by Strider, Jez
I finally rounded the corner and stopped just short of running into Antonio. He was leaning up against the wall and shaking his head. My grip on the phone slipped and it crashed to the pavement. It was a mixture of fear, relief, and frustration when I realized who was standing in front of me.
His eyes traced my form, up and down my body. One of his fangs was faintly visible as he casually licked his bottom lip. “Isn’t it dangerous for whores to be walking the streets, amore?” He said the word “amore” bitterly and it made me take a step back.
“It’s none of your business what I’m doing.” I reached down and picked up my phone, intent on continuing as planned. Of course I wanted to cry and run away from the hurtful words, but that wasn’t going to happen. “Have you been watching me all this time?”
“Every single night.” Each word he spoke was annunciated slowly. “You couldn’t imagine my torment when I’m standing below his bedroom window.” He moved in a fluid motion from his position and took a step toward me, reaching out and grabbing me by the face with one hand. It didn’t hurt, but it wouldn’t take much for him to make the grip painful.
My eyes locked onto his and I didn’t flinch as he held me in the stare. Both his fangs were visible now and he looked ferocious. Eventually he let go of my face and lowered his gaze. “Maybe you are ready. You are going to turn yourself over to Dante, right?”
“What was that? A damn test?” I asked. “I don’t have time for this. You’re going to ruin the plan.” It was foolish, but I turned my back on him and attempted to dial for a taxi again.
This time he grabbed me by my waist from behind and pulled me against his larger body. He inhaled my scent deeply before whispering to me with his mouth against my ear. “The heartbroken can be ruthless. I only spoke the truth.” I’d never known this Antonio. He was being cruel.
“I’m sorry.” The words I spoke were also the truth, but I was angry. “If you loved me enough, you would have run away from Dante in Italy when I asked you. How many times did I beg? At the end of the night, I cried and pleaded to deaf ears.”
He spun me around to face him once more. I knew that he wasn’t actually mad at me at that moment. Those brown eyes held regret. Regret that he’d borne for centuries. “I made a mistake. He would have killed us. You were human. I didn’t want you to suffer my existence.”
Why did he have to do this right now? I guess he realized as I did, there may not be another chance. “We can’t live in the past. We won’t be living in the present if you don’t let me go to him.”
“Have you talked to Marcus about changing him to a vampire? You don’t even know how.” He pointed hurtful realities at me one after the other without waiting for me to respond. “Do you know there’s a chance he’ll die if you try? Do you want to watch him grow old and die in front of your eyes if you don’t change him?”
Each question I’d already asked myself. His ranting was pointless. “Listen, I will love you forever. You were my first love.” I looked into his eyes. “But just let me go.”
He stared up at the starlit sky and ran a hand through his soft dark hair. The moon highlighted a face full of torment. “I’ll take you. I’ll do anything you want.” I couldn’t stand the cracking of my heart as he spoke. His hand slipped down to mine and our fingers entwined as he led me toward his car. The first thing he did was make a call for his people to watch over the apartment. I let him hold my hand as he drove. It was obvious he didn’t want to let go.
A person can go years without falling in love and even longer without it being reciprocated. Why did I have to have two men love me and I love them both at the same time? It was a cruel trick of the cosmos.
Antonio was scared of taking me to Dante. According to him, the only way I could get in alive would be with his help. I was going to be his gift to his father, master, and maker. As far as apologies go, giving me to Dante was a good one.
We didn’t speak much on the drive. Briefly, I explained my plan to him. He just nodded. I assumed he thought it was a decent idea since he didn’t outright call me stupid. We both hoped that he might be able to get one of the servants to smuggle a weapon to me.
The sight of Dante’s home caught me off guard. I’d been to Biltmore and this mansion was almost as extravagant. A garden wrapped from the sides to the back of the home. The green bushes appeared to be planted into a maze pattern. Through the windows, I could see the partiers. Men and women, both vampire and human engaged in dancing, drinking, and sex. Why didn’t they have curtains to hide the debauchery? I was unprepared for this. My wildest imaginings didn’t even come close to the reality.
