Overview
Teak has been attracting way too much attention lately. Will he learn his lesson when he is banished to Canada's far north?
Teak has always taken what he wants, when he wants, with no regard for the council of vampires overseeing his every move. When he crosses the line, he is sent to the far north as punishment and severely warned not to drink from any human there. He's also told to blend in by taking up his old profession. It all seems doable...until Teak meets the attractive pharmacist, Marcus Kent. When Teak tries to steal a bite as well as a kiss by glamouring the object of his desire, he discovers that where Marcus is concerned, his powers are moot.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781781848678 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Totally Entwined Group |
| Publication date: | 12/13/2013 |
| Series: | Frost Bite Collection , #2 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 54 |
| File size: | 205 KB |
| Age Range: | 18 Years |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Twenty-four hours later, crisp Yukon air filled Teak's lungs as he walked down the streets of Whitehorse, the largest city in the Northwest Territories. Mathew was at his side. The smell of spruce sap and tundra earth almost overwhelmed him as he was greeted by the distant howls of excited husky sled dogs.
"It's known as the Wilderness City, with a population of about twenty-five thousand people, nestled on the banks of the famous Yukon River," Mathew announced. He was carrying a medium-sized suitcase.
"What are you, a tourist brochure?"
"No, just thought you'd like to know. Look at those mountains, and there are many lakes."
"It's not exactly London. I'm happy about the lakes, though."
"Really?"
"Mm-hmm, bloody easy to drown oneself in."
"Yes, but only after they begin to unfreeze."
"Don't worry, you wanker. I'll cut a hole in it first."
Mathew laughed. In fact, he'd done little else but laugh since their arrival at the ends of the earth.
Punishment. And it sure was that, all right. Dellen had certainly outdone himself this time. "Where are the clubs?" Teak glanced around in despair.
"There are taverns," Mathew told him.
"Those places are for old men and gun slingers. Where are the hot guys, naked, dancing around poles, lying at my feet, begging to feed and amuse me?"
Mathew chuckled. "It's beautiful here, though."
"It's ... dead."
"So are you," Mathew pointed out, giving him a look.
"I'm not that dead. No one is that dead, chum."
"Look on the bright side ..." Mathew suggested.
"What bright side?" Teak tried to find something positive about being sent out to this Godforsaken place.
"The cold, for one. And the fact that winter makes the days really short. That's a plus. There's not a lot of sunlight."
"I can stand a little sunlight." Although he didn't like it that much — made his eyes sting if he was out too long.
"And you have your memories, lots and lots of memories ... like the Bishop. So what was he like?"
"Tight, very tight and ... very vocal. I fucked him for hours."
"Well, that's good because it will have to sustain you for two years." Mathew smiled.
Teak scowled at him.
Mathew laughed as they walked through the main street, clearly enjoying himself.
"Will you just leave me to wallow in my misery already?" Teak snapped.
Mathew stopped, pointed to the brightly-colored building in front of him. "You will live up there. Your office is right beside the drug store."
"The building is like florescent pink. It's pretty hard to miss. They sell anything at that chemist to kill off vamps?"
"No," Mathew shook his head. "And they call it a drug store, not a chemist."
"Whatever."
"You know, I suppose they use light colors here to cheery the place up during the dark days."
"Right," Teak muttered. "I'm sure it will be very merry indeed."
"Here." Mathew handed over the suitcase he'd been lugging.
Teak held it up in the air. "What's this?"
"Some things you'll need. And you can't meet the landlord without luggage."
"Where am I supposed to ...? What's my story?"
"Make it up as you go along."
"But damn it, Mathew, I haven't practiced since the Great Depression. I wouldn't know where to start. Why can't I just hibernate here for a while then go back to England?"
"You are to integrate and behave yourself. You've got nothing else to do so read up on the latest medical inventions. Scan the internet. You'll get caught up in a few hours. And as good as you look in leather, Teak" — he ran his gaze over him —"I'd start dressing like the locals or they're going to figure something's up."
Teak glanced at the people walking by dressed in big bulky parkas and knee high boots, mittens, plaid hats with — oh my God — pom poms. ... "Can I change my mind and go into the ground for a hundred years?"
