"I thought you didn't have to wait for permission with public spaces?" I asked as I turned off the last of the small computers in the small upstairs area. Gustav waited as only an immortal can, arms crossed behind his back, head bowed slightly, black hair swept back.

"A common misconception," he clarified. Even after centuries in America, there was the faintest hint of his original Swedish still in his voice. "Before we were publicly known, it was Hell trying to visit any library."

"I can only imagine," I said, heading back to the desk, tapping my pockets to make sure I had everything.

"It was a matter of timing," he clarified, looking up, carnelian flashing in his eyes for a moment before vanishing, returning to their normal rich brown. "If I timed it right, someone would be willing to hold the door open for me."

"Small courtesies go a long way," I agreed, nodding, heading towards the vampire. No matter how many times I did this, the moment of thrill as I turned off the light would live with me. Beyond the windows, the lights of the city glittered, distant sparkling topaz, diamond, and emerald. However, I was still alone, in the dark, with an immortal, one who had subsisted on heaven only knew how many lives before artificial blood had been perfected. "Bad timing tonight?" I asked, knowing he could still see me, still knew where I was in the darkness, likely heard the elevation of my pulse.

"Is it so hard to believe Will that I wanted to wait for you? That I enjoy your company?" he asked, cold breath stirring against my right ear. His hand was the cold of a tombstone in winter, but as it wrapped around mine, the chill wasn't the reason I shivered.

"Please, let's get going," I said, knowing I was blushing and wondering what that smelled like to him.