A human valet opened the door for me and took my hand, helping me out of the car. Antonio tossed the man the keys. When he turned to the side, I could see numerous bite marks on the side of the employee’s neck. I wondered how many vampires had fed from the man and the hairs on my arms stood up.
Another gentleman opened the front door for us, giving a small bow. I’d expected us to be arrested and dragged inside. How could we be treated as guests? When the door swung wide, I was immediately bombarded with the scents of the scene. Alcohol, food, cigars, and blood. Oh so much blood. The past few days I had fed well and even my fangs extended involuntarily.
“The Master is expecting you.” The doorman said. Many eyes in the house turned to gaze upon us and the people whispered secretly among themselves. “I’ll have one of the servants take your purse to your room.” With all their eyes on me, I couldn’t act suspicious. I handed the man the key to my survival and tried to appear unconcerned about parting with the accessory.
I slipped further into character, smiling and walking with confidence beside Antonio. He was leading us into a large living room area. His hand held out to keep me from entering before him. Without breaking stride, he walked straight up to where Dante was seated in a large chair that reminded me of a throne. The ancient one had no signs of injury. His crimson robe opened down the front was a big change from what he had been wearing the day of the attack. Businessman Dante and Vampire Dante were definitely two different people. Two nude women stood on either side of him near the back of the chair waiting for his command. Antonio knelt in front of his father and bowed his head.
“Master Sanuto, I come bringing you a gift as apology for my severe lack of judgment. If the penalty of forgiveness is death, then I give myself to your punishment.” It was a convincing little speech and it made chills run up my spine. The vampire stood slowly, eyeing his son. Not one person in the room made a sound.
“Rise.” Dante gave the command and Antonio stood calmly with closed eyes. He was waiting and prepared for a death sentence. “What kind of leader would I be to let you live after betrayal?”
Most of the vampires in the room looked fearful, some had tears, and others covered their mouths to keep silent. It took all my self-control to remain calm. I just knew I was about to witness Antonio’s death.
Antonio opened his eyes and met the elder’s inquiring eyes. “You are the king of our people. Your word is truth. You will always be our greatest leader.”
“Well spoken, my son.” He walked back and forth gracefully for a moment. “Tonio, is absolved from his sins providing he doesn’t fail me again. The people need their prince.” His open armed gesture made the crowd go wild with cheers. Antonio stepped forward and embraced his father. It appeared so sincere that it almost touched my heart. Almost. I knew enough of Dante to figure out his political games. It was just to our advantage that his society loved Antonio.
“Thank you, Master.” Antonio said before taking a seat in a chair near his father’s.
Dante Sanuto was calm, unpredictable, and dangerous. His eyes bore into mine from across the room. I had the feeling he wouldn’t be so forgiving of me. I remembered the painting of me in his bedroom at the hotel. Similar ones were spread throughout what I’d seen of the mansion so far. The largest of which was in the current room. Would his followers see me as the long awaited queen or as the who
re that betrayed their king? Antonio had said not to worry. It wasn’t that easy.
“Now, who thinks I should unwrap my present?” The vampire asked his disciples. Another round of hoops and applause filled the room. “I can’t say no to that. Continue with your revelries while I indulge in mine.” He gave an elegant fling of his robe, shirtless underneath, and took a seat on his throne. His finger crooked in my direction and I began the walk across the room. Music began playing again and the people did as they were told, engaging once more in their wild passions.
“Master.” I fell to my knees in front of him, bent over as I kissed both of his shoes. For a long moment I stayed in this position, waiting until he gave me a command. This would have been easier if I’d been able to get into the mansion alone. Antonio seated there watching on made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn’t risk even the smallest glance toward him, just kept my gaze on the floor.
