by Anjela Renee
“This is Maurice. How did things go in the hotel room with Mary?”
“Everything went as planned. You should call her; I planted the seed. Now tell me, where is my Salihah?”
“Not so fast, friend. You get her location when Mary is mine.”
“And if she still doesn't want you?”
“Then you will never find Salihah.”
The phone went silent. Dakarai was getting very tired of the game Maurice was playing; he wanted nothing more than to kill Maurice and free Mary of him for good. He wanted to find Salihah, but wondered if sacrificing Mary was truly worth it.
As he walked along Eight Mile road, the music from the local strip clubs spilled out into the street. He walked into one and knew he could definitely hunt there. It was true he could get a donor or even the bottled blood that had recently hit the open market, but there was nothing like a real hunt in his opinion. He strolled into the club and the bouncer hardly noticed him thanks to the Vampire powers any Vampire over a thousand possessed. He took a seat toward the back of the club and watched the women dance. They gyrated on the pole, doing moves that defied gravity, while stripping. He watched until he decided which one he wanted. She was tall with her hair in a short straight bob. She was dark skinned, very similar in coloring to Salihah. When she finished her dance, she started trolling the floor. He waved to her. She approached, slowly swaying her hips as she walked.
“Hello handsome. Interested in a private dance?” she purred.
Dakarai smiled at her. “I could be convinced; is there a private room?”
The stripper indicated a curtained off area toward one end of the club. He nodded and followed her. It was a small cubicle—just enough room for a love seat couch. Dakarai plopped down, pulled out several one hundred dollar bills, and placed them on the table next to the couch. The stripper smiled, and then she started her dance. She moved to the thumping music, her breast inches from his face. Dakarai pulled out more money for her; she tried to grab it but he pulled it back.
“This is for an extra service I require.”
“I’m not a whore,” she said angrily.
“No, my dear. I am a vampire. I want to feed from you.”
The stripper stopped dancing and sat next to him. She leaned in with a look of shock on her face. “For real?” she asked, sounding curious.
Dakarai nodded and opened his mouth, showing her his sharp fangs. He was surprised; she showed no fear, only curiosity. She reached out her hand, almost touching his fangs before she pulled her hand back.
“What is your name?” Dakarai asked the stripper.
“Lacey; you know that.”
“No; your real name.”
She swallowed and looked at him thoughtfully. “It's Samantha. I'm not sure why I'm telling you this.”
“Samantha, would you do me the honor of letting me feed from you?”
She looked a little nervous for the first time, and nodded. Dakarai leaned into her, whispering in her ear. “This will hurt only for a moment, and then it will feel good.” He kissed her neck to relax her; then quickly sank his fangs into her.
Samantha let out a small squeal at the shock of the pain, but it only lasted a moment, then the pleasure hit. It was better than any illegal substance she had ever taken, and in her line of work she had tried many. She moaned as he drank from her. She whimpered in protest when he stopped. She wanted more. He licked the wound, sealing it.
“Samantha, I would like to feed from you again. Could I call you?” She nodded and he handed her a card with his number and took down hers as well. Dakarai gave Samantha a small kiss on the cheek and left.
Chapter 17
Mary sat in her apartment along with Sally. After the news and the long story about Dakarai and how Sally became a Vampire, she decided she needed the rest of the night off; not that she had a choice. Sally had a hushed talk with Enri, her boss and maker, and that was the end of that. She couldn't believe how stupid she’d been to trust Dakarai like she had. He was a horrible man just like Maurice. How could she have been fooled twice?
Crying, she hugged Sally, her face stained with her red tinted tears.
Sally stroked Mary's hair and tried to soothe her good friend. “It's not your fault, you understand. He is the oldest Vampire I have ever met and I know he has had lots of practice deceiving people.”
Mary sniffled and sat up, wiping her tears. “That doesn't make me feel that much better, but thanks for being here. Enri will never let me hear the end of this. He already thinks I'm too naive to be working the floor.”
