Page 135 of Mercy Written in Blood

"That is how some people show affection."

"An alarming philosophy."

Haruki opened the door, then paused with one hand on the frame. The landing beyond was empty.

"Renji."

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"You have spent the entire evening doing so."

"This one is different."

Renji studied him. The humour remained in Haruki's face, but only at the edges. Beneath it was the same seriousness he had shown when speaking of his father. And something else. Something careful.

"I need an honest answer," Haruki said.

Renji's hand tightened around the edge of the door. He should have refused. Instead, he stepped back from the threshold.

"All right."

Haruki met his eyes.

"Then don't answer as my doctor."

Chapter Twelve

Are You a Vampire?

Haruki remained in the doorway. Rain whispered against the windows behind Renji. The apartment had gone quiet after the record ended, but traces of the evening remained everywhere — two bowls on the low table, Haruki's empty glass beside Renji's, the sleeve of a record left half outside its place, a second indentation in the cushion. Small disturbances. Evidence that, for several hours, Renji had not been alone.

"Then don't answer as my doctor," Haruki said.

Renji's hand remained on the edge of the door.

"I am no longer your doctor."

"You still become him whenever you don't want to answer something."

"That is an interpretation."

"It is an observation."

Haruki had not smiled. That was what made Renji cautious. There was no flirtation in his voice, no attempt to use charm against resistance. Whatever question he intended to ask had been carried here beneath the conversation all evening. Perhaps from the hospital. Perhaps from the tunnels.

Renji stepped away from the door.

"All right."

Haruki glanced towards the landing.

"Should we close that?"

Renji closed the door. The lock settled into place with a quiet click. Haruki removed the hand he had placed on the frame. He did not return to the centre of the room. He stood near the entrance, coat buttoned, shoes already on, his body prepared for departure even as neither man moved towards it.

Renji waited. Haruki looked at him for several seconds. Then he asked, "Are you a vampire?"