Wicked Destiny

Chapter 22





We were standing in front of an old mansion. We were still in town because I remember driving past it a couple of times on my bike. I missed my bike. I felt a little drained from the constant jumping from one place to another. Viktor pulled me to follow and I did. As we approached the front door, Viktor just walked right on in like he owned the place. I wondered if he really did when everyone in the house began to stumble over themselves, trying to look busy. I was laughing on the inside, but I couldn’t let anything slip at the moment.

He led me from the foyer to the enormous living room with antique decor where people lounged everywhere, and they weren’t too discreet. There were people making out, groping each other, and some even looked as if they were in more intimate positions. Even though I felt so embarrassed, I wouldn’t let them know. Viktor cleared his throat and everyone in the room just stopped.

“I’m sure everyone knows who this is by now, so while I go handle something in my office, make her feel at home.” Viktor had a sly smile on his face. He turned to kiss my cheek, but before he kissed me, he whispered into my ear, “Bon Appétit, Sloane.” Then with a kiss on the cheek, he walked away.

I looked at all the people there just staring at me. What was I going to do? I wasn’t going to join in, that was for sure. A man and a woman each took one of my hands and led me to the crowded couch. I almost started to hyperventilate, but I continued to take deep breaths. I sat down and then the woman began to play and braid my hair. There was another pair of hands on my shoulders and they began a steady massage. It felt so good and relaxing. I couldn’t help but close my eyes and let them take over. The hands rubbed my shoulders, and then they rubbed their way down the back of my arms where their fingers brushed against my sides. Hands now massaged the rest of my body. I was so tempted to go to sleep. I couldn’t understand why Viktor would bring me here instead of somewhere else. I guess he figured I needed to be loosened up before I began. And then it dawned on me. I was supposed to join in, but only to an extent.

I opened my eyes to see my surroundings. There were still people across the room that watched me as they were intimate. They glared as if they were waiting on me. The man massaging my shoulders was beautiful. He was strong, had dark skin, and he wore no shirt. I rubbed my hand up his arm, beckoning him to come closer. He came to me on command and leaned in for a kiss. It was full of sweetness and lust. I ran my hand to the back of his neck to deepen the kiss, which also brought a wave of darkness. Even though he had his talent, his darkness is what I craved. I felt someone pulling on my arm and I broke the kiss. The woman who led me to the couch was now beckoning me. High off the sudden wave of power I just received, I smiled and leaned in for a kiss. Our moment was broken off by the man I had just kissed, who wanted his turn with her. In that moment, I knew what it was Viktor was doing. Why he didn’t stick around, I didn’t know.

I was being pulled in every direction of everyone’s affection. The high and the euphoric feeling was so consuming that I lost track of time, and given the state I was in, I would’ve probably done more had it not been for Dale. I felt someone grabbing me and carrying me off and I didn’t care at all. I was on the brink of welcoming anything at this point. Eyes still closed and still smiling, I reached up and cupped Dale’s cheek. Although I had no idea it was Dale until he forced me to snap out of my dazed confusion.

“Sloane, look at me now. Open your eyes and look at me.” I did what I was told. “Sloane, listen to me. I need you to focus and tell me how you got here.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I beamed here, duh.” I was drunk off the power I had been secretly stealing.

“Seriously, Sloane, stop and tell me. Mindy and Shay are out looking for you everywhere.” He was serious, but I wasn’t ready to give in.

I was starting to crave more. I reached up to caress Dale’s face again, but he quickly snatched my hand away. I started to feel the rage of being denied what I craved. I could feel the tantrum of a two year-old slowly building when someone else was in the room.

“What’s going on?” Viktor stood there in the doorway with his arms crossed.

“She’s not right. Why did you bring her here?” Dale sounded pissed, but so was I.

“That’s none of your business, servant. Tell me when the chain of comman started with you. Last I checked you were at the bottom of the pay scale.” He now moved into the room to fix him a shot of something brown.

Dale sat me upright on the couch. When he was certain I wouldn’t fall over, he got up to stand in front of Viktor. Dale towered over Viktor and in the real world I wouldn’t doubt that Dale could take Viktor. Honestly, I found Dale a little more intimidating than Viktor.

“What the hell is going on, Viktor? You know what this place is. She has no right to be here.” Dale stood there with his arms folded across his chest.

“It was just a pit stop. I didn’t think she would get carried away.” Viktor took another swig of his drink. He never met Dale’s eyes.

Viktor moved out of arm’s distance from Dale. My guess was he did it to try to keep the peace. I could see the both of them just about ready to lose it. I asked Viktor to keep this a secret and he was doing a great job about it too. Playing the part of the villain was something Viktor was good at, probably because that’s what he was.

