The Daylighter Apprentice

Chapter 9 - Nitrates Are Cheaper Than Day Rates

I walk in the lab and inhale deeply, savouring the rich smell that fills the air.

"Matthew?" I call, looking around for the vampire.

"I'm in the kitchen. I'd come and greet you but I am not sacrificing my cheese sauce for anyone. Sorry." He chirps. I shake my head, smiling.

"And where am I to find this kitchen?"

"Opposite the bathroom." I follow his command and my eyes fly open as I take sight of the kitchen. The counters are mahogany and white marble and gleaming silver pans hang from racks. It looks like the kitchen of a professional chef, not a vampire scientist. Though by the smell of things, it may well be a professional chef stood over the hob, whisking so fast his arm is almost a blur.

Matthew isn't wearing his lab coat and his black shirt is rolled up at the sleeves to reveal 2 milky white arms. He turns his head briefly to smile at me.

"Good evening Dominic. Dinner won't be too much longer. The pasta is cooked and the sauce is almost done. Take a seat and I'll bring it over when it's done." Matthew says and I take a seat at the table, which is already laid with cutlery which I assume is not silver for Matthew's safety.

"Something smells good." I praise and Matthew chuckles.

"I hope you're hungry."

"I am very hungry." I confirm just as Matthew starts to dish up the pasta. I'd spent the afternoon in the library's cafe, reading a random novel I'd plucked from the shelves. Somehow, I'd managed to work up an appetite and my stomach growls to prove my point.

"Good. It's tagliatelle with a cheese and bacon sauce. Nothing special but I hope you like it." Matthew slides a dish onto my place mat and sits opposite me. He smiles and I smile back, unable to look him in the eyes.

I pick up my fork and take a tentative bite of the pasta. It's amazing.

"Oh my god this is delicious!" I exclaim in delight and Matthew beams at me.

"Thank you. I picked it up in Italy and make it whenever I need comfort food."

"I thought vampires didn't need to eat?"

"We don't. But I eat for the pleasure and taste. And I fucking love pasta." Both of us chuckle as we take our next forkful.

"How was the meeting?" I ask between forkfuls. Matthew shrugs.

"Eh, it was like any other disciplinary meeting. Me and Lucas were warned not to do it again but there was no punishment. It was a rather unexciting way to spend 4 hours."

"4 hours? That's a while."

"Yeah but Lucas got most of the spotlight. Katherine had sympathy on me as it was a provoked attack so boy did Lucas get the rough end of the stick." Matthew's lips curl up into a wicked smile.

"You look pleased at that." I note and Matthew nods, swallowing his mouthful before talking.

"I am. For once, he was getting it in the neck. It was glorious to watch."

We sit in silence for a minute before I talk again.

"So, what would have happened if he had have bitten you?"

"Well, vampire venom doesn't affect me but it would have pissed me off. However, had he have bitten you, you would have either changed into a vampire or died from the process." Matthew replies, spearing a piece of bacon with his fork.

"Is the process painful?" I ask. Matthew scoffs.

"Painful? That's a huge understatement. It's like someone has set fire to every cell in your body and poured acid into your veins." He visibly shivers and I imagine his sharp features contorting in pain as the change wreaked havoc with his body. I too, shiver and finish the last bit of pasta on my plate.