Sucks to Be Me

by Painter, Kristen

  As soon as the last sentence left her mouth, Donna realized it might have been better off not said. She turned, hoping to walk away.

  Lucinda grunted. “Hold up, Barrone. You ain’t going nowhere.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Donna reminded herself how, just about two hours ago, she’d faced down Claudette with great results.

  This was really no different. Sure, Lucinda was crankier (maybe) with slightly worse people skills and was more likely to attempt physical harm, but Donna could handle that. Especially with all her new skills.

  She fixed an innocent look on her face and turned around. “Was there something else, Lucinda?”

  Her unkempt brows furrowed in obvious annoyance. “Where’s your car?”

  Too mentally fatigued to come up with anything else, Donna decided to go with brutal honesty. “Parked around the block. I was hoping just to leave the dish and go so that I could avoid running into you, seeing as how we aren’t exactly BFFs.”

  Lucinda hesitated, clearly not expecting such a truthful reply.

  Donna took advantage of the woman’s rare speechlessness. “Have a good night. See you around.” She turned for the second time and actually got two steps away before Lucinda found her words again.

  “You’re right. I don’t like you. You think you’re all that. And now you come over here, showing up unannounced. You sure you weren’t looking for Tony?”

  Donna sighed. The woman was exhausting, and Donna had already surpassed her tolerance level for crap today. She spun around, full of the same ire that she’d unleashed on Claudette earlier. “Did you willfully choose to ignore what I just told you? I was trying to avoid seeing you. That includes your disgusting pig of a husband, who treats everyone around him like they owe him something. I want nothing to do with him. Or you. As for thinking I’m all that…you know what? Sometimes, I do think that. Other times, I feel like nothing I do goes right. But that’s just being human.” She stalked closer, her anger growing with the kind of force that would soon breach her control. “You should try it.”

  Nero sniffed Donna’s leg, but Lucinda was the one who snarled. “How dare you talk to me like—”

  Donna poked a finger into Lucinda’s fleshy upper chest, cutting her off. “While I’m doling out advice, let me give you a little more. Watch yourself. I know what you did. What you’re involved in. You think you can come for me? Try it. See which one of us survives.”

  Lucinda reared her head back in shock, giving herself three extra chins.

  “I’ll give you a hint.” Donna leaned in and tried to will a little of her new vampire power into her eyes, hoping for the slightest glow to spook Lucinda. “It’s not going to be you, Lucy.”

  Lucinda gasped in plain indignation. She opened her mouth wider and screamed, “Tony. Tony, get out here.”

  Donna gave her a big smile. Then pulled a Claudette and disappeared with as much speed as she could muster.

  She was in the middle of the tree line when she heard Lucinda’s front door open and Big Tony’s response. “What?”

  He sounded cranky. Donna leaned against a pine to listen.

  “Belladonna was just here.”

  “For what?”

  “To return my loaf pan.”

  “Why is this a problem? She’s gone now, ain’t she?”

  “She threatened me,” Lucinda whined.

  “With a loaf pan?” An exasperated sigh. “Leave her alone, will ya? She ain’t over Joe’s death, and you’re harassing her. Of course she’s going to threaten you. You probably started it.”

  Donna smiled. Was that the result of the power Claudette had used on him? If so, that was pretty cool. Donna stuck her hands in her pockets and left, no longer interested in what else the Villachis had to say. They were all going down, Rico would see to that. She’d give him whatever help he needed.

  She got in her car and went home, filled with a sense that everything was going to be all right. She was a new creature now. She had to accept that for all the good and bad it might bring her. Just like everything else life had thrown at her, she’d get through it. She’d find her way. Or make her way, if the path ahead didn’t suit her.

  That was what she’d always done. Becoming a vampire wasn’t going to change that. And if she worked at it, this could be a good thing. It was already giving her more confidence.

  Telling Joe Jr. and Christina was going to be hard, though. Cammie too. But Donna would. Wasn’t like she’d chosen this new life. And while they might not like it, they would get used to it. They all would eventually. She still wasn’t there herself.

