Vamptress Nights:

By E.S. Smith

Still mourning over the horrific loss of her boyfriend, freshly bitten Cassie must learn to embrace her new nocturnal lifestyle as a vampire. She is taken under the care of a master vampire named Mother Vamptress and her adopted daughter Scarlett. All is well until one night aft

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arrie Publishing Company
• Release date: Jul 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781732781955

Book preview

1

The moon illuminated the sky, just the way Cassie liked it. In the year 1995, it felt just like another typical autumn night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The air was dry. On this quiet night on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue, there were no more customers coming in the gas station where Cassie worked her third-shift job as a cashier.

Impatiently, Cassie watched the hands advance on the clock. Normally, her shift ended at 7 a.m. However, she needed to leave at 5 a.m. before sunrise.

And then finally, it was time to go. Cassie felt like Fred Flintstone at the opening credits of The Flintstones, a popular cartoon in the 1960s.

Yabba Dabba Doo! Cassie shouted her words excitedly.

Tossing her tan work vest in a hamper, she heard a voice say, Not so fast.

Cassie turned, seeing her boss, Mr. Sims, a salt-and-pepper haired, brown-skinned, chubby black man in his early sixties who owned the gas station. Wearing thick coke-bottle eyeglasses, Mr. Sims held a rolled-up newspaper. His wife had left him for another man, and his only daughter moved to L.A. to be an exotic dancer, leaving him alone in an empty house. This left him a depressed man. The gas station was all he had now.

Exhausted, Cassie’s stomach howled with hunger. But Mr. Sims was blocking her way out the door.

It’s time for me to go, Mr. Sims, Cassie explained.

Mr. Sims frowned. Did you balance the cash register?

Yes, I did, Cassie replied with her hands on her hips.

Mr. Sims looked around the store. Did you restock the shelves?

Cassie sighed. Yes, I did.

Are you sure you can’t wait till 7 a.m.?

It’s almost 5 a.m. I have to be gone before the sun rises.

Mr. Sims started at her strangely. What is it with you wanting to get home before sunrise? Most females don’t like walking home in the dark.

Cassie lowered her eyes, and then looked back at him with a smirk. I’m not like most females, Mr. Sims. Now, I have to go.

Mr. Sims narrowed his eyes. Okay, run along then.

Okay, bye, Cassie told him as she hurried out the door.

Cassie had to race home before dawn. Time was running out.

Standing five foot two and weighing one hundred and twenty pounds, she was a cute black female with brown eyes, her dimples captured everyone’s attention. Up close, her body was toned with just enough muscle to make a person think twice before approaching her. Wearing a red tank top, with a black, zipped hoodie and baggy black jogging pants, along with a pair of low top tennis shoes, Cassie had broad shoulders, fresh honey-colored skin, and long silky dark hair that she kept in a ponytail with bangs showing in the front. She had an electrifying smile that made many men weak and plenty of women envious. She looked like a true goddess.

Cassie held her growling tummy. She hadn’t eaten in weeks. The stiff cool breeze blew her ponytail. She lived a few blocks away from the gas station where she worked. There was a short path through a dark alley that Cassie loved to take. The average woman would be afraid to take the dark alley but not Cassie. She wasn’t like ordinary women.

Littered with trash, the alley smelled of urine and motor oil with a hint of raw sewage. Homeless people and prostitutes roamed this area, especially at night.

As she walked down the dark alley, she heard footsteps coming near her. She turned and looked behind her.

Nobody was there.

She kept walking. Then out of nowhere, a man emerged from the shadows between two trash dumpsters. In a tan, raggedy suit and tennis shoes, his permed hair made him look like he came out of the 1972 Super Fly film. The odd-looking man carried a cane, his skin dark as night. He smiled at Cassie.

Immediately, Cassie noticed his beady eyes, full, long sharp nose, and his huge lips with a scraggly beard underneath them. He smelled of booze and old musk, which caused her to frown at him.

He whistled at her. Hey, baby, he said with a strong, gruff voice.

Cassie stopped and looked at him but decided to keep walking.

The man walked closer to her. Cassie upped her pace. Then, in seconds, Cassie turned. Her left fist was clenched. Sir, can you please leave me alone? she said. Whatever it is that you want, I can’t help you!

The man caught up to her and then grabbed her arm. Now, baby, he said forcefully, where is my money?

Let me fucking go! Cassie yelled. She tugged and tugged. She felt the man’s rough hand pricking her skin. His hand felt like sandpaper—dry and cold.

Don’t play with me, hoe! he demanded. With his other hand, the man fondled one of her small breasts.

Cassie removed his hand just as her stomach started to rumble again.

Bitch, you better have my money, or I’m gonna choke the shit out of you! the man threatened. He grabbed Cassie by the top of her black hoodie.

Cassie struck him with an uppercut. He flew back, landing on his side and hollered in pain. Cassie started to run, but the man crawled to her with lightning speed and grabbed Cassie by her ankle.

You ain’t going nowhere, bitch! he yelled in pain.

Cassie heard the anger in his voice. She stopped struggling and slowly turned her head to face him. Instantly, her eyes, once brown, glowed bright red. Fangs sprouted from her mouth.

Taken aback, the man was terrified. WHOA…WHAT THE FUCK?

Now screaming, he released her ankle and stumbled to his feet. He ran, trying to escape.

Transformed into a full-fledged vampire and overcome with rage, Cassie chased after him. Oh, come on back, baby! She smiled briefly. Now, how you gonna start something and don’t finish it? We, women, hate a tease.

The man spotted a black iron gate and ran to it. He attempted to climb the gate; however, Cassie darted in front of him with super speed. He fell to the ground, looking both petrified and puzzled.

Okay, I’m sorry, he whimpered. I thought you were one of my bitches.

