The procedure was, by now, familiar to Michael. He followed her out of the tavern. Amaia identified four distinct energies. It was strange for so many to travel together. She’d been careful. How had they found her? They approached rapidly. There was no way to escape in the guise of a human. She needed to get herself and Michael away. As soon as they were far enough from the tavern that no one would see them, she turned to him.
“I need you to jump on my back.”
“What? No.”
“Michael, we don’t have time to argue. This is serious. Please, hop on my back. I need to carry you.”
“I’m too heavy for you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I can run faster if I’m carrying you. There’s no way you’d be able to keep up with me. Don’t make me wrestle you, Michael.”
“Fine.” Michael put his arms around her neck, and Amaia grasped his legs.
“Remember, I don’t need to breathe, so don’t worry about choking me, just hold on tight.” As soon as she had a secure hold on his legs, she took off. It was more difficult running with him on her back than she had anticipated, mainly because she had to worry about branches hitting him. She ran as fast as she could, searching for a place to hide. Off to her right, she spotted a cave entrance. Exploring the area with her senses, she determined from the scent and energy that it was being used by a pack of wolves. It would suffice.
“Do you trust me, Michael?”
“Yes. With my life.”
“Good, because that’s what I’m asking. Stay calm, and everything will be all right.” Amaia dashed into the cave and set Michael down. “Be quiet and follow me. There’s a pack of wolves in here, but they won’t harm us.”
“How do you know?”
“Trust, Michael. Remember?”
Amaia reached for the energy of the wolves, studying each intricacy. Then she set to work manipulating her and Michael’s energy to mimic that of the wolves. If she succeeded, they would be undetectable to the other vampires. The pack kept their distance from Amaia, their instincts warning them of danger. For good measure, Amaia worked to calm their energies. She didn’t need their unease betraying her and Michael to whoever hunted them. The wolves merely glanced their way until Amaia and Michael were settled on the stone floor, and then laid their heads back on their paws.
The vampires were nearby. Amaia and Michael were trapped. They would have to wait, and it could be days. Amaia realized her folly. It would have been much wiser to stay in town where she could have fed off the energy of humans, even though it would have been harder to hide. At least here she was sure they wouldn’t be found. The vampires would eventually give up their search. Amaia slowed her heart and only used the energy necessary to alter their auras. With luck, their pursuers would resign before Amaia’s energy depleted.
•••
Late the next day, Amaia could barely move. The effort it took to keep their energies humming at a different frequency was taking its toll. She’d carefully rationed her energy, but she didn’t know how much longer she could last without replenishing.
“Drink their blood.” Michael nodded to the wolves near the cave entrance.
“No. Animal blood will drive a vampire mad.”
“Well, I feel fine. Draw more energy from me.”
“I’m not pulling energy from you, Michael.”
“Then what are you living off of, Amaia? You must take care of yourself.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“It’s my prerogative to worry about you. Who else is going to do it? You’re mine to worry over. Now, why won’t you feed off of my energy?”
“I won’t take anything from you. I’ve already taken your life once. I won’t do it again.”
“This is completely different.”
Of course it was. Amaia knew that. While she spoke the truth, it was only half the reason. She didn’t want to give voice to her deeper concern—that taking too much of his energy may bond her to him enough to lead her to seek death when he inevitably died. She couldn’t afford to risk it and miss out on his next life.
“I’m not going to do it, Michael, and that’s the end of it. They’ll move on soon, and then we can get to a city.”
“I’m not sure you can make it that far.”
In truth, neither was Amaia. She knew starving wouldn’t kill her, but she didn’t know if energy alone would be able to revive her if she weakened much more. “I’ll be able to. Now stop talking before you draw them to us.”
•••
Twelve hours later, Amaia felt the vampires’ energies recede. She didn’t dare say anything to Michael until she ceased feeling them for four straight hours. She didn’t want Michael risking their lives by racing out at the first word that they were leaving.
When she was sure, she broke the silence that had enveloped them. “They’re gone. We can go now."
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s been hours since I last felt them.”
“Good. Let’s get you out of here.”
Her body was stiff and hard to move. There would be no running. She couldn’t even walk. Michael carried her through the woods.
“There’s a human nearby, up ahead to the left. Must be a hunter. I can take a little energy from him to get me to the next city. I don’t want to get close enough for him to see us, though. I don’t want to rouse his suspicions.”
Michael grunted. “Why won’t you let me provide for you? I don’t mind you taking my energy. It’s yours.”
Amaia sighed. “I can’t do it, Michael. There are too many implications.”
“I love you and want to take care of you.”
“That’s exactly why I can’t feed from you, Michael. I love you too. I won’t be a parasite to you. I already take too much of your energy during sex. Given our bond, I fear what would happen if I take more. It’s dangerous.”
“How can that be true?”
