Bloodline

By Michael McCarty and Jody R. LaGreca

In the swinging 1960s, over one-hundred-year-old vampire, Daniel Peck, meets the fetching young artist named Georgia “Gigi” Carrington. She is just his type: Blood type that is. Their hot romance solders into flames when they vow never to see each other again after a blowup. The old vampire is now settled down with motel proprietor, Annie Julliard, at the Stardust Inn with his tween daughter Clarice, and infant son Louis. The vampire family faces a crisis when Annie’s infamous house next to the motel is going to be repossessed. Annie vows to turn “Wall Street into Blood Street” to get her home aka “Vampire Ville” back. After a dispute regarding their finances Annie forces Daniel out. He reconnects with his old flame, Gigi. After a half-a-century apart, their reunion enfolds into an explosive connection and bloodcurdling conclusion to the acclaimed BLOODLESS Series…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
• Release date: Apr 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781682999752

Michael McCarty

Michael McCarty is the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including Frankenstein's Mistress: Tales of Love & Monsters; Dark Cities: Dark Tales; I Kissed a Ghoul; A Little Help from My Fiends; Dark Duets; Liquid Diet & Midnight Snack; Dracula Transformed and Other Bloodthirsty Tales (also with Mark McLaughlin); and Lost Girl of the Lake (with Joe McKinney). He is a five-time Bram Stoker Finalist and in 2008 won the David R. Collins Literary Achievement Award from the Midwest Writing Center. John Brassard Jr. has written two books on local history: Scott County Cemeteries, cowritten with his father, John Brassard Sr., and Murder & Mayhem in Scott County, Iowa. His work has appeared in Iowa History Journal, Quad-CityTimes, the North Scott Press and the DeWitt Observer. Mr. Brassard is also the writer, researcher and narrator for the Kitchen Table Historian podcast, which tells tales of true crime, the paranormal and other stories that your grandma didn't want you to hear. His website is http://johnbrassardjr.com.

Book preview

PART ONE

STRANGE TIMES

In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.

—Andy Warhol

People fear death even more than pain.

—Jim Morrison

Chapter 1

Silver Era

The Silver Era of the Nineteen Sixties,

Living in the fast lane, but getting slow,

Strung out on booze and amphetamines.

On a downward spiral in the price of fame.

Fast Lane

—by Jody R. LaGreca

1967…

Daniel Peck woke up on the famous red couch in Andy Warhol’s apartment known as The Factory located in Midtown Manhattan on 231 East 47th Street. The aluminum silver walls glared oddly in the light of day. Daniel tried to gather his sensibility, remembering he had crashed out the night before after one of Warhol’s legendary parties.

Daniel looked around seeing hapless bodies sprawled out in an amphetamine stupor amidst the gray concrete floor. He tiptoed around a sleeping woman with dyed blonde hair with black roots blaring out from the hairline. He accidentally stumbled on her fringed shoulder bag and positioned it to the left of her, but she was so knocked out she didn’t budge.

Still sleep induced, he nearly tripped on the large mirrored ornament that looked like a coffee table from outer space. Daniel wondered if it had any purpose at all with its rounded top. Nonetheless, a pair of silver legs from a mannequin, cropped off at the waist leaned against a silver foil pole in artistic splendor in Andy Warhol’s style.

The mannequin did not faze Daniel in the least, being a frequent attendant of Warhol’s avant-garde get-togethers. For him the blood flowed easily. Though the effects of the speed the crowd ingested often made his energy soar and then crash, which explained his mindless night of sleep.

All was still and seemingly peaceful in the room, except for the hunger for his morning cocktail. No worries, Daniel thought, the pickings are good. Daniel leaned down and stretched his body over the anonymous blonde. He took out his trusty razor and slashed a neat slit on the side of her neck. He then leaned over to lap at the nectar. It tasted as sweet as candy covered in honey; her blood flowed with the fountain of youth and this made Daniel feel rejuvenated. Daniel mused how she could not have been more than a teenager as he relished in the ample flow, which would hold him until evening.

The young woman stirred for a moment, which took Daniel by surprise. He could see she was about to awaken. He quickly lapped his tongue over the slit so the blood would coagulate and the wound would close up. No one would be the wiser, as had been his luck with his new hang out.

She sprang bolt upright, blinked a few times, and proceeded to rub her eyes with some intensity. When she lowered her hands and tried to focus on him a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Raccoon-like, he thought. In fact, he decided, she looked wasted and decadent, like she could certainly use a decent meal and a shower.

Good morning, Daniel said. He chuckled to himself.

You have not only been my breakfast companion but you have also been my breakfast.

"Did you say morning, the young woman groaned. What happened to last night?" she asked eyes still unfocused.

"I don’t know about what happened to your last night or mine. All I know is I woke up on the famous red couch with all of you peasants sleeping on the floor by my feet." Daniel laughed with the rich, sweet taste of her blood lingering.

The girl managed a weak smile. Oh so that was you who hogged the entire couch. I tried to sleep on the other side of it, but you kept kicking me, so I guess I just fell off and crashed out down here.

