Damned and Cursed (Book 7): Four Centuries

by Glenn Bullion

  Victoria had her own blood supply, and still enjoyed the hunt. But if she were ever in a bind, maybe she'd schedule an appointment at the Vermilion.

  "You have a place we can sit down and talk?"

  "You're not going to beat me up, are you?"

  "Not unless you try to beat me up first."

  "And, you're…not going to put your fangs in me? I'm sure I'd enjoy it and everything. But my heart isn't like it used to be."

  She smiled. "I'll keep my fangs to myself."

  Frank nodded. "Yeah, in my office."

  She followed him to the room at the end of the hall. As they approached, the vampire opened the door, nearly bumping into Frank. He nursed slowly from a dark bottle of blood. His wounds had already healed, with only his ruined clothes serving as a reminder of his encounter with Victoria.

  "You okay?" Frank asked.

  He nodded, avoiding eye contact with Victoria. Old mortal hang-ups could work their way into the psyche of a young vampire. Whether he was embarrassed by being humbled by a woman, his own lack of life experience, or looking foolish in front of Frank, she didn't know.

  He gently touched her by the shoulder to get her attention.

  "Hey, uh…I'm Michael."

  She smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Michael."

  He gestured to her hands. "Would you show me that one day?"

  "Certainly."

  "Would you check on Kate?" Frank asked. "Make sure she's not shitting herself up there?"

  Michael nodded and left them alone. Frank led her inside his office. He sat at a desk identical to Kate's and gestured to the seat across from him. He put a hand on the tiny fridge behind him.

  "Drink?"

  Her first instinct was to decline, but she was thirsty.

  "Please."

  He pulled out a dark bottle, about the size of a water bottle, and handed it over. She unscrewed the cap and closed her eyes as she put her nose to the top. She never used to accept blood from strangers, but she'd learned every fragrance of the tasty nectar, every nuance. She could smell any blood that had been tainted or tampered with.

  She took a deep drink, savoring the taste. Feeling it course inside her. Making her stronger.

  Opening her eyes, Frank sat silent, frowning.

  "It's still a little weird for me," he said. "Watching someone drink blood."

  She crossed her arms on the desk and leaned forward. It wasn't her intention to draw attention to her breasts, but Frank glanced down momentarily anyway.

  "Let's talk business."

  He leaned back and twirled a pen through his fingers.

  "Okay. I'm always willing to talk to a possible investor."

  She laughed. "Nice try. I'm going to replace your carpet out in the hall. Since I had a hand in ruining it."

  "Uh, had a hand?"

  "Yeah. And I don't want any percentage of your business. I'm not a mob boss."

  "Seriously?"

  "Yeah. But—"

  "Ah. Here it comes."

  "If you want to do business in my city, you're going to have to change a few things."

  "Like what?"

  "Safety. There's a woman that's been coming here a little too much. Her name's Emma."

  He didn't flinch.

  "I can neither confirm nor deny. Our customers' privacy is something I take very seriously."

  She nodded, impressed. "Fair enough. Let's just say you have a customer that needs to take a break from this place for a while."

  "She's an adult, isn't she? Responsible for her own decisions? I'm not a babysitter. I'm not going to turn away a customer. If someone goes to a liquor store, the guy behind the counter's job is to sell liquor. Not debate the customer on the perils of drinking."

  Victoria frowned. In the minutes she'd known Frank, it was amazing how he could say the right thing one sentence, and make her bristle the next. Besides, he was dead wrong. Part of a bartender's job was to know when to cut off an inebriated patron.

  "Well, guess what?" she said. "It's part of your job now. Keep an eye on your human customers, send them away if they need it."

  "Hmmm," he said, stroking his chin. "Kate said there was a young girl that worried her. Room two is her favorite. A little bit more daring than the rest, always wants two vamps at the same time."

  The fact that Emma passed through the Vermilion multiple times, was noticed, but ignored, infuriated Victoria. But it was a mistake that could be corrected.

  "No more, okay?"

