The Vampire's Angel by Damian Serbu Page A

after you, absolutely. He’s of no use to the humanity you love. He’s a murderer, a fiend who attacks without provocation.”
    “Maybe compassion could change him,” Xavier said quietly. “Did you break his arm?”
    “Yes,” Thomas said, strangely calm. “His arm snapped. He wasn’t going to whimper away silently until I controlled the knife and him.”
    “Thomas, I can’t allow this. I need to go.”
    “Is that it, then? Or may I return tomorrow?”
    “Of course you may,” Xavier said and walked into the church. He was unnerved that they had disregarded the wounded man, and that Thomas so easily dismissed what had happened. He needed time to process what he had seen. Even more, he worried about his feelings as he fought his longing for Thomas. That had not changed despite what he had witnessed. After all, he had not hesitated to invite Thomas to return tomorrow. His outward behavior focused on third parties, but inside he swooned at the way that Thomas moved to protect him, risking his own life and acting so swiftly that Xavier’s mind played tricks on him. If only he could tell Thomas. But he had to remain quiet.
     
     

Part III: The Vampire

     
     
Thomas: Vampiric Love

     
     
    5 June 1789 Evening
     
    THOMAS DECIDED TO test even further the ethic that he had tried so carefully to uphold. He had known Xavier for less than a month but his feelings intensified every night until he wanted to demand Xavier’s acceptance of their love. He had come to know Xavier too well, however, to make such harsh demands, and he respected him too much not to take his devotion to the church seriously. Yet he needed to act. Anthony had warned him that his impatience would put him into dangerous and unethical positions and Thomas had tried to listen, and he often succeeded in controlling his urges, but with Xavier it had become too difficult.
    So on this evening he would test the rules by going to their limits and possibly beyond. Since their first meeting a week earlier, Thomas had spent a couple of evenings in Catherine’s company because Xavier did not want to forsake his sister, even though he spent every evening with Thomas. They compromised by having Xavier meet her through the day as much as possible, and Thomas agreed to visit her when Xavier requested. He actually liked going to the house, especially since Michel seldom appeared to quarrel with his siblings. He also enjoyed getting to know the people whom Xavier loved. He found Catherine positively charming, much like himself in her zest for life and obsessive protection of Xavier. He now went, therefore, to ask her about Xavier and their relationship. Thomas generally went to Xavier immediately after waking, but tonight he must first do this.
    Thomas walked up the steps of the enormous Saint-Laurent house, prepared to knock.
    “Thomas,” came Catherine’s voice from above.
    He looked up, eschewing the knock.
    “Come in,” she implored. “Don’t wait for the slow servants.”
    Thomas entered, walking through the halls and onto the gigantic stone porch that overlooked Rue St. Denis. The Seine’s cool breeze felt better and better as the summer’s heat slowly crept upon them. Upon joining Catherine on the balcony, Thomas kissed Catherine and smiled.
    “Where’s Xavier? You mean you two aren’t attached at the hip?”
    “Don’t worry. I’m meeting him later,” Thomas said, smiling. Catherine was too perceptive.
    “I just heard the most interesting news,” Catherine announced before Thomas could say anything further. “The dauphin has died.”
    Thomas hardly cared, but she continued. “The king’s son, Thomas.
    He has just died. I don’t think it matters too much, since they always dig someone up to carry on the monarchy, but it sent Louis into brooding. He’s in such a depression that he can’t function. If he refuses to do anything, everyone fears that the riots will increase and then, who knows? Maybe we’ll move toward democracy after