Victor’s brow creased. “I’m afraid I must be going and I’m not sure when I will be back.” He said and rested his gaze on Armani. “There is a problem at my home and I need to go take care of it.”
Donovan looked at him. “Don’t you want to be here when Armani wakes?” He asked.
“I most certainly do, but there is a situation I need to take care of that takes precedence over this.” He stated with no emotion in his voice and hatred written all over his face. “I trust you have this under control. I am pleased with you.” He said trying to smile but failed miserably. ‘Katrina, on the other hand, I am not pleased with. She will be punished for disobeying my one simple order. How dare she defy me?’ Victor thought. Rage surged through his veins.
“What’s troubling you? You have that look.” Donovan asked concerned. He had seen that murderous look many times throughout the centuries. His concern was not for Victor, he could take care of himself. He worried about the innocent victim who would fall prey to Victor.
Victor walked to the bar and picked up a sparkling crystal champagne glass, holding it up to the light. “Our new member of the Dark Ones has excellent taste, I must say. This is real crystal.” Victor whistled and set it down. “I think I’ll treat myself to a glass of wine before I leave.” He poured red wine into a glass, sipped and swirled the rich wine in his mouth before swallowing. “Delicious.” He said satisfied. Victor hoped the wine would aid in taming the monster within before he confronted Katrina. He didn’t want to kill her, but he was afraid he would end up doing just that. His lack of control when angry was frightening, even to himself.
Donovan knew Victor was trying to calm himself down, but why? It wasn’t his typical behavior. Victor was a man of action and if angry he dealt with the issue immediately and in his own way. Donovan cocked his head to the side. He was witnessing a different, more patient Victor. A likable vampire, like the Victor he remembered first meeting. That was the time when Donovan viewed Victor as a father.
“Please Donovan, stop thinking and analyzing so much.” Victor said. “Join me for a glass of wine.” He raised his glass in a toast and said, “To the Dark Ones and our friendship.”
Donovan took off his cloak, laid it over a chair and joined Victor. Pouring wine into the glass, he raised it and made his own toast. “To the Dark Ones, us and our newest member, Armani.” Their glasses clinked and Donovan and Victor drank in silence.
Victor stood. “Thank you for staying with Armani. I must be going now.” Victor said and gave Donovan a firm hug.
Donovan stood open-mouthed staring at Victor as he walked toward the door. What was going on with the Master of The Dark Ones?
Victor laughed. “Don’t worry. I still have evil in me.” ‘God have mercy on Katrina’s soul if she doesn’t cooperate when I get home.’ Victor thought. His lair was his private sanctuary and no one was allowed to enter it. Not even the other vampires saw the inside of it. And they never would, unless they wanted a swift death penalty.
A fly landed on his hand. Slapping it hard he watched the blood splatter. “Damn fly,” he said in disgust. “By the way, if our friend, Gabe gets out of hand and starts acting wild, feel free to punish him in any way you desire. We don’t need him acting obnoxious and drawing attention to the house.” The door creaked open. “Good bye, Donovan. I shall return soon.”
The door closed and Victor was gone. Donovan sat at the bar sipping his wine. It helped calm his nerves. He remembered Rex and his heart rate quickened. How would he explain this to Armani’s best friend? He poured another glass of wine, took a sip and walked to the window. Gabe was in the dog kennel curled up in a ball sleeping. Well, at least that was one less thing he had to worry about. There were other pressing issues at hand. Staring at the snow covered ground and the fountains Donovan’s heart went out to Armani. He once had such a beautiful life and that pitiful excuse of a human being took it all away from him. Frowning he tipped the glass of wine to his lips and drank what remained. He walked to the bar setting the glass on the counter and decided to give himself a tour of Armani’s home and a grand home it was.
Donovan’s home was much smaller, but he preferred that. It was the feeling of safety that came from knowing what was going on in each room. His lair was tucked away below the basement of his house. A carpeted trapdoor covered the entrance to his resting place. A vampire could never be too cautious or careful. There were quite a few instances where members of The Dark Ones were killed during their rest. And true to the old tales, they were either beheaded or staked through the heart. A lot of times it was the younger ones who had just become vampires. The sensory skills took time to develop, but even older and more powerful vampires had been killed during their slumbering time.
