by L D Marr
Roz was certain that she didn’t know this man, but the lines of his face were familiar.
“I have come for you,” he said in a cultured European voice that terrified Roz to her core.
The man reached up a hand and pulled down his hood, and the resemblance was unmistakable.
He looks exactly like Cowboy Bob! she thought. But how can that be possible?
As if reading her thoughts, he explained. “Yes, I am the man you know as Cowboy Bob. But I am not from Texas, and I am not a cowboy.”
“Then who are you?” Roz wanted to ask, but when she tried to speak, she still couldn’t.
“I come from many lands, and I have had many names, often Robert,” he continued in the accented voice that Roz couldn’t ascribe to any specific country. “For convenience, you may continue to address me as Cowboy Bob.”
Roz tried to address him and found that she still couldn’t speak. Now that she knew who he was, she was somewhat less frightened. Only slightly less. His unwavering stare unnerved her, but she couldn’t break her eyes away from his. And her body remained as stiff and statue-like as his own, resisting all her efforts at movement.
“I will let you speak again momentarily,” he said. “When I’m sure that you won’t try to rouse the household. But first, I will give you a partial explanation of who I am and who you are about to become.”
Who I’m about to become? Roz thought. That sounds crazy! This whole situation is insane. Could I be dreaming?
But she had no choice except to listen.
“As I said, I am not the man you know as Cowboy Bob. In fact, I am not a mere man, a mere mortal. Other men’s bodies decay and crumble to ashes, but I continue to exist forever youthful through the centuries. Through the millennia and eons. Yes! I am one such as you have read about in the book that rests upon your nightstand. A vampire!”
Roz gasped. Or tried to, but her unresponsive vocal cords didn’t move.
“I see that because you read that book, you fear me, but you should not. That false tome is filled with lies and exaggerations designed to incite the masses and sell copies!” he seethed. “If he were not continents away, I would pay Bram Storker a visit and set him straight on the matter.”
Roz’s eyes would have opened wide if she were able to move them. But all she could do was stare back into Cowboy Bob’s own relentless eyes.
“I am not an evil being who preys upon the innocent,” Cowboy Bob continued. “No! My superior race provides a great boon to all mankind! And I do not die if I go outside when the sun is up or sleep in a coffin. And crosses and garlic have no effect on me. And other such claptrap written about me in that book is absolutely wrong and defamatory.”
Yes! I must be dreaming! The book has given me nightmares! No more reading at bedtime for me, Roz promised herself.
The nightmare version of Cowboy Bob went on.
“And now, because you have impressed me with your reserved manner and ability to restrain yourself when it comes to food, I have chosen you for the honor of becoming my next mate. Yes! You will spend eternity by my side!”
No! This is too frightening! Wake up! Wake up! Roz shouted at herself inside her mind.
But the scenery didn’t change. And it all felt terrifyingly real.
Now Cowboy Bob’s knees began to unbend, and his body straightened in her direction. His staring eyes came closer and closer to her own until they were mere inches away.
Then his upper body tilted sideways. His head lowered. His face pressed between Roz’s head and shoulder. She felt his mouth press against her neck! And then the small sharp pain of biting teeth!
Roz felt suction against the skin of her neck. Then she heard the gulping sounds of liquid being swallowed. She felt the terrifying movement of her blood flowing out of her body. Sheer terror magnified by the inability to move or protest overcame her.
“No! No!” Roz screamed silently in her mind over and over.
But her silent screams were ignored, and the sucking and drinking seemed to go on forever. Then after a while, there was a change. Roz began to grow weak, and her mind became fuzzy and unfocused. Her mental screams were too much effort.
Now that she’d stopped resisting, Roz felt the suction and devouring of her blood as pleasurable in a sweet but sickening physical way that shamed her.
Will I finally wake up now? she wondered just before she slipped into unconsciousness.
