Undying Vengeance

by Burnham, K. L.

  He wiped the tears and walked to the top of the stairs. He could throw himself over the railing and end all of this tragedy and heartbreak. The anger at the people who did this motivated him to continue his lonely desperate existence. The day he found out Simone died, he felt his heart, soul and mind die with her. He was just as dead as she was.

  Armani jumped, lost in sorrow. Rex was beating on the door like a man gone mad. Brow furrowed, he made his way down the steps, not bothering to cover the deformed side of his face. He was too angry with Rex for his constant calling, the doorbell ringing, and now the beating on the door. The first thing Armani was going to say to Rex was to show some respect and learn patience.

  Armani felt a chill and scanned the living room for an open window. Goose bumps peppered his arms and neck reminding him of the strange things he saw and felt at the funeral home.

  Bang, bang, bang. Armani reached for the doorknob as his inner voice told him not to open the door. The knob was cold as ice. He ignored his gut and opened the door. A tall man in a long black cape stood with his arms crossed, a coy smile on his face.

  “Hello Armani,” he said with a bow.

  Armani couldn’t take his eyes off him. This man had the same form as the shadow he had seen at the funeral home.

  The man swung the black cape behind him with lightning speed. “Forgive my manners. I haven’t properly introduced myself. My name is Donovan and I am a member of the Dark Ones.” Extending his hand, he took hold of Armani’s.

  Donovan’s cold touch sent shivers down Armani’s spine. “Where are you from? Have I met you before?” Armani asked. He rubbed his hand on his sweats trying to warm it.

  Donovan stared at Armani with cold black eyes. He gestured with his large skinny hand. “Are you going to invite me in? We have many things to discuss.”

  “Oh, yes. Please do come in,” Armani said. Why was he letting this strange man in? The book, the hawk . . . What was he thinking? Armani felt helpless to tell this man no.

  Donovan put his hands on Armani’s shoulders and stared into his eyes. “I promise that by the time we’re through with our meeting all of your questions will be answered. We will discuss all of those things on your mind and so much more, my friend.” Releasing Armani from his hypnotic spell, he walked past him straight to the couch and sat.

  Fear coursed through Armani’s veins. He swallowed and offered Donovan a glass of wine. He poured two glasses full and sat down on the chair across from Donovan.

  Donovan smiled his teeth white as snow. “Don’t fear me. I am here to help you. Consider me your new ally.” He leaned forward and tossed the book on Vampirism to Armani. “Let’s get started, shall we?” He questioned but it was more of an order. “Time is of the essence and must not be wasted. There are men who need to pay for their crimes.” He raised his wine glass and offered a toast, “To our new lifelong friendship.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Victor turned and smiled at Katrina. “Here we are, my love.” He pointed to his large black mansion. The mansion looked more like a haunted house in a horror movie. The brick was black and slightly rundown, the roof was shaped into a high steeple and the wind blew tattered white curtains in and out of the windows like ghosts dancing in the wind.

  Katrina gripped Victor’s hand hard. “Where are we, Victor?” She asked, confused. “I don’t remember walking here.” She swallowed hard and tried to suppress her anxiety as Victor led her up the steps to the large wooden door. Katrina noticed the silver head of a vampire on the knocker.

  The door opened when they reached the top step. Katrina tried to look inside but Victor blocked her view.

  Victor turned, leaned toward Katrina and kissed her lips. “Wipe the worry from your face, child. You no longer have anything or anyone to fear.” He held her eye contact and wiped the tears from her cheeks. He held her hand and led her inside against her will.

  Katrina screamed in rebellion. “I want to go home!” She dug her feet in to the wood floor and tried to break free from Victor’s grip, wiggling and squirming like a worm on a fishhook.

  Victor stopped and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her. “Now, Katrina, stop this childish behavior. It will do you no good and you made the choice to submit to me by accepting my date invitation.” He grabbed her chin and tilted her head toward his face. “Come now, child. You are trying my patience.” He said, his eyes, emotionless. He jerked her arm hard.