  In a year, she’d probably look back and think how silly she’d been to worry. She hoped, anyway. A year from now felt so far away. Like such a long time to have to survive.

  She would. She knew that. She just had to focus on the positives. On accepting who she was. And owning this new power. That was key.

  She turned onto her street. She knew exactly what she was going to do to kick off the next phase of accepting her vampire self.

  She pulled into the garage and went inside the house, setting the alarm as soon as the door was shut. Lucky ran to greet her. She scooped him up and kissed his furry face. “How about we have a glass of wine and catch up on some movies, huh? What do you think?”

  He butted his head into her chin, which she took for a yes. Maybe it was a boring way to spend the night, but nothing said becoming a vampire meant you had to suddenly turn into a party animal.

  That had never been her style, and it wasn’t about to be. Although, she might go out a little more than she used to if the company was right.

  “I just have to do one thing first.” She put Lucky down and got her phone out, pulling up Pierce’s number. She stared at it for a moment, then tapped Call while she was still riding the high of telling Lucinda off.

  It rang a couple times before he answered. “Harrison speaking.”

  She smiled. He sounded powerful and in command. She liked that, especially knowing what she did about him. “Hello, Pierce. It’s Belladonna.”

  A small intake of breath. “Hello, beautiful. What can I do for you? Name it.”

  “You can take me to dinner. Tomorrow night. I thought we might get to know each other a little better that way.”

  “It would be my pleasure. I’ll make the arrangements and text them to you now that I have your number. Would that suit you?”

  “Perfectly. Have a good night.”

  “I will now.”

  Still smiling, she hung up. That new little black dress was going to come in handy after all. She poured a glass of wine, then on a whim grabbed the bottle and took them both upstairs. Lucky followed. She put the wine on her nightstand, took her makeup off, and started to do her evening skin care routine.

  She stopped as she was about to slather herself in serums and moisturizers made specifically for eyes, neck, and cleavage.

  Did she need to do all this now that she was immortal? That was another question for Claudette, but Donna doubted her sire spent time on her skin. Francine would know. Donna screwed the lid back onto her eye cream and set the jar aside. Maybe Cammie would want all of this stuff. Or maybe not. Nuns weren’t known for their extensive beauty rituals.

  Maybe Christina, then. She was young, but it was never too soon to take care of yourself. Donna shrugged. So many new things to consider.

  She brushed her teeth, then stood in front of the mirror, practicing with her fangs. Out, then away, out, then away. She did it a few times more, until it got easier. Not quite smooth yet, but getting there. She repeated what she’d done at Lucinda’s, too, just to see if she’d really managed to get her eyes to glow.

  They did. Just a hint. In fact, Lucinda probably wasn’t sure what she’d seen. It almost looked like light was reflecting off Donna’s eyes. Like a cat caught in headlights. It was a cool effect. Lucinda had to be wondering what had gotten into Donna.

  Thinking about that made her eyes glow a little harder. Intere
sting. Was that tied to emotion? She tried thinking about Lucinda’s attempt to have her killed.

  Donna’s eyes lit up like sparklers.

  Good to know. She calmed down, smiling as she changed into her new navy silk pajamas from her Bloomie’s spree, then settled into bed and turned on the television. She was searching through the on-demand movies when her phone buzzed with a text from Pierce.

  She read what he’d sent and smiled. Meridian was a great restaurant, and he’d offered to send a car service for her, providing her with the company’s phone number so she could give them her address. She could get used to that kind of treatment.

  She sent him a quick text back. Well done. See you at eight.

  She found a rom-com she hadn’t seen and started it.

  Lucky jumped up on the bed and settled in to clean himself.

  She scratched his cheek. “Lucky Luciano, you’re the only gangster I could ever really love.”

  The wine was gone and the movie almost over when her doorbell rang. She paused the movie and checked her phone. No one had texted about coming over.

