by Strider, Jez
I heard a shotgun blast and turned instinctively, ripping Dante’s flesh. Antonio had picked up the fallen guard’s gun and killed the servant girl. He looked appalled with himself but she’d been on the verge of firing the weapon again and this time in point blank range of Marcus.
“For my Master!” I’d heard her scream before she went eternally silent.
Antonio and Marcus gave each other that “dude nod” and turned toward Dante and myself with readied weapons. The elder struck back with his elbow and I lost my grip from the blow, falling to the floor. Blood ran from my mouth, down my chin, and onto the dress. The blow left me winded and I tried to crawl toward my protectors. Dante was weakened and in pain, but he snatched me by the hair before I could gain enough distance, pulling me to standing beside his tall frame.
“Let her go, father. You can’t force someone to love you. What did you expect when you imprisoned her for what was it? Two hundred years?” My breathing was coming out hoarse and I knew that one or more of my ribs were broken. Vampires may regenerate more quickly from injury than normal humans, but broken bones take time.
Dante ran his free hand through his white hair and over his face as he tried to decide his next course of action. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted the boy,” he said, talking down to Marcus. “Though I do applaud how convincing he was. I was sure after watching you ravage her on camera he’d kill you for me, Tonio.”
“I may still kill him for taking advantage of her, but Evey is more important right now.” He gave a small laugh. “For all your years, you’re an idiot, man.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills, tossing them to the floor. “I don’t need your fucking money. I need her.” He pointed directly at me.
My eyes lowered and I couldn’t help but feel shame. Sure, I’d been weak, hungry, and thought Marc was dead, but he’d still been forced to watch me with another man.
“So what’s our next move, gentlemen?” Dante taunted, giving a tug of his hand and pulling my hair. “Do we let the little courtesan die or do we make a deal for her love and life? She’s accustomed to being bargained for. Don’t be fools and think I won’t kill her before you can take me down.”
Antonio spoke up. “She’s comes with us, you go free. Simple enough.”
A laugh erupted from my captor and he leaned in and kissed my cheek roughly. “What do you think?” He asked me. “You’d like to protect these boys by being my little caged bird again, yes?” With his hand he made me nod my head.
Suddenly my body convulsed into a violent fit and I coughed up blood. I wasn’t used to consuming such massive quantities of it.
“Let him take me.” I said with as much confidence as I could muster.
“Hell no,” both of my lovers said in unison, then gave each other a brief look.
Antonio spoke up. “Father, you’re severely injured. Even you won’t hold out much longer with bullet wounds and deadly bites. Give her to us, and you have my word, we will let you leave.”
The vampire slowly led me closer to his private chamber door before shoving me toward Marcus. If he hadn’t caught me in his embrace I would have collapsed. “Never call me father again. You have failed me for the last time, Antonio.” I heard him call back as he fled through an exit in his private chambers, “Soon, Evelina Angelis!”
The rest of the evening is a blur. Much of what I know is from what was recounted to me later. My strength and adrenaline must have given out when I felt Marcus’ arms around me. I recall thinking I was bleeding to death on the crimson carpet. It’d been a feverish dream, because when I woke I was in one of the hotel’s bathroom tubs. Marcus was gently washing away the blood from my face when I turned my heavy eyes toward him. My body ached and I felt like I’d suddenly contracted the flu. Venice crossed my mind again and how I would have died from the plague if Dante hadn’t turned me. Tears ran silently down my cheeks.
“Don’t cry.” Marcus seemed uncomfortable around my tears. “It’ll be okay. You’re other vampire…friend went after the old one.”
All I could do was shake my head slowly and I looked away from Marcus. In my heart I felt deep shame and regret, not just toward hurting Marcus, but also Antonio. Oddly enough, I felt the same emotion for Dante when my anger had passed. All their pain was my fault.
Marcus remained quiet and just let me cry. I was thankful for it. He washed all the blood from my hair, brushed it delicately, and fixing it into a side braid.
“I didn’t know you knew how to do that.” I said softly, toying with the tail of the braid.
He gave a weak laugh. “My two older sisters always made me help them out when I was a kid. I couldn’t refuse. They were bigger than me at the time.”
I knew he was trying to cheer me up and it helped a little. “I remember you mentioning them.”
“Wait here. I’m going to go get your clothing.” He gave me a soft kiss on top of my head before leaving the room.
My anxiety was rising quickly. Being alone terrified me. I saw the bloody dress I’d been wearing shoved into the trash can and I screamed and called for Marcus.
He’d immediately returned to the bathroom, holding the gun ready as he glanced around. “What is it, babe?” The gun lowered and he knelt by my side for a moment, before lifting me up into his arms. He carried me out of the bathroom and into Dante’s private chamber where he’d dropped my clothing when I screamed. I sobbed against his chest. When I seemed to calm somewhat he sat me down on the bed and wrapped the bedspread around my naked body. The cover smelled like it had been recently washed. I was glad. If I’d have had to smell Dante’s scent I would have vomited.
“I’m sorry.” I remember whispering over and over as I lay down. The wall across from me had a painting. I knew the figure, because it was me. My own accusing stare was on me as I drifted into sleep.
