Revenge of the Vampire: Valorie Van Helsing, #2

By David Johanek

Recovering from her recent battles with Nazis and mobsters and still grieving the loss of her best friend, Valorie Van Helsing has a new threat looming—and this one wants her blood.

As Valorie tries to get back to her life and settle into a new school year, she finds that both the school and Tarrytown are crawling with vampires—vampires that not only want to destroy the Van Helsing family but also conspire to spread their evil in a mind control plot to terrorize the world.

To make matters worse, one of the vampires harbors a special hatred for Valorie—a hatred harking back to the Van Helsing family's archenemy—Dracula himself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Johanek
• Release date: Jul 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393161806

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

THE GIRL LOOKED OVER her schedule while waiting outside the auditorium. She checked her watch. What could the principal be doing? The orientation for juniors ended almost twenty minutes ago, and she needed to talk to him about having two science classes and no math. Tapping her foot, she decided to give him another five minutes before looking for him. Being one of the new students, she didn’t want to make a bad impression, but her parents expected her home by nine.

Finally, the heavyset, balding man emerged from the now dark auditorium. Ah, yes, your schedule is not in order. You’ll need to talk to the lady on the stage. He said nothing more, but his mouth twitched twice. A glazed, far-off stare glared in his eyes. He put on his Homburg hat and walked toward the exit with short, jerky steps.

Are you all right, sir? The girl asked. No response. But she thought she heard him grunt. This school came highly recommended, but so far she hadn’t been impressed. Had her parents attended the orientation, she was certain they’d be downright disappointed.

Stepping into the darkness, the girl noticed only one light on in the auditorium. It illuminated a lovely woman standing atop the stage. Her unnaturally black hair shimmered like a raven’s wing in bright sunlight. The girl made it halfway to the stage before she realized she had no difficulty or hesitation in walking down the dark aisle. In fact, the more she looked into the woman’s eyes the quicker she walked. Her eyes looked so dark and deep, like staring into infinity. When she reached the stage stairs, her feet didn’t even seem to touch the floor. Her heart raced, yet she had never felt so calm. Blood boiled in her veins, yet she had never felt so cold. Her nipples hardened, and it felt as if a tongue probed deeply into her vagina. Ascending the stage, she came face to face with a countenance of brooding sensuality. Ruby lips parted to reveal an even redder tongue. The tongue lashed out, licking the girl’s cheek. Opening her mouth in invitation, the girl moved closer.

When their lips touched, the woman pulled back. Her lovely face twisted into an angry sneer as her arms wrapped the girl in a viselike grip. Does your daddy know you like girls? Your daddy liked me, too. Your mommy didn’t. I drank them both, but they tasted old, used. Two packs a day tainted your father’s blood, but I bet you taste pure.

Please, don’t hurt me.

Sshhh, it will only hurt for a moment.

Why?

Because we are the hunters, and you are the prey. But know, little one, that you are more than food; you are the means to an end. Your likeness will be my disguise in my plan to avenge my father. Your body will die, but your blood will mingle with mine for all eternity.

The girl tried to struggle, but the woman’s eyes held her in a hypnotic gaze. Her mouth opened wide, revealing fangs. Suddenly, her head darted forward, and fangs punctured the girl’s neck. Still, the woman had told the truth. It really did only hurt for a moment.

VALORIE PULLED BABY, her bright red Auburn 852, into her usual parking spot at Washington Irving High School, named in honor of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow author who immortalized the famous area north of Tarrytown, New York. However, most students called it Headless Horseman High after the character from the story and school’s mascot. On such a beautiful, warm September day, Valorie would rather be riding Little Baby, her Indian Four motorcycle, around Tarrytown Lakes. Instead, she’d be stuck in a boring classroom, listening to the ramblings of some teacher about things that didn’t concern her. She felt she already knew more than school could teach her about what she needed in life. High school courses didn’t involve weapons training, dogfighting techniques, or killing demons. Only studying in her grandfather’s library or learning from her father could teach her those skills. Girls could only study cooking, sewing, and wifely duties. Whenever a girl tried to take a shop or mechanical class, they quickly talked her out of her foolish notions.

