Once Bitten, No Longer Shy by Julie Steimle (chrome ebook reader txt) 📕

never expected to see the Idaho Mormon again. He wondered what judgment the guy had in store now. That he had fulfilled every supposition the stiff had on him? Had Art predicted his downfall and failure? Was he still judging him over Nicole? Was he also blaming him for Nicole’s death? And did Troy want him to?

“I… think this meeting is over,” Mr. Lenox said, winking at Art.

Art nodded back.

What was that?

Troy rose, staring at Art, then back at Mr. Lenox. Was Mr. Lenox taking revenge for visiting his home and his wife? Maybe he did deserve this—though Bobo waved his hand in front of Troy’s face for his attention.

“What is it?” Troy asked, turning his eyes to his roommate and current bodyguard, as there were still vampires out there who wanted him dead—probably more so after what happened to that  Lloyd Vangerstoff—the scrawny New York vampire.

Bobo handed Troy a print copy of the newspaper. “I thought you’d be interested. It’s the news over the… trial.”

“Which one?” Troy asked, peering at the page. He saw the section which was about that slime Marcus. He grinned at the headline. Marcus was convicted of the crime of sexual exploitation, but he frowned at the prison time duration. But Bobo pointed to a different article. Connor had been attacked in prison. He was now in solitary—raving about a ghost. It only made the news because he was also raving that Rick Deacon was a werewolf who hired demons to protect a truly vicious vampire with an auspiciously large male appendage.

“Brandon didn’t cross over?” Troy said, stunned, ignoring the last bit. He looked to Bobo.

Shrugging, Bobo said, “Or Tom is giving him the worst time ever. I don’t think JJ would let a ghost linger if he could help it. And you know Tom.”

Troy nodded. Even Brandon didn’t deserve to linger around that creep, Connor. And Tom loved to torment people who dared harm his friends. Maybe he did not need to tell Tom to castrate Connor at all. Tom might do it of his own free will.

Art stepped forward. “I’m really sorry.”

Looking to him, for a second Troy almost said, ‘About what?’ but then he knew. About Nicole dying. About all of it. There was no judgement in Art’s looks at all, only sorrow on his behalf.

“I’d like to be able to recommend people to your group, if you don’t mind,” Art said. “The website.”

Troy stared this time. “What?”

Shrugging, Art elaborated, “I’m kind of a supernatural magnet, I’ve realized.”

Troy stared more. What was he hearing?

“Since we’ve been apart,” Art continued to explain just a bit slower to make sure Troy was taking it in, “I’ve met others who have been bitten and who are looking for a cure.”

Troy looked to Bobo who nodded. In fact, Bobo appeared hopeful. He wanted Troy to say ‘yes, please invite them to join’. Bobo wanted him to forgive Art… for being Art.

“Right after our argument, I went out west where on ‘accident’ I met James Peterson of the Holy Seven. Seriously unintended. I wanted to get away from the supernatural.” Art then laughed thinking on that. “Just camping. I bumped into him just camping.  You know, a vacation. But he, when he found out who I was and who I knew, introduced to me people who have been ravaged by vampires out there. You know we’ve only invited New Yorkers so far to the group. The website was to expand to the entire world, reach everyone. So… I’ve invited one here today. He’s got a lot of bites, and he needs help.”

Troy’s eyes would have nearly popped out of his head from shock, though he shook his head and said while thinking about the effect of Steve near such a man, “You’re kidding me.”

Art shrugged again, practically sheepish. “No. And when I came back to New York, he contacted me, begging for help.”

“When did you come back to New York?” Troy asked, curious specifically over how long Art had been away and how much he had missed.

Bobo winked at him and walked over to Mr. Lenox to have a word. It was not clear what it was about.

Ducking his head a little between his shoulders, Art replied, “I’ve been back for a while. I’ve been hardly gone, actually. Just a week’s vacation. I’m… I’m the guy who has been setting up your website.”

Damn. Troy felt his inner world shake again. The guy had never really left. He had not been abandoned. Art just took a short vacation when Hanz had gone to Africa. How come he hadn’t noticed?

But then Troy knew the answer already. He was naturally prejudiced against certain people. He knew it. He had judged too quickly and had been blind—so typically him. It was something Randon and Matthew had pointed out and he had ignored again and again. He was embarrassed by it.

