Undying Vengeance (26 page)

A
rmani sat at
the piano engrossed in his music. It was the first time since Simone’s death that he felt the music with such passion and electricity. Lost in his own world he didn’t hear Donovan enter the music room.

Donovan stood in the doorway watching Armani’s hands move over the piano’s keyboard. It amazed him how artists got so into their work that they lost themselves in another world. Armani’s body shifted with the beats of the piano, swaying back and forth, his voice melodic and soothing. Donovan folded his arms across his chest waiting for Armani to finish.

The song ended and Donovan cleared his throat.

Armani spun around on the piano bench and stared at Donovan. His eyes held more pain than one should ever have to. “This is the only time I feel any sort of peace. Killing these men won’t mend my broken heart.” He stood the black cloak swirling behind him like a curtain in the wind.

“You must give yourself time to heal.” Donovan said. “Of course it won’t mend your broken heart and hurting soul but it’s the first step in the healing process.” He pointed at himself and said, “I’m living proof of this.”

Armani rolled his eyes. “I get that. You keep shoving your experience down my throat and so much so that it tastes like bile.” He raised his hands in a helpless gesture. “I’m sick of this. All I want to do is kill these men and be gone and done with all this.”

“Life shall come.” Donovan retorted. “You’ve got to believe in yourself. If you kill yourself after you kill these men, in essence they have won.”

Armani laughed. “That doesn’t make a damn bit of sense.”

“Think about it logically. You may have won the battle by avenging Simone’s death, but if you kill yourself then they have won the war. The battle against evil and malicious men and women will never end but we must continue on and pursue ridding the world of them one at a time. Someday in the future there will be enough vampires in The Dark Ones to fight and win the war.” Donovan paused staring straight ahead. “But that cannot happen if our new members seek out justice for only their losses and end their lives. Do you understand so far?”

He nodded, not sure he understood the logic Donovan preached but went along with it. “I have a question for you if I may ask.”

“You may ask me anything.” Donovan smiled. “Questions are how one learns.”

There was no mistaking Donovan had been an excellent professor at one time.

“How many strong are we?” Armani asked and rephrased the question. “I mean, how many vampires are members of The Dark Ones?”

“I’ll answer honestly, not all that many.”

Armani was impatient. “Do you have an estimate?”

“I would say twenty or so.” Donovan motioned for Armani to follow him. “We can discuss this later. Right now there are two men downstairs waiting for you.” He turned and walked into the hallway.

Armani let out a slow breath. “My time has come.”

“Is the meal to your liking?” Victor asked watching Alex crane his neck and lap up the steak, corn and potatoes like a dog eating from a bowl. He noticed Adam hadn’t touched his meal. “What’s the matter, Adam? Not hungry?”

Adam looked up. “I have no appetite, sir.” He said in a feeble voice. His eyes returned to the full plate of food.

“I’ll eat his rations,” Alex said his mouth full. “I’ve got nothing to lose now. I may as well die with a full stomach.” He laughed and stuck his face into the plate, his stout pink tongue licking it clean.

Victor couldn’t believe how disgusting Alex was. No manners. Even without silverware surely one could still eat with dignity. The thought of pulling Alex’s tongue out of his mouth and choking him with it made him laugh out loud.

Alex grimaced. Victor’s laugh sounded like it came from the bowels of Hell.

“Time’s up,” Victor said gathering the plates. “I think we have company.”

Donovan and Armani entered the kitchen side by side, their black capes gracefully dancing in unison behind them like two ballerinas in the Nutcracker.

“Hello Alex and Adam. Are you ready to meet your maker?” Donovan asked. He tapped his head and said, “Excuse me, I mean your executioner.”

Victor watched Armani and Donovan and smiled like a proud father.

“Ah, the time has finally come. This will be all over soon.” Victor said stepping back. “One is stuffed full of food and both are ready for slaughter.”

Alex glared at Armani. “I should’ve killed you instead of injuring you.” He chuckled and said, “So, tell me one thing. How does your face feel? Does it hurt both physically and emotionally? I bet every time you look in the mirror you are reminded of Simone.” Alex gave him a challenging stare. “Well?”

Armani lunged at Alex but Donovan grabbed his arm stopping him. “Don’t let this coward take the easy way out. Never listen to them.” He released his grip and gave Victor a glance. Victor was enjoying all of this.

“If I may offer a suggestion . . . .” Victor trailed off before continuing. “Cut this coward’s tongue out of his mouth.” He picked up the knife and swung it in front of Alex’s face like a pendulum. “It’d be in your best interest to keep your mouth shut from this point on and if you can’t I’ll tape that filthy hole of yours shut.”

Armani looked at Adam shocked. “Why? How could you kill Simone?” He asked. “Why?!” He screamed.

Armani’s question was answered with silence.

