Boris and the Vampire (Legends of Pinewood 2)

You'll Just Have To Deal With The Wet Dog Smell

If I said I wasn't nervous, I'd be lying.

Etienne had already confessed his secret mission was to wreck our relationships with humans and set us back years, if not decades or forever. What could possibly be even worse than that?

The woods gently guided us to our lodgings in the same way they did last time. Trees parted, granting us passage until we reached our treehouse.

Said treehouse looked even cuter than it did last time, damn it. Colorful and fragrant flowers bloomed near the entrance, and as we walked in, I noticed there was a path of live roses curling their way up to the second floor along the handrail. The light provided by fireflies and candles was dim and soft.

The house was practically begging us to go up to the bed and tangle in the sheets.

The fey woods seemed more than fully on board, but Etienne chuckled nervously as he brushed his fingers against one of the thornless roses. "I might ruin this romantic setting."

"Try me."

I gestured at the kitchen table and took a seat. Etienne sat down opposite me. His eyes trained on the table at first, but then he made himself look up at me.

"You remember when I said that it was my fault? What happened to me?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. "But you saying so is no reason for me to believe it's all your fault. You were a human, and you didn't know what being a vampire entailed."

Etienne smiled wryly. "As usual, you give me too much credit. I did know what it meant. Clarence is horrid, but for all his flaws, he didn't lie to me. He explained how the hierarchy works, and that I'd lust for especially strong blood. Humans or supernaturals. He stated plainly that I may have to live with the knowledge that I'd kill someone. And that I would start my life as a vampire as a servant, rising in the ranks as I grew older and more were turned or I became more useful in my community."

Etienne visibly braced himself, shoulders rising, like he expected me to kick him out of the treehouse. Or storm out myself.

I took his hand, hoping that would calm him, or at least reassure him I wasn't about to run. "If you knew, then why did you do it?" I asked.

"Vanity and arrogance," Etienne stated flatly. "In the circles I frequented at the time... I... I was terrified of getting older. To lose my good looks. It seems like such a silly reason now, but the way I looked was all I had. Nothing else. So, I told Clarence I didn't care what I had to do. Or that I may have to hurt people to eat. And I stupidly believed I wouldn't be considered lowly for long because I'd always been able to charm my way up. That was in the human world, however. I wasn't prepared for the vampire world to be so different."

I listened to Etienne quietly, taking in what he said. It wasn't like I had ever considered him an entirely innocent victim in this. But he didn't need to be to deserve a chance at better.

Etienne shifted in his chair. "I'm not a good person, Boris," he broke the silence again. "And I understand if you want nothing to do with me."

"Did you ever kill a human for food?" I asked.

Etienne blinked. "No, the other vampires wouldn't let me out of the castle. It's too risky for a young vampire, because nobody wants to cover up the murder spree when one can't control themselves."

I turned my hand on the table, palm facing up, so Etienne could see the two puncture scars he'd left on my wrist.

"And were you ever close to murdering me for food?"

"No," Etienne replied immediately. "I didn't want to hurt you."

"And you told me it scared you how easy it could've been to kill someone, and how strong the urge was," I pointed out. "That doesn't sound like the words of someone who doesn't care who they need to kill for food."