Undying Vengeance (19 page)

The steel door rattled. The room grew colder making her blood feel like ice running through her veins. She counted and tried to control her breathing. She would need her wits about her when dealing with Victor.

The door creaked open. Katrina looked up and saw Victor standing with his arms crossed, eyes red and his fangs protruding. She squeezed her eyes shut and lowered her head.

Victor stared at her. Mortals were such cowards. Did she really think she could hide from him?

“Well, well Ms. Katrina what have you done?” He asked his voice low and monotone. “Didn’t I tell you to stay out of my lair? One simple request and you defy me. Shame on you,” Victor stated taking slow steps to where she sat huddled in the corner.

Katrina held her arms out. “Stay away from me, Victor.”

“Shut-up,” Victor spat. “Why should I listen to you? You failed to listen to me. It’s an eye for an eye in my world, my dear.” He laughed. Evil echoed off the cold dark walls of the lair.

Katrina screamed and tried to stand but her foot slipped on the damp floor and she lost her balance falling hard on the cement. Victor took pleasure in watching her wince in pain. He stopped walking and stared at her.

“Look at me, Katrina.” He ordered. “I want to see your pain, fear and anguish.”

Katrina looked at him, tears blurring her vision. “Please don’t kill me.” She lowered her head and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t obey you.”

Cocking his head to the side Victor studied her and in the blink of an eye he picked her up and threw her against the wall. “You’re not sorry. Don’t underestimate my intelligence by lying to me.”

Katrina howled in pain and curled into the fetal position. “Please have mercy on me,” She pleaded.

“I don’t believe in mercy. That’s for people of the religious mind.” Victor picked Katrina up by the shoulders and pinned her to the wall. “And in case you haven’t noticed I am not a religious being.” Victor stated angrily.

Katrina was forced to look in his cold, empty black eyes. She shuddered. Those eyes would haunt her to her death. It was like looking into an empty abyss of nothingness. “Please don’t hurt me. Please.” She begged her face as white as a blank sheet of paper.

Laughter erupted from Victor like a volcano. This kill was going to be fun. Cat and mouse was especially wonderful when the victim was cornered with no way out and thought they could change the killer’s mind with gibberish talk. “You’re a foolish girl. I’m not going to kill you right away.” He placed her on her feet and walked to the lair’s entrance. “Come with me. Let’s play a game.” His black cape danced behind him like a dark shadow or ghost come to life. “Now, Katrina. I lack patience for humans.” He turned and stared at her, hatred burning in his eyes. “Especially ones who dare defy me.”

Katrina’s knees wobbled. Feeling weak and dizzy, she slowly put one foot in front of the other focusing on the light outside of the dark lair. What did Victor mean by playing a game? It couldn’t be anything good. She scolded herself for not being stronger. Where was the knife she had brought with her? The plan had been to attack Victor and fight if he caught her in the lair. There was no possible way she could fight him without a weapon.

Victor stood in front of the couch his arms folded. He was angry but he had to admit that Katrina was still beautiful even though she looked a mess. She must’ve really thrown herself around once locked in the lair. It even looked like she had ripped some of her hair out. But, that’s what happens when a person or animal feels trapped and helpless. Fear, anxiety and anger take over and make them act uncontrollably, and most times to the point of harming themselves. He smirked and chuckled.

Katrina glared at him before sitting on the couch. Strange as it was, she felt a sense of security being outside of the lair. “What are you so happy about?” She asked. Courage returned. Damn the knife she dropped and lost in the lair. If she had it right now she would fight for her life.

“Happy? Dear Katrina, I wouldn’t say I’m happy. Humans are just amusing to me.” He said pacing like a zoo animal trapped in a cage.

“What game are we going to play?” Katrina asked trying to avoid Victor’s piercing gaze. “Shall we play a quick game of chess?” She couldn’t help being a smart ass. It was her nature.

Victor smiled. She was a brave girl but there was a time and place for it and now was not it. “Sure, why not? Look at me.” He ordered his voice filled with hatred.

Katrina slowly lifted her head and stared at Victor. She tried to dodge the blow Victor dealt her but her reflexes weren’t quick enough. He slapped her face hard. His lightning quick speed was amazing. Tears stung her eyes and she rubbed her cheek.

“Learn self control. It will get you places.” Victor spat and stared at her. Katrina lowered her head and cried. The slightest bit of pity pulled at Victor but was replaced with hatred for her disrespect and disobedience. “Now it’s time for the game, my dear.”

Katrina flinched whenVictor grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him as he spoke. A fresh rainfall of tears cascaded down her cheeks. She wiped them away and stared at Victor.

“It’s kind of like a married couple’s game.” He said. He let go of her face and walked to the door that led to the upstairs. “You’re going to sit there and we’re going to role play.”

