Page 36 of Charmed By Apollo

“Like the fake meat product?” Geri asked.

The Improbable™ brand had exploded in the last five years or so. While initially a niche product that catered to vegetarians, now even fast-food chains carried Improbable Meat™ burgers, tacos, nuggets, and deli sandwiches.

“Well, where do you think the technology to make it came from?” Marley said. “Dr. Rodrigo is the CEO of the corporation that owns Improbable Meat, and he’s also the chair of the Vampire Council.”

Interesting. Well, that certainly reassured Geri that they in fact, would not be eaten for breakfast or any other meal.

“I didn’t know that,” Apollo said. “I’m afraid what I know about your kind is terribly outdated. Like, a few centuries outdated.”

“Yeah, I’m afraid gossip, rumor, and media have really done a number on our reputation,” Marley said. “But in some ways, that’s good, and the Vampire Council prefers it that way. Keeps the mystery and the dangerous people away. Like those who don’t understand us and want to kill us. We just wanna live in peace, you know? Love and harmony…that’s what we’re all about.” He raised his glass to Geri and Apollo and took a sip.

Apollo, too, raised his water glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

“Well, this has truly been an interesting breakfast,” Marley said as he wiped his mouth with his napkin, “But you said you needed some information from us? What about?”

When Apollo opened his mouth to speak, Geri raised a hand to let him know she wanted to be the one to tell them. “It’s about my grandmother.” And so, she proceeded to tell them about Grannie and what happened in Siquijor, including what Lola Conching had told them.

Marley rested his elbows on the table, then planted his chin on his interlaced fingers. “I see.”

“So, do you have the power to raise the dead?” Geri asked. “I mean, without turning them into vampires?”

“Actually, someone would have to be alive to be turned into a vampire, and it’s more complicated than what you may have read about in books,” the coven leader said. “I can’t tell you the exact way we do it, but it’s very regulated. We need permission from the Vampire Council to turn someone, and even then, you can get turned down. But one thing I can tell you is that one of the requirements is that you need to be alive first.” He leaned back. “But as for raising the dead…I don’t think we have that power.”

“I’ve heard of something like that.”

They all looked at the vampire at the end of the table, a fresh-faced youth Marley had introduced as Bodhi.

“You have?” Marley asked.

“Yeah…I mean, just rumors and whispers, you know?” Bodhi’s tone dropped down to a soft whisper. “So, it was before I joined you guys, and I was a roadie on that tour with Jerry and Bob and the rest of the guys. I was newly turned then, and then I meet this old vamp just outside The Fillmore. He was trying to school me about all things vampire and how the ‘good old days’ were better.”

“Ugh,” Sapphire said in disgust. “One of those guys.”

“There are a few of us who want to go back to the old ways of feeding from humans,” Marley explained. “But go on, Bodhi. What did you hear?”

Bodhi continued. “Anyway, I thought he was just talkin’ shit, you know? But he did say that ‘back in the day,’ we could just raise people from the dead. Like, he was talking, going to cemeteries and graves and shit.”

A glimmer of hope fluttered in Geri’s chest. “So, do you think it is possible?”

“I don’t know,” Marley said. “It is but, but only the oldest among us might know and—” He snapped his fingers. “Wait! You’re in luck.”

“How?” Apollo asked.

“Well, our quarterly Vampire Council meeting is tomorrow, and it’s going to happen here. Dr. Rodrigo and the other council members will be arriving after sunset. They might be able to help you or at least let you know if we can or can’t bring your grandmother back. You should stay here with us, and I’ll introduce you tomorrow.”

“You’ll let us stay and do that for us?” Geri asked.

“Of course! Dr. Rodrigo would be thrilled to meet you—especially the god of the sun himself.” He nodded at Apollo. “And I think you’re a couple of cool cats, right, guys?”

The rest of the coven agreed.

“So, stay the night, hang with us, and then we’ll get you set up in a guestroom.”

“You mean guestrooms,” Geri said. “Two rooms. Separate.”

“If you have the space,” Apollo interjected.

“This is a huge castle,” she pointed out. “I’m sure you have lots of rooms, right, Marley?”

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