"No." Mathew laughed. "I have to leave now, but I'll be back."
"You're my babysitter. Matt ..." Teak clutched his arm. "Don't leave me."
"You just told me to go away."
"I mean ... okay ... fine. Go."
"See the landlord, Markus Kent," he said. "He owns the building."
"Right," Teak muttered. He turned to say something else, but Mathew was gone. "Fine, be like that." Clutching the suitcase, Teak trudged over to the building. Kent Drug. Teak pulled open the door. He walked in, put his suitcase down near the counter and glanced around.
A young woman at the cash register was giving change to an older gentleman. The man looked like he had some sort of an animal on his head. Lord, it had a tail. What is that ... a dead raccoon?
The woman was staring at him as she held out the man's change.
"Hello there, young fella." The man nodded and that raccoon on the old man's head seemed to be winking at him. "You don't look like you're from around these parts."
"Ah, no," Teak smiled. "I'm not ... from around these parts."
"Talk funny too. Oh well. Have a good one." He took his package and lifted his hand.
When the door closed, Teak leaned on the counter and smiled at the young woman. "Hi there, luv."
"Hi," she replied.
"Ah, you wouldn't know where I could find Mr Kent, would you?"
"Who?"
"Mr Kent?"
"Oh, yes ... ah ..." She cleared her throat. "That's my boss. Marcus. He's in the back."
"Okay," Teak replied. "Could you get him?"
"Yeah, sure, I can. You have a beautiful accent. What is it?"
"British."
"Oh. Aren't you cold?"
"Cold?"
"You don't have a hat or gloves. That leather jacket doesn't look too warm?"
"I have warm clothes with me." He hoped to hell there were no raccoons in his suitcase.
She just smiled.
"What's your name?"
"Janice."
"Well, Janice, could you call your boss now, please?"
"Oh" — she placed a hand on her chest — "of course. Right away." She picked up the phone and put the receiver to her ear, still smiling. "Marcus? It's Janice. There is a ... someone here to see you. Name? Ah ..."
"Teak Danson."
"Teak ... that's a nice name," she said.
"Thank you."
She put down the phone. "He's coming."
"Great."
Teak smiled. She smiled back. It was intense. Then he heard a man's voice say, "Doctor Danson?"
It took Teak a minute to realize the man was addressing him. It had been a long time since someone had called him Doctor. When he turned to set eyes on the man who had addressed him, he took a step back. Whoa.
"Marcus Kent," the man in the white lab coat and jeans announced, holding out his hand. "It's a pleasure."
Teak took his hand. "No, the pleasure will be ... I mean" — he cleared his throat — "is all mine."
Marcus Kent smiled broadly. He had a killer smile and beautiful green eyes, large and expressive. His hair was chestnut brown with streaks of blond, very natural, falling nicely on his forehead and over his ears. And under that lab coat was ... Well, the shoulders were broad, the body looked lean and definitely buff. Anyway, it was a playground Teak intended to explore later.
"You're not what I expected." Marcus grinned. "Doctor Menard was a portly old gray-haired man."
Teak smiled. "Contrary to popular belief, we don't all look alike."
Marcus laughed.
"I need a physical," Janice blurted.
Marcus Kent and Teak turned to look at her.
She stared down at the counter and muttered, "Sometime soon."
"Call the office," Teak said. "Do I have a receptionist?"
"If you would like to take on old Doc's receptionist, I believe she's available," Marcus said. "Let me take you upstairs and I'll give her a call. Unless you'd prefer to call her yourself?"
"Let me do it," Teak offered. "I'm not ready to open yet."
"Very well. Let me get my coat. I'll take you up and get you settled in."
You can take me anywhere as long as we get naked.
The door opened and a middle-aged woman walked in. She glanced at Janice. "How are you, Janice?"
"Fine. And you, Mrs Lane?"
"Fine, fine," she replied, but she was looking at Teak.
"Can I help you find something?"
"No." She peered closer at Teak. "You in a band?"
"In a band? Ah, no ..." Teak shrugged.
The woman turned to Janice. "I need a prescription filled."
