Every week we post six lines from a work of ours, a work-in-progress or a work of someone else’s that has at least one LGBT character, posted on the Rainbow Snippets page, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963484217054974 My story “Mystery at Castle Dracula” was written as a three-part serial for my weekly flash fictions https://authorjeffbaker.com/2021/01/15/mystery-at-castle-dracula-part-two-by-jeff-baker-for-friday-flash-fics-january-15-2021/

and features Jessie Skedderis and Shawn Rodriguez who are more than boyfriends they are vampire hunters who have been invited to Castle Dracula. They bring with them the tools of their trade but will that be enough? Oh, in this first snippet they see a familiar image as they are being given a tour…

“Which is why he called us here, I guess,” I said from further down the stairs.

“You have gained some fame in some circles, and being who he is, the current Count Dracula of Castle Dracula felt he should meet you.” Wilhelm said.

When we came upon the upper floor, I stopped and stared at one of the framed portraits. A familiar figure, slick black hair, deep-set eyes, garbed in black and holding a wolf’s-head cane.

“Reproduction,” Wilhelm said. “I told you the Master had an interest. Ah, here is your room.”

Here’s snippet two.

He balanced Jessie’s overnight bag on his shoulder and opened the door. Of course, the door creaked.

I had expected a shabby room with bare wooden floors, a fireplace and a four poster bed with worn curtains. Instead, it looked like a modern hotel room.

“Bathroom is down the hall. Dinner is at six.” Wilhelm grinned and closed the door.

Jessie plopped down on the bed. It had been a long trip.

That’s it for this week. Watch out for stray vampires. Our vampire hunters are armed with a blessed anti-vampire talisman. You should bring along the regulation garlic. Until next week…

———jeff