Undying Vengeance (12 page)

A
rmani didn’t know
what to say to Donovan. He frowned and stood, crossing his arms. “I don’t know you and to be quite honest, I don’t want to know you.” He said bitterly. He walked to the window and gazed at the night sky.

Donovan sipped wine and picked up the Vampirism book Armani had thrown at him. “Let me ask you something. Did you read the book I wrote?” He crossed his legs and stared at Armani’s back.

“I skimmed through it for a few seconds. I have no interest in becoming a member of some cult.” Armani said, placing his hands on the window. He glimpsed his reflection and shuddered. How had he forgotten to put a mask on before answering the door and letting this stranger inside. “Excuse me for a moment. I need to get something.”

He took the steps two at a time, ran to his bedroom and picked up the mask. Pictures of Simone hung on his walls and pierced his heart deep every time he looked at them. He took a deep breath and walked downstairs with the mask in hand to talk with Donovan.

Donovan looked up when Armani walked in the room. “It hurts every time you look at the pictures of Simone. Especially the ones with the two of you so in love and so close. Am I correct? Why don’t you take them down so you can heal?” He rubbed his chin and frowned. He had an agenda with that question. It was what Donovan referred to as bait. He studied Armani’s face. A patient vampire by nature, he would take things slow with Armani, unlike Victor, who waited for no one.

Armani shot him a menacing look. “Who are you to come into my home and tell me what to do?” He asked, pacing the living room floor. Hurt clouded his face. “I loved and still love Simone. To take them down would be like removing what I have left of her in this home.” He shook his head and added, “The pictures will never come down. Not until the men who killed her and destroyed my world die for what they did.”

Donovan smiled. “My friend, that’s my specialty. Revenge is one of the most beautiful things in this world when administered correctly.” Donovan rose and held his hand out to Armani. “Take my hand. I want to show you something.”

Armani shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I will not play your games. I don’t know what you are or what you want.” He leaned forward placing his head in his hands and wondered if this was just a dream.

“You are not dreaming. I’m the one you saw at the funeral home. That little girl died a horrific death and another member of the Dark Ones got revenge for her death.” A tear fell from his eye. “It’s sad, but killing her parents felt good for Victor.” He sat and waited for Armani’s reaction.

Startled, Armani stared at Donovan. Finally, Donovan knew he had his attention. Maybe this would be easier than he thought. It was always hard to convince someone to cross over, but once they did, it was a victory for the Dark Ones. They needed more vampires out there promoting justice for the people who died at the hands of malicious people. He knew he was running out of time so it was time to get to the point of his visit and hope that Armani would see things his way. Armani’s deep love for Simone and his need for revenge seemed to be enough fuel to convince Armani that crossing over and becoming a vampire was how he would avenge her death.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Armani asked. “You must be a fiction writer. So, that’s why you dropped off this book. You’re looking for someone famous, such as myself,” he said pointing, “to give you a critique. A five star rating or something.” He tilted his head back and laughed.

That was the first time Donovan saw him laugh since he arrived. The poor man was such a hurting desperate soul. Emptiness lay vacant in Armani’s eyes, even when he laughed.

“Well, give me a chance to read your novel and I will let you know what I think. Thank you for stopping by.” Armani said and walked toward the front door to say goodbye to Donovan.

“Not so fast Armani.” Donovan ordered evil lurking in his eyes. He was in front of him in a second, his black cape swirling. “I am not done here. Now, sit down and let me finish before you decide your own fate because when I leave, you are no longer safe.” ‘And my friend, that’s a promise, not a threat.’ A voice in his head told him.

Armani’s blood ran cold. Donovan’s eyes glowed red like the creature he had seen at the funeral home. He hadn’t imagined seeing a vampire there after all. His whole body shook but he managed to walk to the chair, preparing himself for what was coming. It amazed him how fast Donovan moved and with such fluid grace. Donovan seated himself on the couch before Armani had a chance to sit.

