"She's ready to share her secrets. But am I ready to share mine?"
Pete looked into Scarlet's eyes and saw that the warmth of her gaze masked cold prudence. What secrets would she be interested in? He's a novice and hasn't had time to acquire secrets. And the most important thing is that he is not interested in vampire secrets. He's convinced that bloodsuckers have secrets and know-how to keep them. Vampires are serious and dangerous. The young man decided to be honest about it,
"I'm not interested in your secrets, Scarlet. We met yesterday and we can't trust each other. I wanted to know how Ark vampires live. I'm curious to know how the rest of the townspeople treat you. I want to show respect and decency. In my world, vampires have become legends and characters in romantic stories. In the eyes of the wanderer, you are a dangerous and deadly attractive vampire."
Scarlet smiled at such a compliment. She looked at the summoner with renewed interest. This wanderer indifferently tossed a dozen thousand gold coins into the ground. Now he made it clear that he was not interested in her either! Why tell him trivial things about how vampires had become a regular part of life in the city? Ark has too many enemies. Everyone's hands are up to their elbows in blood. Everyone wants peace and comfort in their home. The boy is well aware that the newcomer has nothing special or secret. He hasn't yet had time to get involved in intrigue and doesn't actively participate in the life of the town.
"So we're not ready to share secrets," the vampire agreed with him. "Are you ready to share blood with me?"
Pete Harrison suspected from the beginning of the conversation that this moment was surely coming. The vampire would surely reach for his neck.
"I don't like to hear about it. I don't want to become your slave or servant. Let's do without the blood."
"Greedy," snorted the girl. "And a fool. Why the dirty thoughts of slavery and service? You need the money. You'll be donating your blood. Half of that blood goes to the Ark vampires. We don't do violence and all sorts of dirty attacks."
Pete appreciated her words. This is how vampires live! They pay in gold for fresh blood and don't have any nightmares.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to insult you. I wanted to tell you that I won't let you drink my blood. I know the value of blood, and I'm willing to donate. But I'm not ready to get close to you. You're a vampire. I don't trust you. I'm sorry for being honest."
The girl realized that she had played the intimacy card early. Shared secrets encourage closeness. But this summoner is not ready for closeness. Then it's simple and requires a simple attitude.
"Pete, you need money. I'm willing to offer you a job."
This turn in the conversation pleased the young man. He is willing and ready to do missions. He needs the money and is willing to work. Scarlet must understand his low level of ability. She won't suggest a dangerous job. Pete Harrison frowned. It had come to this! He thought about her age. She looks like a young beauty, but she's over a hundred years old! This line of thought was disconcerting and even faintly disgusting. The young man averted his eyes not wanting to look at this older lady.
Scarlet misunderstood his change in mood.
"I understand that you are a novice. No need to be confused. I have a load for your mind. I don't require you to show strength and skill as a mage or warrior."
Pete took no offense and listened intently to the vampire's offer. She invited him to the castle of the Angus clan. Pete must tell about the vampires of his world. Any knowledge is important. A wanderer's point of view had a price and vampires would pay gold for information.
Once again the young man marveled at this world. Knowledge in the Ark is of special value.
Scarlet could not hide her pleasure. She realized that she had succeeded in engaging him. Does the summoner wish to remain independent? The naive little savage. She will put him on a gold chain! It will be a strong and long chain. The first link is already chained. The girl wanted to play with her victim and licked her lips. Above the table came her hoarse whisper,
"Don't be so greedy, Pete. Just one drop!"
The vampire leaned forward and bared her fangs. And immediately the predatory, charming smile disappeared from her face. It was as if she ran her forehead against the edge of a blade. The vampire froze, and memories flashed through her mind. Dracat! On the summoner's shoulder, the fabric of the hood moved. A small black head with large ears grinned its teeth in response. The girl stared into dracat's terrifying black eyes and could only whisper,
"Keep your pet under control, summoner. I was only kidding. I am not your enemy. It was only a joke."
Pete looked at her with eyes blackened with tension. He immediately sensed a change in his condition. He shared with his friend the desire to strike and fend off the attack. Was it a joke? Or was it a show of strength? He didn't like the prank.
The young man stood up and asked in a voice strained with irritation,
"How much is this drink worth?"
"Twenty-seven gold pieces," replied the vampire. "Did you like it? Do you want to pay? Save your gold, you're my guest, my treat."
"Sorry for the same old manners. I'm used to paying for my drink. I hope that doesn't violate the local rules of etiquette too much."
Scarlet leaned back in her chair and laughed,
"So you're willing to break the rules. But not too much. Be careful, young summoner. Watch yourself."
The young man took a bag from his belt and counted out the coins. He placed the money on the table and smiled at the girl,
"Thanks for the advice. I will come to Angus Castle tomorrow morning."
"A friend of mine will meet you and show you the way. See you tomorrow Pete," the girl said.
The meeting was interesting, she got some new material to think about.
***
Pete walked at a quick pace through the streets of Ark. The beauty and ordinariness of the various details of the city did not distract him from his serious thoughts. He was trapped. He must keep a close eye on any new acquaintances. All of them have shown themselves to be cruel heirs to a cruel world. None are willing to show kindness and goodwill. The old soldier Roy carries the pain of the past war in his head. His granddaughter thinks only of her interests. The captain and Elvira prove to be tough warriors. Elvira performed the role of protector in cold blood and disappeared at once. The captain showed care for order in the city. He did not care for the wanderer, the Drow simply ordered that the trash be removed from the street. The young man was accepted into the summoners' guild. But the masters greeted him with cold feet. They showed themselves not as caring teachers, but as indifferent officials. The detached coldness of the old woman was now understandable to him. The guild has strict orders. The guild is not a blend of a school of magic and a zoo. The women look after the girls. The men look after the young men. And no one shares their experience and knowledge with outsiders! For the summoning master, the strength and talent of the young summoner do not matter. Only the pet matters! Pete remembered the sadness in Master Gorr's look when he said with irritation,
"I wish your pet was a manticore. I can't teach you, Pete. And I'm afraid you won't have a mentor. You already know there is no dracat summoner in the guild."
This rule and the new difficulty did not confuse the young man. No patron and no teacher? That's all right! He's a big guy now and can take care of himself. Today he proved that! " Ouch! You stung me! Don't play the vampire. You did great, you're the one who took care of me. We're both doing great," the summoner admitted with pride in his voice. "That seductive bloodsucker couldn't catch us off guard."
Scarlet. Vampire! Pete reached up with his right hand to his neck and slipped it under the fabric of his hood. The young man stroked the kitten and felt the responsive feeling. For a few moments, his mind was warmed by a feeling of empowerment, as if he had tested the stupefaction of weak alcohol.
Pete was returning to the cozy comfort of the guild and there was a smile on his lips.
He was not alone. They would survive the odds. Tomorrow he would meet the vampires and try to prove himself a worthy and strong man.