Page 42 of Charmed By Apollo

“Dear elders, Dr. Rodrigo,” Marley greeted as they approached a group of vampires.

One of them, a middle-aged man with thick, dark hair and a pencil-thin mustache, turned to Marley. “Yes?”

Marley continued. “May I present our guests, Apollo, God of the Sun, and Miss Geri Andersen, of the Andersen Pack of Alaska.”

Dr. Rodrigo’s eyes lit up while an excited murmur buzzed among the elders. “My Lord Apollo.” The vampire bowed his head low, and the others followed suit. “I was so thrilled to hear you were visiting us. It is truly an honor to meet you.”

Apollo was taken aback by their obvious deference. As far as he knew, vampires and gods had no formal relations. “Dr. Rodrigo…ladies, gentlemen,” he said, acknowledging the dozen or so members of the Vampire Council. “It’s an honor to be here, and we are grateful for Marley and this coven’s hospitality.”

“Arghh…unggh…bleaaww…”

Apollo frowned. “Er, excuse me? Did you say something?”

“Oh, I beg your pardon!” Dr. Rodrigo stepped aside, revealing a small figure behind him. “Sorry, Uriel, didn’t realize you were there.”

The vampire behind Rodrigo wasn’t small at all. He was just hunched over and supported himself with a cane. His hair, what was left of it anyway, was completely white, and his liver-spotted skin lined with wrinkles and creases.

“Unngg…grww…jweaaaaahh…youuu…bloooo…”

“Er, I beg your pardon?” Apollo asked, hoping he sounded polite.

“Uriel says it’s been a while since he’s seen one of your kind,” Dr. Rodrigo translated. “And, uh, he said something about really wanting to meet you.”

“Oh, I see.” Apollo bent down to the old man’s level to face him. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Rarrghhh!” The decrepit old creature snapped his jaw at him.

Apollo took a step back. “Er, did I say something wrong?”

Dr. Rodrigo sent Marley a meaningful look. “Um, I think Uriel needs a rest. Do you mind, Marley?”

“Of course not.” Marley stepped forward and gently placed a hand on the older vampire’s elbow. “Let’s go have a rest, Uriel. That’s it…one step at a time…”

As the vampire leader led Uriel away, Dr. Rodrigo clucked his tongue. “Apologies, Lord Apollo, Miss Andersen. Uriel is the oldest among us, so he’s a bit gone in the head. I’m afraid he hasn’t been the same since that battle in fifty-three.”

“Battle of fifty-three?” Geri asked. “Like during the Korean War?”

“No, Ms. Andersen, I mean 1453, the Fall of Constantinople.” The vampire chuckled when Geri let out a surprised gasp. “I don’t know if you know anything about vampires, Ms. Andersen, but we’re not immortal, at least not like the way Lord Apollo is. After a few thousand years, our bodies start to degrade and weather, not even real human blood can revive us. And because of this at some point, many of us decide to leave this plane for a permanent rest.”

“Marley mentioned that,” she said. “Just…seeing it for myself is different.”

“I haven’t met a shifter in a very long time,” Dr. Rodrigo said. “We mostly keep to ourselves to keep people who mean us harm away.”

“I totally understand,” she said. “My kind is the same.”

“But I’m glad to meet you.” His gaze went from her to Apollo. “So, a wolf shifter and god, traveling together. Marley tells me you have a question to ask.” He bowed his head again at Apollo. “It would be my pleasure to assist you, Lord Apollo, though I cannot fathom what knowledge we may have that the gods would not already possess?”

“It’s me, actually,” Geri said. “I’m the one with the question.”

“But, I would be grateful if you did provide her with the answer,” Apollo interjected.

“Of course, my lord. Now, what is your question, Ms. Andersen?”

“I was wondering…well…” Geri blew out a breath and squared her shoulders. “Is it possible…can you bring the dead back to life?”

“Bring the dead back?” Dr. Rodrigo echoed.

“Yes. We spoke to a witch who said vampires had the power to do so.” She bit her lip. “Well? Can you?”

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