“Um?” I raise an eyebrow. “Ew?” I mean, I’m a big fan of all things vamp, but that just sounds creepy and wrong.
“Yes. ‘Ew’ would be an appropriate reaction, I think. It’s not exactly a high-class establishment. Strictly for the extreme fetish crowd.”
“So people get off on that? Getting sucked dry by a vamp turns them on?”
“Evidently. It’s become quite the hot spot.”
“And you want to shut them down.”
“Not exactly. While we don’t approve, as a rule, of these unlicensed bite shops, we understand that humans are doing this of their own free will, making it a victimless crime. And normally the vamps that work there are all tested for diseases before becoming employed. So while it’s a bit . . . distasteful . . . we tend to turn a blind eye.”
“Then what . . . ?”
“Maverick has been very vocal about his displeasure at Magnus taking over the Blood Coven after Lucifent’s death. We believe he may be up to something. We need you to infiltrate the Blood Bar. Pose as a human who’d like to get sucked. Figure out what Maverick has planned and then, if you get the opportunity, stake him.”
Huh. That doesn’t sound so bad actually. In a way, I’d be helping the vamps. The good guys anyway. And saving the life of my twin’s BF. I’d be a hero. Maybe my good deeds would actually push me to the front of the vampire line. Then Slayer Inc. could just get the next chick in line to be the once-a-generation slayer.
Also, there’s that whole nanovirus in my bloodstream thing that’s awfully convincing. Well, if that’s even true. Which it might not be. Come to think of it, it does seem a tad far-fetched, don’t you think? Like some story an adult would make up to get a teen to do whatever he says. Still, I’m not taking any chances ’til I find out for sure. Maybe Magnus will know the deal.
I square my shoulders, firming my resolve. “Okay,” I say, hoping I sound more brave than I feel. “I’ll do it.”
POSTED BY RAYNE McDONALD @ 7 P.M.
FOUR COMMENTS:
CandyGrrl says . . .
OMG, Rayne! That’s so crazy! I can’t believe u of all people r now the slayer! Ur like some superhero or something! Do u get powers like Buffy? And more important, do u get to hook up with Spike? Yum!
Rayne says . . .
Hm . . . dunno about the powers. Forgot to ask. As for Spike, I certainly wouldn’t kick him out of bed if he were to crawl in one night. ☺
TheyROut2GetMe says . . .
Don’t you think it’s a little dangerous to post your “secret” mission on your blog for everyone in the known universe to read? I mean, what if Maverick Googles himself and learns about your plans?
Rayne says . . .
Uh, hello?! You think I’m stupid? You don’t think I changed names to protect the innocent—or the guilty in this case? [Though Maverick is a way-cool name for an evil vampire, don’t you think? I named him after this author I dig.] And the Blood Bar’s real name is much more creative and Gothy sounding. But yeah, “Maverick” can Google himself until the bats come home—he ain’t stumbling across my blog.
4
FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2:20 A.M.
Gamer Grrls
It’s wicked late—just popped on for a minute. Was playing World of Warcraft—this online video game—with Spider, my best friend. Spider plays a gnome mage (like a pint-size magician) and I play this fierce human warrior chick. It’s the best game EVER and we play all the time. Mom claims I’m totally addicted, but, hey, I could say the same to her about her repeated watchings of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice. She <3’s Colin Firth with a vengeance.
Anyway I told Spider about the whole slayer thing over chat. Rather then recapping, I’ll just paste in the transcript:
RAYNIEDAY: OMG, Spider, the weirdest thing happened today!
SPIDER: The cheerleaders invited you to join their ranks?
RAYNIEDAY: Um, no.
SPIDER: Football captain Mike Stevens asked you out?
RAYNIEDAY: Heh. No. And uh, ew, BTW.
SPIDER: Then I’m sorry, it’s not the weirdest thing. Maybe it’s up there in weirdness, sure, I’ll buy that. But THE weirdest thing? I think not.
RAYNIEDAY: Hehe. This is even weirder. I’m telling you.
SPIDER: Watch out behind you! An orc!
**Spider casts fireball on Orc. 450 damage.
**Rayne slashes at Orc. Orc dodges her blow.
**Orc hits Spider for 1,324 damage.
**Spider dies.
SPIDER: D’oh! I hate being the mage. I’m always the first to die. How come you never die? I’m the one doing ALL the damage and you just rack up the experience points.
RAYNIEDAY: ’Cause I’m wearing armor. Duh. You’re going into battle wearing, like, some silk robe. Hello?
SPIDER: Yeah, I’m, like, freaking tissue paper here. Come get the mage, everyone. Pick on the poor squishy mage!
RAYNIEDAY: ANYWAY—while you run back from the graveyard, I’ve got to tell you what happened!!!
SPIDER: Hmph. No sympathy. Fine. Fine.
So I tell Spider about Mr. Teifert. Slayer Inc. My destiny. Etc., etc.
SPIDER: Wow. That’s so crazy. What are you going to do? RAYNIEDAY: IDK. Slay Maverick, I guess? I mean, if he’s out to get Sunny’s BF, then that seems like the right thing to do. SPIDER: But isn’t that totally dangerous? I mean, what if you get made into a bloody snack?
RAYNIEDAY: Gulp. Thanks. You’re making me feel so much better.
SPIDER: Just trying to be realistic.