  So who was downstairs?

  There weren’t many people who’d show up at this hour. And it was highly unlikely any of them would be bringing good news.

  Reluctantly, she put her slippers and robe on and went to see who it was. She took her phone, but left her gun, feeling more confident in her ability to defend herself with her new vampire skill set. Even so, she really needed one of those camera doorbells. Especially now that Joe wasn’t here to tell her no because he was sure it would be used to spy on him.

  The lights were on outside, but all she could see through the sidelights was a dark shape. Even vampire eyesight couldn’t see clearly through frosted glass. She checked through the peephole anyway. One person. And not a particularly menacing one, either.

  A sleek black town car sat at the end of the drive, and at her door was a gorgeous young man in a black suit. Another one, dressed alike, stood by the door of the sedan. None looked particularly Russian. They were all slim too. More like members of a college swim team than European lunks.

  Had the Jehovah’s Witnesses upped their door-to-door game?

  She turned off the alarm and opened the door. “Yes?” She realized instantly they were vampires.

  The young man on the right spoke. “Our mistress, Artemis, wishes to speak with you.”

  Then he turned so he was perpendicular to the front of the house and facing the garage. Like an old-fashioned footman who’d done his job.

  The young man at the car opened the door.

  Out from the dark interior stepped a woman who glowed with the immortality of a vampire. Her skin was golden brown, her hair a mass of reddish-bronze ringlets, and her eyes gleamed like polished obsidian. Her dress was black chiffon that looked casually destroyed but had probably cost more than Donna could imagine. A gold snake, sparkling with gems, wrapped her right bicep. Donna had never seen anyone like the woman in her life.

  “Who is Artemis?” she asked the young man. Though, on a certain level, she knew. Artemis was a very old vampire. Greek, Egyptian, Assyrian, or something else, Donna didn’t know. But the ancient-vampire part was plain.

  The young man didn’t respond, merely held his position as if commanded to do so. Which he probably had been.

  Artemis made her way to Donna’s door, her walk so smooth she might as well have been gliding.

  Donna’s heart was in her throat. She had no idea what this was about, but the woman approaching emanated power. Donna took a breath and stood her ground, waiting.

  Artemis stopped just outside the house. “You are Belladonna?”

  Donna nodded.

  Artemis smiled. She had a smaller set of fangs next to the standard large ones. “I am Artemis, daughter of Zenos. Sire of many.” Her eyes shone like burning coals. Donna was helpless to look away. She knew the woman was exerting power over her, but could do nothing to break the hold. “I wish to speak to you, new one.”

  “Yes, of course. But why?” Donna managed to get out. “Why me?”

  “Because my child, Claudette, told me about you. And now I am here to see what must be done.”

  “You mean you’re Claudette’s sire?”

  “Yes.”

  Claudette’s words—if all goes well, you’ll never meet her—came back to Donna. A new feeling rose up in her. Panic. She shook her head. “There is nothing to be done.”

  Artemis’s gaze intensified. “You think you are in danger.”

  “Aren’t I?”

  “That’s for me to decide.” Artemis moved closer, stopping at the door’s threshold.

  So her fate was in this woman’s hands? That didn’t seem fair. “How do I know you’re telling the truth? That you’re going to be fair?”

  Artemis’s smile widened. “Claudette was right about you. About your boldness. But what she finds troublesome, I find interesting.” She brought her hand to her mouth, punctured the tip of her index finger with a fang, then held out the bead of blood to Donna. “Take it. You’ll see.”

  Donna hesitated, but only for a moment. She licked the drop of blood off Artemis’s finger and instantly knew the woman was on the up and up. Donna couldn’t see a memory, like she had with Yuri and Pierce, but she got a sense that the woman before her was not her enemy. How had Artemis known that would work? Obviously, because she wasn’t the newbie Donna was. “You can come in.”

  “You understand I waited for your invitation out of courtesy, not need.”

