Queen of Beasts: The Fallen Book One

Unusual

It's quite late in the evening, but I'm okay because I spent this afternoon learning how to use a special machine, one that made coffee for very eager college students. I actually had no idea that being a barista it could be so much fun. When I enter the house, I can see that the only one downstairs is Reyes, who is sitting in the lounge room having a conversation with someone that I cannot see. He nods his head towards me, but continues the conversation anyway. I'm absolutely starving. I haven't eaten since lunchtime. I make my way into the kitchen and unfortunately I jump when I see Oliver standing there preparing some food.

"Seriously?" He questions.

"Hey, I was more startled, not scared. There's a difference."

"Whatever you say, Snow." Even though he can't see me, I roll my eyes and walk towards the fridge.

"So what got you into the drama club anyway? If you don't like people touching you, why are you in the drama club where you might have to perform on stage and people end up touching you anyway?"

"I was originally part of the music club, but that got disbanded. Most of the students actually attend proper music classes, so therefore they didn't really have time to create an additional music club."

"So you like writing music?"

"Yeah, I suppose." He says while he simmers something that smells amazing inside of a pan. He turns around and leans back on the bench while crossing his arms. I try not to be awkward as I fish around the fridge. Perhaps I should just order some late-night takeout? "If you're hungry, you can have some of this."

"Oh, I don't wanna take your food."

"This isn't my food, this is everybody else's food and to be honest they should learn to fend for themselves."

"What do you mean everybody else's? That's not your dinner?"

"No, I don't eat regular food."

"What do you-" Unfortunately, my mouth was a lot faster than my brain, and it didn't stop the main bulk of the sentence to come out. "Sorry, I guess I'm just confused."

"You can be confused. You don't exactly know what's going on around here. I cook because I enjoy it, it's soothing. But I don't eat any of it."

"Nolan kind of said that the guys take turns making sure that you're um..."

"Fed?"

"I can stop asking questions if it's too weird."

"If you don't ask, you're not gonna learn anything. It's probably better that you understand that we're not like everybody else. And to answer your earlier suggestion, yes, technically they do take turns, but not all of them. Regardless, that's why I tend to cook at night so they have something to eat the next day."

"Does what someone ate impact the way their blood tastes?"

"Yes, but don't tell the others. They think I'm just being nice." I'm not even sure I mean to, but I end up laughing.

"Sorry." I say trying to get a hold of myself.

"No, it's fine. You have a nice laugh." A lump catches in my throat and I'm not sure if I am starting to panic or not. I need something to distract myself.

"So why do only some of the guys do it and not the others?"

"Have you ever seen what happens to fish blood once it gets out in open air?"

"No, I've never been fishing."

"It basically turns a sludge, almost like a jelly substance. It's absolutely disgusting."

"Oh, so not Kane?"

"No, his blood has a very strange effect on vampires." He turns back around to face the pan and starts moving things around. Once again, he picks up another bowl from the higher cupboard and places some food in it before handing it over to me. He doesn't need to be nice to me. He doesn't need to be kind, and yet he is. I'm wondering if I should still sit down next to him here and start to eat or if I should go up to my room. Would it be weird for me to disappear? Does even want me to sit here? He flicks off the heat and places a lid over the pan. "I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow." I guess that answers my question.