Wyatt is weary. He's been alive for more than two hundred years, and all that lies before him is at least another two centuries of the same tedium. The tales and legends of vampires are vastly more interesting than the reality.<br><br>After another night of failed attempts at finding someone to connect with, Wyatt heads home, more despondent and alone than ever ... and comes across a young man being attacked. Though blind by conventional standards, Wyatt is nowhere near as helpless as people like to assume, and easily fends off the attackers.<br><br>In the aftermath of the attack, the man he rescued proves unexpectedly to be a light in the darkness Wyatt has endured for centuries.

Darkness Is Illuminating

“I don’t know if vampires can get human diseases, but just in case they can, I want you to know I’m clean. I swear. I don’t do drugs, and I don’t turn tricks. I get by on begging and homeless shelters, handyman jobs, and fruit picking.” Noel sounds worried, like he’s maybe used to people not believing that he doesn’t prostitute himself.


“I believe you that you don’t have anything wrong with you, but I couldn’t catch anything from your blood, even if you did,” Wyatt assures Noel.


“Umm, it’s not, like, making you hungry, is it?” Noel asks sheepishly.


“No. I’m not a mindless animal. Even if I hadn’t fed, I would be able to control my hunger.” Wyatt says flatly.


“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I thought you were like an animal.” Noel actually sounds really sorry, as though he’s worried he’s offended Wyatt.


Chapter 5