Page 32 of Rite of Blood and Secrets

I frown. "There are history books about vampires that don't mention vampires?"

"For children, yes. I guess the people who wrote them were worried about what young dhampirs might tell their friends."

"Oh."

"I thought it might help you practise reading, and we can talk about the other book instead. Hence the tea." He pulls the tray closer and pours two cups of tea. "How do you take it?"

"I don't know, I've never had tea before," I admit. "It's kind of a rich person thing."

"Ah. Then you should try it with a bit of milk, but if it's not sweet enough, you can add some honey." He pushes one of the cups so it's in front of me.

"Thank you." I give him what I hope comes across as a genuine smile.

"You're welcome. Now how far did you get?" He gestures to the book.

"I'm still trying to make sense of the first paragraph," I admit sheepishly.

"Do you want me to read it to you, or do you want me to tell you about it?"

I frown and look down at the page. "Read it to me? If you don't mind." I don't want to put him out, but I also want to know what the book says.

"I don't," he assures me. "History is fascinating to me. And this one does mention vampires." He shuffles closer until we're almost touching.

He leans over and pulls the book to him, bringing him close enough for me to smell him. There's something nice about his scent, reassuring even, but I can't place what it is.

"The origins of the vampire species are unknown, but legend says that they were created when the Emperor of Sanulieon made a deal with the moon in exchange for eternal life," he reads, his voice low and melodic.

"The moon?" I echo. "That doesn't seem likely."

He waves a hand between us. "Doesn't it?"

"I suppose I don't know, I've never given much thought to magic before."

"No one knows the real answer," he replies. "But magic from the moon makes as much sense as any of the other explanations."

"Right, I'm sorry, I shouldn't make assumptions like that."

"It's all right. I had a lot of the same reactions," he assures me. "And it took me a while to realise that learning what people believe is just as powerful as knowing what the truth is. Some vampires believe the magic comes from the moon, and considering the Golden Moon is the only time a dhampir can become a full vampire, I have to assume there's something in it."

"So it's not possible any other time?" I pick up my teacup and take a sip. It's slightly bitter, but the milk makes it pleasant to drink.

"No. Many vampires have tried, particularly when they're in need of an heir, but they've all failed."

"So the moon is magic."

He chuckles. "Something like that."

I nod. "What else does the book say?"

"The whole book?" he teases. Or at least, I think he's teasing.

"I said I wanted to know about history," I point out.

"I think getting through the whole book might take more than one pot of tea," he responds.

"Oh, right. I'm sorry, I didn't think about how much time that would take up for you."

"It's not a problem, Beatrice," he says, meeting my gaze and smiling at me in a way that feels familiar and new all at the same time. "It just might take more than a couple of hours. But if you meet me here again tomorrow, we can do this again."