grant would feel the need to tell anyone about Harlan claiming Ruby, but just in case he did, Harlan had to cover his bases.
Did he really need to live with Ruby to accomplish this? Not really. Did he want to get to know this peculiar, fiery little human better? Definitely. She had put her life on the line to try to save that woman from Grant, and Harlan respected that.
Ruby popped her head out of the bathroom, toothbrush still in her mouth.
“What does that even mean?” she asked, slightly annoyed, before disappearing again.
He waited until the sound of water running stopped before answering.
“My muscles don’t get sore, I don’t get kinks in my neck or struggle with a bad back. It doesn’t really matter if I sleep in a bed or on the ground,” he shrugged as Ruby padded into the kitchen.
Harlan could tell she was still wary of him, even as she tried to hide it. She took care not to turn her back on him, and always kept him in the corner of her eye. All in all, though, she was taking this whole ‘vampires are real’ thing extremely well.
“But you can tell the difference, right?” she hesitantly asked. “I mean, the difference between a soft blanket and the hard floor?”
“Yes, I can still feel things,” Harlan chuckled. “Wouldn’t be much of an afterlife if I didn’t,” he winked, and Ruby quickly looked away.
“So, I uh…” she trailed off. “Couldn’t help but notice you haven’t burst into flames yet,” she commented, glancing at the sunlight streaming in through the windows.
“And I don’t plan to either,” he replied, watching her pour herself a bowl of cereal. “I’m not a fan of the sun, but I don’t hiss and cower into my long, black cape at the sight of it.”
“I’ve always actually liked capes,” Ruby mused, poking her head into the fridge and pulling out a carton of milk. “Been waiting for them to make a comeback.”
“They’re really not that practical, trust me,” Harlan said.
Ruby arched a brow at that as she poured milk into her bowl.
“And what are you having for breakfast?” she asked. “Not one of my neighbors, I hope.”
“I’ll find someone to eat once we get on our way.”
“And where exactly are we going?” Ruby asked, crossing her arms in front of her.
“To shake down New York’s vampire bars, of course. I’ve only hit half of them so far, and with little luck. No one seems to have a clue about Grant. But I’m feeling lucky today,” he replied, giving her a small smile.
Harlan had done his research on Ruby after it became clear she would pull through. By all accounts, she was an impressive officer, respected by her peers and well on her way to becoming a detective.
The way her right hand had shaken as she poured her milk was evidence of that being off the table now. Harlan wondered how she was coping with all of this, but didn’t feel like it was his place to ask.
As far as Ruby was concerned, he was just another bloodthirsty vampire, like the one that gave her those scars on her neck. He didn’t know why he felt it important to convince her otherwise.
She’ll have a normal life, grow old and die, like everyone else. Why do I want to get to know someone so temporary?
“I can’t go to a vampire bar,” Ruby protested. “They’ll think I’m on the menu!”
“Plenty of humans frequent our spots,” Harlan waved a hand. “There are strict rules there, to make sure all the humans are safe. Besides, you’re with me. No one would dare lay a hand on you,” he assured her.
Ruby didn’t look particularly convinced as she studied him, and maybe Harlan was imagining it, but he thought he saw a glimmer of appreciation in her eyes when her gaze swept over his body.
Interesting, he mused.
It was no secret he felt attracted to Ruby. In addition to being gorgeous, she was tough, and wasn’t afraid to say exactly what was on her mind. Not a pushover by any means, and he liked that. There weren’t a lot of people who could live through what had happened to her and come back swinging.
“Be that as it may, I would still feel more comfortable with a weapon at my side. And guns don’t seem to work…” she trailed off, giving him a loaded look.
“Ah, I see,” Harlan nodded. “You want to know our weaknesses. For self-defense purposes only, of course.”
“Of course,” Ruby quickly agreed.
“Not that you would ever use that new knowledge on me,” he added, staring right into Ruby’s eyes. “No sneaking up on me while I’m sleeping on this couch with a cross in one hand and a bottle of holy water in the other, resting easy knowing there’s one less vampire in the world,” he continued, watching Ruby fidget uncomfortably.
“The thought never even crossed my mind,” she shrugged, utterly unconvincing. “Just for reference, though, do crosses and holy water actually work on you?”
“I’m not Catholic,” Harlan replied with a small shrug. “Now, if you still want to be a part of taking down Grant, I suggest you get dressed.”
6
Ruby
Why the hell did I agree to this? Ruby wondered as she followed Harlan into
a high-rise office building. Oh, right. Because I don’t trust him and I want to see how his investigation goes, firsthand.
“This doesn’t look like a bar to me,” she commented, looking around the spacious lobby.
“You’ll see,” Harlan replied, as mysterious as ever.
Everything was far too fancy for her tastes, and the woman behind the reception desk looked like she’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine. Suddenly, Ruby felt underdressed in her jeans and leather jacket. She was wearing a red turtleneck underneath, not wanting to put her scars on display.
Who knows, that might be like ringing the dinner bell to whomever we’re here to meet.
Harlan was still in that impeccable suit of his. It looked just as fresh as yesterday, and Ruby found herself wondering if vampires sweat. She didn’t think so, but then again, she didn’t know much. Harlan definitely wasn’t falling over himself to let her in on all his little secrets.
And now I’m basically working with him, she groaned to herself.
But as the saying went, keep your friends close… And if hanging around Harlan would get her close enough to Grant, it would all be worth it.
“Hello, darling,” Harlan said smoothly, gliding up to the reception desk with the elegance of a ballroom dancer. “And what might your name be?”
A slight blush colored the cheeks of the woman sitting behind it, making Ruby think she had to be human. In comparison, there was no color to Harlan’s complexion, and the woman’s movements weren’t as smooth and precise as his.
“Katie,” she replied, giving him a wide smile.
“Ah, lovely,” Harlan remarked, and Ruby rolled her eyes at the pure cheesiness of it all. “Would you be a dear and call up to the penthouse. Tell them I have a delivery of garlic bread,” he grinned.