“What do you mean by role play?” Katrina asked thinking about the possible meanings of this. Rape? Abuse? What thoughts were swirling around in Victor’s evil mind?

“Nothing like what you’re thinking. It’s far better and much more fun.” He said and smiled. ‘At least for me,’ he thought wickedly. “Ready?” He asked. Now you are my wife.” He saw the confused look on her face. “Don’t worry, it’s part of the game and it won’t take long.”

Katrina cleared her throat. “Do I speak? What am I supposed to do? Pretend to have dinner ready? What?” She asked not able to hide the nervous inflections in her voice. She looked up and saw that Victor had disappeared. A fine mist was all that remained where he had been standing only a second ago.

Fumbling with her hands and trying to get the shaking under control she sat up straight. Her gut instinct told her this wasn’t going to be a good game and she wouldn’t win. For once she hoped it was just pure paranoia. She found it hard to sit still but didn’t dare get off the couch. Her heart sank when a loud knock sounded from the other side of the door.

The door opened and Victor walked in smiling brightly. “Honey, I’m home!” He boomed. Katrina’s fear woke the predator within. The game had just begun.

R
ex frowned and
stared at Armani shocked by his deathly appearance.

Donovan was at his side in a matter of seconds. “I know you fear for your friend but please believe that this is for the best.” He said.

Fury swept through Rex. He turned and faced Donovan. “How can you be so sure? What do you really know about Armani?” Kneeling beside Armani he took his friends cold clammy hand into his own and squeezed hard willing him to wake from his slumber.

“I am confident in what I have done to help him cross over. That is why I am so sure, Rex.” He said sternly.

Rex let go of Armani’s lifeless hand, stood and paced from one end of the living room to the other, his face creased with worry.

“Damn you, Donovan. I want answers. Why? Why pick Armani to join your ridiculous cult?” He faced Donovan. “I demand to know right now.”

Donovan checked Armani’s vitals before facing Rex. “First of all, I am not part of a cult and the Dark One’s are most assuredly not cult related. We are a group of vampire’s who are dedicated to justice being served where it has been overlooked.” Smiling at Rex he drifted to the bar and poured himself a glass of chardonnay. “Care for some?” He asked, tipping the bottle toward Rex.

“No.” Rex stated. “Don’t avoid my questions.”

Donovan sipped the chardonnay and licked his lips. “Let’s get back to the subject at hand. I’ll sum it up for you in the simplest form so that you may understand and see that we are a good group of vampires.” Donovan sat near Armani and explained in detail what had happened to Victor and himself and how they ended up becoming vampires.

Rex nodded wanting to understand but he doubted the integrity of Donovan. Trust was earned.

“How did you convince Armani to cross over?” Rex asked gesturing with his hands. “He is slow to trust. For him to do something like this so suddenly is amazing to me.” He placed his hands on his temples and added, “I don’t believe you were honest with him.”

Donovan rose from the chair, walked to Rex and placed his hands on Rex’s shoulders. “Let me make myself clear. Never and I mean never call me a liar.” He said, his eyes illuminating evil. “I should kill you but I’m not vengeful to the innocent ones.” He shrugged and said, “But Victor on the other hand wouldn’t hesitate to kill you.”

Rex snorted backing away from Donovan. “Lucky me,” he said and cocked his head resisting the urge to knock Donovan out with a punch.

Rex and Donovan jerked their heads toward the couch when they heard and saw movement.

“He’s waking from his rest to his new life!” Donovan exclaimed and ran to the couch. Leaning beside Armani he motioned for Rex to sit down. “Please sit and be still.”

Rex heard groaning, heavy breathing and a low growl. What the hell kind of creature would Armani be now? He was a tortured hurting soul with vengeance on his mind. Rex worried that anger and revenge would fuel Armani’s will to live. Not to mention the fact that being a vampire would afford him incredible new powers that could be used for good or evil. Would Armani choose to let hate or love rule him? Rex feared the creature that Armani would become. “What have you done Donovan?” He whispered barely audible.

Donovan heard him. “I’ve done what’s right. Please silence yourself or I will be forced to put you in a deep sleep.” He said as he gripped Armani’s hands in his own.

Rex craned his neck to see beyond Donovan’s frame. It was hopeless. He tipped his head back and closed his eyes saying a prayer for Armani.

Armani opened his eyes and focused on Donovan’s face. His stomach rumbled. Feeling weak and dizzy he sat up and looked around the room. “How long have I been out?” He asked. Sadness played on his face like a bagpipe at a funeral. “I saw Simone. She came and talked to me in a vision.” He said his speech quick and eyes moist. “Why didn’t you wake me? Something has happened at the cemetery. I must leave now.” Throwing off the blanket he tried to stand but Donovan restrained him with his powerful hands.