“When a vampire mates, it’s for life, Michael. If I were to fully mate with you, then the next time you die, I would die too. I don’t know how it works with you being a human, but I don’t want do anything that may fully mate us to one another since sex alone hasn’t done it. I don’t know if it can happen between a human and a vampire—probably not—but I’m not going to test the theory.”
Michael’s grip around her waist tightened, and his face turned thoughtful. He didn’t say anything on the matter, even after they were safely curled together in bed in yet another new town. Amaia watched him sleep, warm in his embrace, and knew that she was a fool. They were as bonded as two people could be.
Chapter Forty-Six
Padua, April, 1821, 10 months later
“I have an idea.” Michael’s words broke the silence. Nights like this made Amaia feel life was worthwhile. They cuddled together on the sofa before the fire in their room, content with just being, not having to speak or do anything. Amaia had stolen some money from one of the homes she had shared with Lawrence. It had been risky, but she had gotten away with enough that they wouldn’t have to worry any time soon.
“Hmm. What’s that?”
Michael’s arms tightened around her. “I think we should try to surrender to our love for each other. It may keep me from dying this time if we had vows binding us. I know I’ve asked you before, but I’m going to ask you again.” He took Amaia’s hand, grasping the ring Amaia still wore. “Marry me.”
“Are you asking me or telling me, Michael?”
“Please, Amaia. Stop with your silly games. I’ve wanted to marry you for as long as I’ve known you. We’ve tried it your way. I’ve followed you, run with you, hidden in a wolves’ den with you, everything. This is the only thing I’ve ever asked of you. Marry me. It’s what I want, and I’m sure. I don’t care if you don’t believe in it. I don’t care if you’re mocking God in your head while we say our vows—”
“Yes, you do, Michael. You care a great deal.”
Michael sighed, exasperated. “Maybe I do. But c
an you at least try? For me?”
Amaia had hurt him so much. She had turned his life upside down. Not just his life, but his eternity. It was all her fault. The least she could do was give him this. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
“What? Are you serious?”
Amaia giggled. “Are you really that surprised?”
“Yes, I am. You’ll marry me?”
“Yes. But don’t expect me to get all fluttery about it. Let’s just do it. All I want is the bare minimum. A priest and a church. The church is optional.”
“Fine. I don’t care. We’ll do this any way you want to. I only care that you’re agreeing to it.” Michael pulled her closer and kissed her cheek, his warm breath sweet on her skin.
“When do you want to do it?”
“As soon as possible.”
How was he so sure of their love, of his mission, when she wasn’t? He had always been that way. Maybe it was time she followed his blind faith to see where it led them. It couldn’t be anywhere worse than the future of running and hiding that stretched in front of them.
•••
Their wedding day was beautiful. No bride could have asked for more. The sun shone from a clear, blue sky. A soft wisp of wind drove away any heat. A recent rain left the countryside a rainbow of vivid colors. The little stone church sat idyllic and quaint on the outskirts of a quiet hamlet near Padua.
Amaia never thought she’d be walking down the aisle of a house of God under these circumstances. She had seen countless weddings over the years. The brides always looked so virginal and cheery, as if they glowed. She wondered if she glowed for Michael. She felt ridiculous. This was crazy. There was no God. She had desecrated many a church in her time, feeding from the faithful. The truth that God didn’t exist was evidenced by the fact that the church was still standing after she had made her marriage vows.
One look at Michael, however, made it all worth it. He was radiant. She didn’t think she had ever seen a happier man. When they stood together at the altar, he had stared at her with so much unadulterated love and joy that she didn’t understand how it could possibly be directed at her. He hadn’t cared what church they were married in. Throughout his lifetimes, he had practiced in different denominations, some not even Christian. All he cared about was being wed before God.
“What are you thinking about?” The shine in Michael’s eyes hadn’t dissipated after the ceremony. They strolled hand in hand, taking their time making it back to their room. Tomorrow, they would have to leave.
“How happy I am. How I wish I could give you more, that this could be the start of a long life together.”
Michael’s hand gripped hers tighter. “It can, Amaia. Believe.”
She tried, but she felt the same. Shouldn’t she feel different? What was the big deal? A few words muttered and then all was fine for Michael’s conscience? She couldn’t pretend to understand it, but she would at least try to have faith that this would work to save Michael. Nothing else had.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Baden, March 1823, 1 year, 11 months later
Amaia stared through the window down at the street. Michael slept on the bed behind her. She spent a lot of time alone with her thoughts. She had never fully comprehended how much time humans spent asleep. Such precious time. They always longed for more of it, but each night they slept so much of it away. This morning, plenty of thoughts plagued her mind. Their lovemaking was incredible, but she knew it was only going to make his death more difficult. Every time they exchanged energies, he gathered more of her to take with him to the grave.