Victor set the knife down and walked behind Adam’s chair bending to the level of his ear. “Answer him or I will inflict pain so severe on you that you will beg for death.” He slapped the back of Adam’s head.

Adam’s head lunged forward. He stared at his father and said, “We did it for money. Gabe set the whole operation up. My dad wanted the money and I wanted to make you both suffer. I loved Simone since childhood and she didn’t love me back . . . .”His voice trailed off. His face turned red, a tear ran down his cheek. “I’m sorry. I killed her because I didn’t want anyone to have her but me.”

“You son of a bitch!” Armani screamed. “I thought she was your friend. Simone would’ve done anything for you.” He paced wiping the sweat from his face. “You’ve ruined my life. I loved and still love her more than anything in the world.” Armani raised his hands to the Heavens and cried out.

Donovan and Victor watched. They knew he needed closure and the opportunity to have the ‘whys’ of this answered before the killings commenced.

“I found it quite heroic of my son to kill that bitch.” Alex said a smug smile on his face. “He finally took action and did something for himself for once.”

“Y-y-you thought I was a hero, dad?” Adam asked pleased.

Victor was beside Alex in a flash. “Didn’t I tell you to keep quiet?” He picked up the knife and made a small incision in Alex’s cheek. “Now, you are going to shut the hell up.” He ripped off two large pieces of duct tape securing them over Alex’s mouth. He wiped his hands in front of Alex’s face and for good measure punched him square in the right eye. He winked at Adam. “You’re next if you speak without being spoken to.”

Armani’s body shook with rage, anger and hate. He didn’t know how to handle this. These two took away his reason for living.

“Sit down, Armani.” Donovan said pulling a chair out for him.

Armani couldn’t get to the chair quick enough. He felt weak and dizzy.

“We need to know how you want to kill these two. Victor will get all the necessary tools and set everything up for you in the backyard.”

That question didn’t require much thought. He had imagined killing whoever was responsible for quite some time. “I want to burn them alive at the stake. Burn them as they have burned my face, my heart and my soul. I want them to suffer as I have suffered.”

“So be it.” Donovan said. He stood and patted Armani’s shoulder. “Stay seated. Victor will get everything we need. Tonight is victory for you, my friend.”

Ten minutes later Victor had a list. He smiled at Armani and Donovan. “I want the two of you to have a little fun with the Double A team until I return.” He said and closed the door.

Donovan offered Armani his hand. “Come. Let’s inflict pain on the men who destroyed you and your world.”

Adam and Alex exchanged fearful glances. “We’re going to die, dad.” Adam said. “I don’t want to die . . . . .”

“I suppose you should’ve thought of the consequences before acting, correct?” Donovan asked unlocking Adam’s handcuffs. “Try anything and I chop off that dirty hand of yours.”

Armani didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his hand around Adams hand. “Is this the hand you choked the life out of Simone with? Answer me!” He screamed in his ear.

Donovan walked out of the kitchen. He remembered he promised his hawk a taste of these men. He smiled. His faithful black hawk loved eyeballs like people love desserts. Alex would look better with one eye, he reasoned. He laughed heartily and opened the front door.

What he saw made him sick. The hawk was pecking at Gabe’s mutilated dead body. One of the rules was not to eat meat from the ones they killed unless it was given to him. He whistled. The hawk jumped like a child caught stealing cookies from a cookie jar.

“Come to me,” he ordered holding his arm out. The hawk obediently flew to his master landing on his arm. “You know better than to do that.” Donovan chastised him but was cut short by a scream in the kitchen. “Armani better keep his wits about him,” he told the hawk. He ran into the kitchen.

“What in God’s name is going on?” Donovan asked. The hawk cocked its head to the side and flew toward the table landing in front of Alex.

Alex’s mumbles and groans from his duct taped mouth were barely audible. He stared at the hawk frozen in fear.

Adam was underneath Armani kicking and screaming like a spoiled child. Armani’s hands were wrapped around Adam’s throat and Adam’s hand looked dislocated. Donovan pulled Armani off Adam and shoved him into the wall.

“What did you do that for?” Armani asked. He glared at Adam who lay on the floor trying to catch his breath and holding his broken hand against his chest. “I felt the bones in his hand and fingers crackle and it was music to my ears. I want to kill him now. I don’t see it as a problem since they’re both going to die anyway.”

Donovan picked Adam up and set him in the chair. He stared at Armani and said, “Get under control, Armani.” He ordered. “Hate and anger can never under any circumstance take over your emotions during a kill.”

“Is it not true that hate and anger are the sticks of dynamite that ignite the revenge within the soul?” He asked Donovan and walked to where Adam sat. “You’re lucky to be alive.” Leaning toward Adam, he placed his hands on the arms of the chair. “But you won’t be for long.” He smiled releasing the chair with a thrust.