“It was an illusion,” Donovan began, “these things happen while you undergo the transition of crossing over and become a vampire.” He shook his head and pointed to Rex. He had to change the subject. “Your friend is here. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to see him.” Moving to the side he allowed Armani to see Rex seated in a chair.

Smiling, Armani focused on Rex’s face. “Rex, what are you doing here?”

Rex shot him an icy look. “What am I doing here?” He laughed. “What the hell is your problem? I tried to call you numerous times and you wouldn’t answer so I came to check on you.” He folded his arms across his chest and said, “I got here and found the Shrine Circus beat me to you.”

Donovan shot him a wicked glare. “Watch your mouth, Rex,” he warned. “I’m not going to tell you again that Victor, who is our leader, will kill you if you show even the slightest amount of disrespect to him, Armani or me.” He turned and faced Armani. He picked up a glass of water sitting on the end table. “Drink this before you try to stand.”

Armani drank the water like a man stranded in the desert. “Thank you.” Wiping his mouth he said, “I feel so hungry. May I eat?”

Donovan sat in a chair across from Rex. “No.”

Armani swung his legs over the couch and prepared himself to stand. He had never felt so weak and drained of life. He rubbed his head, closed his eyes and moaned. “The pain is too unbearable. I can’t do this.”

Rex’s heart went out to his friend. Armani was so pale and white like one of the walking dead. What would happen next? “Shall I help him?” He asked Donovan.

Donovan stared at Rex. “No.”

Armani slowly stood, his legs shaking and twitching. Lines of concentration creased his face. Taking a step he stumbled and fell to his knees, grabbing his head. “I feel like a monster!” He screamed in agony. “Stop this!” Sobs wretched his body and tears fell from his eyes. “What have I done?”

Donovan went to his side. “You have done the right thing. Vengeance shall be yours and so much more, my friend.” He said. He took Armani’s hand and helped him stand. “Focus on one step at a time. You’re like a newborn baby. Concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.” He repeated. Shuffling his feet inch by inch he guided Armani.

Rex was impressed at the affection Donovan displayed to Armani. “Is there anything I can do Donovan?” He asked. He uncrossed his legs and stood ready to help in any way he could.

Donovan gazed at Rex and smiled. It was the first sincere smile Rex had seen from him. “Thank you kindly, Rex. How about you prepare something for Armani to eat? That would be wonderful.” Averting his gaze to Armani he said, “I am going to be your teacher and in time you will learn all you need to be a powerful vampire and that you shall be. It’s why you were chosen.”

What did that mean? Armani questioned. He stopped and stared Donovan in the eyes. “I was chosen by you and Victor, correct?” He asked.

“Yes, you were.” Donovan answered avoiding eye contact. “It takes time to learn and apply all the powers necessary to kill.”

“I only want to kill the people who did this to Simone and me.” Armani stated. “A second ago you stated that you chose me which means that you picked me of your choice, not because of the circumstances of my life.” Armani paused, cocked his head and glared at Donovan. “Realistically I chose for you to choose me due to needing to get revenge on my enemies.” Armani thought of the black hawk he and Simone had seen near his property for years. Did Donovan know that these this would happen and why didn’t he stop it? The truth that Donovan deceived him pissed him off. He shoved Donovan and ran to the kitchen in search of Rex.

Donovan fell backwards, his head barely missing the corner of the end table. “Damn you, Armani!” He cried out. “You will not treat me in such a disrespectful way. Not in our immortal lifetime.” He rose filled with rage and flew to the kitchen faster than a speeding bullet.

Armani grabbed Rex by the shoulders and shook him. “Get out of here and never come back. Leave or you will die.”

He heard Donovan enter the kitchen and pivoted to face him. “Come on, Donovan. I dare you to try and kill me.” He said and lunged at Donovan, arms outstretched, ready to choke the life out of him. “You fooled and deceived me. I’m a vampire forever now, not temporarily like you said.” Armani wrapped his hands around Donovan’s throat and squeezed hard. “I’m going to kill you.” He seethed.

Donovan stared into Armani’s eyes. A minute later Armani was thrown across the room. Armani hit the wall and collapsed to the floor. Rex stared in shock and backed into a corner. How did he do that without physical contact?

“Never and I mean never disrespect your elders dear Armani. I will love you like a brother and protect you to my death but you must never defy me in any way.” Kneeling in front of Armani he shook him. “I’m going to give you some advice and please, for the love of God if there is a God, adhere to what I say.” He waited to make sure Armani was listening. “Do not ever in your lifetime treat Victor the way you have treated me. He is not kind and will not hesitate to do away with you.” Standing, he paced back and forth, hands clenching into fists. “He will torture you in the cruelest ways known to mankind and then watch with delight as you take your final breath.”

