87: Tainted Love – Pt. 3

Victoria sprang to life, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood as her internal organs healed and reformed. As she continued coughing, Derrick quickly rolled her onto her side as she cleared her airways. Once he was sure she was done, he pulled her into a seated position and looked her over. Her leg had healed and the gaping wound in her stomach had closed. “How do you feel?”

“O—k. I—I’m…I’m fine,” Victoria replied, looking herself over. Her clothing was still soaked in her blood but her aches, breaks and injuries were all gone. “Should I go to the hospital? What if everything’s not right?”

“You’re ok, Victoria. I don’t believe there’s a reason for the hospital, but we can absolutely go if that will put your mind at ease.”

Touching her forehead, Victoria did a physical check of herself, shaking her head in confusion. “Am I—did I…?”

“No, you didn’t die. You’re still you. I can hear your heart beating,” Derrick answered. Victoria placed her hand over her heart and sighed. “Victoria, I am so sorry. I was coming to warn you and—”

“I texted you to try and do the same,” Victoria interrupted, getting to her feet and taking a seat on the only piece of furniture that survived her encounter with Derrick’s ex. “Rowan told me Cecily was here.”

“When did you speak to Rowan?” he asked, taking a seat beside her.

“After you left at breakfast. I needed to see him—to ask him something,” she said, hesitantly.

“I knew I smelled you there!” he growled, anxiously rubbing the back of his neck. “Wait, what did you have to see Rowan about?”

“My dreams.”

“What? I don’t understand.”

“It’s probably best if I start from the beginning,” Victoria sighed, looking up into Derrick’s eyes. “The night of the gala when you were taken, I didn’t know how to find you, especially considering you had been placed on a magical boat ride to an enchanted island. So, I went to Rowan.”

“Victoria…”

“I know, Derrick, but he’s your sire. He had the fastest way of pinpointing your location and I needed to get you and Mike and all those other men home safely. But, of course, asking him for help came with a request of his own. A favor to be named later.” Derrick stood and began pacing as he listened. “I knew it was a risk but, I was willing to take it to get you back.”

“And, let me guess: his ask came the day I couldn’t find you?” Victoria nodded. “What did he have you do?”

“He had this—group of businessmen he used for God only knows. They had stopped doing his bidding and he wanted me to reign them in. Only…”

“Only what? What happened, Victoria?”

“He didn’t know they had amassed a wealth of magical powers through sacrifice of other witches.”

“No, no, no,” he growled and dropped to his knees in front of her. “Did they hurt you?”

“Tried to. He and I stopped them.”

“That son of a bitch!” Derrick shouted, rising to his feet once more. “I went to him that day because I couldn’t find you and he knew where you were that whole time! I knew you were in trouble. I couldn’t sense you and that—” Derrick growled and threw the closest thing he could find against the wall; a glass decanter of whiskey. The golden-brown liquid dripped down the wall as the crystal shards exploded everywhere.

“I’m sorry, Derrick. I should have told you sooner,” Victoria hung her head and sighed. “There’s more.”

Derrick returned to her side as she continued. “I had been drugged and we needed to stop these men. I allowed Rowan to feed from me so he had the enhanced ability to take care of them.” Derrick’s expression changed from surprise, to anguish, to rage but, he kept his calm.

“Are you ok?” he asked, chewing on his cheek to keep his head on straight.

“Aside from the weird sex dreams, I’m fine.”

“They’ll go away.” Slowly leaning over, Derrick placed a gentle kiss on Victoria’s forehead before he stood and paced across the room.

“Are you angry with me?”

“With you?” Derrick shook his head, “No. I understand why you went to him for help; it’s what I would have done, did. But what he made you do…ALL of this—this mess with Cecily it all stems from that day. It makes so much sense now.”

“How? How does any of this make sense?”

“When I drank from you, Victoria, it awakened something in me.”

“I remember, your dark side resurfaced.”

“That’s not what I mean. I felt emotions I hadn’t felt since I was human. Your blood, your essence unleashed my humanity and it must have done the same to Rowan. He sent Cecily here because of it.”

“She nearly killed me. Why would he do that?”

“I don’t think he knew she would come after you. I think he wanted her to break us up; get her to come between us.” Derrick clenched his eyes tightly a moment and moved closer to Victoria. “There’s something I never told you about her; us, our relationship.”

“It’s in the past, Derrick. I didn’t need to know. It’s not like I gave you the compete rundown of my romantic history either.”

“No, but this is important and may explain why Rowan did what he did.” Victoria inhaled deeply and nodded for Derrick to continue. “Remember when I told you I wasn’t the only man in Cecily’s life? At the time, her hand had been promised to Rowan.”

