Page 30 of Drink Up, Darling
“So you read that and decided I was a suspect?”
Godwin cocked his head and sucked in a breath. “More or less. It could have been a dead end, but I decided to pursue it. I followed your public career from there on, read every article, watched every recording, and I began putting my theories intoplay. I noted you were never seen out eating, you were never seen in blazing sunshine—though I will add, I know it does not kill you, so that may have just been a preference thing, but I added it to the list nonetheless. You never wear silver jewellery, and you’ve never publicly had a partner—which again, could all be coincidences, but I gave myself the benefit of the doubt, and they became confirming factors. It would not be fair on your partner if you lived forever, would it?”
Dariel gulped, eyes wide. He felt Athens’ arm by his side again, squeezing his bicep in reassurance.
“Impressive how confident you were, Godwin,” Athens said.
“My final test was, of course, this evening. I hadn’t been able to put my remaining notes into play. I held you outside and you waited until I invited you in before you entered. I placed a secret crucifix in each room, gave you holy water to drink, and I laced your food with garlic, and…”
Athens erupted into laughter. Fully leaning forwards and cradling his stomach.
Dariel sucked in his cheeks to hold his own laughter in. Godwin was so serious as he spoke.
“Have you ever seenThe Lost Boys? Great movie,” Athens said between giggles. “Completely inaccurate but…”
“Well, I…” Godwin began on the defensive, then even his own face dropped into a smile. “Oh, I’ve been such a buffoon, haven’t I?”
“Honestly, the lengths you went to are admirable!” Athens dabbed his eyes.
“The silver, however…” Dariel spoke up, rubbing his fingertips.
“Ah, my apologies, Mr Hale. I honestly didn’t believe it would be that bad.”
“Doesn’t really affect me,” Athens added, looking at his nails.
“Well good for you.” Dariel wobbled his head sarcastically in Athens’ direction, then he noticed all of his silver necklaces had been removed…How many had he been wearing?
“So it depends on the vampire, then?” Godwin asked inquisitively.
“I suppose so, haven’t really known enough to properly put it to the test,” Athens said.
I haven’t known any.Dariel thought, but he kept that to himself this time.
“So, gents, please enlighten me where I went wrong. How did you come into being? Were you turned, born this way, what? I wish to know everything.” Godwin leaned his elbows onto his knees, ready for answers.
Athens sat up straight. “Hold on, I want to know how I got dragged into this first. I know for definite I’ve covered my back my entire life.”
Dariel admired Athens’ confidence in that moment. The other vampire was so sure of himself.
“Ahh, well, Athens dear, you I was always less sure of.”
Athens’ lip quirked in pride.
‘Good.’
‘Hey. I said it was an accident. I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you. It’s inevitable.’
‘Trust me, darling, I will never slip up.’
‘Oh, piss off.’
‘No can do. We’ll be stuck here for a while now.’
“So what did Athens do to raise your suspicion? He surely made some error somewhere for him to fall onto your radar.” Dariel inquired with forced seriousness, leaning forward intently.
‘You’re a menace.’
‘Oh, I’m well aware of that.’