  "Yeah," Frank said, having a change of heart. "It wouldn't be good for business if word gets out that we're letting people get really fucked up here. Vamps wouldn't care too much, but we'd lose a lot of humans."

  She didn't like being lumped in with vampires that didn't care. There were plenty of vampires out there like Thomas Sanders, that viewed humans as a McDonald's. Victoria liked to believe she was on the opposite end.

  "That's part of everyone's job now," she said. "I like Kate. She'll be a good fit up front. But let's talk security. You're going to need more than a pretty lady in a dress and a guy watching the stairs to keep people from just walking in here." She smiled and playfully lifted her chin, pretending to be a model. "Like I did."

  Frank sighed. Obviously the topic had been on his mind.

  "The guy at the stairs doesn't work for me. He works for the club, and I just kind of borrow him."

  "Tell him I'm sorry I broke his wrist."

  "Shit. I was wondering why he was huffing and puffing on the radio." He shook his head in frustration. "Well, before you came busting in here, I was in the middle of a job interview with Michael. For security. I guess I have to lose his resume."

  "No. He'll do fine, but you'll need a few more of him. Don't worry. You're not going to have any other vampires wandering in like me."

  "Of that, I have no doubt."

  Frank hovered in between flirty and obnoxious, neither of which was a good fit for him.

  "I have a feeling I could get a team of ninja assassins to guard this place, and you'd still get in."

  She finished off the bottle of blood.

  "And you'd be right."

  He laughed shortly and grabbed a notepad. Victoria was surprised once again when he started scribbling notes of their conversation. He was taking Victoria seriously, which was his best course of action.

  "So," he said. "You're the queen bee of Baltimore?"

  "That's a little strong. I just watch over things."

  "Well, you're a lot prettier than the last vampire boss I dealt with. And nicer, too, although Michael might say otherwise. I tried to set a place like this up in St. Louis. Not only did the bloodsucking asshole take five percent, but he wanted a list of all the clients. I refused, so it was time to leave."

  "Wow. I have to say. I'm impressed."

  He laughed shortly. "Thanks. While we're here talking, is there anything else? The last thing I want to do is piss off the queen bee."

  Victoria was amazed Frank was so receptive. She wished she had more input, more ideas. But it was Frank's business. She was certain more would come, but all she could think about at that moment was getting home and packing for her trip.

  "I don't think so. I'll be in India for two weeks or so—"

  "Wow, no shit. India. Business or pleasure?"

  The thought of Bradley and the upcoming trip made her frown. She was interrupting her life and going across the world for him, no other reason. She would tie up the loose ends caused by his death, and go home as fast as she could.

  "Definitely business. I'm not trying to sound menacing or anything, but I'll be checking up on you when I get back. Thank you for the blood."

  She rose to leave, but stopped short of turning when he gestured for her attention.

  "Uh, Victoria. One more thing. I hate to ask this, and I have the feeling I'm going to regret it. But let's be honest with each other. The whole time you've been here, I'm sure you've been sizing me up. I'm trying to do the same. If I were to ignore everything you said,
what would you do?"

  She treated him to her full smile.

  "Frank, I almost like you. So I really don't want to think about that. But let's see…I'd shut down the Vermilion."

  "Really? That's…that's all?"

  "And if people got hurt because you ignored me…I'd break every bone in your body. Twice. Don't let the pretty face fool you."

  He swallowed hard. "I, uh, think we understand each other."

  "Glad to hear it. I'll see you in a few weeks."

  CHAPTER 3

  The last time Victoria had flown in an airplane was over fifty years ago.

  She hated it then, too.

  Commercial aviation and vampires were a bad combination. Flying during the day was impossible. A delayed flight, unexpected layover, engine trouble, any of these things were annoyances for a mortal. For a vampire, it was death. A short flight in the same time zone could be done, with a lot of planning and precaution. But anything beyond that was a risk not worth taking.

  Only the wealthy could afford the special care required for extended flight. A private plane, crew, arrangements at the take-off and landing site. Victoria could afford the expense, although she simply didn't enjoy flying.