Troy chuckled, nodding, finally admitting, “You do a good job.”

Art smiled.

Someone knocked on the doorframe.

Everyone turned.

Standing in the doorway, was a woman whom Troy and Mr. Lenox recognized right away. It was Mrs. Lenox.

When it rains, it pours, Troy thought.

“Hi,” she said, her eyes raking over the room as she stepped in, examining what she was seeing. She smiled at Bobo and Art who were the only normal people in the room, then gave Troy a skimming glance of recognition before her eyes zeroed in on her husband.

Mr. Lenox straightened up, looking like he would wet his pants and at the same time wanted to leap at her for a hug. His hands were shaking, yet he did not move.

“Gerard?” Her voice trembled. “The kids and I want you to come home.”

Tears welled up in Mr. Lenox’s eyes. He peeked to Troy who nodded, hoping he would go. Mr. Lenox looked to his wife, hesitating. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

She took more steps into the room, then reached for the cross which he was now wearing around his neck. “I don’t think you will,” she said, gazing into his eyes. “If you can wear this, you can come home.”

Steve shot Troy a look. But Troy quickly gave him one, one which said not to destroy her delusions. People needed motivation to believe in truths, even when silly traditions were what convinces them. Steve nodded.

“You’re not a monster,” she said. “Come home.”

“How do you know?” Mr. Lenox asked, hesitating to reach for her, though she was that close.

She shrugged. “Since that young man came to the house, I’ve been watching you. And I’ve contacted the school and spoke with several of your students.”

Mr. Lenox began to cry.

“You are good man, Gerard,” she said.

He embraced her, full arms, kissing his wife. And he kissed her again. She kissed him back, feeling how cold his skin was, though it was still him. She examined his teeth up close, then brushed her fingers across his cheek to his eyes. And she said, “We need to get you into the sunlight.”

Art stood back, grinning as he whispered to Troy, “Maybe this will encourage him to step out into the sunlight.”

Troy laughed. It certainly was good motivation.

“What if I burn up?” Mr. Lenox asked, his voice trembling.

She was silent for a moment, then said, “If you truly are a good man and have honored God, and have not chosen an evil life as you claim, I doubt you will burn up.”

“Consider it a trial by fire,” Cameron interjected.

“I can get you good sunblock,” Troy called out.

Steve snorted.

Mr. Lenox shot them all annoyed looks.

“If you love her,” Troy said, “Do it.”

Art nodded.

Sighing, Mr. Lenox turned to his wife. “Ok.”

She led him out, and he did not resist.

“Now that’s a happy ending,” Cameron said to them. He then nodded to Bobo, heading toward the door.

Another person stepped into it, someone with heavy bandages and a seeking expression. His eyes fixed on Art and he grinned. “I found the place! I hear someone here has a cure.”

Art nodded to Troy. “He’s right here.”

Troy moaned. “A temporary cure. I’m still seeking a more permanent method of treatment.”

The man eyed Steve who waved to Troy as he went out. The newcomer shuddered. Then he looked to Troy. “You’re not exactly a vampire—but that man who just left was. How do you allow that?”

“We do not judge here,” Cameron said, grinning. “And usually bite victims don’t meet with us daytime vampires.”

“Or nighttime ones,” Troy said, gesturing toward Steve. He then waved the man in. “What’s your name?”

Hobbling in, wincing with every step as all his wounds had opened up from Steve’s presence, the man stuck out a hand and said, “Keith Vicar. And I survived a vampire mauling in California, and I need something to stop the bleed.”

“Vampire mauling?” Cameron gaped. “What did you do to tick them off?”

Shrugging, Keith said, “I was hiking near one of their colonies, in the woods, at night.”

 Colonies. Troy wondered.

“How did you escape?” Cameron asked.

Keith shrugged. “Garlic? I ate a roasted garlic bulb with onions and artichokes at a local café in the town, a local specialty of Cliff Coast. Vampires don’t like garlic blood.”

“Cliff Coast?” Troy said. He peeked to Art who nodded. “You don’t happen to know Eve McAllister do you?”

Keith’s eyes went wide on him. “You know Eve?”

Troy grinned. “She was my angel.”

Imprint

Publication Date: 01-21-2020

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all those who love garlic