Marcus appeared with a ski jacket on. "Mrs. Lane. I'll be right with you, just settling in the new doctor."
The woman's eyes widened. "He's a doctor?"
Teak bowed his head to her.
"He doesn't look like any doctor I've ever seen." She moved closer and did another inspection.
Teak was sure as soon as they left she'd have an earful for Janice.
Marcus Kent smiled. "Yes, this is Dr Teak Danson."
"Hmm," she replied.
Marcus Kent just smiled and placed a hand on Teak's arm, leading him out of the store. He followed Marcus up a flight of stairs.
Marcus opened the door. "I hope you find the place to your taste. You can do what you want, paint or ... whatever," he said.
As Teak walked in, he noted the windows. He'd need some new curtains, heavier. "Any place to shop here?"
"There is a major department store and anything can be ordered on line. Sometimes takes a while, though, and shipping can be expensive up here."
Teak walked around, surveying the living room and kitchen. Large screen television. Two bedrooms, full bath. "Great," Teak said, putting down the suitcase.
"You must be hungry. There is a grocery store just down the street so you can stock up."
He was hungry but the "grocery store" was standing right in front of him. Just a little nibble couldn't hurt. Fucking him would come later. When Marcus turned around, Teak touched his forearm. He met the man's gaze, looked deeply in those beautiful eyes.
"You won't remember anything. You want me to drink from you. Offer me your throat."
Marcus looked embarrassed. He took a step back, his face a little flushed. "Ah ..." He licked his lips. "Did you need something else, Doc? 'Cause I need to ... you know ... fill that prescription and ...?"
What the hell. It didn't work? "I, ah ... No, that's fine."
"The keys to the office are on that key ring, too," Marcus said. He placed the keys on the kitchen counter. And then, in a flash, he was out the door.
Teak stood there, stunned. It had never happened before that a mortal could resist his suggestions. Damn it. He sighed and walked over to the suitcase. He brought it to the bedroom and threw it onto the bed then opened it. On top of the pile of clothing was a book entitled Celibacy and You: A Gradual Journey to the Priesthood.
"Very funny — ha, ha, fucking ha. Wanker." Teak threw the book on the floor and took out the rest of the stuff. There were short black boots, a navy blue ski jacket with a matching wool hat, and black leather gloves. Then other clothes ... a pair of gray flannels and a plaid shirt? He's got to be kidding. Seriously, no one expected him to dress like that, did they?
Teak rummaged through the rest quickly. His diplomas, credentials as a doctor — not entirely fake but with new dates — driver's license, birth certificate, passport. He was twenty-nine. That was a nice age. Okay, all set. He noticed there was a new credit card and a cell phone — one of those new smart phones. Now, if he could figure out how to use it. He'd only recently mastered the internet.
Teak stared doubtfully at the plaid shirt. He was sure Mathew had had a big laugh at his expense, putting all this stuff together. He'd have to go shopping tomorrow and get some T-shirts and jeans so he could blend in. No raccoons on his head. He drew the line at that.
Teak sat there on the bed for a while, evaluating his hunger. He wasn't exactly ravenous, but he'd need blood soon. He could go another day or two, but he'd have to have a blood supply in place. He put on the ski jacket and grabbed the keys Marcus had given him. It bothered him that Marcus hadn't fallen prey to his suggestion. Was he losing his touch?
Probably just a fluke.
He went downstairs and unlocked the doctor's office. Please have some blood somewhere. Of course there was none. He'd have to go to the hospital for that. Hospital? Where was the hospital? He assumed he'd need to work in the hospital here as well as do private practice. Canada was once a British colony so maybe they operated the same way. Maybe not. He had no idea how it worked, but he figured he'd better find out before he made a fool out of himself.
A few minutes later, Teak turned on a computer he found sitting on the desk in his new office and began his education.
Teak hadn't practiced medicine since 1930, although he'd become a doctor in 1889. During the great depression in the US, after a long absence, Teak had taken it up again temporarily, treating children who couldn't afford the services of a physician.
In the 1800's, he'd only been working in the London hospital for about three years when he was turned. He remembered it clearly — the pain, fear, his death then the awakening, craving blood.