“Does Declan know?” Dale asked.

“Again, explain to me how that’s any of his business. Dale, why don’t you go play security guard somewhere else, or better yet, find some young woman to ease that tension. It looks like it’s been a while since the last time you replenished your energy. You wouldn’t want to start something when you’re not at your best.” Viktor now sat next to me on the couch, pulling me in a half embrace.

“Sloane, tell me what to do.” I could see the genuine concern in Dale’s eyes.

“I’m a big girl, Dale. Haven’t you heard? I’m destined to lead an army.” I held a straight face. My poker face. “Tell Mindy I’m fine and tell her to convince Shay to visit her parents. I don’t care how you do it, but make sure she leaves. I will be calling on you and Mindy soon.”

“We might work for the dark side, but we don’t get involved in politics.” Dale was shaking his head now.

“You will be this time whether or not you want to. So I suggest you prepare.” My tone held a warning, but it was actually a plea. I figured if I was going to continue this way, it wouldn’t be long until self-control became harder and harder to hold onto. So the more help the better. I hated being so snappy at him, but I would make it up to him and Mindy.

In that moment my head cleared and I was able to see things for what they were. I rounded on Viktor and had him by his throat. Even though the power high had worn off, I could feel the change in strength.

“What the hell was that? Why did you leave?” I hadn’t let go, but I was certain he could get loose if he wanted.

“You needed as much power as possible. What better way?” He still didn’t move.

“You just served them up like cattle?” I was astonished.

“Not to sound like an a*shole, but do you really care, Sloane? I mean, think about it. You’ve demonstrated that you’re one of us.” He was out of my grip and now I was in his. He maneuvered us to the furthest corner away from everyone. It looked as if we were in an intimate embrace to someone who might’ve walked in. “Was it not you that asked for my help, and did I not deliver? Yes, you might be the chosen one in this damned prophecy, but I too have to maintain my position and you challenging me that way in front of them might raise questions prematurely. Now that we have settled this conversation, I think it’s time we leave.” What else could I say after that?

We were gone.





DALE





I couldn’t believe what just happened. Sloane had completely flipped her lid and the worst part was that she had Viktor besides her, instigating her every move. I needed to find Mindy because I knew Shay would be with her. She could help me find Declan. I had a feeling I was going to need some help. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone to text Mindy.



Me: Meet me at the club in ten minutes. Bring everyone. Have Shay get in contact with Declan. He needs to be there too.

Mindy: Did you find her?

Me: Tell you then. Be careful. If you see her, don’t approach her. She’s not herself.



I stuck my phone back into my pocket, not looking to see if Mindy texted back. I jumped on my bike and headed straight to the club. I knew I’d get there before them, but I needed to figure out how I was going to explain what I saw. Pulling up to the club, Declan was already pacing outside.

“What is so wrong?” he asked me as I was unlocking the front door.

“Where are the girls?” I asked.

“They’re on the way. They’re leaving the farm house now, so they should be here soon.” Declan looked worried and with good reason.

“Good, we have a problem and I think you better hear it first before they do.” I pushed him in while carefully looking over my shoulder.

I walked over to the bar and poured us a drink. I figured he was going to need it. Declan just stared at me. He already knew, I figured, but wanted confirmation. Declan was a good guy, too. He was the ideal man for Sloane. What was his deal? Why couldn’t they get it right? I was tired of see her waste her time with a*sholes that just wanted to use her for something.

“Just tell me, Dale.” He pushed the shot I poured to the side.

“Declan, she’s gone. She’s fallen right off her rocker.” I dove in quickly before the girls got there. I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to tell Shay. I’d offer whatever explanation Declan wanted while Shay was present, but as soon as she was gone Mindy would know the truth.

He didn’t move, and for a minute he looked as if he had stopped breathing. He eventually took that shot and signaled for another. Time was growing short and we needed to get Shay out of town and figure out a good story. I hated to lie, but if it ensured someone’s safety, it wasn’t exactly that bad. Or was it?

“We need a vampire to compel her.” Declan ran his hand through his hair. “Do you know one or does one work here?”

“Yeah, I can call Crystal. She should be getting up about now.” I poured another shot. Mindy was going to kill me, but we’d fight about it later. Succubus and Vampires don’t mix too well around here.

I pulled out my phone again and called Crystal. Although she was up, she was having a little snack at the moment. I gave her the rundown of what I needed and she agreed to come in once she was done. All we had to do now was wait. As I ended the call, Declan poured himself another shot.

“It’s my fault,” he said as he downed another shot.

“What is?” I took the bottle away.

“I never should have left. This would’ve never happened if I stayed.” He now raked both hands through his hair.

