Undying Vengeance

by Burnham, K. L.

  Slow and steady footsteps approached the front door forcing Rex to obey Donovan. The handle twisted and the door slowly creaked open. Rex’s face paled. He gripped a handful of Donovan’s cloak in his palm squeezing hard. Beads of sweat perspired on his forehead.

  Victor walked in with an aura that demanded respect. He eyed Rex with an evil gleam in his cold eyes and licked his lips.

  “Victor,” Donovan stated, “This is Rex, Armani’s best friend and former band mate.” He placed his arm around Rex’s shoulder and scooted him towards Victor. “I’ve become quite fond of Rex as well, I might add.” He smiled. “He is a wonderful and courageous man.”

  Victor took Rex’s hand. “Nice to finally meet you face to face, Rex. Any friend of Donovan’s is a friend of mine.” He smiled warmly. “I trust his judgment of mortals and vampire’s with all of my being.”

  Rex breathed, relieved. He was standing in a room with two very powerful vampires who could kill him in a second if they wished. What kind of mess has Armani gotten himself into? How did these two vampires find Armani and convince him to cross over? So many questions he knew might never get answered. Victor released his hand. Rex rubbed his hand on his side trying to warm it. Victor’s touch was cold.

  “Where’s Armani?” Victor asked scanning the room. “We need to celebrate his transformation and give him a proper welcome into the family of The Dark Ones.”

  Donovan cleared his throat and replied, “He needed some time alone. He’s upstairs relaxing.”

  “I shall go and speak to him myself then.” Victor stated his tone bitter. “This is no way to celebrate new life.”

  “Wait . . .” Donovan said. But it was too late. Victor was halfway up the stairs and silenced Donovan with a wave of his hand.

  Donovan and Rex stood staring as Victor’s tall dark shadow dimmed into nothingness.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Katrina woke with a jump. It took her a minute to remember where she was, Victors home. How would she get out of here? She closed her eyes trying desperately to hold back the tears. The only thing she could see was Gordon’s mutilated body and the image of Victor wielding the chainsaw in his hands carving him like a pumpkin. She sat up and swung her legs over the bed. The large bedroom was decorated to perfection. Paintings by Picasso hung on the white walls and pretty pink flowers sat on two oak dressers.

  “Impressive,” Katrina said aloud. Most of the decoration in Victor’s home was dark and dreary, including the pictures. She remembered the pictures that hung in the hallway on the fourth floor of abused and sad children. It was heartbreaking. Victor still hadn’t told her what they meant or why he had them hanging in his house. What kind of morbid sick man or vampire in this case had those kinds of things hanging on their walls like a trophy? Sick.

  She saw a full bath at the end of the bedroom. A hot bath sounded inviting. She stood and her legs felt weak. She slowly walked to the bathroom, stopping at the entrance. A large whirlpool bath welcomed her. She turned the water on and picked up the lavender scented bubble bath pouring a cap full in. Maybe this would help her feel human again. She scoffed. Here she was trapped in a vampire’s home that seemed to be in love with her or something. She knew nothing about him except that he was the leader of some Dark Ones cult. “We promote Justice,” Katrina said aloud repeating what Victor had told her. She laughed. There had to be a way out of this house and by God, after her bath she was going to find it.

  Katrina stripped her clothes off, glanced in the mirror and shuddered. It looked like she had been hit by a few too many trains. Her hair was tousled in different directions, her eyes swollen and her lips were chapped. She leaned forward and touched the bags under her eyes. She pushed them in and watched in horror as they slowly popped out. “This is beyond gross.” She stated sticking her tongue out. She saw a red envelope sitting on the counter and picked it up. Her name was written on it in perfect penmanship. She was almost scared to open it because she knew who it was from. She bit her lip and carefully opened it pulling out a white card.

