Page 37 of Thicker than Water
“It looked like you were doing more than drinking!” replies the first man, turning his head haughtily in a gesture of disdain that also happens to show off his long neck. There are two perfect red bite marks on it.
“Wei, you’re more than welcome to join us,” says the vampire, raising an eyebrow.
Wei ignores him, making eye contact with me. “Vodka tonic, please.”
“Coming right up,” I reply, mixing the drink. The vampire sighs and disappears into the crowd as I serve the drink. “It’s on the house. Heartbreak special.”
“Thanks,” the customer says, taking a big gulp. “It’s my own fault. All my friends said not to date a vampire.”
I lean on the bar across from him. “Then why did you?”
“I don’t know,” sighs Wei, glancing anxiously through the crowd behind him. “He’s just so…exciting! And charming. I thought I would just try one time, you know, have a good story to tell. But there was something about him. When I’m with him, I feel like the most important person in the world. But then he goes and drinks from someone else! This is the third time.”
“Well, have you told him how you feel? That you want to be monogamous?”
Wei snorts. “Amonogamousvampire? Please. They’re predators. There’s no way he would limit himself to just me!”
I can’t blame him. I don’t think I would have that expectation of a vampire. But then I look into the crowd, and catch a flash of gold through the sweaty bodies and terrible lighting. The vampire waits among the standing tables, just far enough away to give Wei his space, but keeping a steady eye on him.
He doesn’t seem like a heartless, inconsiderate predator. Is it possible that some vampires, especially nowadays, might choose to commit to one partner?
The thought surprises me, but I’ve always tried to be an open-minded person. If my father was here, he would have said that there are lots of stereotypes about witches that aren’t true. That could apply to vampires too.
I look back at Wei, at the disappointment in his soft brown eyes. I can’t help wishing for a happy ending to this story. He sets down his empty glass.
“Let me make you another one,” I say.
I quickly mix another vodka tonic. But before I serve the drink, I bring my palm over it. For a seasoned witch like me, thoughts are almost as powerful as words.
O Hecate, gift us your smile. Bring these lovers together, even just for a while.
I set it down in front of him, and he takes a sad sip.
“Do you want my advice?” I ask.
“Sure.”
“Talk to him. It’s not fair to assume that he doesn’t feel the same way. If you never say anything, you’ll always wonder.”
Wei looks uncertain, but another gulp of his drink seems to warm his spirits. “Hmm, I guess you’re right…”
“I’m always right,” I reply with a grin. “And if it doesn’t go well, I’ve got another vodka tonic will your name on it.”
“Ok,” he says, finishing off his drink and rising from the barstool. I give him an encouraging smile, then he disappears into the crowd.
“Can you watch the bar?” I ask the other bartender. He gives me an irritated look but doesn’t protest. I take my tray and make my way across the dance floor and over to the booths at the side of the club.
I tidy up empty glasses from the standing tables. It’s not technically my job, but I like to keep busy. And I can watch Wei and his vampire boyfriend from the corner of my eye. The pounding club music is too loud, so I can’t hear what they’re saying. But I see the vampire nod, and Wei’s face lights up. Then the vampire pulls him into a sweet, deep kiss.
“Thanks, Hecate,” I whisper.
Wei takes the vampire by the hand and leads him toward the more private areas near the back of the club.
A warm, urgent feeling rises up in me, and I can’t help thinking about the night I had with Celine. Again, I start to wonder what it’s like to have a vampire drink from you. Do they make love at the same time? Does he bite him in the same spot? I know that vampires often enchant the humans they’re drinking from. What does that feel like?
Surreptitiously, I glance around the club. But I don’t see any sign of her.
I try to push my disappointment down. Even if she was here, there’s no way I could sleep with her again. It’s far too risky. Even if I wasn’t undercover, vampires and witches just aren’t a good match. There’s too much animosity between our clans. Always has been. What’s possible for Wei could never be an option for a good witch.
