Not So Super Heroes

Today's the last day of Small Blogs, Big Giveaways for October. Go here for one last chance to enter and win!

I like writing characters who struggle with unusual abilities. My vampires aren't the normal kind -- they're not undead or immortal, and sunlight's no problem. But they do have fangs, and they're sexually irresistible. I don't know about you, but being irresistible sounds to me like a royal pain! They also have enhanced night vision, sense of smell, and hearing. I've also written characters who are powerful telepaths or can read auras -- with lots of hassles as a result.

Jack, the hero in Tastes of Love and Evil, is a human chameleon. He can blend into almost any background. It was a ton of fun imagining what problems this ability might cause him. Here's a scene from the first chapter of Tastes of Love and Evil. Jack has been shot, and Rose, the vampire heroine, comes to the rescue...but he has reason to mistrust vamps.

    The room was empty.

    No, it just appeared to be. “I told you there was no one here.” Her nostrils quivering, every sense alert, Rose scanned the bed, the curtains, the embroidered mantle draped on a chair, the Elizabethan gown on the luggage cart. “Now get out of my room!”

    The gunman ignored her, ducking in and out of the bathroom, glancing into the closet, going efficiently through every hiding place. Warmer, cried Rose’s senses, warmer, warmer, damn, oh God please no, as he shoved past the luggage cart to the window, and then as he returned, colder, warmer, colder, where the hell is the man? One-handed, the fake fed lifted the mattress and box spring, but no one was concealed underneath.

    Sirens cried in the distance, and a second later the gunman’s phone squawked a warning. He left without looking back.

    Rose retrieved her breakfast, double-locked the door, and scanned the room. Aha. She’d seen this phenomenon once before. She knew Random Man was in the room, somewhere near the window. “They’ve gone,” she said softly. “You can come out now. You need to have that wound tended.”

    Nothing. Where was he?

    “I brought coffee and doughnuts.” She put the food on the table. “I’d be happy to share, once we’ve patched you up.” Pause. “I know you’re here. I can hear you breathing.”

    Nothing.

      “I can smell you,” Rose said, her voice rising, tendrils of allure escaping. You and your blood. “I’m here to help, you fool!”

      Still nothing. Or maybe…a faint shimmer, like heat rising in summer air, over on the luggage cart, right by the Elizabethan gown. Damn it, thought Rose. If he stains that costume…  Anger coupled with the aroma of blood overwhelmed her senses, and her fangs slotted down. Purposely this time, she directed her allure toward the luggage cart. Another shimmer, instantly controlled, and then absolute stillness.

      No more pussyfooting around. She smiled and sent a wave of allure crashing across the room. Random Man resolved into view, gold and tan and brown blending with the dress, then gradually reacquiring his own muted shape and colors, blue denims and Saints jacket, nondescript but definitely all there.

“God help me,” Random Man said. “Not another vamp.”

 I'm giving away a signed paperback of Tastes of Love and Evil this week, as well as a Kindle copy of one of my Regency novellas, The Wanton Governess. Also, Mary Ricksen is giving away a signed paperback of Tripping Through Time. We'll be picking winners from everyone who commented on my three blog posts here this week.