Vampire for Hire Read Free Page B

one seemed to notice him but me.
     
               And seemingly inside my skull, I heard a very faint, yet very distinct whisper: Hello, Moon Dance.
     
               Fang opened his eyes and smiled at me.
     
               “Okay,” I said. “ That’s never happened before.”
     
              
     
              
     
              
     
               Chapter Four
     

     
              
     
              
     
               “It is common knowledge that vampires can control others with their minds,” said Fang.
     
               “But I’m not trying to control you,” I said.
     
               “Yet,” he said. “But if I find myself suddenly giving you a pedicure, I might suspect otherwise.” He winked.
     
               I lifted my hand. “Trust me, there isn’t a file strong enough for these nails.”
     
               “Let me see your nails, Moon Dance.”
     
               “No.”
     
               “Please.”
     
               I sighed and held out my hands. He took them gently and did not flinch at the extreme cold of my flesh like most do. Indeed, shivering and smiling, he seemed to revel in the iciness. He next tapped the tip of my index finger. I felt like a horse being sold at auction. “You could disembowel a rhino with these things.”
     
               “Or a bartender who lets my secret out.”
     
               He grinned again. “I didn’t realize how feisty you were, Moon Dance.”
     
               “We never had this much at stake, Fang.”
     
               “We both hold equally damaging secrets. I, too, am trusting you to keep my secret safe.”
     
               “You’re a convicted murder and an escaped prisoner.”
     
               “And you’re a blood-sucking fiend.”
     
               I studied him. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile, along with some of his beard. “Fair enough,” I said, sitting back. “So what’s this mind control business you’re talking about?”
     
               He finished his drink and waved the waitress over. I had barely touched my own wine. When she was gone, he sat forward, resting his weight on his sharp elbows. “You have already mentioned your sixth sense, Moon Dance. You have even mentioned that you felt it is getting stronger.”
     
               I nodded; it was.
     
               He went on, “Well, your sixth sense is a little more far-reaching than you have thought; at least, that is my understanding.”
     
               “How far-reaching?”
     
               “Telepathy. Hypnosis. Mediumship .”
     
               “One at a time,” I said. “Hypnosis?”
     
               “You’ve seen Dracula , right?”
     
               “Maybe.”
     
               “Did you read the book?”
     
               “No.”
     
               “A vampire whose never read Dracula ?”
     
               “I’ve been busy raising kids and trying to keep a husband happy. At least I’m batting .500.”
     
               He smiled sadly. “I’m sorry he hurt you, Moon Dance.”
     
               “So am I.”
     
               “Want to change the subject?”
     
               I nodded.
     
               “Back to mind control. Dracula, you see, has the ability to induce hypnosis with just his gaze. You might want to look into it.”
     
               I shook my head at his silly pun. “Fine. What about mediumship ?”
     
               “That’s speaking to the dead, either to those who have passed on or still linger.”
     
               “Linger?”
     
               “Ghosts, Moon Dance. You should be able to see ghosts.”
     
               I scanned our surroundings. The electrified air, usually so alive with light filaments,