⌛
The man who was now called Cowboy Bob feasted hungrily on Roz’s pure, delicious blood. His unbendable moral code allowed him to feed to full satisfaction only on the darkest souls. But on occasions such as this one, he was transforming a mortal to become his mate. In this case, it was permittable for him to not only drink his fill but also savor a bountiful meal of the sweet blood of a desirable woman.
Ah! There is nothing more pleasurable in my long-restricted life! he thought, as he lost himself in the taste, the feminine aroma, the warm softness of Roz’s skin.
Just a few cups more, and she will be at the brink, he thought. The point of no return from the death of her mortal body. Then I’ll have to stop drinking and offer her my own blood. The magical elixir that will transform her into the most powerful of beings!
At the thought of this enjoyable, deeply sensuous experience coming to an end, a stab of regret shot through him.
I will drink the last dregs slowly, he decided. To savor the taste, the feel of her living body and blood while I may. She will be my mate for all eternity, so this time might be the last that I can experience these depths of pleasure.
Deep in his indulgence, Cowboy Bob’s normal heightened awareness of every movement and sound in his vicinity was dulled. He didn’t notice the small weight that climbed up his back.
But when something bit into his neck where the bare skin was exposed beneath his cape, Cowboy Bob noticed. Sharp teeth broke through his skin, dug deep, and chewed, as if feeding on him! A low growl accompanied the chewing.
The pain and offense of having any man or beast dare use him as prey—he who was the superior predator on the entire planet—penetrated through Cowboy Bob’s state of perfect bliss.
He removed one caressing hand from deep within Roz’s silken red hair and swatted at the small creature that rode his back. The small biting teeth came loose.
Cowboy Bob heard an animal scream that sounded like “reyowwww!” floating through the air. Then the small thump sound of something hitting the wall. And then silence.
His hand’s attention returned to Roz—this time to caress her supple shoulders. He felt the urge to move his hand lower. She would soon be his mate, after all, so such physical closeness was appropriate.
Then thoughts of Loretta entered his mind. Of the many times when his hands had moved lower, all over her luscious body, as he savored her delectable blood. Always restraining himself from drinking more than she could spare.
Guilt stabbed through Cowboy Bob. Many were the times when he’d thought about taking his fill from Loretta and making her his eternal companion. Her passion and voluptuous body stirred him to the heights of euphoria. Oh, how he had wanted her!
But each time that he’d thought of transforming her, he’d been stopped by his memories of past loves. All of them passionate and uninhibited, and all destined for the same fatal ending when they couldn’t control their cravings and desires.
Finally, he’d found the perfect woman in Roz. Restrained and prudish, her vegetarian diet proved that she’d be able to control her hunger for the taste of blood. She wouldn’t have been his first choice of mate if he allowed his emotions and physical yearnings to guide him. Cold logic had selected her. But her body, although slim, was still delectable.
Yes. She is the perfect mate for me. Soon, she will be mine for all eternity. But this opportunity is my last to enjoy the feel of her delicious warm, living flesh, Cowboy Bob realized.
He slowed his consumption of Roz’s blood even more. Now the longing to let his groping hands move unrestrai
ned to the most intimate parts of her body was almost overpowering. To let them take their own fill of her silken skin.
But Cowboy Bob restrained himself. After all, he had the iron self-control that one needed to survive through so many uncountable years.
No. I will wait for my pleasures, he told himself. And the wait will not be long. It is time to rouse her, so I can complete the final transformation.
⌛
From deep within some dark place in her mind, Roz heard a voice calling her—commanding her.
“Wake! Awaken!” the somewhat familiar male voice ordered.
Roz didn’t want to obey the command, but her eyelids fluttered open against her wishes.
In the dim light of the lamp on her nightstand, a shadowed face loomed close. The face of the vampire Cowboy Bob!
Am I not having a nightmare after all? her sluggish mind wondered.
