The Vampire’s Servant
Chapter 140

We drove in near silence. Echo seemed more distant than she had in weeks. I knew that the situation with Victor had to be part of it. "Are you doing okay?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm eager to find out what it is that the goddess was telling you about. We had a setback last night. I was hoping this would make up for that." She replied. "What happened?"

"We found the wards for the spell that's keeping all the supernaturals in this area. When Preston and Finn went to examine one of them, they were attacked by a witch. She didn't seem to understand what was going on. All she knew was that her body was fighting on its own. If Preston moved away from the ward, she would stop attacking him. He's a fire witch and she was a water witch with an ice ability." Echo explained.

"Damn. I guess the curse is trying to stop you from removing anymore spells. You've already gotten rid of one and pushed back another. When I was talking to the goddess last night, she said that the curse changes as you remove bits of it. I was thinking it was a lot like a computer program. If you make changes to the code, it doesn't do what it was supposed to because each piece depends on the codes working in a certain way. When Grigori killed himself before it solidified, it made gaps, or bugs, in the code. It was what gave some people bits back. If that makes sense to you." I said.

"Not really and yes all at the same time. I get what you're saying. Every time we remove part of it, something else collapses. I think that's why the curse changed Victor entirely. It could go slowly when we were just testing it, but destroying the spell used on the fae made it increase its attack on Victor and on the curse team. He knew that it was trying to make him doubt and try to kill Finn. Finn's the leader of the curse team and that would hurt us. It's part of the reason why I took over and I took over the territory." She responded.

"The curse is against the Master vampire. Not the Master dhampyr. You're hoping it gets the curse to leave Victor alone." I realized.

"Exactly. If a dhampyr holds the territory, there's no reason for it to keep attacking Victor. I will work to make sure that nothing falls between the cracks while Victor isn't able to take care of his people. With luck, I can get Victor back soon. Talia named me Master of the territory last night." Echo told me.

"That was a great idea. Here, I'm supposed to be the brain, but I've been busy with other things. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We all had to grow and change a little when we started living in Victor's house. This was just your time to do that. Now, you're back and ready to solve this." She smiled.

"I'll cancel my game tonight and let my parents know that I won't make it." I said.

"Don't do that. I have a feeling that you'll need your family tonight. None of this is sitting quite right with me." Echo sighed. "Sean, you need to be prepared. He... he may be...."

"Dead. I know. She was talking about how old he is. I've been ready to get the call that he's gone for most of my life. Don't worry. I'll go home tonight if he is. My father was really close to Uncle Fenton." I said softly.

I worked to keep my eyes from filling with tears. Uncle Fenton was like a grandfather to me. I didn't know how strong I could actually be. If he was gone.... I didn't even want to think about our last interaction being me shouting at him like I had.

Echo put her hand over mine on the steering wheel. She was a comfort to me, even now, when she smelled like old books. Especially now that she smelled like old books. That was one of my favorite scents.

We pulled in to the parking lot and I locked up Rosario's car before we went in. Cindy was working. She was one of the weekend receptionists. I waved at her as Remi came up to the counter.

"Hi, Sean! Hi, Echo. Glad to have you come visit again. Our residents love getting visitors. Are you heading up to see Mr. Aimes?" Remi asked.

"Yeah. How was he doing this morning?" I smiled.

"He came down for breakfast like he had not a care in the world. He even flirted a little with Mrs. Leslie." Remi giggled.

"That's great. Our last visit didn't go well. I was hoping he would be in a better mood today and we could try again." I told her.

"I understand. When they're moody they can be like children. I've got you all checked in. Have a great visit." She waved us off.

I took Echo's hand and led her to the elevator. She was a little nervous getting on. I thought it was actually a little cute the way she jumped last time. Echo was always so different from other people I knew.

Neither one of us talked while the elevator was going up. She clung to my hand and stroked my arm. I was grateful it would be us and not some orderly or housekeeper. If he was actually dead, I wanted it to be family who found him. I still held out hope that he would be alive.

We got off on his floor and walked to the door I'd knocked on every weekend since I was a little kid. We waited in silence for the answer, but none came. I knocked again. Still no answer.

I swallowed and reached out, turning the knob. It was unlocked, that meant he was in. He always locked the door when he was going downstairs. I opened the door.

The sound of the TV softly filled the room. Uncle Fenton was in his favorite chair. His eyes were closed, like he was napping. I prayed to the goddess that it was really just him napping. I would rather deal with a grumpy old man than a dead one. Unfortunately, I could smell the death on him. There was nothing warm coming from him. The smell of atmosphere and electricity that I smelled in Victor's office was there. It was strong.

That must be the smell of witches. We drew close and I took his hand, placing my fingers on his wrist, looking for a pulse. There was none.

"He's dead." I whispered.

"I'm so sorry, Sean." Echo said, putting her hand on my back and rubbing it.

My wings fluttered a little under her hand, making her yip and pull back. I chuckled a little and placed Uncle Fenton's arm back on the arm of his chair. "Sorry, it was my wings." I murmured.

"No, I'm sorry. I was just a little shocked. I didn't mean to do that. You know I love you, Sean. I just wasn't expecting it." She giggled a little. "What do we do now?"

"We need to call the front desk and report it. I need to find The Old Man. He hates anyone who isn't family. I can't have him attacking people who are trying to take care of Uncle Fenton's body. Can you get his carrier? It's in the bedroom." I asked. "Okay. I'll go look." Echo said and wandered away.

