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

by K. M. Liss

  “GET OUT!” she spat loudly at them, baring her fangs and growling with such deep provocation she could hardly contain herself. They gathered up their clothes and scurried past her, giggling and hissing at her, as they left the apartment.

  “Ah... Sevi...” Saba began to say something apologetic in a slurred drunken voice.

  Her heart and mind was shot to pieces. She saw red.

  “AND YOU TOO YOU FILTHY BASTARD!” she shouted at him in a blaze of anger, her eyes heating nearly to the boiling point.

  He sat up and crossed his arms.

  “Oh no, I'm not going anywhere... This is my home too,” he insisted, sobering up a little with the seriousness of the situation.

  “Well in that case, I'll go. I've had enough of this Saba. More than enough! I was going to suggest we took a break. A few months apart, to get through this phase of ours, more specifically, of yours... Our break may as well start now. I'll pack and leave shortly.”

  “What the hell... Do whatever you want,” he said coldly.

  “Don't worry, I will. You obviously do.”

  “It's my fucking life,” he added nastily. Drinking a lot always made him nasty.

  “Well this should suit you nicely. You don't have to share your fucking life from now on. Enjoy!”

  She closed the door on him, her throat burning with an ache like never before. It could be over permanently for all she cared at the moment. Bringing whores into her apartment had been the final straw.

  She gathered two large suitcases of clothes, her passport, cosmetics, and personal things. He didn't bother to stop her going. In fact he didn't even come out of his room. Sadly this pleased her. She didn't even want to look at him again.

  She hailed a cab and asked to be dropped at the Renaissance Hotel. She needed to get away from New York. Just for two or three weeks. She'd speak to Rose in the morning and reschedule all her bookings.

  Forty-eight hours later, Severina sat on the plane looking out of the window. They were coming in to land at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. She felt the landing gear descend in preparation. It was a beautiful sunny day and her spirits had lifted no end now that she was here. She had texted Michello's great grandson Rocco, and he had informed her that Miche was working in Paris now. He'd visited Rome for two days a few months ago and they were in contact regularly now that he had a phone. Rocco forwarded her his address and phone number. She told Rocco she was going to surprise his Pop and to keep it a secret.

  She needed a broad supportive shoulder to cry on, a male one. And one who wasn't in her family circle. She had thought of running back to Cali and Nico and pouring out her heart and soul, but after second thoughts, she decided she didn't want to involve them too much in her marital strife. She was embarrassed by it all. Nico and Cali had such a wonderful relationship and were so devoted. She couldn't imagine Nico getting hooked on whores, wine, and cannabis for a second!

  The plane landed and she disembarked and trundled through the usual airport chaos. She hated travelling. She had to do so much of it with her job. She normally took short internal flights in the US, but even so, airports took up so much time. They were too busy. She hated busy places. She stood on the arrivals concourse and switched on her phone. It buzzed with three messages. She read them leaving Saba's till last. She read it with distaste.

  “Baby, I'm so sorry. I need you and love you. Please come back.” She bristled at the thought of returning to him and his filthy little life.

  No way!

  “Three months Saba. Then I'll think about it. Don't contact me until then,” she quickly typed her reply and then switched her phone off.

  She made her way outside, got in a cab, and set off for the Hotel Scribe. She daydreamed as she gazed out of the window at the city passing her by. She had been in Paris a number of times for work, but never for pleasure. She would take in the sights and see her good friend Michello. She would have some fun. She had been working too hard lately, almost non stop for months and months. Ever since her wedding. Her wonderful, fabulous, society wedding. She sighed at the thought of how far things had slid downhill since then. Maybe she should have taken a little more time off work to be with Saba. He had been at a loose end, unsure of where to go, floundering around in the ocean of life. Not that he had taken any notice of the suggestions she had made to fill his empty days. In fact he'd seemed hell bent on doing the opposite. That was, doing nothing at all. Then the drinking had started.

