Authors: Jez Strider
“Every single night.”
Each word he spoke was annunciated slowly.
“You couldn’t imagine my torment when I’m standing below his bedroom window.”
He moved in a fluid motion from his position and took a step toward me, reaching out and grabbing me by the face with one hand.
It didn’t hurt, but it wouldn’t take much for him to make the grip painful.
My eyes locked onto his and I didn’t flinch as he held me in the stare.
Both his fangs were visible now and he looked ferocious.
Eventually he let go of my face and lowered his gaze.
“Maybe you are ready.
You are going to turn yourself over to Dante, right?”
“What was that?
A damn test?”
I asked.
“I don’t have time for this.
You’re going to ruin the plan.”
It was foolish, but I turned my back on him and attempted to dial for a taxi again.
This time he grabbed me by my waist from behind and pulled me against his larger body. He inhaled my scent deeply before whispering to me with his mouth against my ear.
“The heartbroken can be ruthless.
I only spoke the truth.”
I’d never known this Antonio.
He was being cruel.
“I’m sorry.”
The words I spoke were also the truth, but I was angry.
“If you loved me enough, you would have run away from Dante in Italy when I asked you.
How many times did I beg?
At the end of the night, I cried and pleaded to deaf ears.”
He spun me around to face him once more.
I knew that he wasn’t actually mad at me at that moment.
Those brown eyes held regret.
Regret that he’d borne for centuries.
“I made a mistake.
He would have killed us.
You were human.
I didn’t want you to suffer my existence.”
Why did he have to do this right now?
I guess he realized as I did, there may not be another chance.
“We can’t live in the past.
We won’t be living in the present if you don’t let me go to him.”
“Have you talked to Marcus about changing him to a vampire?
You don’t even know how.”
He pointed hurtful realities at me one after the other without waiting for me to respond.
“Do you know there’s a chance he’ll die if you try?
Do you want to watch him grow old and die in front of your eyes if you don’t change him?”
Each question I’d already asked
myself
. His ranting was pointless.
“Listen, I will love you forever.
You were my first love.”
I looked into his eyes.
“But just let me go.”
He stared up at the starlit sky and ran a hand through his soft dark hair.
The moon highlighted a face full of torment.
“I’ll take you.
I’ll do anything you want.”
I couldn’t stand the cracking of my heart as he spoke.
His hand slipped down to mine and our fingers entwined as he led me toward his car.
The first thing he did was make a call for his people to watch over the apartment.
I let him hold my hand as he drove.
It was obvious he didn’t want to let go.
A person can go years without falling in love and even longer without it being reciprocated.
Why did I have to have two men love me and I love them both at the same time?
It was a cruel trick of the cosmos.
Antonio was scared of taking me to Dante.
According to him, the only way I could get in alive would be with his help.
I was going to be his gift to his father, master, and maker.
As far as apologies go, giving me to Dante was a good one.
We didn’t speak much on the drive.
Briefly, I explained my plan to him.
He just nodded.
I assumed he thought it was a decent idea since he didn’t outright call me stupid.
We both hoped that he might be able to get one of the servants to smuggle a weapon to me.
The sight of Dante’s home caught me off guard.
I’d been to Biltmore and this mansion was almost as extravagant.
A garden wrapped from the sides to the back of the home.
The green bushes appeared to be planted into a maze pattern.
Through the windows, I could see the partiers.
Men and women, both vampire and human engaged in dancing, drinking, and sex.
Why didn’t they have curtains to hide the debauchery?
I was unprepared for this.
My wildest imaginings didn’t even come close to the reality.
A human valet opened the door for me and took my hand, helping me out of the car.
Antonio tossed the man the keys.
When he turned to the side, I could see numerous bite marks on the side of the employee’s neck.
I wondered how many vampires had fed from the man and the hairs on my arms stood up.
Another gentleman opened the front door for us, giving a small bow.
I’d expected us to be arrested and dragged inside.
How could we be treated as guests?
When the door swung wide, I was immediately bombarded with the scents of the scene.