She checked the wavy style of her shoulder-length blonde hair in her rearview mirror and then touched up her lipstick. She wore a pink dress with white flutter sleeves and collar, and a white, pleated beret with pink trim and a little pink bow. OK, just because she hated girly classes didn’t mean she wasn’t feminine. Valorie was a lady and liked looking like one even if she didn’t always act ladylike.

The large number of affluent families in the Tarrytown area meant fewer local teenagers suffered from the depression that hit families hard in many other parts of the country. Still, only a handful of students owned their own cars, and only a few others used their family’s extra vehicle if they were lucky enough to have one. However, this being a public school, Valorie was one of the wealthiest students there, if not the wealthiest. This made her somewhat of an outsider, but the thought of private school had little appeal to her. Just because you had money didn’t automatically make you a bitch. And just because she owned the fastest cars, motorcycles, and aeroplanes didn’t mean she liked to flaunt her money. She needed the best because lives depended on it, not just hers, but the innocent.

The other students would probably never know that Valorie had killed people in the recent past, and they thought her family’s association with the Dracula legend was nothing more than a coincidence or a joke. They didn’t realize her grandfather was the real Abraham Van Helsing, and Dracula wasn’t just a novel. Bram Stoker wrote the true account while working as a journalist. However, no one believed it. So times being tough, Stoker rewrote it as a novel, and it sold like hot cakes. Sadly, he didn’t rewrite it enough. He kept most of the real names, including her grandfather’s. Only some of the more fanciful parts had been embellished, along with a tacked on ending that bore little resemblance to how things had really played out. But Valorie had more important things to ponder than the past. Although she witnessed supernatural activity several times in the past, she had never seen vampiric activity.

Oh, Valorie, Principal Cleaver yelled as he labored along on his thick legs. Out of breath, he stopped a few feet away and removed his black Homburg. Sweat trickled down his temples and forehead. I’m glad I caught you before school. I think you’d be perfect for what I’ve got in mind.

Great, just what she wanted, to get volunteered for something. What would that be, Principal Cleaver?

He uttered what sounded like a preplanned speech...or more like someone dictated it through him. We have three new girls in the junior class this year. Your schedule just so happens to be identical to theirs. They are new here and need someone to show them around. They need a friend here, and you would be good. Will you show school spirit and Christian charity and take these new girls under your wing? Please say yes. If you do, I will consider it a personal favor, and you will be rewarded accordingly. Please, Valorie, please.

God, was he gonna beg? Are you OK, Mr. Cleaver?

I am fine. Never better. Will you?

Sure, it’s always nice to meet new people, but you don’t need to reward me.

Oh, you will be rewarded, beyond your wildest dreams. A smile twisted across Cleaver’s face, reminding Valorie of someone already owing you money who wanted to beg for more.

Of course, he must be under a lot of stress on the first day. But actually, his request worked out well. After Becca’s death, Valorie hoped she’d find a new friend. Although no one could ever replace Becca, it had been hard to have a best friend living and going to school in the city, and the last six weeks had been lonely. Valorie needed another girl to talk to. It just wasn’t healthy for a girl her age to only associate with her father’s adult employees and Becca’s almost thirty-year-old brother, Goldy. Goldy had been good for Valorie, and vice versa since both mourned Becca. In the past couple weeks, Goldy had almost started viewing Valorie as a little sister, and she had actually started seeing him as the brother she never had. When people face death together, they often develop strong bonds.

Cleaver led Valorie to the auditorium. A few students gave her dirty looks, snickered, or even mumbled brown-noser. Valorie ignored most of them, except her nemesis, Amy, a born bitch with teats like a cow, a fat ass, a big nose, and a gut that made her look pregnant. At least that’s the way Valorie saw her. The only reason Amy had every fella in school following her around like a puppy dog was because she put out. At least that’s what Valorie and the other decent girls thought. Amy’s friends probably thought the same about Valorie, but they were bitches, too.