A jolt from the couch put the self-guided tour to a halt. He ran to Armani’s side and crouched beside him. Armani boxed the air, his lips quivering and twisting. He was trying to speak but nothing came out. Donovan grabbed both Armani’s hands and pinned them to the couch so he wouldn’t hurt himself. Donovan stared at Armani’s pale face. His eyes were closed, but rapidly twitching. Armani wouldn’t wake from his deep sleep until that evening.
“Armani, you must relax. It’s just a nightmare. Please.” Donovan said gripping Armani’s strong hands with more pressure. “It’s O.K. Whatever it is you’re seeing is not real, my friend. Be calm and rest now.” Donovan ordered. “You must not waste your energy.” Donovan silently prayed Armani would stop and be at peace. His heart broke when he saw a tear trickle down Armani’s cheek.
Armani felt like a prisoner trapped in his own body. Why couldn’t he wake up? What he was seeing was real. Simone needed him right now. He had to get to the cemetery. He had to kill these two men who were there destroying her resting place. How dare they do this! Their deaths would not be swift, but painful and slow. Donovan must know there is something wrong. Why couldn’t he read his mind right now? He seemed to have no problem doing it when he was human. His whole body felt deathly cold.
“Armani, please help me,” Simone begged.
Armani’s body shook. He tried everything in his power to wake up but it was useless. Anger seized his soul, as he lay helpless.
‘Please hold on and wait for me, Simone.’ Armani thought. A silent tear rolled down his cheek. ‘I will be with you soon, my love. The men who did this to us will pay with their lives. I promise you that.’
Simone’s voice sounded a million miles away. “They’re hurting me all over again. Please Armani.”
Armani screamed. “Can’t anyone hear me cry for help?” He had never felt as hopeless as he did at this moment. “Donovan! You son of a bitch, wake me from this sleep!”
Armani heard Simone crying and he wept. He was like a worm in a cocoon and wouldn’t be able to come out of this sleep of the undead until it was time and the butterfly he was to become emerged.
“Armani, you have been deceived. You and I will not be together soon, if ever. You are going to be a vampire forever. You sold your soul to the Dark Ones when you made the choice to cross over . . . . .” Simone’s voice trailed off.
Armani’s heart pounded so hard, it hurt. What did she mean?
“Simone, please don’t leave me. What do you mean?”
A long silence followed. Those were the last words Armani heard before his world turned to darkness.
Donovan released his grip on Armani’s hands. His eyes had stopped fluttering and he was sleeping peacefully again.
“You’re alright, my friend. When you wake I will explain everything to you,” Donovan said and patted Armani’s shoulder. “Be at peace now.” Donovan sat on the floor next to the couch and held Armani’s hand. He silently prayed for the forgiveness of his deceit.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alex drove the scratched up Cadillac away from the hospital peering through the cracked windshield, an irritated expression on his face.
“This is going to cost me a pretty penny.” Alex said.
Adam looked at his da
d. “I’ll pay my own hospital bill so don’t worry about it.” He said, clutching his bandaged broken ribs and cringed. “I hope these heal fast.” He averted his gaze to the window and watched the people walking along the streets downtown. “Everyone’s in a hurry. What’s with all the rushing around these days?” He chuckled, but even that hurt.
“I see nothing funny about this situation.” Alex said matter-of-fact and picked up the cup of coffee he took from the waiting room. He sipped, rolled down his window and spit out the contents. “Why in God’s name do institutions insist on making coffee extra strong? And for your information I wasn’t talking about your hospital bill. I’m talking about how much it’s going to cost me to repair the damage done to this car by that damn rabid hawk.”
Adam should’ve known. Of course his father was more concerned about his car than his own son.
He pounded the steering wheel in frustration and swore. “When I see that bird again I am going to put a bullet right through its eyes.”