  The fact that taking off and landing felt like being in an elevator didn't help. How Alex did it, she would never know.

  Her immunity to sunlight allowed for far more convenient flight, but she still needed to keep up appearances. The only other vampire that knew of her condition was Bradley, and she knew he didn't share that information. Only the very few in her inner circle knew the sun wouldn't harm her, and it was going to stay that way. So she arranged for the private flight.

  It was amazing what having money could accomplish.

  She awoke from yet another nap somewhere in the middle of hour fourteen of the seventeen-hour journey. She hadn't exactly slept during the flight. That was simply impossible. Frequent naps were the best she could do. Anxiety was a major factor. Even beyond the terrible sensation of flying, there was the simple fact that she wasn't looking forward to being in New Delhi. She supposed it was an honor, being invited to fill in for Bradley, engaging with such influential members of their race. Still, she'd rather be in Baltimore wearing her sweatpants.

  Another reason she couldn't sleep was the sheer absurdity of the travel conditions. It was a strange atmosphere, being the only passenger aboard a 747.

  Opening one eye, she saw the two flight attendants, standing near the bathrooms. They were sharing stories about their families. Denise, the older of the two, laughed as she rested her hands on her knees. Liz was animated, her hands waving, as she discussed her dog running through the house after a bath.

  Victoria had gotten to know the two women quite well over the past fourteen hours. Two flight attendants were perhaps two too many for a flight with one person, but that's what her money bought. She imagined it was simply for the buyer's sanity. Being completely alone, with only two pilots locked away in the cockpit, didn't sound like something that would read well on a brochure.

  The words were never spoken, but Denise and Liz knew exactly what Victoria was. Everyone involved in the flight did. People that were in the business of private airline travel knew their clientele. Neither attendant batted an eyelash when Victoria asked for an empty wine glass, and poured a bottle of blood from the cooler she kept on the floor next to her.

  The airplane shook slightly, a normal occurrence the entire flight. It was a sensation she would never get used to. She must have let out a tiny squeal as she gripped the armrests with both hands. Denise stayed behind as Liz approached the vampire, concerned.

  "Victoria?" she said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, sweetie, are you okay?"

  She laughed at the term of endearment. A woman centuries younger was trying to console her, like she was a child. She was glad every window on the plane was covered. The sky was the last thing she needed to see.

  "I'm fine. We're surrounded by the ocean, ten thousand feet in the air, where people aren't supposed to be. But I'm okay."

  Liz laughed and sat in the seat next to her. They both had plenty of room, since it was first class. Liz frowned at the movie playing on the screen in front of them.

  "This is terrible," she said. "Want me to switch it to something else?"

  "No, thank you. I'm not really watching it. But please, leave it on. I like something moving in the background."

  "Uh, Victoria?"

  "Yeah?"

  "You're breaking the armrest."

  She looked down to see she'd loosened the armrest, nearly ripping it from the seat. It was nothing that couldn't be fixed, but she was embarrassed regardless.

  "Shit. I'm so sorry."

  She waved away her concern. "Don't worry about it. We'll just say it was like that."

  Victoria laughed. Having Liz nearby definitely helped, which was no doubt a part of her job.

  "So, is this a big business?" Victoria asked. "Flying around people like me?"

  Liz kicked off her shoes and got comfortable. Leaning into the aisle, she saw Denise was content alone up front, sipping on water.

  "It's bigger than you'd think. Mostly just private party type stuff. And of course the eccentric, snobby rich guy, and whoever he's trying to show off for."

  "How do you know I'm not snobby?"

  "Please. You've treated us better than our last five clients. Our last client was a billionaire's son, on a trip to Australia. He kept trying to get me to the back of the plane, away from his friends. You can guess why."

  "Yeah, I can take a wild guess."

  "Of course, not every client requests a nighttime departure, with every shade drawn, and the plane completely to herself. You see a lot with this job."

  "I'm sure you do. Have you seen enough to know we're going to land fine?"

  She squeezed her knee. "We'll be fine."

