Chapter 21: These Suspicions

“I’m not asking because I want to become a vampire,” Tommy said quickly. He smiled, hoping Emilia would believe him.

“I have not. Nor do I intend to,” she said, her playfulness fading.

Tommy sighed. He hadn’t wanted to ruin the moment, but he’d let his curiosity get the better of him, and now he worried she would disappear into the night.

“Why don’t you want to?” he asked. He’d started down that path; he might as well keep going as long as Emilia kept answering his questions.

Tommy’s arms ached slightly, so he went to a shallower part of the pool where he could stand. The water-line was at his chest.

“Turning someone else into a vampire is complicated. it is not a responsibility I wish to have,” she explained in her way that didn’t really explain anything.

Emilia swam closer to Tommy. He watched her iridescent form. It was truly masterful how the lighting had been arranged for the fountain. Even the color of the stone the fountain was carved from added to the effect.