Willan #3
“Uhhh.” I try to think of something to show him but the loose neck of his sweater gapes giving me the perfect view of the creamy, tattooed skin of his chest and suddenly my mouth is very dry and my brain is very empty.
“What’re they?” Apparently completely oblivious, or maybe just used to beings drooling all over him, he points to a display of elixir vials on the shelves.
The beautiful bottles of brightly coloured liquids twinkle and reflect the light as I lift the display stand over.
“Honestly? Mostly sugar water and food colouring.” I say, spinning the stand so the reflection of light dances like a disco ball. “But there’s just enough magic to make them technically elixirs, but humans can take them without getting sick. You’ve got luck, eloquence, vitality… the usuals.”
Nikolo pulls a face and nods, picking up one bottle and inspecting the label and then another.
I watch the cautious way he handles them, as if they aren’t mostly cheap gag products we keep on hand to pad sales.
It’s the same hesitant curiosity he’s had since he’s come inside—kind of like he’s expecting the place to collapse in on him for being in here or the ghost of some grand mage ancestor is suddenly going to appear and declare he shall not enter.
I know the look, and I know it well. I’ve seen it on the face of hundreds of students who’ve passed through the shop over the years.
Wannabe witches or stray beings who’ve been without mentors to show them how to harness their magic.
Beings who were desperate to learn, but didn’t know where to start or if it was possible or, in the case of humans seeking the path of a witch, if it was the right decision.
As a vampire, wielding magic is not something he’s going to be able to do.
But, my intuition sparks, that doesn’t mean anything.
There are a thousand and one ways to experience magic.
Based on what Egbert told me, and the conclusions my intuition is currently jumping to—conclusions I’m pretty sure are right—Nikolo has cut himself off from magic as much as possible for any being.
The thousand strands my brain is running through finally weave together into a singular thread of clarity. I want to show him. Helping people find their way with magic is my job here at The Magnifitestique Mage. More than that, it’s my passion in life.
If magic is what Nikolo wants, what he feels is missing in his life, then I want to give that to him.
“Come see this.” I announce, leaving the elixirs beside the register and rounding the counter.
Excitement puts a bounce in my step, and despite it being late as shit, I’m completely energised by my new, secret mission.
Because I have zero doubt that if I outright asked Nikolo about if he wants to find a way to incorporate magic into his life he’ll deny it and bolt.
Dutifully, he follows me to the basket of dasilus flower buds on the herbs and flora shelves. The tightly closed bud looks dried and dead in the basket, but it springs to life the moment I lay it on the palm of my hand, blooming into a beautiful pastel pink flower.
Nikolo nods, impressed, but doesn’t move his hands from where they’ve returned to his pockets.
His little hum of approval makes my stomach flutter and my heart rate spike.
I know he can hear it, but I feel like it’s only creating a positive feedback loop, so I don’t bother trying to control it.
He follows me around the store like a timid puppy that’s learning to trust its new owners, getting closer and closer until he’s finally comfortable enough to stand so close that his chest brushes my arm when he leans in to look at the deck of fortune cards in my hands.
There is definitely something different about Nikolo’s presence compared to a regular being.
The knowledge that he could be a vicious predator stirs something primal inside me making me hyper aware of him.
And he doesn’t generate body heat like other beings do.
He doesn’t have the same aura field, either.
There is just a space where his body exists.
Energetically, it’s almost like the negative space that signifies his presence.
The difference is stark—one of the many differences that caused the otherness of vampires over the centuries—but only exaggerates the way Nikolo himself makes me feel.
“You’re tired.” He says when I stop explaining the enchanted mirror I’m showing him to give a jaw cracking yawn. “It’s late, I should go.”
I want nothing more than to beg him to stay, but he’s right. It’s nearly three in the morning. Disappointment makes my feet heavy as I walk with him to the entry of the shop.
“Thanks for showing me around,” He says at the door, neither of us making a move to open it just yet.
I have a good few inches on him, and we’re standing close enough that he has to tilt his head back to look up at me.
There is a hint of gauntness around his eyes and I feel a little guilty that I’ve kept him so long without any blood.
“Any time.” I lean a shoulder against the windows next to the door and cross my arms over my chest, suddenly extremely aware again that I’m in my daggiest track pants and old hoodie.
It doesn’t mean anything, though, when Nikolo smiles at me.
Not his flirty smile or smirk that I’ve seen what feels like a million times on my phone screen.
A real smile. It creases up his cheeks and makes his eyes squint.
It’s actually kind of dorky, if I’m honest, especially with the way his fangs poke through. And somehow, it’s still sexy.
“I, uh. I might take you up on that?” It’s a question. Again, I’ve heard the tone before from curious beings ready to begin studying with us here. It’s always an ego stroke to know you’ve sold them on it. The idea of teaching Nikolo, though? That stirs up ideas of all different kinds of stroking.
Shoving down the naughty student and stern teacher fantasies currently dancing their way through my head, I pray to the Gods that my hoodie is long enough to cover up the way my dick is stirring.
“Good. Because I meant it. Any time.” I can blame the husky dip in my voice on being tired, but I think Nikolo knows it’s not. His eyes bore into mine before flitting down to my mouth, watching intently when my tongue darts out and licks my suddenly dry lips.
A natural predator, his features sharpen with focus as hunger fills his eyes. It’s like liquid fire searing through me and by the Gods, do I love the fucking burn.
“I’ll see you. Soon.” Nikolo says roughly, tearing his eyes off me and turning for the door.
“Can’t wait.”
I watch him walk out the shop and disappear into the fog before I shut the door. On the way up to my apartment I swing by the library. My knowledge of vampires might be lax right now but that’s something I can change. One book at a time.