Copyright Mlyn Hurn, 2003. All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

 

Chapter 1

 

"Vampires do not exist!"

The tall, blond-haired professor looked out at the audience, waiting for the usual sea of hands to rise up for the question period he allowed at the end of each lecture. Scanning the audience, he looked for the usual types that tended to sign up for the course he presented once yearly on "Vampiric Myths and Legends." Through no effort on his part, what had started out as a one-time lecture given to fill in for a last minute cancellation on the guest lecturer circuit, had rapidly grown into a regular series of lectures, and soon an accredited class.

Iain Dampier, PhD in European History let his eyes roam over the waving hands until he spotted the type of person he typically let ask the first question. His blue-eyed gaze zeroed in on the gangly, black-haired, pale-skinned young man in the front row. The multiple body piercings and black clothes screamed louder than any words exactly why this young man was here.

The young man jumped to his feet eagerly, revealing his zeal and belief in his soon-to-be voiced opinions. "Professor Dampier, how can you ignore all the literature that supports the existence of vampires down through the ages and in so many different cultures?"

Iain watched the young man, who almost shook with fervor as he resumed his seat. Only as the young man sat did Iain notice the woman seated beside him. The first thing he saw was that the woman was not looking at him. While he wasn't vain, Iain was aware that nearly every woman he'd ever met had found him irresistibly attractive. He wouldn't brag, but over the years there ha...