S4: Chapter 05: Trouble in a Red Dress

I woke up in a mood to paint; I walked down into the garage and pulled out a blank canvas. I began setting up my easel. I didn’t quite know what I wanted to paint, but I just wanted to busy my hands.

“Hey sweetie,” Drake said walking in behind me. “You’re going to paint?” he asked watching me set up my brushes and water cans.

“I don’t know. I kinda wanted to. I need some paints though. I’m missing a lot of colors.”

“I could go and grab some for you. Just write down what you need. Who knows, I might find some modeling clay or something and join you. I did promise, right?”

I smiled and grabbed a pen and wrote the colors I thought I needed most.

He walked over and gave me a hug. “I’ll be back in a little,” he said taking the slip of paper from my hand.

Drake got to Mike’s and searched the shelves for the colors on the list. He brought his items to the counter and paid the cashier.

As he was exiting the store, he bumped into a gorgeous woman with Raven black hair and a creamy complexion. Her powder blue eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunlight and her lips were as red as a rose.

“Oh excuse me,” he said, mesmerized by her stare. “I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s no problem at all,” her thick accent made her voice like music.

“Your accent, where are you from?” he asked as he regained his composure.

“Al Simhara, Egypt. Have you heard of it? It’s a rather quaint town in the middle of the desert. Not much around but sand of course, hence my visit here. I was hoping to see more of the world than just…dirt.”

Drake smiled. “Well you’ve certainly come to the right place for that. This city holds a great many secrets. There is a lot to see and do here.”

“As I was hoping; would you be willing to show a Lady around the town?” she asked.

“He’s actually in a relationship with a very devoted girl. But I’m free tonight,” Vincent said walking up behind the two.

She turned to face him and he took her by the hand.

“Vincent Levesque,” he said bowing and placing a kiss on her hand. “And you are?”

“Hajar Femi,” she answered.

“Hajar? Beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” Vincent smiled.

“Vincent your timing as always is just…excellent,” Drake said sarcastically.

Hajar turned back to Drake, “I didn’t get your name,” she said with a smile.

“Drake Steele,” he answered.

Vincent stood next to Drake and gave him a short nudge. “How’s Zo doing? I haven’t spoken with her in a while.”

“Zoe’s fine, Vincent, she’s just fine.”

“Is she? I heard a little differently I guess; something about kidnapping and torture in a dank, dark basement somewhere not too long ago.” He leaned closer, “Please ensure she remains safe, I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my love.”

Drake gave Vincent a look as if to say “back off”.

“Ahem,” Hajar cleared her throat feeling a little uncomfortable witnessing the little exchange.

“I should be getting back with the paints she needs. It was nice to meet you Hajar.”

“And you as well, Drake Steele,” she said. “I hope to bump into you again soon.”

The two watched as Drake hopped into his car and drove off.

“You’re back! What took you? The store isn’t that far off,” I said as he walked into the living room. “Did you have any trouble finding the colors I needed?”

“No, they’re all there, I think. I ran into Vincent. We had a short conversation.”

“Ah.” I walked down into the garage and placed the paints on the table.

“Are you going to start that now?” he asked following me.

“I was hoping to. Why? Was there something else you wanted to do?”

“No, just curious,” he said rubbing the back of his neck. “I haven’t sculpted in decades, Zoe. I’m not sure where I should begin.”

“Well, start with a bust or maybe a small figurine? I can’t say I know much about sculpting myself, but I do love your work and I hope you can pick it back up.”

He sat at the small stool in front of his platform and stared at the block of glass in front of him. He began casting a woman from the glass.

It didn’t take him very long to relearn his trade; he was molding, scraping and shaping the glass into a life sized woman.

“Wow, she’s pretty,” I said admiring his work. “Who is she?”

“Just an idea in my head,” he answered sculpting the Egyptian he’d met earlier.

I found myself staring into the eyes of his sculpture. The sound of the front door slamming brought me back to reality. “That doesn’t sound good,” I said heading into the living room.

