an excerpt from VAMPIRES OF ROME (my fabulous...

(This is a bit from my latest novel out, now--out in paperback, nook, kindle, kobo)

As Akkad rested in his own bed, I told him, “That play brought back memories about what happened to King Sumer. I’m remembering now why he abandoned me in the streets of Rome!”

Akkad didn’t seem to care as he said, “I wonder why I’m ill. I haven’t been ill in a hundred thousand years. I feel so odd, feeling ill. It feels so perverse. Is that good? I’m confused.”

I shrugged. “Maybe the blood you drank really was poisoned, just like you thought.”

“Don’t listen to rumors. I thought I warned you of that already. It shows ill breeding. People of good breeding never speak of some things. Gossip is one of them.”

“Then why do you think you’re ill?”

Akkad waved me off. “Just leave me.”

I started to weep.

“It’s not that bad. A couple of men just had their guts blow all over us, that’s all. But that’s a vampiric tavern for you.”

I took my face out of my hands and wiped my eyes. “I remember the witch King Sumer sent me for blew up also, and I lost him in the fire! I’m sure of it! There was an explosion and it was the witch, and King Sumer was the one who sent me to find her!”

“Oh you can’t trust that old rock.”

“And I don’t know if I ever saw King Sumer again after that! I just remember a big fire now. But I don’t remember why or how this all occurred!”

“King Sumer blew up a witch and ran away with his hose on fire? That cheeky cad!”

I shook my head. “I don’t think he did it on purpose; I’m trying so hard to think how it could have happened. I think something very horrible happened and the memory of it won’t come back to me all the way!”

Akkad wagged his finger at me. “Giotto, don’t be a dolt. Don’t let the thrilling events of today poison your past memories. I find it hard to believe anything too exciting happened while in the company of King Sumer. He’s an old rock. Once you remember more of him, you’ll understand why I say that. And witches don’t just explode.” Akkad yawned. “Go now and try to remember it all correctly and don’t come back until you do.”

I left posthaste.