Hunter: Eclipse

Chapter 11

It was nice to be back in the hustle and bustle of the city. With so many people around, traffic, shops, everything else didn't really matter for a while. The crowd was somehow lacking any supernaturals with the post work human stampede lining the sidewalks and cueing at the better bars. I always wonder when near so many ordinary people, what they would do or think, if they knew the man some of the women were looking rather suggestively at as they passed, was a vampire. Recent public opinion told me, run in fear over seeking out a way to live their own Twilight novel.

We found the shop I wanted and headed inside. The smell of so many candles lingered outside like a deterrent rather than an invitation to enter, and against his better judgement, V followed me in.

"You actually pay that much for these things?" He asked after inspecting one unusually large pillar candle that was presented in a crystal bowl.

Apparently, his senses weren't fooled with the Tahiti name or promise of a tropical escape to ignore the seventy dollar price sticker.

"For that one? No. For this one, yes." I passed him over the jar that contained Fatale, aka a dark, fruity blend that I adored.

He sniffed it as though it would kill him before his face relaxed and he gave a little nod. "I've smelt this on you before."

"Creepy. But I often use the moisturiser post bath after burning this beauty." I shrug. "It's my favourite."

"At that price, I should hope so."

"Since when are you such a tight ass?"

"Since things these days are so expensive!" V huffed. "You should be more cautious with your funds if you wish to have them long term."

"Wow, I get your immortal, and from a different era to me, but you really do sound old tonight. Like the face isn't matching the brains." I pay for my treats, and to his relief, we leave the store.

Side by side we strolled down the street. V - despite his earlier warnings on spending money, brought himself a new shirt and in possibly the weirdest purchase of the night, an artificial orchid that was on sale.

"This is nice, isn't it?" I ask him a while later as we take a seat near the back in a new bar that brought black and white decor to a whole new level.

"No. It's hideous. What was their decorator thinking?"

"I was referring to the night, us out shopping like the pals we are?" I gently punched his shoulder. "Pal."

"Oh, yes. I have to admit, I was surprised when I saw you here." He smiled. "But yes, it's nice."

We make some small talk, order a drink then another, and the feeling I had around most people lately still wouldn't go away despite the lovely time we were having.

"Are we okay? I just, I keep getting this vibe off you, and well everyone lately, and yeah."

He frowns. "Of course we are darling girl."

"Then what's going on?" I sigh, twirling the olive in my glass.

"Well, honestly, I have been avoiding you. After the, you know, that incident. And I'm sorry about that."

"Makes sense."

"But probably not for the reasons you're thinking. We are friends, pals," he mocks, punching my arm as I had done to him. "I feel terrible for how I acted in the past. I nearly changed you into one of us! I wasn't sure how to face you after that. What was that all about, by the way?"

"If I told you I would have to kill you, and as soon as I said that I realise that was probably the worst thing to say. New powers. Got a little out of control. I'm sorry. How about we forgive each other and move on?" I rush out quickly.