Immortal Fire Series; The Trilogy ~ Eighteen Summers, Severina, Rising Bloodtide

by K. M. Liss

  “No way...You actually married human men? That is vile!”

  “Yes it was a touch distasteful at times. I married two older men... they sadly passed away very quickly after our nuptials. I may have overfed from them accidentally, I cannot be sure. But in any case, I am reasonably well provided for. I own my home. I have a rather lovely sports car and a box full of diamonds, and some money left in the bank. It won't last forever but I can always take another human husband. It is a tedious process and I do so wish I had a gorgeous vampire mate with a fortune instead. You are very lucky to have Saba, Sevi.”

  “Lucky? I have more cash than he does... I am a millionairess! I have contracts with perfume and cosmetic companies and two leading high street stores. I have even been offered a film role, but that wouldn't be wise I feel. Money comes in faster than I could possibly spend it. I would say we were both equally lucky, with our joint fortune and the strength of our bond.”

  “No, you are the lucky one Sevi, to have a vampire partner such as he. I hope you appreciate him properly or someone else surely will,” she said in a strong, clipped tone of voice. “Now then, much as I love standing here with you chatting idly, we should think about leaving soon, shouldn't we?” Sevi opened her mouth to cut her down with a catty remark but decided she couldn't be bothered.

  “I shall gather them up. One moment please.”

  She left their suite and knocked for Fro and Saba.

  “Saba, Fro…Portia is asking when we are leaving. Are you ready?”

  “Yes, we're all done in here sweet pants,” Fro called out as Saba opened the door, the two of them emerging from the room.

  They returned to their suite and finally all left together in the lift. Portia drew an envelope from her bag and pressed the ground floor reception button.

  “What's that?” Sevi enquired, curious as she noticed the USA address.

  “It's a letter for my son. I forgot to post it on the way here.”

  “You have a son?” Saba asked in surprise.

  “Mmmm, I had Enrico a very long time ago, when I was little more than a child myself. Raffaele turned him when he became of age. I send mail to him via a mutual friend, as sadly I don't know where he lives. We are estranged you see and have been for many years,” she explained dejectedly.

  They stood quietly digesting this news, Sevi's mind was running riot. The lift arrived at reception and they all waited nearby while she delivered her letter to the desk clerk and had a few words with him. She turned swiftly and rejoined them and they made their way down the stairwell to the basement and their hired car. Severina drove and insisted Portia sit at her side in the front. She felt that to be the best seating arrangement considering the relationship issues between them.

  The journey northwards towards Rome, and then east bound to Tivoli took much longer than expected as the roads were busy and congested. Sevi turned the radio on and off several times trying to find something to listen to, and to fill the silent air, but gave up in disgust. It was late evening when they finally arrived at Tivoli and they checked into yet another hotel for the night. They all went off to feed and returned a little later to Sevi and Saba's suite for a short while.

  It appeared that Fro was getting over his broken heart as he was able to look at Portia without his painful haunted look. He even spoke briefly to her too. That cheered Sevi no end. The fact that Portia was still ogling Saba was an annoyance, but Sevi felt comfortable with the fact that their love was stronger than she could ever have imagined, so this was not an issue at all. In fact she even smiled at her once or twice as she admired his manly features. He was a male god after all, a darkly, handsome beauty of a man. How could she not stare at him? Her heart still hurt so over Miche leaving her, but she knew her crush would soon pass into pleasant memories and she could look back on it fondly, without any pain.

  “Tomorrow, just before dawn, will be our day of justice and the day the last blood relative of the Gianni family is dispatched from this world. What a day in vampire history that shall be!” Severina declared with a wild enthusiasm. She obviously felt very nervous about it, but it helped to have the others around.

  “Yes, I quite agree. An end to the weak, thieving Gianni clan who have watered down our vampire DNA to a soft mushiness. And I am proud to be a part of such an end. I shall slit Nico's throat from ear to ear and watch the blood pool around my feet. I shall dance in it and may even cut off a limb or two, just for fun,” Portia said with a surprising amount of eagerness.