Oh, I am a bitch? Alright. Only this bitch is in heat!

Although he smelled of booze and musk and appeared very dirty, Cassie bit open the right side of the man’s neck anyway, knowing that vampires couldn’t catch diseases. Blood oozed down the man’s throat. All he could do was look in horror as she began feeding.

2

Twenty minutes later, Cassie arrived at her shabby house in a quiet little block, in a neutral area of town. Feeling full and unsatisfied from her recent meal, she felt ill and just wanted to lay down before dawn approached. As she walked up the stairs to the front door of the house, the door swung open. Her older friend Scarlett stood at the door with her arms folded.

Just a shade lighter than Cassie, Scarlett had the greenest set of eyes with flowing brown hair. Standing five feet, eight inches tall, and wearing a pink sweater and blue jeans with a red pair of Chuck Taylor All-Stars, Scarlett could’ve easily been a professional model, but she was more on the causal side.

Scarlett’s eyes expanded. Oh, you’re late! she screamed her words. You know Mother Vamptress don’t play that, she ended with a sassy tone.

Please, I don’t want to hear it, Cassie said, frustrated. I had a long night at work. And this guy kept following and bothering me.

Scarlett frowned. So, what did you do?

I asked him to please leave me alone, and he did, and we all lived happily ever after, Cassie replied mockingly. Goodnight.

Cassie took a step forward, but Scarlett blocked her from entering their house.

Scarlett shook her head. Happily ever after, huh? Then why you look so beat the hell up? Scarlett glanced at Cassie’s hoodie. And is that blood on your shirt?

Cassie looked down at her hoodie. There was indeed a bloodstain on it. Alright, I ate his ass! Cassie admitted. You happy now?

Scarlett laughed. Yes, but Mother Vamptress is not going to be.

That’s why we’re not going to tell her, right?

Cassie brushed past Scarlett and went into the living room. Both women talked in the brightly lit living room while walking to the door that led to another room.

You risked being caught for some low-life bum? Scarlett asked. Girl, I hope he was worth it. Scarlett fanned her nose with a disgusted look on her face. From the smell of your breath, it doesn’t seem like he was. Smell like you got him out of the ocean.

Cassie clutched onto her stomach. Oh, now that you mentioned it, my stomach is hurting. This guy must have been infected with every disease in the world. A worried look covered Cassie’s face. Whatever you do, please don’t tell Mother Vamptress.

It may be a little too late for that, Scarlett said.

Cassie turned based on the look Scarlett was giving her. A tall, round, dark-skinned woman with long braided hair, fat cheeks, and large plump breasts suddenly appeared. Mother Vamptress’s long, white lab coat draped the floor. She smelled of cigarettes and cheap perfume. Her head stood past the top of the doorway. She was so tall that she had to duck to get in and out of the room.

Oh, hey, Mother Vamptress, Cassie said, wearing a fake grin. Up for a late-night snack?

Mother Vamptress looked angry. Save it, she said with a smooth African accent. I heard everything. Mother Vamptress paused. And speaking of snacks, what the hell have you been eating? Mother Vamptress put her hands on her hips, scanning Cassie up and down. Like a blinking red light, her eyes flickered from dark brown to light red."

Worried and afraid, Cassie lowered her eyes. Well…

Scarlett put on her Sony Walkman headphones, pretending to drown out the discussion Mother Vamptress and Cassie were having.

Mother Vamptress’s frown deepened. Cassandra Denise Smith, she interrupted, how many times must I tell you, come straight home and don’t draw attention to yourself?

Oh, she used your full name, Scarlett giggled. Now, you know she means business.

Cassie turned and looked at Scarlett. Shut up, Scarlett Cinderella Copeland, Cassie ordered.

Oh, don’t say my full name like that! Scarlett yelled angrily. You’re bringing back traumatic memories. I don’t live in a fairytale.

Cassie and Mother Vamptress stared at Scarlett with a long pause.

Mother Vamptress looked irritated. Alright, moving on, Mother Vamptress said dryly. Enough, both of you! She quickly calmed her voice. You may continue, Cassandra.

Cassie’s eyes remained lowered, given the impression of a little girl being confronted by her mother. Nobody saw me, Mother Vamptress, she said, and I was defending myself.

Did you try out running him? Mother Vamptress asked.

Cassie shook her head. No, I was already having a bad night, and…

Mother Vamptress waved her hand in the air. You let your emotions get the best of you.

Cassie grunted. He tried to rape me. What was I supposed to do?

He’s human, and you’re a vampire. You shouldn’t have let him get that close to you.

I know, Mother Vamptress. I was hungry and weak, and he was an asshole. He thought I was one of his bitches.

Mother Vamptress’s eyes widened. Bitches? You killed a pimp?

Cassie lowered her eyes, afraid to look at Mother Vamptress. I…I…I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry, Cassie said, stammering over her words.

Mother Vamptress crossed her arms against her large plump breasts. We can’t afford sorrys. Why didn’t you have your artificial blood pack? Mother Vamptress pulled out a small red ball wrapped in plastic. It was frozen artificial blood.

I forgot when I was rushing for work, Cassie said, ashamed.

I created blood packs, so you wouldn’t have to act like a savage. They allow you to feed without being exposed. Mother Vamptress looked at Scarlett and then back at Cassie. I can’t keep moving us every time you girls make a mistake. We want to blend in as much as possible. Now, this pimp you killed; how do you know he was bad? And what about witnesses?

Cassie looked up at her. Mother Vamptress, I read his mind. If I were human, he would have raped and killed me.

Mother Vamptress placed her large hands on her ample hips. You sure you didn’t misread his mind? You know how your anger can get the best of you. And your mind can play tricks on you.

I didn’t misread his mind, Cassie said. "His