Shameless though I am, I take pride in knowing my place. It's unfortunate to note, however, that my place is above humans. I am above them in the food chain.

They are my prey. And I am their predator.

I regard them mostly as rats, and my existence as one on a desert island. Are they particularly nice to look at, or consume? No.

Must I to continue my tortured existence?

Yes. And so I do.

Liam has taken to leeching me of my time, money and resources. I don't mind him much, as that is the nature of what we are.

He is feeding on me financially, and though I have half a mind to kick him on the street and tell him to act as if he has decorum, it's only half a mind.

The other half focuses on Eleanor's bookshop which has been closed for 5 days.

"What is in this cola it is so...enlightening."

"That would be cocaine," I grab it from him. "And I get the sinking feeling someone's going to find out it's not very good for you."

He takes it back. "Perfect. I'm feeling Ill. Do you have medicine?" He asks.

I look in my drawer. "I've an elixir, opium, some alcohol, blood of a peculiar gentlemen—"

He stands, drinking it down one by one. I watch him in awe and disgust.

"Why would you do that?"

He shrugs, sitting back down. "I tire of this mortal coil."

I snort. "Already? You've just begun. Who turned you, anyway? You never speak of it?"

I start putting my empty bottles away.

"Who turned you?"

I pause, raising my brows. I swallow bile at the mere mention.

"A very perverted man, even by vampire standards." I look down at the street. A soft rain begins falling. I smell her before I see her.

She smells of toasted sugar. She opens the shop, taking shelter. I smile.

"Though, that was...a long time ago now. I'm sure he lurks, somewhere."

"Tell me something, Alastair?" Liam says softly. "Do you feel shame for preying on her as you were preyed upon?"

Heh. This boy knows no shame, no boundaries and respect for personal—

He lays on my lap looking up at me.

—Space.

I roll my eyes. "Am I ashamed? Let's start with your accusation. I would say I have a similar affliction to the one who turned me. I don't like her because she is weak, or a child, or easily manipulated."

I look up at her, allowing Liam to invade my space.

"I like her because she is wild and imaginative. I like the way she gets lost in stories. I like when she inspired and starts furiously jotting down her thoughts for a book, we both know she'll never write. I like that she keeps chocolates for patrons who don't come, just in case."

"I like that she built that shop from her own swear and tears. I am not like him."

Liam raises his brows. "Sounds like you love her, Alastair. And yet, I fear for you. Because you've put yourself in a position to be hated."

He shakes his head, playing with ends of my hair. "It's because you've been this for so long, I suppose. You've forgotten how fragile human hearts are."

And perhaps he is right. But I don't house this little rat for him to give me opinions I don't wish to hear.

I glare down at him. "Must you be in my space constantly?"

He nods, smirking crookedly. "I must. You're the only thing tethering me to this mortal plain Alastair. Were you not so twisted I'd have sod off by now."

"Yes. Just I keep you on this plain. Not...the curse of immorality," I remark dryly.

He sips his cola. "Alastair, I say to you. There's nothing a man can't do if he puts his mind to it, truly!"

"You are not a man. You are a vampire. And vampire rule number one, is thou shall not die."

"Ah, but rule number one of being a human is that one shall die," he explains factually with a shrug, as he floats off my lap. "And I've avoided that thus far, haven't I?"

"Much to my dismay," I mutter. "Liam, how old are you?"

His smile fades. "Ah...I don't remember, truthfully. Not old enough. And yet, all at once, much too old."