I was still in awe of being inside of an ancient villa and vineyard. I never thought I would see the day I would be in Italy. I wondered if I had ever tasted this particular wine in my previous life. I opened the vast glass door onto the veranda. My room was to the back of the Villa overlooking the entire valley. It appeared to stretch for miles around. It was beautiful.
As we waited for Ambrogio to awaken, I went for a walk among the vineyard. I noticed modern day accommodations throughout the villa. There was electricity and indoor plumbing. There was a heavily secured fence surrounding the entire villa. I saw a separate building some yards away from the main villa and out of curiosity I walked over to explore. I wanted to laugh when I saw an entire building dedicated to a washroom. It had several shiny stainless steel Kenmore washers and driers, shelves full of linens and extra clothing hung up on the racks. It also had a huge refrigerator full of food and drinks. I was surprised, not exactly what I was expecting.
In my exhilaration, I caught another expression, a sigh. I let it go. The sigh had the feel of a tired exasperation. I made my way to a very beautiful stone water fountain. The fountain was a statue of a woman sitting on a round stone. Upon further inspection of it. It was the moon, I could not help but enjoy the marvel of the fountain, which by some degree of ancient technology was fed by a natural stream. I could see from the earths indentions that the stream had shifted with time from its original location. I followed the stream for what seemed to be miles, I would have continued to follow it; had I not heard the one soft thought: Selene. I became lost in that thought and I could see visions of what once was. A young couple in love, doomed and saddened. The thoughts were not coherent. I got flashes, images of time passing by yet never changing. Always the same pain, never changing. In a second Jack was at my side. Blood tears running down my face. He had seen what I had seen. So vividly.
“Come.”
I heard the soft command from so far away. Jack and I hurried to the villa. Once there, the same old woman escorted us to a dark chamber. She lit the candles around the chamber and slowly the chamber began to come alive with a soft glow. The flames dancing to their own rhythm. It seemed this was the one room without any modern conveniences. In the center of the room was a massive four poster bed, made of mahogany, it was heavy and old from what I could tell. The bed contained intrinsic carvings, as though they told a story. I could smell the soft down of the pillows. The soft cold sent of the satin sheets. The mattress itself was a modern marvel. I could smell the grapes; the entire room was permeated in the scent. It was refreshing. I also smelled a delicious scent as well, it was warm and salty. Blood.
“Come have a drink.”
I turned around to find the sound of this soft, forlorn voice. The voice was still sweet, but different. This voice was dripping in despair. There hidden in the shadows was a young man, maybe seventeen. I could tell he was extremely young when he joined this life. He was sitting in what looked like an elevated throne, with steps to the seat. I looked closely, curious. It was made of smooth marble.
“Yes, this was the throne Caesar sat on before he was assassinated,” he answered my unspoken thought.
“I thought it was a golden throne.”
“No I was around then. It was marble, and as you can see it has aged considerably well.”
“Salome, I am Ambrogio.”
I was stunned into silence.
“Don’t be frightened. I hear anything and everything. When I sleep, I hear the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the world. I hear their hopes and dreams. That is my curse,” he solemnly stated.
I looked from Jack to Ambrogio. The cat has my tongue as the saying goes. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jack nod and bow. I was curious about this. I had never seen Jack bow, not even to the old ones.
“Jacques, you have not told her why you brought her here.”
“I was unsure if my plan to wake you would work, since you so rarely waken.”
“A true thought spoken.”
I saw Ambrogio’s eyes glaze and his skin turn as smooth as the throne he sat on. He sat unmoving, becoming one with the marble throne. The slight creak of the door, told me we were dismissed for the time. The scent of blood long forgotten.