The vampire placed his hand gently on the top of my head. Involuntarily, I pulled back a little before I could stop myself. A vision of our last encounter was in my mind. His touch hadn’t been gentle when he’d held me up by my hair as a bargaining chip. He removed his hand. “Aww, I’ve frightened my precious Queen.” The crowd had been told to continue amongst their business, but Dante knew they were all still trying to watch every detail without being too apparent. “Rise and sit,” was the order I had been waiting for and I rose to my feet. His arms were spread much as they had been with Antonio. There were no other chairs. He wanted me to sit in his lap.
It had been a long time since I was the woman I was trying to be. Shame wasn’t what I felt for the path I’d chosen at the time, but I was no longer blind to the dangers and games of men. More importantly, I knew how risky it was to play with their hearts.
I’d already made my first mistake in pulling away from Dante in front of the gathering. To make up for it, I would have to step up my own game. I pulled my dress up a few inches and climbed into his lap facing him with my most seductive grin and the confidence to go along with it. I ran my hand over his short silver-white hair and rested it on his cheek before leaning in and pressing my lips against his own. It would have been easy to enjoy if I hadn’t known the man and his potential for evil. I thought when I escaped him the first time that I wouldn’t be a slave any longer to my maker. I was wrong. Now, I wanted his death to set me free.
Dante’s hands easily navigated my body. He did know it well. “You’re in so much trouble.” His fangs were extended so his voice came out with a slight hiss. With a swift jerk on the front of my dress, he exposed the milky white flesh of my breasts. I didn’t have the emotions left to feel modest in front of the gawkers. There was too much fear. “I know you’re a bad girl, but that’s one of the reasons you are such a prize.” Once again the room was silent aside from the music. His thumb brushed over my lips. “A good girl wouldn’t know how to do all those delicious things with her mouth.”
“I’m here to be yours and give you everything I’ve denied you for too long. I ask your forgiveness for I am a woman and we are the lesser of the species, prone to many mistakes.” Seriously, it was hard not to choke on the words.
“One kiss won’t prove that to me, but we have plenty of time to test your devotion.” His smile was demented as he spoke.
Dante had more patience than anyone I had ever met. I didn’t know how old he was, but Antonio assured me I was a meer child to the vampire. My captivity to him had probably seemed like sending a bad child to their room. I wasn’t able to make a response before Dante lowered his mouth to the top of my right breast. I hoped, despite what my instincts already told me, that he was only going to kiss them. That desperate hope was a waste of energy.
A vampire can gently slide their teeth into the flesh so that the bite only stings. Our teeth are very sharp and excrete a light anesthetic when extended that coat the fangs. As Dante’s teeth buried into the tender flesh of my bosom there was a moment of severe pain. He’d sunk the fangs hard and quickly, not giving me the luxury of a gentle bite. He drank deeply of my blood until my head started to swim and I almost passed out.
I caught a small glimpse of Antonio out of the corner of my eye. His hands were gripping the arms of his chair so tightly that his knuckles were white. One of the naked women was massaging his shoulders.
“He’s going to kill her!” One of the human girls in the room called out. I heard a snap and I could only assume that a guard or perhaps her vampire had broken her neck. From my vantage point I couldn’t see much. The sound I heard was sickening and I don’t think I will ever be able to forget it.
My blood was leaving my body too fast and I couldn’t fight him. It would have been futile even if I had the strength to do so. “M…master…” I groaned out weakly and he finally withdrew his fangs, giving the wound a small lick. It sealed quickly but some blood had already spilled down my cleavage.
“Shh…” He whispered softly putting his lips against mine this time in a soft kiss. I could taste my own blood on his mouth. It took pretty much all my effort to return the kiss. Afterwards, he stood with me gathered easily in his arms. “My Queen is exhausted. Perhaps tomorrow she will introduce herself formally to her subjects.” I wasn’t dead yet, but that was the only relief I felt. I had the feeling he would keep me alive for a while to torment me. Tears fell silently down my cheeks and I buried my face against the vampire for lack of having anywhere else to hide them.