“Don't worry about him; I'll talk to him so he will never mention it. I have lots of dirt on him.”
Mary laughed through her tears and tried to smile. She looked down and saw her green eyed, all gray cat, Shadow. He rubbed up against her and she started to stroke his fur. For some reason that small gesture made her start to feel better. Sally smiled, looking at the cat.
“We had lots of cats where I grew up. They have a way of soothing your soul.”
Mary smiled as she picked up Shadow and gave him a kiss on the head. “I guess you are destined to be the only man in my life.” She laughed, cuddling her cat.
“Don't be discouraged, Mary. It will get better. You just need to get out in the Vampire community. Enri kept you hidden so long most people don't even know you exist.”
“I'm not much of a bar person. What do you suggest? How can I meet other immortals?”
“I hear there is a wine tasting tomorrow, different bloods with local wines,” Sally suggested.
“That actually sounds like fun. Will you go with me?” she asked Sally.
“I don't know; I'm not well liked in the community,” Sally explained.
“Don't be silly; they just don't know you that well yet. We'll go together and make friends together.” Sally was beginning to regret her suggestion when Mary’s cell phone began ringing. The number was from Bloodlust.
“It's work. I'll be right back.” Mary took the phone and answered it as she walked into her bedroom.
“Mary, it's been too long, my love,” a familiar voice answered.
“Maurice?”
“I have missed you. I'm back in town and would like to meet with you.”
“You know I can’t agree to that. You’re a fugitive, wanted by the council.”
“Please, Mary, just meet with me and hear me out, then if you want me to I will leave and never bother you again.”
“I... I need to think about it. Can I call you back?”
“No, but I will call you back soon. Mary?”
“Yes.”
“I never stopped loving you.”
Mary hung up the phone and was speechless. She thought she was once and for all finished with Maurice, but there he was asking to meet. She shakily walked back to the living room to find Shadow licking Sally's nose. She laughed and allowed him to continue. Mary cleared her throat and Sally looked up as Shadow jumped down. Immediately, she knew something was wrong.
“What happened?” Sally asked.
Mary sat down and did her best to begin talking despite her trembling voice. “Just Enri; he wanted to know when I would be okay to come back to work.”
“Are you sure? You look like you just saw a ghost.”
“It's nothing. Hey, I hear the new ice cream place, Michi-cream, just added a special frozen blood. Wanna go give it a try?”
“Mary, how long have we been friends?” Sally asked.
“Longer than I've been a vampire; you know that.”
“My hearing is exceptional. I was just being polite. I could hear Maurice on the phone.”
“Fuck! Damn Vampire hearing!”
“Don't you think we should call the VC?”
“I can't. As much as I despise him, in a small way I still love him.” Mary couldn't stop crying, her blood-tinted tears running down her cheek.
Sally grabbed her friend in a hug, trying her best to comfort her. She stroked her hair and told her everything woul
d be alright.
Maurice hung up the phone and smiled. He knew Mary would agree to meet; she just needed time to realize how much she really loved him. He’d used a disposable phone with some special modifications to make it look like it came from Bloodlust. He looked over at Haley. She slept soundly, finally over the worst part of the turning. He was going to wait, but just couldn't stand the possibility that she might turn him down. She would wake in a few more hours, ready to feed.
“Jacquelyn!” he yelled. She appeared in the doorway, smiling, her brown curly hair in a messy up-do. She wore a yellow flower sundress that fell just below her knees and no shoes.
“We need to prepare for her first feeding; get a blood whore and plenty of bottled blood.”
“Yes, Maurice. Should I get her some new clothes, too?”
“Yes, get a nice selection. Don't spare any expense.”
Jacquelyn nodded and left the room.
