David shrugged slightly. “It’s hard to say. I could list a baker’s dozen off the top of my head right now.”
I felt my jaw drop again. “Wow! That’s, uhm, that’s amazing,” I muttered with a shake of my head. “So, how is your Order different from the others? I mean, I know you don’t have fangs and you actually age, but how else are you different from say, the Dracula-type vampires in all the movies and books?”
“Well, let’s see, other than those two, I imagine the most considerable difference is that we have heartbeats. Ours is much slower, barely detectable normally. However, when we feed directly from a Willing, it jump starts, if you will, our system. Our heart beats regularly again, our body temperature rises and our color returns. It lasts, depending on how much we consume, for just a few moments up to three quarters of an hour.”
“So, that’s why Develyn felt so hot last night. He must have fed from someone just before he, he did what he did to me.”
David’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. We are extremely cold otherwise. Which is the very reason why those of this Order are so dependent on Willings. It makes them feel almost human again.”
“So do the Willings know you’re real Vampires?”
“Yes. Many of the Willings are the loved ones of an Unnatural Mortal. They are the husbands or wives or lovers. However, we carefully screen those who want to submit themselves as a Willing.”
“Screen them? Like perform a physical and back ground check on them or something?”
He almost smiled. “In a manner of speaking, I suppose. You see, with our acute sense of smell, we can detect the state of one’s health and their personal habits. For example, we can determine if a person has a common cold or has been stricken with a cancer. We can distinguish between a person taking an over the counter medication or one who abuses illegal narcotics.”
“Really? All that just by smelling them?”
“Yes. And only when it is determined that the person is in perfect health, do we bother having our people investigate their personal and financial backgrounds.”
“You have people that investigate?”
“Yes. Many of this Order are employed in the natural world. Some in the law enforcement, legal and medical professions.”
“Wow. So, there really are people out there, willing to be, uhm, a food source for vampires,” I asked hoping I didn’t sound too judgmental.
“Surprisingly, yes.”
“Wow. So, how do you go about finding them?”
“Up until a few years ago, they could only be introduced to us through underground clubs or secret societies that catered to certain, eh, proclivities and fetishes. But now there’s the World Wide Web and since everyone is, more or less, selling themselves on the Internet, it’s merely a matter of peruse, point and click.”
I was a little shocked by his critical observation, but realized he was right. That was essentially what people were doing on the Net.
Curious if he had done any online shopping lately, I grabbed my water bottle and took a sip before hastily asking, “So, do you have any Willings?”
He waited till I actually met his eyes before he answered. “I used to, but ironically, the practice became distasteful to me.”
I’ll admit, I was thrilled to hear him say that and I tried to keep my response nonchalant. “Really? Why’s that,” I asked, sitting the bottle back down.
“To drink from someone is such an intimate act. To do so with the intention of just feeling human again, is much like one patronizing a prostitute, I would imagine. It leaves one feeling hollow and empty.”
Again, I was happy, almost giddy really, that he seemed to live by a strict moral code and I held back a grin as I confirmed, “So, you don’t drink or feed from humans, then?”
“No. For over the past thirty years I’ve fed from donated bagged blood of our Willings,” he said, nodding to his goblet.
My eyes darted to it and back to his face.
It was unsettling to realize that he had been drinking blood all the while we were talking and hoping that my shock didn’t register on my face, I moved on. “Are all Willings, Marked?”
“No. Most are, but we have a few Willings that submit to more than one vampire. Like your former friend, Cara, for example.”
Somehow I wasn’t surprised to learn that about her and since he brought her up, I had to ask, “What happened with her? I mean, do you know why she up and left town like she did?”
With a slight shrug, he coolly replied, “I merely suggested she sever all ties with you immediately and consider relocating or face some unpleasant consequences.”
Now David was a menacing figure alone, but combined with that not so veiled threat, I could see why Cara had hauled her ample arse, as Robert had referred to it, out of town so quickly.
I could also tell that this was David’s polite way of saying he didn’t want to talk about her any more and I moved on, asking, “So Willings aren’t automatically Marked when they are first drank from?”
He seemed impressed by my astute observation and his eyebrows quirked. “No. To Mark someone, a vampire must speak the words over that person before they drink from them.”
“That’s it? There’s no physical or actual mark of some kind left on the person or anything?”
When he shook his head, I asked, “Then how do other vampires know who’s been Marked and by whom?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. We simply sense it.”
“I see. So, how many people have you Marked?”
“Only two in my time.”
My heartbeat doubled and my stomach fluttered wildly at the thought that I was one of the only two.
“Since you said you once slept in the forest, must mean you don’t actually have to sleep in a coffin filled with dirt.”
His lips thinned. “No. No coffin or dirt for me. I have a nice big bed right upstairs.”
I’ll admit when he said that, my thoughts took a wayward turn, quickly dominoing to the ultimate question of sex.
