Max looked out from the beach to the ships in the distance. He’d never go out on a boat on the ocean again. Too many shipwrecks, and he was always on those ships, or at least it seemed that way.
He called his two dogs who’d gone racing down the beach, and into the surf. They stopped, then raced back towards him like a couple of ballistic missiles.
“Slow,” he shouted at them, and put his hand up. The dogs didn’t listen.
Right as they got to him, they spit off and ran around him, then doubled back and stood in front of him, tails wagging and tongues hanging out.
Just a few hours ago, in the dark early hours of the morning, these same two goofball dogs stood before him with blood and flesh in their teeth. Human blood and flesh, or at least what used to be human.
“You’re such good poochies.” Max rubbed their heads and pulled a few freeze dried liver treats out of his pocket. The giant wolfhounds took the treats and looked at Max for more. “OK, one more treat for both of you.” The dogs tilted their heads. “Alright two more treats.”
The cuts on Max’s arms were healing up. In a few hours there would be no trace of last night’s events. He’d gone after a group of soulless Vampire ghouls, as they partied in the company of a couple of Demons. It was ugly but it was his job. It was his chosen profession, and he was the best.
Unlike those he was a Vampire with a soul. Two souls to be exact, and he thanked his lucky stars each and every day for that.
The dogs turned around and started running towards a woman walking down the beach. She had two mugs in her hands. Oh no. He hoped the dogs didn’t knock her down. Fortunately, they slowed down and trotted besides her.
He walked towards the woman, his fiancé, former friend with benefits, Mehitabel.
“I thought you’d like coffee. How are you cuts doing?”
“Healing nicely.” He kissed her cool lips knowing that even after knowing her for 154 years he’d never get tired of those kisses.
“Oh, look at the headlines this morning.” She pulled out her phone and showed it to him.
Two US Senators, State Governor, and Mayor found dead in abandoned California coastal mansion.
“Good job honey.”
“Thanks. Mmmmm. Good coffee.”
“I love you Max. You’re a good man. A good Vampire.”
“Love you too. Always. Damn, it was interesting. I wish you could have gone out on the job with me. You would have had fun.”
She laughed, “Maybe.”
Hand in hand they continued to walk down the beach as the morning fog burned off and the dogs ran alone the surf biting at the salty waves.
~ end
This is a new story. For those of you who follow Max and Mehitabel – yes, they’re still engaged. No they haven’t set a wedding date.
Here are links to a few other stories about them:
Perfection
Vampire House Warming
Krampus Claus
Baker Beach
A Better Place
The Lighthouse
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Vampire Maman 