Warring Logics (Book 1 of The Institute of Fantasiological Studies)

She grabs his head and keeps it in place as he drinks from her and her body relaxes as though she is enjoying it. Enjoying it… that means… I don’t have to get involved.

I can’t describe how happy that makes me.

It’s about this time I decide the other end of the bar looks better. Not less busy, but better.

I push myself through the crowd and manage to somehow make it to the other end of the bar. It’s uncomfortable being so close to so many other people during a pandemic, but I suppose social distancing isn’t possible when your food source is people. It’s the closest I’ve been to anyone in six months as people brush by me without a care in the world.

I lean forward on the sticky bar and wave at the young bartender. I’m closer to him now and can make out his messy brown hair and high cheekbones. I can also make out him ignoring me and turning around to help someone further down the bar.

Well, shoot.

I look around. Most people are sipping on something and talking to someone. A few, like me, are trying to get the bartender’s attention. It’s quite the party and I can feel myself getting in the mood. I have to give it to von Graf, the vampire, or his staff that probably does all the work for these things has style.

The bartender turns my way and I try waving him down again only for the big guy next to me to get the bartender’s attention. So close.

I’m beginning to think that grabbing a drink first was a bad idea. Maybe I should just see if I can find someone to talk to, drinking on the job sounds like a bad idea anyway. Or I could find a seat near the wall and observe without trying to talk to anyone…

“Was möchten Sie gerne?”

Hhhmmm? I turn to see that the big guy is talking to me and the bartender is also looking at me expectantly. “Uh… um, a cosmo please” I spit out the first thing that comes to mind.

“Sorry, can you repeat?”” the bartender asks in a heavy accent.

Even the worst English speaker in Germany speaks better English than I do German.

“Cosmopolitan,” I say a little louder leaning slightly over the tacky counter. The bartender nods as he moves away to begin making our drinks.

I turn to the man next to me, who was, staring at my ass? “Thank you, I don’t know when I would’ve gotten his attention”

Now there are two types of vampire men: hot and hotter. And this man is definitely hot with dark hair and a strong jaw. But mostly he is huge with broad shoulders and muscular physic. My eyes roam down his body. Really it’s unfair to human men how hot vampires are, how is it possible for humans to even get a date?

I blush a little when I realize I have been checking him out. Damn these vampires.

“My pleasure, young one”

I raise my eyebrows at him in reaction since he doesn’t look much older than me but then realize my mistake, he is probably a hundred years old and I wouldn’t know it. He would probably call my grandfather young one.

So when this stud of a vampire moves a little closer to me, his firm stomach brushing my arm, I’m conflicted as to whether to shiver with delight or disgust. Oh dear, is that a six-pack I feel?

“What brings you to our little coven get together?”

I’m not sure how I would describe the event, but little isn’t it. I try to think of a witty retort but I find my mind growing hazy with his close proximity. I swear I’m smart, I swear…hmm...

The bartender puts our drinks in front of us and steps away without being paid, I open my mouth to ask but the vampire answers before I can ask, “drinks are always on the house at these events.”

“Oh, lovely.” I lick my lips deciding just to answer his question upfront, “I’m a researcher at the Goethe University and I’m here to observe and set up some interviews. I’m Alexis by the way”

I take a sip of my cosmo. It’s deliciously sweet followed by a strong kick of alcohol. I’ll have to watch myself with these.

“I’ll let you interview me,” he says in a low seductive voice right next to my ear. This time when I shiver I know why.

“Oh, that is great! I’ll just-“ I look up to see that his pupils have dilated. Oh. Oh! He’s looking at me more like a meal than with intellectual interest.

“Let me taste you” He leans forward and whispers in my ear. His voice is low like a gravelly hum. Oh God, what have I gotten myself into? He leans back and looks deep into my eyes.

“Uh, um...” my brain is overwhelmed with the scent of his cologne and the hard feel of his body. I bite my lip trying to concentrate, “Th-thank you, but, um, I’m here to work…”

“Are you a bite virgin, young one? There’s no need to be afraid I’ll make it pleasurable for you.” His eyes rake my face looking for any sign I will agree, “I bet you taste as sweet as you look”

I blush hard and I can only hope that the dim lights hide my glowing cheeks. He’s so… so forward.

I didn’t want to become a vampire snack, but, I did agree with van Graf to try it. Maybe, I should let him?

“What’s your name?” I ask, curious, but also wanting to delay my decision a bit.

He smiles showing me his straight white teeth- and pointy fangs.

“It’s-"

“Not that one, Hans”

I spin and see that von Graf is behind me, staring daggers at, well, Hans. He places one possessive hand on my shoulder and as I look up into his angry face, I wonder: Shit, what did I do now?