really true love, per se , but rather an intimate partnership that included the offering of my blood. She encouraged my appreciation for classic literature and helped educate me in some of the finer knowledge of the world. Everything seemed fine until 1963 when that part of the country erupted with the early civil rights uprisings. You see, Nadida was wealthy in her own right, but she was a mulatto. At that time, anybody resembling a black was targeted for retribution by whites who opposed civil rights. She said she needed to relocate to another part of the world because she’d stayed in the area far too long. She sensed that her increased visibility was starting to raise additional suspicions. As for me, I didn’t want to leave the country, but she promised she wouldn’t force me to. Instead, she offered me immortality as a reward for my service and companionship before she left. She stayed only a matter of months after I was turned, just long enough to provide me with the basics regarding my new vampire life. Then she sold the estate and left the country. I’ve only heard from her on two occasions since then, but we haven’t seen each other since she left me in early 1964.” Devon stared across the room in a contemplative fashion, as if recalling some private thoughts.
He looked up with a hopeful expression and continued, “Since then, I’ve moved around the country and adopted the name Devon Archibald. I take odd jobs performing evening shift work in either manual labor or security. Naturally, given my size, I’ve managed to work as a bouncer from time to time. Right now, I’m a security guard for a tire manufacturing plant here in town and still do work as a bouncer at clubs on weekends when I need some quick cash.”
Katrina considered everything she had heard, including Devon’s rather humble and secluded lifestyle. His sincerity and forthrightness seemed genuine, and a part of her sympathized with his circumstances despite her intention to remain as neutral as possible to their meeting. Still, she couldn’t allow her emotions to enter into her decision as to whether he would live or die that night. But she felt a small pang of guilt over that, as well. Why shouldn’t I kill him for attacking, and nearly killing, Caleb?
Devon regarded Katrina curiously as the silence grew and prompted, “Is there anything else you want to know?”
She broke from her thoughts and noticed an old copy of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities sitting on the end table next to his chair. A place marker was stuffed between the pages approximately three quarters of the way to the end. Looks like he’s still reading the classics .
“Do a lot of reading?” she asked.
He glanced absently to the book at his left and replied with satisfaction, “Yes, actually. I’m a varied reader for the most part, but I still reread the classics. It reminds me of my time with Nadida.”
“I like the classics too,” she agreed before falling silent. “So, do you have any questions about who I am?”
“I admit that I’ve already made some discreet inquiries to learn more about you,” he conceded cautiously.
“Understandable.” This should be interesting .
“I discovered you’ve earned quite a reputation among some in the vampire community,” he began warily. “I had no idea how popular your recent experience with killing that Aztec vampire has become. I don’t stay in regular contact with our kind, you see.”
“Really?” she prompted.
“I generally don’t have much in common with other vampires. I prefer human blood, but try to keep a low profile in my own community. For that reason, I spend more time outdoors hunting animals than I do being around others. What few human contacts I maintain are shallow because I haven’t found anyone I trust enough to reveal my secret to.”
I’m so fortunate to have Caleb , she affirmed.
“My prior experiences with women have often led to poor partings or having to dispose of a body
He looked up with a hopeful expression and continued, “Since then, I’ve moved around the country and adopted the name Devon Archibald. I take odd jobs performing evening shift work in either manual labor or security. Naturally, given my size, I’ve managed to work as a bouncer from time to time. Right now, I’m a security guard for a tire manufacturing plant here in town and still do work as a bouncer at clubs on weekends when I need some quick cash.”
Katrina considered everything she had heard, including Devon’s rather humble and secluded lifestyle. His sincerity and forthrightness seemed genuine, and a part of her sympathized with his circumstances despite her intention to remain as neutral as possible to their meeting. Still, she couldn’t allow her emotions to enter into her decision as to whether he would live or die that night. But she felt a small pang of guilt over that, as well. Why shouldn’t I kill him for attacking, and nearly killing, Caleb?
Devon regarded Katrina curiously as the silence grew and prompted, “Is there anything else you want to know?”
She broke from her thoughts and noticed an old copy of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities sitting on the end table next to his chair. A place marker was stuffed between the pages approximately three quarters of the way to the end. Looks like he’s still reading the classics .
“Do a lot of reading?” she asked.
He glanced absently to the book at his left and replied with satisfaction, “Yes, actually. I’m a varied reader for the most part, but I still reread the classics. It reminds me of my time with Nadida.”
“I like the classics too,” she agreed before falling silent. “So, do you have any questions about who I am?”
“I admit that I’ve already made some discreet inquiries to learn more about you,” he conceded cautiously.
“Understandable.” This should be interesting .
“I discovered you’ve earned quite a reputation among some in the vampire community,” he began warily. “I had no idea how popular your recent experience with killing that Aztec vampire has become. I don’t stay in regular contact with our kind, you see.”
“Really?” she prompted.
“I generally don’t have much in common with other vampires. I prefer human blood, but try to keep a low profile in my own community. For that reason, I spend more time outdoors hunting animals than I do being around others. What few human contacts I maintain are shallow because I haven’t found anyone I trust enough to reveal my secret to.”
I’m so fortunate to have Caleb , she affirmed.
“My prior experiences with women have often led to poor partings or having to dispose of a body
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