Avador Book 2, Night Shadows by Shirley Martin

multitudes? Oak branches along the wide avenue tossed in a light breeze, and far off, the Nantosuelta shone by the moonlight, its waters rippling like crystal. A beautiful night for lovers, if only he had Fianna by his side.
    Gaderian stopped to rest again as hunger knifed through his belly like a red-hot dagger. Gritting his teeth, he doubled over and pressed his hand to his stomach. Sights and sounds blurred, a meaningless background to his anguish.
    With dogged determination, he straightened and plodded on, each step an agony but his goal in sight. Crowds formed as he neared the entrance to the fair, where Aventina Way ended and the meadow began. The clamor of adults and the screeching of children assaulted his eardrums, another torture he must endure. The stench of mortal food tormented him, a reminder of his own hunger.  He took one more step and stopped by the oak tree that guarded the entrance to the glade. A good place to rest, if only for a few minutes. Sinking down on the warm grass, he leaned his head against the tree trunk, resolved to get up after a brief respite.
    He closed his eyes, his mind drifting back to a time years ago when he had first met Stilo, before any enmity developed between them. It was a night such as this …
    Alone, Gaderian had spent much of the evening at the Snow Leopard, nursing a mug of ale. From the corner of his eye, he had observed a solitary man several tables away, imbibing one mug of ale after another. Another vampire, he could tell, sensing at the same time something different about this fellow, a nebulous quality that set him apart from the rest of the undead. One thing was certain: The man didn't know when to stop drinking.
    After another mug–Gaderian had lost count–the man tried to stand. Ignored by the other patrons, he fell backward, his chair the only thing that saved him. Finished with his own drink, Gaderian shoved his chair back and rushed over.
    Gaderian grabbed his arm. "Hey, there, fellow, looks as if you need help."
    The blond man gave him a long look, part defiant and part apologetic, and spoke in a slurred voice. "Just 'cause I lost my b-b-balance–"
    "Just because you've had too many drinks," Gaderian countered. "Tell me where you live, and I'll take you home."
    He waved him away. "Don't need your help."
    By this time, everyone else in the tavern had stopped drinking, all eyes on him and the drunk.
    Gaderian stood back and gestured toward the door. "Very well, then. My mistake. Have it your way."
    The stranger took a step and fell across the table, knocking the mug to the floor. Gaderian raised him up. "That does it. Let's get you home. And tell me your name while we're at it."
    He hiccoughed. "Stilo."
    Tapping his chest, Gaderian gave his name. He slung his arm around Stilo's waist and they left the tavern together, stepping out to a balmy night, the sky sparkling with stars. Since Gaderian had recently fed, he had the strength of ten men.
    "Now where?" Gaderian began.
    Stilo pointed ahead, beyond Tavern Avenue. "Granno's Way, a f-f-few blocks ahead. M-my apartment's at the end."
    "I know where Granno's Way is." He half-dragged, half-carried Stilo along the cobblestone streets, the man scarcely able to stand, much less walk.
    Within a short while, they arrived at a stone apartment building in an affluent section of the city, where statues of gods and goddesses graced the landscape, and magnificent oaks trailed along the wide street. The air was heavy with the scent of night-blooming jasmine and countless other flowers Gaderian couldn't identify.
    Up several steps, they entered the apartment building, and Gaderian observed an elevator to his left. He'd seen this contraption in other buildings and knew it was operated by magic. Stilo would have to perform the spell, for Gaderian had never had reason to use it. Talmora's tits! What if he was too drunk to recall the spell?
    Slumping against him, Stilo performed the incantation, making vague circles in the air and