  Katrina winced. His touch was like ice. Helpless to fight him, she succumbed and let him lead her inside.

  The interior was the bipolar opposite of the exterior. It was the most beautiful home she had ever seen. The home consisted of one giant room with the kitchen, living room, family room and dining room in view from all angles. The entryway was adorned with beautiful paintings from Van Gogh to Picasso. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and mirrors hung on every wall.

  Victor watched her take in the splendor of his magnificent home. An odd sensation overtook him. His heart warmed and heat flowed through his veins like fire rolling through a forest. Could it be love? Not a chance. Love died the day his parents started brutally abusing him.

  His heart was sealed off to love and the women he met, as beautiful as they were held no meaning to him except for his own personal gratification. Treating them like trash was easy. Numerous women had come into his home, but none of them lived to tell about it. But, oh Katrina was going to be different than the rest. She would be recycled over and over. This woman was such a beautiful trophy, one to have and hold forever.

  Katrina crossed her arms and stared at Victor. “Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked, her voice sweet as sugar.

  “Like what?” He asked and drew her to his chest. “I’m looking at you like you are the best thing that has happened to me in centuries. I can’t help but feel attracted to you, Katrina.” He held her tighter. “I will never let you go.” And he meant that. Only death would separate them.

  Katrina shivered. What did he mean? She gazed around the house looking for an escape route. This man seemed obsessed and dangerous. Her gut instinct told her to run like hell. A tear slid down her cheek.

  Victor held her away from his chest and stared at her porcelain face. He wiped the tear from her cheek with his thumb, caressing her face as he did. What was happening to him? He would have to fight these feelings of love. Love played no service to his mission but Victor couldn’t help but pretend Katrina loved him. Taking her hand he led her to a large full length mirror in the living room. “Turn around and look at the two of us.”

  Katrina turned and looked. Victor stood behind her with his arms enveloped around her petite frame. He kissed the top of her head and neck. His tongue swirled around her jugular vein, fighting the desire to pierce her soft skin with his fangs and drink her pure sweet innocent blood. “If I could turn you over right now, I would. I want to be one with you in so many ways. Take a look at how perfect we are together.” He said and tilted her head toward the mirror.

  Katrina froze when she saw his eyes reflecting in the mirror. They were glowing yellow like a cat’s. “What are you?” She asked and turned her head in disgust.

  Victor laughed. “I am a vampire, my dearest.” Victor gazed at the two of them and noticed that the smallest spark of love in his eyes seconds ago was replaced with sheer evil. “You turned your head away from our reflection. Why must you reject what I offer?” Victor asked. He despised being rejected.

  Katrina looked for a weapon, something to hit Victor with so she could make a run for it. A bronze candlestick sat on the oak table in front of the mirror where they stood. She hoped answering his question would distract him. “I didn’t reject you. I don’t know you yet and relationships take time to build.” She paused and bit her lip. “I’m hoping that you and I will begin building our relationship right now.” She said, cleared her throat loud and grabbed the candlestick. She saw that Victor was staring at the ground while she spoke and she gripped the candlestick harder, her palms
sweating.

  “You don’t fool me, young one,” Victor said pivoting to face away from her. “You’re not ready for a relationship of this kind. Let me show you to your room. I’m sure you will be more than pleased. It’s decorated and furnished with only the best.” He took a few steps toward the winding staircase and stopped staring straight ahead. “Come on, Katrina. Don’t make me drag you up here by force.”

  Katrina raised the candlestick above her head, ran toward Victor and slammed it on top of Victor’s head with all her strength. Victor fell to the ground with a yell.

  “You can’t force me to do anything, you son of a bitch!” She screamed and bashed him one more time over the head. She threw the candlestick aside and ran out the door taking the steps two at a time her heart beating wildly in her chest.

  She had no idea where she was and didn’t care. Katrina sprinted to the entrance of the forest, paused for a second and entered the dark woods. The snow slowed her down and branches cut and scraped her legs. One thought kept her going and that was to get away from this madman turned vampire. If Victor caught her, he would kill her. Tears stung her eyes. She was lost with a vampire after her. How would she ever win this battle? It may be impossible but she hoped Victor would stay knocked out long enough for her to get to safety.

