I pulled one of the fancy no-stick skillets from under the counter, peeled off the price sticker and washed it. I grabbed my bag of garlic chicken, dumped it in the skillet, put on the lid and then ran upstairs to get the Buffy DVDs and take off my shoes. Willy’s eerie howl made me look over the railing as I exited the bedroom. He was sitting right where I left him, staring into the corner and singing an octave too high — like he does when he hears a siren.
“Hush, Willy! What is it, you dumb dog? I don’t hear anything.” I followed his gaze. “Raf?”
He cowered in the darkness of the corner by the desk, eyes dilated, lips drawn back and fangs fully exposed. What the hell? Then realization hit me. Garlic chicken … seriously? I sprinted to the kitchen and snatched the skillet from the stove. Now what?
Grabbing the keycard from the table, I jumped in the elevator and hit the button. As soon as the door opened I slapped the light switch and ran to the garage door, inserting the key. When the door rose I hurled the skillet — and my dinner — into the night.
“Raf, I’m so sorry! Drink this please,” I held the bottle to his lips. “Please?”
He sipped once, then again.
“I’m sorry, what can I do?”
He shook his head, the dark brown of his eyes beginning to show around still engorged pupils.
The kitchen exhaust fan had to suffice since there were no doors or windows to air the space.
“Can you warm another bottle?”
“Sure Raf, honey. Let’s get you settled.” I led him to the sofa, and then scurried back to the kitchen. He finished the first before I got back with the next and looked better for it. It makes me weird, right, that I can say he looks better with bloodstains on his teeth? “Can you forgive me? I wasn’t thinking.”
He drained the bottle before he spoke again. “You eat, and we’ll watch Buffy.” He seemed almost normal. Almost.
“Are you sure? This is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You get that part, right?” When he nodded I hesitantly hit PLAY.
A peanut butter sandwich and glass of milk comprised my meal. I sat on the sofa with Raf’s head in my lap, trying not to get crumbs in his hair.
I fell asleep somewhere during season three with all my questions still unanswered.
Have you ever awakened abruptly, certain you had forgotten something important? You were supposed to pick up Aunt Millie at the bus station, but you were so engrossed in the newest vampire novel that you totally forgot?
As soon as my eyes popped open, I knew I hadn’t taken Willy out since before we left for the grocery store the night before! I rolled over and off the sofa I went. Rather than wake me, Raf left me where I lay, covered by a plaid throw. I righted myself and was nose to nose with Willy. His thumping tail made me smile. I pulled on my sandals and reached for him.
“I’m sorry Willy. I’m a bad Mom,” I whispered in his ear. “And you have been such a good boy.”
I snatched the keycard and opened the elevator. Down we went. Open door, turn on lights, stick card in gizmo and daylight! The sun shone brightly, bouncing off the windshields of the sparse traffic. I positioned Willy, but again my assistance proved unnecessary.
“Wow kid! Good boy!”
A call to Julie Smith was in order as soon as the clinic opened. While thrilled by the exciting developments in Willy’s condition the past couple of days, I wanted someone knowledgeable to agree he was improving before my hopes got too high.
As I scooped him into my arms, I spotted the empty skillet by the curb. Some stray dog or cat ate well last night. Retrieving it, I found it un-dented, although badly scuffed. Maybe the mark could be buffed out? If not, I owed my roomies an expensive new skillet.
CHAPTER 8
Wake up already! I’d showered and dressed for work to save time. Willy ignored my pacing. He seemed pretty tuckered out after our play session.
We had rolled and tussled, tugged and pulled, even played a little fetch, with me doing most of the fetching. Julie had been cautiously optimistic of Willy’s sudden improvement when I called but warned me he might relapse at any time.
“Keep using the cart. Don’t let him overdo it.” She cautioned.
I held on to my miracle with both hands and waited for a sign he knew his bladder was full. Mid-day I quashed the urge to take him outside, and absently ate a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a peach.
When he finally began to fidget and whine we headed for the elevator. Seven hours had elapsed since he last went out. His tail went into overdrive when I praised him. He’d felt the urge. Willy could feel! With a prayer for his continued improvement, I called Dee to share the news.