“Ah yes! As usual, my timing is perfect!” said Cowboy Bob. “I have brought you just to the brink of death. To just the right moment to partake of my transformative blood before your living body departs this world.”
Roz stared back at him in deep confusion. She felt too weak to speak—more drained than she’d ever felt in her entire life. And she didn’t doubt that she was close to death.
“Rejoice! For soon you will have the honor of becoming my mate for all eternity,” he said. “A supernatural being elevated above the mere mortals who walk this Earth for their short lives. Together, we will share eternal life and enjoy eternal physical intercourse!”
Cowboy Bob gazed into her eyes in the same intense way he had earlier at the bar. Roz couldn’t break the gaze. She was too weak to move a muscle. But instead of attracting her, his passionate, hungry look disturbed and chilled her.
“What? No!” Roz tried to say.
It seemed that her vocal cords were no longer frozen, but in her weakened state, only a mumble came out.
And Cowboy Bob appeared not to notice her resistance. He smiled a bone-chilling smile, raised a hand in front of his mouth, and bit into his own wrist.
Then he turned the hand, so that his bleeding artery faced Roz, and thrust it onto her lips.
“What are you doing!” Roz tried to say in protest.
Her words were muffled by the wrist that covered her mouth. And when she opened it to speak, blood gushed in.
Roz choked and gagged on the salty metallic taste, trying to expel the vile liquid without swallowing any of it. But Cowboy Bob’s wrist pressed down hard and firm against her mouth.
“Drink! Swallow!” he commanded. “To join me in eternal life, you must drink my blood. If you do not, you will soon die.”
“No!” Roz tried to say again.
Her effort to speak only resulted in more blood flowing into her mouth. It was becoming unbearably full.
She shook her head.
This can’t be real! I must be dreaming! she thought again. It’s like the story in Dracula. But how can a nightmare go on for so long? Anyway, if it’s not a dream, I’m not going to drink his blood. I’d rather die that become a monster until the end of time!
“I know you resist me because of your great prudishness and self-restraint,” said Cowboy Bob. “You’re a vegetarian. That’s why I knew you were worthy of me. In addition to your long legs and desirable body. Yes, I understand why you aren’t succumbing to your dark desires now. But after you’re transformed, powerful passion will flow through your veins and drive you into my arms. I’m a patient man, and I can wait for that moment.”
“Never!” Roz tried to speak again.
More blood filled her mouth. Her throat swallowed involuntarily to release the pressure.
“Yes! You are mine!” said Cowboy Bob in a loud whisper.
He placed his free hand on her neck and rubbed it from top to bottom with strong strokes. The same method that animal healers used to force them to swallow medicine. Roz swallowed again against her will. And again.
“Drink, drink, my mate,” said Cowboy Bob. “And sleep now. When you awaken again, we will consummate our physical desire.”
Yes. I must be dreaming after all, Roz decided as she slipped gratefully back into a deep sleep.
Chapter 6
Late in the afternoon, Roz woke after the rays of setting sun turned her window’s sheer curtains pink and then disappeared. She opened her eyes to near darkness and remembered the disturbing dream of the night before.
Roz rubbed the place on her neck where Cowboy Bob had bit her and sucked her blood for a time that had seemed endless. But her skin was unbroken. Perfectly smooth. In fact, it felt softer and smoother than she remembered it to be.
I guess I got my beauty sleep after all, Roz thought. Thank goodness that was all a nightmare!
She sat up in bed, switched on her gas lamp, and stretched her arms above her head. Roz noticed that despite a night filled with disturbing dreams, she felt rested and refreshed.
She remembered her diner date with Jonah for that evening, and a rush of pleasure coursed through her veins. Roz was surprised by the strength of her anticipation for that meeting.
Could it be excitement that’s making me feel so alive and vitalized? she wondered.
“I feel fantastic this morning!” Roz said out loud.