  My dear Katrina,

  I hope you had a peaceful rest. I apologize that I cannot be home with you right now but I will be soon. I must also apologize for the gruesome events you had to watch but it was important that you see what The Dark Ones stand for. There are a few things you may use for your personal hygiene in the bathroom. I’m new to having a woman in my home but in time I will learn everything about you and will strive to please you in all things. Please don’t try to escape for you are all I have ever wanted in a woman. And if you leave I promise that I will hunt you down and find you no matter where you go. Much to discuss when I get home, including my request of you . . . . . . . .

  Sincerely yours,

  Victor, Master of The Dark Ones.

  Katrina threw the letter on the counter. Creasing her brow, she shut the water off and pushed a button. Bubbles swarmed and circled in the large bathtub. The smell of lavender and vanilla mesmerized her. She put one leg in the tub and sighed. A taste of Heaven in a place called Hell. She swung her other leg into the tub and immersed her body letting the water envelope her. She closed her eyes and tried to relax but the letter kept invading her thoughts. ‘I will hunt you down,’ Victor had written. Chills ran down her spine. She wrapped her arms around herself trying to find comfort. She had to think logically. Something else troubled her about the letter. The request Victor had of her. What could that possibly be? He mentioned this when she was first in his home and she had a sinking feeling she didn’t want to know. She leaned back drenching her hair in the water. No matter the request, Victor wouldn’t take no for an answer. So, it would be more of a demand than a request. She’d have no choice but to agree, unless of course, she managed to escape.

  What she thought would be a long bath turned out to be a ten minute dunk. Time was of the essence here. She wished she could stay in the bathtub forever but she had to get out, get dressed and devise a plan. Careful not to slip she stepped out of the tub wrapping her self in a large lush purple towel. It was soft and smelled like fresh linen straight off the clothesline. Savoring the scent for a minute a tear slipped from her eye. It reminded her of home. Her poor dog has been alone all this time. Could he be dead? Victor was selfish not to bring him to his home for her. She asked him several times and he acted like she was speaking a foreign language. This refueled her anger at Victor. She threw the towel over the door and ran into the bedroom ransacking the drawers for something to wear. Each drawer was full of clothes and ironically enough all of them were her size. She took slow steps to the closet and opened the door. She gasped. There were gorgeous ballroom dresses sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight, at least twenty pairs of shoes, sweaters, jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, boots and running shoes. She had never seen so many wonderful and expensive clothes except in the magazines or high end clothing stores. Places she didn’t frequent.

  She trotted to back to the drawers, rummaged through them and pulled out a pair of black sweats and a black hooded sweatshirt. She slid them on and grabbed a green Patagonia coat and a pair of running shoes. Checking the size she grinned. A size too big but that worked to her advantage. It was hard to run in boots and double socks would keep her feet warm. She had no intention of walking away from Victor’s home. Hell no. Katrina was going to run like an inmate escaping prison. Hat, gloves and scarf on and she was ready to play detective determined to get out of this house and away from Victor forever. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate her with his threats.

  Where to start? The bedroom window was the place to start. One room at a time is how she would do it. Eventually she would find an escape route. She tried to open the window but it wouldn’t even budge. Sighing she moved on and scolded herself. Of course Victor wouldn’t allow anything in the bedroom to be a means of escape.

  An hour later she gave up on the rooms upstairs. Katrina raced down the steps two at a time and ran to the front door. She twisted the knob and pulled. The door opened and a rush of cool
air blew in. “This is way too easy.” She said and looked behind her to see if anyone was waiting to lunge at her. The house was quiet and empty. Why would Victor leave the front door unlocked? He had to know she would leave if given the opportunity. Maybe he thought she would be too scared to try after reading the letter. No, that didn’t make sense. She was a stubborn girl and already escaped once. She glanced at the grandfather clock sitting against the wall, four o’ clock. There was still enough daylight to find her way through the forest surrounding Victor’s home. She took a deep breath and walked down the steps holding the railing. At the bottom of the steps she turned and looked at Victor’s home for what she hoped would be the last time and ran like hell into the forest.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  “Ihope Armani is receptive to Victor for all our sakes.” Donovan said looking at the clock. “Victor has an appointment at nine so he wants to make sure Armani learns all there is to know about The Dark Ones.” He shrugged and said, “At least what he needs to know for the time being.”