Sarah was pacing the small area in front of the fireplace mumbling to herself. “Sarah? Are you ok?” I asked taking a seat on the couch.

She joined me, still grumbling inaudibly. “I’m fine. I’m just a little ticked off. I was hoping to go out tonight, but my plans were setback.”

“Well, if you want, we could check out that new place you mentioned before,” I suggested.

Her face lit up and she instantly agreed. I smiled. “I’ll see what I can find to wear,” I said heading up the stairs.

Drake walked in while Sarah and I were making plans. “You two going out tonight?” he asked.

“Yes. There’s this dance club that Sarah wanted to check out. I’m just trying to find something to wear. I gave a lot of my things away,” I said sifting through the huddled mass of clothes on the floor.

“Sweetie why don’t you just buy something?” Drake questioned.

“Because I have no money, no job, no formal source of income at all. How do vampires do this? You and Vincent seem to have this unending supply of cash,” I said walking over to the closet.

He smiled. “We’ve also been around a while and were smart enough to invest and save. There were times of struggles though, like everyone had during the depression. And Zoe, I put your name on all of my accounts. We discussed this. You can use them whenever you want.”

“I know. It’s just…”

“It’s just nothing,” he interrupted. “Use what you want when you want. I want to share everything with you. No arguments just do it,” he said gripping me in his arms.

I smiled. “Fine, Sarah and I are going to splurge!”

He kissed me, “Have fun.”

Sarah and I visited a local mall to check out the latest fashions. She tried on several dresses before deciding on a strapless wine colored mini dress which fit her like a glove. She looked great. I’ve always been a little jealous of that gorgeous red hair of hers.

I kept searching until I came across a tan one shoulder mini dress with a floral print on the sleeve. I grabbed it and quickly tried it on. Please fit, I thought as I squeezed into the form fitting fabric.

“Yes!” I yelled in victory. We brought our items to the counter to check out.

“This should be fun! I haven’t hung out with just you in a while,” I said as we made our way home.

“I’m sorry about that,” she said as we entered the living room. “I’ve been so distracted lately. But I promise everything will return to normal. We can go back to our girls night only hunts,” she smiled.

We got ready to go. Drake wasn’t home and there was no note indicating where he’d gone. I ran upstairs, showered and changed and came back to find Sarah waiting. “I called a cab,” she said. “It’ll be here soon.”

We made it to the club shortly after happy hour. There was a short line outside, but Sarah and I slipped in the VIP gate. “This is a new club and it’s that busy?” I asked as we made our way to the bar.

I took a seat at the counter and was about to order a drink when Sarah’s outburst called my attention.

“That bitch!” she exclaimed.

“What?” I asked looking in the direction she was facing.

I saw Vincent and Drake sitting in a booth with a dark haired woman. I couldn’t see her face from where I was sitting, but Sarah was pretty upset over the scene.

“Do you know her?” I asked.

“No, but I’m about to,” she said storming over to the corner they were seated.

Oh boy, I thought. I had no idea why she was so upset, I trust Drake completely.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Sarah said as she stood in front of them.

“Zoe! Sarah!” Drake said as if he were genuinely surprised to see us. “I’d like you to meet a friend, her name is Hajar.”

The woman turned to greet me and the shock etched across my face, “She’s the sculpture?” I asked ignoring her extended hand, I wasn’t intending to be rude, I was just surprised he knew his model.

The guilty look on Drake’s face confirmed the answer.

“How did you two meet?” I asked unable to hide my envy. Even with my trust in him, I wasn’t too fond of the fact that he was sculpting this person; I suppose that makes me the jealous girlfriend.

“We bumped into each other outside of Mike’s,” he said.

Vincent was smiling coyly as if completely unaware of anything that was going on around him. He looked at Sarah with a glazed look in his eyes before taking a sip of his drink and returning his attention to Hajar.

“I am not trying to cause any trouble here,” Hajar said standing. “Drake, Vincent, thank you for the drink.”

