My Vampire and I (22 page)

I stared at them for a moment, a nasty thought pricking at my mind. "You didn't ...
tell
me you didn't use Gregory's blood." "Oh, man!" Tony exploded, his eyes wide as saucers. "Are you
kidding
? No, you got a cocktail."
"All three of us gave our blood to you, Roger," Marcus said, squeezing my hand. "You will live for an eternity with 212
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by J. P. Bowie
what you have received. You will be strong, powerful in body and mind. You could be the most powerful of us all."
"You mean, powerful enough to do d'Arcy and Thomas in?"
I asked with a deal of venom.

"Undoubtedly," Andorra replied. "But you must not waste your new life on revenge. Do not take on the persona of a d'Arcy or Thomas—they who are now reviled by every vampire in the universe. They will not be welcomed anywhere, anytime. They are outcasts now and always will be." "You see, Roger," Marcus said gently. "Some time has passed since you were reborn. Remember I told you when we first spoke of this that the change should be done gradually.

Unfortunately, Thomas took you to the brink of death far too quickly, and sometimes that can result in brain damage. Even with the blood you drank from us, we felt it best to let you rest for as long as possible in order that you would not suffer any form of reversal. We allowed you to awaken only when we were sure there were no signs of physical or mental damage. Although it seems to you all these events took place just last night, in fact it has been a month—"

"A
month
?" I squeaked. "Oh, my God ... what about everyone at home? What will they be thinking? My mother, Mark, people at the bank—all my friends."

"There are some sacrifices that must be made when you embrace this new life." Andorra, pointing this out, did not make me feel any better. "Oh Jeez, what am I going to do?" I moaned. "My mom is going to be out of her mind with worry."
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"Maybe we could get some word to her. Let her know that you're okay," Tony suggested, looking at me with sympathy. "But how? What do I tell her after a month of not being in touch? 'Hey Mom, I'm in Italy and I'm not coming home—
ever—and guess what? I'm a vampire'? Yeah, that'll go down well."

Marcus stroked my hand to comfort me, but I could tell he didn't know what to say. This was way beyond his area of expertise. Moms and Dads didn't exist in his world.

"We'll think of something," Tony said.
* * * *

All of this happened so long ago, yet some of it lingers in my memory with a freshness that still brings tears to my eyes. When I was strong enough, Marcus and I left Andorra and Tony in their villa in Rome and returned to Los Angeles.

From Marcus's house in the hills, I phoned home. Listening to my mother sobbing with relief at hearing my voice, made me realise how much I loved her, and how much I was going to miss her and Dad. As Andorra said, there are sacrifices to be made, but there are ways to circumvent some issues.

If my parents thought it strange that I would only visit them at night, they never questioned it. When I told them I had a fabulous new job as a private secretary to an up-and-coming financier which would entail my travelling all over the world with him, they both said they were happy for me, even though they would see less of me in future.

And guess what? I brought Marcus home to meet them one night, just before we left for London. I could tell they 214
My Vampire and I
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were just as awe-struck as I had been the first time I met him. Mom was in a dither the entire time he was there, while my dad seemed to hang on every word Marcus uttered, without interrupting once to ask questions.

 

"Please remember to call," Mom said, kissing my cheek as we left. "And get some iron in you. You must be working too hard. You're both a mite pale!"

 

Kevin hadn't really noticed I'd been gone. He'd met this great guy, he told me when I called. His name was Kurt.

 

Mark was harder to deal with. He was happy Marcus and I were together, but the fact I'd gone out of town for so long without calling him to say I was okay did not sit well with him. He was decidedly cool towards me the night I told him Marcus and I were off to Italy, for an extended period of time.

"Good luck, then," he said, standing stiffly in my embrace.
"I'll call you," I said as I left. Both of us knew then, I never would. Yes, some sacrifices had to be made.

Now, fifty years later, I look back on all that with some sadness. Yet, they have been fifty of the most incredible years of my life. How could they not be with the world's most wonderful man by my side?

If ever a fledging vampire had a more caring, loving teacher than I, I'd like to meet him—and call him a liar. As you can probably imagine, vampirehood is not something you take to immediately and without some awkwardness. The world around me had suddenly taken on new dimensions, playing havoc with all my senses. Sight, sound, smell, touch—

all were, at first, so enhanced it was almost frightening.
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I would fall over my feet, be outraged by some people's voices that now sounded squawky and off key, be overpowered almost to gagging point by smells I had previously found quite pleasant ... However, as time progressed and I was coached by the most wonderfully patient companion in the world, I became adept at keeping my balance and able to deflect cacophony and bad smells from my ears and nose.

The blood I had been infused with, that powerful 'cocktail'

from Marcus, Andorra and Tony, had given me the head start most young vampires could only dream of. As the weeks and months went by, it became obvious to Marcus and myself that they had imbued me with such a potent brew, my strength would one day attain formidable proportions. Just as well I'm such a nice guy.

