Free The Traveling Vampire Show by Richard Laymon

delicate, and he had smooth, softly tanned skin. Except for the slightest trace of beard stubble along his jaw and chin, he might’ve easily passed for a beautiful woman.
    At least from the neck up. The rest of him was a different story. He had broad, heavy-looking shoulders and arm muscles that strained the sleeves of his shirt. The top few buttons of his shirt were unfastened as if to make room for his massive chest. He had a flat stomach and narrow hips, and wore black leather trousers with a sheath knife on the belt.
    After sliding his eyes up and down Lee a couple of times, he smiled. I’ve never seen such white teeth. Even though the vampire was supposed to be Valeria, I couldn’t help but check this guy’s canines. They looked no longer or more pointy than anyone else’s.
    Sounding friendly enough, he said, “If you’re here for tickets, I’m afraid we don’t open the box office until an hour before show time.”
    “I can’t buy any in advance?” Lee asked.
    “Not until eleven o’clock tonight.”
    “But what if I come back tonight and you’re sold out?”
    “Oh, that won’t happen. Not here. We sell out at some venues, but this arena isn’t gonna fill up. Nice if it does, but it won’t.” He glanced at me, then said to Lee, “There is an age restriction, you know. The show’s meant for adults, so no one under eighteen gets in. I think your brother’s still a little on the young side.”
    “But he’s the one who wants to see it,” Lee protested.
    The man flashed a grin at me. “I’ll bet he does.”
    “A couple of his friends, too,” Lee added.
    “Well, if they’re no older than he is....”
    “Maybe they’re around here someplace. They came out ahead of us, so they should’ve been here by now. Teenagers? A husky boy and a slender blonde girl?”
    The man frowned slightly and shook his head. “Haven’t seen ’em. Nobody’s here but our crew.”
    Turning her head in the general direction of the snack stand, Lee shouted, “SLIM? RUSTY?”
    I watched the roof. Nobody popped a head up.
    “If they do come along,” Lee said to the man, “would you let them know we were already here?”
    “I’d be glad to.”
    “Thanks. I told them that they were too young for a show like this. But they’re so fascinated by the whole subject of vampires....” She shook her head. “You know, teenagers.”
    “I know exactly,” the man said. “I was one myself a few years ago. And fascinated by vampires.”
    “They just had to come out here and see what it was all about. I’m sure they were hoping I’d somehow be able to work magic and buy tickets for them. They seem to think I can do anything. ”
    “I’d like to be able to help you....”
    “Lee,” she said, and offered her hand.
    “Lee,” he said. He took it gently in his long fingers. “Pleased to meet you, Lee. I’m Julian.”
    “And this is my brother, Dwight.”
    Though I wished she hadn’t used our real names, I smiled and held out my hand. Julian let go of Lee’s hand and shook mine. His fingers felt warm and dry.
    After releasing my hand, he faced Lee and asked, “Are you aware of what happens in our show?”
    “Not really.”
    He performed a mock-embarrassed cringe and shrug. “Well, there’s always a certain amount of blood-letting. Generally, quite a lot. In fact, it can get very gory. It looks worse than it is, but it can be shocking for people who aren’t used to it.”
    “I see,” Lee said, nodding slightly, a concerned look on her face.
    “Also, clothing often gets torn in the heat of battle. It’s not unusual for private parts to... become exposed.”
    Lee broke out a smile. “Sounds more interesting all the time. ”
    Julian chuckled softly. “Well, I just want you to understand why we try to keep kids away from the show.”
    “I’m almost eighteen,” I said, almost telling the truth.
    “How old are you?” Julian asked me.
    “Seventeen.” I blushed as I said it. I hate lying.
    “And your