Now, I had felt Develyn’s little soldier’s salute the night before, when he held me against his body, but I wondered if this Order of vampires were physically able to engage in sexual intercourse? From start to finish. But as quickly as that thought popped into my head, I squashed it. Deciding that was going to remain a morbid curiosity, an unanswered question, because I wasn’t about to ask him such a thing.
With a gentle clear of my throat, I moved on and asked, “Can you shape change into a wolf or bat?”
“No. I’m simply not that talented,” he said with a grin tugging at the left corner of his mouth.
“Oh. Well, you know how lately, in all the vampire movies and books, that every vampire seems to know karate and can fight like a ninja? Well, do you have special fighting abilities, like the martial arts or anything?”
He nodded. “I’ve seen a film or two like you are referring to, but sorry, we don’t inherit, if you will, such skills when we Turn. We, of this Order, rely solely on our heightened senses and incredible strength and speed to defend ourselves.”
“If ever you were injured, would you heal immediately?”
Scratching his temple, he said, “It would depend on the severity of the injury. For example, if I were to have an arm lopped off, it would not regenerate. However, minor lacerations, fractured bones and such do heal almost instantaneously. I imagine that particular ability can be attributed to Valaree’s vanity and her bargain with Satan.”
“Can you go out into the sunlight or would you burst into flames?”
“There would be no instantaneous bursting into flames, but it does make us blister and renders us quite lethargic. In fact, a lot quicker than it used to, but I suppose that can be attributed to the depletion of the ozone.”
At first, I almost laughed. A century old vampire talking about such a contemporary topic as the hole in the ozone, but then I realized, why not? He lived on the same planet as I did.
“Do you have a reflection in a mirror?”<
br />
“Yes. I exist. I am made of matter, therefore real, and would have a reflection.”
“Well, that does make sense, doesn’t it. What about garlic? Are you repelled by it?”
“Only when Robert over uses it in his cooking.”
“Oh? So does that mean you can eat norm–, eh, regular food?”
“Yes, I can. However, it remains in my system for some time and again, leaves me feeling lethargic and therefore, I do not bother.”
“Oh. How about crosses and holy water? Do they or can they, hurt you?”
“Crosses are merely man made symbols of God. One could only hurt me if it were used as a weapon to pierce my heart. However, water is a true creation of God and if it is blessed by a truly righteous man or woman of God, then yes, it would blister us and render us temporarily paralyzed. And if ingested, it would induce a coma.”
Now being a Christian, Baptist in faith, I’ll admit, I was surprised that he spoke of God so easily. I didn’t think a being like him could even say His name without experiencing pain or some sort of holy repercussion and I just couldn’t disguise the amazement in my voice when I whispered, “You believe in God?”
“Yes, of course,” he said, his voice becoming hard. “I was raised practicing the Protestant faith and was very devout throughout my natural life.”
He looked at his goblet and made a face as if suddenly repulsed by it and placed it on the table. “However, I haven’t stepped a foot in a sanctuary in more than 115 years . . .”
I could tell he had grown uncomfortable with the subject, so I changed it by asking the last question that came to mind, “Can you read the minds of everyone you come in contact with?”
He stiffened ever so slightly. “No. There must exist a mental bond, if you will, between us and the other person. We can only read the thoughts of those we have cast into an enthrallment, Marked or, in other vampires cases, those they have Turned.”
‘Those we have Marked’. My heart began to pound in my ears and I felt my temperature rise. David could and probably had read my thoughts! My too embarrassing to voice aloud thoughts! I felt a little nauseous. “Did you– have you read any of my thoughts tonight?” I croaked out.
His solemn stare met my wide-eyed gaping. “Yes. A time or two,” he admitted. “And, if I may, I would like to address an issue that seems to have concerned you.”
My face flamed. “No!” I blurted, as I waved my hands frantically. “You don’t have to. Really, you don’t have to explain yourself to me.”
“Be that as it may, I want to. I want to explain my relationship with Gloria Hays.”
I had a feeling I knew what he was going to say, but I didn’t want to hear it and I actually had to fight the urge to cover my ears and start chanting, I don’t hear you! I don’t hear you!
“Gloria was my companion and lover for nearly thirty years.”
And there it was. With jealousy stabbing at my heart, I turned toward the fire, so he couldn’t see the hurt I’m sure was showing in my face.
Well, he certainly killed two birds with one stone with that revelation, I had thought miserably. Not only was he physically able to engage in sexual intercourse, but apparently he and his little vampire girlfriend had been doing it for thirty years! Thirty years! Most marriages didn’t even last that long.
“However, Miss Perkins, Gloria ended our relationship more than thirty years ago when she realized that I did not love her and could not give her what she most desired . . . Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I was too embarrassed and hurt to speak and so I just shook my head.
“When Develyn Turned Gloria, she had no other choice but to stage her death, like many others have done. This then left her son, James, to be reared by Joy, her only sister. When Joy died of lung cancer in 1975 and James was killed in an auto accident in 1976, Gloria’s will to go on, died along with him. She wanted me, had begged me, to end her existence, but I could not. And I could not because I did not love her. I never had.”