We stayed at the Villa for days, unsure of when Ambrogio would again awaken. I spent my time walking the vast fields. I spent my time traveling from the villa to Rome. Hunting for that perfect meal. Jack came with me. He was just as confused as I was. Hunting in Rome was turning out to be quite difficult. It would seem that Italy does not have a very high crime rate, which would mean we would need to either go beyond Italy to feed or feed off of the wildlife. I figured, we could try to find the Italian mafia members and feed off of them, the only flaw with that idea was that most of the members are very prominent and their sudden disappearance would be public news. So wildlife it was.
We returned to the villa to hunt the wildlife when the old woman approached us with red bags in hand. They were still warm.
“Master Ambrogio advised you may be hungry and he had us get these from the blood bank, there is more available in the washroom,” she explained.
I was surprised that they could walk into a blood bank and order blood. I guess Ambrogio did not want us to hunt on his lands. I would respect that and I was grateful he was able to procure a meal for us without the loss of life. Jack and I drank the blood from the bag, it was still warm and delicious. I a bit surprised that our natural instinct did not kick in. I guess this had something to do with the fact that we were not hunting. We actually talked during our dinner. Something that had never occurred before. The one bag was satisfying for me. I politely declined another.
Once we were done Jack and I headed into the study and relaxed for a bit. My mind still playing every memory from England. It was an experience I would not forget. I hoped to one-day return. I missed the old ones and I hoped that one day I could see them again. I guess when you have forever, you can do whatever you want, but for now I will stay by Jack’s side at least until he orders me away.
The next day I went into Ambrogio’s chamber and stared at him. I tried to find his thoughts. I realized since he knew what I could do, he too could keep me out. Unless…
I knew it was a long shot. I approached Ambrogio and put my hand over his. His skin was as smooth and cool as the marble throne in which he sat. And sure enough, the images began to flood my mind. I was lost in his story. Surprised he would share them with me in this manner. I did not think he would share them. I was more concerned that he would be angry with me. Once I began to see his mind open up to me I appreciated the gesture much more. There was no way for me to properly explain this to him. I felt honored by the action alone. Ever so slowly I began to piece his story together.
12. SWEET SACRIFICE
I
N THE GREEK TEMPLE OF APOLLO there lived a maiden, fair haired, fair skinned and beautiful. It was there that I fell in love by Cupid’s arrow. I secretly sent the lovely maiden many love letters in the hopes to one day have her heart. Yet I knew our love would be impossible because she belonged to the God Apollo. You did not take that which belonged to the Gods.
I was surprised when the young maiden responded to my love. A love I believed would go unrequited. She said she wished she could love me and be with me, but as a possession of the Gods she did not want to anger them. She pled with me to leave her be.
I proceeded to conduct my business but missed the fair haired maiden of Apollo. I prayed to the Gods every day. One day my prayer was answered; however, in so answering my prayer I was cursed by the God Apollo for coveting that which was his. In this curse, I was unable to be with Selene in the rays of the sun. I found I could venture out into the night since the dark sky did not bother me. Yet I noticed my senses had become more acute. I was faster, stronger and yet I was weakened by the sun. I also had a hunger that mortal food could not satisfy and so it came to be I craved the life source of mortal men.
I hid from Selene, out of shame o
f what Apollo had done to me. I had no way to communicate this to her and so I hid in a cave of Hades. Hades made a deal with me. I was to steal the silver bow of Artemis and in exchange Selene and I would always have protection in the world of the dead; however, should I fail I would be damned to the Shades. In this frame of mind, I did the unthinkable. I gained the trust of Artemis only to betray her. In her rage she cast another curse on me: silver would burn to the touch. The silver bow burned my hands and I was unable to deliver it to Hades.
Shortly thereafter, Artemis came from Olympus to speak with me, in which I explained the nature of my curse and the reason deceit. Artemis took pity on us and she allowed our love to flourish in exchange Selene must remain forever virgin. I accepted the Goddess’ terms and Selene and I had a love like no other. We lived together. She walked the day and I the night. I spent the nights watching her sleep as sleep no longer came to me. During the day I would crawl under a hole and stay there until the rays of Apollo had passed me by.
