Chapter 21

His words take me out of my thoughts and worries once he starts speaking with a warm tone of voice: "Mate is far from being something just… religious for us, when you ask a supernatural being what a mate is they would say that is your other part of the soul guided back together by the Moon Goodness, two parts of a whole, that sort of thing."

"But for the supernatural blessed by her this goes far beyond the romantic aspect of it. We can physically tell and feel the mate pull, and it affects the other party as well, supernatural or not."

"It does?" I wonder just how much of my confusion and feelings are the result of such pull he is talking about. "What kind of reactions? W-what do you mean?" I add, not realizing just how…how my first words could be easily be misinterpreted if put in a different perspective.

I mean, I may not have a lot of knowledge about that practically speaking, but I know just how our body reacts to it and all…Alright, let's not think about it right now, especially after such reaction almost happens to me a few moments ago and-

Shush, mind, shush.

Lucien does seem to realize my reaction, if not the double meaning of my words, and gives me a satisfied smirk back, but he does not dwell in it long as to not dig that hole back up for we may go further in this time around without means to turn back.

"We can just tell, it is different for each kind of creature, werewolves for example have an easy way of finding out, with their super keen sense of smell they can tell first contact with, but because of that usually have a really hard time controlling themselves."

"Oh really, and what about vampires?"

"By blood of course, which give us a really hard time finding our mates and leads to the quirky behavior that we are known for, especially the young ones that go out of their way to find their mate, with contests of who tastes others the most and- well, let's not get into too much detail now." I get the feeling that I'm starting to understand why vampires are so liberal and forward with their relationship tastes… all in ways to increase their chances of finding their mate.

Only way to know is having their way with everyone in town, who knows, even your neighbor can be the one you have been looking for for eternity.

And yet that thought, even though it makes sense and explains the sexy always flirting behavior most vampires are known for, I still narrow my eyes at Lucien and say:

"I see… so your kin is all about party all night long uhm…?" He frowns at my words, not understanding the undertone and ending up surprised with my reaction once he understands, and I'm thankful at first when he does not dwell in it further and he tries to keep an all business front… at least in the beginning that is:

"Some do try it like that, but I find it quite dowdy, if not immeasurable tiresome and ineffective, so I actually searched for you by using the gargoyles testers, I did not spend each night at a different person's bed if is that what you are implying by being jealous like this." I try not to blush at his choice of words, so I anoynly respond.

"I already knew that, the elder told me."

"Very gossiping this elder of ours uhm…"

"And I'm not jealous." I say, which makes him lay down further on the chair, comfortably spreading his arms to the side and showing of his wide shoulders and chest while carrying a freaking too hot to be human smile.

"Uhum, of course."

"I'm not." I firmly say, there is no reason for me to be jealous of him after all, is there?

"I'm really not." I say again, but repeating myself seems to have the opposite effect of what I wanted, lifting his sad look away as much as his eyebrows rise, not convinced and satisfied with most of my reactions so far.

"Whatever you say hon."

I cross my arms and lay back on the bed, but since, even if half sitting up like this, this position is a little compromising by having him by my side while I'm stretched on the bed makes me pull my legs closer to me too, not that it would do much at this point beyong make me look silly.

"And also those practices are from the younger generation, some sort of… teenage vampire phase that the new turned have nowadays. Is fun, if not only gives them hope in finding their mates it also helps them get comfortable into their new existence, more confident you see, the older generation however is not as open minded and would not have anyone else before their mates… or that many at least." He says, once more happy to share.

"You really like it here don't you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your eyes, they always shine whenever you talk about the city and your people." It takes a while for him to digest my words, and answers with a small smile that fits his face better than the quirky lady kills smirk.

"Yeah… It has been a dream of mine for the longest time, this city…this peace." His half said words do not help my curiosity from flourishing, so before a few seconds of silence I end up starting:

"Also…" I say before I can stop myself, but of course he hears it.

"Uh…?"

Since I've already started there is no point in stopping now, and even though I know that asking may be taken in the wrong way I still do it so because my uncontrollable curiosity always overcomes my good sense and, even if knowing it could be death of me one day, I still let the cat out of the bag and say:

"And how was it… back in your generation?"

He seems happy that I show interest, but at the same time does not seem comfortable in talking about it, but tries to talk anyway in his own way by saying:

"Back in my days uhm… We were not as… organized, we were not a community, most lived alone or only with their own masters and creations, very small and closed groups, and others… well, practiced other ways of vampirism you see… Seeing a city like this, full of my kin and living in harmony has been a dream of mine for quite some time, we already have to spend eternity in the shadows but it does not mean that we have to condemn ourselves to the dark anonymity for a vampiric lifetime." There seems to be so much more to his words, and yet this is the first time it downs me that I'm speaking with a creature far older than any, generations past that I could only phantom his experiences and thoughts.

"…How old are you? If is that ok to ask…" I say but regret immediately as a gloomy glint crosses his eyes, but beyond looking just sad as before his expression is worst this time for he tries to keep it emotion free, and that poker mask is worse than when he bears his emotions out for me to see, even the bad ones, for now I did not know how he truly feels about it… and could only guess the turmoil of feelings lying in wait behind that perfect face of his.

"… I'm old enough." I'm curious but I know when to take a hint and don't dwell on it any further.

And for the first time around my curiosity does not win over and I let the subject drop awkwardly into a silence that drags out when he finally stands without looking at me, only saying this before moving out of the room:

"Sorry, I know is a lot to take in at once, how about… how about he continue talking tomorrow at breakfast? Get some rest, I'll watch over the house, so have some good sleep ok?" At that he leaves, and after the click of the door I truly go to sleep this time around, feeling that my brain has gained some weight and is trying to crush its way out of my skull, forcing my eyes shut into a restless sleep, full of dreams that are not dreams, playing in my mind without an invite.