Victoria pushed open the bathroom door and sniffed the air quickly. Satisfied she was alone, she took the extra precaution of turning on the sink faucet for extra noise.
She reached into her purse and grabbed the magical artifact Kevin had given her. It was capable of voice communication anywhere in the world. It didn't operate on land lines or cell towers, but on magical power only a witch could tap into.
A rock.
"Kevin?" she said. "I'm in the middle of dinner with some very important people."
The voice almost echoed in the bathroom.
"The hotel. I need some help."
Victoria didn't need to ask any questions. Kevin was a dear friend, and would never use his magic to contact her for a broken washing machine. He was in trouble.
"Okay. Give me two minutes."
She left the bathroom and crossed the lobby. She stopped for three seconds at the front door to look across the restaurant at Patrick and the others. Their conversation, and whatever was possibly waiting for her with the sexy Irishman, would have to be put on hold. Her inner circle was far more important than any of them.
The air was still warm, despite the late hour. She walked slowly, calmly, even smiling at a couple enjoying a late night stroll before she turned down a dark alley.
It was only in the comfort of the shadows did she quicken her pace.
She pulled her heels off and ran. Her sense of direction wasn't great, but she paid enough attention during their evening jaunts the past few weeks to know the general direction of the hotel. The dress she wore made sprinting difficult, but she managed. As she ran in her bare feet she struggled to pull the phone out of her purse.
She moved with blinding speed. Through the darkness, leaping over garbage cans and a fence that got in her way. She crossed a nearly empty street, an uncomfortable blur to the human eye. With her night vision, she could see a dead-end approaching in the next alley, a building blocking her path. She nimbly ran along the wall to her left, just enough to gain height, before jumping onto the building to her right. All the while she held the phone to her ear, listening to it ring.
Finally, a tired and slow voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Amit?" She walked on the roof of a laundromat, studying her surroundings. "I need you. I know it's late. I'm so sorry."
"Victoria? Just…give me a second." There was a muffled conversation with a woman, assuredly his wife. When his voice returned he was a little more awake. "What can I do for you?"
"I just left some of my…colleagues at a restaurant. It's an emergency, and I had to leave."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. But…it was definitely rude. I'll do more later, but I need you to go apologize to them for me. I know it's a lot to ask."
"Of course."
She breathed a sigh of relief. She thanked Amit as she continued to run. Talking and running were difficult tasks to do simultaneously for a mortal, but for a vampire they were trivial. She continued through the alleys and rooftops of New Delhi.
Two minutes might have been a tall promise, but she wasn't far off.
Victoria quickly slipped into the lobby bathroom after entering the hotel. She looked over her appearance in the mirror, making sure she was still presentable. There were still vampires in the hotel, and she didn't want to raise any questions. Her bare feet had a cut or two, and her right calf had a nasty scratch from a bad landing, but she would heal quickly. At least she didn't tear her dress.
Slipping back into her heels, she made her way to her room, nearly forgetting she didn't like elevators. Kevin had made no other contact, and she fought panic. He was a full-blooded witch, and could certainly handle himself with anyone or anything meaning to do him harm. But he was also young, and she was a bit of an overprotective den mother.
She barely had the door open to her room when she pulled out her magical rock.
"Kevin?" she said. "I'm ready. Is everything okay?"
"Shhh!" His voice was a whisper. "Keep your voice down. Just give me a second."
A second turned into thirty seconds. Thirty seconds turned into a minute. And the minutes stretched.
Victoria folded her arms and paced. She continued to glance at the bare wall she'd taken a picture of on her first day in New Delhi. The photo was meant as a possible escape route for her, with Kevin's assistance. She never dreamed he would need it. But now she waited. And waited. Several times, she lifted the magical rock to her mouth, ready to say something. She just wanted confirmation Kevin was okay. But he told her to be quiet, so that was what she would do.
