by Strider, Jez
“Maybe, but it may also be the best thing you’ve ever done.” She gave me a wink before leaving.
Around two in the morning a week later, Marc and I were awakened by a few loud bangs at the door. We were both nervous, but I doubted any attackers or kidnappers would knock first. I pulled on a pair of Marcus’ sweatpants to go with the t-shirt I’d been sleeping in. He was already in pants and at the door before I made it out of the bedroom.
“Let us in. We found someone lurking around out here.” Janet, one of the guards, called out.
I gulped and nodded toward Marcus. “A spy….” If it was perhaps I could gain some knowledge to help me take out Dante.
He opened the door. Janet was standing there retraining the small intruder easily. I charged forward quickly toward them.
“Let her go.” I ordered and Janet released the girl to me. She ran crying into my arms. The teen was Fate, Ashley’s daughter. She was about my height, which meant she relatively short. Her hair was always tediously straightened and a different color nearly every time I saw her. This day it was all black except for the bangs covering one of her eyes. They were a dark red. She had many earrings and a beauty mark piercing above her lip. Ashley had always given consent for the piercings since Fate was still underage. Her skirt was short and blouse low cut.
Marcus thanked Janet. “I think we have it from here.” He closed the door and shot me a questioning look.
I could smell the alcohol and scent of smoke on the young girl. Cigarettes and marijuana. It was Friday night, so I figured she’d come from a party. I just didn’t know why she’d come to me.
“Will you make some coffee?” I asked Marc as I led the girl over to sit down at the kitchen table. Marcus didn’t really drink coffee, but he kept some for the occasional guest. It was just taking a while for him to find it.
Fate sniffled and looked up at me with mascara running down her cheeks. “I’m sorry Eve. I overheard mom talking to you so I knew you were here.” Her sentence came out in broken sobs. She stole a sideways, uncomfortable glance at my shirtless fiancé. She didn’t seem sure if she should speak in front of him.
The coffee was finally being made. Marcus didn’t seem like he was going to leave us girls alone to talk.
“It’s okay.” I reached out and patted her hand. “What happened?”
“I went to this party that some college kids were throwing.” She shook her head back and forth. “It was stupid, but that’s why I went. I thought maybe daddy would contact me again if I was getting into trouble.” Her father’s death had taken the greatest toll on her compared to her younger siblings. The others were too young to remember him well.
My hand went up over my mouth and it took me a moment to keep from crying for the girl’s pain. “Your mom told me that he spoke to you from the afterlife. I don’t begin to say I understand how it works, but I doubt it’s easy for him to speak to you just whenever.”
“I know. It takes too much energy, especially to speak. That’s why they often manipulate energy. That’s all many of them can do.” I could see the shame in her eyes for acting out. “I just miss him and I’m scared of everything I’m seeing.”
Marcus brought over a cup of coffee for each of us. He sat down at the table as well, but didn’t try to input anything into the conversation.
“Thanks.” Both of her shaky hands had to hold the cup to keep from dropping it.
“You still haven’t told me what happened at the party.” I urged her to continue after she was silent for a few moments.
Fate toyed with one of her bracelets, not meeting either of our inquiring gazes when she started to speak. “There was this one guy I was making out with and it was all fine. Then some of his friends came over and they were too aggressive for my liking. I tried to leave, but they were surrounding me.”
Marcus looked enraged and I mouthed “no” at him. With his temper, he’d probably put each of those guys into a coma.
“I couldn’t see any escape, when suddenly every light in the place blew out, one by one. The speakers blasting the loud music popped and emitted a screech before turning to static. It was enough of a distraction for me to make a run for the door.” She buried her face in her hands, crying again. “I got in my car and just drove. Mom has enough to worry about without me adding to it.”
It was too much for a seventeen year old to have to deal with and I wished I could help. “She’s going to wonder where you are, Fate. I have to call her.”
Suddenly, she was on her feet and frantic. “No, no, please no. She thinks I’m staying with a friend. Just let me stay here the night and I’ll tell her in the morning. I swear, I will. Mom can’t see me like this.”