  The darkness and coldness of the woods suffocated her. If only she knew a way out but she didn’t so she ran straight ahead with no jacket, no gloves and no hat. She felt as hopeless as a sailor in the eye of a hurricane.

  She was running so fast. ‘I must escape’, she kept telling herself over and over. Not paying attention to the forest floor, her foot tangled in a pile of brush unseen because of the snow and she fell like a tree cut down by a lumberjack.

  “Damn it!” She couldn’t move her left leg. She tried to push the brush and wood off her leg, but it was no use. Tears streamed down her face. She felt like a mouse in trap. She tried to twist her leg and cringed in pain. ‘I have to fight. I can’t give up,’ she thought. But, it was hopeless. The more she wiggled, the tighter the branches seemed to hold her in their grip.

  Katrina laid her head in her hands and sobbed. She felt light headed and dizzy. Death was now unavoidable. She would either die here or die at the hands of Victor. She lifted her head and screamed. “Help me! Somebody please hear me!”

  Silence answered her screams. It was useless. No one would hear her.

  Owls hooted in the distance. Tree branches danced and waved in the wind. Katrina blinked. The forest spun in circles in front of her eyes. She turned her head and vomited fighting to stay conscious.

  Victor’s head pounded. How dare she do this to him and try to run away from him and the life he had planned for the two of them. To think he felt a slight touch of love and light in his heart when he was with her. Foolish human feelings! That’s why they couldn’t play a part in his life. His heart was black and always would be until the day he decided to end his immortal life. Katrina would pay for what she had done. There would be no escaping again. What did she think? That she would get away from him. Victor snarled. The dear young naïve girl forgot that he’s a vampire and a skilled hunter. Finding her would be easy.

  Victor stood and rubbed the top of his head. Dried blood lay on the floor. Fortunately, The Dark One’s healed just as quickly as they were injured. He was more shocked that he had trusted her enough to turn his back on her.

  “Damn me for letting my defenses down and trying to open my heart.” Victor seethed. “Katrina, your worst nightmare is coming for you. You are mine and always will be.”

  Victor rose and glided out of his house. He stood at the entrance of the forest and inhaled her scent. She was only a mile away. Victor lunged forward and flew above the tree line scanning the forest for Katrina. The Dark One’s were gifted with the eyes of a hawk. He could see even the smallest insects from the sky. His heart beat faster when he heard Katrina whimpering ahead. Angry as he was with her, concern shrouded his face. Not genuine concern from his heart for her but a selfish concern that something beat him to her and stole the first infliction of pain that was his to distribute.

  Victor spotted Katrina lying helpless on the forest floor rocking back and forth. He circled like a bird eyeing its prey. He pondered his attack. His lips turned upward into a wicked smile as he descended to the ground, black cape swirling behind him.

  Victor landed silent as a mouse standing a few feet from Katrina and watched her. She was oblivious to his presence. He glided in in front of her and crossed his arms, willing himself not to strike her.

  Katrina looked up at Victor, her eyes red and swollen. “Get away from me, Victor!” She screamed. Scared and helpless stared at his face. “Just kill me and get it over with.” She hung her head waiting for her execution.

  Victor shook his head. “Katrina, Katrina. You do not know me at all.” He knelt beside her and placed his hand on the brush that held her leg hostage. He pushed hard. “I like to play with my victims.” Laughing he grabbed Katrina’s face and forced her to look into his evil penetrating eyes. “If you’re in pain, don’t hide it. That had to hurt.”

  The pain was excruciating. Katrina’s eyes watered but she refused to give Victor the satisfaction of knowing how much pain she was in. “Just let me go. I promise to never speak of you to anyone.” She lowered her eyes from his.

  Rolling his head back Victor laughed. “Look at me. Do you think I’m going to let you go?” He asked grabbing her face once more forcing her to look at him. “You are mine to do with as I please and you will never tell me no, my dear.” He hissed, his fangs glistening in the moonlight.

