Damned and Cursed (Book 7): Four Centuries

by Glenn Bullion

  There was a thud, from deep in the house. Victoria's ear twitched as the sound reached her. Paulie's men didn't hear it. The basement was well-insulated, but a big enough noise would definitely leave the walls.

  "I'll be right back," she said. "Don't forget what I said. Order breakfast, lunch, whatever, and give me the receipt."

  Victoria punched in the code and descended the stairs.

  "Zoey?" she called. "Is everything okay down here?"

  She wasn't prepared for what she saw.

  Zoey was sitting on the floor next to the refrigerator, her back against the wall. The refrigerator was wide open. She was on several white towels, wearing nothing but a pair of underwear and a long tee shirt. Her eyes glowed more amber than red, a rarity for a vampire. Blood ran down her chin and neck, soaking onto her shirt. She cried as she held an empty bag of blood in her hand.

  She looked up at Victoria.

  "Look at me." Her fangs altered her voice. "Drinking blood. In my head, I know it's supposed to be disgusting. But I can't get enough of it. It's delicious. I'm a monster."

  "You're not a monster, Zoey."

  "I killed my best friend!"

  "That's not how I understand it. Alex was there, too. Or at least he saw it in his head. He told me what happened."

  "I should have helped Kylie. But I didn't. I was right there, next to her, when she was dying. Bleeding to death. And I didn't do anything. Nothing!"

  She hugged her knees and buried her head, getting more blood on her. The towels were obviously meant for a clean bag feeding, but that didn't work out. Victoria found a clean spot next to her and sat down, close enough to put an arm around her.

  "Don't," Zoey said. "You'll get blood all over you."

  "It wouldn't be the first time," Victoria said, laughing.

  It was an odd sight, watching an exposed vampire, fangs and all, breaking down in tears. Victoria wasn't sure if it was the first, but she was certain it wouldn't be the last of many breakdowns. Of that she understood only too well. It took a long time for her to come to terms with what she was. She also understood guilt. Even after four centuries, she occasionally lost a night of sleep concerning the death of her own family. She was typically a light sleeper. So why didn't she wake that night? When a vampire invaded her home, killed her entire family.

  "I'm sorry," Zoey said. "I know I look like an idiot."

  "You look fine."

  "How do you deal with all of this?" she asked, looking at her blood-covered hands.

  "A lot of time," Victoria said, smiling. "Which, luckily, you have. And a great support system."

  "Did you have a good support system when you first became a vampire?"

  She hesitated a moment.

  "No. That just meant I needed a little more time. Trust me when I say this, Zoey, I truly believe you're going to be okay. Time really does heal all wounds, as cliché as that is. And, in our case, a little blood as well."

  Zoey laughed at the joke. To Victoria's surprise, the young vampire rested her head on her shoulder. Victoria responded in kind. Two vampires, sitting in blood, leaning on each other. She didn't think the scene would make it onto a Hallmark card.

  "If I ever find Steven, I'll kill him."

  The ice in her tone brought chills to Victoria. She leaned back slightly and reached out, tilting Zoey's chin toward her gently.

  "That might never happen. And you can't let those thoughts consume you."

  "But—"

  "I wasted a lot of time and energy trying to find the vampire that killed my family." The words sounded odd. She'd never spoken them aloud before. "It wasn't a healthy state of mind to be in."

  She wasn't sure she was getting through. Zoey said nothing, mystery behind her eyes. Finally, she nodded, and again drew her knees to her chest.

  "I appreciate you trying not to get blood on the carpet," Victoria said, trying to lighten the mood.

  Zoey managed a short smile. Her tears finally subsided.

  "At least I did one thing right." She turned to look at Victoria, resting her cheek on her knees. "I feel horrible."

  "That's a good thing."

  "It is?"

  "Definitely. You feel. The vampires I worry about are the ones who feel nothing. Not everyone is cut out to become us. Some go dead inside. Being a vampire, it can bring out the best in some, the worst in others."

  Zoey nodded thoughtfully and sat upright. She glanced down at herself once again. Blood was on her bare legs and underwear.