“I was in your shoes at one point in my life. The love of my life was taken from me at the hands of a very cruel man. Her uncle killed her while I was away at work. I had no idea who had murdered her, but when I came home I found her lifeless bloody body in a heap on the bedroom floor.” Donovan’s face paled and his eyes watered while he spoke of his memories. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t remember that tragedy. Suicidal thoughts entertained me daily when I was human.” Donovan paused and drank a long sip of his wine and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I had the noose ready. All I had to do was jump and end it all. The suffering was too much for me to bear and so I thought this was the only way out. I was saved within a minute of killing myself and ending all the pain and torment so I could be with my Darla.”

Armani listened, intrigued. “What made you change your mind?” He asked. “Thoughts of revenge or knowing you would die and the murderer was still out there? Did someone save you?” Armani asked his attention devoted to Donovan. His heart hurt for the vampire. Maybe he and Donovan had more in common than he had initially thought. “I’m sorry for interrupting. Please continue.”

Donovan smiled weakly. “Yes, you could say someone saved me. His name is Victor and he is the master of the Dark Ones. A vampire not to reckon with, that’s for sure, a ruthless killer with a dark, jaded past. Revenge is his vendetta and not only for the torture he endured, but also for those who are brutally beaten and living the abuse of his past.” Donovan paused briefly and studied the architecture of Armani’s home. The man had expensive taste. The home was breathtaking, a beauty to behold.

Armani wondered if this was the way for him to avenge Simone’s death. Was Donovan here to give him the answers, even possibly help him cross over as the vampires say? He was ready to do whatever it took to kill the men who killed Simone and his soul. Whoever was responsible for this deserved the just punishment of an eternity in Hell. “I have a question. So, this Victor, what torment did he go through? How did he cross over and become a Master?”

“You must have read my mind. I was getting to that point,” he said and smiled. “Victor was abused and tortured as a child in horrific ways beyond comprehension. His parents had images of his bruised and beaten body painted so they could hang them on the walls of their home.”

Armani’s face twisted in disgust. “What the hell kind of sick people were his parents to do this to him?”

“Sick beyond a shadow of a doubt, my friend. They are dead now and rightfully so.” Donovan smiled a wicked gleam in his eye. “And a brutal death his parents faced when Victor got his revenge. Gruesome and full of torture as it should have been. Someday when you meet Victor, he will inform you of what he did to his parents and how he continues to kill the abusers of children in the same manner.”

Chills ran up and down Armani’s spine. “So, what does any of this have to do with me? I want revenge for Simone’s death, but I have no desire to cross over and become a vampire to make this happen.” He placed his hand on the left side of his face and winced in pain. It felt like someone had taken a cattle prod and pierced the side of his face. He needed his pain medication and now. “Please excuse me, Donovan. I must get a pain pill. This cursed side of my face feels like it’s on fire.”

Donovan eyed him like a hunter stalking its prey. “Be my guest and when you return I have two choices for you.” He folded his hands and said, “And you will be making a choice tonight.”

Armani wished he had never let Donovan into his home. He wanted revenge for Simone’s death, but the price he had to pay seemed much too steep for him. Crossing over was not something you just did. Hell, people took more time to decide on the purchase of a car. This was his life Donovan was talking about and not something you could return if you didn’t like the way it felt. ‘Curse the day I had thoughts of revenge,’ Armani thought. Maybe those thoughts somehow reached the undead and now he was going to get what he asked for. Would it be possible for Donovan to get revenge on the guilty while he watched? He would have to remember to ask him that.

Armani walked upstairs and into the bathroom. He opened the cabinet and took twisted the pill bottle open. He threw two pills in his mouth and chased them down with water. Armani walked to the bed and sat on the edge, his eyes moved to the picture of Simone sitting on the end table. He picked it up and stared into her eyes.

“I wish you were here, my love. Daylight has died in my heart since your death. I’m so sorry I couldn’t have saved you.” Armani said and wiped tears from his cheeks. He set the picture on the table. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t hope that you will be here when I return home. When I hear a knock on the door I can’t help but hope it’s you on the other side. But, it’s a fool’s dream to keep believing you will show up when I know you are dead and gone.” He wept. “Hope fills the heart and fades away, my Simone.”

Armani slowly made his way back downstairs and returned to the living room where Donovan sat on the sofa waiting for him.

“I feel your pain, Armani. I was in your shoes once. Believe me, crossing over was the best thing I ever did for myself. Victor helped me pick the pieces up and move on.” His unblinking eyes never left Armani’s face. “Revenge, closure and an end to the pain is worth the price of becoming a vampire and saying good bye to your mortal life.” Donovan said.

