After Sundown: Redemption

by Eden Robins

  “I’m here because my one true love betrayed me. He claimed to love me, but left me for another.” Bazhena began pacing back and forth in front of him. Her voice grew louder, more distressed as she ranted. “I was crazed with grief and did something no woman, no woman should ever have done. I did it all because of a man. Your weak and puny gender formed me. Made me into what I am today. And so, I seek my vengeance again and again. So many men have died over the years, yet it still isn’t enough. I am the Wendigo. I am the Weeping Woman. Different names, but both exist for the same purpose. Revenge. Mankind must pay for what he did to me. But why am I telling you? You know all of this. Just as you know you are special. The one man I couldn’t kill. You remind me too much of him, you see. But then, you left me too.” Bazhena suddenly stopped pacing and turned to face him. The crazed look on her face faded as she ran her eyes possessively over him once more.

  “Now, at last, I have you back again. It’s ironic actually.” Bazhena gave him a wry smile.

  “What?” Christian needed to know what was going on in her crazed mind. He needed to know so he could save Alyssa.

  “That the one man I couldn’t kill is the one who is going to help bring about the rise in my power and the ruin of all men. I knew there was something special about you, Cristobal. From the first time I saw you so long ago, you had a way about you that was so different from all the others I had met. I was definitely attracted to you. Of that I’m sure, but it was so much more than that. It was as if we were destined to meet.”

  Christian stiffened when Bazhena sidled next to him. She ran her long red fingernail down his cheek, under his chin, then back up the other cheek. She stood on tiptoe so that her mouth was parallel to his ear. She sucked on the lobe for only a second then ran her tongue down his neck. He arched his back when she sank her teeth deep. She moved away as the blood dripped from his ear to his shoulder. Bazhena eyed it hungrily but didn’t drink it.

  “Your blood would taste so sweet on my tongue, Cristobal. I’ve missed it. I’ve missed you. Isn’t it time you came back to me, my pet? Isn’t it time you belonged to me once again?”

  He would never be her slave. Not again. Never again.

  As she spoke, she ran her hands down his body. She circled his nipples with her nails, then plunged lower. She splayed her fingers over his taught stomach and sighed.

  “You always were so beautiful. I don’t know how I survived giving you up.”

  Her hand slid down, fingers delving through his hair before wrapping around his manhood. He was fighting her touch, fighting the desire she was trying to push at him. A spasm of pain wracked his body again and he almost lost it.

  Bazhena chuckled low into his ear.

  “Fight me, Cristobal. Fight me. You know how much your struggles turn me on. In the end, you’ll beg me for it, just like you always did. And I’ll have you just the way I want you, every last drop of you. I’m going to lap you up, lick by delicious lick.”

  As if to emphasize her words, Bazhena ran her tongue up and down his neck, found his other earlobe and sucked hard. He waited for her to bite that one too, but she didn’t. She just continued sucking while she caressed him. Christian fought her, but he could feel himself slipping. Her desire was pushing at him. Her mind control had grown over time. And she was throwing everything she could at him. He groaned aloud as he grew hard from her touch. His body and mind were betraying him.

  “You won’t win, Cristobal. You know you want me, just like you’ve always wanted me.”

  She was whispering inside his head now. She had gotten to him.

  He tried to push her out, but the pain hit him again and this time almost brought him to his knees. Bazhena gave his ear one last lick before she slid her mouth down over his chest and suckled his nipples in turn. They pebbled beneath her tongue and she laughed low and husky.

  His manhood grew beneath her touch. He closed his eyes and attempted to find another place, as he used to do, so long ago. Alyssa’s sweet face suddenly came to mind. Her image filled his head and then nothing else mattered, everything, the pain, the pleasure, it all faded as he thought about Alyssa. He let her fill him completely. Her goodness, her light, it soothed his mind and his body. He was still in pain, but the desire that Bazhena created paled to nothingness. He softened under her touch, until he lay limp in her hand.

  Bazhena screeched and her hand tightened painfully around him.