Alcohol, food, cigars, and blood.
Oh so much blood.
The past few days I had fed well and even my fangs extended involuntarily.
“The Master is expecting you.”
The doorman said.
Many eyes in the house turned to gaze upon us and the people whispered secretly among themselves.
“I’ll have one of the servants take your purse to your room.”
With all their eyes on me, I couldn’t act suspicious.
I handed the man the key to my survival and tried to appear unconcerned about parting with the accessory.
I slipped further into character, smiling and walking with confidence beside Antonio.
He was leading us into a large living room area.
His hand held out to keep me from entering before him.
Without breaking stride, he walked straight up to where Dante was seated in a large chair that reminded me of a throne.
The ancient one had no signs of injury.
His crimson robe opened down the front was a big change from what he had been wearing the day of the attack.
Businessman Dante and Vampire Dante were definitely two different people.
Two nude women stood on either side of him near the back of the chair waiting for his command.
Antonio knelt in front of his father and bowed his head.
“Master
Sanuto
, I come bringing you a gift as apology for my severe lack of judgment.
If the penalty of forgiveness is death, then I give myself to your punishment.”
It was a convincing little speech and it made chills run up my spine.
The vampire stood slowly, eyeing his son.
Not one person in the room made a sound.
“Rise.”
Dante gave the command and Antonio stood calmly with closed eyes.
He was waiting and prepared for a death sentence.
“What kind of leader would I be to let you live after betrayal?”
Most of the vampires in the room looked fearful, some had tears, and others covered their mouths to keep silent.
It took all my self-control to remain calm.
I just knew I was about to witness Antonio’s death.
Antonio opened his eyes and met the elder’s inquiring eyes.
“You are the king of our people.
Your word is truth.
You will always be our greatest leader.”
“Well spoken, my son.”
He walked back and forth gracefully for a moment.
“
Tonio
,
is absolved from his sins providing he doesn’t fail me again.
The people need their prince.”
His open armed gesture made the crowd go wild with cheers.
Antonio stepped forward and embraced his father.
It appeared so sincere that it almost touched my heart.
Almost.
I knew enough of Dante to figure out his political games.
It was just to our advantage that his society loved Antonio.
“Thank you, Master.”
Antonio said before taking a seat in a chair near his father’s.
Dante
Sanuto
was calm, unpredictable, and dangerous.
His eyes bore into mine from across the room.
I had the feeling he wouldn’t be so forgiving of me.
I remembered the painting of me in his bedroom at the hotel.
Similar ones were spread throughout what I’d seen of the mansion so far. The largest of which was in the current room.
Would his followers see me as the long awaited queen or as the whore that betrayed their king?
Antonio had said not to worry.
It wasn’t that easy.
“Now, who thinks I should unwrap my present?”
The vampire asked his disciples.
Another round of hoops and applause filled the room.
“I can’t say no to that.
Continue with your revelries while I indulge in mine.”
He gave an elegant fling of his robe, shirtless underneath, and took a seat on his throne.
His finger crooked in my direction and I began the walk across the room.
Music began playing again and the people did as they were told, engaging once more in their wild passions.
“Master.”
I fell to my knees in front of him, bent over as I kissed both of his shoes.
For a long moment I stayed in this position, waiting until he gave me a command. This would have been easier if I’d been able to get into the mansion alone.
Antonio seated there watching on made me feel sick to my stomach.
I didn’t risk even the smallest glance toward him, just kept my gaze on the floor.
The vampire placed his hand gently on the top of my head.
Involuntarily, I pulled back a little before I could stop myself.
A vision of our last encounter was in my mind.
His touch hadn’t been gentle when he’d held me up by my hair as a bargaining chip.
He removed his hand.
“
Aww
, I’ve frightened my precious Queen.”
The crowd had been told to continue amongst their business, but Dante knew they were all still trying to watch every detail without being too apparent.
“Rise and sit,” was the order I had been waiting for and I rose to my feet.
His arms were spread much as they had been with Antonio.
There were no other chairs.
He wanted me to sit in his lap.