Jane Bites Back_ A Novel - Michael Thomas Ford [90]
Jane was dumbstruck. She’d never in her life been in an establishment that was solely for vampires. “But how—” she said.
“Times have changed, Jane,” said Byron. “We don’t have to hide all the time, especially not in a town like this one. Why do you think Charlotte stayed?”
“Hear she got herself burnt up last night,” Emmeline said. “Can’t say she’ll be missed round here.”
“See?” Byron mouthed to Jane.
“You’re wanting the crawfish,” Emmeline said. Without waiting for an answer she disappeared into the back of the restaurant.
“This is all very peculiar,” Jane said to Byron.
“You’ve been away from your own kind for too long,” said Byron. “You see through human eyes.”
Jane began to object, but Byron cut her off. “It’s not an insult,” he said. “Well, perhaps it’s a little bit of an insult,” he admitted.
“I don’t see what’s wrong with trying to retain some humanity,” Jane said tartly. “After all, it’s what we were.”
“Were,” Byron repeated. “But not now. Aren’t you tired of hiding? Wouldn’t you like to live in a world where you don’t have to worry about being exposed?”
“I don’t really worry about it,” said Jane. “Besides, I have Lucy now. And Walter,” she added quickly.
“Yes, Walter,” Byron said. Jane couldn’t tell from his tone whether he was mocking her or just agreeing.
Emmeline reappeared, carrying an enormous metal bowl, which she dumped on the table. A mound of potatoes, sausage, corn, and crawfish spilled out, threatening to slide off the sides. Jane looked at it as Emmeline put down two bottles of beer, an empty bowl, and a thick stack of napkins. “Teach her how to suck heads,” she said to Byron.
Jane picked up a crawfish. Its shell was a dark red, and its little black eyes stared unseeing back at her. “What do I do with it?” she asked.
“Like this,” said Byron. He held up a crawfish, gripped the head between his thumb and forefinger, and twisted it off. He set the head aside and peeled the shell away from the body, then pinched the tiny fan at the bottom of the tail, pushing the meat up and popping the exposed flesh into his mouth. “And now for the best part,” he said, picking up the head he’d set aside. Putting it to his mouth, he sucked loudly on it for a moment before tossing it into the empty bowl.
“And that’s how you suck the head,” he said. “Go on. Try it.”
“I think not,” said Jane. “It’s very rude.”
“It’s rude not to,” Byron corrected her. “If you don’t suck the head, then everyone will know you’re an outsider.”
Jane contemplated the crawfish in her hand. Although no one in the restaurant was looking directly at her, she had the distinct impression that she was being watched. Here goes nothing, she thought as she attempted to copy Byron’s movements. The tail and head separated readily enough, and getting the tail meat out was fairly easy. It was also incredibly delicious.
The head was another matter altogether. She placed it in her mouth and sucked. Instantly her mouth was filled with a spicy blast of butter and a lump of something squishy She choked, just managing to swallow it down. She reached for a bottle of beer and drank deeply.
“What is that?” she asked, looking at the now empty crawfish head with distaste.
“Head fat,” Byron explained. “It’s the best part.” He twisted another crawfish apart and ate it. “Pinch the tail, suck the head,” he intoned. “Try another one. You’ll come to love them, I promise.”
“I’ve been on the wrong end of your promises before,” said Jane. She picked up one of the half ears of corn and bit into it. “I’ll stick with something safe.”
They ate for a while in silence. Jane decided to try another crawfish, and this time she found it much better. She ate several more, then saw that Byron was looking at her.
“I think that first one was off,” she said defensively.
“It’s nice still being able to eat, isn’t it?” said Byron. “It’s one of the few human things I still