Showing results by narrator "Stephanye Dussud" in All Categories

Eighteen of the very best American short stories, each a classic in its own right. Stories include "The Little Frenchman and his Water Lots", by George Pope Morris; "The Angel of the Odd", by Edgar Allan Poe; "The Schoolmasters’s Progress", by Caroline M.S. Kirkland; "The Watkinson Evening", by Eliza Leslie; "Titbottom’s Spectacles", by George William Curtis; "My Double and "How He Undid Me", by Edward Everett Hale; "A Visit to the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Punsters", by Oliver Wendell; and more.

Born with an unusual "twin teardrop" birthmark on her neck, Txema (pronounced Chema) is one of only a handful of females in the world who bears this trait. It marks her as a vessel of eternal youth and beauty for an elite vampire society determined to protect her precious blood. But it also is the only thing standing in the way of a rogue "undead" nation determined to destroy humankind and usurp the power their sexier brethren have held uncontested for centuries.

The world’s last civilized vampire kingdom brings Txema and her infant daughter, Alaia, to the remote Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan. Seeking refuge and a lasting deterrent against vampire assassins, Racco and Gustav plan to recreate ancient amulets to protect mother and daughter from attack. Based on the only formula that can effectively kill any vampire, this one-of-a-kind protection currently belongs to just one person: Marissa de Saint Germain, Txema’s beautiful half-mortal/half-immortal cousin, and the offspring of the vampire Chanson and her former beau, Racco.

A birthright. It should be something no one can ever take away. But that’s not how it works in the world of vampires, especially when the birthright involves a unique type of blood necessary for an elitist vampire society to remain young and beautiful. Welcome to the continued misadventure of Txema Ybarra. The earth’s most privileged undead believe they deserve a stake in Txema’s blood, and there is power and prestige for whoever controls her ancient bloodline. However, the vampire demon, Ralu Izcacus, and his burgeoning Chupacabra army crave the same lofty status.

From Jaime Johnesse, a collection of psychological horror short stories.