  "What a mess." Her fangs had vanished, her voice normal once again.

  "You should have seen some of the messes I've made over the years. It's nothing some new clothes and a nice hot shower won't fix."

  Confusion took hold of Zoey as a new thought struck her.

  "How did you get down here?" she asked. "In the daylight? There's not really a lot of shade upstairs."

  "Very careful footsteps."

  "You're going to have to teach me that."

  Victoria smiled.

  "Maybe one day."

  CHAPTER 7

  Zoey still wasn't exactly sure how she got where she was. She was in the middle of a whirlwind and the end wasn't yet in sight. All she wanted to do was relax under the hot spray of the shower in Victoria's basement, but even that was proving to be a challenge.

  One day ago, she was in her hometown of Stewardtown, Florida. A month before that, her best friend Kylie was still alive. Her biggest problem would be scratching enough money together for senior prom. She wasn't even worried about a date, as guys would line up to go with her.

  Senior prom was but a distant memory.

  Her life had been hell since that night in the alley. Hiding in her basement, slowly starving herself. Unable to share her misery with anyone. With each day that passed, she found less and less excuses not to walk out into the sun.

  Kylie had saved her, even from beyond the grave, whether she realized it or not.

  Her best friend had hired Alex Teague to find her murderer. It was during that investigation that Alex first walked into her basement, changing her life forever. He put her in touch with Victoria. He even allowed her to speak to Kylie once again.

  Kylie had forgiven Zoey, in her biggest moment of weakness. Now she had to work on forgiving herself.

  "Zoey," Victoria called from across the basement. "What are you doing in there? It's been sixteen hours."

  Zoey smiled as she rolled her eyes. Victoria sounded like her mother.

  "No, it hasn't. I'll be out in a minute."

  Zoey's hearing was a sensation she hadn't adjusted to yet. She could hear the water running off her body, as well as the documentary Victoria watched on TV. The springs in the recliner whined and squeaked as she kicked her legs up. Every now and then, Zoey heard a heartbeat and an impatient sigh.

  She turned off the water and stepped out into the steam. Cracking the door open a bit, the steam escaped as she wiped a washcloth on the mirror.

  Zoey didn't like what she saw, for multiple reasons.

  The reflection looking back at her seemed to be ten years older. Her figure was gone, her skin pale. Her hair was a mess, in dire need of some tender loving care. Where she used to have curves were now only pointy bone. She couldn't help but think she was staring into the eyes of someone addicted to drugs.

  "You're weak," she told herself. "You don't deserve Victoria's help."

  Her eyes widened at the simple thought that she was talking aloud. A vampire like her, except older, wiser, and prettier, was sitting within earshot. There was a good chance she heard her. Zoey didn't really know how far a vampire could hear or smell.

  She toweled off and looked on the back of the toilet at her pitiful selection of clothes. She didn't own much in the way of wardrobe. Most of her jeans and shorts had holes in them, and she didn't buy them that way. Luckily for her, the look was somewhat fashionable. The boys around town especially liked to get a sneak peek at her skin.

  She picked out a pair of jeans and a plain
tee shirt. Poking her head out the door, she saw Victoria lounging on the other side of the basement.

  "Victoria," she said. "You mind if I wash my clothes tonight?"

  "That won't be necessary."

  "Why not?"

  "We're going to build a bonfire in the backyard and burn them all."

  "Very funny."

  Victoria turned in the recliner. "Speaking of which. Fire. Come here a second."

  Zoey opened the door and stepped out with one leg, only for Victoria's eyes to light up as she pointed behind her.

  "Whoa, wait. Are you dressed?"

  She turned to see six men carrying parts of what looked like a hot tub down the stairs. The fickle nature of her newly enhanced senses made her frown. A simple distraction was enough for her to not even hear them at the top of the stairs. Now that she saw them, a collection of scents attacked her. Ham and cheese, iced tea, chocolate milk, caffeine-free Coke. She couldn't believe there was an actual difference in smell between regular and caffeine-free Coke.

  "I'm dressed," she said.

