Blood Lines

effectively blind, but she knew, because he'd told her on that first visit, that the heavy blue velvet drapery over the window covered a layer of plywood painted black and caulked around the edges. Another curtain just inside the glass hid the wood from the prying eyes of the world. It was a barrier designed to keep the sun safely at bay and a barrier, Vicki knew, that Henry could rip down in seconds if he chose. Her body became the barrier before the door.
    Standing by the bed, Henry hesitated, fingers on shirt buttons, surprised to find himself uncomfortable about undressing in front of a woman he'd been making love to- and feeding from-for months. This is ridiculous. She probably can't even see you from there, the light's so dim .
    Shaking his head, he stripped quickly, reflecting that helplessness brought with it a much greater intimacy than sex.
    He could feel the sun more strongly now, more strongly than he could remember feeling it before. You're sensitive to it this morning. That's all . God, he hoped it was all.
    For Vicki, watching the flicker of pale skin as Henry moved in and out of the circle of light, standing guard at the door suddenly made less than no sense. "Henry? What the hell am I doing here?" She walked forward until his face swam into focus and then reached out and laid her hand gently on his bare chest, halting his movement. "I can't stop you…"
    She scowled, recognizing the words as inadequate. "I can't even slow you down."
    'I know." He covered her fingers with his, marveling as he always did at the heat of her, at the feel of her blood pulsing just under the skin.
    'Great." She rolled her eyes. "So what am I supposed to do if you make a run for the sun?"
    'Be there."
    'And watch you die?"
    'No one, not even a vampire, wants to die alone."
    It could have sounded facetious. It didn't. Hadn't she realized only hours before that was all she had to give him? But she hadn't realized, not then, that it might come to this.
    Breathing a little heavily, wishing the light was strong enough for her to see his expression, Vicki managed not to yank her hand free. Be there . Bottom line, it was no more than Celluci had ever asked of her. Only the circumstances were different. "Jesus H. Christ, Henry." It took an effort, but she kept her voice steady, "You're not going to fucking die, okay? Just get your jammies on-or your tuxedo or whatever it is the undead sleep in-and get into bed."

    He released her and spread his arms, his meaning plain.
    'Fine." She pointed at the bed and glared at him while he did as he was told. Then, pushing her glasses hard against the bridge of her nose, she perched on the edge of the mattress. If she squinted, she could make out his features. "Are you okay?"
    'Are you daring me not to be?"
    'Henry!"
    'I can feel the sun trembling on the horizon, but the only thing in my mind is you."
    'You're just a bundle of clichés this morning." But the relief in his voice had made it sound like truth. "What's going to happen? I mean to you?"
    He shrugged, his shoulders whispering against the sheets. "From your side, I don't know. From mine, I go away until sunset. No dreams, no physical sensation." His voice began to slow under the weight of dawn. "Nothingness."
    'What should I do?"
    He smiled. "Kiss me… good-bye."
    Her lips were on his when the sun rose. She felt the day claim him. Slowly, she pushed herself back up into a sitting position.
    'Henry?"
    He looked so dreadfully young. So dreadfully vulnerable.
    She grabbed his shoulders and shook him, hard.
    'Henry!"
    His heart had always beat slowly; now, her ear pressed tight against his chest, she couldn't hear it beat at all.
    He couldn't stop her from doing whatever she wanted to him. He had just put himself completely and absolutely in her hands.
    Be there . Bottom line, that was all Celluci had ever asked of her. Bottom line, that was all she'd ever asked of Celluci in return.
    Be there . Bottom line, it meant a lot more when Henry Fitzroy asked it.
    'Henry, you shit." She shoved her glasses out of the way and scrubbed her knuckles across her eyes. "What the hell can I give you to match this?"
    A few moments later, she pulled herself together with a more prosaic question. "Now what? Do I leave? Or do I stay and keep watch over you all day?" A massive yawn threatened to dislocate her jaw; she hadn't gotten much sleep during the long wait for morning. "Or do I climb in with you?"
    She ran one finger lightly down his cheek. The skin