During the day, she believed. During the day, she had as much faith as a being unaccustomed to the feeling could muster. She tried to not only put on a brave front for Michael, but to actually believe that he wouldn’t die this time. Or, more accurately, not die so young. At night, though, when he slept, sweat cooling on his body, and she floated down from whatever heights he had sent her to, during those lonely hours until he woke, she worried, gave in to her natural fears and what her intellectual mind told her would happen.
Did Michael actually believe? He made it seem so easy. He was as sure of his plan to cheat death as he was of everything else in his life. When he was alone with his thoughts, behind the strong façade, did he actually believe it? Sometimes Amaia felt so small, like the mortals she often mocked. What was so different about them except that she would be on Earth longer?
“Good morning, beautiful.” Michael’s voice was thick with sleep behind her, but distinctly happy. She always knew that, come morning, Michael would save her from herself. He was her salvation and damnation wrapped up in one.
“Good morning.” Amaia went to the bed and plopped down beside him, tracing her finger along his chest, watching the gooseflesh rise in her wake. She never heated her skin when they were alone. In private, she didn’t feel the need to pretend to be something she wasn’t. She was secure in the knowledge that he loved her authentic self. “How’d you sleep?”
“Quite well.”
“Good.”
“And what were you thinking about so intently this morning?”
“You don’t want to know.” Amaia rolled onto her back, only to have Michael wrap his arm around her and pull her close.
“Yes, I do. You can tell me anything.”
Amaia sighed. She didn’t want to ruin the time they had left. “You don’t have much longer.”
“What are you talking about?”
Amaia’s eyes snapped to his. “Don’t, Michael. Don’t insult me like that. This is hard for me.”
“And you don’t think it’s been hard for me all these years? I can’t bear the thought of leaving you. But that’s not going to happen this time. You must believe that.”
“I try, Michael. I just wish I knew.”
“That’s impossible. We can’t know. All we can do is hope and have faith.”
“We could have a plan.”
“What do you mean?”
Amaia propped herself up on her elbow. “A plan for what we’re going to do if you die. If this doesn’t work, Michael, I don’t want you to feel obligated to be with me the next time.”
“Don’t be absurd, Amaia. I’ve tried living without you and gained no satisfaction. I would be happy to die a hundred more deaths if it meant living a hundred more lives with you.”
“You came with me this time without really knowing what it would be like. Now you know. If you die again, you’ll leave this life of constant running. You’ll enter a new life that may be much better. At least it will be more peaceful. Realistically, I can’t expect you to keep entering a cycle where you have to spend your adult years running for your life.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“It’s approaching. Fast. You only have a few days.”
“If we make a plan, will you promise me you’ll push it from your mind and enjoy the next few days with me?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“All right then, what’s your plan?”
She had really hoped that he’d be the one to come up with it. Just because she wanted one didn’t mean she had any idea what it should be. There was the one signal they had used in the past. She supposed that would be the simplest, if for no other reason than it would be the easiest to remember. “How about on your twentieth birthday, if you want to see me, you’ll put two lit candles in your window?”
Michael smiled at the memory. “Why my twentieth? Why not sooner?”
“It’s always been a delicate balance for me, deciding when to approach you. Too young, and it’s too strange to feel such a connection to a boy. Too old, and I’ve wasted time. In this case, I need to be sure that you’ve had plenty of time, plenty of opportunity, to seriously consider alternatives. If I come earlier, you won’t entertain thoughts of other women. I need to know that you’re making your choice with all the facts, knowing all your options.”
“All right.”
“This way, I can come that one n
ight and check. If you don’t want to come with me, I’ll leave and never see you again. It won’t hurt my feelings if you choose not to, Michael. I want you to be happy.”
Michael cupped her face in his hand in his familiar and tender way. “Yes, it will hurt your feelings. Or at least I hope it would. But don’t worry, I understand your point.”
“Promise me you’ll do what’s best for you.”
“I promise. Now, can we put all talk of this away? I want to go swimming in the hot springs with you today.”
Michael straddled her and tickled her ribs, sending her into fits of laughter. She had never been ticklish before, but her skin’s sensitive reaction to Michael’s touch made her so. It felt good to laugh, to see Michael’s face smiling down on her. She wanted it to last forever, but in the back of her mind, she knew it wouldn’t.
•••
The crisp, cool air invigorated Amaia. They’d spent much of the last few days at the hot springs, and now they enjoyed a pleasant stroll while the sun stood at its zenith, struggling to send its warmth through the chill. Amaia’s hand was warm inside Michael’s. They didn’t need to talk. The peaceful silence between them was sublime. There was no one else in the world Amaia felt this way around.
“I’m getting better at masking my energy. There’s a chance we could settle down a little longer in one place.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ve waited to tell you until I was certain.”
“That’s wonderful, Amaia.” Michael stopped and planted a firm kiss on her lips. She never tired of those kisses. They were always urgent, communicating his desire, while at the same time being forever patient, as if they had a thousand years ahead of them. “We could get a house somewhere, have a real life together.”
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