  Donna nodded. “Yes. It was kind of you.”

  “Courtesy is not something Claudette excels at.” Artemis gestured toward the car, and the young man by Donna’s front door retreated to it. Artemis stepped inside. “You must forgive her. She still has much to learn.”

  Donna just stood there. If Artemis thought Claudette had a lot to learn after three hundred years, she must think Donna was brainless. Awesome. But Donna tried to reserve judgment until she heard more. In the meantime, should she offer the woman a glass of wine? Blood? This was uncharted territory. “I don’t hold any ill will toward her. I know I’m not the easiest person at times.”

  Artemis smiled as she looked around at the house. “You know a lot about yourself. That is one of the benefits of your human age, I suppose. I like that.”

  “Thank you. Yes, it is my age. It’s taught me a lot.”

  “You will be a very powerful vampire.” Artemis stopped her appraisal and returned her attention to Donna. “That is why I’m here. We must talk about your future. About what you’ve done. The council is troubled.”

  So the council knew? “But you’re not?”

  “I am nearly fifteen hundred years old. There is very little that troubles me. Or excites me.” Her smile reached her eyes, and she laughed suddenly. “That’s also why I’ve come. You are interesting. There is so little these days I can say that about.”

  “Fifteen hundred years old?” That was unfathomable. The woman hadn’t just seen history being made, she was history. And she was Donna’s grandsire, as it were. Also, she had come to see Donna. In person.

  In any other circumstance, Donna imagined a visit like this would be considered an honor. At this moment, honored was the last thing she was feeling. Worried was more like it. Because of Claudette’s words, but also because life connected to the Mafia had taught her that when the boss wanted to talk to you, something was about to change.

  Maybe for the good.

  Most likely for the bad.

  Chapter Thirty

  Regardless of what was about to happen, Donna needed to step up her hospitality. If for no other reason than to stay on the woman’s good side as much as possible. “Would you like some wine? Or blood? Or something else?”

  “Blood. I have traveled a long way.” Artemis’s eyes narrowed, and she glanced toward the outside. “This house is protected against the fae, yes?”

  Donna nodded. “Yes. It’s surrounded by iron. Claudette made sure I did that.”
>
  “Good. Because if I am here long enough, they will come. I apologize, but it cannot be helped. They are attracted to my power like insects to a flame. My assistants will take care of them, though, should they arrive.”

  Donna gestured behind her. “The kitchen is this way. Or I can just go get the blood and bring it to you…”

  Artemis laughed softly. “You are unsure how to act around me. You needn’t be. I am not some capricious creature who strikes down on a whim those who displease her. My children are precious to me.” Her smile turned wry. “Also a great responsibility at times, but what is life without responsibility?”

  “Very true.” Donna headed toward the kitchen. Artemis followed. Donna turned the lights on and went for the fridge. “Do you have children, then? Or did you mean children in the vampire sense?”

  “Both, but for now, in the vampire sense. You are one of my children. Claudette told me how your turning came about.” She took a seat at the island, shaking her head slightly. “I imagine that was a difficult thing for you to accept. Being turned is hard enough when it is anticipated, but when it is not…”

  Donna nodded. “It was hard. Still is, if I’m being honest.” Artemis was an incredibly scary being, but Donna already liked her more than Claudette. She felt like the woman was on her side. But maybe that was Artemis’s plan. Donna opened the fridge. “Do you have a preference for type?”

  “No, but thank you for asking. Anything will do.”

  Donna chose the bag of B positive. If only for the not-so-subtle message that accompanied it. She filled a bowl with water from the Instahot, then submerged the bag to warm it. “It’ll just be a few minutes.”

  Artemis nodded. “Your home is lovely. You live here alone?”

  Donna nodded. “Just me and the cat. My husband passed away recently, but my children have been out for a while. College and the military.”

  “Both admirable pursuits. You must be proud.”

  “I am.” Donna wondered if Artemis hadn’t offered her condolences because Claudette had already told her about Joe.