Of course, I made mistakes. My first attempt at flying was pretty hilarious. No, I didn't launch myself from Andorra's balcony. I do listen sometimes. "Baby steps," Marcus said, standing with me on a second story window ledge then grabbing my arm as he fell forward. He flew. I ended up spitting out dirt from the flowerbed below.
Ah well, we all know that saying about pride go-ething and all that jazz. You should see me zoom now!

In my mind, though, the greatest part of this gift has been the extra-sensual lovemaking Marcus and I indulge in, with a frequency that has never abated over the years. Vampire-hood is great for the libido, guys. That old boast 'We fucked all night' really does apply to us. Jealous? You should be.

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We see Tony and Andorra every now and then. Shortly after my recovery, Tony asked Andorra to change him. He told me he didn't want to be the odd man out anymore. He makes a very handsome vampire.

 

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the Comte d'Arcy has never been heard of since that night in Rome. Marcus thinks he has hidden himself away in the depths of the earth, perhaps waiting for a new millennium. Or maybe the Dark Forces got him. I rather prefer that ending for him.

However, we did eventually catch up with Thomas—just recently, as a matter of fact. He was staying in an old hotel in Vienna—one where Marcus has had rooms for years. Can you believe the fool was actually there when we checked in? He had recalled Marcus taking him there when they were lovers and had inveigled his way in, employing what little charm he had left on a young chambermaid, who did not report to the hotel's management that a man was staying in the suite.

We knew he was there before the bellhop opened the door.

Imagine my surprise and shock, however, on seeing this poor imitation of what had once been a very hot specimen of vampire. To mortal eyes, he probably still looked fairly handsome—a trifle seedy perhaps, someone who may have fallen on rough times. But to Marcus and I, he had become a shrunken shadow of his former self.

"Holy shit," I blurted with no subtlety whatsoever. "What in the hell happened to you?"
"Roger," Marcus demurred, the corner of his mouth twitching just a little.
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Trying to be his old arrogant self, Tommy boy raised an eyebrow and glared at us both.
"Drop the attitude, Tommy," I said. "Last time we were together, you tried to kill me. How about if I return the favour?"
He looked at me, a flicker of fear in his eyes. He knew I could do it. He could sense the strength and power I now possessed. "Th ... that was all d'Arcy's idea," he stammered. "I never wanted to harm you."
"Oh, so sucking me dry was just love play?"
Marcus put his hand on my arm. "Thomas, I'm not sure why you are here, but it would be best if you leave now."
His lower lip quivered.
Oh, here we go,
I thought uncharitably.
Here comes the sob story.
"I have nowhere else to go, Marcus," he sobbed.
I
knew
it. He was going to try for sympathy from kind-hearted Marcus.
"What has happened to you?" Marcus asked.

"I am shunned by all who know me," he quavered. "Ever since that night when d'Arcy coerced me into agreeing to his plans, I have never known a restful day. I am beset with terrible guilt."

"So you should be," I sneered. "You betrayed Marcus, and you were ready to throw me to the wolves."
"Please forgive me."
Oh, puh-leez! What a phoney.
"We forgive you, Thomas," Marcus said, gripping my arm.
Wait a minute...
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"But I'm afraid you cannot stay here. You must leave, immediately."
That's my boy...
"But, Marcus."
"No, Thomas. What Roger said is true. There is no room in our lives for a treacherous friend, coerced or not."
With a murderous look at me, Thomas swept from the room. It was all I could do not to kick him on his bony ass as he passed me, nose in the air.

The slam of the door behind him as he exited filled me with a sense of deep satisfaction. "Well," I said, kissing my man on his luscious lips. "I think that's the last we'll see of him."

Marcus sighed, his sweet breath filling my mouth. "When will you ever learn some manners?"
"'Scuse me?" I said, affronted. "I should have been polite to that son-of-a-b—"
His lips on mine silenced me.
When we came up for air, he said. "I didn't mean Thomas.
You didn't tip the bellhop. That's just not polite."

"I'll give him the biggest tip of his young life next time I see him!" Laughing, I jumped into Marcus's arms, circling his hips with my legs. At seventyfour, like I said, I'm still ready for it. So is he, and he's got quite a few years on me. We hit the bed, in a tangle of arms and legs, his lips on mine, his kisses thrilling me as always.

We're so good together, my vampire and I.
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My Vampire and I
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About the Author
J.P. Bowie was born in Scotland and toured British theatres in numerous musical shows including Stephen Sondheim's Company.

Emigrated to the States and worked in Las Vegas, Nevada for the magicians Siegfried and Roy as their Head of Wardrobe at the Mirage Hotel. Currently living in Henderson, Nevada.

Email: [email protected]
J.P. loves to hear from readers. You can find his contact information, website and author biography at www.total-e-bound.com.
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My Vampire and I

 

by J. P. Bowie

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