“That’s enough.” Donovan ordered. He stared at Alex who had the fear of Jesus in him. He laughed.

“What could possibly be funny?” Armani asked. He followed Donovan’s gaze and saw the black hawk perched on the table staring at Alex with pure hatred. “Alex doesn’t need a guard, you know.”

“I know that. I made a promise to my friend that I intend to keep.”

“And what is that?” Armani questioned folding his arms over his chest.

He walked up to the hawk and ran his hand down the hawk’s body. “He gets to gouge out and eat one of Alex’s eyes.” He stated. He smiled at the hawk and asked, “Isn’t that right my faithful companion?”

The hawk nodded obediently never taking its eyes off Alex.

Alex muffled a cry. His face paled and he shut his eyes.

“It’s nice to see such a hot shot cocky man feeling the fear, wouldn’t you say, Armani?”

“Sure is.” Armani agreed. He checked the time. “When is Victor going to be back?”

“He will be here soon. Sometimes it takes a while to gather all the tools necessary for the kill. You want these men to burn at the stake and that requires a few more tools and accessories than normal.” Donovan walked to the window peering into the darkness. “Be patient. Our Master will be here soon.”

V
ictor had the
tools needed for Armani’s kills but a burning desire to stop at his home was impossible to avoid. He had to know if Katrina was there. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel waiting for the person in front of him to turn right. He would’ve been home an hour ago but had to take Donovan’s truck and trailer to haul the supplies needed for Armani’s kill.

Victor honked the horn pressing on it for a minute. The person in front of him sat idle at the stop. Victor saw the man was talking on the phone. He honked again. The car didn’t move and the driver held his middle finger in the air. Victor was rabid. He had places to be and things to do. No one dare stand or park in his way.

Victor stepped out of the truck, walked to the man’s car and tapped the window.

The red haired man rolled down the window, an irritated look on his face. “Let me call you right back,” he said to the person he was talking to. He stared up at Victor. “Dude, what’s your problem? I’m trying to settle an argument with my girlfriend here.” His eyes wandered from Victor’s head to his feet. “And what’s with the crazy black get up?” He chuckled.

Victor had no tolerance for this man. “The problem, red, is that you are sitting at a stop sign holding up traffic and I have places to go. And as for my outfit, it’s what vampire’s wear.” Victor gave him a look daring him to make a sarcastic remark. “Are you going to move now or shall I move you?” He asked. “Your fate lies in your own hands.”

The red haired man laughed uncontrollably. “Man, you’re hilarious!” He boomed. “‘It’s what vampire’s wear . . . ‘“ He scoffed repeating Victor’s words. “Now that is too much.” He picked up the phone and started dialing a number. “If you’ll excuse me I have to call my woman back.” He said waving a hand at Victor. He rolled the window up but Victor stopped it halfway and grabbed the cell phone snapping it in two like a twig.

“You just chose your own fate by ignoring me. I guess I have to move you myself.” Victor said, opening the door and pulling the man out. “So be it.”

“What the hell dude. Settle down,” he said, eyes large and a shocked expression on his face. Victor wrapped his hands around reds throat. “Please,” he screeched. “I’ll move,” he was losing air.

Victor threw him to the ground. “Listen and listen close, boy.” He waited until he had his attention. “Believe it or not I am a vampire. Care for proof?” Victor asked and bared his fangs. He paced in front of red. His predatory lust for blood was too much to bear coupled with his feeling that Katrina wouldn’t be at his house. He stopped pacing and stared at red with gleaming hungry eyes.

Red stood and ran. “You’re a freak!” He shouted over his shoulder.

“Have it your way, big red.” Victor stated. “Ready or not here I come!” He boomed. His house was only a few miles from here so the probability of someone being around was highly unlikely. “Red must not be familiar with these parts,” Victor said with a Southern accent and laughed. It was time to eat, drink and be merry. Victor ran after Red for a few city blocks and watched his prey turn his head this way and that looking for an escape route. Red slowed down. No one ever escaped Victor when he was on the hunt.

Red glanced over his shoulder, his breathing labored. Victor ascended and flew in circles above him like a hawk circling a rabbit. Red stopped, bent over and put his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath.

“Up here!” Victor yelled. Red looked, his mouth open. “Believe in vampires yet?” He asked and descended on top of Red knocking him to the ground. Victor made Red look into his eyes. “If only you would’ve moved your car we wouldn’t be in this predicament right now.”

Red tried to scream but Victor covered his mouth with a cold hand. “Don’t beg for your life. It’s no use. No one will hear you. Normally I only kill murderers but today I’m making an exception. The blood of the innocent is so much sweeter.” He raised his head, bared his fangs and lowered his head to Red’s throat.

