Page 4

     Kevin was ready for action when the doorbell rang.  Bob stood waiting with Jake.  "Where's this Nathaniel guy?" Kevin asked.

     "In the car," Bob said.  "Virginia needs to come outside now."

     "No," Kevin said.  "Nathaniel has to come in here to get her.  But before you go get him, I gotta ask you.  Why Elvis?"

     "He's the King," Bob said.  "He and I have a lot in common.  I even have type O blood.  Just like Elvis."

     "I'm type O too, pal.  It just so happens to be the most common blood type."

     "I'm not liking you much," Bob said.

     "Get Ginny out here," Jake said.

     Kevin smiled.  Feeling smug, he said, "You're vampires.  You can't come into my house without an invitation."

     Jake frowned.  "What, you think we're polite or something?"  He shoved Kevin back, stepping into the house.  "Ginny!" Jake called.  "Come on out!  Nate's waitin' in the car and he's mad enough to eat the Devil, horns and all."

     But Nathaniel didn't wait in the car.  He entered the house behind Jake and Bob.  Kevin stared in awe at the master vampire.

     Nathaniel was slender, but seemed to radiate power.  He looked distinguished with a touch of gray at the temples.  His eyes gleamed with dark wisdom.  "Where is she?" he said.

     Kevin found that he could not deny this man anything.  "Upstairs, sir."

     "Get your butt outta the way," Jake said and shoved Kevin again.

     Nathaniel glided up the stairs with grace and a motion born of fluidity.  "Virginia, you have kept me waiting.  You know I don't appreciate such behavior."

     Jake and Bob followed Nathaniel up the stairs.  At the same instant Jake reached into his snakeskin jacket and Bob reached into his sequined jumpsuit and they pulled out short wooden stakes.

     Kevin put a hand to his face.  They weren't planning to capture her; they intended to kill her!  And there was nothing he could do to stop them.

     Virginia appeared at the top of the stairs, her hands behind her as she gazed at Nathaniel.  "I'm sorry if I upset you," she said.

     "You should be sorry," Nathaniel said.  "I've decided to end your existence.  I've found another woman to take your place.  One who won't defy me."  Nathaniel looked back at Jake and Bob.  He smiled when he saw the stakes already in their hands.

     "You ready?" Jake said.

     Nathaniel nodded.  "I am."

     Virginia grinned.  "Now!" she yelled and pulled a stake of her own from behind her back.  She, Jake and Bob all lunged at Nathaniel and slammed their stakes into his body.  He screamed in agony as one punctured his heart.  He clawed at them, but his strength faded quickly and he crumpled to his knees.  He looked at Jake and Bob in wonderment, then toppled backward and slid down the stairs, coming to rest at Kevin's feet.

     Kevin looked up at the three vampires.  "You had this planned all along?"

     They all nodded.  "We were sick of being ordered around," Bob said.  "I wanted to go to Vegas and fulfill my desire to be the King."  He smiled.  "I'm free at last.  Uh-huh-huh!"

     Jake grinned and removed his Stetson.  "I took a liking to a cowgirl, but Nate wouldn't let me have her.  Now he ain't got no say in the matter."

     Virginia came down the stairs and embraced Kevin.  "You were perfect," she said.

     "Huh?"

     "Nathaniel was powerful enough to read mortal minds.  Centuries of practice.  You believed the whole gig so he did, too.  We had to lure him out of his mansion where he had too many loyal servants."

     "You used me," Kevin said.

     "To a degree, yes.  However, you remember the LTR part of my ad?"

     Kevin nodded.  "Long term relationship?"

     "That's right," Virginia said.  "With emphasis on the long.  How would you like to become one of us?"

     "Say what?"  Kevin gazed into her beautiful blue eyes.  He felt as if he were falling in love with her, but he wasn't sure if it was natural or some sort of hypnosis on her part.  Couldn't vampires seduce with a glance?  Hmm.  Maybe he could do that, too.

     Virginia smiled.  "Do you want to live forever?"