“You can’t beat yourself up like this. Just…fix it,” I said, as I slammed the bottle back into its place.

“What if she won’t stop?” Declan was ready to admit defeat.

“Then you make her see.” I couldn’t stress it any clearer than that.

Mindy and Shay walked into the club. I sat a Coke on the bar and told Shay to sit while I spoke with Mindy. She didn’t like that too much. She was with Declan and I wasn’t worried about what he’d tell her, because soon she wouldn’t even remember. Just as I made it to the back to the club, I heard the door close and in walked Crystal, the vampire. A hiss escaped Mindy’s mouth and her protective instincts kicked in for Shay’s sake.

“No! She’s here because I called her.”Oh, yeah, this wasn’t going too well. Although my intentions were for the greater good, the fact that I called a vampire wasn’t good. And not just any vampire—she was my ex.

Before I met Mindy sixty years ago, I was with Crystal and we were living in Las Vegas. The scene was less hectic and there was easy prey for me and for Crystal. Unlike Crystal, I grew tired of the chase and began looking for reasons to end my total existence. That’s when I met Mindy. She was like an angel, just a little darker. In fact, she was so beautiful I thought she was one. I knew then that I would follow her anywhere. She taught me that there were ways to live with what we were. We were still damned souls, but just maybe our souls were a little more grey than black.

“You son of a bitch! You have a lot of nerve calling—” she began, but I didn’t let her finish. I cut her off and told her everything. She still wasn’t happy about Crystal, but she was the only one I knew who would come for sure. “If she touches one hair on Shay’s head, I will break a splinter off in her ass.” Seeing Mindy so protective was kind of…sexy. “Don’t even ask what I’ll do if she touches you. Just know that she will have a date with a tree and chains while she watches the sun come up.” All I could do was nod my head in compliance. “Let’s get this over with.” We walked back to the other side of the bar where Shay sat to greet Crystal.

“Well, if it ain’t my old—” Mindy cleared her throat in warning, so I stopped her before she could finish.

“Cool it, Crystal. We need you to compel the girl at the bar.” I stood in front of Mindy, trying to block any eye contact between the two.

“Wow, straight to the point. No how are you, how have you been, or are you happy?” Crystal was trying me and she certainly got Mindy. Mindy was now next to me and shot me that try it look. I knew not to even bother. “You know it works better if I feed from her and…”

“Absolutely not! We’ll take our chances,” Mindy interjected, taking over.

“What’s in it for me?” Crystal cast a smile in my direction.

Mindy smiled. “Not a damn thing.”

“Then I’m bored and going home.” Crystal got up to leave, but I grabbed her arm to stop her.

“You owe me. I watched and guarded over you for years. Do this for me and I’ll ask nothing of you again.” I thought for sure I was about to lose my arm for touching her. She glanced at me, and then at Mindy. She would do it no matter what just because she’d get satisfaction out of helping Mindy’s friend. What she didn’t know was that the moment she left would be the last time Mindy would even think about her.

“Fine, but should you ask for anything else, I’ll be expecting…a payment.” She was smiling again and I felt Mindy’s rage swelling next to me.

“I’ll be sure to never let it happen again.” Mindy walked off, but motioned for the both of us to follow.

Shay had been trying to get information out of a non-speaking Declan. She saw us walking towards her and she hopped off her chair to meet us. I just wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. Mindy handled the introduction.

“Shay, this is Crystal. Crystal, this is Shay.” They shook hands.

“Declan isn’t speaking. Is everything OK with Sloane?” Shay asked. We didn’t know what to say to her.

“Shay.” Crystal walked to stand in front of her and held her hand out for a handshake. This guaranteed direct contact. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Dale and Mindy were just telling me what a wonderful friend you are.” Shay looked confused, and then her face held a blank expression. Crystal had her. “You are going to take the night off and visit you parents out of town. You’ll call to check in with Mindy before you come back. Is that understood?”

“Yes,” was all Shay could say.

“Good, now go gather your things and be on your way so you don’t run into traffic.” Crystal was finishing up.

Shay mumbled, “OK,” and then she left. Mindy and I walked her to the door and watched as she got into her car to drive off. One less thing to worry about at the moment was all I could think about, until I spotted Crystal as we returned.

“Get out,” Mindy spat through her teeth.

Crystal grabbed her stuff and left. I knew this wouldn’t be the last time we saw her. She would always find a way to pop up, to make her presence known just to be close to me. She had a problem with letting go, I knew. Although Mindy was mad, I grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Surely you know that the only thing I want and need is within these arms. Nothing else will ever matter.” After deliberation, she finally wrapped her arms around me, retuning the hug.