  Rex coughed. “Do you think Victor will hurt him?”

  “No. Not in a million years. The only reason he would is if Armani becomes an evil vampire and loses the vision of The Dark Ones and what we stand for. In that situation I cannot guarantee his safety.” Donovan said like a professor giving a lecture. “I know for a fact he would be killed in a horrific manner. Why don’t you go home and get some rest.” Donovan said walking to the closet and pulling out Rex’s coat. “You need it. I hate to say this but you look a frightful mess.” He said and smiled sheepishly.

  Rex ran his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, I’m sure I do but I don’t care.” He said rubbing his eyes. “I guess I am pretty tired.” He took the coat from Donovan and stood. “Please take good care of my friend.”

  Donovan took Rex’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You have my word.”

  Rex made eye contact with Donovan and smiled. “Thank you, Donovan for being so kind and patient with Armani and me. I appreciate it more than you know.” He slipped into his jacket, zipped it to his neck and walked to the door. With his hand on the door handle he said, “Keep in touch. You have my cell phone number.”

  “Will do,” Donovan said. He drifted to the door and watched Rex walk to his car. He knew Rex had many unanswered questions and in time he would provide the answers. He closed the door and listened to the sounds of the house. Panic struck him. Victor was speaking in a loud tone which was never a good sign. Armani must be giving him a hard time. Something you don’t do to the Master. Donovan heard Armani hollering at Victor.

  “I refuse to drink anyone’s blood, Victor!” Armani yelled. “It’ll never happen. All I want is to avenge Simone’s death and I’m out of here.”

  Victor paced back and forth in Armani’s bedroom. “I’m afraid that’s where you’re wrong, my friend. ‘Out of here’ you say,” he laughed. “That sounds like such a mortal’s statement. You are not going to be ‘out of here’ as you say. You are now a member of The Dark Ones. We are family. Didn’t Donovan explain things to you before you agreed to cross over?”

  Armani didn’t have a chance to answer. Donovan walked into the room apologizing to both Victor and Armani that indeed he deceived Armani in order to get him to cross over.

  Victor wagged his finger at Donovan. “Shame, shame, you know better than to deceive a prospective new member.”

  “Since when do you care about morals, Victor?” Donovan shot back. “He’s a vampire now and part of the strongest team of vigilante’s around.” Donovan crossed his arms standing a few feet from Victor.

  Victor shot him a venomous glare. “You dare insult me in front of our new member.” Victor paced the room and stopped at the window staring at the landscape. “I see the hawk is keeping guard of Gabe.” He pivoted and faced Donovan and said, “At least one of us is doing their job around here.”

  Armani had enough. “Is someone going to explain to me what is going to happen to me? I want to die once I have avenged Simone’s death. That is all.” He said toying with his hands. “I find it a rather simple request.”

  Donovan gave Armani a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, Armani. I have failed you.”

  Victor sat in an easy chair glaring at both vampires. “You both sound pathetic. Where’s the longing for revenge? What happened to wanting to rid the world of sick men and women who escape the justice system? We are the only ones who can help save the innocent people being tortured by these fools that escape the hand of the law.” He stared at Donovan and said, “You were like a son to me.”

  “I still am,” Donovan shot back. “You and I are not the issue here. I believe we need to let Armani know every single detail about The Dark Ones. And by that I mean everything.”

  “How can I die once I have completed my task?” Armani asked. “Please tell me I can. I cannot bear to remain alive for all eternity without Simone. Killing the guilty men won’t bring her back and will not fill the hole in my heart.” A tear slipped from his eye. He quickly wiped it away with his shirt sleeve. “Pardon me.” He apologized. “The pain of losing Simone is still very real and alive for me. It’s as if it just happened yesterday.”

