She smiled. “Of course.” She turned toward a small filing cabinet under the window and pointed. I glanced over and noticed the tin of sugar cookies Sally had shown me the other day. “I made up a fresh batch of snickerdoodles. I don’t know if you like those, but anyway, they’re fresh.” She cocked her head to the side and there was something very familiar about the way she moved. “Can I get you one?”
“Sure. That sounds great.”
She grinned happily and pranced over to the filing cabinet to grab the tin and then back to me where she opened it and held it out. I leaned over and took a long whiff before taking a snickerdoodle and then putting it to my mouth. I bit into the cookie and chewed before looking up at her.
“This is great,” I said with my mouth full. I picked up my coffee and washed it down as she smiled brilliantly.
“I’ll just leave them here, then. Enjoy, Sheriff Romeo.” She started to walk away and I stopped her with my words.
“It’s really not necessary to call me by my full name, Precious. Rome is fine.”
She spun around. “Fine. I can do that, Rome.” She offered a tentative smile before turning back and muttering something about some men not having the soul of a romantic under her breath.
I listened to her heels click back down the hallway and sighed, looking back down at my mug of coffee. After popping the last bite of cookie in my mouth, I returned my attention to Buck’s file and began reading.
Vincent
I rose at four thirty in the afternoon, slightly listless rather than energized. I stretched and then realized I really was still tired. The fact that I’d been traveling for ten days across country—since I did it only at night by car or rail—was probably the reason. I hadn’t stopped to really eat, not familiar with my surroundings in the small towns on the backroads I’d taken all the way from Wadmalaw Island, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina, where I’d made my home for the last twenty-two years. Staying off highways had been important to me on this journey. Though I’d sent most belongings, like the antiques and family furnishings, ahead by moving company for Lydia Jameson to set up my home, some things had to be driven across country only by myself.
Though he was no more than a bag of bones after seven hundred years, my maker went with me in a coffin of my own design everywhere I settled. He’d be buried somewhere on my property where others of my kind would never be able to find him. These days, I gently placed him in a rented U-Haul trailer. Modern conveniences were nice. Today, it was a lot easier than it had been dragging his bones across medieval Europe by wagon. I suppose I should count myself incredibly lucky to have lived as long as I had when peril for vampires seemed to be around every corner.
I got out of bed and walked to my steam shower, turning it on and letting it heat even though heat didn’t really matter to me one way or another. I enjoyed the steam more than the heat. The shower had been part of the building plans I’d sent over to Lydia. I figured if I ever had any human guests, they’d appreciate it as well. Not like I was planning on fucking anyone while I was here in Prosper Woods. I’d gone a decade without a man after the last disastrous encounter when I’d accidentally bled a lover dry after going too long without. I had been—let’s say—a little gun-shy after that.
For the last ten years, I’d subsisted on a combination of animal blood and stolen bags from blood banks. Stealing from blood banks always came with the possibility of being caught since the technological age had arrived along with cameras in every hospital and on every street corner. I had been planning on eating the wildlife in Prosper Woods, which was one reason I’d chosen a town in the redwood forest. Unfortunately, after my arrival yesterday, I realized that eating the kind of wildlife around here might be even more dangerous than robbing a blood bank.
The kind of wildlife in these woods had my kind on the menu and I planned on staying away from it at all costs.
I had a bad feeling I’d be traveling to nearby towns to eat every now and then. I could go a month or more without eating but still, I didn’t like having to drink from humans. Though I rarely drained them enough to kill them—hadn’t since that sad incident—I still hated the practice. I wasn’t one of those vamps who enjoyed the kill. I’d miscalculated in that instance. My hunger had driven me to choose the only available food source around… a small man. Though I’d sworn to always choose large and muscular men to feed upon, the only prey around had been thin and gaunt, in fact, he’d been an addict of some kind. I’d tasted it in his blood.