  “No! You will not think about your human now. Not now, Cristobal. You are mine!”

  But Christian could barely hear her. He was remembering everything about Alyssa. Replaying the moments they had spent together. The pain faded as his mind reached out to her. He called her name in his head over and over again.

  “She will pay for this. That bitch will pay!” Bazhena snarled as she pulled back from Christian and stalked angrily out of the room.

  He tried to break the bonds again. Fought the pain and darkness threatening to engulf him again. He could not let Bazhena hurt Alyssa. He reached out to her with his mind. Tried to warn her, but the darkness finally won. He slumped forward as his consciousness started to fade. Her injection was poisoning him.

  * * * * *

  Alyssa dressed carefully for the evening, while her aunt sat in the other room watching TV. True to her word, Aunt Joyce had stayed with her the whole day, entertaining her and keeping her mind on everything but tonight. The only reminder she had was a phone call from Tom. He had told her about the cracked wall and falling asleep at the office.

  “I never fall asleep here. It was really strange.”

  Alyssa was relieved to hear her friend’s voice. Relieved to know that he was okay. She pushed the image of his torn throat and pale face from her mind.

  “I guess you’re working too hard. Maybe it’s time you took a vacation?” she suggested lightly. “Or maybe it’s those late nights with the ladies. They’re finally catching up with you,” she joked, chuckling for his benefit.

  It sounded forced to her ears, but he didn’t seem to notice. Tom spoke a bit more about getting the wall fixed.

  “I’m having someone from the management company come take a look at it today. All I can think of is that the building did a major resettling during the night. But usually that’s a gradual process, not all at once. You wouldn’t believe how big the crack is.”

  “I’m sure I’ll get a nice long look at it on Monday.”

  “Yes, you will,” he agreed with a chuckle.

  Tom wished her luck with her last speech.

  “I know you’ll do a great job. As usual, they’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand.”

  They both laughed and wished each other a good weekend before hanging up.

  Alone now, in her room, Alyssa could think of little else but seeing Christian again. She stared out her window into the slowly darkening sky. They would talk tonight. They would find a way to be together or they would separate forever. There could be no in-between for her.

  Giving herself one last look in the mirror, she picked up her purse and headed into the other room. But before she could open her bedroom door, an intense pain like she had never felt before left her bent over, clutching her stomach. She took some deep cleansing breaths to gain relief, but it did little good. The pain seemed to spread throughout her body, like pins sticking her from the inside out. Then she felt him in her mind. Christian. He plowed into her thoughts without invitation. And he kept repeating the same thing, over and over again.

  Alyssa. Beware. Alyssa. Beware. Alyssa. Beware…

  His voice rang over and over in her head. She fell to her knees from the pain engulfing her. Her head felt overloaded from the intrusion of his thoughts. Dizziness assailed her. She was sure that she was about to pass out, when suddenly the pain ceased. Christian’s voice in her head stopped. Both were gone in a second, simultaneously. As if they had never been.

  Alyssa slowly straightened. What had just happened? Why was Christian’s voice in her head? Where had that excruciating pain co
me from? She opened the door and walked into the other room. Her aunt looked normal. She briefly looked away from the TV to smile at Alyssa and then returned to watching her program.

  Alyssa stilled. She listened. Trying to pick up any unusual, or threatening feelings. She remembered what Bazhena’s presence in her mind had done to her in the past. She felt none of that now. Just nothing. Normal. Yet unease filled her. She wasn’t sure what it was, but there was something wrong. She couldn’t name it, but nevertheless the discord was there, deep inside her.

  The knock on her door made her jump.

  Aunt Joyce got up and calmly headed towards the door.

  “Wait.”

  Her aunt stopped and turned back to Alyssa. Her face was filled with question and concern. Her frown deepened when she saw the look on her niece’s face.

  “What is it, dear?”

  Alyssa didn’t know why she stopped her aunt. She just felt like it was necessary to be cautious right now. They needed to know who was at the door before they opened it. The air around her seemed to grow thick with energy. It felt oppressive, almost choking her with its pressure.