  Still, it was too late for that now. What was done was done. No point dwelling on it. Hopefully their time apart would give them the space to think about what was really important to them. This applied to herself as well as Saba. Life wasn't just about work.

  Two hours later she had found Miche's home address and sat outside in the early evening sunshine on a low wall. It was a nice area, the 4th Arrondissement, otherwise known as L'Arrondissement de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, and spanned part of the Seine River. It was old, medieval looking, and artistic. He was obviously doing well to be living here, it was undoubtedly expensive. She was suddenly very proud of her protégé, the old Refugio doorkeeper she had turned. He had come a long way since then. She idly wondered what he did for a living. She picked up her phone and dialled his number and a few seconds later, he answered.

  “Allo? Miche D'Angelo...” The sound of his deep raspy tones made her heart somersault like crazy. He had such a sexy voice. How she had missed it.

  “Guess who?” she asked in Italian with a chuckle.

  “Severina, is that you? How wonderful! Where did you get my number?”

  “I had Rocco's number. I keep in touch now and then. He gave me yours.”

  “How are you Sevi? This is such a big surprise!”

  “It's about to become a bigger one!”

  “Why's that?”

  “I am sitting outside your door.”

  “You are here, in Paris? This is more than a surprise... I am now in shock... Unfortunately, I am not home.”

  “Oh, where are you?” she asked, suddenly full of disappointment.

  “At work. I am a model like you. You gave me the idea. And it's working out really well. I have so much to tell you... Where are you staying?”

  “At the Hotel Scribe, in a suite.”

  “I'll come over and meet you, when I've finished with my client. Give me two hours, okay?”

  “Sure, I'll go and unpack while I wait. See you soon my love.” She touched end call and after deleting the two new messages that she'd received from Saba while it was switched off, she popped her phone back in her bag. She'd visit Chanel first and buy him a little gift, some special cologne. Her phone buzzed and she picked it out. It was a text from Miche.

  “So glad you're here. Can't wait to see you again...xx.” She smiled and put her phone away.

  He stood outside her hotel room door and drew a breath. He straightened his clothes and flicked his hand through his hair. He was suddenly so nervous about seeing her again. He raised his bite and flicked the sharp tips, reminding himself he was a strong and capable vampire and had no need to be nervous of anything. He did this whenever the going got tough in his life and it worked every time. He raised his hand with renewed confidence and rapped loudly on her door.

  She flung it open and they stood and stared silently for a moment. He gasped at the sight of her, his lovely Sevi. The female he owed everything to. She was beyond beautiful in his eyes. He worshipped the ground she walked on. She was a vampire goddess.

  “Are you going to invite me in?” He finally managed to form the words in his brain and utter them out loud and she moved aside to let him in.

  “Oh Miche, it's so good to see you. Look at you!” She flung herself into his delighted arms as he walked inside the room.

  “And you my love. More than good,” he murmured against her ear, stroking her hair in bliss. They stood and hugged for what seemed like ages, with nary a word being said.

  “Mmmmm, I remember this feeling,” she finally said, looking up.
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  He held her away a little. Their closeness was becoming far too heated and arousing for him.

  “Where's the charming Saba? Your husband now, I believe?”

  “Not here. He's in New York.”

  “Oh, are you working in Paris then?”

  “No. Just visiting you.”

  “I am truly honoured. But won't Saba be unhappy about this?”

  “I don't care. We're on a break.”

  “A break? And what's that?”

  “A separation. He has developed unpleasant behaviour that I can't live with anymore. He needs to work things through, and then maybe we can pick up the pieces somehow.”

  “Oh no, I am so sorry Sevi. Perhaps you can tell me all about this later. How long are you here, in Paris?”

  “Eighteen days.”

  “Well then. I shall make sure you have a good time, to take your mind off your troubles.”

  “I rather hoped you would,” she said with a smile. She picked up the Chanel bag from her console table and gave it to him. “Here, a hello gift, from me.”