I let out a long sigh and looked at Marcus who just gave me a shrug. “Fine, but you promise me that this behavior stops. Obviously, your dad is always watching over you. Who do you think saved you from those drunken frat boys?” I asked her. Being a disciplinarian was not one of my strong points. Marc stood up and walked over to a closet.
“Dad…. Or one of those ghosts that keep following me around whispering “Sanuto” wherever I go. I think that Sanuto person may have killed a bunch of people around here.” She walked over to the sofa after Marcus returned with a blanket and pillow. “Thank you both. I think you and Eve will have awesome kids. Super cute.” My fiancé looked at her, blinking a few times at the unexpected statement. Especially since it was the first time she’d addressed him directly.
I hardly even heard that last part. What she said about the dead and Sanuto was still swirling in my thoughts. “Fate….tell the dead they’ll be able to rest soon when they mention Sanuto.”
She was confused, but nodded. “Hey, you have a dog.” Lewis was sleeping on the sofa and she just climbed on beside him, petting the animal. He opened his eyes briefly, before drifting back off. Terrible guard dog when he was tired.
“See you in the morning.” I said as Marc and I headed far across the room to our bed. He flipped off the light.
Marcus and I lay there without speaking for a long time. Fate’s light snoring told me she was finally asleep. “Do you think we will have “awesome” and “super cute” kids?” This was the question Marcus chose to break the silence.
He tried to look serious, but broke into a smirk. “God, children are too blunt.” I told him with a sigh. “It’s doubtful, though. Vampire men can make children relatively easily, but women tend to have cycles that are unpredictable and few in between. Our bodies practically slow to a crawl, just like how aging stops. Wait, does that matter?”
It was one of those big topics that we’d never gotten into before the proposal. I knew for some men it could be a deal breaker.
“Nope.” He said, adding. “I have plenty of nieces and nephews.”
Once again, he impressed me. I wasn’t entirely convinced. He was too young to know what he wanted, but what did I know? He seemed sure. It went quiet not long after and I could tell Marc had fallen asleep by this breathing. I wished I could drift off without a care, but not this night. Sighing again, I curled against him until elusive sleep eventually found me.
Fate and Marcus were watching television and having cereal when I finally dragged myself out of bed. Saturday morning cartoons. I laughed inside. As mature as they both tried to be, they were both less than a decade from childhood.
“Mornin’!” Fate called out. I noticed she’d cleaned off the smeared make-up and looked relatively normal again. It was a relief. The previous night had left me upset. I shouldn’t have been surprised. She was like her mother in that she could bounce back when life went sour.
“Good morning, you two.” I said as I walked into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of orange juice. That was another thing I loved about the area, other than the ocean. Fresh oranges. It was time for Fate to go home I decided as I stood there, but before I could say anything there was a familiar knock at the door.
Marcus glanced over his shoulder. “Sorry, babe. I forgot to tell you that he
was coming by this morning. Apparently he has some info about…” He looked to Fate for a moment then said, “You know who.”
“How do you know who it is already, Eve? Some secret knock?” Fate asked. Yeah. She really needed to go home. Way too perceptive.
I let out a long sigh. “Enough with the questions. You’re still in trouble.” As I headed to open the door she sat on her knees, looking over the back of the sofa to see the guest.
“Is it another vamp, Marc?”
In one ear and out the other with her. I’d just said no more questions. “Vamp? I know you taught her that, Marcus.”
He smirked. “Maybe.”
Much more of this and I’d have a headache. All I needed was Fate going home and ranting to Ashley about the “vamps.” I opened the door during the next impatient knock. Antonio’s hand was still poised in the air.
“Come in. I wasn’t told you were dropping by this morning.” With a small nod he accepted the invitation and walked inside. It was getting crowded.
Fate stared in awe at Antonio for a long moment before coming across the room and extending her hand to him. “Hi. I’m Fate. Eve is pretty much like an aunt to me.”
