“Wow, this is very…understated Bette.  Lovely, but not what I was expecting.”

“Well, Tina, we don’t all live in dusty, drafty, castles.”  She smiled as she held the door open for Tina to enter. 

She brushed passed Bette.  Her perfume lingered in the air mixing with the unique scent of her skin. Her finely tuned senses worked beyond that of any human. The brunette committed the scent to memory. 

Tina entered not expecting the light colored walls and furniture.  She noticed the exquisite art on the walls immediately and walked over to one of the Catherine Opie pieces. 

“This is beautiful Bette.  Your home is lovely.”

“Thank you Tina.  Not what you expected I gather.”

The blonde smiled at her wondering if she could read her mind.

“No, I can’t read your mind.  It happens very infrequently with me.  I can’t do it with everyone. I fear it’s my relatively young age in vampire years.  Hopefully with your help it isn’t a skill that I will get the chance to get good at.”  Bette was pensive for a few moments before realizing that she was being rude.  “I’m sorry Tina, please sit down, can I offer you something to drink? I have some wine and soda I think…”

“No, Bette, thank you.  I’m fine.  Why don’t we just get started…uh it’s getting rather late…”

“Oh, of course I’m sorry Tina, you must be tired.  I’ve kept you out almost all night.”

“No, I’m fine.  I’m just concerned for you. I mean it’s almost dawn and…”

Bette looked at her with such sadness in her eyes.  She missed seeing the sun come up and the feel of it on her skin.  She realized Tina was being considerate but a small part of her felt a tinge of jealousy that Tina would be walking out in the morning sun when they were done and she would be ‘sleeping’ till the sun went down again. 

They sat on the couch together to begin something that once started could not be stopped.  It would be a leap a faith for both of them and the success of how it would end was going to depend on the one thing neither of them had in their lives: trust and love in another being.