  She walked barefoot across the basement and joined Victoria on the adjacent couch. She watched the men drop off equipment and gear before leaving once again.

  "You're putting a hot tub down here?"

  "Yeah. You know, it's funny. As old as I am, I've never owned a hot tub. Feel free to use it whenever you want."

  Zoey fought off guilt as her eyes traveled the basement for the hundredth time in the past day. It was almost like she was at a luxury resort, which she'd done nothing to earn.

  "If you want me to clean up or anything down here, just let me know."

  Victoria simply flashed her a look as if she were out of her mind, then shook away her concern.

  "Fire," she said again. "Has anyone talked to you about what will kill us?"

  Zoey was embarrassed, but shook her head. She didn't speak to Steven about it, and it wasn't something she imagined would return many accurate results on Google.

  "Forget anything you've read or seen in a movie. Fire and daylight. That's it."

  "Really? Not a stake through the heart?"

  "That hurts for damn sure," Victoria said, rubbing her chest. "But it won't kill us. It puts us out, in a coma."

  "What about holy water or crosses?"

  Victoria leaned her head back and laughed.

  "Ah, the old religious standby. No, I'm afraid not."

  Zoey visualized ramming a stake through Steven's heart, and setting him on fire.

  "Okay. I won't forget."

  Victoria rose to her feet, and Zoey realized she had changed clothes as well. Victoria was very friendly and down-to-earth, but Zoey wasn't joking the day before when she told her that her looks were intimidating. If there was doubt that her figure was perfect, the jeans that hugged her told otherwise. Her blue blouse stopped at the top of her waist, and showed off a slim stomach whenever she shifted.

  "Okay," Victoria said, grabbing her purse. "Are you ready to go?"

  "Sure. Where the hell are we going?"

  "I told you. The mall. You need new clothes."

  She lowered her head. "I'm not really comfortable with this."

  Victoria put a hand on her shoulder.

  "Zoey, there's a lot of work ahead of us. A lot of things you'll need to know about yourself. And there's going to be some fun, too. Please, just relax. You're worried about paying me back? About being in my debt, or something like that?"

  "Yeah. I guess that's it."

  "You can pay me back by listening to me, and being a good vampire. There's too many bad ones out there."

  Zoey was silent, which Victoria took as acceptance. She squeezed her shoulder and gestured to the stairs.

  "Okay, let's get out of here."

  "What are we?" Zoey asked. "Are we friends? Sisters? I don't think we can pass as sisters."

  "What do you mean?"

  "If we're out together, and let's say two hot guys walk up to us. What do we say? Are we sisters?"

  Victoria laughed. "Sure. We're half-sisters. We have the same mother, different father. You're in town visiting while Mom and Dad are in the Caribbean."

  "I don't think I can remember all that."

  Zoey followed Victoria out of the basement, and nearly bumped into the men as they again hauled more equipment downstairs.

  "Paulie," Victoria said, pulling one of them aside. "We're getting ready to leave."

  "Got it. Don't worry, we won't make a mess."

  "Please don't forget to lock up on your way out."

  "Sure thing. I'll be back tomorrow to make sure everything meets your satisfaction."

  "No need. I have complete faith in you."

  "Well, I'll be back anyway."

  Victoria shook Paulie's hand and they left them to their work. Zoey kept looking behind her toward the basement as she followed Victoria through the house.

  "Whoa, wait," she said. "Aren't you afraid they might break something?"

  "If they do, they'll replace it."

  "Well…." Zoey's eyes fell on a beautiful painting. She wondered how much one tiny vase in Victoria's home cost. "What if they steal something?"

  Victoria laughed, as if the thought was totally asinine. Her response was simple.

  "People don't steal from me."

  In the short time Zoey had known her, she got the impression Victoria was a warm and caring person. It was nothing short of amazing that she had taken in a total stranger and was willing to help them adjust to the world she was now a part of.

  But every now and then, something would slip out, and she had the feeling Victoria was not a woman to make an enemy.

  Victoria opened a side door in the house to a garage. Several cars sat before them. Were they all hers? She put her hands on her hips and surveyed her collection.