Armani swallowed hard. “I thought The Dark Ones were good immortals who served justice to the evil people in the world. Isn’t that what you told me?” Armani looked at Rex who was huddled in a corner and gave him a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry, Rex that you have been brought into this mess because of me. Please forgive me.”

Rex nodded accepting his apology unable to speak. His tongue felt like a mouse caught in a trap.

Donovan apologized to Rex as well. “Don’t fear me Rex. I will not hurt you and that I promise you.” Extending his hand to Rex, he shook with a firm but soft grip. “My advice applies to you too. Victor would kill you as well. I am 291 years old and have seen many things. Some disturbing, some miraculous and through it all I have learned a great deal.”

Armani rose to his feet. “I don’t forgive you for deceiving me. Once I have destroyed the evil ones who killed Simone and destroyed me I want to die so I may be with my Simone. You told me this was temporary and I want it to be temporary. I refuse to live an eternal life of solitude without Simone.” Tears stung his eyes. “It was hard enough as a human. I can’t even fathom what it will be like as one of the living dead.” He said his voice frail, “and to live a life of eternity forever feeling as I do. I cannot.” He shuddered and walked past Donovan into the living room. “I must go visit Simone. There was a disturbance at her gravesite. She appeared to me in a vision and needs my help. It was not an illusion, Donovan. It was real. I’m leaving now and no one will stop me.”

Donovan extended his hand in a ‘be my guest gesture.’ “Allow me to send my hawk with you. He will watch over you in case you need my assistance.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Armani said and paused at the front door. “How would you see me anyway?”

“That’s simple, Armani. I see through the eyes of the hawk.” He said, placing his hands on the doorway, he smiled at Armani. “In your darkest hour I have seen you and sympathized with you, sharing your pain. I too have endured a great loss when I was human, one that made it impossible for me to live. I became a vampire of my own choosing and I will say at first, I hated it, but in time I have grown to love what I am and what I stand for.” He lowered his head and whispered, “My hope is that one day you will feel the same.”

Armani was silent. He had nothing to say to Donovan. He wanted to visit Simone and see if she would speak to him again. His heart longed to hear her voice, even if only in his mind.

Rex ran toward the living room. “I’m coming with you.” He stated breathless. “I’m not sitting here helpless waiting for you.” He was halted at the door with Donovan’s long strong arm. Gulping in air, he stopped.

“You are going nowhere.” Donovan stated. It was an order. “You have seen and heard too much.”

Armani rushed to his friend’s side. “You are not crossing him over to a life of damnation and eternal hell.” His voice rose. He and Donovan stood toe to toe like two dogs ready to fight for the alpha rank.

“Have no fear. I have no intention of doing so,” Donovan said. Lifting his arm, he placed it around Rex’s shoulder. “He deserves an explanation of everything that has happened past, present and also what the future holds.” He smiled at Armani and gestured toward the door. “Be on your way, my friend.”

Armani grabbed his jacket sliding into it with ease, grabbed his car keys and hustled out the door into the cold winter morning.

Rex watched with an aching heart as Armani left. Gabe was locked up in the dog kennel. He tried to move but his feet felt like they were cemented to the floor.

“What about Gabe, Donovan?” Rex asked. Armani’s going to wonder what the hell our manager is doing locked up.”

Donovan smiled. “Don’t worry, that’s been taken care of.” Drifting to the window, he looked out at the morning sun sparkling on the white snow. His eyes skimmed to the kennel. Gabe was inside the doghouse trying to keep warm. “There’s not a chance in hell he will see Gabe.” He faced Rex and held up a finger. “Number one, Gabe is in the doghouse.” He held a second finger in the air and said, “And number two, I have cast a spell on the kennel so even if Armani were to go inside the doghouse, Gabe will be invisible to him.”

Rex nodded his approval, walked to the couch and gathered up the blankets and began folding them.

“Come Rex, sit down. I believe I owe you an explanation.” Donovan floated to the bar and picked up two glasses. “Do you have a preference on a drink, my friend?” He asked over his shoulder, his long hair swaying like the North wind had swept through.

“Brandy sounds like a wonderful drink to discuss serious issues over. Thank you.” Rex said.

Donovan returned with two glasses of brandy. He handed one to Rex and sat across from him. “It’s a good brandy. I hope you’re pleased.” Donovan lifted his glass to his mouth and swallowed, licking his lips. Rex noticed how long his fingers were. Chilled, he drank faster hoping the Brandy would warm him. When he had Rex’s full attention Donovan stated, “Let’s start from the beginning.” Donovan told the story from centuries ago when the Dark One’s began their reign on earth.