The Vampiric Housewife Read Free Page B

Venjamin’s heart coming, or that he hadn’t smelled his earthy, sweet scent until he was already in the room. Was he losing his instincts and senses after years of being fed like a domesticated animal? He already sat and rolled over on command.
         Dr. Tobar Venjamin had the appearance of a benevolent old man with his thick head of wavy white hair, neatly trimmed beard, and spectacled blues eyes buried in a cushion of wrinkles. He, too, was pale from lack of sunlight. Nearly as pale as everyone else in Sangre Valley yet of late he had an ashen tint to his skin. He had always been a plump, well-fed man, his argyle sweater stretched over his padded belly beneath his lab coat, but over the past few weeks, the pounds had melted off of him leaving layers of sagging skin. There was an easy, soft spoken manner about the doctor; his smile inspired others to smile, he radiated amicability. But that was only one of Dr. Venjamin’s faces. When a frown overtook the smile, his whole face darkened, new circles under his eyes appeared giving him a sinister aura, and he chilled your blood—well, would have if it had been warm to begin with. He could threatened and belittle with such venom that you shrank and trembled. There was no doubt that the doctor was brilliant. However some wondered—Charlie among them—about his sanity.
         “Catch you at a bad time?” the doctor asked with a smile.
         “No. Just in thought. Trying to think if there was anything I left out of my report.” Charlie used to be an expert liar even before he joined Dr. Venjamin’s project. But in the last few years, he found it more and more difficult. He was sure everyone saw through his deceptions these days. He was always amazed when he wasn’t caught—both by the doctor and Val.
         “I thought I’d check in and see how you were holding up. How’s the family?”
         “They’re . . . they’re good.”
         “I’m looking forward to seeing them tomorrow night.”
         “Valerie’s excited too. She’s going into full swing. But, um, John and Amelia aren’t going to be there.”
         “No? I am disappointed.”
         “John wanted to take Lisa Cummings out and Amelia’s going to double with them with Drew Sanders.”
         Dr. Venjamin’s bushy eyebrows rose in surprise and excitement. “John and Lisa are a good match. They should be able to carry on the bloodline. Amelia and Drew, that’s an interesting start.”
         Charlie shifted in his seat. He didn’t particular like the idea of Amelia dating. Especially Drew Sanders. He was a bit older than Amelia. More than a bit to be honest. He was ever so much more dangerous than a seventeen year old boy. Charlie certainly did not like the idea of Dr. Venjamin approving of the boy Amelia had a crush on or his insinuations about bloodlines. “I don’t know if Amelia’s ready to date yet. She seems uncomfortable with the idea. She likes the boy but—“
         “But I’m sure you’ll get her to see that it’s healthy for a girl her age to go out and date. She’ll have fun. I know she feels like a misfit in school.”
          Charlie just started at him. Sometimes it was like Dr. Venjamin knew his children better than he did. But his children were teenagers. Teenagers kept secrets from their parents. And parents didn’t have Dr. Venjamin’s resources.
         “I’ll be sorry to miss their company. But young Harry will be there, won’t he?”
         “Yes, yes, wherever there’s a human, there’s Harry,” Charlie said forcing a smile.
         “I heard the rascal got himself in trouble at school.”
         “A fight, boys being boys.”
          “He couldn’t withstand the lure of a beating heart of his own kind. Went for the jugular, I believe?” There he went again, knowing all the details of his children’s lives.
         “That’s right. Valerie’s worried.”
         The doctor smiled.