My Vampire Idol Read Free

was aware of
     or a hidden camera in that strange wandering eye.
    He stepped away from the bar and held up his hand. “I’ll sing.”
    Jolene shielded her eyes with her plump hand and gasped. “I think we have our first
     entry for the night! And he’s so handsome. You know I have a thing for men with facial
     hair. Look out Dickie, you may have some competition for our in-house-hottie contest.”
    The old man glared at Mac, his whiskered chin practically touching his nose, his toothless
     mouth all but disappearing at the offending thought. Mac shook his head. “I think
     you’re safe, Dickie.”
    He stomped toward the stage, cursing under his breath the entire time. All he’d wanted
     was a little alone time to brood.
    If that was true, you could have stayed away from this town altogether. Could have
     had a midnight snack in some deserted forest. Could have—
    He silenced the voice in his head with a quiet but colorful expletive.
    Could have. Would have. Didn’t.
    Instead he was standing on the stage, towering over Jolene who seemed more than ready
     to pass him the microphone. Heart of gold, his ass. More like platinum.
    Take that Gerard Butler.
    Mac saw the acoustic guitar leaning on the wall at the back of the stage.  Where had
     they gotten that gem of a Gibson? He had one or two at home collecting dust, but this
     one looked well loved. He reached for it, glancing at Jolene. “May I?”
    She blushed, her dimples deepening. “Oh, please do. You sir, are my new hero.” She
     spoke into the microphone. “Now tell me your name so I can introduce you to your audience.”
    Mac grimaced. He was fairly certain Kip wouldn’t recognize him anymore, and he doubted
     the others even knew computers existed. Still, just to be on the safe side… “Angus.”
     He blurted out the name of his long-dead brother and then instantly wished he’d picked
     something more forgettable. Like Jim or Todd. “Call me Angus.”
    Jolene’s smile broadened. “I like it. Give a warm welcome to our first singer of the
     night…Angus the brave!”
    There was a small smattering of applause, mostly from Hobie and Jolene, but Mac didn’t
     care. He wasn’t doing this for them. He spied a stool behind the ragged blue curtain
     leading off stage and grabbed it, setting it down in front of the microphone. The
     guitar felt like an old friend in his hand. Something that used to bring him joy.
    Jolene slid the microphone into its stand and jogged quickly off the stage, leaving
     him alone. He sat on the torn leather stool and plucked out a few notes with his callused
     fingers. Perfectly in tune.
    The lights dimmed and a bluish-white spotlight blared to life, aimed directly at his
     face. He closed his eyes and frowned. It wasn’t Jolene’s fault. She didn’t know about
     his sensitivity to light. Didn’t know she’d just invited a vampire onto her stage.
     The poor thing had no idea what he was capable of—she just wanted someone to sing.
    He kept his eyes closed and started to play what some would consider an oldie—though
     there weren’t many older than he was—but it was a favorite of his. 
    His voice was rusty. He hadn’t belted out a tune since Thomas had gotten him drunk
     on that shifter moonshine and convinced him to share some of the songs from his youth.
     That had been a good night.
    Until he found out he’d been on camera. Again.
    Fucking cats.
    But Thomas wasn’t here right now. No one was. No one knew where he’d gone—other than
     Saint, who always knew but would never tell. He could just be. He could just feel,
     or remember what it was like to experience the sort of gut-twisting love he’d begun
     to sing about. The kind of love he’d longed for in his adolescence– that he’d thought
     he found with the temptress who had created him. So long ago. Hundreds of years.
    He’d never feel that way again. Never wanted to.
    Mac’s voice didn’t waver when he felt the change in the air, sensed the new