Eleventh Grade Burns(40)

Vlad’s jaw hit the ground. He sputtered and stumbled over his words, but all that managed to leave his lips was something that sounded vaguely like a choking noise.

Dorian shook his head again and smiled. “Don’t worry, Vlad. As I said, I never share the secrets I collect. Your sins are safe with me. Of course, your sins are not why I’ve come.”

Vlad believed every word he said. But he didn’t trust that belief, remembering what Otis and Vikas had told him about Dorian’s immense skills. He looked around them, at the dark windows of houses lining the street, and wondered if Dorian would try to take his blood where someone might see, and if he did whether Vlad could stop him again. With a nervous jitter, he said, “Why have you come?”

Dorian licked his lips, sending a frightened shiver down Vlad’s spine. Then he offered an apologetic smile. “Our first encounter was rather rudely interrupted, and our second too short, don’t you think?”

“Otis and Vikas seem to think you’ll hurt me if we spend time together. I think they’re right.” Vlad tried to appear strong and confident, though he knew that Dorian could sense his fear.

Dorian smiled again, and this time it was definitely out of bemusement. “As it happens, I don’t wish to harm you in any way. I merely want to drink from you. No death will come of my actions, I swear.”

“Did you promise your son that same thing before you killed him?”

Vlad expected Dorian to react out of fury and insult, but instead, Dorian’s face dropped in sorrow. “Touché, my young friend. No, I did not promise my son anything that fateful night, and I miss him more than I can bear. Otis ... he told you about feeding from my son. He told you of the power he now possesses. As terrible as it seems, some good has come of Aidan’s death. And so, if you died, if I were unable to control my appetite and took your life in the midst of feeding, I imagine some good would come of yours.”

Aidan. Why did that name seem so familiar to Vlad?

Pursing his lips, Vlad said, “I won’t let you feed from me.”

“The trouble is that I find your blood irresistible. I’m afraid you will give me your blood or I will be forced to take it from you. I cannot stop this hunger, Vlad.” His eyes dropped to Vlad’s throat, causing Vlad to gulp. Dorian’s chilling words rang out into the night. “I can only barely control it.”

Vlad instinctively took two steps back, but Dorian did not follow. He wondered if the distance would help Dorian control his thirst.

Dorian smiled. “Unlikely, but it’s good of you to try.”

“You said you know where the prophecy is.”

“That I do. In fact,” he said with an air of burden, “I possess it.”

Vlad suppressed a gasp. He eyed Dorian for a moment, wondering if it were possible that Dorian was trying to trick him.

Dorian put his palms up, shaking his head. “No tricks. I swear.”

He set his jaw, eyeing the unassuming vampire with distrust. “What do you want from me?”

Dorian wet his lips, as if the thought of Vlad’s blood was making him parched. When he spoke, his voice sounded gruff. “Why ask questions to which you already know the answers?”

Ignoring his quip, Vlad hurried to stay on subject, to keep Dorian distracted from his veins. “Can I see it?”

Dorian paused for a moment, that hungry light leaving his eyes. It didn’t look as if he was considering Vlad’s request, but rather pondering whether or not such a simple request was actually possible. After several seconds, he said, “No. You cannot.”

Vlad ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Then, what exactly was the point in telling me you have the prophecy if you weren’t planning to share it?”

Dorian shook his head. “I never said that.”

Vlad raised an eyebrow. He thought for sure Dorian had implied just that, but okay. “Then at least tell me where it is.”

“I don’t suppose you’d consider a trade?” Dorian grinned. In any other light, it might have seemed charming.

“No trade.”

“I am torn, my young friend. Torn between duty and an insatiable appetite.” Dorian glanced at Vlad’s neck and the bizarre combination of horror and hunger flooded his expression. “I’m afraid my appetite seems to be winning, and my patience is waning. Please don’t make me force you. I may not be able to stop this time.”

Vlad shook his head slowly, setting his jaw. Clearly, this was all some kind of sick game for Dorian, some cruel way of getting what he really wanted. He probably had no idea where the prophecy was. “I resisted you once. I’ll do it again.”