  Seconds later he was on his feet. He bent over, picked up the brush and threw it aside. Victor gently picked up her foot and examined it. “It’s just a sprain so it won’t take too long to heal.”

  Katrina whimpered. “Please just take me to my own home. I need to see my dog.” She twisted her hair with her index finger trying to look innocent. “I promise I will come back to you.”

  Victor bent over and picked her up, holding her close. “What reason do I have to trust your word?” He didn’t wait for a response. “That’s right, Ms. Katrina, I have no reason. Now please be quiet until we get home.”

  Katrina closed her eyes fighting the tears that threatened to fall like pouring rain. Helpless to fight Victor she let herself go limp in his arms.

  Victor shot into the air like an arrow. The wind whipped Victor’s cloak around the two of them as he soared through the sky with her cradled to his chest like an infant child. Something about Katrina made it impossible for his darkness to surface completely. That was not to say he wouldn’t hesitate to force her into submission to him through violence. His heart wasn’t that soft. ‘Yet,’ a silent voice told him. He ignored it.

  Within mere moments he was standing outside of his home, Katrina still in his arms. He glided up the steps and the door opened. He walked inside his home and laid Katrina on the couch and covered her with a blanket.

  “Oh, Katrina, you make me feel human again.” He smiled and wiped a strand of hair from her cheek. “I will bring your dog here for you.”

  Katrina felt helpless and the best thing she could do was play Victor’s game for a while. Thank God for the drama courses she took in high school and college. She smiled at Victor, took his hand and held it to her heart. “Thank you, Victor.” She bit her lip and added, “Will you bring my other things here as well? Since I will be living with you, I’d like very much to have my possessions with me.” Her voice cracked. How she hated to say that to the creature she found herself hating more with every minute that passed.

  Victor leaned over and kissed her on the mouth. How sweet she tasted. Soon enough the taste of her blood would satisfy him. “Anything for you,” he smiled. “I also have a request of you.” He paused placing his hand on her neck. “You may not like this but it has to be done.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gabe was not going to be told what to do. Some creature was trying to sta
nd in his way of making money and that enraged him. A meeting needed to be held with two associates of his concerning this matter.

  Driving on Interstate 196 was a battle tonight. One he didn’t feel like contending with. Gabe was a man consumed with power and control. He demanded it from the musicians and bands he represented as well as from his peers and the public.

  “Come on people, move out of my way!” Pounding the steering wheel he shook his head in frustration. The roads were slippery but not that bad, especially not for residents of Michigan who should be more than used to the slick roads. “You people are driving like Texan’s when they get one inch of snow. Damn it!”

  Gabe swerved to the left and saw what the problem was. A half mile ahead two cars had rolled and lay in the median. Driving too fast was as much of a problem as driving too slow. What a shame. Gabe hoped no one was hurt. “Well, at least not potential talent or someone with money and status.” He said a wicked smile on his lips.

  The row of cars inched closer to the scene. Red and white lights flashed from police cars, ambulances and fire trucks. A police officer directed traffic with a light stick, swinging it back and forth. Gabe sneered and peered past the accident noting the traffic sped up. Thank God because he was running late the minute he stepped out the door for his meeting and this only made it worse.

  When Gabe was directly next to the accident scene he turned his head and stared at the over turned cars. A young woman on a gurney was being wheeled away from her car. His stomach flip flopped. She looked exactly like Simone. He shook his head, turned and stared at the cars taillights ahead of him, trying his hardest not to look again. But, something forced his head to turn and his eyes to focus on the scene of the accident. Gabe couldn’t move his foot to accelerate or turn his head away. It was like he was in a trance. Unable to shift his gaze, he watched as the medics pushed the gurney to the waiting ambulance. Horns blasted but he was frozen in time. The woman stared at the sky, her hand extended to a black shadow that rose over top of her. Didn’t these people see what he was seeing? Her soul was about to be taken from this earth.