“Fantastic! Is he on a new medication?”
“No. I don’t know what’s happened. You need to come visit, I have something for you.” I gave her the condensed version of the infamous garlic chicken episode.
She was very consoling about my blunder … after she laughed her head off. Her own contact with vampires had been extremely limited — she was pretty sure.
“Bye, Connie. I’ll see you in a couple of days. Oh, Cindy said to tell you she owes you one.”
“Good! I’ll call her on it if I need to switch shifts with someone. Bye, girl, give Jimmy my love. Oh and Dee? I almost forgot to mention, I have two room-mates.”
“Really, what’s the other one like?”
“I’ll have to get back to you on that. But his name is Tom. Bye, Dee!” I heard her screaming as I hit OFF. Ha! That would give her something to chew on for a while.
I hung up the kitchen phone, turned and collided with Tom. If he hadn’t grabbed me, I would have gone down.
“Sorry.” I said reflexively. “No, I’m not! You guys need to stop sneaking up on me. I’m too young for a heart attack.” Could you put some clothes on?
He yawned. “Old habits,” he muttered as he stretched languorously and I watched in fascination as the muscles rippled across his chest and neck. He stepped past me, headed for the fridge.
“Allow me.” I removed a bottle of Red from the fridge and zapped it in the microwave for a minute.
Tilting the bottle back and forth, I made a show of removing the cap before plunking the RR down in front of him. Leaning back against the cabinet I sipped my diet Dr. Pepper and waited.
Tom yawned again and ran a hand through his hair, then picked up the bottle and brought it to his lips. “Thanks.”
Not even a lisp. Is it the proximity to blood that made his fangs descend or just the thought of feeding?
Tom took a sizable swallow and his eyes opened wide. The next sip he whirled around in his mouth before swallowing. He didn’t seem mad.
“What have you done?”
“Who me?” I hadn’t been brave enough for a taste test, but Willy seemed to enjoy the flavor. “Do you like it?”
“Memories of rare grilled steak — almost.”
He dimpled again when I pulled the bottle of Liquid Smoke from behind my back. He was wide-awake now and I had his full attention!
“Wait a minute. Why couldn’t you smell it?” Vampires possess a keen sense of smell. They could track better than a bloodhound.
Tom raised an eyebrow then drawled, “Must be the garlic.”
Well, I did ask. “Sorry, Boss. I didn’t think.”
“Stop that.”
“What?”
“My name is Tom.”
“And at work?”
“Well, I suppose I can make an exception there, but I’d prefer you use my name.”
“I’ll try to remember that - Tom.”
“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Raf asked as he slid his arm around me and kissed my cheek. His nose wrinkled. “Something stinks in here.”
“Sorry.” I noted he was dressed and had taken time to tan as I got him a bottle and nuked it. Tom concentrated on his drink.
Raf took a big gulp and his eyes grew.
“ … Cherries?”
I nodded.
Tom offered his bottle. “Try mine.”
“What have
you two been up to?” Raf asked.
“I had nothing to do with it. Ask her.”
“It’s really nothing special. I just added some powdered drink mix to yours and some hickory flavoring to Tom’s. Do you think the fruit flavor might be better cold?”
“Let’s find out.” Raf got a glass and filled it with ice. Slowly pouring the flavored Red over the cubes, he swirled it round in the glass for a minute or two before taking a sip. “Umm, it’s good either way. Sort of cherry pie-ish when heated and more fruit drink when chilled. Did you try it?”
“Me?” Sorry, I don’t do rare. Willy liked it.”
“Hey, some humans get off on it!” Raf said.
“Some people get off on anything.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
“Well, I think you’re on to something here,” Tom said with a smile. “Needs some tweaking, but that’s what R&D is for. I predict Razorback Red sales will go through the roof!
“And this makes you happy, why?”
“’Cause it’s one of his companies, Doll,” Raf answered.
