Sloane…9

“That was nice,” said Devin, as they walked home from the bar.

“It was,” she agreed.  “You’re a good dancer.”

“We can have sex now and then again once you’re turned, so you can see the difference.”

She laughed and said nothing.

“Just letting you know that I’m available.  In a scientific way, of course.”

“Of course,”  Sloane said, grinning at him.

“How many did you kill when you went to powder your nose?”

“Three.”

“You’re fast.”

“No reason to prolong things.”

“No there isn’t.  You know that you’re more like a daughter to Miles than a niece, don’t you.”

“I do.”

“You’re important to him.  And just for my well being, you don’t happen to have that steel bar on your person, at the moment, do you?  That thing hurts.”

“I take it everywhere,” she said.  “Better than a gun sometimes, and men never expect it.”

“Men never expect you, period,” he said, taking her hand.  “Are you afraid?”

“No.  I can’t wait.”

“Explaining what it’s like to become a vampire is like trying to tell someone what it’s like to be pregnant and have a baby.  It’s impossible.  You have to do those things in order to understand them.  Even then, it’s different for everyone.”

“I told you before, I know what I don’t want to become.  The thought of…”

“I know.  You don’t have to say it.  I get it.”

She nodded.

“Wanna get tattoos?  There’s a place that’s open all night and they do good work,” said Devin.

“Sure,” she said. “Why not.”

“Seriously?” he asked.  “You really mean it?”

“Yes.  I’ve been thinking about getting one for some time.”

“What kind of design do you want?”

“Fangs,” she said, teasing him.

“No, really.”

“I like your wings, but I don’t think they would look good on me.”

“Anything would look good on you.  You want girly, or hardcore?”

“Gee, Devin.  I kill things pretty much everyday, maybe I’ll get something frilly and girly.”

He laughed.  “Just kidding.”

“A bat,” she said.  “I like bats and it’s a cheesy symbol of what people don’t understand.”

“”How about a dragon?”

“Don’t you like bats?”

“I do, but you’re more of a dragon type.  Ask Lee when we get there.  She has a good instinct for what’s right for someone.”

“Okay.”

“I can’t believe you’re actually doing this?” he said.

“Why not?”

“Truth?”

“Always,” she said.

“Because you’re the most in control person I’ve ever met, and I’ve lived a long time.  You have to give control to the artist and let her do her job.”

“If I don’t like what she does, I’ll kill her.”

“Of course you will.  Always in control.”

“You know I wouldn’t do that, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“What are you going to get?  And are you sure they’ll be able to fit us in?”

“They always fit me in.”

“Ah.”

He smiled.  “I’ll have him work on my sleeve.  It’s almost finished.”

“No,” she said.  “You said we were both getting tattoos.  Working on something you already have, isn’t the same thing.”

“What do you want me to get?”

“A baby duckling.  Right here,” she said, touching the inside of his wrist.  “There’s just enough space.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not.  It will show your soft side.”

“I don’t have a soft side.”

She stopped walking and pushed him against a building.  “You have the softest side I’ve ever seen.  Get the baby duckling, or you’ll be sorry.”

“Jeeze,” he said.  “I’ll do it.”

Hours later they left the shop.

“She did a great job,” said Sloane, looking at the moon peeking out from behind clouds, with tiny bursts of stars.  “I’m glad I let her choose.”

“I can never go back there,” sighed Devin, miserably.  “They’ll never stop laughing.  A baby duck on a tough vampires wrist.”

“You were very brave,” she said, slipping her arm through his.  “You are tough enough to wear it.”

He looked at the duckling.  “She is kind of cute.  I think I’ll name her after you.”

“It’s your duckling,” she said.

“In a matter of hours you will be entirely different,” said Devin.  “As the years go by, being human will feel more like a dream that never was.”

“Will you still love me?” she asked.

“Always.”

“Do you want to taste me, while I’m still alive?”  she asked, holding out her arm.

Devin froze, the way only a vampire can.

“It’s just between us,” she said, frowning at him.

“Never say that to anyone.  Not ever.”

“I know that,” she said.  “It was just a goodbye gift for you.”

“He would kill me the second he saw me and I would think it was worth it.  DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”

She shoved him.  Stop.  Now.  If you are angry with me, speak normally.  Never threaten, or speak to me in a rough voice, or I’ll rip what’s left of your heart out of your body with my bare hands.”

Devin closed his eyes and backed away from her.  “You have no idea how valuable your blood is.  No idea at all.  You don’t know what Miles has gone through to protect your blood.  You don’t know how many people want a taste, or all of it, and here you are, asking me if I’d like some.”  His eyes were focused on her.  “We’re almost home.  I strongly suggest you go the rest of the way alone.  It’s dangerous for you to be near me right now.”

“I’m sorry Devin.  I didn’t mean…”

“I know.  Just go.”