Chapter 24
More than two-hundred years ago…
Marcus participated in a high stakes game of chance at a rundown ale house in England. It wasn’t in the best part of town, but the stakes were high and that’s all Marcus cared about.
Wilson St. Clair was in over his head. He lost steadily all evening. The more he lost, the more he drank. When Marcus finally cleaned him out of his ready cash and a not-so-plush coach and four, he was ready to show some pity for the man.
St. Clair did not want to quit.
“You have nothing left to wager and I do not need another home. I need to leave soon, but before I do, I’d like to share some of the other delights on offer here.”
St. Clair’s speech was so sloppy it was hard to follow his words. “I have something you can’t turn down. But you’ll have to win her fair and square and I think my luck’s a-changing.”
Marcus was thinking a prize horse when St. Clair added, “I have the prettiest daughter in England. She’s worth more than anything I own. I wager my daughter, Victoria.”
All the men at the table turned to Marcus. He was angry. How could a man wager his own flesh and blood? The daughter would be better off away from her father, but Marcus didn’t need a human female to cause problems in his household.
Another of the men at the table took the bet. Marcus hadn’t liked the man from the time they arrived. He was continually pinching and grabbing the serving women as they brought drinks to the table. The women avoided him as much as possible.
Marcus placed his gold on the table and the game began. He already knew the outcome, he had no thoughts of losing.
Marcus won Victoria St. Clair and took her home late that night. She didn’t cry when her father explained she would go with Marcus. She kept her head up and packed a small bag and left the decrepit old house.
They got into Marcus’ newly won carriage and headed to Marcus’ home, with his horse tied to the back. Her father had not exaggerated, Victoria was lovely.
“I am not a virgin, if that is what he told you.” She had a sharp voice and was quite direct.
Marcus was surprised, but not unhappy that she didn’t appear frightened. He did not intend to take advantage of her. The wolves provided the female companionship he needed and also saw to his other need. He looked at Victoria.
“My father has whored me out for many years. He found, when he’s short of funds, I’m as good as gold.”
Marcus finally spoke, “He didn’t whore you out this evening, he wagered you to me for keeps.”
“That’s what he always does, but I’m a shrew and the men get sick of me after a few days. I always end up back with my father.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m four and twenty. How old are you?”
“Thirty.”
“I promise after a day or two you’ll be happy to send me back home.”
“We’ll see about that. For now you’re mine and we’ll be at my home soon.”
When they arrived, Victoria admired the property and the house itself.
“Are you rich?”
“Yes, I’m very rich.”
She didn’t say anything after that and they were met by a young man who held the carriage door for them.
Marcus took Victoria into his home. No one but the doorman was awake and Marcus showed her to an upper bedroom. They stepped into the room and Victoria turned towards him. Before he could say anything she slipped the sleeves of her dress from her shoulders pulling it down and baring her breasts.
Marcus was having trouble taking his eyes off her luscious chest. “You do not need to do that.”
“Why? You want me.”
“I do not always get everything I want or take it as the case may be.”
“It is what is expected and I know the rules.”
“The rules are different in this house,” he said as he walked out and closed the door behind him. It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Her scent was intoxicating.
The days passed and Victoria never left. She fit into their somewhat dysfunctional family. The wolves took to her for some reason. She seemed to love animals and had no fear of the large beasts. She avoided the men not understanding they were one and the same.
The men spent their time practicing for battle. Marcus made his money by providing his band of mercenaries to the highest bidder. They never lost. Metal on metal rang out throughout the day. Victoria sometimes stopped and watched for hours.
The male wolves knew she had no fear of them in wolf form and instead of spending as much time as they should at practice, they would sneak away and change into wolves to follow her around.
Marcus avoided Victoria. He didn’t know what to do with her. She couldn’t stay here, but he couldn’t return her to her father. Unfortunately for Marcus, the attraction he felt haunted his dreams. It was just easier to avoid her.
Ivan finally asked Marcus to do something. “The men are barely working and I am afraid there is going to be bloodshed soon.”
“How many of them is she sleeping with?”
“That is the problem; she will not sleep with any of the men and barely acknowledges them. It’s the wolves she surrounds herself with. She has no idea they’re one and the same.”
Marcus was shocked. He assumed Victoria was sleeping with his wolves. He decided to find her and have a talk. He had enough money to send her anywhere she wanted to go, and it was time for her to leave.
He found her in the kitchen. She was helping Philip prepare the evening meal. What Ivan said had surprised him and he paused when he saw her stirring a large pot. This was beyond surprise.
“She is a big help to me so don’t keep her from my kitchen.”
“I will return her shortly.”
“Victoria, I need to speak with you privately.”
Victoria followed him to the sitting room.
“You want to send me back to my father.” It was a statement and not a question.
“Do you wish to return?”
“No, I want to stay here with the wolves.”
“They are not really wolves they’re just big dogs.”
“You can say that all you want, but I’m aware of what they really are.”
“And what is that?”