  So much for her non- violent and loving personality...

  Severina felt there was far more to Portia than met the eye. But she wasn't concerned. As long as she played her part they could send her back to Naples immediately afterwards. In a taxicab...

  They arose at 4 a.m. the next day, quickly dressed and prepared themselves, and then set the sat-nav on the car for the address they had been given and set off for their vengeance.

  After a short ten minute drive, they arrived at their destination and drove past the large walled and gated compound and then stopped a short distance away.

  “It's a very large house. It should be easy to slip inside, over that wall. We must act quickly and then we should leave just as fast,” Sevi said, taking charge. “Right, Portia... You and I will set off together, Saba, you follow up the rear. Fro, as you don't want any part of it, we shall leave you and the car outside their door so that we can depart quickly afterwards."

  “Come then my friends. This is our moment.” She drove on and then back to their drop off point and the three of them left the car in the dark and made their way to the wall. They sprung to the top of the wall and looked around quickly, surveying their enemy's territory. There were no obvious signs of any guards, so they quickly descended and began to make their way inside.

  Good. This should be easy, if we are quiet and fast.

  They crept up to the building and Sevi climbed the rough stone walls with her strong nails, peering into each balconied room in turn. At the third much larger window, she looked in the doors and saw a familiar blonde head, ruffled sheets, and an empty space at her side. Her heart thumped with nervous tension. Her hands shook with the realisation that this was it. She got her knife ready, flicking it open with a soft click and tried the door. It opened silently. She beckoned at Portia to follow her and she made her way up. She motioned to Saba to wait, with a one minute sign with her finger. She crept in, approaching the bed. She raised her arm ready to strike at Calista, but heard a rustle behind her. She turned and faltered in shock as she saw Portia with her knife lifted and obviously ready to stab her in the back. She grabbed at her arm and the two women tussled together with hatred on their faces.

  Oh no.... This cannot be... All my planning and now this...The traitorous bitch has betrayed me, the Ristoria, and her very own brother...

  Portia struck at her neck with her knife and slashed her deeply on the second attempt. The blood flowed in a gush from the wound and Sevi clutched at it wildly with fear and screamed. In an instant she felt very dizzy. She collapsed on the floor with Portia's gleeful face staring down at her. She was aware of Calista's voice shouting something loudly.

  Saba, Saba... Save me...

  Seconds later, her eyes dimmed, and she felt a thud of weight upon her. She drifted into unconsciousness sure that she had met her end.

  She awoke in a bright airy place. Her eyes could only see a hazy blur. She remembered now.

  She was dead...

  She turned her head and brought her hands to her neck at the pain this caused. Perhaps she wasn't dead... Surely she would feel no pain if this was so... She heard a voice calling her.

  “Severina... Come back to me my love...” It was Saba.

  “What happened?” she rasped, her throat dry and parched as his blurry face came into view.

  “Your plan went up in smoke.”

  “Yes I know... She tried to kill me... Portia, the bitch.”

  “She did, I saw it all. I stopped her from finishi
ng you off. She stabbed Calista too, badly, in the shoulder.”

  “Where is she? I'll kill the bitch. She has ruined everything with her treachery”

  “She is already dispatched. I did it with pleasure. No one slashes my love's neck and escapes to tell the tale.”

  “Saba... No! Really? She is gone?”

  “Not exactly, she's in the freezer downstairs. We have to think what to do about her body.”

  “How did she imagine she could get away with it, I don't understand?”

  “I can only guess, but she must have been planning this on the journey down here. To kill you, then Calista, place the knife in her hand, and blame her, perhaps Nico too... Or not. I don't think he was her target Sevi. She wanted you out of the way obviously. To get to me I suppose. It seems her need of money and fame was far more pressing than her need for retribution. It's lucky I was close by the pair of you. I didn't like the idea of you two women alone in there. I didn't know if Nico was in the room. He's a very strong and capable vampire. I was right behind you honey.”

