She shook her head in disgust, remembering the incident in the private booth during her last visit. "Goddamnit, Tony."
"Ah, what a crime."
"What now?"
"Check out the bartender. She's got the best body in here, and she's slinging drinks. Not a single bionic in her. She'd be handing out heart attacks if she spun on a pole. You wouldn't think politics would exist inside a strip club, but there's your proof."
Jack was referring to Bree, the bartender Victoria bonded with before. Bree was as friendly as ever, laughing and talking with the customers, hiding whatever insecurities she had concerning the other dancers behind a smile.
Bree looked up and noticed Victoria. Victoria took a step to approach, but stopped when Bree's expression changed from a smile to grim seriousness. She waved frantically, and pointed to the office in the back.
"Let's go," Victoria said.
They were halfway across the club when Jack spoke. He was still eying up the dancers around them.
"Victoria, seriously," he said. "How much would it cost to get that white skin of yours up on stage? I'll pull out the charge card right now."
She didn't want to, but laughed anyway. As they approached the office door she tried to focus her senses on what was just beyond. She thought she heard mumbling, maybe even an uncomfortable moan. Several voices and heartbeats. Three, maybe.
She turned the knob to find it locked, then gave the door a gentle rap.
"Go away!" Tony barked. "I'll be out soon!"
"It's me. Victoria."
There was a click as the door was unlocked, followed by it opening. Tony grabbed Victoria by her sleeve and yanked her inside.
"What the fuck took you so long?" he said. He nearly shut the door when he noticed Jack. "Who is this?"
"It's okay. He's with me."
Tony went to reach for Jack, but instead had his own wrist snatched. Jack held tight, his gaze narrow.
"Touch me, mortal, and I'll break you into pieces."
Tony pulled free and threw his hands in the air. "Fine, fine. Just get in here."
Victoria gasped as the door closed behind them.
"What the hell happened here?"
The first thing Victoria noticed was the blood. It was difficult not to. A young woman was curled up on Tony's cot with nothing but a sheet around her. The sheet and cot were soaked with red. Another woman in jeans and a white bra sat on the floor in the corner, rocking back and forth. Her eyes were wide and her mouth moved, but no words came out. The woman in the corner wasn't injured, but had speckles of blood on her stomach and bra.
A third woman tended to the injured on the cot. Victoria recognized her as one of Tony's dancers, Heather. Heather wasn't dressed to perform, wearing jeans and a tank-top. She was trying her best to hold the injured woman still while pressing a towel to her neck.
"I don't really know," Tony said. "Heather and I were out back, just talking before she got ready for work. They ran up to us. The one hurt here is Olivia. She works for me. I thought she was going to die right in the lot. The other one I don't know, she hasn't said a word. We brought them in through the back door."
Victoria bent over and slowly moved Heather aside. She was as gentle as she could be with the towel.
"Shit, Tony! Why didn't you call 911?"
"And tell them what? That two women ran to the back lot of my gentlemen's club after they'd been attacked by a vampire? That's what we're talking about here, right? Take a look."
Victoria gently pulled away the towel. Olivia's neck and both shoulders had been turned into hamburger. The injuries were very severe. It was difficult to see through the blood, but she thought there were two fang wounds on her neck.
"Maybe. I don't know. It's hard to say. But still, why call me?"
"You can heal her, right? I've seen it before. You lick where you bite, and it heals them."
She rolled her eyes. "Does this look like just a bite to you? I'm not licking this to recovery. Shit. She is bleeding to death."
Victoria stood up, her eyes never leaving Olivia. The closest hospital was twenty minutes away. The human doctors might have been able to save her. But questions would be asked. Complications would rear their ugly head.
There was one guaranteed way to save her life.
"I'm going to bring the car around back. Tony, you and Jack carry her out."
Jack, who had been silent up to that point, laughed. The hair on the back of every mortal's neck stood up. Olivia was dying, and Jack thought it amusing.
"No," he said. "I'm not touching the naked, bleeding woman."