Larger men not only posed more of a challenge before the bite, but physically they attracted me. It was one reason I frequented red light districts in towns within driving distance of wherever I chose to settle. It was easier all around to find a man willing to not only fuck me but to feed me afterward. It was almost pleasant. It was also why I never fed on women. Something about their smaller stature and the way they smelled were repellant to me. They’d never attracted me in my human or vampire life.
The story of how I’d been made vampire was a common one. Long ago, I’d given up all hope of finding happiness. When I’d been a young human of twenty-four, I’d set off with my father and uncles to join one of the final great crusades to the Holy Land. I’d been in many battles, always doing what I was destined to do before that fateful night in Ruad, the last crusader outpost on the coast of the Levant. The Knights Templar had set up a permanent garrison on the Isle of Ruad but I was young, strong, and after almost four long years, I’d been tired of war, tired of always fighting alongside my elders. Just this one night, as everyone lay down, I’d let passion get the best of me and thrown caution to the wind. I’d snuck off to lie with a strong young knight who’d caught my eye.
A dark man by the name of Sir Robert had come into our camp late that night and away from my father and uncle’s prying eyes, I’d gone off with him alone. Little had I known those would be the last moments I’d ever spend as human. After my transformation to vampire, my maker, Sir Robert, traveled with me for many years, teaching me how to be who I now was destined to be. By the time some barbarian separated his head from his shoulders in battle decades later, I had accepted my new life. I held my maker in great regard though oddly, love had never been part of our bond. I’d taken his bones with me after his death and carried them wherever I settled.
After my shower, I dressed in old clothes, determined to lay his bones to rest after dark. After accomplishing that, I’d be going out to check the progress of my movers. First things first, meant taking the elevator upstairs and then sealing up my secret room again. I walked to the kitchen and wrenched open the door, pulling out a fresh bottle of ketchup, and cracking the seal before pouring the contents down my throat. I chucked the empty bottle into the bin and then strode out to the small trailer and unlocked it.
Having extraordinary strength and incredible speed were two of the benefits of being what I was. It was nice to be able to accomplish a task like digging a six-foot hole, lovingly laying a coffin inside, and covering it up, all in a matter of minutes. If it hadn’t been dark, I would have moved at human speed, infinitely slower, less chance of being seen by nosy humans, even though I didn’t smell any in the vicinity. After accomplishing one goal for the evening, I washed my hands and changed into fresh clothes, grabbing the keys to the Civic. It was time to drive into town and see what the movers had accomplished while I’d slumbered. Later, I’d be off to eat, most likely headed to Stockton or another larger town to find a bar where I’d pick up dinner.
I pulled the Civic out onto the road, convinced that my home and the treasure buried on the side of the house was safely hidden from prying eyes. I’d connected my alarm system to my Apple watch so that with the touch of a button, I’d be able to check if my cameras picked up anyone prowling around the house. Though it was unlikely any predatory animals knew I was in town, I wanted to keep it that way. I didn’t have a scent but if a supe was close by, they might hear the absence of a heartbeat… if they were listening. I was dead after all.
In this existence, I was always alone, living a solitary life and it suited me. I’d become accustomed to it many centuries ago.
As I drove, I stayed alert. I always was. It’s how I knew other supes were in the area, running in the forest around my new home. It would take time to pick up and move again so soon and I didn’t want to have to do that unless I had to. The other supernatural beings in the woods wouldn’t know I was there unless I gave myself away. It was the last thing I intended on doing. I was only glad that I’d realized they were there before they picked up on my presence. For the most part, I went through life ignoring their presence. Though most supes lived as pets, they were not the problem.
Packs were.
I hoped against hope that I hadn’t moved into pack territory because if I had, things could get messy before I extricated myself. I sighed out loud, realizing I was being judgmental again. In my experience, packs were not all bad. There were some decent ones. I suspected that the woods around town were being used as a place to run. It just wasn’t clear to me whether a pack who lived in town or somewhere close by was using the Prosper Woods. That was another thing I planned on learning tonight. It was better to know what I was dealing with so that I could get on with life in town. Odds were, they wouldn’t detect me unless I made myself known to them.