Kevin was babysitting for Tiffany. Her father, Jack, was in Montana, investigating the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Did Jack involve Kevin in more of his insanity? Her mind raced as the minutes felt like hours. Jack wouldn't willingly put Kevin in danger. Jack was more protective of Kevin than anyone. The witch was the only one who could possibly lift the curse that plagued Jack for two centuries.
At long last, there was a low hum. A roughly-drawn circle appeared on the wall, and then it vanished. The witch's portal came into being. She peered through into another part of the world.
She wasn't sure what she'd see, or what delayed Kevin, but was certainly surprised to see Tiffany.
The nine-year-old girl stood a step behind Kevin, covering her mouth with her palm. Her eyes were saucers. Victoria noticed her wrists were red, sore. She'd been bound somehow. It took everything Victoria had to keep her rage and fangs in place.
Kevin was unharmed, but looked exhausted. He wore the long coat she'd bought for him, to house the disgusting potions and trinkets he created. He smiled and looked her up and down. Not out of lust, but more curiosity. He'd never seen her in a dress and heels.
Fifty feet behind him were rough-looking mortal men. They were in a warehouse of some kind, and in various degrees of disorientation. Some were on their knees, while another leaned against a shelf. They all rubbed their eyes, and she recognized the signs of temporary blindness. A rather easy task for a witch. Her nose twitched as the scent of a burning vehicle reached her through the portal. Was Kevin in the middle of a war?
She stepped forward, just shy of the portal.
"What's going on?"
Tiffany's eyes lit up with joy.
"Aunt Victoria!"
Victoria smiled at the young one. She'd been through so much in her short life, and apparently was still going through so much. Yet she had a spirit that couldn't be contained. That same spirit also brought a spark of life into the darkest soul Victoria had ever known.
"Hey, sweetie. Is everything okay?"
Tiffany was only more than happy to catch Victoria up to date.
"Some guys kidnapped me! But now Kevin's here and smacking them all around. He's like a magician or something! How did you get here? This is weird—"
Kevin cut off the rambling child with a wave of his hand.
"Just take Tiffany."
She didn't hesitate in reaching through the portal and grabbing her niece. The child wrapped her arms around her aunt, squeezing her tight. Victoria lowered Tiffany beside her and gave Kevin her attention.
"Do you need help?"
A swelling sense of pride washed over her at his reaction. Kevin simply shook his head. His expression was calm, completely in control. There wasn't an ounce of arrogance in him. The worst thing he ever did was make potions for college students, which Victoria could handle. He was growing into a fine young man, and respected the powers he wielded. She wanted to believe she had something to do with that.
"Nope. It's just five guys."
Her eyes grew wide as one of the men behind him regained his vision. He held up a rifle that almost looked too big for him.
"Kevin!" she shouted, pointing over his shoulder.
He turned and frowned, more annoyed than afraid.
"Oh, come on—"
The shot rang out, hurting Victoria's sensitive ears. Kevin fell, but there was no blood. Only a quick intake of air as he clenched his ey
es in discomfort. The slug fell at his feet after striking his magical barrier.
Victoria was a second away from stepping through the portal to assist. But Tiffany needed her more than Kevin did.
"I'll see you guys soon."
He reached up and placed his hand near the edge of the portal. It followed his touch, slowly collapsing on itself.
"Be careful, Kevin!" Tiffany shouted.
Kevin was gone. Victoria and Tiffany both stared at a blank wall. It took a moment for Victoria to realize she was trembling.
"Where are we?" Tiffany asked, her eyes moving all about the room. "This place is awesome! Is that a hot tub? Where did Kevin go? How did he do that?"
Victoria blinked twice, trying to pull herself together. The scent of a raging fire was still in her nose. Kevin was half a world away, fighting a battle without her. She had to get used to that. She wouldn't always be there.
Her focus now needed to be on Tiffany.
Kicking her heels off, she dropped to her knees and brushed a strand of hair away from Tiffany's face.
"Aunt Victoria," Tiffany said. "You're beautiful."