“They are wolf men.”
Marcus was beyond shock. This changed everything. He couldn’t let Victoria leave.
“What would make you think that?”
“I have seen them change from wolves to human and then back. I know you are one too.”
“You know nothing about what I am. You would run if you did.”
Victoria walked to him, tilted her face up and met his eyes, “Show me.”
Marcus kissed her. He couldn’t help himself. Victoria kissed him back.
The kiss was wonderful, but he was hungry. He hadn’t eaten in days. He could feel his teeth extending and knew he had to stop what was happening. Marcus stepped back.
“You do not want me,” Victoria said. Again, it was a statement and not a question.
“That is the problem, I do want you, but you do not understand what I am, I am not one of them.”
“I will not run; I have been happier here these past weeks than any time I can remember in my life. I will not leave!”
Marcus stepped towards her and tipped her face up to his. His teeth showed, “This is what I am.”
“You do not scare me,” and she, kissed him, this time. Marcus kissed her back and then could not take any more. He had to taste her blood.
Victoria didn’t scream, she moaned. Marcus feasted with Victoria’s arms wrapped tightly around him.
When his thirst was quenched, he picked her up and carried her up the stairs to his room.
That was the beginning. Victoria fit his unorthodox family. She never left.
Six years later, Victoria was the same age as Marcus. It was the first time he asked her about changing.
She refused. She told him she loved him, but sh
e had no desire to live forever.
As the years went by Marcus begged her at times, but she continued to refuse.
When Victoria turned forty, she left. Marcus went crazy. His anger overcame his common sense and he didn’t go after her. It was two years before he brought her back. She wasn’t hard to find. With the many times he’d had her blood, he could find her anywhere.
She was working at a tavern. She looked tired. Marcus almost killed a man for grabbing her leg. He sat at a table and waited for her to notice him.
It didn’t take long. She walked towards him and promptly poured a pint of ale on his lap. Marcus stayed in his seat and kept his anger in check.
“Are you ready to go home,” he said calmly.
“No, I am not. I cannot live that way anymore. I had to leave you Marcus, you deserve better than me. I need to grow old. I need to live a full life even if it is in this place.”
“I want you back in my arms. You do not belong here.” Marcus was trying to keep the anger from his voice.
“You do not love me enough to let me go.”
“You are right, I cannot let you go, but I can love you for as long as you’ll have me.”
Marcus then stood and picked her up in his arms. No one stopped him as he took her out the door and placed her inside his carriage. He followed her in and had her out of her clothes before they turned the next corner.
“I am getting old Marcus, I’m no longer beautiful. I’m no longer young.”
“I love you Victoria. You will always be beautiful to me. Do not leave me again.”
Victoria pulled back and said, “You will need to let me go someday and you must promise to. It is all I ask.”
Marcus didn’t say anything he just held her close. He knew he could never let her go. The past two years had been hell.
“Marcus, I cannot live without your promise.” She was on the verge of tears, “Please give me your word.”
Marcus took a deep breath and made the promise. He knew how hard it would be. He would watch her die. He didn’t care about her aging, except every day brought her closer to the day she would be gone.
The years went by, and Victoria grew old. She aged gracefully and Marcus found wonder in the simple fact she loved him. He traveled throughout Europe and she traveled with him until she was too old to take the rough conditions.
Marcus began living easy years. He and his men didn’t fight. He could not bear to be away from her. He had enough money. He could live for hundreds of years on what his clan had earned. He only brought up the subject of her changing one last time before she died. She refused and told him she would never change her mind.
The last years of her life were hard on Marcus. Her joints were painful and she no longer shared blood with him and their love life finally came to a stop when he accidently broke her collar bone. He fed from her that time to keep her out of pain and help her to heal. He never fed or made love to her again, but they spoke for hours and he held her close in front of the fire telling her stories.
The last week of her life was the worst. She was in a great amount of pain and Marcus could do nothing but watch her suffer. She wouldn’t let him share blood to ease her pain. She mostly slept and suffered in silence.
When she asked him to take her blood for the last time he was floored. To feel the last beat of her heart as she died in his arms was an unbearable thought. It was impossible.
When that last heartbeat came and he was crying over her body, Marcus could not stop himself. He opened a vein in his wrist and tilted her face, dropping blood into her slightly parted lips. After what seemed like hours, her hand came up and grabbed his wrist, drawing his blood into her mouth. Marcus could feel her fangs.
The door opened and Ivan walked in, “What have you done?” Sadness overwhelmed his voice.
As Victoria continued taking his blood, Marcus glanced toward his friend. “I could not let her go.” Tears ran down his face. “I could not.”
Ivan walked over and gently released Victoria’s hold on Marcus. She was changing. The wrinkles on her face were disappearing and her skin was taking on the beauty of her youth. Her eyes opened. They showed no sadness or joy. Her anger was fire. She tossed Ivan across the room.
“You promised Marcus. You had no right. I am now damned.”
Fang Chronicles: Amy's Story Page 30