  This gesture softened Victor. He flew to Armani’s side taking his hand in his. “No need to apologize to us, my friend. Donovan and I both know pain. That’s why we are what we are. We have used the painful experiences in our lives in a positive way. Granted, you and Donovan were never abused as a child like I was, but you know deep excruciating pain, the type of pain that cuts deep into the heart.” Victor’s voice shook. He placed his fist over his heart. “It hurts. It will always hurt but the pain lessens in time. It’s like a flesh wound. At first it’s deep, it hurts and seems it will never heal but in time the pain subsides and sure, there’s still a scar but it looks and feels better. Does that make sense to you, Armani?” Victor floated to Donovan and stood next to him. “This man lost the love of his life too. I saved him from killing himself. Tell me, Donovan, has the wound of losing your lover healed in time?”

  Victor thought of Katrina. She could be the love of his life, should she choose to be his forever. He realized he couldn’t force her to stay. That wouldn’t be true love. He wanted her to love him for what he could be if given the chance. He left her a note but also left the door unlocked. He would know her choice when he arrived home. He realized that he too may be able to relate to losing someone. He didn’t love Katrina but he knew he could love her in time.

  Donovan nodded. “Yes, to a degree.” He paused. “What I mean by that is that the memories of her don’t make me want to die. They make me want to live. I kill people who are hurt the way my love was hurt by her uncle. For many years he tortured her emotionally, mentally and physically and the sad part is I never knew. Now I seek and destroy men who do this to their family members.” He wrapped his cloak tighter around him and added, “It brings me peace. Every kill makes me feel like I’m putting a band-aid on the wound left after she died.”

  “Does that help?” Victor asked Armani staring deep into his eyes searching his soul.

  Armani lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry but no it doesn’t.” What they said made sense but he had no desire to be a vampire and have eternal life. There had to be a way to kill yourself. Every piece of fiction he read about vampires, there was always a way they could be killed. It could be exposure to sunlight, beheading, garlic, holy water or spearing a cross through their heart. He had to find out what ended the life of a member of The Dark Ones. “May I ask a question? You promise to answer honestly?” Armani asked looking from Victor to Donovan.

  Donovan cleared his throat, smiled and said yes. Not Victor. He was a savvy smart vampire, the fearless leader, the Alpha and always took precautions. With him trust was earned and never had he trusted an immortal or mortal until they proved they could be trusted.

  Victor laughed. It sounded more like a growl. “Armani, the level of an honest answer depends on the question. I promise to listen to your q
uestion and answer it as honestly as I deem necessary.” Victor pointed at Armani. “Ask your question. I don’t have patience for beating around the bush types.” He glanced at the clock and added, “I have an appointment at nine so let’s make this quick.” He ordered. Nodding, he waited.

  Armani licked his lips and touched the burnt side of his face. “How do we die?” Glancing at Donovan he continued, “There has to be a way to terminate the vampires. It’s in all the fiction novels and I know from what Donovan told me that many new vampires in The Dark Ones have to be terminated due to the evil permeating from within their souls and the bad choices they make.” He waited for an answer. “Tell me the truth. Please.”

  Donovan kept his mouth shut. He wasn’t about to tell Armani how to destroy himself. He knew that’s what Armani planned to do once he avenged Simone’s death. Armani would prove to be a key figure in The Dark Ones. They needed him.

  Victor stood in front of Armani and took his face in his hands. “I will give you an honest answer and only because something has changed my way of thinking. I realize that everyone deserves free choice, not a person dictating them by telling them what to believe or what choices to make.” He released Armani’s face and walked away. With his back to Donovan and Armani he lifted a finger in the air and stated, “This is strictly confidential between the three of us.” He faced Armani and a shocked Donovan, drew in a deep breath and said, “Fire destroys us.”

  “Why in the hell would you tell him that, Victor?” Donovan asked. “You know he wants to die after he kills the men who killed Simone and stole his soul.” He shook his head in disbelief and stared at Victor. “You’re going to be held responsible if any harm comes to Armani.”