She turned and disappeared in the crowd near the bar.

Sarah was still fuming. “I’ll be back,” she said following Hajar towards the end of the bar.

I turned my attention back to Drake. “Sarah seems pretty upset about this whole thing.” I took a seat with them.

Drake nodded but said nothing.

Sarah lost her. She tried smelling out that cheap, knock off Chanel perfume, but wasn’t able to. She turned and exited onto the street and headed for the parking lot.

Outside she found her scent again. She prepared for the confrontation, but stopped short when she heard another voice approaching.

“You’re beautiful Hajar,” the male was saying. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Hajar pressed his back against the wall of the building and the two started making out.

“Oh she is a little home wrecker,” Sarah whispered. “She just left a table of two guys and is already jumping another?”

She was about to break them up when Hajar pulled away and ran. She turned the corner and caught a stunned look on the face of the man she was kissing.

“You scared her!” he yelled at Sarah. “Were you enjoying the show?”

Sarah retreated back inside and took a seat in the booth near Vincent. “She’s gone,” she reported. “She was making out with some guy outside but when she saw me she took off.”

“Well I think I’m going to call it an evening,” Vincent said standing. “Later!” he turned and exited the club.

Sarah looked at me “I’m sorry about tonight, if you want we can try some other time? I’m not really in the mood for dancing anymore.”

She stood and I followed her motion. “I’ll drive you home,” Drake said leading us to his car.

The next morning, I woke to find Drake gone, again no note. I walked into the kitchen to grab a drink and found Sarah sitting in the dining room reading.

“I’m going for a hunt,” Sarah said exiting the front door.

She walked down passed the club we’d visited last night and rounded the alley behind the SportsZone Bar and Grill. As she was passing through the backs of the buildings, she saw a man standing near a dumpster, easier than I thought today.

She approached the man and he began coughing fiercely. She backed away, sick, she thought. She was leaving the alley when he grabbed her arm.

“Help me!” he said almost in a whisper.

She looked down and yanked her arm back from him. “You’re the guy from the club last night!” she said recognizing him. He collapsed to the ground lifeless. She gave him a small kick; she couldn’t hear his heartbeat any longer.

His face was covered in small red dots and pustules and there was blood dripping from his lips. Gross! Sarah turned and ran out of the alley. When she was near the street, she dialed 911.

…“9-1-1 what’s your emergency…?”

“There’s a man dying in the alley behind SportsZone! Hurry!” she said before disconnecting.

She hid in the shadows and waited for rescue to arrive. It didn’t take long before they were on the scene hovering over him and performing life saving procedures.

They draped a white cloth over his corpse. “He’s gone.” She heard an EMT say. “4^th one of these today!”

“Yeesh,” spoke another EMT. “Looks like an outbreak. We need to report this to the Center for Disease Control. Don’t forget also to call that cop, Kearns? And let him know about this one. Being this close to that club might not be a coincidence.” They put the body into the back of the ambulance and drove off.

“4^th one?” Sarah said stepping out into the light.

She decided to head down to the police station and speak to Detective Kearns herself, something didn’t feel right to her.

“Again no knocking? What is there an ‘enter freely’ sign posted on my door?” he said standing.

Sarah stepped closer to Kearns and stared into his eyes, “What can you tell me about the deaths that occurred today? The victims have red welts on their faces.”

“It appears to be a sort of outbreak. Victim’s experience flu like symptoms shortly before they expire,” Kearns answered entranced by Sarah’s gaze.

“What besides the symptoms do they have in common?”

“The illness causes them to lose control and kill their loved ones. The bodies of the wife or girlfriend of each victim were also found. And they all visited the Blue Diamond this past week.”

“Forget I was here, we never discussed this,” she turned and exited the station and ran home.

“Zoe?! Zoe?!” I heard her yelling for me.

“I’m in the garage!” I yelled back.