I pulled up and parked behind the moving van at the curb in front of the store. Two burly guys were carrying boxes into the store while another stood on the sidewalk holding a clipboard. He looked up as I walked over.
“Mr. Burrows,” I said, recognizing the same man I’d met at my former store in Charleston.
“Mr. Lasco,” he replied, smiling at me.
I held out my hand and walked toward him. He was human but the moment I got close enough, I could smell salami, garlic, and pickles. I swallowed down bile as he smiled and took my hand. I dropped it immediately after the handshake and stepped back, glancing over at the door where two more men emerged. They were dripping sweat and the same scents poured off their skin. It was times like these that I lamented my sharp sense of smell. These guys had most likely stopped at a sandwich shop somewhere on the road. Burrows turned and instructed them to grab a bedroom set near the back of the large moving van next. They nodded, jumping back into the truck, before Burrows turned back to me.
“I trust you had an uneventful trip from South Carolina?”
“Nothing to worry you about, Mr. Lasco.” He pointed inside the store. “You want to come inside and see how it’s coming along?”
“Sure.” I followed him into the store, keeping several paces behind his large frame as he pointed out how they’d placed several large pieces of furniture exactly where I’d drawn them in on the floorplan I’d given him at the starting point of his journey. As we walked around of the store, I realized that with rare exception, everything was where it should be. I was perfectly capable of moving objects around but it was nicer when I didn’t have to. I pointed out the few changes and he made notes. I’d unpack smaller items and shelve rare books, but it was nice to have the larger items in place before all that began. Besides, I wasn’t planning on having any help until the morning when my employees arrived.
“Thank you, Mr. Burrows. This looks great,” I said after touring the store and checking out the office, satisfied with the way my desk fit inside. I reached into my pocket and pulled out an envelope, handing it to him. “Here’s the rest of your fee. If you’ll just leave the key in the mailbox out front when you’re done here, I’d appreciate it.” I’d already told my new employees, Scott and Bryce, to be at the store bright and early to begin work. I would take the time to meet them in person then head home to rest before the sun was high in the sky. Walking in sunlight always tired me but I could take it for short periods of time.
“Sure enough. Oh, one last thing,” Mr. Burrows said. “Did you want us to hang the sign that was delivered while we were unpacking? My guys would be happy to do it for another fifty bucks.”
“Oh, it’s here? Show me.” I’d ordered a specialty sign to put up over the front door.
“Right back here,” Mr. Burrows said, leading me to a large sign that had been carved out of redwood. It read Prosper Woods Antiques. I’d found an artist in South Carolina at a local crafts fair and commissioned it after settling on the location of my new home. It was about six feet wide and two feet tall and was beautifully crafted and rubbed with a clear oil that brought out the natural bright red highlights in the wood. The fancy lettering had been carved into the planking and painted a dark green with a white border, making the words stand out. I loved it at first sight.
“Fifty dollars?” I asked, turning to Mr. Burrows who still held his clipboard.
“Yessir.”
“How about I give you a hundred and that way you’ll have enough for drinks after work. I suspect it’ll take you the rest of the night to finish off here.” I wanted the job done right and over the millenniums, I’d learned that people did a better job when incentivized. Aside from that, I’d had a good impression of Mr. Burrows at our first meeting. He’d driven all the way out onto the island after dark to meet with me and I’d liked him immediately.
The man sputtered and grinned widely, sticking out his meaty hand. “That’s right nice of you, Mr. Lasco. We’ll finish up and then do a nice job on that sign for you.”
“Thank you.” I smiled back, shaking quickly and stepping back so that my stomach would stop rolling. “Well, I’m off then. Have a good evening.” It was time to get my own drink.
“Yessir and thanks to you, Mr. Lasco.”