Sadly, as the years went by, Selene aged and I was forever young. I again called on the Goddess Artemis. Once again the Goddess took pity on the us. The Goddess allowed me to touch Selene only to drink her blood and kill her mortal body. In this Selene would live within me and once again allow me to walk in the sun. Sadly, I would never see Selene again or hold her in my arms. I have continued to weep for her for many millennia.
*******
I felt the warm, tears of blood flow down my cheeks. I felt a sudden warm touch on my check. Armbogio cradled my face and embraced me solemnly. I was broken from all that I had witnessed and glad I was given such pleasure. I feared Ambrogio would be angry with me and I hesitated to look into his eyes.
“Child it is a wonderful gift I have given you. You have seen Selene and from your mind I have seen her as she was. One so young, beautiful and vibrant. I continue to mourn for Selene and I always will. At times the pain becomes so unbearable for me; yet I feel as though you have taken that from me. You have somehow taken my pain into yourself, and I ask myself, what sort of creature are you?” he explained and I could hear the wonder in voice.
I heard the unfamiliar cadences of his voice, as though the memories had taken him back to a time once known by him. A Greece and Italy long since gone and forgotten by all, except the few who continue to exist. I looked up into his eyes and they had glazed over as he became lost in his thoughts, but he did not return to his slumber. From his mind I had seen a world so ancient, beautiful and pure. It was a world I would never see except through his eyes. I was both saddened by his loss and I envied his love for Selene. I never knew that such a love as pure as theirs could exist and it gave me hope that one day I could love someone as he had loved.
Seeing Ambrogio’s memories had answered several questions about us and our different abilities. Where Apollo and Hades, cursed us, Artemis saved us. I looked at him unable to speak as the tears still flowed. I felt a mixture of emotion flood me from the inside out. Suddenly, I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder. Jack had come to see. I turned to him unable to contain the flow of bloody tears from my eyes the blood soaking my clothes. The term a bloody mess was quite accurate for this moment.
I heard Ambrogio’s unspoken thoughts, he was fascinated by what I could do. I felt the weight of Ambrogio’s sadness lift with each tear I shed. Not knowing what I was doing or how I was doing it was bewildering. We did not know what to call this new gift. At this moment I pitied Jack especially since he could feel my emotions. I was unsure how long I spent crying for a love long since gone, but still vividly remembered. A love that was not mine, but I was allowed to witness. When I was finally done and all out of tears, I felt famished and somehow drained. I smelled the blood and heard the chink of the glass as it was given to me and I drank. This drink tasted different so unfamiliar, yet so delicious. I saw Ambrogio smile and for once his smile lit up the room. It was a smile that for once was not held back. This was a genuine smile and beautiful to behold.
“How did you enjoy the wine?” he asked.
“It was beyond heavenly, it tasted like sweet honey and grapes,” I replied.
“Yes, it is called Ambrosia, the wine of the Gods. Its recipe has been in my family for millennia, and has been improved with time. Every era provides a new way to make wine, yet I have kept mine the same way my fathers had made it. I have a small secret for you,” he said. I was curious now. A small secret for me.
“I make a wine for our kind only, it is the Ambrosia you have just tasted. It is infused with the essence of Selene, I call it Eterno, and that is what you drink,” he explained.
“A wine only for vampires, such as us,” I exclaimed. Surprise filled my words.
“Yes, a wine for vampires and a wine for the humans. As you know my villa is known to have produced the finest of wines in the world. Ambrosia Eterno, is the only wine for us, it brings us closer to the Gods,” he explained. Every word he spoke was filled with pride. He was proud of his vineyard and his wine.
I had not heard of such a thing and I thought to never be able to have anything other than blood, and here Ambrogio has created a wine that vampires can drink. I looked at Jack in amazement and I knew by the look on his face he did not know. I assumed Ambrosio had kept this secret and only now has he decided to share it. I felt honored that he felt I was worthy of his secret.