“Oh!” I should have made the connection. Most businesses with vending machines have several different companies represented. Midnight Sun had a Coke machine, Pepsi machine, and a Tom’s snack machine for the humans, but for the vamps, only Razorback Red.
The number of blood replacement brands ran about even with soda. Everyone had jumped on that bandwagon to make a buck. Heck, I’d read negotiations were ongoing with the Red Cross to use human hemoglobin in place of, or in conjunction with, porcine to make the vampire beverage. It was doubtful the Red Cross would comply, so other alternatives were being explored.
“Do you own one of those new blood donation centers?”
“They aren’t open yet. Why?” Tom paused to finish his ‘steak’.
“Won’t they take donors away from the Red Cross?”
“Not really. We will accept blood they can’t. Vampires can’t catch human diseases. So, people with hepatitis, tuberculosis, cancer, and other diseases could still donate. We tried to negotiate for their outdated blood, but they’d rather dispose of it than let it go to a good cause. Of course they’re all too happy to accept vampire blood.”
“If you use tainted blood, won’t you have to use warning labels so humans will know not to drink it?” Ick factor aside, some people truly would drink anything!
“Yes, but with the human component we won’t need added supplements. We pay our donors, so everyone wins.” A frown etched his brow. “Unfortunately, due to the risk factor, the plant will have to be manned by vampires. That may cause a discrimination issue.”
“Well, maybe not, once the risk is known.” I took a deep breath, time for a subject change. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is the company policy on dating?” Well that certainly got their attention! Both men stared at me like I had a mouse hanging out of my mouth.
Tom frowned. “Could you be a little more specific?”
The question is pretty self-explanatory. “Are we allowed to date customers or for that matter, other employees?” Raf turned to Tom. Tom stared at Raf. Raf grinned. Tom didn’t. Color me confused.
“Why?” Tom asked.
“Someone asked for my number and we hadn’t discussed the official policy so I didn’t know what to say. I’m sure the same thing has happened to Raf — right?”
“Not yet! But I’m hopeful … ” Raf smiled brightly into Tom’s glare. “What?”
Tom cleared his throat. “The salon is not a dating service but I suppose that would be acceptable — but no fraternizing during business hours.”
“So, no making out in dark corners or the service closet?” Why are his panties in a bunch?
Tom growled. “It’s late. We’ll discuss house rules another time.” He turned the bar stool and stalked from the room.
“Was it something I said?
Raf’s answer was a toothsome grin.
Tom returned brown, dressed, scowl still firmly in place. Time for us to head out. So much for those ground rules I planned to get set!
“Still didn’t get the grand tour, did you doll?” Raf draped an arm across my shoulder.
“No big. I showed myself around but I didn’t want to barge in with you sleeping and all. I’d just need to know what to do in case of an emergency and where the laundry and tanning stuff is.” We emerged from the elevator into the dark garage. Raf flipped the light switch.
“Middle room, our side of the hall.” Tom clipped as he stepped into the Hummer.
“My goodness — what got into him?” Raf held the Civic door open for me, grinning like a possum. “I’m in the room across from you. Next to mine is the bath we refurbished for the tanning stuff. Laundry is at the end of the hall. And Hon? Unless I get lucky, you don’t have to knock.” The door slid down behind us as Raf headed the Civic uptown.
“Raf?”
“Um?”
“You can tell a vamp on sight right? Even if they’re tanned?”
“Uh-huh.”
“So if one asked me out, you could tell me what to expect? Not that I’m looking!”
“Girl, expect the usual. Sex is a constant. You’ll know. If he’s a vamp and interested enough to ask you out, he’s going to show fang. We just can’t help it.”
“But don’t other things cause that, too?”
“Yes, but I was speaking in context. If a vamp asks you out, he’s going to be interested in you sexually, and as a snack.”
I squeaked.
“Oh, like you haven’t thought about it! A little love bite, nothing deadly — vamp’s version of a hickey. So he’ll show fang. But you’re correct. Extreme emotion can have the same effect, anger, fear, lust. You need to read the body language.”
“I’m not sure I know how.”