Maurice stroked Haley's cheek. She stirred slightly but slept soundly. After turning Jacquelyn, he had perfected a procedure to knock out a human during turning, making it painless and less traumatic. Jacquelyn's turning was quite difficult. Due to her extensive drug use, her body had built a tolerance to many of the standard drugs that were easily accessible. He found a mixture that worked well enough that she was in and out of consciousness. It was the best he could do at the time, but since then had perfected the formula. It wasn't too long ago that he hated what he was, but now that he’d made peace with what he was he wanted to create children so that he and Mary could be a real family.
Haley opened her eyes. Her whole body was sore, and she felt groggy and pain radiated through her head, worse than any pain she had ever felt. Her throat was dry and she was so thirsty, but she didn’t know what she wanted. She stood up from the bed she was laying in and looked down at her body in shock. She had always been a little plump, but she was content with her curves. Now her body was sculpted and much more lean. The room was dark but she could see perfectly. She had never been in the room before, but found a door to the bathroom. She turned on the light and looked at her reflection in the mirror. I'm hot, she thought to herself. She smiled, and was horrified to see that she had fangs. She poked at her own fangs with her finger. It was a curious sensation; she wasn't quite sure what to think. Someone making a squealing sound behind her startled her. She turned and found Jacquelyn smiling and jumping up and down excitedly.
“My new sister,” she said as she hugged Haley.
Haley forced a smile but closed her mouth quickly, feeling the fangs still poking out.
“It's okay; I know they feel funny at first. Here are some dresses I bought. I wasn't sure what size to get so I got a variety. Oh, you must be starved. Hey Matt!” Jacquelyn yelled and a very handsome man appeared in the doorway.
He was tall with sandy blonde hair and the most vivid blue eyes she had ever seen. She could hear his heartbeat, the blood flowing through his veins. Her fangs ached and her mouth watered. Haley turned away and ran back into the bathroom, slamming the door.
Chapter 18
Maurice heard a commotion coming from the bedroom. He went to investigate and found Jacquelyn and the blood whore inside and Jacquelyn talking to Haley through the bathroom door.
“What is going on here?” Maurice demanded.
“I'm so sorry, Maurice; she freaked out when I brought Matt in to feed her. She won’t come out!” Jacquelyn sputtered out.
“Leave, both of you! I will fix this mess you made.”
Jacquelyn grabbed Matt by the shoulder and they both quickly left the room. Maurice lightly knocked on the door and spoke in the most comforting voice he could muster.
“Haley, Sweetie, it’s time to come and feed.”
“Go away! I want to die. I won’t bite anyone.”
“You don’t have to; I have bottled blood. A donor would have been better for your first feeding, but bottled will do for now. Please come out, Haley.”
The door cracked open, and Haley poked her head out slightly. Maurice smiled at her as she slowly came out of the bathroom. Maurice couldn't help but smile at his creation. She was pretty before, but now she was breathtaking.
“Now that’s much better. Here is a bottle of blood. Drink it and we can talk.”
Haley tentatively took the bottled blood. She sat on the bed, opened it, sniffed it, and made a face.
“This smells awful; I can’t drink it.”
“It's this or I call the donor in.”
“Crap, fine.” She took a deep breath and took a long drink, swallowed, and then coughed.” This tastes worse than it smells. How can you drink this?”
“I don’t. I prefer fresh from a donor, but Jacquelyn doesn't like drinking from donors so she drinks bottled. Let me bring in the donor. Just try, and if you can’t then no harm done.”
Haley nodded and then Matt was in the room by her side. He smelled so good, and not just the cologne he was wearing. She could smell his blood and it smelled good, really good. Her fangs were painfully aching. Before she knew what she was doing her fangs were in him and she drank greedily. Matt moaned at the pleasure of the feeding.
After a few moments, Maurice tapped at Haley's shoulder. “Time to stop, my dear.”
She forced herself from him and retracted her fangs almost automatically. She licked the blood from his throat and the wound sealed itself. She smiled at Maurice with blood still on her teeth.