“Dad, can we stop and pick up my pain meds on the way to the cemetery?” Adam asked. “I’m in a lot of pain.” Adam knew the answer by the expression on Alex’s face.
“Absolutely not, son. Work before pleasure and you know that.”
Adam rolled his eyes and touched the stitches in his face. “My face hurts like hell. My ribs feel like they’re trying to protrude through my flesh,” Adam paused and continued, “like knives stabbing me.”
Alex discussed the importance of revenge for a few minutes. “You know doing some damage to her grave is well deserved at this point. I wouldn’t put it past that stupid rock musician, Armani to have trained that damn hawk. All he has is time on his hands.” Adam stated holding up his hands. “Agree?”
Adam shook his head. “No, I don’t. He doesn’t know we did it so why in God’s name would the hawk attack us? That doesn’t make any sense, dad.”
Alex smiled. It was the first real smile Adam had seen in a long time. “You seem to be getting smarter.” He laughed and added, “Maybe hitting you with that shovel knocked some sense into you. I’ve waited a life time to hear you talk like you have some sort of clock ticking in that thick skull of yours.”
Adam ignored his dad and focused on the passing scenery for the rest of the drive. If he were silent his dad wouldn’t ask questions or try to start a conversation, which was better for both of them.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Donovan leaned over Armani and checked his vitals. Armani’s heart rate slowed down and his breathing was shallow. Armani’s nightmare was over. Donovan was frightened because he had never dealt with a mortal having problems of such magnitude during the rest after crossing over. Calling Victor to help with the situation wouldn’t have been the most pleasant experience. He had a sneaking suspicion that Victor was hiding something, but what? He didn’t have a clue. But whatever it was seemed to be a positive influence on him.
Donovan stood and stretched his legs and arms. He was sore and hungry but didn’t dare leave Armani’s side. Armani was like a helpless infant and Donovan had to protect him like a father would his son. He picked up the picture of Armani and Simone and smiled. They were a beautiful couple. He wished he had known Armani when he had so much light in his life. His face shone bright like the golden rays of Heaven. Donovan scratched his head with his free hand and placed the picture on Armani’s chest. He pulled the blanket to Armani’s chin and walked toward the kitchen.
A cars engine roaring and the screech of tires stopped him dead in his tracks. He had a feeling he knew who it was. Rex was here. “You’re a lucky man, Rex. Victor had to leave for an undisclosed reason or you may not live to get out of your car.” Rex said. Talking to him self was the norm. Anyone who knew him realized this. Donovan trotted to the door and peered out the window. Sure enough, it was Rex and he didn’t look the least bit happy. Donovan watched him to see what he’d do.
Rex stared at the house, his face flushed red. He heard someone grunt and scream in the distance. His jaw dropped when he saw Gabe with a large collar around his neck lying inside the dog’s kennel. Gabe stared back, his eyes large and filled with fear. What the hell was going on here? Rex ran to the kennel and placed his hands on the cold silver fence.
“Gabe!” Rex exclaimed. “What in God’s name is going on? Let’s get you out of there.” Rex said trying to release the door’s latch. “It’s stuck. Who did this to you?” Rex asked looking down at Gabe. “Your face is bruised.”
Gabe’s eyes pleaded with Rex. “Get out of here if you value your life!” He shouted. “I can’t escape. They won’t let me and if I do they will find me.”
“Who are you talking about?” Rex asked confused. He tried to unlock the latch a few more times but it proved pointless. He kicked the fence and said, “I can’t leave you here to die.” He walked in a full circle, stopped in front of the fence, hitting it with both fists. “I refuse to leave until I get you out of here!” He shouted. “Who did this to you?”
Gabe squirmed like an inch worm to the side of the fence, shimmying himself to a sitting position and pushed against the metal. Using his legs, he managed to push himself to stand up. “You must remember the freak and his hawk that dragged me into the woods where you found me. They did it.” He stated. “The guy is a God damn vampire.” Staring at the house, fear written all over his face he said, “Leave now, Rex or he will come out here and either kill you or even worse, lock you up in here with me.”
