Undying Vengeance (17 page)

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.

A
lex 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 dad. “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.

D
onovan 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 toward 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.

“Stop right there!” Donovan ordered. Rex walked faster and at the speed of light Donovan stood in front of Rex.

“How did you get in front of me so fast?” Rex asked feeling frightened for the first time since he had arrived.

Donovan loomed over Rex staring at him. “Magic,” he laughed. “I’m afraid I have not properly introduced myself.” He paused and extended his hand to Rex. “I am Donovan, a member of the Dark Ones. We are a group of vampire’s who act as vigilantes on the behalf of the dead. Our job is to seek and destroy those who escape the long arm of the law. We avenge the deaths of the innocent.” He smiled, fangs sparkling in the sun and released Rex’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Armani’s best friend, band mate and in a sense his brother.”

Rex stared in disbelief.

“I understand it’s a lot to take in at once but in time you will learn to like me.” Donovan reassured him.

Rex stammered. “I-I-I’m afraid I don’t have to like you nor do I want to try and like you. I want to see Armani. That’s why I’m here and so help you God if you’ve hurt him.” He said clenching his fists, his anger resurfacing.

Donovan took Rex’s elbow leading him to the dog kennel. “I want you to hear Gabe’s confession and maybe you won’t think I’m such a bad guy after all.”

They stopped in front of the kennel door and it opened like an automatic door at a grocery store. Donovan entered first and motioned for Rex to follow. “Come and listen.”

Rex did as told. Donovan walked to where Gabe lye on the cement. “Stand up, Gabe. This will be your first confession to a mortal.”

Donovan called me a mortal? Rex shook his head, appalled. He was a human, for God’s sake, not some mortal.

Gabe stood and screamed. “You did it! You and that other vampire admitted you gave Armani eternal life.” He lowered his head and put his hands behind his back. He would pay for that comment.

Rex stared at Donovan. “Is that true? You killed Armani.” Rex balled his fists, drew his arm back ready to hit Donovan.

Donovan grabbed Rex’s fist squeezing hard. “Put your hand down or I shall punish you as well.” He ordered.

“Gabe what does that mean? Did these vampires kill Armani?” Rex asked.

Gabe smiled. He had nothing to lose and when you’ve got nothing, you have nothing to lose. “They sure did, Rex.”

Donovan jumped on Gabe and choked him. He then picked up his head and smashed it into the cement.

Rex jumped on Donovan’s back and hit and kicked him. “Leave Gabe alone, you monster, you’ll kill him!”

Donovan punched Gabe’s face and blood splattered. Donovan reared backward throwing Rex into the corner of the kennel. Rex yelped in pain. Donovan stood and glared at both men.

“If you both insist on acting like mean dogs I shall take great pleasure in treating you that way.” Donovan said brushing off his black clothes. He walked to Gabe, picked him up by the head and stood him on his feet. “Now Gabe shall tell you exactly what is going on here and what role he played in the fate of Armani and Simone.”

Donovan led Gabe to the corner of the kennel where Rex sat rubbing his elbow. “By the way, I apologize for my indecent behavior, Rex but you left me no choice.” He paused and cleared his throat. “I don’t take people disrespecting me well. Let that be a lesson to you both.” He stared at Gabe and said, “I believe Gabe would like to share the truth with you now.” The look in Donovan’s eyes dared Gabe to act out or lie again. Donovan was ready to kill him and if pushed far enough he would.

Rex stared in disbelief at Donovan. The vampire had an unpleasant aura about him. That was for sure. “Why are you doing this to us?” Rex asked.

“I’m doing nothing to you. Gabe is the one who is going to pay with his life for what he did to Simone and Armani. Now tell them Gabe lest I have to physically force you once again.” He squeezed the back of Gabe’s neck forcing him to look at Rex.

Gabe swallowed hard. “I set up the whole incident to have Simone killed and Armani tortured.” He blurted out. “Are you happy now?” He asked Donovan, his face red as a tomato.

Donovan activated Gabe’s shock collar. Gabe fell, his whole body jerked and shook. He curled into the fetal position too scared to speak or move.

“Tell Rex why you did it Gabe,” Donovan ordered. He sympathized with Rex. The news was shocking and he knew it was slowly registering in Rex’s mind. In mere minutes, he knew Gabe would take a beating from Rex and Donovan would allow it. Gabe was a selfish man and deserved it. “Hurry up. You are trying my patience.” Donovan instructed.

Gabe stared at Rex. “I did it for money, publicity and more fame, plain and simple.” Gabe said with pride. “We needed more attention so I thought this would fix that problem and it would have if that dim wit depressed lead singer friend of yours would have continued singing and touring. But no, he was too depressed. Waahh, a big baby!” Gabe shouted, angry lines creasing his forehead.

Rex gritted his teeth. “You son of a bitch!” He screamed. “I’m going to kill you.” Rex lunged at Gabe, landing on him and hit and beat him. “How could you? You are a filthy excuse for a human.”

Rex stood and stared at Gabe. Rex kicked Gabe several times. “This one is for Armani and Simone, you bastard,” Rex said. He brought his leg back as far as it would go and kicked with all his might, his foot landing in the center of Gabe’s gut.

Gabe cried out in pain. “Stop, please.” He begged between ragged breaths.

Rex snorted. “I bet Simone and Armani begged you to stop too.” Rex kicked him once more. Rex laid Gabe flat on his back and pinned him down with his knees. He balled his fists and punched Gabe’s face several times before wrapping his hands around Gabe’s neck until his face turned blue. Rex gritted his teeth and asked, “How does that feel?” Rex wanted to kill him.

Donovan grabbed Rex’s hands. “That’s enough.” He said, pulling him off Gabe. “Come with me. We have much to discuss.”

Despite the wintry cold, sweat beads covered Rex’s face. Wiping them away he got to his feet, not taking his eyes off Gabe once. Gabe’s tongue hung out of his mouth like a dog’s after a long run. Panting and breathing heavy, Gabe rolled onto his side gripping his neck. Blood pooled from his mouth and eyes and his nose was crooked. “It looks like he might die.” Rex stated satisfied.

Donovan smiled. “Looks can be deceiving, my friend.” Taking Rex’s hand he shook it. “Well done, my friend.”

Reluctantly, he took Donovan’s hand. “Thank you but I’m not sure I’m thrilled to meet you, I must say. Please tell me what’s going on here.”

The kennel door shut and locked. Rex turned and stared at the door. “How did you do that?” He asked, startled.

“Why must you mortals always ask such silly questions? Vampires can do that and so much more.” The idea of having Rex cross over entertained him, but only for a moment. He wouldn’t wish this curse on anyone.

It was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in order to escape the realities of pain in your life, but a curse to know you could never be human ever again. Donovan longed for companionship, a lover, a wife and children. But, that would never happen. It was one of the negatives of crossing over. You were told these things only after you had crossed over and were a vampire. Had he known this before, his decision may have been different. 291 years ago, he would have just ended his human life and rested in peace forever with his beloved.

“Well, I want answers Donovan.”

A hawk cawed in the distance. Large black wings flapped in the sky. Rex stared at the giant bird. The hawk descended and landed on top of the kennel. Sitting upright, head held high, it looked like a king on its throne. Its gaze pierced through Rex’s soul. Rex shuddered, rubbed his arms and lowered his gaze.

Donovan smiled wickedly fangs protruding. “Hello, my dear friend, keep watch over Gabe for me.” He pivoted and walked toward the house. “Come Rex, time is of the essence.”

Rex was too shocked to speak but followed like a baby duck following its mother, staying close to Donovan. He couldn’t explain it but the hawk scared him more than Donovan.