  He took it and opened it, and picked out the boxed gift inside.

  “Sevi, this is lovely. Thank you. I do love Chanel Bleu. It's one of my favourites. And what a large bottle it is!” He kissed her cheek with pleasure.

  “Good. I'm so glad you like it. Perhaps you can wear it for me sometime, hmmm?” She gave him a meaningful look that made his chest heave with excitement. “Now then, come and sit down. We shall have some wine and a long, long talk.” She led him by the hand into the sitting room and patted the seat next to her on the sofa. He put her gift on the coffee table in front of him and opened the wine, pouring them both a generous glass.

  His mind strayed briefly to Mercedes. How was he going to explain her to Severina? And how was he going to keep Severina's presence in Paris a secret from Mercedes? Eighteen days was a long time. He'd have to take it one day at a time and think about it tomorrow. It was a good thing she was out of town at the moment, at a fashion show in Monaco that he couldn't attend due to his work commitments.

  He had three days of bitch-free freedom. With her. His Sevi. And how he wanted her. With a pain deep inside his soul.

  They talked for a long time about his work and hers. About Portia's treachery and the discovery at Nico and Calista's home that they were in fact Gianni all along. She avoided mentioning much about Saba and his fall from grace and he avoided mentioning Mercedes, but they spoke non-stop about everything else. She insisted they open a second bottle of red wine when their first was finished, and she insisted on drinking most of it herself. After she had drained three quarters of it, in a very short period of time, he could see her eyes were unfocused and her movements were becoming slow and uncoordinated.

  “I think you're a little drunk, missy,” he chided with a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  She climbed unsteadily onto his lap giggling.

  “Nope, not a little drunk at all... a lot drunk!” She giggled some more and then suddenly, looking into his eyes, her smile faded and she became so serious. Taking a deep shaky breath, she leaned towards him and brushed her mouth against his. His whole body burst into flame at her touch. But she pulled away a second later and flopped onto the sofa with a moan.

  “Everything's spinning, my head feels all funny, Miche.” Her little fangs appeared, in her partly opened mouth, and her eyes were glazed and glowing. She looked so appealing and sweet he wanted to kiss her like crazy. His mouth watered with the thought of it, but he wouldn't, not in her current state of inebriation.

  “Off to bed with you,” he ordered with a firm resolve. He stood and pulled her up and she collapsed in his arms, out cold. Carrying her into the bedroom, he placed her carefully on her bed. He touched her hair and her face gently with his fingertips, placed a very soft kiss on her lips, and then lay down beside her. His arm wrapped across her slender waist, he looked at her until he fell asleep, hours later. He knew he was in love with her and had been since the moment he'd savoured her blood.

  Her eyes hurt and her mouth felt like it had been basking in the Sahara Desert for the better part of a week. She tried to sit up, but quickly lay back down again, her head feeling thick and woolly and anything but pleasant.

  “Goodness, how revolting. I don't know how Saba does this night after night,” she complained loudly. She became aware of Miche lying next to her on the bed. She turned and lay on her side looking at him, so handsome and fast asleep. Her heart leapt with the deeply buried feelings she had for him and her chest rose with a shaky sigh of desire.

  They were both fully dressed. That was good to see. Although she hoped to have a little bedroom fun with Miche over the next few weeks, she wanted to remember what they did. Everything they did. She placed a light kiss on his nose and his eyes flickered open, accompanied by a very sexy little smile on his lips.

  “Good morning, and how's the drunken hussy today?” he asked with a yawn.

  “I've felt a lot better.”

  “Me too. I had a touch too much myself. Want some water?” he offered.

  “That would be nice.” She lay on her back and stretched as he went to retrieve a bottle of water from the mini bar.

  He returned with one each and opened hers, handing it to her as he sat down next to her on the bed.

  “There you go. The cure for overindulgence.”