  “Oh Saba my dearest love.” She held up her arms for a kiss and he responded so passionately she felt high. “Are we their prisoners now?”

  “No, not at all. In fact we are their guests.”

  “But how? I tried to kill them. Why didn't Nico kill us too?”

  “Perhaps he had had enough of this terrible feud. I had no taste for it either. Besides, there have been developments in our situation. Fucking hell, have there been some changes Sevi!” her eyes opened wide at his change in tone.

  “Tell me. What changes?”

  “No, not yet. Let's see if you can get up and dressed. I've brought your stuff from the hotel.”

  “I feel okay, just a little dry and very hungry.”

  “You can feed as soon as you like. We have a donor waiting, shall I bring him in?”

  “Yes, I need the energy, quickly.”

  He opened the door and a young man was let in and she fed well, and then she lay back for a few minutes, savouring the sensations and her renewed vigour. He left and then to her surprise, Fro arrived in the room carrying Snow, Portia's cat.

  “Oh Fro, there you are. What a terrible mess. I am so sorry about what happened with Portia. It appears she had ill will against us, well, ill will against me in particular.”

  “It's okay. You're far more dear to me than her. The evil little witch. I hope she rots in hell,” he said with a grin. “How are you my sweet little Sevi?”

  “I'm not sweet at all. I'm a vengeful but very unsuccessful vampire.”

  “That's true. But hopefully you'll see the light now honey pie.”

  “I don't know that I can Fro. It's part of who I am.”

  “I haven't told her anything yet,” Saba said cryptically.

  “Oh, well I'll leave you be. I'll see you downstairs later. I'm having some wine and chatting with Yulia.”

  “Oh no, not her surely? The red headed, far too well endowed Yulia who likes Swing dancing and insists on reading her own dreadful modern poetry aloud at every given opportunity.”

  “Mmmm, that's the one. She's a gorgeous girl. And her poems are thought provoking and amusing.”

  “Well to each their own. Go on then, go chat her up. I can see you're dying to.” She gave him a little grin. He left carrying a purring Snow.

  Such unfaithful creatures, cats....

  She got up and washed and dressed, looking at her wound in the mirror. It was healing well. Hopefully it would be gone soon. She couldn't have an obvious neck scar in her line of work.

  “Come on Sevi, let's go and find Nico and Calista. They've been so anxious and impatient to speak to you.”

  “They have?” She felt anxious about speaking to them too. Not in a good way either.

  What could she say? 'Hello, I'm sorry I tried to kill you, I didn't mean it...'

  She still wanted them dead... She couldn't forget Vini. It was a fire in her body and mind. What she was going to do about this truce they had orchestrated behind her back was beyond her comprehension. She was struggling with it already. She couldn't stand around chatting with Calista and Nico, drinking their wine, and pretending everything was fine suddenly. It was most definitely not fine in her book.

  He took her hand and led her out and down the wide, curving pale cream marble staircase to the floor below. The house was certainly very beautiful, with large windows to let in the light and massive paintings on the walls.

  She heard laughter and voices and Saba steered her towards them with his arm at her waist.

  “Don't worry Sevi, it'll be all right. I'm here with you, I always will be” Saba said reassuringly and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She sighed with love. Suddenly it did not matter how coarse and uncultured he could be or if he swore every other word. He was her deepest love, her soulmate, her saviour. He was more than just a potential mate to her now. She might as well marry the man. No one else would ever do. Not even Michello, although he was a very close second.

  She entered the room with great apprehension. She was about to face them. Her tormentors. Vini's murderers. The hated Gianni family she despised so very, very much. How she was going to be civilised she had no idea.

  “Severina, how lovely to see you up and about again.” Calista glided to her side and placed a big kiss on her surprised cheek. Her right shoulder was padded out a little and her arm was in a sling. “I do hope we can become friends now that this is all over.”

  “Is it all over? And why is that?” Severina began. Surely it was up to her if her reason for revenge was 'over', wasn't it?

  “We're all family, aren't we?” Calista said softly.