The simple compliment nearly brought her to tears. Jack had once said that Tiffany was the strongest person he'd ever met. Victoria had to agree.
"Tiffany…about what you just saw—"
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
Victoria just smiled, and waited for the girl to continue.
"I know who you are," she said, lowering her voice for a confidential discussion. "You're a hero, just like Dad. And Alex, and Kevin. Kevin is the young one. He's the sidekick."
"The sidekick," Victoria repeated, laughing. "I'll bet he loves that."
"I haven't told Dad I know. I probably won't. I don't want him to worry."
Sadness gripped Victoria. Jack and her had a few challenges ahead.
"What happened back there? Why did those men take you?"
"I don't know. I wasn't worried, though. I knew Kevin would come." Her face scrunched up. "Oh, wow. If Kevin doesn't beat them up, think about what Jack will do."
A terrifying thought, indeed.
Victoria kissed her on the forehead and scooped up her heels with two fingers.
"What do you say we watch some TV? Maybe get some—"
She froze when she saw movement near the door. Her eyes narrowed in anger and frustration. She didn't smell him, didn't even hear him come in. Even a vampire could be distracted, especially while staring into a magical portal. Only now, looking at him, did she pick up his scent and heartbeat.
"Amit."
His knees shook as he stood still with his mouth hanging open. His eyes moved back and forth between Victoria and Tiffany. He held a single red rose between his fingers, keeping it close to his chest.
"Come on in," she said. Her tone hovered between sweet and furious. "We need to talk." She patted Tiffany on the shoulder. "Go ahead and turn on the TV. I'll be over in a minute."
"Okay." Tiffany looked out the window, confused, as she made her way to the couch. "Why is it dark out? Where are we?"
Amit didn't move. Victoria moved away, close to the refrigerator. She could see him running through options in his mind. Scream? Run?
"Amit," she said again, signaling him with her finger. "Please. I won't bite."
He took slow, cautious steps across the hotel room. His gaze fell on Tiffany. Victoria didn't know how much he'd seen. Did he see the portal? The quick exchange with Kevin? The last five seconds?
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but on my first day here, you said I didn't have to worry about my privacy. You wouldn't enter the room unless called on. You did say that, right?"
His mouth opened and closed as he struggled to find words. Sweat beaded on his forehead, despite the room being cool.
Victoria reached out and gently grabbed his arm. He looked about ready to fall unconscious at any moment.
"Relax," she said, trying to smooth the edge in her voice. "I won't lie. I'm upset. I'm angry." She lowered her voice. "But I'm not going to hurt you."
"I'm…I'm sorry," he said. "I did what you asked. I went to the restaurant. Your party was upset, especially the one named Patrick, but they understood." He held up the rose. "He wanted me to give this to you."
She smiled as she accepted the rose. The sweet gesture was almost enough to take her mind off the subject at hand.
"Awww," Tiffany said. "Aunt Victoria has a boyfriend."
She was eavesdropping like a pro. The television was on, but she wasn't watching. Only her eyes were visible from behind the top of the couch.
"Hey," Victoria said, pointing. "TV."
Tiffany quickly turned around, but Victoria took no chances. She grabbed her purse from where she left it and dragged Amit into the bathroom.
"I wasn't thinking," Amit continued. "I'm just…I'm tired, and I thought I heard voices at the door. I was going to drop the rose off, just inside, and then…."
Victoria arched an eyebrow.
"You saw some weird shit?" she finished for him.
"I…don't know what I saw."
She smiled warmly. "That's a good answer to hold onto." Opening her purse, she counted through the money she kept with her. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Yes," he said, without hesitation. "It's part of my job. I wouldn't be where I am today if I gossiped about every little thing I saw, especially on this floor."
Victoria laughed. She imagined the depraved acts he'd seen on the top floor. Vampires could have crazy imaginations, especially where sex and blood were concerned.
Still, she doubted he ever saw magic before.
"Victoria," he said, watching her leaf through bill after bill. "I hope you don't plan on paying me to keep me quiet."
