Sucking in San Francisco Read Free Page A

he smiled did I get warm in that special place?

3 . AIDAN
    A vampire, by definition, cold blooded. A philanthropic vampire? A gorgeous, do-gooder vampire whose passion tantalizes like the breeze through orange blossoms? I must be insane. Me, a djinn, destined to walk the world alone or serve in slavery has just let a sworn enemy go. I’ve spent my life destroying vampires. Ever since the Djinn - Vampire war of 917. The vampires had made a campaign out of binding djinn using us to fight against each other. They adored sabotaging each other’s djinn. Never mind the pain and harm to the jinni. They starved us of energy to make us more ruthless, or so they thought. In fact it only made us weak and fueled our desire to kill our masters. It was a horrific time in djinn history. Hundreds of jinni were used up during that war, damaged or weakened beyond repair. Their essence simply drifted away. Joined the cosmic energy. Ceased to exist.
    The vampires think of djinn as slaves. When they lose one, they bind new djinn to take their place. I swore to kill all the evil vermin I come across. My skin starts to crawl whenever I get near one. Good vampires don’t exist. I’ve never seen one and I’ve seen all of this world, watched humanity evolve. Why didn’t I destroy her? I’m befuddled. I’ve been miserable. That has to be the reason. I’m not thinking clearly. Her face haunts my mind. Of course, all the vampires I’ve met have been easy on the eyes - it seems to be a club requirement of theirs - but a beautiful, kind vampire? Entirely out of the question. I’ve seen every kind of blood sucker imaginable.
    I once ran across one that was particularly nasty. Feasted on children, drained them and left them lying where they fell. They lay scattered like dolls, with their ashen faces and pale lips. The villagers thought a wasting sickness was passing through the village. It was disgusting. I blasted him, and regretted I couldn’t do it over and over again. Then there was Mathilda, a classic wicked step-mother, married about twenty wealthy men throughout Europe. The men died quickly and the children never made it past fourteen. I could go on for hours. They manipulate, intimidate, bewitch and seduce their victims and then gorge themselves when they only need a small amount of blood to survive. I’ve never met one that was worth saving. Yet I let this one live. I goaded her and she didn’t retaliate. She didn’t lie. There was something about this one. I can’t put my finger on it. I will find out. She wanted to help me. I could taste her sincerity.
    I need to walk. I need to feed and a person’s energy is what I feed on, the more eccentric or intense the emotions the better. Swirling in the energy auras relaxes and stimulates me at the same time, like good jazz. The Castro at this time of night is a high-energy place to be. It’s effortless for me to blend in. A Gay Mecca, with its rainbow flag flying high. The Castro is filled with imaginative stores and bars. One of my favorite places is Cliff’s Variety Store, there are always a plethora of people coming and going from there or Hot Cookie. Both are closed this time of night, but the bars are open. It’s always good to be around people and this community has more than the usual flavors. People here are not afraid to experiment and try all lifestyles. It’s like going to Baskin-Robbins. I especially like energy that’s been stirred up a bit.
    I wander into a drag show. It’s steaming with energy. The performer looks more like Marilyn than Marilyn did. Everyone in the crowd is dressed up, trying to be something different for the night. So much energy, I’m feeling better already. I see a woman who reminds me of Lilith. The way she holds her mouth, defiant and beautiful.
    My meeting with Lilith has stirred me. Awakened a desire for mischief that I thought couldn’t be rekindled. Tonight I thought I was done in this world. I am curious for the first time in centuries.

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