He was a strange character: flamboyant, talkative, articulate. More than a little unhinged, but in a way I couldn't put my finger on. When he was excited, he gushed. When he was serious, whispered solemnly. He loved to emphasize certain words with a scandalous inflection, one that would be accompanied by a wink if he didn't think it so tacky to wink in the presence of polite company. His inflections were accompanied by his light, delicate hands, which danced before him as he illustrated his words with ease. He was the consummate socialite, the perfect actor. His bloodlust was not obvious beneath his urbane charm and that was all the more unsettling. How much of this was an act? Was he just mocking us, waiting to strike?
Edward tensed, readying himself to lunge at Declan or whatever his name was. And I would have let him, but Edward was no longer a match for a vampire. He couldn't protect us. My heart rammed against my chest. Stupid, stupid, stupid to come here!
"Now, now. You make it seem like I had any choice in the matter. Do you really believe she randomly showed up here on the evening I had reclaimed my immortality? Don't be absurd. I needed to send a message and she needed to escape the crippling pain of her abandonment. Fate brought us together and she is lucky that it did. I always had an affinity for writing tragedies and she had the honor of being a part of one of mine." He held out his slender hands in an apologetic manner.
"Honor?!" Edward spat. I kept my fingers locked into his. I knew it was stupid. I knew it was pointless. Declan was impossibly fast and fatally strong. If he wanted to, he could murder us both and anyone else left in the bar with no effort. But I couldn't help pulling Edward away. Even though he only had human strength, I still couldn't make him step away from Declan. Disgust creased his features and fueled his strength. Declan only watched as light danced in his eyes. He smiled softly, eyebrows raised in a perfect expression of vague amusement.
"You'll see, my boy. Don't get caught up over the death of a minor character. The details give us flavor, but if you trip over them, you'll miss the better story entirely. And what a story you have!" Declan gripped the edge of the table in what I can only assume was pure thrill. There was a light crack as the wood gave way under his iron grip. He sat, regarding us with hungry eyes, although hungry for what, I couldn't be sure. The only sound that filled the empty bar was the rhythmic, crashing waves outside. He tilted his head toward this sound and smiled. "Only, from the long line of spray where the sea meets the moon-blanched land: Listen! you hear the grating roar of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling. At their return, up the high strand, begin, and cease, and then again begin, with tremulous cadence slow, and bring the eternal note of sadness in." He sighed and placed an ivory hand over a silent heart. "Bless me, his poetry always touches me deeply." He shook his head with a slight smile, as if banishing long-forgotten memories. "I hate to have to cut this short, but dear Bella seems just about to faint from anxiety. Why don't you two get some rest and we can continue this tomorrow?"
"You're just going to let us leave?" I ventured to speak. Edward shot me a glare in the hopes of silencing me, but what was the point? Declan chuckled.
"Do you think I'd go to the trouble of orchestrating this wondrous miracle just to eat you? Bella, Bella, Bella…." Edward growled again, not pleased with the way Declan let my name slither from his mouth the last time. "That's not a very good story, is it? How about we meet again tomorrow morning? Say, six o'clock? Your place?" Edward slammed his fists down on the table. "Yes, too personal. Let's meet here, then. At six. Don't be late!" He smiled and shooed us away. Edward remained firm and towering, glaring down at him, but Declan was infinitely more threatening than Edward was and all Declan had done since we arrived was smile.