[ Adam’s heart speaks in a language all its own, independent of the boy’s voice. Hearts will do that. Hearts never lie. Rafa can hear the skip in the beat. Then he hears it rushing, as it drains blood away from the surface of the skin. That’s a pity. But it has a nice effect on those freckles. Rafa is minded to touch them, and would if Adam were less repelled by him.

But this is early days. With a smile, he releases the fist he’s holding, and shrugs his shoulders as if all of this is easy for him. As if every stuttering heartbeat is not a temptation, as if he doesn’t ache to sink his teeth into that freckle over the carotid artery. He’s thoughtful for a moment, and then he smiles wider, letting his teeth show. His fangs slide easily into place. The canines grow and retract again, usually by force of will – but, occasionally, because his need to feed is such that he can’t hold them back. It’s the former reason, now. ]

I think you needed the push. Who is Noah? Is that why I smell death here?

[ It’s not another vampire, he knows that much. It’s far more faint. ]