Her personality was infectious and the serious look on Antonio’s face slipped into a sincere smile. “A beautiful name for an equally beautiful young woman.” He took her extended hand and bent down placing a delicate kiss on the top. “You may call me Antonio.”
The flutter of her heartbeat was audible to me. “This is my best friend’s seventeen year old daughter who was just on her way home.” I’d hoped Marcus would take the hint, but he didn’t. “Right, Marc!?”
When I raised my voice he finally realized what I meant. “Oh yeah, yeah. Let me call for Janet to take her home.” I knew he wasn’t going to take her and leave me alone with Antonio.
“Oh come on. That brutish woman that treated me like a criminal!?” Fate pooched out her bottom lip into a pout.
“Well, I will make sure she knows you’re my new friend and to treat you well.” This seemed to please her and she nodded, still smiling like a silly girl with a crush.
Janet was promptly upstairs. The bodyguard crossed her arms as she waited impatiently. “Babysitting costs extra.” She said and Antonio shot the woman a glare that made her lower her eyes to the floor. “Sorry.”
“Follow the lovely Fate and make sure she arrives at her destination safely.” Antonio ordered.
As they were leaving, Fate called back to Antonio. “You’re an awesome vamp, Sir.”
Antonio genuinely laughed then turned back to Marcus and me. The three of us were alone once more. “I could definitely go for a bite of that one.”
Marc came across the room in long, angry strides to confront Antonio. “Is that how your fill your void of a life? Hurting women’s hearts with your smooth words? Charisma bullshit. That girl isn’t even eighteen yet.”
“Guys, stop it. What did you have to tell us anyway?” I tried to distract the men so they wouldn’t get into a fight.
An arrogant grin spread across Antonio’s face as he stared at my fiancé. “Why don’t you ask Evelina how old she was the first time she gave a man pleasure?” He didn’t acknowledge that I’d spoken. “Or how old she was the first time she gave it to me?”
I rushed across the room to get between them, but I didn’t make it before Marcus turned to look at me then quickly swung back around with his fist. He made contact with Antonio’s lips and I could smell the blood before I even saw it drizzle from the corner of his mouth. “I can’t tell you the first time, but I can tell you’ve had her for the last time.” Marc said in a menacing tone.
“I’ll kill you, human.” Antonio growled. When I finally wedged myself between the two men, Antonio’s fangs were extended and he was on the precipice of losing all self-control.
“If you don’t stop, I will kill you both!” I screamed at the top of my lungs in frustration.
“Tell us what we need to know then get the fuck out of my apartment.” Marcus said, walking toward the kitchen. I knew his hand was hurting, but he wouldn’t concede anything in front of the vampire.
Two men fighting over a woman is much more appealing in theory. When it’s actually happening it can be terrifying and heartbreaking at the same time.
Antonio glared the whole time, his playful mood completely gone by this point. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a fancy card. “It’s an invitation. Dante’s throwing a big party soon and inviting vampires from all over to revel in the festivities. I’m sure you can guess the sort of activities this will entail.” He handed me the invitation. It was addressed to him. “It’s a trap, but the event may offer some opportunities.”
“What if I went? I may be able to figure something out if I get inside.”
It was a stupid to hope the men would agree and on cue Marcus said, “Hell, no” while Antonio gave a fervent and firm “No.”
“Fine! It was just an idea.” Well, that wasn’t even worth the attempt. I thought to myself before looking to Antonio. “Thanks for the information.”
“I’ll let you know if I find out anything else.” He shot Marc a threatening look, before leaning in and kissing me passionately on the lips.
Marcus was charging across the room. “Motherfucker….” But, Antonio was gone out the door before he could catch up. He yelled out, though no one was in sight. “Run! Coward!”
I stood frozen in place, afraid of what to say, just looking down at the invitation. Marc snatched it out my hand as he stormed by me and tossed it in the trash. “Pussy ass vampire….” He mumbled. I knew how he was when he was angry, so I gave him his space to cool down. Longer than usual…this was beyond being mad and pushing past furious.