“No not secret.” He answered my unspoken thoughts. “I have spent ages trying to refine it and perfect it. I, let me rephrase that, we can drink wine, and other heavy drinks, as long as they are infused with blood and yes my wine allows for a type of drunken experience. It helps to ease the ache of the hunger. As time goes on the burn of the hunger ebbs, but as I have learned it takes near a millennium to do so and I have seen three,” he explained.
I was astonished by what I had learned and I had hope. I drank some more of Ambrogio’s wine as he offered it. I must have drunk about three bottles of Eterno, and soon I began to feel a long forgotten feeling. The swirling of my head. My thoughts were becoming fuzzy. I began to feel drunken. I was laughing a laugh so lighthearted and I was dancing with Jack. Somewhere along the way Beethoven’s Midnight Sonata had begun to play. I saw Jack and I saw Ambrogio twirling in delight. We were drunk and happy. I wondered if they were in fact actually feeding off of my emotions.
I stopped twirling, my head was still spinning, Ambrogio still laughing, and drunkenly staggered towards me. He embraced me, and thanked me for saving him from his despair. We continued to laugh on into the night and soon Jack and Ambrogio were reminiscing of their time together a long time ago. The things they would do together. Their travels and adventures. They both avoided the darkness of Ambrogio’s madness; yet through my drunken haze I somehow knew Ambrogio would be okay now.
We spent another month with Ambrogio, I enjoyed his company and from his thoughts I could tell he enjoyed mine as well. He too, learned to shut me out at times, but a simple handshake or caress would bring the thoughts, the memories flooding through my mind. Somehow, being here with Ambrogio had changed me, I felt different as though I could fly. Being here has somehow made me stronger. The ability to see what I did by simple skin contact grew. I did not know what to call this new ability and it baffled them, yet fascinated them at the same time.
Ambrosio and I spent countless hours discussing my abilities and assumed I would grow to be one of the strongest vampire they knew. Even he could not do some of the things that I could do and in such a short time. I could hear the thoughts of Ambrogio and the thoughts of many others from miles away. Ambrogio informed me that others of our kind could do different things. He himself could read minds, make the body hurt without a touch, he could levitate, make you see what he wants you to see. He explained it usually takes years for powers to fully develop, yet I am quickly growing into mine and this is fascinating to him. He helps me build on my own powers to strengthen myself. Ambrogio pushed me to no end always challenging me to be better. I enjoyed every challenge he threw at me.
In the
time we have been here, Ambrogio appears to be happier and more content with his lot. I have seen him laugh, dance and drunk just about every night since he has awoken. I have learned that Eterno is supposed to bring you closer to the Gods and Goddesses of old. The fact that it allows me to become drunk is amazing. I mean well maybe it does make us drunk or maybe it is just a placebo effect.
What I have learned is that the drunken experience happens to enhance my powers while in such a drunken state. It is because in my drunken state, my mind is relaxed and by the end of our time with Ambrosio I too can levitate the way Ambrosio does and I have also seen the Goddess. Crazy as it seems, maybe a hallucination due to being able to become intoxicated. The drunken stated does not last long before we are sober again. The good thing about being a Vampire is that we did not get hangovers. So no need to worry about this.
13. MONSTER INSIDE
J
ACK AND I SPENT OUR TIME traveling through Europe. I knew it was only a matter of time before we made our way back to the States. I was beginning to be accustomed to this new life and have accepted that I can never be a part of my family’s life. It was just safer this way, but I missed them so much.
We arrived in Mexico almost two years after my new life. We visited the old pyramids in Mexico City. We explored the caves, the cenotes and the mountains. I was excited about going mountain climbing without the need for a harness. I knew that even if I fell I would not die. It took me seconds to reach the peak. Once there, I would just sit there, stare at the sky for hours and just think. Jack would join me on occasion. I loved this peaceful country. The mountains and waterfalls were amazing.
Evanescere: Origins Page 9