The sound of her voice woke up Buttons, who’d been sleeping by her side. He lifted his head and looked at her somewhat accusingly. Then he yawned an enormous cat yawn, opening his mouth wide and showing all his teeth.
Roz stared at Buttons in surprise. His two incisors were long and sharp. They glinted in the golden glow of the lamp.
Have his teeth always been that long, and I never noticed? she wondered.
“Buttons, what big teeth you have!” Roz said to him mentally.
His only answer was a grumpy mental chuckle. But Roz hadn’t expected much of an answer. He feline companion was usually cranky and untalkative in the morning. Now he closed his eyes and tucked his head back into his curled-up body, making it clear that he wanted to go back to sleep.
But Roz was much too full of energy to laze around in bed. She pulled her quilt down and climbed out, taking care not to disturb Buttons again. She stood and twisted and stretched again, amazed by the vitality that coursed through her entire body.
An oval looking glass hung on the wall across from the bed. Roz approached it and stared at herself in its imperfect reflection. She marveled in the change in her looks—clear skin that positively glowed. Glossy hair that seemed thicker.
Am I imagining that I look so much better today because I’m in the throes of love’s spell? she wondered. I even look several years younger!
Roz opened her mouth to check her teeth and got another surprise.
Just like Buttons, her two incisors were longer and sharper than she remembered. She reached up a hand to feel one. It was smooth on the side. She lowered her finger down and pressed it against the tooth’s sharp point.
“Ouch!” Roz said out loud.
She pulled her finger away and looked at it. A tiny drop of blood was forming on the tip of her finger. Instinctively, Roz put her finger in her mouth and sucked at the blood.
Again, she was surprised. It tasted luscious, flavorful, and delicious! But it was her own blood and therefore not satisfying—the strange assessment of her blood entered her mind.
Now Roz thought back to her dream and felt a chill.
It’s odd that things seem so different today! she thought. Has my mind become unbalanced?
A loud female scream interrupted her thoughts. Then more screaming. The sound of bare feet running past her door. And more crying and screaming.
Chapter 7
The man who called himself Cowboy Bob woke up in his seldom-used bed at the sound of a terrified scream. He threw off his covers and rushed to its source. Because he moved faster than human eyes could see, he was the first to arrive at the open doorway of one of his saloon girls.
Cowboy Bob slowed his pace, walked inside, and identified brown-haired Pr
udence as the screamer. She stood next to the bed of curvy Gertie, another redhead like Roz. Gertie lay still and silent on her bed. Her mouth was open in the shape of a scream, and a wooden stake protruded from her heart. Blood stained the sides of her skimpy nightie and pooled in channels along her sides, but it had ceased to flow some hours ago.
Such waste! Cowboy Bob thought.
He put an arm around Prudence and attempted to comfort her.
More women poured into the room. Some screamed, and others stood in silent horror. A few fainted and were caught and held up by others.
Who has dared to kill one of the people in my protection under my own roof? Cowboy Bob wondered.
Intense anger boiled inside him, but he displayed only a cool, calm persona on the outside.
This murder must have happened when I was busy turning Roz, he realized. Lost in the enjoyment of her delicious blood, I failed in my duty to those I’m responsible for. Yes, I am to partly to blame. But I will find the perpetrator of this crime, and that person will pay with their own death by vampire!
Now Cowboy Bob inhaled and smelled the sweet and familiar blood of his frequent provider Loretta. He felt the warmth of her presence and the weight of her attention pressing on him.
He turned around to look at Loretta where she stood crowded in between the others, just inside the open doorway. They exchanged a look of shared guilt. But in Cowboy Bob’s case, the guilt was mixed with fear.
Because of my distraction, Loretta could just as easily be lying on her own bed with a stake through her heart! he thought.
Then Roz entered the open doorway and stood among the others. Cowboy Bob immediately saw the difference her transformation had made. Her skin and hair shone with health and vitality. She almost crackled with the energy of the powerful supernatural blood that now coursed through her veins.
