Chapter 4

Algernon had practically forgotten about the invitation by the next day. He had no intention of attending any parties. He had better things to do that didn't involve standing around trying to make dull small talk with a bunch of narcissistic leeches.

He made his way around the library with his cart, placing books on the shelves. Again. It was a simple job, very straightforward and predictable. Just the way he liked it. It was quiet and pleasantly lonely.

Well, not completely lonely, he found out. There was still someone sleeping in the library. There was always someone sleeping in the library. He walked over quietly, trying to get a better look at him. He leaned down, listening to his breathing, making sure that he was completely asleep and would not awaken. He looked around, making sure that there was nobody around to see him. Right, nobody there. It was near closing time, anyway. He turned back to the young man and leaned down, biting into his neck, getting what blood he could.

When he was finished, or had taken as much blood as he could get away with, he reached into his pocket, taking the vial and placing some of the substance onto the wound, healing it almost instantly.

That was his vampire routine: Wait for someone to fall asleep alone, take a bite, heal, hope that they aren't planning to donate or do anything strenuous, and take his meds.

But most of all, hope that nobody walks in on you while you're biting.

"Good evening, Algernon." Said a voice.

Algernon jumped, whirring around. "Yes?" he asked, startled.

It was Hale, the werewolf. But there was someone else there. A vampiress, in what appeared to be business attire.

"I think you'd best send him home." Hale said, taking his hat off and indicating the boy, still asleep.

"Huh?" Algernon asked. "Why? The library doesn't close for another half hour." He said, returning to his cart, which he proceeded to push down the aisle.

"You know, I was curious." Nathan said. "How does a guy like you become a vampire?"

"A brazen slut walks in and works her magic," Algernon said bluntly, "that's how."

"We wanted to talk to you about the invitation you received." Nathan said. "To the party."

"What about it?" Algernon asked, taking a book from the cart and shelving it.

"Well, you got one, right?" Nathan asked, in an effort to remain as courteous as possible, though it was plain that Algernon wanted no part in this conversation. He was starting to get pretty sick of all these visitors.

"Yes, I got one." Algernon said. "I don't know why I should care."

"Roderick tends to be quite insistent that people attend his parties." The vampire said, showing a degree of annoyance with Algernon's attitude. "If you know what's good for you, you'll go."

"That's beside the point." Nathan said. "Thing is, we want you to attend the party so you can tell us what happens there."

"Can't she?" Algernon asked, not looking at them.

"No." The vampire said. "Roderick doesn't like me, to put it simply."

"Associating with the likes of… us…" Hale said, with a grin that indicated he might have chuckled, "tends to put one in bad standing with the rest of vampire society."

"Well, keep up these visits, and I'll be sure not to get any invitations." Algernon said, shelving yet another book.

"This is only the second visit." Hale said. "Roderick isn't likely to be keeping tabs right now. Which makes you the perfect person to be our eyes and ears in there."

"Let me get this straight." Algernon said, turning around and leaning against the cart. "You want me to spy for you, or for your little pack…"

Nathan nodded.

"At a party…" Algernon said.

"To see what the other vampires are up to." The vampire said. "They'll talk about their latest exploits. Where they've been. Who they've stalked. Plans on wolf-hunting."

"Any information that might benefit my pack, or help just help us know what sort of activities they've been doing lately. It's in our best interests, you see."

"I see…" Algernon said flatly.

"I don't think you're too fond of the other vampires." The vampire said. "I've never seen you associate with any of them, and you're awfully dismissive of the invitation."

"Right." Nathan said, as Algernon resumed shelving books. "You're not one who seems all that into vampire society."

"No, I'm not too fond of vampires." Algernon said, stopping. "But why does that mean I should work for you?"

"You know the saying – the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Nathan said, with a savvy smiling.

"Don't throw quotes at me." Algernon said. "If I help you in spying, I could be in a world of trouble with them."

"If it comes to that, my friends can protect you."

"Your friends tried to murder me this week."

An awkward silence followed. Then the vampire stepped up.

"Listen, Algernon, the werewolves aren't bad people," she said. "They were simply prejudiced against you because you're a vampire."

"Yeah, I might be prejudiced against myself, too." Algernon said, pushing the cart.

"But these other vampires are seriously dangerous. Many of them are rapists, murderers, engaged in the worst kinds of debauchery."

Algernon stopped. He turned to face them. They both looked at him, both with anxious expressions.

"Tell me, Nathan, …" he looked at the vampire, who hadn't told her name yet.

"Rebecca." She said.

"Rebecca…" Algernon said. He looked down at the book he had in his hand. Eugene Onegin, by Alexander Pushkin. He'd have to read it. He made note of it in his mind. He looked back up at them. "Have you ever killed anyone?" he asked.

"A few." Rebecca said. "The occasional back-alley rapist or mugger."

Algernon nodded. He looked over at Nathan. "You?" he asked.

The werewolf laughed. "It's practically a war, the way 'race relations' are." He said. "You know how it is."

Algernon turned to the bookshelf, placing the book on the shelf. He just stood there, facing the shelf. "Get out." He said quietly.

"Excuse me?" Nathan asked stepping towards him.

"GET OUT OF MY LIBRARY!" Algernon shouted, whirring around to face them.

They weren't startled by the outburst. Rebecca merely sighed, turning to leave.

"Good evening, then." Nathan said, placing his hat on his head and following her.