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“I told you that your ship isn’t docked here. And it’s not like a bank with money; it’s for people to donate blood, and they store it for those who need it. They will give blood bags to the vampires in town for a price, but that’s only if you don’t break down the door,” Aerin explained, glaring at him. The anger highlighted her bright eyes. “If you had waited until I returned, I would’ve told you that there are more blood bags in the fridge. You didn’t need to come into town.”

“Do you think we could continue this conversation on our feet? I’m afraid that remaining in this position is rather immodest, and I would hate to tarnish your reputation,” Gideon said, and she glanced down to see that his hands were resting on her hips.

“My reputation? That’s what you’re worried about?” She chuckled, shaking her head.

“I don’t know what you find so funny,” he argued. “Your reputation is not something you should take lightly. I wouldn’t want to dishonour my savior.”

“You don’t have to worry about my reputation. Society has changed; women don’t need chaperones anymore. The society you’re talking of is long gone,” she said, climbing off him. “We’ll find out the truth of what happened to you and when.” He was surprised when she offered him a hand up. “But, for now, what you should be worried about is how many people in town could have seen you lurking about and attempting to break in. I don’t think they’d look too kindly on a starving vampire roaming around in bloody clothes and no shoes.”

“Should I be expecting pitchforks and flaming stakes?” Gideon swallowed, trying to calm the burn growing in the back of his throat.

“No, but you would be run out of town. And where would you go?” Aerin said. “If you leave town with no idea where you’re headed and practically starving, then you’ll end up feeding on the wrong creature or killing some poor human. And since I’m the one who pulled you out of the water, that makes me responsible.”

Gideon stared at the road and knew she was right. He couldn’t recall where home was. But he knew he had one, and that he missed it. Damn starvation. If I’d got into the blood bank, I’d probably have my memories back by now.

“You’re right.”

Aerin’s mouth gaped. “Really? You aren’t going to argue with me?”

“Should I? I don’t have any resources or know how to get home. I don’t know what happened to my ship or my crew, and as you said, I don’t want to be roasted by morning or kill an innocent.”

“Great, so we are in agreement. Once you’re fed and get your memory back, you can leave as soon as you like.” She sighed in relief, and he knew for her that couldn’t come fast enough. Clearly, she regretted being his savior. She eyed his clothes and shook her head. “You’ve ruined the clothes I gave you. They were my brother’s, and if you think I’m going to save your life and wash out those blood stains, you’re in for a serious wake-up call.” Aerin pulled gently at his shirt. “We need to get you back to mine before anyone sees you.”

“Eager to return me to that dungeon?” he asked, not pleased to be locked up where he couldn’t find answers. “I’m not going to be your prisoner.”

“I’d hardly call my basement a dungeon. You’re a guest. A guest who will follow my rules. If you can’t do that, then there’s the road,” she said, looking down the street. “I don’t need a vampire hanging around my home, a home that’s about to become one of the attractions for the Autumn Festival, because I was caught with a bloody vampire in my house and blackmailed by a teenager,” Aerin ranted on.

He had to admit he was somewhat lost at the mention of blackmail and how her house could possibly be an attraction; it was far too run-down and damp to appeal to anyone warm-blooded. Still, he enjoyed how flushed she was and the sound of her thundering heart.

Gideon followed her and noticed how the street lights highlighted the glimmer of scales on her neck, a turquoise tint like pearls beneath her skin.

“You’re staring at me. Stop it,” she called over her shoulder.

“It’s been a while since I saw a woman, forgive me.” Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, Gideon diverted his gaze to the passing shops, all locked up as the night wore on. Aerin rolled her eyes and kept walking.

“Don’t think flirting will stop me from locking you up in my horrid dungeon. Just think if I’d left you in the foyer, you would have been roasted by the sun, and I’d be free of you, and I wouldn’t have the festival to worry about.”

She did have a point; if it weren’t for her, he’d still be trapped beneath the waves, lost to time. “Forgive me. You have a lovely home.”

“At least I got here before you drained the blood bank. I don’t know how I would’ve explained that to the Town Council.”

He struggled to focus on her words as he watched the blue vein pulsing at the side of her neck. She was so pale that he could practically take her pulse. He locked his lips and struggled to keep his fangs tucked.

“Hold on! I ordered you to stay at home. How did you get out of the house? I used my song on you. There’s no way you should have been able to make it out of the house?” Aerin asked, rounding on him.

“I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t.” Gideon shrugged. “It wore off. One minute, I couldn’t move, and then the longer you were gone, the more I felt your influence slip away. I don’t appreciate you using magic on me; it’s rather impolite,” he reasoned, knowing no one in polite society would try to influence another.

“It’s not magic. My song shouldn’t have worn off so quickly… maybe I’m tired.” She frowned, a cute little furrow between her brows. He noticed how many freckles she had on the bridge of her nose. Faint, almost grey in color.

Her song? She hadn’t sung to him.

“Let’s get you back to my dungeon and cleaned up before someone sees us and thinks a wild vampire is on the hunt,” Aerin said. He noticed he wasn’t the only one struggling to keep his eyes to himself.

Blood, sweet blood, he thought, following her through the quiet street. So many quaint shops, he thought, some rather strange, and the candles didn’t flicker but glowed. This town felt nothing like home. A snow-covered castle sat deep in the mountains, surrounded by forestry, flashed through his mind. The memory was like a gentle breeze, there and gone too soon. Only the crisp smell of snow, a chilled, metallic taste on his tongue, and a longing in his gut that nearly brought him to his knees lingered. If I’ve been gone for over a century, what’s happened to my family? My crew? The questions almost drove him mad, if his thirst didn’t do that first. Aerin’s eyes were the only thing keeping him grounded. Unable to resist, he stared at her back, wondering whether she had been his captive all along or if she had truly rescued him only days prior.

“Aerin?” The young girl’s voice caused Aerin to still, and Gideon caught up beside her. The pair turned to see a young girl, and from the smell of her blood, Gideon knew instantly from the pungent sweetness that she was a fae. Why does she have a jar full of fireflies tucked under her arm?

“Clover, what are you doing out so late at night? Please tell me you haven’t been night swimming again? The sirens are going to be out tonight, and I don’t want you getting caught up in their rough play,” Aerin asked, her voice tinged with worry.