  “We're all vampires, but I don't think family is the word I'd use,” Sevi retorted harshly.

  They all looked at each other for an awkward moment. Nico stepped forth and took her hand. She shivered at his touch. This man had killed Raffaele. He hadn't killed her brother, she knew that much, but even so. She didn't want to touch him at all. She pulled her hand away in disgust. He didn't push it, but stood in front of her and began to tell her something. Something she could not believe.

  “Severina, you and Sabato are Gianni. Alfredo is Gianni, he was turned by Gabriel. Gabriel was turned by a Gianni, apparently, although he never confirmed this until recently, being such a mysterious little soul. This ancient Latin scholar had travelled the continent for many years and was turned by Lord Aule himself. You are of our blood, our family. We are so sorry about the loss of your twin Vincenzo. When we entered the barn that day, the sight awaiting us was so dreadful we assumed all were responsible and enjoying the appalling torture of our two cherished women. It was a terrible misunderstanding and we cannot change that, ever. I ask that you accept our apologies and heartfelt sorrow over the needless slaughter of your brother. It pains us too. He was our family as well after all.”

  “But...” Severina was almost speechless, her mind spinning in near delirium.

  She was a Gianni? No... Yes... No... Yes... Her mind couldn't accept all of this so quickly and she soon felt weak in the knees. Nico took her hand again, drew her close and planted a kiss on each cheek.

  “Welcome back, dearest Severina. Don't hold any more hatred in your hearts for us, I beg you. We should have love for each other from this moment forth, after all, it's not every day you discover unknown long lost relatives, is it?”

  He was offering her his love, despite her intentions?

  A huge sob leapt from her mouth and Nico hugged her tightly, patting her back.

  “Come now my dear, calm down... shhhh. I know it's a shock. To believe all your life that you are something that you are not.” He released her and she took a look around the room at those gathered while she was still shaking and snuffling. Fro, Gabriel, Sofia, Yulia, Calista, Nico and Saba all looked back at her with smiles on their faces. Then she glanced at the dozen or so others that lived here and they returned her gaze with equal measure.

  These people really were her family.


  It explained so much. Her feelings of kindness and generosity. Her soft underlying nature. All the Gianni-like characteristics which she had fought so hard against and tried to keep hidden all her vampire life.

  Saba gave her a quick hug. “Well, Portia's Tarot reading was pretty accurate in one respect. She predicted I'd have a big family surprise. As I didn't have much of a family until today, I was kinda doubtful about that,” He said and they all laughed. It lightened the heavy atmosphere.

  Calista and Sofia took a hand each and led her away and upstairs.

  “Let's find you something nicer to wear than those old jeans and t-shirt. You can borrow something of mine,” Calista offered kindly.

  “How are you finding things now that you have changed, Lady Calista?” Sevi asked, using her proper title hesitantly.

  “Oh don't bother with all that toffee, call me Cali, everyone does. And I'm fine. I'm mated to Nico and as besotted with him as ever. In fact I'm getting married in a proper ceremony soon, just to please my mum and dad really... I'm as happy as a lark.”

  “That's good. I'm so relieved about that. You were completely shell-shocked when I last saw you. That was the day I collected you from your old home. You look very beautiful and quite regal now Cali, not the scruffy little urchin you once were.”

  “Ha ha... I know. I was an awkward young lady. But I've matured a lot. Got wise, you know.”

  “I'm sorry I meant you harm. I had no idea what I was doing of course. What did Raffaele do to you in that barn anyway?”

  “He chopped off Sofia's hand and forced a massive stake in my vagina while I was hanging upside down naked,” Calista explained with a tear in her eye and he voice quaking a bit.

  “Oh my God... He really did all that?” Raffaele suddenly disgusted her. The torture, pain, and agony that the man had dished out... He must have been a psychotic deranged individual. She could think that now, without guilt. Now that she was Gianni.

  “Sadly so. Sofia's hand is useless. We managed to re-attach it but the nerves never healed properly.” Sofia held up her drooping hand to show her.