Sorry about that, he said, but I must have had a good nights’ sleep since the details of last night are a bit blurry.

Yeah, me too, you know that red couch has had a lot of company. It has good vibes. She got up and stumbled to the couch and dropped. Ahh...now that’s more like it. I wouldn’t mind sleeping some more.

I think what you need is something to eat, Daniel said with a little heart, knowing her exhaustion came in part from his draining her of a large quantity of blood.

I’m hungry and broke, only got spare change, she said.

Daniel reached into his pocket and handed her a few bucks, which would more than suffice for a hearty breakfast. Here, why don’t you go down the block to the luncheonette? It looks pretty decent. I’ll walk you there if you like, though I’ve already eaten. By the way, what’s your name?

Star, she replied.

He wasn’t surprised, everybody at the party seemed to be named after the elements: Sky, Moon, Brook, River, etc, etc, etc. The vampire fished around in his pocket and dug out a few more bills.

She grabbed for her shoulder bag and slipped the money in her wallet. Thanks.

I’m Daniel, he replied, Daniel Peck.

Thanks Daniel. I could sure use some coffee and breakfast. You said you ate already?

Yeah, I found something to eat in the kitchen left over from last night, he smiled a crooked jeer. If you like green mold on your cheese you would love it.

Green is great for Saint Paddy’s Day, but not on my cheese, thank you very much, she laughed. You know Billy Name found that red couch on the sidewalk on 47th street one night. He brought it in and it’s become more famous than any of these wannabes. She pointed to the sea of sleeping bodies before she got up and maneuvered around them.

Yeah, I know Billy Name. He has a good eye for decorating. It’s a gorgeous couch. Whoever threw it out doesn’t know quality.

Andy Warhol certainly does. Did you see him this morning? Star asked.

No, you’re the only one I saw who was awake. Come on, let me walk you, Daniel offered.

* * * *

They left the quiet apartment and walked outside. When Daniel saw Star in the light of day he thought he could easily pass for her father. His good deed of walking her to the luncheonette was more embarrassing than he thought it would be. The pair received a lot of stares since Star looked clearly a mess and beyond hippie charm. In fact, Daniel thought she looked downright sleazy.

Nonetheless, Daniel thought, it’s ironic how she is a vampire’s oasis. I haven’t had such good blood in a long time.

Hey Star, a long hair straggly musician carrying a guitar called out, who Star knew from the neighborhood.

Mickey, hey, what’s up? Star shouted, waving an unsteady arm.

I’m heading to a jam session. Is this your brother, Sammy?

Star laughed. I wish he were. Mickey this is Daniel. We met at the Factory and he’s a lot nicer and more considerate than my brother!

Daniel shook Mickey’s hand feeling surprised how his looking like Star’s father theory dissolved. Daniel surmised it must have been because Star looked so disheveled, but he still felt flattered. I guess I still have the old vampire charm, Daniel mused.

* * * *

Afterward Daniel walked back to his apartment in the East Village only to find Veronica sitting on his lime green couch waiting for him. Dressed in a low cut gold dress, it reached above her knees and showcased her ample cleavage and great set of legs. An amethyst necklace adorned her neck, adding a violet tinge to her dark eyes. They were encircled with black eyeliner and shaded with eye shadow, applied all the way up to her eyebrows. Her dark hair was waved and arranged on top of her head like she was an Egyptian princess, complete with a gold crown and hanging gold earrings.

The amber light of the living room became liquefied and the room lit up with the smolder of heat, which emitted from her body, so hot it torched the air with her witchery. She immediately reminded Daniel of Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra, knowing Veronica loved to emulate that style ever since the movie came out in 1963.

Daniel stood at the threshold when Veronica cackled unkindly, reverberating in the air with an echo. You have displeased me, Daniel, she said with an ominous edge.

I have done nothing other than what you have taught me, Daniel replied.

You’ve been busy toying with flirtation and vanity. You’ve become quite the ladies man and I cannot tolerate your pompousness and carelessness! Veronica eyed him with resentment.

Carelessness! Daniel retorted. And you don’t think our time on the sinking of the Lusitania and the fireball disaster of the Hindenburg could have been responsible? As the words left his lips, he regretted saying them.

I created you; I can destroy you just as well! She picked up an empty tumbler off the coffee table and threw it against the wall. The glass smashed into fragments going in all four directions, shattering Daniel’s ego.

Veronica’s lips were terse and her eyes were liquid pools of anger, which made the room get hotter. Sweat began to fall from Daniel’s forehead as his eyebrows tensed and formed a worry line in the center. I’m sorry, your Majesty, he said, bowing his head in reverence. I beg your forgiveness, my Queen.

Obedient and ready for service. That’s more like it.

What do you want of me? Daniel knew if he didn’t obey and relent he could be turned to dust in an instant for Veronica’s power reigned over him. He regretted he was merely a puppet to her command and would have been ashes of the earth long ago if not for her blood link. As much as he revered her was as much as he feared her. His knees were trembling and his hands were shaking at her formidable presence.