“Stop, please. I did nothing wrong. I’m not a criminal.” Red pleaded when Victor uncovered his mouth.

Victor stopped, looked at Red and smiled. “But you did do something wrong. You are guilty of a traffic violation and for ignoring me when I gave you a chance. You chose this.”

Red argued but Victor covered his mouth again, lowered his head to Red’s throat, sunk his sharp fangs into his neck and drank until Red was dead. Victor stood and wiped his mouth. “No more fights between you and your girlfriend anymore.” He chuckled and walked away.

Five minutes later he was at Donovan’s truck but he had one more thing to do before going to his house. Victor used his powers and forced Red’s car to hit a tree making it look like a high-speed head on collision. The police would suspect the coyote’s dragged Red’s body into the wilderness. Victor smiled, satisfied with himself. He was beginning to enjoy being evil more than being good. That was a problem but only if any of other vampires in The Dark Ones were to find out, which they would not.

Satisfied, Victor got in the truck and accelerated. He turned onto the road leading to his house and hoped Katrina would be there. He gave her a choice to stay or leave by leaving the front door open. If she were looking for a way out then it showed she wanted to leave. It shocked Victor knowing he did this. Why did he allow her to have freewill? He asked himself this question half a dozen times already.

He turned into his driveway lined with pine trees on both sides. Nothing but beautiful forest surrounded his home. He would have it no other way. Here he had seclusion, peace and a sense of security. The truck and trailer were making it slightly difficult to steer along the winding drive. “Flying is so much easier.” Victor said, cursing Armani for his choice of torture and the tools it required.

His heart sank when he saw the front door open. He should’ve known Katrina would leave. He hoped that maybe she would be inside.

Victor parked the truck and walked up the steps. He entered his cold house. His senses told him she was gone as he drifted from room to room, scanning corners and closets looking for her but to no avail.

His heart ached and a crooked smile lit his face. “I still have a heart and emotions.” He said aloud. ‘Not for long, Victor, it’s too late for you. You’ve made it clear your true happiness lies in the dark wicked deeds of the most evil vampire’s in the world.’ An inner voice told him. “Must be the Devil speaking to me.” Victor whispered.

“Shut-up,” Victor told his inner voice. “I don’t need to hear from you right now.”

Victor walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine. He didn’t bother to pour it in a glass. He tipped the bottle to his mouth gulping it down until he couldn’t breathe. A piece of paper lying on the kitchen table caught his eye. It was from Katrina. He picked it up and held it to his heart. Breathing in he smelled lavender vanilla. ‘At least she used the bath bubbles I bought for her,’ he mused.

Dear
Victor,

I’m
sorry
but
I
cannot
stay
here
with
you.
I
assume
you
left
the
door
open
as
a
choice
for
me
to
stay
or
leave.
I
will
not
be
with
a
vampire
by
force.
Many
questions
I
had
for
you
remained
unanswered
and
still
do
like
those
disturbing
paintings
hanging
on
the
wall
in
the
hall
on
the
fourth
floor
of
the
little
battered
and
abused
boy.
You
told
me
they
were
your
life.
What
did
that
mean?
Please
forgive
me
for
the
choice
I
have
made.
I
will
not
tell
anyone
about
you
if
you
promise
to
leave
me
alone
forever.

Sincerely,

Katrina.

Victor crumpled the letter and threw it on the floor.

“What did the pictures mean? She asks. I told you they were my life because they were the life I lived as that young boy and those events made me what I am. They are my life then and now.” Victor stated, walking out of the kitchen. “All Katrina had to do was use logic and put the pieces of that puzzle together.”

It was late and he needed to get back to Armani’s. He didn’t have time to analyze and think about what he could’ve or should’ve done differently. He turned off the lights and locked the front door.

Victor sat in the truck and stared at his house before leaving. How he wished he would see lights on in the house. While Katrina was in his house, he felt hope and a possibility to love and be loved. Something wet ran down his cheek. He wiped it away and saw it was blood, a tear. His heart ached with loss and sadness. He placed his head in his hands and for the first time in four centuries, he wept.

His body was cold. Rage, anger and hatred swelled inside him like a flood drowning what little love he had left.

Victor gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. He gritted his teeth and screamed. He pulled down the visor and saw his cold black hollow eyes staring at him as if they weren’t his own. His face streaked with red bloody tears.

“Love and hope are illusions! From this day forth I will make all of mankind, the guilty and the innocent suffer as I have endured suffering my entire existence.” He shoved the visor in place and sped down the driveway, the truck trailer bouncing and swerving behind him. “Madness has taken over and it shall now be my Master.” He laughed shrill and evil. A wolf howled in the distance, birds scattered in a rush and the wind blew hard making the trees bend and twist like a hurricane had struck. “My reign is about to begin.”