The Vampire Gene

"That's just wrong," I told him. "On so very many levels." I shuddered. "How are you liking it?" I asked him, changing the subject.

"Not so much, to be honest. It's a hot sweaty place, filled with hot sweaty people, all lying around turning pink in the sun and boozing up a storm. The only book I can find is a wrinkled old Robert Ludlum with the last ten pages missing. And their coffee is just gross. On the bright side, the air conditioner is top notch, and I've ordered a few books and some DVDs which should be arriving this afternoon. Until then..."

His voice trailed off and then there was silence.

"Why don't you download some books onto your iPhone?" Angus suggested.

There was more silence.

"Mark, you still there?"

"Yes. Feeling like a complete idiot, though. I should have thought of that. Well, I must go now. Books to read, lying around to do, you know."

"See you in a couple of days. I'll give Mina a cuddle from you." There was a click as Mark disconnected. "He's been hanging out with your brothers too much. Goodbye obviously happens to other people now," I told Angus dryly.

Angus shook his head but he was smiling. I fished the bread out of the fridge and made toast, and smeared the butter thickly over the slices. Angus found two plates and dished up the eggs, and we ate while we discussed the meeting with the vampire family tomorrow. Apparently Marcus and Fergus had been over the moon with the news - big surprise there - and were already on their way to their family estate, which was eerily close to the home of the vampires that we would be visiting. Marcus had apparently started wondering about whether or not they were related. I bet he'd packed all his blood testing equipment. Those new guys were going to get, and probably give, a lot more than they bargained for tomorrow. The thought made me chuckle.

"What?" Angus wanted to know.

"I was just imagining their expressions when Marcus bears down on them clutching a needle and syringe. They're going to regret inviting us."

Angus grinned. "That reminds me, Marcus suggested we meet up at the family estate in Aberdeenshire tonight. It's going to take us most of the day to get there, so we had probably better get going. I have arranged for Mina to vacation at the vet for a few days while we sort this out."

"She's not going to like that..."

"I know, but she'll be safe there, and that's what counts. Your brother would not be happy if she went missing."