The Perfect Bite

Ten years ago… I was new to town and had heard about the grand opening of a vampire club called Dicknosis. I’d bought a cup of coffee and listened in on the conversations around me. The event was all anyone could talk about. I was intrigued, not just because the name was blatant and clever, but it was a clear statement of intent, with no apologies. A vampire club for gay men who wanted to take a walk on the wild side. I thought that maybe a place like that wouldn’t mind someone like me working there. Around nine that night when I approached the guy at the door with a job query, he told me to go around back. I headed down the alley beside the brick wall of the building, but before I got very far, a gritty voice called out, “Where do you think you’re going, human?” I’d heard stories of people being attacked at night by vampires who didn’t follow the code of conduct that had been put in place since they went public. This was not good. I turned my head, heart pounding and skin suddenly clammy as I gazed at the biggest vampire I’d ever seen. In the glare of the streetlight behind him, he looked menacing and…hungry. “Any reason you need to know?” I retorted, which was probably a bad idea. “Oh, a feisty one. Your blood will be delicious. I like a little fight when I feed.” Say what now? He wanted to…? No, no, no. This was not happening. I felt my glasses slipping down my nose as I backed away. “Look, I don’t want any trouble and what you’re doing is illegal.” As if he cared. He laughed. “You’re not in any position to threaten me, my little blood donor. Come on, it won’t hurt a bit.” Right. I scrambled away from him, my glasses falling to the ground in my haste. And then he lunged. He had me pinned to the wall, legs dangling, his fangs descended, and fetid breath on my face when I heard a low growl nearby. “Leave him alone,” a voice commanded. My would-be attacker dropped me to the ground and turned to face his challenger. The man I saw then was fuzzy, but huge and even more intimidating than this one. But for some reason, I wasn’t afraid of him. “This human is off limits, vampire,” my rescuer continued, slowly approaching us. My assailant snarled. “On whose authority?” I could hear the power in the newcomer’s voice when he said, “I’m Pierre Sangre, a vampire who is centuries older than you and deserves your respect. You have entered my territory and violated the vampire code. Leave now or pay the price.” That fool bloodsucker ignored the warning, and the fight that followed was a blur of bodies and blood. When it was over, Pierre was the only one left standing. “He will be placed in the sunlight according to vampire law. You are not harmed, little one?” he asked as he crouched next to where I still remained on the ground. “N-no, sir. I am indebted to you. I owe you my life.” I sat up and felt around for my spectacles. He found them and put them on my face. “You are welcome. What is your name?” he asked as he helped me stand. “Gabe Villagran, sir.” “Well, Gabe Villagran. What can I do to make up for this unfortunate incident?” “If you happen to know the owner of this club, I could use a job.” He smiled. “As luck would have it, I am the owner. Consider yourself hired.” And that’s how it all began.