Samantha Moon 04: Moon Dance by J.R. Rain

Author:J.R. Rain [Rain, J.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

38.

Kingsley was lounging on a leather sofa with a drink in hand.

He looked like hell: scruffy beard, hair in disarray, serious bags under his eyes.

“Um, you look good,” I said.

“Like hell I do.”

“Just what I was thinking.”

The conservatory was octagon-shaped and faced the expansive backyard which spread out into the hills beyond like a vast estate. Through the French window, I could make out an alabaster fountain gurgling away, depicting a naked nymph blowing water through her cupped hands. The sculptor went a little crazy with her breasts. Men and breasts. Sheesh.

“Would you like a drink?” Kingsley asked.

“Sure. I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

Kingsley motioned to his butler. A moment later, a drink appeared before me.

“Thank you, Jeeves,” I said.

Kingsley grinned. “His name is Franklin.”

“Franklin the butler?”

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t have quite the same ring.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Kingsley said, “but he’s a good butler, and can pour a hell of a drink.”

“It’s true,” said Franklin. “I almost never spill.” His enunciation was clear and precise with a slightly lilting accent that could have been English. When he spoke, his face appeared completely still, as if the muscles were inert, or deactivated. I couldn’t help but notice an ugly scar that ran along his chin and extended back to his hairline, as if Franklin had at one time or another lost his entire head.

Kingsley said, “Thank you, Franklin. That will be all. Sorry to rouse you out of your sleep in the dead of night.”

“I am made to serve.”

“And you do it so well. Off you go. Good night.”

Franklin the Butler nodded and left. Curious, I watched him go. His strides were long and loping, as if his legs were disproportionate to his body.

“Franklin is an interesting fellow,” I said when he was gone.

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“Must have survived a hell of an accident, scarred like that.”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Where did you find him?”

“He was recommended by a friend.”

I sipped the alcohol. It had no flavor at all, and no effect. The ice rattled in the tumbler.

“What do you know of vampire shape-shifting?” I asked suddenly.

Kingsley blinked, then thought about it. “Not a whole hell of a lot, I’m afraid. Why?”

“It’s been coming up lately.”

“I see.”

“So, can vampires turn into, you know, things?”

He laughed, “They can indeed turn into...things.”

My heart slammed in my chest. “What sort of things?” I asked.

“You really don’t know, do you?”

“Would I be asking if I did?”

“And you’ve never tried shape-changing?”

“I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

“You could always try jumping off a tree branch and see what happens.”

“And think like a fruit bat?”

“Is that the gay bat?”

“You’re not helping.”

“That’s just it. I don’t know how to help. My own transformation sort of takes place uninvitingly.”

“I understand. So back to the question: what sort of things can vampires turn into?”

“Vampires turn into...something big and black.” He paused and grimaced as if he had just bitten into something sour. “Something ugly and hideous. Something with massive leathery wings. A sort of hybrid between man and bat.”

“You’ve seen one?”

He hesitated. “Yes.”

“And?”

“And that’s all I know.

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