  “Thanks, remind me not to do that again.” She guzzled it greedily, her parched mouth and throat soaking up the fresh cool liquid.

  “Everyone should get drunk now and then. It releases tension, gives you a high for a while. Takes away your worries.”

  “Do you? Get drunk I mean?”

  “Yeah, but not as often as I used to in my last job,” he grinned at her. “I've given up cigarettes as well, I don't need them anymore and they tasted strange somehow.”

  “Nasty habit anyway.”

  “I suppose it was,” he agreed. His phone buzzed and he took it off the bedside table and looked at it. “I've got to go out soon, to work. Want to come or shall we meet up later?”

  “Miche, can I come? I'd love to see you work. What are you doing?”

  “Nothing very glamorous, it's one of my urban street-wear shoots in a dark and dingy basement somewhere.”

  “I love that style!”

  “You do? It's becoming my niche lately.”

  “Maybe we could do a shot or two together. I mean, if you want to? I don't want to take over, well, not too much anyway.” She laughed loudly at the thought of hovering in the background. Taking a backseat wasn't usually her way.

  “Sevi, I would be delighted and I'm quite sure Garage Gear will be too. This is going to be so much fun!” His whole face lit up and her heart melted. She was already imagining the kind of shots they could do together. This would be wild. More than wild.

  A short time later they walked to his car, which was parked nearby, and got inside.

  “How long have you been driving?” she asked him with interest.

  “I passed my test three months ago,” he replied starting up the engine. It purred to life and he smiled inside, like he always did. He took a moment to tap in his destination details in the built in GPS.

  “I really do love your car,” she remarked, admiring its smart interior and stroking the soft black leather seats with her fingertips. “Porsches are so sleek and beautifully made. I adore the deep thrumming sound they make.”

  “Me too.”

  “You're doing so well in your new life, aren't you? I'm proud of you.”

  “I'm trying really hard to make something of myself. I spent too many years doing very little. There's so much I want to do and see in the world. Things I want to experience.”

  “I feel the same way. As soon as my contracts are finished, I'm going to move on. Do something else with my life. I love martial arts, music, and fencing. I want to try painting and learning to fly next, maybe even take up skiing. I've never tried it and it looks such fun.”


  “And what about Saba? Will he enjoy doing these things with you?”

  She bit her lip and looked at him solemnly.

  “I don't think he will. He has never shown much interest in any activity I have suggested.”

  “Is there nothing you both enjoy?” he probed gently.

  She sighed deeply. “No. Not really. Maybe reading. He does do that now and then, but it's a singular past-time, isn't it? Besides, we don't have the same taste in books.”

  “I see. Is this the main cause of the problems you are having, no joint interests?”

  “Yes, I suppose it is the cause in a way. But there's far more to it than that. It has always been a problem to my mind. We're so different. Whilst he was working it was manageable. We were both busy, but now... since he gave it all up...”

  “So you said. Why has he given it up?” he asked with great curiosity.

  “He seemed to feel he'd reached his peak and was tired of it.”

  “So, he does what instead?”

  “Nothing. Well, except for getting drunk, smoking pot, and indulging himself with whores.”

  “Right. I'm getting the picture.”

  “I'm hoping our break will let him get it all out of his system.”

  “And then what, more incompatibility?”

  “I don't know. Maybe when I stop modelling things will improve between us.”

  “I hope so Sevi, for your sake. I wouldn't want you to be unhappy. You can always talk to me, you know?”

  “Yes, I do know and thanks Miche.” She squeezed his arm affectionately.

  He set off and drove straight there. He would have liked to have taken her back to his place, to quickly show her around and pick some things up first, but he couldn't because it was full of Mercedes' clothes and her many other possessions. He'd come to the conclusion he had to tell Sevi about her. He'd tell her everything. Be upfront and honest. But after the shoot.

  They ascended the stairwell to the basement parking level where the assignment was taking place.