Grant S. & Mary E. Workman
In The Guide, you meet a different breed of vampire. In a world in which becoming a vampire isn't a matter of being bitten, of a demonic encounter or some curse buried in myth and lost lore but a matter of your genetic code, your DNA.
In this world, there is a society where vampire humans and non-vampire humans work together to guide the whole of mankind into an understanding and acceptance of one another. Most non- vampires don't know of the vampires' peaceful co-existence. Of course, not all vampires are members of the Guide and share the Guide's views and values. The newest member of the Guide, Eddie Laidlaw, is about to find that out.
Grant's interest in writing developed after high school and continued while serving as an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force. He still works in this capacity for one of the leading aircraft manufactures. This is where he met his future wife and writing counterpart, Mary.
Mary, who also works as an aircraft mechanic, has not only been the consulting writer, but acted as chief editor on their projects. They battle the regular problems any book goes through to come into existence, while building aircraft and maintaining their house with a dog and two cats. Together, they have written about swords and magic, adventures in space faring worlds, as well as travelers on worlds less advanced. They have written seven books at present. Like all writers, there's always one story in the works. See you soon fellow readers.
CHAPTER 1
Eddie Laidlaw shook his head to clear the fuzz that was supposed to be his
mind. He was cold and the room was dark. Eddie could tell he was in bed, but
it wasn't his bed. He had a waterbed, and this was a firm mattress. The bed
sheets were thin material, and there was no comforter or blanket that he could
find by feeling around.
'You are awake sooner than I had expected,' a voice said from somewhere in the
dark room.
'Who's there?' Eddie demanded, sitting up in the bed. His head started
spinning instantly and he had to lie back down. As he felt like he was going
to be sick. Someone grabbed his shoulders and steadied his shaking.
'You are too weak to move.' It was the voice from the dark.
Eddie forced himself to look at the person holding him. He couldn't see them
too well, mostly just a shape. It was a woman though, but he knew that from
the voice.
'Be still. You have no reason to worry. You are safe.' The woman's voice was
soft, calming, almost hypnotic. 'Sleep, we will talk when you are stronger.'
Eddie Laidlaw dropped into a restless sleep almost before she finished
speaking.
***
The woman gently stroked Eddie's ruffled brown hair. As she looked down on
the sleeping form beside her she thought back to her first morning after
joining the Guide. She wondered if she would be able to make it easier for
him than it had been for her. She hoped she could, but only time would tell.
He would still sleep for hours, and Rachel could see no reason for her not to
do the same. She would know if he awoke. Rachel walked to a chair not too
far from the bed and relaxed.
***
Eddie woke up with a start. He didn't know how long he'd been sleeping, but
it felt like it had been a long time. His disorientation was similar to the
first waking, but not as bad. He remembered going out to Mick's Night Club
with his buddies and drinking heavily, but he didn't remember leaving, or know
where he was right now. A hotel, that was simple and easy, but what hotel and
where? The furnishings were nice--it wasn't a flea bag, anyway. Eddie sat up
and felt his stomach turn, he thought he might throw up, but was able to force
himself not to. The room wasn't dark this time. There was a light on next to
the bed and some sunlight coming in around the edges of the heavy curtains.
The light was enough to see someone sleeping in a chair not far from the bed.
The sleeper was female, but that was all he could tell except that she looked-
-no that was wrong--she felt familiar. Still, he was sure he didn't know her.
Eddie moved to the edge of the bed. Something was telling him it was time to
go, and Eddie had made a habit of listening to that little something most of
the time. Too bad he hadn't listened to that little something last night. He
sure felt like hell right now.
'You are still very weak. It would be better for you to lay back. Rest, even
if you don't sleep.'
Eddie looked to the woman. She did not stir. 'Who are you?' His voice was
heavy from his throat being dry.
'A friend. My name is Rachel.' The woman rose from her chair. Although
there was light, it was stronger on the opposite side of the bed, leaving
Rachel mostly in the shadows. Eddie couldn't tell much about her. She was
dressed in a black skirt and top, with a black waist coat over the top. 'If
you insist on staying up, let me get you something to drink. I'm sure you
must be thirsty.' Turning her back to Eddie, Rachel walked to a small
refrigerator in the room, knelt, and opened it. 'It will replace some of your
strength.'
Eddie did feel weak and thirsty, but he wondered how she knew. He heard a
soft puncture sound like a hole being made in a milk carton. Then there was
the sound of liquid pouring.
Rachel stood up, closing the refrigerator as she turned to Eddie. As she
neared, Eddie could see her better and he did recognize her.
'I saw you in the bar last night, didn't I?' He wasn't asking her. 'You
looked out of place there.' He looked around the room. Classy--elegant
almost. 'Hope you got the bucks for this place, lady.'
'Rachel,' she reminded him, then smiled. 'Drink this.' Rachel handed Eddie
the glass. Orange juice filled the glass to the rim.
He took a drink and tried to hand it back to her. 'There's something in this
besides O.J.'
'It will help you get your strength back, drink it up, Eddie.' She pushed it
back towards him.
Eddie looked at her then put the glass on the floor next to the bed. 'I don't
know you. I'll pass.'
'If harming you were part of my plans, don't you think I would have done so
while you slept?'
'I don't know. Maybe you get your kicks from drugging people. You see, I've
been drunk before, and this hangover doesn't feel like a normal drunk.'
'Well, Eddie, you did have quite a bit to drink, but I might have worn you out
a bit more, myself.'
Eddie forced himself to his feet. He wobbled and Rachel reached out to steady
him. Eddie brushed her hands off. He tilted, but didn't fall. After a
second or two, he was still and standing straight.
'You seem to be able to care for yourself now. I'll be on my way.' Rachel
went to a table in the room and retrieved her purse from it.
'Wait,' Eddie called out. He wasn't sure why. 'How can I reach you?' The
question surprised Eddie more than it did Rachel.