“I want revenge more than anything in the world, but it won’t bring Simone back.” Armani said, sadly. “But, I’ll feel better knowing the guilty people who killed her and did this to me,” he said pointing to his face, “are dead.”

Donovan floated to his feet. “Let me give you your two choices, Armani. A choice is to be made tonight.” He said. “Your first choice is to cross over and become a vampire. You will get revenge on the people who killed Simone and murdered your soul. Being a part of the Dark Ones means you will have eternal life as an immortal. You will never die, at least not by physical means.” He paced to the window and stared outside. Hunger pains seized him. He needed the energizing life blood of a mortal but time was of the essence and Victor would be checking on his progress soon. He smiled and put two fingers in the air. “Option number two is what we call a temporary cross over.”

Armani looked at him skeptically. “What do you mean a temporary cross over? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” He shook his head and snorted. “Hell, I’ve never heard of crossing over. Let alone the fact that vampires do exist.”

Donovan knew telling Armani about the temporary crossover was a lie but it had to be done. Donovan feared for Armani’s life and convincing him to cross over of his own free will was only going to lead to a dead end. In time he would explain why he had to manipulate him and Armani may hate him but in time he would accept being a vampire and understand why Donovan had to lie to him.

“A temporary cross over means that you become a vampire, but only for a short time and die once you have gotten your revenge on the people who did this to you and Simone.” Donovan noticed Armani looked skeptical. He threw in another lie to motivate him to accept the offer. “You will have eternal life with Simone. The minute you torture and kill the guilty ones, Simone will be waiting for you when you die and the two of you will go onto eternal life, never to be separated again.” He hoped he sounded convincing.

“I am an empty lifeless vessel, a hollow log. Will the pain ever subside? Slowly I die each day. What once was a life of color is now black and white.” Armani quoted lyrics from a song he had recently written. “Life is hopeless. I am a sailor lost at sea, waves roll around me threatening to sink my ship. Hope dies each and everyday. Life is not worth living without the one who completed me . . . . .”

Donovan cleared his throat and interrupted Armani. “Those lyrics are beautiful. Your songs are filled with your heart and soul and I would like to hear more of them. But, right now I need you to make a decision. We don’t have much time.” He walked to the window. “Victor will be here soon to check on our progress and his temper is not something you or I want to reckon with.” Pivoting, he floated to Armani and stood in front of him. He offered his hand and asked, “Have you made your decision?”

Armani knew he had to make a decision. “I have a question first.”

“Go ahead and ask anything you want,” Donovan nodded his head. He understood how confusing and hard it was to make such a life changing decision having been in the situation himself long ago. But, time was running out. Some questions would have to remain unanswered until the transition.

Armani stood and stared into Donovan’s eyes. “Is there any way you can get revenge for me and I help you? Only I stay a mortal and not have to crossover.”

The hopelessness in Armani’s eyes pained Donovan’s heart and soul. Guilt tore at his insides knowing he had lied about the temporary cross over. But he kept telling himself he had no choice.

“Armani, I’m sorry, but no I cannot get revenge for you. Only you can do it,” Donovan said and shifted his feet. Donovan placed his hands on Armani’s shoulders and said, “You must decide between the two choices I gave you or Victor will come and kill us both. A decision must be made right now.” The hunger pains would not subside. He wished he had time to feed on human blood, but time was ticking and every second counted.

Armani walked hunched over to the bar a few feet away and poured himself a tall glass of scotch. He gulped half of it down in a second. “Ok, Donovan, I have made my decision. I want to temporarily cross over.” He swallowed the remaining scotch and sat on a bar stool and wallowed while allowing the scotch to do its job. “The men who did this will pay for their crime. Death is too easy for them. They need to suffer as I have suffered. I am ready.” He said and stumbled toward Donovan.

Donovan watched him. Armani was about to cross over and become a vampire, an immortal forever. Donovan tried to tell himself that Armani would forgive him in time for his deceit, but he wasn’t entirely sure about that. Donovan took Armani’s hand, steadied him and led him to the couch. “Lie down and make yourself comfortable. Let us begin.”