When he said that, my eyes snapped back to his and we just stared at each other.
In the awkward silence that followed, my cell phone rang, startling us both.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Our Farewell
Grabbing the phone, I saw it was my mother. I knew full well that if she didn’t reach me on either my cell or home phone, she would more than likely run over to my house and once she discovered I wasn’t there, she would worry. And the next time I talked to her, she would surely demand answers . . .
After the fourth ring, I answered, trying hard to sound casual. “Hi. Oh, I had it turned off ‘cause I was sleeping. Yeah, I’m fine. I’m going back to bed though. Okay. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you too. Bye.”
Hanging up, I tossed the phone back into my purse and with a heavy sigh, I ran my fingers through my hair. I hadn’t liked lying to her, but I couldn’t tell her where I really was. I wasn’t about to open that can of worms.
“You should not be so hard on yourself, Miss Perkins,” he said gently. “I say a little white lie, designed to save a loved one from needless worry and pain, is well worth telling.”
Messaging the back of my neck, I looked bash-fully at him and smiled. “I s’pose you’re right. She doesn’t ever need to know about any this.”
He nodded with another close-lipped smile. “Yes, that would be best,” he said, and after another moment of silent stares between us, he asked, “Are there any other questions I may answer for you?”
I’ll admit, a small part of me was curious about Gloria, but I couldn’t bring myself to pry. And even though there were many other things, personal things, I wanted to know about him, I just couldn’t ask them. Ultimately, I figured why bother? What real purpose would there be to know more about him than I already did? It wasn’t like we were ever going to see each other again. Once I left, there was no real reason to come back.
“No. I can’t think of anything. So,” I said with another sigh. “I guess I should get going.”
“Yes, well, the hour has grown late,” he agreed heartily as he stood. “Shall I see you to the gate?”
I know it’s ridiculous, but I was hurt that he seemed to be almost rushing me out the door. And with disappointment burning my stomach and sting-ing my eyes, I told him, “No thanks.”
With a stiff nod, he brusquely replied, “Very well, then. I’ll have Robert meet you at the gate.”
Standing, I grabbed my coat and slipped it on and wrapped the scarf loosely around my neck and then collected the rest of my things from the table.
When I was finished, I forced myself to meet his eyes. “Well, I should go,” I muttered and stuck out my hand for a farewell handshake.
He looked at it and when his eyes returned to mine, they were uneasy. “I’m sorry,” he began with a shake of his head. “I am so cold I’m sure you would find it quite disturbing if I were to touch your bare skin.”
I was touched by his gentlemanly concern for my comfort and so acting quickly, I slipped my right glove on and held my hand out again, determined to say goodbye properly.
With a grim smile, he reached across the table and gently grasped it, saying, “Goodbye, Miss Perkins.”
“Goodbye, David,” I said, calling him by his given name for the first, and, what I was sure to be, the last time.
I turned to go and as I headed for the foyer, the enormity of it all washed over me like a wave.
Vampires existed! They really did exist. And I had been Marked by one for protection. Marked by one who had never Turned a victim in his entire existence. . . Marked by one who hadn’t Marked Gloria Hays . . . when she had been in the very same predicament, I was in the night before. . . The Gloria Hays he said he had never loved. . .
Stopping short, I whirled around to ask one final question, but the room was empty. The only sign of life was the crackling and dancing flames in the hearth.
The hair on the back of my neck stood and wi
th a shiver racing down my spine, I turned and ran from the room and out the front door.
Cold night air blasted my flushed face and the bright light from the half moon bathed everything in a silvery sheen.
I hurried down the drive and as I neared the gates, my footsteps faltered when I saw David standing there. He held one side of the gate open and as I approached more slowly, he bowed slightly. “Was there something else after all, Miss Perkins?”
I was momentarily struck speechless by the sight of him. His eyes were dark and undistinguishable. The pale skin of his hands and face were iridescent, almost glowing in the moonlight. And although my breaths were coming out in silvery puffs of mist, nothing came from between his perfectly sculpted purple lips.
I’ll admit I was both fascinated and frightened by the Vampire David at that particular moment.
Mentally shaking myself out of the stupor I was in, I asked, “Was it just a guilty conscience over Gloria Hays? Is that why you bothered to intervene with me last night?”
He shook his head solemnly. “No. I assure you my actions last night were completely independent from any past incident,” he replied politely.
Now I had the distinct impression he was hiding behind his civility and it irritated me enough to boldly demand. “Then why did you do it? Why did you Mark me,” I said, with a lift of my chin.
“Surely, you realize that if I hadn’t acted, Develyn would have Turned you.”
“Yes, I’m sure. But why would you have cared if he had?” I asked, my heart thumping loudly in my ears.
He stiffened noticeably. “Because I,” he began, plunging both hands into his robe pockets, “simply could not allow it to happen. Not to you.”
A tiny flutter of flattery and hope tickled my stomach. And I with breath held, I took a step closer to him and anxiously whispered, “And why not?”
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