I’d already had Ford’s blood, and this situation was much more … wholesome. I took a small sip. It hummed warmly through me and I could taste the green herbiness of the grad student’s blood. Everyone followed me, and Graham said, “I get the fennel up front and there’s mint, too. Fantastic.”

Another vampire swished the blood in her mouth and said, “I’m tasting lemon in here, with rust and chocolate in the finish.”

As the others began discussing food pairings with the blood, Wil said, “Shall we?” and I nodded.

We said good night to the group and thanked our host.

Graham said, “I hope you’ll come again. I’ll cook if you tell me about how you dismantled Corporate Americans for a Corporate America, exposed the movement for vampire supremacy, and tangled with an angry werewolf.”

“It sounds impressive when you say it that way,” I said, “but the individual incidents were rather humiliating and involved a lot of sexy costumes, pink fuzzy handcuffs, out-of-control parties, and demented plans for world domination.”

Graham laughed and slapped Wil on the back. He said, “Milagro, I think you’re underestimating the reality.”

“It’s probably more amusing for an observer,” I said. “Thank you for an extraordinary meal.”

Wil and I went out to the dark, cold street.

“I love this time of night,” I said, “when most people are getting ready for bed, and party girls are getting ready to go out.”

“Did you like the Bloody Good Table?”

“I loved it. Everyone was so friendly and lively. It was completely different than the vampire bars I’ve been to back home, which have so much attitude, and there’s a real class division between vamps and thralls.”

“We’ve had longer to adjust, and we’re not repressed like you Americans.”

“That’s a gross generalization. I’m not repressed.”

“Excellent,” he said with a smile.

When we got to the corner, Wil hailed a cab and we went into the heart of the city. After we got out, he waited until the cab had left and disappeared into traffic. He said, “Rule number nine, never let anyone take you to the real address.”

“What are rules one through eight?”

“You know, don’t sink your teeth into your nursery school mates.” He took my hand, giving me a warm buzz, and led me down a narrow alley, lined with ancient buildings, dark with soot. “Don’t run starkers in broad daylight and fry like a chip. Don’t tell your girlfriend that the condom broke and you’ve filled her with vampire spunk.”