"Why is that?"
"I admit…I made a mistake. But it would be an insult to—"
She opened his hand and set fifty thousand dollars in his palm, then kissed him on the cheek.
"This isn't to keep you quiet," she said, which was true. It was her intention to reward Amit. She was simply doing it earlier than expected. "I have other ways of keeping people quiet. This is for being at my beck and call for the past two weeks. It's for waking up, taking time away from your family, to do stupid errands for me. And for making this horrific trip halfway bearable. Thank you."
He accepted the money, shoving it into his pants pocket."
"It's certainly been…interesting. I think I'll go home. Maybe take a vacation day tomorrow."
She smiled. "You and me both."
She collapsed on the couch after showing Amit out. Tiffany had found a cartoon channel and was engrossed in the television. She looked at Victoria as she swayed her legs back and forth.
"Bad day?" she asked.
"A weird one, for sure. But how about you? Are you okay?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm fine." She scooted closer and gave Victoria a squeeze. "Jack always gives me a hug when I feel bad. I'll give you one. Hey, do you have any ice cream?"
Victoria laughed and returned Tiffany's hug. She adjusted her dress as she rose to her feet.
"Let's see if we can make that happen."
CHAPTER 6
Victoria was pulled from her dream by the sun greeting her through the window. She turned over once or twice, but finally sat up in her own bed, in her own home. She was three weeks removed from New Delhi. Kevin had survived his ordeal with the men that kidnapped Tiffany, rather easily. Tiffany was where she belonged, with her father. Victoria was where she belonged. On the outskirts of Baltimore, in the mansion she bought so long ago.
No one from her trip to New Delhi had contacted her. She'd hoped Patrick would have at least sent an email by now, but her inbox was full of spam and videos forwarded from Tiffany. At least Terry gave her space. She didn't receive any communication begging her to be a part of the vampire community.
She tossed the sheets aside and let the sun touch her naked body. Her skin would never be tan, but that simply wasn't important to her. Enjoying the sun, feeling it
s warm rays, that was almost on par with tapping into a pulsing mortal vein.
Before stepping into the shower she turned on her music. Most of the rooms in the mansion were connected, allowing her to enjoy music anywhere, even in the backyard. After a relaxing, lazy thirty minutes under the hot water she slipped into a pair of sweatpants and an old tee shirt. She didn't bother putting on socks or shoes. It wasn't going to be a shoe day, if she could help it.
Her kitchen was as large as some apartments. She kept an unusual layout, with a regular refrigerator for guests, as well as one that was locked, for her. A large safe sat in between them, but not for her own use. In the center was a dining table, with plenty of room for twelve guests.
She sat alone, her legs crossed, enjoying a glass of microwave-heated blood and her laptop. Her music cut out, only for a second, as the security system chimed a single time. There was someone at the front gate, buzzing to be let in.
She glanced at the time.
"Thirty minutes early," she said.
The security panel was near the front door. She checked the video feed before opening the gate, to make sure there were no surprises. Five cleaning vans made their way up the long driveway, parking in a long line. Opening the front door, she watched as a small army of men and women stretched their legs. Their weapons were buckets, brooms, vacuums, an array of cleaning materials.
Chaz stepped out of the lead van. He'd been cleaning Victoria's home for many years. He didn't fit the mold of what she thought the owner of a janitorial service would look like. Covered in tattoos, a muscular build, shaved head. He looked like he'd be more at home on a motorcycle than on his hands and knees with a sponge and a bottle of Windex in his hand.
His eyes met hers as he approached with a wave and a smile. Victoria returned the gesture and met him by the front door. He frowned playfully, tapping an invisible watch on his wrist.
"I know, I know," Victoria said. "I'm two months early."
"Hey, it's fine by me." He shook her hand. "More money for me. Although, like we talked about on the phone, I can save you some money, since we can finally clean in the day. You know, I don't think I've ever seen this place during the day."
Damned and Cursed (Book 7): Four Centuries Page 9