The Immortal Greek

by Monica La Porta

  “In my foolishness, I had thought that Minerva would’ve granted my bride immortality had I asked. By that time, the gods were already deserting us, and Minerva hadn’t contacted me in a while, but I had still hoped that if I called she would’ve answered. That wasn’t the case. Eloisa accepted her fate, but our relationship changed. A decade or so later, she had aged, but I hadn’t. One day, she told me she couldn’t stand my presence anymore and left me. I was heartbroken and I swore I would never fall in love again. In the late fifties, I renovated villa Eloisa in Amalfi and added a covered section that connected the house to my garage. While excavating along the perimeter, the workers unearthed a jewelry box I had once given her. Inside, Eloisa had hidden all the letters she had written to me and never had the courage to give to me in those ten years we had spent together. She left me because she couldn’t bear the idea I would see her aging and die.”

  “That’s really sad.” Ravenna relaxed her stance and molded against him. “I’m sorry you had to go through such heartache.” She took one of his hands and lay a kiss on it, then raised it to her cheek.

  “It’s in the past.” He gently tilted her chin up and to the side to meet him and give her a peck. “In the late eighteen hundreds, I spent several decades traveling through the Far East, and I took residence in China for a long while. In Beijing, which I knew of as Peking back then, I met Samuel. We discovered we had a mutual interest in collecting Asian antiques and went to auctions together. At one of those auctions, I acquired the whole estate of a Chinese merchant who had committed suicide and left his family destitute. The day Samuel and I went to check on my new properties, I discovered I had bought all of his properties, including an army of servants and a little girl. It turned out the merchant’s wife, the little girl’s mother, had unexpectedly died, and the merchant had taken his life soon after. The little girl, my sweet Cherry Blossom, had been left with not a single person caring for her. I adopted her and brought her with me when I went back to Italy. She was my daughter and I loved her with a love I never thought possible.” He moved her hair out of the way with a caress and trailed kisses on her shoulder. “Just recently, I met the most infuriating enforcer, and I swear I never felt anything even remotely close to the array of emotions that wreak havoc through my body and soul anytime I look at her. When I see her, I can’t think straight. And when she isn’t around, I can’t breathe. The morning I woke and she wasn’t by my side, my heart ripped open. When I thought she was someone else’s, I stopped feeling. I couldn’t bear that level of pain without dying. When she was kidnapped and I feared for her life, I went to a very dark place. When I finally had her back…” He turned her around.

  “Oh, Alexander.” Ravenna locked eyes with him and her heart filled with tenderness at the sight of him quietly letting his tears fall. She rose on tiptoes and pulled him lower to brush his eyes and wipe his tears away.

  “I love you, Ravenna.”

  He hugged her so tight, she couldn’t take a breath, but she didn’t complain. “Now and forever. I love you.”

  ****

  “I can’t believe you’re okay with this.” While facing Ravenna, Alexander pointed his finger at Samuel.

  The angel had come to visit Ravenna and bring her news about Malina. The bullet Ravenna had shot in self-defense had broken Malina’s leg, and she had needed surgery to fix the bone. The were-panther was hospitalized one floor up, with her leg in a cast. They had gone to visit her, but Malina had been sleepy and had smiled the whole time thanks to the strong painkiller pumped into her system.

  Now, they were back in Ravenna’s room, and he was furious with both of her and Samuel. “You just went through hell. You shouldn’t be working. Not tonight of all nights.” He started pacing, again. Ravenna’s hospital room was stuffy and he needed fresh air.

  “We already went through this all afternoon—”

  Alexander was well aware of that. “Exactly, and what a waste of precious time we could’ve spent otherwise.”

  Ravenna blushed and glared at him. “We have an audience.”

  “No, please don’t mind me.” Samuel threw his hands in the air.

  “I can’t stay behind and wait while you risk your life.” Ravenna took his hands in hers. “I’m not going to change my mind. Please, accept my decision.”

  Despite being so mad with her, he couldn’t help but wish the angel was somewhere else. “Do I have to like it?”

  She smiled at him. “No. You can hate it if it makes you feel any better.”

  The treacherous creature snuggled closer to him and he took her in his arms. “Don’t you have anything else to do?” He looked at Samuel from over Ravenna’s head.

  The angel shrugged his wings with a sigh. “Unfortunately, I really don’t.”

  Ravenna chuckled against his chest, then gently pushed him away, and gestured at herself. “I must change into something more appropriate for a gala.”

  Alexander gave her an assessing look. “I heard hospital green is all the rage nowadays.” He lowered his mouth to her hear. “It’s also easy to tear away.”

  She blushed, but her eyes lit with mischief.

  Samuel scratched his stubble with a bored expression. “In case you’re about to add details to your thought, I must remind you I have better than average hearing.”

  “Okay. Let’s get it over with already.” Ravenna went to the bathroom where she exchanged her hospital gown for a dress Samuel had brought for her.

  Samuel gave them a ride to the impound where Alexander finally reclaimed his Mercedes.

  “They did a number on it.” Samuel walked around the convertible as Ravenna was staring at several scratches on the right side. They both looked horrified by the car’s condition.