Sally left Mary's apartment. She stood on the porch of her house and wasn't very excited about going home just yet. She decided she would go out, and left on a whim, taking Javon's 1972 red mustang convertible. It was a warm evening and the wind in her hair would feel so nice. She slid into the car and turned the ignition. The purr and vibration of the car brought a smile to her face. She backed out of the driveway, put the car in gear, and squealed the tires as she sped away. She looked in her rear view mirror to see Javon with his fist in the air, yelling her name. She laughed out loud, but she knew she would have a very angry vampire child to deal with when she got home.
Connor was very glad to have the night off. He tried calling Sally, but she didn’t answer her phone. He dropped by her house, only to find a fuming Javon ranting about Sally and his stolen Mustang. Deciding he didn't want to get in the middle of that, he nodded his head and politely left. He didn't want to spend the night alone so he decided to go to Bite, a werewolf bar. A few beers and a raw steak sounded like just the thing to take his mind off Sally and the memories of her naked body.
Connor walked into the bar his pack frequented and froze in place as he spotted his sister, Anna, dancing with a Vampire. A growl erupted from his throat as he watched his baby sister getting much too close to the blood sucker. She had her arms wrapped around him as they danced. Connor took a deep breath and calmly walked over to them. He tapped the Vampire on the shoulder and he turned around.
In a calm but deadly voice he said, “Hello, I'm Connor and that’s my sister you’re pawing.”
Anna took her hands from Ebo. “Fuck,” Anna said under her breath. She felt like a little kid again, caught doing something wrong.
“It's nice to meet you, Connor. I am Ebo,” Ebo said, offering his hand to Connor.
“Come with me, Ebo; we need to talk,” Connor said, ignoring the gesture.
“Connor, stop this!” Anna demanded.
“Anna, stay out of this. We'll be right back,” Connor replied dismissively. Ebo walked with Connor out of the bar and into the parking lot.
“Ebo, I have to say I am not happy finding you with my baby sister. I don’t like the idea of anyone taking advantage of her.”
Ebo cleared his throat and straightened up. “I want you to know I would never do anything disrespectful. It was her idea to come here. I think as a test. I passed.”
“I see,” Connor replied, pacing back and forth a moment then stopping. “My sister is a werewolf. If you want to date her, you must follow the werewolf dating customs.”
“I am unfamiliar
with those. What does that involve?”
“Normally, you ask permission before dating; I will overlook that. Next you go on a first date, chaperoned by her father, brother, or uncle. I will consider this a first date and chaperone the rest of your date. Holding hands is permitted as is a polite kiss at the end of the date.”
Ebo scoffed at the idea of all this to bed a female but he couldn't help it, he liked her. “I will do whatever is necessary. I like your sister. She’s remarkable.”
Connor made a fist at his side, trying hard to control his temper. The last thing he needed was for the pack leader to get pissed. “Let’s go back in. Oh, and one more thing, don’t fuck this up or I will hurt you.”
Anna sat in the bar with Ebo and her brother. She felt more awkward than she had ever felt in her life. Despite her objection, she had been forced to follow the ridiculous werewolf courtship rituals. The same ones she had avoided her whole life. They sat there silently for what seemed like an eternity. Anna looked around the room; she could feel the eyes of the other wolves on her.
“Connor, could you give us a little space?” Anna asked. Connor nodded and got up and walked over to the bar. He sat on the stool with his beer, facing the table where Connor and Anna sat. Anna took a deep breath and exhaled.
“I'm sorry about this.”
Ebo took Anna's hand in his. “It's nothing. I am a patient man and you are worth it.”
Chapter 19
The next night Mary sat in silent misery. She would rather be anywhere but there at the moment. Maurice sat with a coffee and sipped quietly. He was just as she remembered. It was hard to believe he wasn't the same man she remembered before he was turned. Mary recalled the time they spent picnicking under the trees on her family’s estate, their shared passionate kisses. And now there they sat at a 24-hour diner in downtown Detroit, the same place Maurice use to go to troll for his nightly meals.