"Jack—"
"Throw her over your shoulder. You're stronger than any of us here."
"I'm not carrying a woman with her injuries over my shoulder." Jack, as always, was testing her patience. She tossed him her keys. "Fine, get the car. Heather, hold the back door open. Tony, you grab her feet."
The four of them sprang into action, or in Jack's case, strolled calmly. Tony's office had a back door that led directly outside near the garbage bins, avoiding the main room itself. The back seat in Victoria's Porsche didn't have much room at all, but it would have to do. As carefully as they could, they set Olivia in the space behind the front seats. She was still wrapped in a bloody sheet.
"Move over," Victoria ordered Jack.
"Damn," he said, obeying. "I was hoping to drive this thing."
Victoria sped out of the parking lot.
Despite the urgency, she kept her composure as she wound through the streets. She didn't want Olivia to die, but panicking would do nothing to help. Jack remained quiet in the passenger's seat. Victoria reached into her purse, past her phone, and felt for something that would provide much better communication.
She held the rock to her lips.
"Kevin," she said. "Kevin, answer, please."
Victoria and her inner circle did not use Kevin's gifts to talk about the weather. Whenever a voice echoed over one of his magical rocks, everyone knew it was important. It took less than thirty seconds to hear his voice.
"Victoria, I'm here. What's up?"
"I need you to get to my house immediately. Have water ready."
"Really?" he said. "I was just over there a few minutes ago."
Her body stiffened at his words.
"You…what?"
"I was just there."
She clenched her eyes shut, nearly running a stop sign.
"Kevin, I told you to stay away from my place for a while. I have a house-guest, and I want her to meet you. But later, when the time is right."
"I didn't think you guys would be home. I just needed some stuff from the safe."
"I don't remember saying that was the only exception. Did you meet Zoey? How much did you tell her?"
She didn't like the silence that followed.
"Kevin—"
"Not much," he said. "Only a little."
She didn't believe him. But whatever damage he caused would have to be fixed later.
"Get to my place," she said again. "With water."
"Is it really important?" he said. "I just got here, and I'm…you know, a little busy."
His strained breathing and delicate choice of words provided all the information she needed.
"Pull yourself out of Leese, and, please," she remembered to add. "Do what I say."
"Okay, okay."
The rock went dead.
Her mind began to race. Zoey entered her thoughts. The teen was still struggling with the world she was now a part of, struggling with everything around her, and now she knew about the world of magic. Victoria knew an uncomfortable conversation was coming.
She forced those thoughts aside. One thing at a time. There was a young woman dying in her back seat.
"Leave it to Glinda to fuck shit up," Jack said. "He took out Tiffany once for ice cream. She wanted vanilla, he gave her chocolate. Dumb bastard. The idiot can't tell the difference between chocolate and vanilla."
"He saved her life. Admit it, yo
u like him."
"I'd really like him if he cured my curse." Jack shifted in the seat to check on Olivia behind them. "Oh, Victoria, I'm so sorry."
"What?" she said. She'd been so distracted she wasn't listening for a heartbeat or breathing. "Is she…dead?"
"No, worse. The pole technician is bleeding all over your beautiful car."
Victoria sighed desperately. "Jack—"
"Hey, lady!" he said. He glanced at Victoria. "What's Stripilicious's name again?"
"Olivia."
"Olivia! Would you mind maybe leaning your head out? Try bleeding outside for a while?"
"It's okay—"
"The hell it is. This car is far sexier than Olivia here. She might be cute. It's hard to say, especially now that she looks like a used tampon."
"Put pressure on her neck. Help slow the bleeding."
"You're serious, aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm serious! For shit's sake, Jack, she's going to die!"
"Oh, no. Poor Olivia, she's going to die? How will the back alleys and lonely poles in the city survive? Who will keep them warm at night?"
"Jack—"
"Alright, alright. Just hold on."