  Without a comment, Alexander opened the passenger door for Ravenna and waited for her to sit before going to his side.

  “Really?” Samuel gave Alexander an amused look. Then he leaned on Ravenna’s open window. “He loves you.”

  She laughed. “If you say so.”

  “When you have a moment, ask him what happened to the last person who left a single, minuscule scratch on one of his beloved cars.” He looked inside the Mercedes to say good-bye to Alexander. “Drako, I never thought I’d see this day.” He let out a mirthful laugh and left.

  “What was all that about?” Ravenna laid a hand over his as he maneuvered the shift.

  He looked at the angel’s retreating form in the rearview mirror, and the memory of their last fight came to mind. Good times. He smiled. “Nothing important.” He drove to her house, enjoying every minute of the ride, asking her questions, listening to her laughs, stealing glances at her. Her presence was a powerful drug that addled his senses. He even forgot for a moment or two that he disapproved of her decision.

  “I’m starving.” She looked at the restaurants they were passing by.

  He gave the clock on the dashboard a glance. “Well, it is dinner time and you haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  “I wasn’t hungry.” She tapped her nails on the glass.

  Alexander remembered they were close to a bistro he liked. “Have you ever been to the Well & the Moon?”

  Ravenna shook her head.

  “I know the chef, Marco, and he’ll prepare for you a dinner fit for a queen in no time.” He waited for her approval, but she kept silent. “Are you okay?”

  She finally turned and gave him a smile. “I’m fine.”

  Alexander called Marco and ordered. He knew their menu by heart. “Barolo Monfortino to accompany the pappardelle?” The homemade pasta with a boar sauce was one of the delicacies the bistro offered. It only seemed fair to pair the dish with an excellent vintage.

  Ravenna shook her head. “No wine for me. I want to be at my sharpest later tonight.”

  “There’s my enforcer.” He leaned sideways to kiss the tip of her nose.

  Dinner was ready by the time they sat at the private corner reserved for them. The selection of dishes he had chosen was excelle
nt, but what made the meal special was Ravenna sitting at his side, her black eyes looking at him, devouring him with the same desire that was consuming him. The moment the door of her house was closed behind him, he pounced on her, undressing her in record time.

  Later, under the shower, he professed his undying love for her in all the languages he knew. It took a while. Then he made love to her again. Eventually, they made it to her bed.

  Ravenna rolled toward the nightstand, trying to escape his hold. “I barely have time to change.”

  “I think you’re perfect the way you are.” He passed his knuckles over the side of her breast.

  “Stop this or we’ll be late—” She whipped around, head canted, eyebrow raised. “That was your plan all along.”

  He grinned and opened his hands in surrender. “It was working though, wasn’t it?”

  She jumped out of the bed and reached the armoire in two steps. “I can’t believe I was falling for it.” She laughed. She retrieved a black dress and donned it before him.

  It was his turn to raise an eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to wear any underwear?”

  As an answer, she turned slowly on her feet to show him the back of her dress or the absolute lack of it.

  He almost sputtered, then composed himself. “I don’t understand how you can manage so easily to bring out the absolute worst in me.”

  She gave him a puzzled look, but her lips were turned up.

  “I’ve never had homicidal urges before meeting you. Now, I feel the need to kill any man looking at you the wrong way. Or just looking at you.” Perched on the edge of the bed, he reached out his hand for her to come closer.

  She took it and sat on his lap. “Aren’t you a tad too naked to go to a gala?”

  His hands were already reaching inside her ridiculous gown, but she stopped him. “We need to drive to your house, so you can change.”

  From her tone, Alexander knew he had lost the battle.

  Chapter Twelve

  The Immortal Council Gala was hosted inside Castel Sant’ Angelo. For the occasion, the outer walls of the fort had been covered with LED displays that changed images every few minutes. It had been sold to the humans as a contemporary light-art exhibit.

  Ravenna was nervous. Despite the air of bravado she had worn as a mask since the morning, she was shaking inside. Never in her life had she had so much to lose.

  “Are you sure you want to go inside? We can always drive back home.” He gently pressed at the small of her back, now covered by a long silk shawl he had found in his dresser of all places. He had said the dark gray of the shawl matched his tie. She hadn’t had the heart to fight him on that and wore what she had nicknamed her new burka. Also, he had looked too handsome in his anthracite-black three pieces suit and left her speechless for a good ten minutes.

  “I love you.” She leaned on his shoulder and looked ahead at the majestic entry, decorated with floral compositions. “Let’s do this.”

  Despite Alexander’s attempts at diverting her, they had arrived perfectly on time. The majority of the paranormals were yet to arrive. Vampires were always fashionably late, and the weres—due to their pack mentality—normally arrived all at once. Elves, fairies, angels, demons, and the other species were unpredictable as a rule. The big dance hall was half full when they exited the elevator that opened directly into it. They waited to be announced by one of the official representatives, usually a venerable immortal chosen among the oldest of their race.

  Ravenna couldn’t help but notice the way heads turned to look at them when the imposing immortal announced their names to the crowd. Rumors spread fast among humans and even faster among paranormals. And everyone read gossip magazines, no matter the species.