  Victoria drifted in and out of consciousness over the next few hours, twenty-minute naps here and there. Liz stayed with her the entire time, helping to keep her mind occupied.

  Finally, she was pulled from a dream by an unintelligible voice over the intercom.

  "What did he say?"

  "It's about time to land," Liz said, buckling her seatbelt. "You okay up there, Denise?"

  "No!" Denise shouted back. "Will you hold me?"

  "Smartass," Liz muttered.

  "It's about fucking time," Victoria said, glancing at Liz. "No offense to you. You've been wonderful."

  "It's okay. I'm getting a little cabin fever myself. I would let you hold my hand, but I'm afraid you'd crush it."

  Victoria smiled. That was a real possibility.

  She felt several of her organs waging an internal war as the plane started to descend. The wheels touched the ground and the plane slowed down, all without incident. A much smoother landing than she remembered five decades ago.

  "Okay." Victoria unbuckled her seatbelt. "Let's get off this thing."

  "Whoa," Liz said. "Not just yet."

  "Are you serious?"

  "Well, yeah," she said sheepishly. "It's three in the afternoon here. We can't use the terminal, and special arrangements have to be made for you. The sun…will hurt you, right?"

  "We've been known to have our disagreements."

  "So, just a little longer. We want to make sure your ride is here, too. Don't worry, leave everything to us."

  Victoria wanted to scream. It was very tempting to cast aside the illusion she was maintaining and jump out the nearest window into the day.

  "I knew I should have had Kevin draw one of his damn portals."

  "Huh?" Liz said.

  "Nothing."

  Several minutes after the plane came to a halt the door to the cockpit opened. Out walked the two pilots. Denise opened the door leading outside, letting the outside light spill in. The pilots left without a word. Denise leaned on a seat as she looked at Victoria and Liz.

  "I've got to get out and get some sun." Her face turned red when she realized her words. "O
h, God, I'm so sorry, Victoria."

  "It's quite alright."

  "It won't be long now," Denise said. "The stairs are already here. The crew just has to get the awning up. Liz, you want to come out with me?"

  Liz shifted in her seat, tempted, but remained still.

  "No, thanks. I'll catch up with you later."

  Denise waved goodbye before vanishing. Victoria stood up and stretched her legs before settling in her seat.

  "You don't have to stay here and keep a very old, sun-allergic woman company," she said.

  "It's no problem at all. So…are you old?"

  Victoria turned and smiled at the question. She sensed apprehension in Liz's tone, but the young flight attendant obviously felt more comfortable with the vampire than when they'd first boarded at BWI Airport.

  "I'm sorry," Liz said quickly. "It's just a little bet Denise and I have."

  "Let's just put it this way. I'm definitely up there." Victoria opened the cooler and pulled out another bottle, forgoing the wine glass. "I'd offer you a drink, but I have the feeling you wouldn't like what I'm having."

  "I heard it was always better warm."

  She glanced at Liz and recognized the small smile, of what she was hinting.

  "I'm offering you a drink," she said.

  Victoria didn't believe that was part of the flight attendant's job, and she didn't care. Liz was right. There was nothing like warm blood from a mortal's vein. With the gathering of the world's most powerful vampires in New Delhi, she didn't know when she'd next get to enjoy warm blood.

  She moved in slowly, giving Liz a chance to change her mind. Liz only nodded and shifted in her seat, leaning her head back to expose her neck. Victoria would have been just as happy feeding from her arm, but if Liz was offering her neck, she wouldn't refuse. That was the prime spot for feeding.

  Victoria ran her tongue along her fangs as she enjoyed Liz's scent. She slowly penetrated the flesh between the neck and shoulder. Liz winced and let out a tiny cry as she flinched, but then whatever pain and discomfort she felt vanished as just the opposite took hold.

  Victoria's eyes dilated and turned red as the warm nectar coursed through her. She fed slowly, enjoying the moment and the sensation. Liz, despite her best efforts, began to whimper and moan. She didn't know what to do with her hands, so she settled on gripping Victoria's shoulder and hip.