Prophecy of the Undead by Fiona McGier

Central America. They have estates in quite a few places.”
    At Keisha’s questioning look he said, “Remember? Lots of years equal lots of money. Especially when you don’t care how many mortals are being hurt or killed by the violence that accompanies drug sales. As for the many houses, I repeat—you can never be sure just where you will be when the sun comes up so it’s nice to have options.”
    “So, do they live near Tucson?”
    “No. They own a small piece of land southwest of here, near the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Only a small part of it is above ground, so it looks like a modest adobe casa . Most of the rooms are underground, so there is no need for you to seek shelter when the sun rises. For those as old as these two, there really is no need for much sleep at all. You, on the other hand, will appear dead to the world for quite some time when the sun comes up. I can usually fight it for a while but even I have to succumb and lie down eventually. I get up earlier also. The blood has many odd peculiarities we must learn to adapt to. In exchange, there’s the whole eternity thing.”
    “So, how are we going to get there? Fly?”
    Yuri held her hand to lead her along the walkway to a rental station.
    “Actually, no. I didn’t learn to drive until about fifty years ago. Now that I do know how, I really enjoy it...especially when I get to pick out such a fine car.”
    Yuri gave his name to the clerk, who handed him the paperwork and indicated a silver Jaguar parked outside the door.
    They walked back out into the heat where Yuri held the door for Keisha to slide into the passenger seat. He stood still for a moment, admiring her legs now that her skirt had ridden up to her thighs. She noticed what he stared at and giggled while snapping her fingers in front of his face.
    “Hey, Romeo. Pay attention. We’ve got some important people to see first. Later.”
    Yuri shook his head and went around to the driver’s side of the vehicle. He opened the door and climbed in.
    “You’re right, but damn. You’ve got some great-looking legs.”
    Keisha pulled her skirt down demurely. “Thanks. Let’s just concentrate on keeping me alive long enough to get another chance to enjoy wrapping them around you again.”
    “I want them wrapped around my head while I...”
    “Stop it. Just stop it.”
    He smiled and turned on the radio. They argued over the stations but decided they could both live with an oldies channel out of Phoenix. Driving at almost one hundred miles per hour, the car ate up the miles they crossed in no time.
    * * * *
    There were No Trespassing signs posted everywhere as they approached the property. Signs in both English and Spanish warned of attack dogs and armed guards. Keisha shifted around uncomfortably in the soft-as-butter leather seat.
    “The signs are not for us,” Yuri pointed out. “There are both mortal and vampire guards, and mortal and vampire dogs. That way the property is defended against drug runners and anyone else who might attack a simple adobe home. Because of the warning signs, the owners figure that anyone who disregards them deserves the swift, yet painful, death they will encounter. Really, out here, who is going to notice—let alone pursue the disappearance of anyone?”
    When they got to the main gate there was a guard hut. No one was in it, but Yuri stopped and got out to sit nonchalantly on the hood of his car. He pulled out a cigar but before he got anything lit, a man suddenly swooped out of the night sky to land in front of him.
    “Name?” he growled.
    “Yuri Kozakov. The female is Keisha Brown. We are invited guests.”
    The vampire spoke into the walkie-talkie attached to his collar.
    A voice crackled back to him, “They are expected. Let them pass.”
    He nodded at Yuri who offered him the cigar he planned on smoking. The vampire sniffed at it then smiled briefly, deliberately showing his fangs.
    “¿Cubano?”
    “Sí.”
    “Gracias.”
    Yuri