“I’m sorry about Eleora. You know everyone loved and respected her.”
“Thank you,” said Max. He thanked the Demon he was talking to but couldn’t even imagine Demons loving or respecting one of purest beings who ever walked the Earth. Sure, Eleora was a Vampire, but damn, it was bull shit to say there was anything wrong with that. She was one of the most important people in his life. She was like his grandmother, but he wasn’t even sure if they were related. That didn’t matter. His heart was broken, and now he had to put it aside and deal with Demons inhabiting the house, the home, he’d loved since the 1930’s. Max had agreed to rent his home to Skyler the Free Agent Demon. God knows, if there was a God who cared, he wouldn’t have rented his beloved home to a wild Demon from Hell.
“This is a beautiful home. I have no idea why you are moving. You’ve always loved San Francisco and you have so many friends and family here. You could have just told the Demons to leave. Max, you’re the ultimate Vampire, what do they call you, an enforcer? Vampire police chief? General of the Vampire forces…”
“It isn’t like I’m having to deal with possums under my porch or a few rats.”
“What is so different about it?”
“Possums and rats don’t do this.” Max pushed up his sleeve showing ugly black scars going up the length of his forearm. Then he brushed his hair aside to reveal another dark gray scar going across the right side of his face, running from his forehead across his hairline down to the top of his ear. “
“Ouch.”
The only reason Max was renting the house to Skyler is because it was infested with Demons. He couldn’t sell it. He couldn’t rent it out. He couldn’t live in it anymore. Mehitabel, Max’s fiancée, refused to stay the night there.
Max heard someone whisper behind him. He turned around. In the hallway entrance behind him stood a Demon. She squinted her yellow eyes and stretched out her leathery wings, then blew him a kiss with her clawed fingers. She looked like Melania Trump. What a nightmare.
“Yes Skyler, this is what I’m dealing with.”
“Don’t you want me, Max honey?” said the Demon woman.
“Fuck off Mable,” said Max. Then he turned back to Skyler. “If you can deal with them then go for it.”
“I’ll make them behave,” said Skyler. “Since I’ve been on my own, you know, not working for the Devil himself I’ve been able to handle these knuckleheads a lot better than any Vampire ever could. No offense Max, but I know my kind and how they work.”
“Alright then, here is the key. Do you want a list of the Demons who live here?”
“I know who they are.”
“I hope so.”
As Max walked to his car he took one last look at his house. Through a bedroom window, his bedroom, he saw orange glowing eyes, and a smile full of sharp teeth. The scar on his face started to ache.
Now the only smile he wanted was from Mehitabel, as she waited for him at their house by the beach. He started the car and turned on what he called his frustration playlist.
His favorite version of Ring of Fire came on. He didn’t sing along but silently drove South to his new home, lost in his thoughts of love and loss.
Note to my readers: I’m finally starting to catch up on what is going on with Max, my other brothers, Tellias, me, and even Vlad the former King of Vampires. For those who are new to this blog please feel free to go through the historic posts for backstories. Let me know if you have any questions. One of my goals is to eventually put together a book for each of them. Thank you as always for dropping by. xoxo
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Vampire Maman 