“Zoe! Remember the guy I told you was making out with Hajar last night? He’s another victim! They are all connected!” she said as she entered. She was talking frantically and I tried to keep up.

“Wait, Sarah, calm down and explain this to me. Who are all connected?”

“The men from the club! They all killed their wives and they all went to the club! The guy from last night was the latest victim; the police just wheeled his body off to the hospital. I saw him; he was covered in these horrible lesions. He is also victim #4 today alone.”

“Ok Sarah, I’m trying to understand but you have to speak a little calmer and a little saner. From what I can get there are men being killed that all visited the club we went to last night?”

“YES! And I bet you it has to do with that home wrecking tramp, Hajar!”

I pulled out my cell and dialed Drake’s number; no answer.

I dialed Teresa’s next to try and see if she could shed a little light on what Sarah was trying to explain.

“Hello Teresa? I have a question to ask,” I started.

…“Yes, she is trouble. I haven’t been able to get exact information but I can sense a dark aura around her…”

“I won’t ever be used to you doing that,” I said. “Do you know what Sarah is talking about?”

…“Zoe, try using your trance. Connect to other members of your coven and see what you come up with…,” she replied. “…If I get more information, I’ll phone you immediately…!”

“Thank you,” I said hanging up and turning to Sarah.

“Well?” she inquired.

“Teresa says she’s trouble.”

“I knew it! I didn’t like the way she seemed to attract men. What is she? A witch? A warlock?” Sarah asked.

“I’m not sure yet, Teresa wants me to connect to my coven and search for answers.”

I sat on the floor and began my meditation. I immediately felt the welcoming embrace of my mothers’ friends and all of my ancestors. I thought long about the questions I had and listened for their answers.

“She’s a Succubus. She has a love call that sends men into a rage, killing their wives or girlfriends. Once the other woman is out of the picture, the man is drawn to her. If they have sex, the man dies a horrible death which fuels the Succubus even more,” I reported as I came out of my stupor.

“How do we kill it?” she asked.

I ran upstairs to the bedroom and pulled out my grimoire. Sarah joined me on the ottoman as I began reading: “Succubus love their reflections. If she were to see herself in a mirror or reflective surface, she will become momentarily trapped. This is the only time a Succubus is not in control of her own actions. To kill her, you must use a bone of one of her human victims dipped in the blood of a virgin the Succubus failed to charm.”

“Oh well that sounds easy enough!” Sarah said sarcastically. “What are we going to do?”

“We could try a banishing,” I suggested. “I highly doubt we’ll be able to locate a virgin victim of the Succubus!”

My phone rang; I pulled it out to check the caller ID. “Teresa? Did you find something?” I asked.

…“Zoe, I am calling to warn you. Drake is in trouble. I’ve seen this woman around him. You must warn him to stay away from her. She has a touch for sin and her kiss is deadly…”

“That’s what my coven said as well. She’s a Succubus and the only way to kill her is by virgin blood of one of her victims. I was going to try banishing her. Do you know any spells that would be most effective?”

…“Try this one…” she said giving me her favorite banishing spell.

I hung up with Teresa. “We need to get to the magic room,” I said. Sarah and I hopped into a cab and made our way to the park. I hurried down and collected the ingredients for the spell. 5 candles, one for each element, chalk and a containment orb for her spirit.

“Now we have to find her!” Sarah said.

“Already on it,” I placed a map on the wall and burned incense to begin scrying for Hajar.

“Guiding spirit, I need your sight

Permit me the will to see the light

The path that leads to the one I seek

Help protect those she makes weak.”

“That’s funny, I think that’s Vincent’s address,” I said staring at the location circled on the map.

We rode over to Vincent’s home. There was just a single light on and it was coming from the bedroom. Sarah rushed inside without bothering to knock. And I followed close behind her.

When we entered the room, we found Vincent on the bed with Hajar.

“Vincent get away from her!” I yelled.

He pulled his lips from hers and glared at us. His brilliant green eyes were ruby red and glowing with rage.

