Harmony by Sonya Bria Read Free Book Online Page A

bright. I’d almost forgotten that we were in the shadiest part of the forest. I guess I was adapting more to Ian’s way of life than I’d realized.      “Oh, it’s the coast!” I spun around to see Ian standing at the edge of the light under a pine tree. “Can you come out here?” I asked. I wasn’t entirely sure if the stories about vampires were true that they burned in direct sunlight. It made sense that we were in Oregon with its limited sunny days.
           “I’ll be fine. The sun only diminishes my abilities. It’s kind of like kryptonite to Superman,” he stated. “It weakens me, but in small doses the sun can’t harm me.”
           Ian walked over and wrapped his arms around me. “Is there anything else that you’re curious about?”
           “I read that you don’t photograph. Is that true?”
           Ian shook his head. “Myth.”
           I was on a roll. “What else weakens you besides long exposure to the sun?”
           Ian answered, “Tainted blood.” 
           “Like when someone is sick?” I asked.
           “Yes.”
           “How can you tell the difference?”
           Ian sighed, as if he didn’t want to be having this conversation, but he said, “We have a heightened sense of smell. A person or animal emits different odors when they are sick.” 
           This led me to my next question. “Do you get sick?”
           “No.”
           “Do you kill a vampire with a stake through the heart?” I blurted out.
           “Are you planning something?” Ian raised his eyebrows at me.
           I laughed. “Maybe,” I replied coyly. “It’s a myth. Vampires don’t have living hearts. A stake through an already-dead organ wouldn’t do much other than paralyze.”
           I giggled nervously. “Okay, I walked into that one.”
           We sat down on a rock overlooking the cliff’s edge. “You love the ocean, don’t you?” I said guessing, why this was one of his favorite spots.
           “It reminds me of home. I grew up in a fishing village off the coast of Ireland,” Ian replied.
           “You were a fisherman?” I chuckled. “I don’t see it, you seem so refined now.”
           Ian laughed too; a hearty laugh that made me beam. “I’ve been around awhile to acquire a few other talents. Vampires are vain creatures. We like to appease our vanity.” Ian rarely spoke of his life before or as a vampire. I caught bits and pieces of it through our connection, but I didn’t stay long in his mind to intrude. One thing that endeared him to me was memories of his family. I wasn’t clear on how many siblings Ian had, but he definitely adored his mother and respected his father. It tugged on my heart that he was ripped away from such a loving family. From what I could see, they were prosperous, generous, and influential in his village. “Ian, this is so beautiful and peaceful,” I said, changing the subject. “Do you come here often?”
           Ian’s eyes were closed as he leaned back and soaked up the sun. He nodded in agreement. The silence was golden. I didn’t want the mood of the moment to be broken. I began thinking of what life would be like for us after I graduated.
           Suddenly, as if sensing the direction of my thoughts, Ian stood up, pulling me with him. “Let’s eat over here.” We spread out the quilt that he’d brought, and I watched in amazement as he produced carton after carton of food.
           “Are you feeding an army?” I asked. “We can’t, I can’t possibly eat all that!”
           Ian held up his hands in defense, trying to explain. “I wasn’t entirely sure what you’d prefer. I don’t usually cook, so I guess I over compensated.”
           I smiled. “You are so sweet. A sandwich would have sufficed.”
           He continued to lay out an assortment of cheeses and fruits,