How much time had passed was impossible to tell when I awoke. This room was the first I’d seen with heavy curtains and shutters blocking out any light. I tried to lift my head but I was groggy and let it fall back against the plush pillow. After a while, I tried again, attempting to pull myself up in the bed. That’s when I noticed I was tied by my wrists and ankles to the large four poster bed. A velvet blanket covered my body, which I suddenly realized was nude underneath.
“Oh no....” I whispered underneath my breath. My head was clearing increasingly with each dawning realization.
“Oh yes,” the voice said from the doorway and I turned my head toward the sound. Dante was dressed for business, so much different than the way he looked last night. He straightened his tie, not trying to hide the triumphant grin on his face. “So very yes.”
I opened my mouth to speak. My lip started trembling and I could feel the scream caught in my throat. The anxiety of my predicament was sending me into a panic. No, the plan had not included this, not at all.
The vampire walked over caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. “I know. I wanted to wait for you to be awake.” His hand lowered, touching my body through the cover. “A man can only suppress his desire and need for so long. You’re just as satisfying as you always were.” His voice was laden with lust as he spoke. “I’d take you again, but I have to return to my business today. Antonio running it surely means it’s falling apart by now.”
His words only confirmed the violation I’d expected took place. If my resolve would have faltered before, it wouldn’t now. My eyes scanned over Dante’s face. The tearful glisten in my eyes was fading as my emotions started turning from sadness to unrelenting rage. He leaned down and placed a wet, aggressive kiss on my mouth before pulling away and walking toward the door.
Was he really going to leave me tied to the bed until he returned? It would have been to torture me because there was no way I was escaping even without the bindings.
“One of my servant girls will be in to untie you in a couple of hours. If, and only, if you are quiet and behaved.” He pointed his finger at me in warning. “I better not find this one dead. I’m still vaguely angry about the last girl that died because of you. Good help is hard to find.” With that, he left me alone to suffer what I’d endured.
From my limited range of vision, I couldn’t see my purse in the room. I burst into tears, trying to keep my sobbing from becoming too loud. By the time my tears were spent, I could barely catch my breath. He was too strong. Without the weapon in the purse, it was hopeless to try to
kill him. I struggled against the bindings as I grew more agitated. They were not budging. The urge to yell obscenities about the vampire was hard to repress. Just when I thought I’d go mad and never return to sanity, the door creaked up slowly.
“Hello, mistress.” The girl said softly. She looked at me with wide, brown eyes. I figured she was probably around twenty years old. Her accent was heavy and I doubted she’d been in America for very long. My first guess would have been that she was Filipino. Her skin was dark and smooth. She had a choppy bob hair cut with bronze highlights a few shades lighter than the rest of her hair. I was not surprised that Dante would take such a beautiful woman from her homeland.
Hope. It always returns at the darkest moments. She was carrying clothing for me to change into and on top of the attire was my purse. “Hello.” I said calmly in return, forcing myself to tear my gaze from the purse.
She gave a quaint curtsey and walked through a door in the room. When she returned, she was free of the items. “They were reluctant to give me your pretty pocket book, but I told them you needed the feminine items to look good for the master. Besides, I saw the photo of the cat you had in it. I figured you’d want a little something to remind you of your old life.”
I didn’t know if this woman wanted to work for Dante, but at that moment I was overwhelming grateful she did. “Thank you.” I said simply as she worked to undo my bindings. When she was finished I sat up slowly on the side of the bed. It was surprising that I was sore. My body must have taken quite the beating from the vampire.
“It’s because he drank so much of your blood last night that you are healing slower than normal.” The servant said matter-of-factly when she saw me wince.
“What’s your name?” I asked as I hugged the blanket tightly around my body while sitting on the edge of the enormous bed.