That night I had a vivid dream. I was surrounded by Antonio, Dante, and Marcus, all three of them dead on the ground and drained of all their blood. They all seemed peaceful and innocent, like they were asleep. Rage filled me and I wanted revenge on who killed them. When I turned, I saw my reflection looking back at me in a window. My fangs were extended, covered in blood, and my eyes glowed. I realized what I had done and leapt into the air with a primal scream. I was flying, faster and faster away from what I had done. The ocean was in the distance. Before I knew it, I was over the massive body of water. The moon shone on the surface and I dove deep under the surface until I was completely surrounded by darkness.
I awoke with a start and a gasp for air. As I looked around the room, I was disoriented on where I was. Antonio and Marcus were both next to me in an instant, trying to calm me and asking if I was alright.
“Yeah, yeah.” I held up my hand for some space and they both backed away. “Just a dream.” I looked from one to the other and noticed that Marcus had a fresh cut on his lip. My head turned sharply to Antonio. “Did you hit him?”
Antonio cleared his throat. “Perhaps, but he initiated the altercation.”
“We had some things to settle, man to man.” Marcus smirked. “Nothing to worry your pretty head over.”
I had to grit my teeth, but I didn’t have the strength to argue. “Did you catch him?”
Antonio and Marcus stared at each other for a moment before Antonio looked at me and spoke. “No. Even with his injuries, he was too fast. He was also healing quicker than any vampire I’ve ever seen.”
“Then he’ll come after me again.” My heart sank and I was scared.
“If he does, we will be ready. We won’t be caught off guard this time.” Marcus said.
My head was pounding and I rubbed my eyes roughly. “Do we have to worry about the police?”
Antonio spoke first. “Dante had some police on the payroll. Besides, we are relatively secluded out here. None of the patrons are going to speak out. It would do harm to their precious reputations to admit they were here. Unfortunately, I do have to stay here for a while to keep the business afloat. There would
be too many vampires looking to feed on the streets if this place goes under.”
“Are there really that many vampires?” The shock in my voice must have been evident.
“Dante had many…admirers. It’s going to be hard to usurp his throne, but I can do it.” I knew there was more he wasn’t telling me, so I glared at him until he continued. “He was my father and I’m not much younger or less powerful than he. I just never wanted to oppose him.”
For a long moment my mouth hung open in shocking revelation. “You…you were already a vampire when we were together in Venice.”
Marcus had taken a seat in a nearby chair. His fingers were tapping the armrest impatiently.
“I want to go home.” It was hard to explain how I felt, but something was strange.
Antonio gave a slight incline of his head to Marcus, who brought my clothing over. They both helped me out of the bed. I knew they hated each other, but despite the tension, they were working together for me.
“The blood you’ve had from me and my father. It’s going to change you, mio amore. That is why you feel so sick. Your cells are mutating into something different.” He forced a smile, trying to reassure me.
I didn’t want to change. I was fine the way I was. “How so?”
“You’ll need to feed more often. More than likely any vampire skills will be greatly amplified.” His hand lifted in a slight gesture toward Marcus. “He has volunteered to let you feed on him until the process is finished and you can fend for yourself.”
Marcus just gave me a little grin and wink. It was hard to tell if he was excited about me drinking from him or the fact he could give me what Antonio couldn’t.
“Once again, I’m glad everyone else had decided what’s best for me.” I said with a heavy dose of sarcasm in my voice. Stubbornly, I made them let me get dressed by myself. When I was finished, my brow was dotted with sweat and I had to sit back down.
Both men ignored my comment. Antonio tossed Marcus a set of keys. “Take my Fiat and don’t let her out of your sight.”
“She’s not leaving my place until that psycho is dead.” Marc responded.
Antonio got down on his knees in front of me. “I’m going to get him. I’ve got some men that I trust assigned to help Marcus guard you, okay?”
All I could do was give a nod.
“Alright,” he stood and kissed my lips gently. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”
Antonio and Marcus had another angry look at each other before Marcus crouched in front of me facing away. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he carried me out of the room on his back. I must have fallen asleep again because I don’t remember much for a while after that.
The radio was playing softly when I awoke. I thought I’d heard Delilah introducing the song before it started playing.
“Seriously? You’re listening to love songs?” I asked Marcus as he looked over from the steering wheel.
He laughed. “Not really. I was more lost in thought and I figured the kind of music I like would wake you.”
“Probably.” This music was definitely not what I needed. My heart was tender enough without love songs pulling at it. I turned the music off completely and rolled down my window. My body was still burning up with fever.
“We’re almost home. Then you can get the real rest you need. From what I understand it could take about a month before you feel completely normal.” Marc seemed retrained as he spoke, less like himself.
His apartment was above his repair shop. When we pulled up, we waited in the car until the assigned bodyguards had made sure the place was safe. I could hear barking. Lewis was none too happy about strangers invading his home.
“Damn it.” Marcus exited the car in a rush and opened my side, not waiting for me to get out, but picking me up once again and getting up to the apartment as quickly as possible with me in tow.