He charged at us; grabbing me by the throat and tossing me to the ground.

Sarah hopped on his back to pull him off; she distracted him and he turned on her, grabbing her by the neck and knocking her off her feet.

He dove on top of her pinning her to the ground. He popped up and began delivering vicious kicks to her side.

“Vincent stop!” I yelled running at him. He threw me with little effort and I went careening into the wall behind me.

I sat stunned for a moment. He’s too strong. He’s going to kill us.

I pulled myself up and took out my cell to dial Drake. Please answer. I thought as I listened to the endless ringing on his end.

…“Zoe? Where are you? I just talked to Teresa…”

“Vincent’s! He’s under a spell! Hurry he’s going to kill Sarah and me!”

I ran at Sarah and grabbed her away just as he was coming down with another kick.

“We have to get out of here. He’s too strong for either of us,” I said rushing out the door. I was in the kitchen before I realized Sarah had not followed me.

I heard the sound of a car screeching to a stop outside the garage Drake, I thought as I rushed towards the front door.

“Zoe?!” he yelled entering into the foyer.

“I’m here. Vincent’s in the bedroom and I think Sarah is still in there with him!”

We rushed back to the master’s bedroom to find Sarah lying limp in a corner. Blood was smeared all over the place and Vincent was covered in it.

Drake wasted no time running at him. He gripped him in a headlock and the two began to brawl.

I hurried to Sarah’s side to check on her.

She groaned in pain as I lifted her from the ground and carried her to the living room.

I laid her on the couch. “I’ll be back, I have to help Drake.” I said heading back to the bedroom.

Hajar was still lying on the bed watching the melee.

I grabbed the bag I’d brought with me and took out the chalk. I drew a pentagram on the floor and laid out the candles on each point.

I cleared my head and began the ritual:

“Powers of the witches rise
Course unseen across the skies
Hear me beckon, hear my plea
Spirits of Vales I summon thee!

By the power of the elements

Spirit, Air, Earth, Fire and Water
Never again free to slaughter
I bind thee Hajar here and now!
Your spirit traps with this vow!

Guardians of the ancient towers,
Grant me now thy sacred powers!
Let this spirit never be set free,
for such is my will, and so mote it be!”

She looked over at me finally realizing what I was doing and started running towards me.

There was a flash of light and Hajar started screaming.

She clutched at her chest and stomach before collapsing to the ground.

A huge cloud of mist rolled in and circled around her and she became immersed in a bright yellow glow.

When the dust settled all that was left was the glowing glass ball; she was nowhere in sight.

I looked over at Drake and Vincent. A puzzled looked was stretched across his face as he sat on the ground.

“Vincent?” I said walking over and helping him to his feet. “Are you ok?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “What happened? What are you doing here?”

“You were under the charms of a Succubus. I can’t really explain it now, I have to check on Sarah,” I said standing and rushing to her.

I left the room and heading to the couch. Sarah’s wounds were starting to heal a little. “How are you feeling?” I asked as she sat up. “Sore,” she answered.

Drake joined us in the living room, “Let’s get her home,” he said.

The next morning I went to check on Sarah, bringing her breakfast in bed. “Hey, are you ok?” I asked handing her the plasma juice.

“Yeah, I’m completely cured, gotta love the resilience of vampire healing,” she smiled.

Drake walked in shortly after.

“Hey! Where did you go?” I asked as he stood behind me.

“I went to check on Vincent. He’s fine. I explained everything that happened to him. I also stopped by City Hall on the way home,” he pulled out a piece of paper and placed it on the table next to me.

“What’s this?” I asked reading. “Independent contractor? For what? Drake what did you do?”

“I registered you as an artist. That’s a license for you to sell your paintings for profit.”

I looked at him in amazement not believing my ears. “What? Why?”

“You had concerns about not making money; I figured this would settle your mind a little more if you had the comfort of a job.”

I hugged him, “Thank you Drake! This is wonderful!”

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