Hidden

By Mychael Black

Five years after Firestarter disbanded, newly-turned vampire Michael Grant is looking for a new band, preferably one in which he can play bass and not guitar for a change. He finds exactly what he wants in the local gothic metal band, Fragile Web. The gro

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Aug 2, 2018

Mychael Black

Alter ego of Katherine Cook, Mychael focuses on gay erotic romance stories in many genres. She lives in the eastern US with her family.

Book preview

mind.

Chapter One

I did it.

Took you long enough.

Michael Grant stared at the cigarette clasped between his fingers, thankful he no longer had to worry about the health risks. Tell me about it.

His best friend, Jason Summerfield, chuckled. So… who granted your wish?

A friend’s girlfriend, actually. I asked him first. He was cool with it, so then I asked her.

How old is she?

Four hundred something, I think. Certainly old enough to turn someone.

How does it feel? Jason asked.

Michael grinned. Fuckin’ awesome, man. I thought I’d miss food and drink, but I honestly don’t. The day/night thing isn’t so bad either.

You’re taking faster to it than I did, Jason said. Are you open about it?

Yeah. Hell, there’s talk of legislation for us -- folks lobbying for vampire rights. Michael put out his cigarette. Enough about me. How are y’all doing?

Great, Jason said. Michael could almost hear his friend’s smile. Dana has her hands full with the baby, though Haez spends as much time as he can with them. Nick and Daniel are doing much better, more stable. Saul and Julian are keeping me busy -- and a bit grounded, honestly.

Michael chuckled. They have their work cut out for them.

Jason laughed. Fuck you. What about you, music-wise?

Michael stretched out on the couch, putting the phone on speaker. "A few prospects. I’m cautiously hopeful. My ad led to countless texts, but, so far, none of the auditions have felt right. Besides, I’d rather do originals, and I’m hoping tonight’s audition is it."

What band?

Fragile Web, gothic black metal, Michael said. According to the drummer, their sound is a mix of Paradise Lost and Nightwish. Hell, the singer is a soprano.

Right up your alley then, Jason said. They do originals, I take it?

Yep. Michael glanced at the time on the phone. Shit. I gotta get going.

Good luck, man. Catch you later.

Thanks, and likewise.

Michael ended the call and got up. He grabbed his keys, cigs, wallet, and then stared at the two instrument cases near the door. Fragile Web’s drummer, Sam, had said they needed a bassist, but he’d said to bring the guitar, too. Michael hoped they wouldn’t need it. He missed playing bass.

Several years ago -- five maybe? -- he’d been riding the waves of success as one of the guitarists for Firestarter, a band he and Jason had started. But when Firestarter split, Michael found himself moving back toward his favorite genre of metal and his bass.

He locked up and lugged the two cases to the truck. Then he headed out for the audition.

Please let this one work out, he muttered.

Twenty minutes later, he pulled up outside a renovated warehouse. According to Sam, the band had it made here. The entire building belonged to the guitarist’s family, and the band rented out a large section just for rehearsal. A young, black woman stood at a side door, grinning.

Michael Grant? she asked as he got out.

That’s me. He locked the door and grabbed his cases out of the bed. Treya, I assume?

She shook his hand when he set one case down. Yep. The guys are inside. Need help?

No, thanks. Michael followed her into the building, instruments in hand. I’ve only spoken with Sam. You’re the singer, right?

Treya flashed him a grin and a