The guards, one man and one woman, weren’t able to set foot inside the door. The dog backed up a few steps as his master entered, but his teeth were still bared at the intruders. Marcus sat me down on his cheap imitation leather sofa and went to his dog.
“It’s okay, boy.” He ruffled the dog’s ears and scratched under his chin. “Good guard dog. I missed you.”
The genuine grin on his face was heartwarming. I knew the love he felt for the animal all too well. It was the reason my most recent profession was veterinary medicine. There was a fair share of sorrow with the job, but when you truly helped an animal and the owners, it was worth it.
“I guess you didn’t have to worry about him going hungry.” I pointed toward the kitchen. It was a studio apartment, so you could see everywhere from the couch.
Marcus glanced at the bodyguards and gave them a dismissive wave. “I can take care of her, unless you want to clean up this mess of dog food.” He told them as he saw the huge bag of kibble torn to pieces and the contents strewn about.
The female bodyguard spoke first. “Just call me or my colleague at the first sign of trouble. I’m Janet and this is….” The woman glared at her partner with crossed arms, while tapping her foot impatiently.
“Nick.” The man said simply. He’d been watching a red lava lamp rather intently. Strange.
The two exited without another word. Marcus and I were alone again. He was silently sweeping up the dog food. I felt uncomfortable. There were many topics I wanted to address, but I didn’t know how to begin.
Lewis ran over to me. He seemed relieved the strangers were gone. Usually the large dog would tackle me and lick my face, but seeing my distress he just hopped on the couch and laid down beside me. His tail was in a constant state of motion. I looked over toward Marc and caught his stare. He looked away, running his hands through his disheveled dark locks of hair.
“You hungry or…thirsty or anything?” He asked awkwardly.
I yawned, closing my eyes for a moment. “I’d kill for a Coke.”
While he rummaged in the fridge, I searched for the television remote under old pizza boxes and Maxim magazines on the table. This was going to be an interesting month living in a bachelor pad. The only “art” in the house were gaming posters and half naked girls on the wall. As for books, yeah, like I would even find one. I wondered if it was appropriate to send the bodyguards to the library.
“I don’t have any diet.” He walked over and handed me the drink. The fizz and welcome burn of the soda helped my dry throat.
“Thanks.” I said and I really meant it. Not just for the drink, but for his devotion after such a shocking turn of events.
He paused, seemed to be thinking, and then pushed the dog aside, taking the spot next to me. “Share the lady, buddy.”
The retriever panted for a moment before laying his head on his paws and closing his eyes.
“Lewis seems happy to have you home.” It did feel like home I realized, despite the mess and décor. Marc’s youth invigorated me. I didn’t feel as old or out of touch.
His arm slipped around me and I put my head against his chest. I could feel his heart pumping the blood through his veins and I ached for it. It made me a little bloodthirsty. My eyes closed and I fought it. I didn’t care what drinking the vampire blood might make me crave, I was stronger than this.
“Is it always like this? I mean… violence and vamps everywhere hunting each other?” He asked.
The gentle caress of his fingers through my hair calmed me and the hunger faded slightly. How could I be so exhausted again? I wondered, as my eyes grew too heavy to keep open. I gave a small laugh before responding bitterly.
“Not always. I wish it wasn’t now. We had such a good thing going before all this.”
Marcus went silent and when he thought I was asleep, I heard him mumble. “Yeah, we did.”
The dreams continued to plague me. This time I was surrounded my stray animals. Puppies and kittens all clamored at my feet, wanting me to take them home. Then animal control pulled up and started catching them all in nets and throwing them into the truck. Their l
ittle eyes stared at me in sadness through the wire cages. I couldn’t save any of them. As I watched the truck drive away, tears stung my eyes.
When I awoke, of course, my eyes did have tears. The common theme in my dreams seemed to be guilt. “Grrrr…what is going on with me?” I said out loud to myself. Marc was nowhere to be found, but I heard the shower running. I started to get up, but I couldn’t find the strength. Vampires don’t get sick normally. I’d become spoiled by being healthy. Go figure, drinking from two vampires made me ill. Perhaps I was onto something with my old methods of nourishment.
The remote had been found and was sitting on the arm of the sofa. I flipped the TV on to a soap opera. It’d been years since I watched the show, but I was pretty much caught up to speed in the first thirty minutes. I snuggled into the blanket that had been draped over me.
I’d heard the shower cut off and the clank of a razor. When Marcus walked out of the bathroom, I expected him to be looking pretty fresh. What I didn’t expect was him to walk out completely naked except for the towel in his hand covering his juicy bits as he dried himself off.
“Oh, Doc, you’re up. I thought I heard the TV, but sometimes the dog steps on the remote and turns it on.” How could he be so casual, when he looked so tasty? I was scolding myself pretty severely at this point for not spending the night together more often.
He walked across the room with a knowing smirk and grabbed a beer out of the fridge. My eyes were glued to his tight behind. Eventually, I found my voice.
“I haven’t been up long. Isn’t it early for beer?” I asked. If only I’d been feeling better…. I sighed deeply with disappointment.