  "What do you think?" she asked. "The Jeep? The Lexus? It's probably getting a little cool for the Porsche, although the cold doesn't sting for us like it does mortals."

  Zoey said nothing, and after the extended silence, realized Victoria was looking for her input.

  "Uh, the Porsche."

  "Excellent choice."

  "Can I drive?"

  "Nope."

  The ride to the mall was more fun than it had the right to be. It was a new, unusual experience by itself. Victoria drove with the top down, the nighttime wind playing war with both of their hair. She went forty miles-per-hour above the speed limit on the beltway. Despite the speed and rush of the wind, Zoey found she didn't have to raise her voice to be heard. They both spoke in a normal tone, their hearing able to cut through the noise.

  Zoey had shopped at the mall before, many times, with Kylie. Those experiences were nothing like shopping with Victoria.

  She was quite certain that within a few hours they had visited every shop in the mall that sold clothes of any kind. Victoria was more interested in Zoey than herself, but couldn't resist the urge when she saw a few outfits that called to her. Zoey was still reluctant, at first, but found herself bending to Victoria's will, and her generosity. Victoria even went as far as giving advice, telling her what flattered her frame, her hairstyle, her freshly acquired complexion. The elder vampire had a very keen eye, and even on wardrobe Zoey had her doubts about, every glimpse in the mirror proved Victoria was spot on.

  The only thing that drove Zoey was crazy was every article of clothing, even down to undergarments, Victoria insisted on one size too large.

  "It doesn't fit!" Zoey said, for the tenth time, as she stared into the full-length mirror. "I don't mind baggy clothes, Victoria, but damn!"

  Victoria had joined her in the changing booth, drawing a few looks from an employee or two. She leaned in the corner with her arms crossed, eying Zoey up and down.

  "Just trust me. We're on the right track."

  Zoey sighed as she looked at the simple black dress. It stopped just above the knees, with spaghetti straps.

  "I don't know about this one."

  "Every woman needs a black d
ress."

  "I could kill someone with my bony shoulders."

  "You look great."

  "I look about twenty years older."

  "Not necessarily a bad thing. You're going to want that every now and then."

  She slid out of the dress and reached for her jeans.

  "I look like a crack-whore."

  "Zoey."

  Victoria didn't say another word until Zoey looked up at her.

  "You look beautiful."

  She wanted to hug Victoria, but thought that might be awkward, considering she was half-naked in a dressing booth with her.

  Kylie used to complain about boys looking past her to see Zoey. As they carried their collection of bags to the food court, Zoey had a taste of what that was like. All eyes went to Victoria. With her keen hearing, Zoey even heard the whispered comments and quiet giggling as men and women alike argued which parts of their bodies they'd give up to have sex with her. Whether Victoria heard it or not, she didn't say.

  The food court was an attack on the senses. Countless conversations, laughing, food smacking lips, belching and even farting. A menagerie of scents that at one time made her mouth water now combined to nearly make her nauseous. She didn't even know vampires could feel nausea. Or was it all in her head?

  Zoey sat across from Victoria and stared at the table, trying to focus on anything but her surroundings.

  "It gets easier," Victoria said, reading Zoey's face. "You learn to tune most of it out."

  "It's so weird." Zoey inhaled deeply. "Someone's eating pizza. God, I miss pizza. I tried to eat a piece not long after the alley. I got so sick."

  Victoria laughed. "Yeah. Water is the only other thing we can even sip at, and not much. I'll never tell him this. His ego is big enough as it is. But my brother cooks some of the most delicious smelling food. And I have to sit there and watch him eat it. I wonder what mortal food tastes like." She held up a finger as she set her purse on the table. "But I have the next best thing."

  Zoey's eyes lit up when Victoria set two small bottles on the table. Blood. Victoria carried them with her. In her purse.

  "Is that what I think—?"

  "It is. Thirsty?"

  She unscrewed the top and stole a long drink.

  "Victoria!" Zoey said, glancing nervously at the surrounding tables. "We can't just drink here!"