  “Please don’t go any closer to the door. Just ask who it is before you open it.”

  Aunt Joyce gave her a quizzical look. But did as she asked.

  “Okay.” Her aunt turned back around, but didn’t walk the remaining distance to the door.

  “Who is it?” she called out.

  “It’s Christian.”

  Joyce closed the distance to the door and reached up to unlock it.

  “No!” Alyssa cried out sharply.

  Aunt Joyce glanced over her shoulder at Alyssa in question.

  “It’s Christian, dear.”

  Alyssa shook her head.

  “No. It isn’t. Ask again,” Alyssa whispered. She knew Christian’s voice. She knew what it felt like to be with him. She could feel his energy, feel him. Whoever, or whatever was on the other side of the door wasn’t Christian.

  She cleared her throat and spoke louder this time.

  “Who is it?”

  This time no one answered. After a minute, Alyssa thought whoever was there had left. Then she noticed the doorknob turning slowly. First one way then the other.

  Alyssa reacted immediately.

  “Move away from the door, Aunt Joyce.”

  “But—”

  “Just move away from the door. Walk backwards, towards me.”

  Her aunt slowly moved back to stand beside her. It seemed difficult for her. As if she were struggling against something. By the time she reached Alyssa’s side, her face was red from exertion.

  “I think we should open the door, Alyssa. We really should.”

  Her aunt’s voice sounded strange, dreamy almost. And her eyes looked dazed. Someone or something was trying to get to her.

  “No. We’ll wait.”

  Alyssa’s voice sounded calm, although she felt anything but that. Something unnatural and evil lay on the other side of her door. Its presence suddenly hit her like a punch to the stomach. It had covered up its hatred and malevolence until this moment. She had no doubt that whatever was standing in the outside hallway meant her harm.

  “Go into my bedroom. Open the first drawer of my nightstand. There’s a large cross in there and a vial of holy water. Get both and bring them out here as quickly as you can.”

  Her aunt didn’t respond. Alyssa reached out and gave her shoulder a little shake. Joyce seemed to snap out of a daze. She shook her head, then glanced at Alyssa. Her eyes looked wide with fear.

  “Huh? Holy water? A cross? Shouldn’t we call the police?”

  Aunt Joyce looked at Alyssa like she was crazy. She started to protest when the turning doorknob started rattling violently. The sound of a low growl reached her ears. Whoever was out there was getting impatient.

  “Do it now!”

  Her aunt let out a small squeak then ran into the bedroom. Alyssa kept her eyes on the door. A minute later, Aunt Joyce came back with both items. Alyssa took them from her. Reaching into her own blouse she pulled a necklace out. It was a gold chain with a cross on the end of it. She unclasped it and handed it to her aunt without letting her gaze leave the door.

  “Take this. Go into my bedroom, lock the door and call the police. All the windows are locked, so you should be safe. Stay in there. No matter what you hear, don’t come out. And only open the door for me—no one else. If anyone other than me gets into the room before the police come, hold the cross in front of you and pray. That will be your only protection.”

  When her aunt just stood there, Alyssa spared a glance her way. Aunt Joyce met her eyes stubbornly. She clenched her jaws tightly together and shook her head.

  Alyssa would not allow anything to happen to her beloved aunt.

  “You need to listen to me. We don’t have much time.”

  As if to emphasize her words, her apartment door started to shake, making loud rattling, splintering noises. It wouldn’t hold much longer.

  “No,” her aunt said crossing her hands stubbornly over her chest. “I don’t know what’s going on or who’s out there, but I won’t leave you alone, Aly. I’ll call the police, but I’m staying with you to face whoever you’re facing.”

