to believe such things, but they were laudable beliefs, none the less.
“Why are you revealing yourself now?” I asked. “Have you grown bored with that odious cave of yours you call a castle? Perhaps you have decided to join contemporary society?”
Laucian glared at me. He was quite good at glaring.
“For one thing, I was curious to see this ‘Vampire Coalition’ of yours.” I could actually hear the inverted commas he placed around the name.
“I trust it meets with your complete disapproval.”
He gave a little shrug. “I have only hearsay by which to judge. But if half of what I hear is true, then it sounds like a disgusting degradation of everything our once noble species stood for.”
“Oh, bother,” I said and sighed. I had hoped not to find myself in a squabble with a disagreeable creature, but the situation was what it was. “I imagine all you have heard is true and yet you have not heard the half of it. Would you like the tour? I do not imagine we shall have to look far to find some degradation for which you can disapprove.”
Laucian shook his head and gave me another stern expression.
“Tell me, Laucian, are you capable of smiling?”
He glared at me. “The dignity of vampirism still means nothing to you?”
“We are killers, Laucian,” I replied, unmoved by his arch tones. I started forward, intent on giving him a tour whether he wanted one or not. “I have learned to live with that, but I refuse to be proud of it. My vampires only drink the blood of willing victims and they do not kill. If the price I pay is three boatloads of orgies, then I shall pay it happily.” Then I turned to face him. “Tell me, Laucian, have you ever had an orgy?”
“I am here on important business,” he responded. Clearly, that was a no.
“I believe an orgy would do you good,” I continued. He did not respond, but I did not mind. I thrilled over the idea of his reaction to all the sex, nudity and depravity he was about to confront. Perhaps it would prove to be a good night, after all.
We stepped into the hallway and the sex enveloped us. I had never appreciated it more.
“My… this is…”
“Ah,” I said and smiled. “You have lost your words.”
I waited for the sharp comeback, but instead Laucian flashed a smile. “I will admit, it is impressive you have achieved this,” he started as he held his hands up, glancing around himself. He did not appear to be offended by the fornicating surrounding him. “Even if I do not like the means by which it has been achieved.”
“I had thought you were all in favor of draining every virgin you could find.”
Laucian pulled a rueful face. “Even virgins are not what they used to be.”
“What are they now?”
“Rare.”
I could not help laughing. “That is certainly true on this ship. Come down to my cabin, we can talk properly and you can tell me why you have graced me with your dull presence.”
A few minutes later, we were seated in the comfort of my state room. Laucian drew a bottle out from under his cloak.
“Virgin blood,” he said. “The girl is still alive, if that concerns you. Though she is no longer ‘qualified’, if you take my meaning.”
“I do.”
I retrieved a couple of glasses as Laucian uncorked the blood and sniffed the bouquet. He seemed almost nostalgic. “She was so lovely.”
I took the bottle and poured while Laucian swung off his cape with a flourish and made himself comfortable. “Tell me, perhaps I was mistaken, was there a couple making love over the billiard table when we passed?”
I shrugged. “Well, it is actually a pool table and I am not sure I would call what they were doing ‘making love’, but otherwise; yes.”
“Are you perhaps short of beds?”
“Not at all.”
“Then why…?”
I shook my head. “That, I cannot tell you. I can only surmise it is for a bit of variation.”
Laucian sipped the blood and said nothing.
“You disapprove?” I asked, baiting him somewhat.
“You approve?”
“If they are happy then why should I object? It is their life to live.”
I could see the distaste on his face. “This is a subject on which we will never be in agreement.”
“Perhaps not.”
“They are vampires, they should behave like it.”
“They drink blood, what more do you want?”
“There is more to being a vampire than drinking blood.”
“Is there?” I asked as I tossed back my drink. “We may be ageless, but the world