Read Online WereWoman by Piers Anthony - Free Book Online

front just in time for the car to park.
    VAMPIRE VANTAGE, the sign said at the entrance to the gloomy castle. It was a tourist trap, obviously faked up. The tourists didn’t know that the realistic Vampires weren’t men and women in costume, but real ones, and that when they sprouted fangs and wings they weren’t faking them. But of course they didn’t actually feed on tourists, because that would very soon have destroyed their secrecy.
    We approached the front desk inside. “We need to talk with Vomish,” Nonce told the beautifully fanged desk clerk. “Business.” I noted mentally that some Clans had personal names starting with any letter, as was the case with Weres and Witches, while others all started with the Clan letter, like V for Vamps. To each its own convention.
    â€œWe can make an appointment for next week.”
    â€œWe need it now.”
    â€œThat is not possible. Vomish is away this week.”
    Nonce reached out and touched the woman’s hand. “Supe business.”
    The girl’s eyes widened as she recognized the aura of the Witch. Supe business indeed. She glanced at me. I extended my own hand, and she took it, becoming aware that I was a Were. Now she knew this was serious; a Witch and a Were did not just drop in on a Vamp leader to play tiddlywinks. “His assistant Vachelle is available.”
    â€œThat will have to do,” Nonce said.
    We were ushered into a somber private office buried in the depths of the interior. A sultry black-haired creature greeted us. “Welcome to our humble demesnes, Phil and Nonce,” she said. “I am Vachelle, assistant to the Clan Chief Vomish.” She smiled, showing her dainty fangs. “Perhaps I can help you.” She wore a dark cape, a skintight bodice, and a very short skirt. She was clearly formidable in bed.
    â€œWe hope so,” Nonce said. “Our business is urgent.”
    â€œA Witch and a Were,” Vachelle said. “An unusual combination.”
    â€œWe are lovers,” Nonce said. “Sometimes odd liaisons happen.”
    â€œI might be able to serve you even so,” the Vampiress said. “I am what you might term a switch hitter, comfortable with both men and women, apart or together.” She stroked her bodice delicately, making her breasts quiver, and her skirt seemed to hitch up a notch. It was sexy as all hell, by no accident.
    â€œStrictly each other,” Nonce said. “Our love is new.”
    Now I understood why Nonce had mentioned our relationship. Vampires used sex as a device to make victims amenable. Who minded losing a little blood, considering the phenomenal sex? Nonce was letting her know we weren’t in that market.
    â€œAh, well. Maybe next month.” Then she gave us a straight gaze. “I was only teasing. What is your business?”
    My turn. “There have been three recent murders of Supes. We suspect they are related. That a serial killer is going after Supes. This alarms us, and we want to stop it as soon as possible.”
    â€œWhat Clans?”
    â€œWere, Witch, Vamp,” I said. “The Were was my closest friend. The Warlock was Nonce’s cousin. We don’t know the Vamp. That’s why we need your help.”
    â€œYou are thinking of Vulcan. He died suspiciously four days ago. We have not publicized his demise. You evidently have your sources.”
    â€œWe Witched out the news of the death,” Nonce said. “Not the details. We would not have been so much concerned, had it not been followed by deaths among our own Clans.”
    â€œWe are interested in your quest,” Vachelle said. “But we require some authentication of your status. We seldom indulge in extracurricular liaisons.”
    â€œBy that you mean close work with other Supes?” I asked.
    â€œWe do normally prefer to stay within our Clan.”
    â€œWhat kind of authentication?” Nonce asked tightly.
    â€œA