“And you knew when you began courting her?” Derrick shook his head. “So, Rowan used Cecily to try and tear us apart in some 400-year-old revenge plot?”

“No, no, I think it’s more than that.  I think he feels something for you and he was hoping…”

“To break us up so he could have me for himself,” Victoria finished his thought and blew out a breath. “Still, that level of calculation, to wait half a millennium. Guess that’s why he didn’t kill her. He had been in love with her.”

“Rowan didn’t love Cecily; he loved what her father’s connections would have done for him and his trade business. It was all monetary for him and Cecily’s father. I loved Cecily. And Rowan knew it before he asked for her hand. I didn’t know it at the time but, I’m sure he used his vampire powers to compel her father to reject my proposal and accept his.”

Victoria giggled, and as Derrick turned to meet her eyes, her small snicker turned into rowdier laughter. “What’s so funny?”

“I’ve always wondered why a merchant would ignore a request from a royal for his daughter’s hand in marriage for an upper-class commoner. Now it all makes sense. I had no idea Rowan was in the picture then. I always thought he was someone who came later—once the merchant had you know,” she said, making a slitting motion with her hand across her neck. “Turns out, he likely had him do that too so he’d have a reason to sire you; keep you under thumb. The man is usually ten steps ahead.”

“I know. I can only imagine what he has planned now that this scheme failed.”

“You weren’t supposed to harm her.” Rowan calmly spoke as the door to his study opened and closed behind him. The metallic scent of Victoria’s blood was heavy on his visitor, causing a visceral response from him. He felt anger churning deep inside and had no aim to tamp it down.

“She attacked me first.”

“Victoria does nothing rash without provocation,” he scoffed. “I gave you specific instructions. Do you have any idea the damage you almost caused?”

“That—girl isn’t worth Edmund’s time. She’s—she’s nothing!”

“That girl is the single most important person in this engagement, Cecily. Your job was to entice Derrick back to your bed; not try and eliminate your perceived competition,” he shouted and rounded on her. “You’ve spent countless millennia pining over Derrick, and the moment I allow you to fulfill those desires you moved against me.”

“I didn’t know you had plans for the witch, Rowan. You never said…”

“I need not explain to you my intentions,” he shouted and, in an instant, his hand was around her throat. “You served one purpose, Cecily, and unfortunately, you’ve failed me.”

“Wait, please. Give me another chance. I can do what you need. I can get her where you want her. I swear.”

“I don’t think so. You hurt her. I’ll never let you near her again. Goodbye, Cecily.” Swiftly punching his fist through her chest, Rowan removed her heart with a single blow. Cecily’s lifeless body slumped onto the floor in front of his bar and he stepped over her to prepare himself a drink.

It was a reckless idea; one that nearly cost him everything. If Cecily had successfully ended Victoria’s life, the council of elders, and not to mention Derrick, would have had his head. “Foolish,” he growled, squeezing the glass in his hands until it shattered. He let the pieces slowly trickle from his grip before wiping his hand on a bar towel and starting for the door.

He had to see Victoria; to try and explain himself. But more importantly, he needed to know she was alright. After this, there was no way he could hope to regain her trust, but he had to try.

It had taken hours but, working together, Derrick and Victoria were able to put the house back in order, separating the broken furniture from the salvageable. “I guess you’re going to have to completely redecorate this room, now.”

“Yeah,” Derrick sighed, realizing most of his things were beyond repair. “Maybe that’s something you’d like to help with?”

“Me?” Victoria asked in surprise. “Derrick, you know my tastes are more modern. I seriously doubt you’d like my input on decorating your parlor.”

“I don’t know. It could be fun,” he smiled and took Victoria’s hand. “Have you given any more thought about us sharing a residence.”

“Honestly? So much has happened these past few weeks I’ve not really had the chance,” she paused, giving him a serious look. “Derrick, do you really want me to move in with you?”

“Yes, Victoria, I really want you to move in with me. And what better time than now? You can make this home just as much yours with newer furniture and décor.”

Hades barked as if he understood what was happening. Victoria looked down at the excited canine and laughed. “Looks like someone’s all for it.”

“And you know, Hellhounds have great taste!”

Victoria laughed and shook her head at the grinning vampire. “Alright. I’m in.”

“That’s a yes?” Derrick asked, a bigger smile forming on his face.

“That’s a yes. Let me go home and pack some things and then we can plan a bigger move later.”

“Mmm and while you’re doing that, I’m going to cook you the most delicious ‘welcome to your new home’ dinner.”