Victoria nearly swerved the car off the road when Jack grabbed her shirt under the arm and pulled with all his strength. It took several attempts, but he finally ripped the shirt away from her body. She tried to focus on the road, sitting only in her bra, exposed to the night air.
"What the fuck are you doing?!"
"You think I'm touching her with my bare hands?" Jack said, wrapping his palms in what was left of her shirt. "You're out of your mind."
Victoria wanted to kick him out of the moving car. It was a shame such an action wouldn't harm him at all.
It took breaking every speed limit, but soon she was parking in front of her house. The car hadn't even come to a stop when Kevin and Zoey sprinted out of the front door. Both of them were concerned, with Kevin anxiously clutching a bottle of water.
"What's going on?" Kevin asked. "Is everything okay? And, uh…why are you wearing only your bra?"
Victoria didn't bother opening the car door. She stood on the seat and jumped out.
"Hurry," was all she could say.
Kevin and Zoey ran to the car, and both stopped when they peered into the back. Zoey gasped and backed up a step, covering her mouth. Kevin stood with his jaw hanging.
Victoria took matters in her own hands. She grabbed the water and leaned into the back. She didn't want to move Olivia at all. Pouring the water into her open mouth, Victoria's heart raced as Olivia made no effort to drink. Her head fell to the side, spilling the magic onto the Porsche's carpet.
"Olivia, please," Victoria said. "Just a sip. Please."
Victoria didn't know if Olivia actually took a drink, or if the magical water somehow just leaked down her throat. Regardless, she let out a healthy cough. Victoria smiled as she gently put the bottle to her lips.
"That's it," she encouraged. "Just a little more."
The injuries on her neck started to heal. Victoria couldn't see the injuries on her shoulders and back, but knew they were healing as well. Whatever blood was missing, the magical water was taking care of that as well.
Olivia shot upright, making everyone, even Victoria, jump. She clutched the bloody sheet to her chest and eyed everyone around her wildly. She resembled a murder victim, covered in her own gore.
"What?" Olivia said, her voice a whisper. "Where am I?"
Jack responded by clasping his hands together.
"Well, we did a good deed here," he said. "Yay, team. We should all be so proud of ourselves. We saved a wonderful pair of breasts and a vagina. Now, if you all don't mind, I'm going to get a glass of orange juice and be on my way." He eyed Kevin and nodded in greeting as he walked past. "Glinda."
"Jack."
Kevin took a deep breath and walked toward the front of the house. He pulled a potion from his pocket and used it to trace an outline of a portal directly on the brick exterior.
"Victoria," he said, pulling out a picture. "We're good? You don't need me?"
She really wanted to scold him. She could tell just from the way Kevin and Zoey interacted that they at least talked. What did he say? What mess did he create? How many secrets did he give up?
But she couldn't. For one thing, she lacked the energy. Kevin also, like he always did, came through when she needed him.
Still, part of her wanted to smack around two of her inner circle, Kevin and Jack.
"We're good," she said. "Thank you."
He nodded and slapped the picture against the wall, like he would slap an old pal on the back. The portal came into being, revealing Leese's bedroom. Leese was lying in bed, covered up to her neck with a blanket, watching television. It didn't take Jack's powers of perception to know she was patiently waiting to resume whatever activities they were engaged in earlier, most likely with no clothes on under her blanket.
"It was nice seeing you again, Kevin," Zoey said.
Kevin smiled at Victoria and Zoey before stepping through the portal. Leese smiled as well, happy her boyfriend was home. He stepped into Leese's bedroom and closed the portal behind him.
"That's the third time I've seen that," Zoey said, more to herself than anyone else. "And it freaks the shit out of me."
Victoria spun to see Olivia watching in awe. She wasn't too concerned with Olivia witnessing magic. In her confused state, Victoria could spin any tale she wanted.
"Zoey, would you mind helping Olivia to the shower? She can borrow some of my clothes."
"Yeah, sure. Whatever." The venom wasn't hard to detect. Zoey eyed her with narrow, angry eyes. "Me and you, we have to talk."