I turned and walked out of the store, stepping around two of the guys who each had one side of a red velvet settee which was a piece I’d picked up several years ago at an estate sale in upstate New York. I waved at them and returned their smiles before walking to the curb. I was glancing at my watch when a scent like nothing I’d ever smelled washed over me. My head shot up and I looked down the block as I zeroed in on where it was coming from. Striding out of the saloon fifty yards away was a stunning looking man. As if knowing he was being watched, he came to an immediate stop on the sidewalk and lifted his head. When he turned, our eyes met. In that heartbeat, something pulsed through me.
Instantly, I knew this man—this beautiful creature—wasn’t human.
And he was mine.
Chapter Three
Prosper Woods Chronicle. Letters to the editor:
“I stepped out of the saloon last night when I saw a big yellow truck being driven by a white poodle. I should have reported it at the time, but my designated driver told me I should just go home. Could someone make sure that poodle has a driver’s license? He could hurt someone.” Signed, “Barfly Barb.”
Romeo
As I left the saloon, I was thinking about the bartender I’d just met. Greg had been very friendly as we sat and talked for an hour over the two beers he served me. I didn’t get the gay vibe when he talked to me, just the sheer cheerfulness which came off the man in waves as he talked about the town. He sure loved it here, loved walking in the woods alone or with his friends. He’d made me feel welcome and I was grateful for it. Maybe my move to Prosper Woods was going to turn out to be the best thing I’d ever done. So far, all the people I’d met had been friendly with the only exception being Sid Farrell who ran the general store.
As I stepped outside, I lifted my face intending to look up and take a minute to gaze at the stars in the clear night sky. Instead, an odd feeling stopped me in my tracks and I turned to look down the street. Parked outside of a row of brick buildings which accommodated a handful of stores, was a large moving van. Two men were carrying a red couch into the building but they were not who drew my attention. A man with shoulder-length dark hair stood on the sidewalk, looking my way.
The second our eyes met, I felt a pulse of electricity like a shock running through my body. It was stronger than the one I’d felt when I’d shaken hands with Sid at the store… and vastly different as well. The pulse slowly ran over my ski
n like a wave and went straight to my cock. Inexplicably, I felt myself growing hard.
What the fuck?
I reached down and pressed the heel of my hand against the zipper of my jeans, silently willing my erection to go away. I had no idea what was happening to me but when the man smiled and began walking toward me, chills ran down my spine. I’d never had a reaction to another man like this before. Sure, I’d picked up a lot of guys who’d stared at me in clubs or stalked me around a room until I promised to dance with them, but I’d never felt like I was being drawn to someone by an invisible thread.
I stepped off the curb, still watching the man intently, and began walking toward him. My cock was straining against the confinement of my jeans and that very fact could prove impossible to explain. Oddly enough, for some strange reason, it didn’t seem to matter to me at all. I felt like I was in some sort of peculiar dream state. When he was twenty feet away from me, I noticed the fullness of his lips and the squareness of his jaw. The stubble on his chin fascinated me as he came closer.
The way he moved, striding confidently toward me, turned me on more than I wanted to admit. I’d always been attracted to assertive men and though I didn’t even know this man, I could tell he was a force of nature. He carried himself with an almost animal grace coupled with some sort of regal or military bearing. I could see that his legs were long, thickly muscled under the loose-fitting jeans he wore. The blue-and-white checkered shirt he was wearing untucked in a casual style looked sexy as hell on him, open at the collar where whisps of dark hair peeked out, offering a tantalizing display of skin beneath his clothes.
I wanted him. What the hell was wrong with me?
When he was ten feet away, I could just make out the color of his eyes. They sparkled like bright yellow topaz. He stopped in front of me and I realized I’d stopped as well, standing a few yards from where I’d begun walking toward him. I was staring at him and though I should have been embarrassed, the way I looked at him didn’t seem to trouble him at all. His smile grew wider and he stuck out his hand.
True Knight Page 4