  “Don’t mind them.” Alexander slid his arm under the burka and circled her waist, pressing his fingers on her naked skin.

  “Is it possible to find a single person in this room who hasn’t seen Malina and I supposedly kissing outside of your house?” She sighed.

  “That was my favorite pic.”

  She playfully swatted his chest. “I bet it was. Not going to happen though.”

  He had the decency not to say anything. Instead, he steered her toward Samuel.

  “How do you feel?” The angel looked at her with worried eyes.

  “Fine.” She noticed he kept tapping his feet. “What is it?”

  Samuel caressed his chin. “Alberto Giudici hasn’t arrived yet.”

  “He’ll be here.” She gave the room a thorough look. The place was filling in, and the atmosphere was vibrant.

  The Gala was a much-anticipated occasion throughout the rest of the year. Paranormals flew from the most remote locations to be there. Friendships and alliances were renewed and forged. Singles came to find their love matches. Several notorious scandals had happened at previous galas.

  “The Vampire Nation is showing up in throngs.” Samuel’s eyes darted to her right to the hall’s entry, where a conspicuous contingent of vampires was walking in.

  Alexander had taken her hand and was massaging the inside of her wrist. “So far, everything is going according to plan.”

  A waiter passed to their right holding a tray with beverages. He offered them a selection of champagne and Prosecco. The three refused.

  When the waiter left, Alexander frowned. “Is it safe for people to consume what’s being served?”

  Samuel nodded, as he kept taking glances at anything and anyone that moved in their vicinity. “It was a nightmare to find two different companies who could provide on such short notice. All the food and the drinks have been prepared here under the direct surveillance of cameras and people who have never left the kitchens. And the company that was originally hired doesn’t know we aren’t serving their food and beverages.”

  An immortal wearing a small, auricular device in his left ear approached Samuel and whispered something to him, then left. “Excuse me, but I must check on a brawl down in the garage. It’s probably nothing. But we have already taken care of two attempts against two immortal women. The vampires working with Giudici don’t know that no one has drunk the Immortal Death and they’re still following his orders. Hopefully, by the end of this gala, all the conspirators will be held responsible for their actions.” The angel bowed to Ravenna and nodded at Alexander before walking away in the same direction the immortal had gone.

  Alexander, who had been searching the crowd with the same intensity Samuel had, waved at a couple as they entered. “I’d like to introduce you to some of my friends.”

  Hand in hand, they met the couple halfway across the room. Alexander released her to bow to the small vampire who had the beauty and elegance of her race.

  She smiled at him when he took her hand and kissed it. “Alexander. As charming as ever.”

  He then took both of her hands and raised them. “And you, Diana, are radiant as usual.”

  Ravenna amusedly watched as the big, moody immortal accompanying the vampire snorted out loud, then talked directly to her, skipping all the pleasantries Alexander was taking his time to make.

  “I’m Marcus and you must be Ravenna. This is my wife, Diana. We’re both very sorry for you, but you look like a smart woman and should soon recognize you can do so much better.” He took her hand in both of his and gently squeezed. “You’re welcome.”

  Marcus’s speech prompted three different reactions. Diana shook her head and looked heavenward. Alexander swatted his friend’s shoulder. Ravenna burst into a sonorous laugh, then realizing every guest in their proximity had stopped talking, she brought her free hand to her mouth, but kept snickering. By the time she finally managed to calm herself, she had tears in her eyes.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Diana. Marcus.” She wiped her eyes with a silk handkerchief Alexander promptly provided.

  “The pleasure is ours.” Diana hugged her and kissed her twice on the cheeks. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Have you?” Ravenna’s first thought was about the da
mned magazine’s articles, then she realized there wasn’t a hint of malice in the vampire’s words.

  Diana motioned for her to lean closer. “Alexander cried on Marcus’s shoulder a day or two ago.”

  “Did he now?” She gave Alexander a look and he blew a kiss at her.

  Diana caught the interaction and smiled at them, then turned toward her husband. “Can I tell them?”

  Marcus’s face lit with joy. “Sure.” He walked behind his wife and dropped a kiss on her head.

  Diana let her husband envelope her in his embrace, tilted her chin up to smile at him, then looked back at Ravenna and Alexander. “We’ll be parents in a few days.”

  “Congratulations!” Both Ravenna and Alexander hugged the couple.

  “We are so happy. And it’s all thanks to you, Alexander. I don’t know how we can repay you for everything you’ve done for us.” Diana’s green eyes filled with dark red tears. “I’m sorry, but I’m so emotional these days.”

  “I’m so happy for you, my friends. You both deserve all the happiness in the world.” Alexander hugged Marcus, who was visibly moved, but was trying not to show it.

  ****

  “Whenever you say the word, I’m ready to take Ravenna away from here,” Marcus whispered to him as Diana engaged Ravenna in conversation.

  Alexander patted his friend’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

  As soon as he and Ravenna had reached his house, he had called Marcus from his bathroom and explained what was about to happen. He then called Samuel to inform him he had to add two names to the list. When the angel heard to whom those names belonged, he had paused long enough for Alexander to think the call had dropped. The conversation had then continued on a different tone.