Joel Walters smiled. Valorie smiled back but quickly looked away. After he had taken Amy to homecoming the year before and been her boyfriend since, Valorie hadn’t given him the time of day. If he liked that kind of girl, he could have her. Valorie Van Helsing would be nobody’s second pick, but there was no harm in flirting. Smiling back again, she gave him a little wave before glancing over at Amy. The bitch glared back. Good, school hadn’t even started yet, and Valorie was already ahead by two.

Three girls sat in the front row; a blonde wearing a light blue dress with white spots, white collar, and bow; a brunette wearing a black skirt suit; and one with flowing auburn hair who wore a purple full-length gown consisting of Chantilly lace layered over matching acetate, fine tulle fishtail hem, a portrait shawl collar, and topped off with a purple turban hat. Girls, this is Valorie Van Helsing, so kind of her to show you around. Valorie, this is Patricia. Cleaver motioned toward the blonde. This is Geraldine. He nodded toward the brunette. And this is Adriana. He pointed at the overdressed girl with auburn hair. Adriana’s eyes burned with an arrogant twinkle.

Patricia smiled. Nice to meet you, Valorie.

Yes, thank you for agreeing to show us around, Geraldine said.

Adriana stood back aloofly from the other girls. Well, aren’t you just the doll for being our tour guide. I don’t plan on being in this dump for more than a month, but It’ll do, for now. She talked in a sweet but sassy Southern accent.

Patricia and Geraldine seemed nice enough, something typical about their politeness, though, making it hard to tell what the real girls were like under the pleasant facade. In a weird way, Valorie appreciated Adriana’s bluntness, rude, yes, but honest. Only time would tell whether her attitude stemmed from confidence or cruel indifference and if her attire meant showiness or simply the attitude that overdressed is better than underdressed. Well, I suppose I should welcome you all to Irving High.

At least you look interesting, Adriana said. These two wet blankets are about as exciting as a Christmas party in a convent. The first place I’d like you to show me is where a girl can have a ciggy around here.

Sorry, I don’t smoke, Valorie said.

Shame, Adriana said. What do you do for fun?

Somehow, I doubt her idea of fun involves the entire football team, Patricia said. Unlike the Southern trash who can’t keep her mouth shut.

Can’t we just go on our tour before we get in trouble? Geraldine said.

Valorie agreed. She needed to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. OK, you two. The first thing you need to know is that getting on each other’s nerves is the worst thing you can do. You’ll have enough trouble being the new kids around here without making things harder on each other, and yourselves. Follow me. She led them to the stage top, behind the curtain, and into the gym. See, it’s all connected. All the lockers are along the halls outside the gym and auditorium. She pointed to two doors along the far wall. Those lead to the locker rooms. Next, she went out the side door, into the hall. And here are the lockers, all the way from the lunchroom to the entrance and then down the other hall to the schoolrooms.

Thank you, Geraldine said. But we already found our lockers last night before the new students’ orientation.

Who cares? Adriana said. Let her kill all the time she wants to spare us from sitting in a study hall without anything to study.

Oh, well, I always carry a book. Geraldine pulled a beat up old book from her backpack. "Dracula by Bram Stoker. There’s even a character named Van Helsing, just like our guide."

Patricia laughed. Any relation.

Valorie smiled. Yes, actually. Abraham was my grandad.

The girls laughed, but Valorie just smiled. Sometimes admitting it was the best thing. Most people thought she was just joking.

So, have you followed in the family tradition? Have you ever killed a vampire? Adriana asked.

There’s a first time for everything. But anyway, follow the hall around and you come to the entrance for the lunchroom. At the end of that hall are the stairs to the classrooms on the second and third floors. The other stairs are at the end of the hallway in front of the auditorium. All the shop and home economics classes are between the two sets of stairs. I’m sure you saw the school offices to the left of the main entrance.

Yes, quite the thrill I might add, Adriana said.

The janitor, Mr. MacLandish, pushed a dry mop back