The Madman of the Woods | ONC 2024 Shortlist | Vampire Romantasy | Supernatural

6. The Jungle Suite

Nothing could have prepared Josie for the jungle suite she was to spend a day locked in with a murderous vampire.

When she flipped the switch on the wall, the dark and quiet room transformed into her new definition of cheesy hell. The lights were dark green, and jungle noises played from the corner speakers: monkeys, insects, frogs, and birds. The walls and furniture were decorated with plastic plants, wallpaper murals, and stuffed animals to make it look like a jungle. A blue jacuzzi sat in a corner surrounded by a jungle poster. Plastic vines hung from the ceiling, adorned with plastic orange flowers, but the worst item was in the center: a large velvet green bed in the shape of a heart—one, lonely bed in the entire suite. There wasn't even a sofa or an armchair to use as the second. She didn't want to imagine what the usual motel guests got up to in that suite.

"You can open your eyes," she told her vampire roommate.

Lailoken cautiously peeked into the room, and his mouth dropped in awe as he took in the place. "What sorcery is this?" He poked a stuffed monkey and giggled as it swung from a branch. "It's not an illusion," he mused. "This is amazing."

She shut the curtains and locked the door. "I'm glad you like it since we'll be stuck here for a while." She dropped her weapons bag beside the bed. "To be clear, we are not going to share the bed, but we could take turns sleeping."

"I couldn't possibly sleep," he said. "I've just awoken."

"Good, because I'm exhausted. I need to crash for a couple of hours. I suggest you clean yourself up in that time." She pointed out the bathroom. "You still have blood on you and leaves in your hair. After that, you can entertain yourself with the TV. Just don't play it too loud. I'm a light sleeper." She yawned while taking off her boots. "And I don't think I have to remind you not to leave the room. First of all, they're looking for you. Second of all, the sun will be up soon, and we both know you don't want to be out there when it's up."

He wasn't listening to her though, too fascinated by the jacuzzi. She stopped by the bathroom for a quick bio break, and when she came out, she found him standing stark naked in front of the jacuzzi while his dirty robes lay in a heap on the floor.

"It's a bath," he pointed out the flowing steaming-hot water, looking proud of himself for figuring out how the faucet worked.

Josie knew she should have looked away, but he was a sight to behold. It was unfair how beautiful vampires were. She shook herself off and bravely approached him, trying to act as if his nakedness didn't bother her. "Wanna see some cool magic?"

He exposed his fangs as he smiled at her. "Yes."

She pressed the button that turned on the bubbles.

He squealed in delight, like a child in a toy store. "I love it!"

"Get in," she urged him.

He didn't just get in. He jumped in and splashed in the water, trying to catch the bubbles.

She laughed, seeing his delight. There was something so innocent and pure about him. He was really something else. And he was gorgeous. Just a perfect male specimen who happened to be about her age. She bit her lip as she admired his body, wondering if perhaps she should invite him to share the bed after all. She'd never been with a vampire before, but she'd heard stories...

Then, she sobered up. She wasn't supposed to like him. He was a killer, and he needed to suffer the consequences of his actions. She didn't know what punishment The Guild would enact on him, but she would do her duty, deliver him to his sentencing, and earn her right to become a real hunter. He wasn't hers to keep.

While he splashed in the tub, she laid down on the bed, hoping to rest at least a little. Just in case, she armed herself with a handgun and a knife. Despite the jungle noises playing on repeat, she was out like a light.