Victoria placed another travel bag beside the door and took a look around her home. It held a lot of memories, but she was confident she was taking the right step. Derrick was right, she was at his place more than her own. And with his having built a magic room for her in his attic, the move made sense.

Heading into the kitchen, Victoria opened the cabinet above her sink in search of her favorite mug. With a smile, she ran her fingers over the word’s etched in the front: “World’s Greatest Detective” and thought back about how she’d gained possession of it from Mike.

“Going somewhere?” The lilt of his British accent shattered the silence.

Victoria jumped and turned with a start, dropping the glass in her hand. Rowan rushed forward, catching it before it reached the floor. Handing it to her with a smirk, Victoria shook her head and set it on the sink. “Jesus, Rowan! You scared the shit out of me. How did you get in here?”

“You invited me, Victoria, remember?”

“That’s not what I meant,” she sighed as she felt her heartbeat return to normal. “Fucking vampire stealth.” She looked behind him as she watched her loyal pet march in, ears down, tail wagging behind him and he followed her gaze. Traitor. Her words made the smirk on Rowan’s face become a full-blown grin; either that or he’d read her mind.

“You didn’t answer my question, Little Witch.”

“What? Oh. Yes, I’m moving to Derrick’s.”

“Ah. Of course. Seems like his next move.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing.”

“Why are you here? Come to finish what Cecily started?”

“No. Of course not, Princess.” The look on his face darkened and he rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, Rowan’s face took on a contemplative expression before he spoke his next words. “I came to apologize about Cecily.”

“You’re—apologizing—to me?”

“Well, it’s not completely unheard of, Luv.”

“Isn’t it? Out of all of the shit you’ve pulled, when have you ever apologized?”

Rowan hung his head a moment. Blinking hard, he sighed before looking up into Victoria’s eyes. “Earlier, when you came to see me, you said something that—what I mean to say is, do you really think there’s more to me than what others see?”

“Seriously, Rowan? It’s late. Couldn’t this have waited for a more decent hour?” Rowan stood silently beside the island, making no motion to leave as he awaited her answer. “I mean, yes. I don’t believe anyone is fully evil. And this is coming from someone who spent 13 years in law enforcement. I’ve seen my share of bad people.”

“And I suppose I’m one of them,” he sighed, glancing down to avoid seeing the truth in her eyes.

“You were, until recently.” Her words made him lock eyes with her again and she thought she detected the hint of a smile.

“You said you’d forgiven me, Victoria. Did you mean…”

“For all your craziness, yeah. Rowan, you’re so used to people only seeing your bad parts that you let go of what it means to be human. But I know there’s still some humanity left in you. You just have to want to change.”

“You sum it up so succinctly, but nothing is really that simple. I am the way I am after centuries of experience. It’s a necessity. Someone has to be the bad guy.”

“But does that someone always have to be you?” she asked, reaching forward to give his hand a comforting squeeze.

Rowan sighed and pulled away. Turning his back briefly, he let Victoria’s words sink in before engaging her with a smile. “I don’t know if I can—change that is.”

“Of course, you can. You’ve already shown me a side of yourself I honestly never knew existed, Rowan. And, despite the constant glower you give me when I come to see you, you’re always willing to help; although sometimes it does require some teeth pulling or have unforeseen consequences,” she replied, wrapping her arms around herself. “What was the plan anyway? Did you know Cecily was that much of a psycho when you unleashed her on me?”

“Of course not, Victoria. And I didn’t ‘unleash’ her on you. She came for Derrick. It was never my intention to cause this. I only sought to offer you clarity to allow you to make an informed decision.”

“Clarity about what exactly, Rowan?”

Rowan fell silent again, deep in thought he sighed and lowered his eyes to the ground. “You needn’t worry about Cecily. I’m glad you’re safe, Victoria,” he finally spoke before turning toward the exit.

“Have you ever been in love?”

Rowan swallowed hard and stared at Victoria for a beat, his face passing through an array of emotions. The tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. He hadn’t said anything but he was certain his actions had clearly communicated what he couldn’t. He had unintentionally laid bare his feelings in a way that left him vulnerable. Finally, he shook his head, his eyes fixed on hers as he tried to conceal himself once more. “No. Never.”

“It takes more than a jealous ex to destroy the real thing. Although my death certainly would have accomplished that.”

“Your death was not what I was after, Luv. Ever.”

“I know,” she replied softly.

Rowan sighed, pausing just before exiting the kitchen, and again stared at the woman in front of him. Searching her face; studying it almost as if it was the last time he’d see it. “Safe travels, Victoria. I hope we see each other again soon.”