Victoria arched an eyebrow, matching Zoey's contempt with a touch of her own.
"And we will. But would you mind if we talk after we help the poor woman who's standing naked in my driveway, covered in blood?"
Zoey let out what almost sounded like a growl, but walked over to Olivia. She took her hand and guided her toward the house.
Just like that, Victoria was alone. Only the insects and squirrels leaping from tree to tree kept her company.
She headed for the front door. Each step felt like she was dragging a pair of anchors. Walking straight for the refrigerator in the kitchen, she nearly downed a cold, delicious bottle in two gulps. She gripped the counter and leaned forward, trying to gather herself.
"I haven't seen you drink like that in a while."
Turning in place, she saw Jack leaning in the doorway. There was no orange juice, so he'd fetched a cold bottle of water from the second kitchen.
"You might want to put a shirt on."
"Maybe you shouldn't have ripped mine off. Besides, it's my house. If I want to walk around naked, that's what I'll do."
He laughed. "Always a girl scout. That woman, Olivia, I would have let her die."
"Yeah, well, I couldn't. It's just not in me."
"I know. That's why I've always been drawn to you."
The rare, honest compliment took her by surprise.
"We both have so much darkness," he went on. "But you don't let it rule you." He let out a happy smile. "Me, not so much."
"You're not as bad as you think, Jack. I've seen you with Tiffany."
"You're right. I'm not bad. I'm worse."
Victoria laughed quietly, but turned solemn when Zoey stepped into the kitchen.
"How is Olivia?" Victoria asked.
Zoey sighed. "A little scared. Crying. She doesn't remember anything about what happened. She's in the shower, and I got some clothes for her."
"Good, good."
"Were you ever going to tell me?" Zoey's eyes were angry. "About Kevin, about magic?"
"Oooh," Jack said. "The rookie comes out swinging, connects with a solid left. How will the aged, cagey veteran respond?"
Victoria eyed Jack with disdain. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all. I'll just be sitting at the table here, filming everything. You're a
lready in your bra, so we're halfway there on the cat-fight."
"Goodnight, Jack."
He nodded with a smile as he left the kitchen.
"What happened to my wall?" Victoria asked, gesturing to the dents next to her.
"It was an accident," Zoey said. "I thought Kevin was robbing the place. Your fault, really."
"Mine?"
"Yeah. If you would have told me you knew a guy that could make portals, I wouldn't have smacked him."
"What else did he tell you?"
"He told me everything. He told me you can walk in the sunlight, because of a magic potion he made."
Victoria huffed and lowered her eyes. She loved Kevin dearly. However, she made a mental note to resist strangling him the next time she saw him.
Still, she laughed to herself over Zoey's concept of everything. If she knew what else Kevin was capable of she would probably be in catatonic shock.
But Victoria kept Kevin's secrets for a reason, and was angry he didn't always feel the same way.
"Is it true?" she said. "I just want to hear you say it. While I've been locked in that basement, have you been bouncing up here in the sun?"
Victoria kept her composure, but didn't like the fact that their conversation was turning more into an interrogation.
"Locked in the basement?" she said. "Does the basement feel like a prison? Does it lack the comforts of where you were before?"
"You know what I'm trying to say. Don't turn this around. Were you going to tell me?"
"I believe so, eventually. I told you before, this is all new to me, too."
"When? In, like, one-hundred years? Two-hundred?"
Victoria didn't mean for the laugh to come out. Just the ridiculousness of the situation overwhelmed her. One day, Zoey was going to be an old, wise woman. But at the moment, Victoria was still arguing with a teenager, even if she was one that would never age.
"You don't even know how to properly drink from a mortal, but you think you're ready for the greatest gift of our kind?"
"Ah, nice. How long how are you going to hold Shawn against me?"
"I'm not holding anything against you. But you're not ready yet. It's that simple. You haven't paid your dues."
"Paid my dues? What is this, a college sorority? I have to go through a little hazing first?"
Four Centuries (Damned and Cursed Book 7) Page 18
