Vampire Boyfriend: Amon (special preview)

October 1986

My breath comes out in thick, white puffs as I look up at the stars. The blanket around me is warm and soft, and there is a faint scent coming from the burning candles. Amon is stoking a fire in the little cast iron fire pit. He has his long white hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him without it curtained around his face. 

In the candle light, I see shiny patches on his pale skin. They’re scars, going down from his temple onto his neck and even his shoulders. He dusts his hands off and catches me staring, I quickly avert my eyes back to the stars.

“It’s a beautiful night,” I murmur.

“If it is too cold for you, we can go back inside.” Amon sits down beside me. “I thought that here we could get some privacy to talk.”

I put on a smile for him. “I’m used to camping with my folks, I don’t mind it. Once the fire gets going, it won’t matter.”

Amon’s eyes flick up to the sky and I see the many puncture mark scars on his neck. I move closer to him and he flinches, soothing back down with a sigh.

“So what did you want to talk about?” I ask.

Amon scratches the place between his brows. “I’ve seen how close you are with Raul and Pidge, it’s been rather nice to see that warmth.” He turns in his seat to better face me. “The people here mean a lot to me. I’ve housed many vampires over the years, protected them-” His brow knits together and he looks down at his big hands. “Seeing a human like you is a joy.”

I think I understand what he’s getting at. “I have to confess, at first when I met Raul and Pidge, I was kind of...well, just wanted to be edgy. I wanted to be that weird girl who hung out with vampires.” I pout a bit. “But I realized that was stupid. It was gross of me to only want to be friends with them because of that.”

“We’re all people,” Amon murmurs.

I nod in agreement. “Raul and Pidge made me realize how stupid I was to think that way. Since then, I’ve always tried to see everyone as just souls.”

The faintest hint of a smile appears on his lips. “You believe we have souls?”

“Raul is so passionate, and Pidge is so full of fire, how could they not have souls?” I slip my hand from the blanket, placing it into Amon’s. His hand dwarfs mine, making it look like the hand of a child. “You seem far too sweet to be souless.”

Amon gulps and ducks his head, but when his hair doesn’t fall into his face, he rubs his cheek. “Thank you. Most people believe that vampires don’t have souls.”

“That’s ignorance talking.” I trace the lines in Amon’s hand, noticing more puncture scars on his wrist. “Things are changing. Hopefully with Dr. Polidori’s clinic, things will change for the better quicker.”

Amon’s eyes go soft. “How is that going, by the way? I know I heard you say you suffer horrible pain some days.”

I place my palm over my pelvis. “I’m surprised by how well Dr. Polidori’s methods do work. Usually by now in my cycle, I’m curled up fetal in my bed with no hope. Right now, it’s only the most mild of cramping. Well-” I click my tongue. “Mild compared to what I’m used to.”

His expression looks downright guilty. “You’re in pain?”

“It’s fine! Really,” I chuckle. “I’m used to so much worse that this is bearable.” I squeeze my hand around his fingers. “Don’t look so sad. I’m enjoying your company.”

“You should have said something,” Amon murmurs.

“I’m so used to not saying anything about it. Raul and Dr. Polidori have really helped me feel sane about my symptoms.” I stroke my hand down his palm again. “What about you?”

“Me?” Amon turns his face away. “What do you mean?”