~Mature themes~

Svane stopped walking, shocked at Mrs. Smith’s raised voice. She’d only spoken a few sentences to him here and there, and each time she’d been soft-spoken. Is he going to… punish her? The thought made him want to laugh, though his stomach twisted at the thought. 

“María, if I do not do something, I will truly waste away. And who will pay for your expensive habits?” For once, Svane could hear Mr. Nicolau’s footsteps, and he wondered if he were walking away or toward Mrs. Smith. 

“I’ve told you before Brontes, just take from me instead, until you find someone more ...suitable.”

“The Smith family is full of stubborn women.” Mr. Nicolau laughed, a deep and thunderous sound that sent warmth in Svane’s lower belly. I’ve never heard him laugh, much less seen him smile.

“My mommom and ma told me all about how your thirst forces you into a corner every now and then. So, return the boy. I’m on the same diet anyways!”

“María…” This time Mr. Nicolau sounded weary. “You know that is not possible.” A long sigh. “Plus, the… dingy boy as you call him, has…”

Svane strained his ears in the sudden silence, waiting for either one to speak. The sudden slam of a cabinet almost made him yelp aloud and give away his position, that is if the vampire didn’t already know. If he did, he wouldn’t be talking so much in the open. 

“He’s going to mess up, that dingy boy, and then you’ll starve and look like you do now. And it happens so much faster, your aging! Brontes please, before you get hooked on him like all the others.”

“It will work out, I promise.” He heard the sound of weighted footsteps walking in his direction and Svane ducked into the nearest doorway. “That auction for that title… what, was it, Hey Class President? It ends in twenty minutes. Are you sure you don’t want to bid higher? Last I checked it should be within your ‘budget.’” The last part was said with good-natured mirth as Mr. Nicolau walked down the hall toward and then past Svane. 

Rather than standing at his usual height well over six feet, the vampire’s shoulders stooped forward like that of an old man’s. He seemed to place most of his weight on his left side which seemed to slow him down and add sound to his footsteps. 

Has he always had a cane…? 

Brontes could faintly sense his food’s presence, but due to his weakened state he couldn’t focus, and all he heard was static. In his wretched state, he could see why the woman had gotten so agitated. But, he’d already selected his meal of choice and the thought of tasting that underlying freshness from the blood that had been clouded by filth made the torture worth it. 

“Though it would be nice…” He mused aloud.