I turned off the TV and sat on the coffee table across from Uncle Fenton's body. I couldn't believe he was really gone. I thought I was prepared for it, but I wasn't.

"Stop your crying. He wouldn't like it. Fen hated whiners." A voice said from behind me.

"I think he would be fine with me shedding a tear or two. He was like a grandpa to me. I loved him and our last visit ended in a fight." I said softly.

"You smell different, boy. What did you do to yourself?" He asked.

That was when I realized the only other person who was supposed to be in the apartment was Echo. I jumped up and turned around, but all I saw was my uncle's large black cat.

"Well?" The Old Man asked. "What have you done?"

"Echo.... Can you come here?" I called out.

She came out from the bedroom with the cat carrier and froze. "That's who we need. We need the cat."

"Can't break the curse without me. Then what? Are you going to have me put down?" The cat chuckled.

"No. We can take care of you. Will you come home with us?" Echo asked.

"Hmph. Leave it to you to not be surprised by a talking cat." The Old Man said.

"I've seen a lot of odd things in the last few months. Please come with us. We can make sure you have all the fish you can eat and we have a huge yard full of plants and trees. I'll make sure the werewolves don't chase you." Echo promised. "Fine. I'll go. But I want one thing before I get in that carrier." He said.

"What do you need?" I asked.

"I want her to be the one who puts me in and I want to be here when they take him. He was always a good boy." The Old Man whispered.

Echo put the carrier down and went to the coffee table and picked up the large cat. She held him tight and he rubbed his face on hers. She loaded him into the carrier and secured the little door on it.

I picked up the phone off the hook and dialed the front desk. It took a few rings before Cindy picked up.

"This is Sean Flowers. I'm in room 336. I need someone up here. My great uncle is dead. We caught the cat and put him in a carrier, so it's safe for people to come in." I explained.

"I'm so sorry, Sean. I'll send the crew up and contact your father." She replied.

"Thank you. I'll stay here until someone can come get his body. Echo and I will take the cat with us."

"We appreciate it. We didn't know what to do about him. I'm sure Remi would have taken him home, though." Cindy said.

"He's family. We'll take care of him. Thanks, Cindy." I answered before I hung up and went to open the door so they wouldn't have to knock.

Echo put the carrier on the coffee table with the cat in it. He turned and looked out the holes on the side. I looked along with him. Uncle Fenton looked peaceful and relaxed. I was going to miss him. "How old are you?" I asked the cat.

"One hundred and forty years old, give or take." He replied.

"Why didn't you ever talk to me before?" I asked.

"Because Fen asked me not to. He asked me to leave the family alone after he died. I was gonna go back to the farm and live there. I figured there would be enough rodents and other tasty things to hunt." The Old Man said. "Were you his familiar?"

The Old Man laughed. "Witches don't have familiars, boy. That's just human superstition. I have a question for you two, though."

"What is it?"

"Why does the girl look and sound so much like my daughter?" He asked.

I looked at Echo. That didn't make sense. No. It made perfect sense.

"The bugs in the code. Damn it. You're Fenton Aimes. You're supposed to be dead. You're the anti-virus. You're what keeps the curse sentient enough to defend itself!" I exclaimed.

"Fenton? You're really Fenton Aimes?" Echo asked.

"I was. I'm just The Old Man now." He scoffed. "Someone's coming. We can continue this later."

A couple orderlies came in the door with a wheeled bed. They worked quickly and efficiently, double checking that Uncle Fenton was really dead, then loading him on the bed and wheeling him out of the room. My dad and Uncle Fenton had already arranged everything. I knew exactly where he was heading.

We stood up solemnly and I picked up the cat carrier. Echo locked the door for me and we headed to the elevator. When we got to the lobby, Desi, Cindy, and Remi came over to tell me how sorry they were for my loss. I told them my parents would arrange getting his things and that I needed to go. Each woman gave me a hug before we left.

I unlocked Rosario's car and put Fenton in the back, using the seatbelt to secure the carrier in place. I got in the driver's seat and started the car. We really had Fenton Aimes Sr. in the car. I couldn't believe it.

"To answer your question, I'm Echo Nightshade, Mr. Aimes. I'm Grace's great granddaughter. Now you can help us get rid of the curse. I'm so happy." Echo grinned.

"Why would I do that? I cast that curse for a reason. Everyone will suffer."

"Why? You got what you wanted. Grace married the witch. The vampire died. Generations of supernaturals have suffered already. When will it be enough?" I questioned.

"I got what I wanted? How do you even know what I wanted? My child did what she was supposed to do. That vampire was killed by his subordinates. More generations will suffer." He scoffed.

"What did you want then? What was this all for? Just to make others suffer? How is that worth anything to an old man trapped in the body of an old cat?" I shouted.

"Don't take that tone with me, boy. I'm your elder. You need to respect your elders." Fenton growled.

"Fuck you! I know you teamed up with that asshole Hollis Adair. You're a piece of shit just like he is! I only respect people who are worthy of respecting and that doesn't include you or the damned king of the fae." I snarled. "Sean, calm down and focus on the road. I don't want to start my second life before I've had time to enjoy my first." Echo reprimanded me.

I grumbled, but did as she said. The last thing I needed was to die in a car accident as soon as I became fae.... Would I die? I shook my head. I didn't want to test it.