Page 8 of Toward Immortal Ruin

Everyone around him was equally immersed. Before he knew it, it was nearing two o’clock and her lecture was quickly wrapping up.

“To some,” she began in conclusion, “vampires aren’t beings of myth and folklore. There are some fanatics and conspiracy theorists that believe vampires are real. You’d be surprised how many people believe that fiction is somehow true, and the supernatural world is more than a myth.”

She laughed, the sound echoed by the audience around them. Nero fought off the urge to roll his shoulders to ward off the sudden tension that had settled there. With any hope, that portion of her lecture was simply hypothetical.

In closing, Eden called for questions just before a thunderous round of applause. Nero’s hand was the first one to go up. She gave him a knowing look before nodding at him to ask. “Who is your favorite vampire from popular fiction?”

It was a softball question, but one he truly wanted the answer to. As she hummed in thought, he found himself waiting on the edge of his seat.

“I’d have to say Selene from Underworld,” she said. “She’s the perfect combination of femininity, fierceness, and strength. Love her to death.”

Nero dipped his chin in thanks, and she was quickly assaulted by tens more. Eden answered every question with the poise of an academic who’d seen her share of debates and dialogues, and he found himself impressed with her sharp wit.

As the room began to clear, Eden remained onstage. Several people had gathered while the room emptied, and Nero stayed behind as Key had instructed. If he was honest with himself, even if the foreseer hadn’t urged it, there would be no force—immortal or otherwise— that could’ve pried him from this room.

As soon as they were finally alone, he rose and went to greet her. “I see you’re looking well after an eventful night.”

“I managed to get home in one piece, thanks-very-much,” Eden replied, her grin even more stunning in the daylight. “I didn’t actually think I’d see you today.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

“I guess. No axe needed, so that’s a good thing.”

He grimaced. “They might’ve tackled me at the door if I was still carrying that.”

“True enough.” She folded her papers into her bag. “Did you enjoy the lecture, or were you barely keeping your eyes open?”

He held up the notebook with his barely legible notes scribbled across the page. “I hung on every word. Someone could’ve poked me with a cattle prod while you were speaking, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed.”

“I’m kind of impressed. Most people just let it go in one ear and out the other.” Eden shrugged. “As a lecturer, you get used to at least one person snoring in your audience.”

“Is this what you do? Are you primarily a professor or a researcher?”

“My philosophical answer is that I’m a student of life. An eternal learner. But, if you’re being literal, I’m a travelling lecturer, on semi-sabbatical from my teaching job here at the University.”

“I’m not surprised at all that you teach. You’re a natural public speaker. I’ve only listened to you for an hour, and I was enthralled.”

“University classes are my favorite,” she explained. “Too many people believe they’re the hardest to teach, but I’d disagree. Unlike primary school, students actually want to be there, and they’re focusing on things that interestthem. Plus, I know my courses like the back of my hand, and there’s nothing more rewarding that teaching to a class that’s engaged.”

“You’re remarkable, Eden.”

“Oh—ah, thanks.” She gifted him a radiant smile. “Come on, there’s a little coffee shop by the library that’s full of yummy things. Assuming you wanted to … you know, see more of me?”

“I’d love to see more of you.”

For a moment, time was still between them. Nero’s ability told him that she was caught between being flattered and suspicious, but the former was slowly winning out. In the back of his mind, he reminded himself that this was truly the first time they were meeting. Last night didn’t count. He still needed to play it safe.

“We can duck through the library on our way there,” she finally said. “It’ll keep us out of the cold.”

“Sounds wonderful. I used to read religiously,” he said. “But then life got in the way, and now I haven’t been in a library in ages.”

“That’s very sad, Nero. I’ll gladly remedy that gap of your education and entertainment.”

“I’d be very appreciative, professor.”

Several students called out greetings to Eden as they passed through the hallways, and as he’d expected, she was kind and engaging with all of them.

“So, what made you interested in Gothic fiction?”

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