  Frustration filled Alyssa. She wanted to yell at her aunt. Tell her that she didn’t understand. It wasn’t whom she was facing. It was what. Whatever was on the other side of the door wasn’t human.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The rattling stopped. Alyssa swung her gaze to the door. It was no longer shaking. She glanced at her aunt. Her eyes were wide with fear and she seemed to be having trouble breathing. She grasped her Aunt Joyce’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

  “Hang on. It’s going to be okay.”

  Her aunt nodded, but said nothing.

  Alyssa stared at the door. Holding her breath, she waited to see what would happen next.

  It wasn’t what she expected.

  She jumped as a loud screeching filled the air. The noise was soon followed by a moan and then a whimper. A hissing sound and the scent of burnt flesh soon followed. Nausea hit Alyssa strong and hard. She released her aunt’s hand and covered her mouth, attempting to stop the smell. It did no good. It seemed to permeate everything. She turned to her aunt, about to tell her to go into the bedroom again, when the elderly woman crumpled to the floor in a dead faint.

  Alyssa wasn’t sure how long she stood frozen in place, her hand covering her mouth. Her eyes glued to the door. Waiting. Not knowing what would come next. Her heart beat out of control and her breath came in short pants.

  “Alyssa. Open the door. It’s Vlad Maksimovitch. I’ve taken care of your unwanted visitor. You’re safe now. Christian couldn’t make it tonight, so I’ll be taking you to your speaking engagement.”

  Alyssa started. Then her shoulders sagged with relief as she recognized the comforting sound of the After Sundown owner’s voice. She walked towards the door intent on opening it, but stopped short before doing so. What if it wasn’t really him? She had read that vampires could shape shift. What if this creature had changed into the form of Vlad? Was it possible?

  “How do I know it’s really you?”

  “Look through your peephole. Who do you see?”

  Alyssa did as he suggested and saw Vlad standing on the other side of the door. The urge to open the door was strong. But the instinct to survive was stronger.

  “How do I know it’s really you?”

  There was silence on the other side of the door for a moment. Then Vlad cleared his throat and spoke.

  “Remember the first time we met?”

  “Yes.”

  “I offered you tea. You chose chamomile. You said it helped you relax.”

  Alyssa let out the breath she was holding. Only Vlad could tell her that. It had been only the two of them in the room when that happened.

  Alyssa undid the bolt and opened the door. She covered her nose in preparation of that terrible flesh burning smell hitting her f
ull force. Yet there was nothing. The horrifying scent had all but disappeared. She looked around her and saw no evidence of, well, of anything strange, just Vlad standing in the doorway, looking very normal.

  “How did you do that?” Alyssa’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

  “It’s part of my job. Clean up and remove evidence.”

  “What about the other people living here? They had to hear that terrifying scream and smell that burning smell.”

  “As I’m sure you’ve come to realize, we have the ability to project thoughts. It’s a very powerful tool. I just changed your neighbors’ perspectives a bit. They think they heard a cat screeching into the night. And the odor they picked up, just smelled like someone had burned their dinner.”

  Alyssa nodded silently as she listened to his explanation. No wonder very few people knew about these preternatural creatures’ existence. They were too good at covering up their actions.

  “Aren’t you going to invite me in, Alyssa?”

  Alyssa met Vlad’s polite smile with startled eyes.

  “What?”

  “I can’t come into your home without permission. That is one hard and fast rule of the vampire. We cannot enter someone’s private abode without an invitation. Once humans make a place their own in one fashion or other, it becomes theirs. The power of that is something not even a vampire can undo. That’s why your earlier visitor could not open your door. He could shake it and twist the knob, but he couldn’t open it without you inviting him in first.”

  Alyssa digested that bit of information and logged it with the other tidbits she was learning about vampires. It was amazing how so many of the movies she had seen and books she had read portrayed this information correctly. Alyssa looked down at the cross and holy water in her hand.

  “Does this work?” She held the items up in front of her. Vlad took a cautious step backwards.

  Most definitely. Now please put those items down and invite me in so that we can talk.

  The sound of Vlad’s voice was inside her head suddenly. It seemed to sweep through her. And before she knew it she had put the cross and holy water down and invited him in.