And he was craving blood now as he absorbed the information he needed to know about the advances in medical science on the internet. These advances had been astounding. There were pills for everything and they'd made great progress in transplants and in the treatment of diseases that once were an automatic death sentence. Treating patients in this day and age would be a breeze. He was beginning to look forward to it.
Teak had always been one to keep up with the times, to live in the moment, so he knew he'd adapt to his former profession once again. It might even be fun. Recently, he'd done nothing but live it up, satisfying his own selfish needs. After he'd been turned, he'd been out of control for years then he'd learned how to survive without taking lives. He'd traveled the world hurting no one, sometimes even lending a hand. Was it his fault he adored fucking and feeding? It was so easy. He could have anyone he wanted with one look ...
Well ... except the pharmacist out here in frozen icicle land.
Anyway, right now, he had better things to do than worry about that. He needed to call the administrator at the hospital, a Mrs Elaine Simpson, first thing tomorrow. She'd set him up with a schedule at the hospital and he'd have a ready food supply from the blood bank whenever he needed it.
Tonight, he'd have to tough it out or ... he could have a drink from the handsome pharmacist. He was sure his powers were still potent. He'd try again. The council would never know what he was doing out here if Mathew kept his mouth shut, and he was discreet.
Teak shut down the computer. He had a good excuse to see the handsome, young Mr Kent again anyway. The man had forgotten to give him the phone number of that receptionist. Teak went next door to the drug store. There were now several people in the store shopping, reading the labels on toothpaste and hair dye.
"Hey, Doc." Janice grinned at him as he walked in. "Need some stuff?"
Blood. Just blood. "Ah, no. I'm fine for now. I need to talk to your boss again."
"He's in the back at the counter."
"Thanks." Teak walked past the shoppers, smiling at them. They all turned to stare. He waited patiently as Marcus finished with a client then he walked up to the counter. "Hey."
Marcus smiled at him. "Hello, Doc. What can I do for you?"
Oh, a couple of things. Blood, sex, a blow job, if you don't mind. "You forgot to give me the number of that receptionist."
"Oh, sorry. I'll do that."
"And, ah ... what are you doing for dinner?"
"Well ... I mean, I don't ... know, but we should take you out to dinner."
"We?"
"Yes, me and the members of the town council."
"No, no ... I mean, I'm a little tired. And I'm not fond of ... councils. Couldn't you join me for a quiet supper somewhere? I can meet the town officials next week." Those sorts tried to barbie my hide many years ago. " How about I get some food and you come to my place? I'll, ah ... cook something." Do I know how to cook? Well, I can look it up on the internet and hopefully I'll find something that doesn't make me feel sick.
"No, let's go out. And ask Janice for Marcie's number. Marcie is her aunt. Marcie Roper."
"Okay. So, what time?"
"Supper, oh ... we close at five. I'll freshen up and come and pick you up. I assume you don't have a car. You kind of need one here."
"I'll keep that in mind. I'll wait for you." Teak came closer. He met his eyes. "You can hear my voice. You want to be with me. You would like to please me in every way, on your knees and offering me your blood — not much ... just a drop or two."
"Ah ..." Marcus interrupted, "Doc, there's a customer behind you."
Damn it. What the hell. "I'm sorry." Teak stepped aside. "See you later." He walked through the drug store, perplexed as to why in hell his powers weren't working. It didn't make sense. They worked on everyone else.
He stopped at the counter. "Janice. Marcus said you had your aunt's number. I need to call her."
"Yes, I'll write it down for you."
Teak glanced around. Okay, he needed to try out his powers of suggestion. "Janice, look at me." Had he lost his touch?
Janice glanced up from the paper.
"You hear me. You will tell the next customer who walks in here that the store closes at five o'clock."
Janice looked down and kept writing. "Here it is," she said, handing Teak the paper. "I think she's ..."
The door opened. A young man came in.
"The store closes at five o'clock," Janice told him.
He gave her a strange look. "I know, Janice. Says so on the door. Is it five already?"
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Succulent Dark"
by .
Copyright © 2013 D.J. Manly.
Excerpted by permission of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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