Free Vampires! A Bundle of Bloodsuckers by Lynda Hilburn

magically dropped by half in the area around the booth. “This is not Europe. Things are more... constrained... here. You have been my guest many times. We have discussed this before.” He sighed in frustration. “I have asked you to do nothing to arouse suspicion among the humans. Is your memory so short that you have forgotten what it is like to be hunted?”
    And to watch the ones we love die?
    He caught the eye of his personal assistant Luna, and sent her a mental command, instructing her to bring a wrap for the mortal woman.
    Laurence straightened in his seat and smoothed his shoulder-length, wavy hair away from his now-serious face. “Indeed, I haven’t forgotten. Many of those dear to us perished during those times.” He gave a sheepish grin. “But you know me, Devereux. I sometimes get carried away. The Crypt always feels like such a safe haven. The humans believe everything that happens here is part of the ambience.” He nodded and pointed to the decor of the huge club, which looked like a cross between Dracula’s castle and an ancient graveyard. “Please, forgive me.”
    “Really, Devereux. He meant no harm,” Elliott, the other vampire at the table, added, fanning away a waft of chemical smoke from the ever-present fog machines.
    Luna approached, holding a long black velvet cape. She was dressed in the latest goth-dominatrix gear: tight black leather pants, a waist-cinching red silk corset which barely contained her abundant breasts and knee-high stiletto-heel boots. Her long black hair was parted down the middle ala 1970s Cher and her make-up had obviously been influenced by the Queen of the Nile: dark wings sweeping out from each silver eye. She cocked a hip against the end of the booth and held out the wrap, her trademark sneer firmly in place.
    Devereux bent down and met the human’s unfocused gaze. “You have had a wonderful time tonight, but now you are tired and you wish to go home. The club provided a ride for you because you had been drinking. We made sure you got home safely. You look forward to your next visit.” He stood and held out his hand. “Allow me to help you to your feet.”
    The woman rose, dazed, her mouth slightly open.
    Such a fragile little human. If she only knew what hides in the shadows.
    Devereux took the cape from Luna and wrapped it around the woman’s shoulders, fastening the clasp at her neck. He tugged her gently away from the booth, then, making sure he blocked the view of prying eyes, he leaned in and ran his tongue slowly over the holes in her neck. The wounds immediately vanished. The woman’s head dropped back as if it was too heavy for her muscles to hold. She moaned.
    “Well now, Devereux,” Elliott said with a grin. “It’s not sporting to stop Laurence’s fun only to take over yourself. He spread his arms out along the back of the booth, clearly enjoying the drama.
    Devereux ignored the remark and gave his attention to Luna. “I have scanned her thoughts to find out if she drove herself to the club tonight. She did not. She came with a friend who has already left, so there are no other ends to tie up. Take her home.”
    “Yes, Master.” Luna steered the woman toward the exit.
    “Luna!” Laurence yelled, “hurry, my little demon.” He patted his lap. “I’m saving a special seat for you.”
    She gave a quick look back over her shoulder and waved her middle finger.
    Laurence and Elliott laughed.
    Devereux stood silently for a moment, watching the women weave through the crowd, before he flicked a hand at his friends, signaling them to make room for him. He slid into the booth, relaxed his head against the seat cushion and gave a huge sigh. “I am getting too old for this.”
    And too empty...
    “Dev, old boy, I’m starting to worry about you,” Laurence said, patting his arm.
    “What do you mean?” He sat up straight and turned to his friend, his long, light-blond hair trailing down the front of his chest. He opened the folder he’d