Page 33 of Charmed By Apollo

“What? Behind you? Why?”

“Who knows what horrible creature is behind that door? If you stay behind me, I can protect you!”

Geri rolled her eyes. “I can protect myself fine, thank you. But why don’t you just whisk us away from here?”

“What—oh, yeah, right!”

As Apollo reached for her, the door stopped, and the silence it left was deafening. Both of them stood rooted to the spot, frozen as they waited for someone—or something—to emerge.

“Hey there!” greeted the figure whose head popped out from behind the massive wooden door. He smiled brightly at them. “Are you guys lost or something?”

Apollo’s eyebrows furrowed together as he stared. “I, uh, maybe we’re in the wrong place.” He scratched at his head. “I could have sworn this was Bran Castle.”

“Sure is, dude!” The man stepped out from behind the door and stood in front of them. “How can I help you?”

Geri’s gaze bounced from the man to Apollo, then back again. “I, uh, I guess we’re looking for vampires?”

“Groovy,” he crooned. “Well, here I am. What can I do for you?”

Geri’s mouth opened, but nothing would come out. From Apollo’s warnings—and perhaps what she’d heard about vampires and seen in movies—she’d expected a somber creature dressed in black with pale, cold skin. While the man in front of them did need a tan, he was nothing like she’d imagined. He had long, straight hair that went past his shoulders, a full beard, and wore a tie-dye shirt with bell-bottom jeans. Is this vampire a hippie?

“You’re a vampire?” Apollo interjected. “A real vampire?”

The man smiled, flashing a pair of fangs. “Absolutely, brother. And you two are not human. You’re a shifter,” he said to Geri before turning to Apollo. “And you…I’m not quite sure.”

“How did you know we weren’t human?” Geri asked.

The vampire’s cool green eyes stared into Geri’s, and for a moment, her heart stopped. “It’s probably similar to the way you can tell I’m not a human.”

Geri cocked her head, blocking out other smells and sounds to focus on the vampire. The first thing she noticed was the lack of a heartbeat. Then, she realized the vampire did indeed have a distinct smell. It wasn’t bad, per se, more like a strong flowery perfume, but it definitely did not have the same complex notes as humans and gods did.

“Vampires don’t sweat,” he explained, as if reading her mind. “And no, we don’t read minds either. But see, much like your senses allow you to scent other beings, vampires can smell blood.” He peered closer at her. “Wolf, right?”

Geri could only nod.

He turned to Apollo. “You, however…you smell…divine.”

“I am,” he replied. “A god. Apollo.”

He nodded. “Outta sight, man. I dig it. God of the Sun, right?”

“You bet.”

“Niiiice. Oh, and speaking of which”—he held out his hand—“the name’s Marley. I’m the leader of the Bran Coven.”

“Lovely to meet you,” Apollo took his hand. “And this is Geri.”

Geri also shook the hand Marley offered. “Er, nice to meet you, Marley.”

“Same. I don’t meet many people, much less non-humans. So, Geri, Apollo, what can I do for you?”

Geri and Apollo looked at each other, both seemingly equally at a loss. Finally, it was Apollo who spoke up. “We need some information. Something only vampires might know about.”

“I see. Oh, what am I doing?” He slapped his forehead. “I’m forgetting my manners. Not cool on my part. Sorry, it’s been a while. Why don’t you come in? Actually, my coven and I are about to sit down for breakfast. You can join us. We have human staff, and I’m sure they can make you something to eat.”

When they hesitated, he chuckled. “I swear, it’s safe in here. I promise, I won’t eat you.” He made an X over his chest. “Cross my heart—it may not be beating, but you know what I mean.”

Apollo cleared his throat. “Mr. Marley?—”

---