Rex reached his boiling point. “We saw a vampire?” He questioned looking at Gabe like he had lost his mind. “You’ve got to be kidding.” He said only half believing the words that came out of his mouth. A nagging voice told him before that this was the case and Gabe had been warned not to come near Armani’s home. “The creature or vampire as you call it told you to stay away. So why did you even come here?” Rex asked turning his head to gaze at the house. Red eyes stared back at him.
Gabe followed Rex’s gaze. “I told you. He’s watching us right now. The predator is ready to attack his prey.” Gabe said fearful. “The worst part is there are two of them.” Clearing his throat, Gabe stated, “and daylight doesn’t affect them in the least. The vampire who is the leader dragged me out here with a leash attached to this collar. He walked into the daylight without so much as flinching.” Gabe said.
“Well, I’m going inside to handle this,” Rex said. “My best friend is in there.” He turned toward the house.
Gabe pleaded with him not to go. “You’re making a big mistake, Rex.”
“So be it.” Rex said flatly.
Gabe beat his head on the fence. “Rex, before you go in there would you do me a favor and untie these ropes on my wrists?” He asked and placed his hands against the fence.
Rex faced Gabe and reached for the rope. “Yes, I will. While I’m in there why don’t you try and free yourself. For whatever reason, I can’t get the latch unlocked.” Rex quickly untied the rope. There was nothing to it. Whoever tied it had used the magnus hitch method, the easiest knot to untie, but the hardest to undo if you were the one tied up.
“God speed to you, Rex.” Gabe stated flatly.
Anger burned inside Rex ready to explode like molten lava from a volcano. He watched Gabe rub his hands together and scowled.
“I’ll be back and you will be freed. I promise.” Rex no sooner had the words out of his mouth when he heard a familiar voice.
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken, Rex. This man, if you can call him that will never be free.” Donovan said. “I’ll be honest with you. He’s going to die.”
Rex watched Gabe huddle into the farthest corner of the kennel, his hands shaking. “Run Rex!” He screamed, panic stricken.
Rex turned, facing Donovan. It was the man on the cover of the book and the same creature he saw on top of Gabe in the woods. He was too angry to be scared. “Who are you? What are you doing to my friends?” Rex asked, his eyes never leaving Donovan’s face.
Donovan smiled extending his hand towar
d Rex. “Take my hand.”
“What? You’re crazy!” Rex said sticking his hands in his coat pockets.
Donovan pointed at Gabe. “If you call that your friend, I’d hate to meet your enemies.” Taking off his cloak he draped it over his elbow. “Go ahead, Gabe, tell your friend here what you’ve done.” He stared at Rex and said, “I’m sure you’ll change your mind about Gabe’s current situation when you find out exactly what he’s done. Armani is your true friend and as I told you on the phone, he is in good hands.”
Gabe stared at Donovan then looked at Rex. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. This was insane. Should he call the police?
Donovan used his mind to shock Rex with the collar. A bolt of electricity flowed through Gabe making him shake and tremble on the floor like he was having a seizure.
“Stop that,” Rex ordered. “You’ll kill him.”
Donovan laughed. “It won’t kill dogs, my friend. It only puts them into submission. No worries. We won’t kill Gabe.” He paused and chuckled. “That’s Armani’s job.”
“What are you talking about? Armani wouldn’t kill anyone.” Rex spat. He knew he should’ve brought his gun but he was so angry when he left his house that all he could think about was getting here and making sure Armani was not in danger.
Donovan sneered. “I dare say you will be ready to kill Gabe once he tells you what he’s done.” Averting his cold dead eyes to Gabe he ordered, “Speak Gabe. Tell Rex why you’re in the dog kennel.”
Rex stared in disbelief at Donovan. “You’re a crazy lunatic.” Rex walked past Donovan bumping his shoulder hard and walked to the house. “Go to Hell.” He said over his shoulder.
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