"Daniel, my disciple, you have gotten sloppy. I want to refresh your memory with the rules. Drink for the need of blood and not for the need of love. Remember the only one you need to love is me!"

"I love only you. Everybody else I ever loved is long dead. You know that Veronica. I will never forget the dark and magical night we met on the Lusitania, it is forged into my heart and my mind forever. I will be indebted to you for choosing to change me to be considered amongst the ranks of the most privileged undead."

Just don’t let it go to your head, Daniel, and make me regret it! I have lived through a quantum leap of time and these are among the most decadent of days. Free love—that concept is so ridiculous. Love always has a price. But nowadays, free love is the norm, and it has become rampant. This is the reason why you are able to feed your vampire ways without a drought; it is not for your charm, believe me. But this has made you pompous and changed your ways. You go to the Factory to hang out with the in crowd, thinking you’re a celebrity in your own right. You’ve been meeting and conquering women day in and day out; like they’re no more than flies that you swat when you’re finished with them!

Daniel dared not to rebuff.

Veronica went on. "That pathetic creature Star who you drank for breakfast couldn’t have been more than sixteen-years-old. I warned you about messing with jailbait years ago and here you go without any qualms about drinking her blood! Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Veronica asked with an angry tone.

No, I haven’t, Daniel answered, feeling diminished.

Then I suggest you do, because if you keep up your foolishness you won’t even be able to walk into the Factory. No one will recognize you and you will be too young to blend in. Not to mention, how will you be able to continue being a substitute teacher and making ends meet? You look younger than the students!

Daniel glanced into the mirror next to the couch and got the shock of his life. Drinking Star’s blood had made his face look like a teenager’s. Daniel panicked, fearing this was something that was not going to vanish overnight. He remembered he had to work at Bayside High School on Monday and it became clear he certainly could not show up at work the way he looked at present. He would clearly be mistaken for one of the students.

I’m so sorry I have let you down, Veronica! These times are so crazy. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I will never do this again, I promise.

I certainly hope not, but the only thing you can do now is to drink the blood of a senior citizen, maybe even the blood of two seniors, to get back your appearance and that is not going to be easy. Women sixty-five and older are not interested in teenage boys, so you had better work up a scheme before the weekend is up.

Veronica then smiled seductively. When she did the room lit up with white light, which highlighted her beauty. The spell she cast over the room made Daniel want to be with her, despite his aversion. Daniel knew the cycle well and he felt himself becoming drawn to her power.

"Don’t make yourself look ridiculous, Daniel. For the sake of the devil stop fawning over me. I don’t associate with schoolboys! Now I suggest you grow up and grow up fast!" she exclaimed with a sarcastic laugh.

The Queen of the Undead was aware her alluring ensemble made Daniel a patsy for her once again. She stood in the center of the room; her form appeared larger than fantasy, but darker than doom. Fog began to fill the room. It swelled in white swirls and overtook the air and obscured Daniel’s vision. Suddenly the room spun around in circles of smoke and mist. When it evaporated, Veronica was gone.

Daniel’s knees buckled and, to his relief, he fell onto the couch, where he tried to gain his composure. He bowed his head in subservience for the reminder of how Veronica owned him. Although Daniel did not welcome her surprise visits her appearance had him mesmerized. Every cell in his body wanted her warmth, her coldness, her passion, and her aloofness. He felt such an incredible longing to be near her, like mother earth comforts mortals; Veronica had the appeal of mother undead to Daniel.

Daniel knew he had to follow Veronica’s advice even though his stomach still felt satiated. Though he knew he needed some rest since sleeping during the day was still the best rejuvenator for his vampire constitution. The sunlight seemed to singe his skin while the evening embellished his pallor with the popular pale hue of a rock star and this had become his secret weapon these days. Daniel felt grateful his appearance was finally in vogue.

He took a short siesta and when he awoke the sky was filled with brilliant sunshine, so strong it hurt his eyes. He changed into a sweatshirt and sweatpants noticing they were the only pieces in his wardrobe that seemed to fit him properly at present since he had gotten shorter in the transformation.

He put on a baseball hat and sunglasses before he headed out to go to the park. He soon arrived and walked to a remote area behind the lake where he noticed a woman sitting on a bench with a cane by her side. Her short hair shone out in the daylight as white and bright as the clouds, in Day-Glo fluorescence.

I’ll be back in a moment, Stephanie, an elderly gentleman said as he walked with a cane. I’m a bit parched and the drinking fountain is on the other side of the park.

The lady didn’t answer back. As the vampire approached the bench, he noticed she’d dozed off. Hidden behind a tall, full tree, the only way someone could spy her presence was if they walked down the earthen path on the other side of the lake.

Daniel’s breath heightened as this opportunity availed itself. He sat on the bench next to her and realized his presence hadn’t stirred her. He leaned over like he was enjoying her perfume, when in reality he surreptitiously slid his razor over the white soft flesh of Stephanie’s tender neck. A weak stream of blood began to emerge. Daniel leaned over and lapped at it, feeling frustrated it flowed so slowly. He put his hands on her neck and pressed the skin, like a kitten nursing a mother