“You do it every day with Willy — same thing. We’re all animals.” He pulled in beside the Hummer. “You get Willy to do his thing before we go in. Boss says I’m not to leave you out here alone.”
“He told me not to call him that.” I placed Willy on the ground and tugged the diaper tabs. “Do you see, Raf? No help needed!”
“Well, my, my! When did this start?”
My stomach rolled, threatening to empty. “What’s that smell?”
The sweet, cloying smell was sickening. Something like formaldehyde mixed with vanilla. Willy growled. I glanced down. He stood on his own with hackles raised, tail slowly wagging from side to side. This was a threatening wag, not a happy one. I had no time to dwell on his demeanor or stance. Raf grabbed my hand, snatched up Willy with his other and whisked us into the salon lobby before I had time to blink.
“What’s wrong? Did you see something?” The smell seemed familiar to me but it took me a minute to put it together. The smell was like the dumpster, minus the rotting garbage. “Raf?”
In the office he waved his hands in agitation. Tom rose from his desk and walked to the door.
“May I have a word?”
I nodded and hurried to finish up with the customer at hand. I provided the requisite goggles and towel, and then punched a second hole in his card. He was blond and seemed about my age, very tall, very pale, with bright blue eyes and a ready smile. He winked at me as he entered the tanning room. Tom scowled. This might have been an exciting development if not for the strange occurrence in the parking lot. With a sigh, I followed Tom into the office.
“What’s up?”
“Someone or something doesn’t seem to want us here.”
“Okay. Care to elaborate on that? Wait! Something?”
“A spell has been cast that’s designed to drive people away.”
“Magic has an odor?” My learning curve swerved. “A witch cast a spell?”
“Other things dabble in magic. How do you feel?”
There was that word again! “Not so hot now that you mention it, kind of woozy and nauseous. Why?”
“Because I suspect this spell is only binding to humans. We’ll know soon enough if no human customers arrive t
his evening.” He shrugged, as if this was all commonplace. “Stay inside. If you go out, it’s doubtful you’ll be able to re-enter until the spell has been lifted.”
“Hold on and back up! You said things! What things?” I’d always known we weren’t alone on this piece of rock. I never doubted there were others. Were they friend or foe? “You are so going to have to brief me on all this!”
His sullen expression became a dimpled smile. Raf grinned. I got the distinct impression I had passed another test. My left eyebrow rose. Turning on my heel, I marched into the lobby to attend to my duties, wishing fervently someone would tell me what was going on.
As it turned out we were busy, busy, busy all evening. And as Tom feared, every single customer was non-human! We were turning into the new vampire social club.
Humans tend to find fault with anyone different than themselves. The more vamps blended in, the easier their lives among us. Every vamp in the state seemed to agree Tom’s idea was an excellent one. It seemed the entire Arky vamp population picked tonight to get some midnight sun! The ward around the salon was the conversational topic of the evening. The fact only the salon and about one half the parking lot was affected, seemed to be of special interest. The adjacent bars and restaurants weren’t affected. This led to speculation Tom had enemies.
I overheard bits of conversations. The “old ones” it seemed, were unhappy with all the notoriety the vampire community was receiving. While happy to make money from and live — don’t forget feed — off the humans, they wanted their existence kept secret. They weren’t happy being outed.
The elders considered themselves superior to humans! Yet these were some of the same vamps that held they couldn’t go into churches and would perish if touched by a cross, holy water or other religious icon. Since they believed so strongly, perhaps they would. So much for superiority!
The tall, blond, and now tan vamp lingered after his session. He mingled with others waiting their turn. Each time our eyes met, he smiled.
I took a minute to look up his membership info, Randolph Anderson. He bought the Lifetime package. Ouch! “Randy” was over a hundred years old because his age was not shown. Only Vamps under the century mark were required to list their ages. Their IDs would read BV1 through BV99, the BV standing for “Became Vampire” and the number, years since they were human. There weren’t a lot of BV1-10’s because of strict regulations regarding bringing anyone into the fold, accompanied by lots of red tape.
Midnight Sun, Inc. (Crimson Romance) Page 6