Just over a month had passed since Dante kidnapped us. Between feeding on Marc and drinking the blood from the bottles I’d had Ashley bring, I was the strongest and healthiest I had ever been. The previous night I had decided that it was time. The date of Dante’s party was upon me. Unfortunately, when I awoke that morning, my head ended up draped over the toilet. I hadn’t felt sick in a couple of weeks, so I figured it was nerves or perhaps pure fear. Either way, there was no turning back.
The guards had been becoming bored with all the inaction, so I knew they would probably be easy to slip by. Marcus and I ate dinner and I suggested we share with the guards. I’d offered to cook. He was so innocent and oblivious. It pained me to drop the sedatives into his drink. The drugs had been in the med kit Ashley retrieved. They wouldn’t hurt him, but I was still feeling guilty. I needed him to be out cold so that I could make my escape. Drugging the guard’s drinks didn’t bother me quite as much.
We’d made love for possibly the last time after dinner. Afterward he drifted into a deep slumber. I debated staying as I leaned on my elbow beside him and watched the soft rise and fall of his bare chest. Sometimes doing the right thing is the most difficult. How could any of us ever be happy in this prison? I quietly climbed out of bed and gathered up my supplies.
A few days earlier I had sewn a little hidden pocket into the purse. Inside, I put the blood thinner and a small needle and syringe. The clutch would be searched, I knew this. I just hoped the items would remain hidden.
Dante demanded perfection. I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror as I pulled my hair up as I’d worn it long ago. My curls draped delicately. As I transformed myself, I tried to convince myself that I was the courtesan once again. I had been more than a common whore and I had to recapture who I had been.
This was the ritual I followed for years. I gave my lips a little pout after putting on my lipstick. Then I practiced my most seductive smile. If the vampire didn’t believe I was sincere, he may never give me the chance to kill him. The dress fit like a glove, hugging my body in exactly the right spots. His obsession would be my only advantage and I had to feed it. When I was ready, I piled my make-up supplies into my purse to cover the secret compartment.
There was nothing left to do except g
et out. I paused again and watched my sleeping fiancé. His dog had climbed into bed and was asleep beside him. If someone had told me a month before that’d I’d be engaged, I would have said they were insane. Now, the hardest part of this whole endeavor was building the nerve to leave him. I looked down at my ring that he’d so spontaneously purchased. We were both crazy, but I didn’t care. With effort I worked up the nerve to take off the ring and I sat it on top of a note I had placed on the nightstand. It simply read, “I love you.” Had I told him before? It seemed like I had but when I thought back, I didn’t remember.
I gave the apartment one last look, before opening the front door as silently as I could. His wallet on the kitchen counter caught my eye. He may have remembered the address but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to take it just in case he’d forgotten. Everything was quiet when I went back to the door. My boots sounded loud as I walked down the hallway and stairs. I didn’t hear anything when I got downstairs except for the breathing of the guards who were unconscious. They were both asleep at a cheap folding table in their chairs. Cards from their poker game were spread across the table along with a few that fell to the floor. It was tempting to take their weapons and storm Dante’s manor guns blazing. I shook my head. No. I would stick to my plan. I needed to survive.
When I stepped outside, I breathed deeply. I don’t know how I’d stayed inside for so long. The escape from Versaille came to mind and I almost turned around. It may have been like I was being imprisoned here, but it was ultimately my choice to go along with it. I was about to walk into a real hell, where I couldn’t leave if I wanted to.
The streets were silent as I walked swiftly toward the corner of the block. Moths fluttered around the dim lights lining the pathway. I put my phone up to my ear after dialing for a taxi. The GPS put Dante’s mansion, or the road it was on, approximately twenty miles away. My money should just barely cover the ride. I wasn’t planning on leaving my fiancé there unprotected. The best bet was to call the police to the apartment after the taxi arrived. Bright lights and cops would surely deter any attackers.