Risorgimento: Rebirth

by Maya Daniels

  “Little one?” Marcus slows down, turning me towards him. Worry is evident on his face while, with great effort, I do my best to keep my focus on him. “What’s wrong?”

  Apart from Sara, no one has ever asked me that question. What weird timing for me to notice this. If I ignore the fact that this is one of the monsters, I think I may feel warmth at the concern I can clearly see on him. But that is not the case. This is a monster, and I am about to die. Teeth chattering and body convulsing, I try my best to keep my gaze locked on his.

  I refuse to speak to them. They don’t deserve to be spoken to like human beings, but I implore him with my eyes. Please kill me fast. I don’t want to suffer anymore. I’ve suffered enough.

  His own eyes widen as if he understood me before mine roll in the back of my head and I disappear into the blessed darkness.

  Sebastian

  After Irina made the humans clear out one of the sofas for her, she settles on it, making sure her pale skin is exposed as much as possible to my eyes. It doesn’t escape my notice that she wears nothing under the red silk. If her parted thighs are not enough, the hardened nipples staring at me through the silk tell me more than I want to know. Keeping all my focus on her face, I smirk internally at the displeasure she shows for my lack of interest. She is a beautiful and powerful woman. After so many centuries, beauty and power are not enough.

  Not when what they hide beneath is rotten to the core.

  “I see you have settled here.” Attempting small talk, she twirls one manicured finger, indicating the mess I made earlier.

  “The council has nothing to worry about.” Dismissing her comment, I wave my hand nonchalantly. “It will be fixed, and it’ll look better than it did before the sun goes down tomorrow.”

  “I can also see that your opinion about your elders has not improved.” Anger glitters in her dark gaze. “You are lucky it is me hearing your words.” Licking her red lips suggestively, a smile curls up her lips. “I’ve always had a soft spot for you, ever since you were a nestling.”

  Unflinchingly, I watch her face, knowing too well she is doing everything she can to push my buttons. A very long time ago, she would’ve succeeded. Not today. I have worked very hard to get where I am. She will learn that soon enough. The slight line forming between her perfectly shaped eyebrows tells me my control is much better than hers. Purposely, I allow one corner of my mouth to tilt up. The stiffening of her shoulders being noticeable is the reward I didn’t expect so soon after coming to America. The Council, in their arrogance, has become weak. Tonight is all the confirmation that I need.

  Opening my mouth to unnerve her more, until I have her quivering in anger, is all I manage before emotions slam me from Marcus and Andrei. The two idiots are much better at keeping themselves under control than what they’ve been doing today. The excitement is the strongest, accompanied by curiosity that they are barely containing. What the fuck has them blasting emotions through our connection so soon after leaving the penthouse? Have they found the girl that fast? There is no way they have, unless she has walked straight through the hotel doors looking for us. Covering my misstep while Irina seems intrigued by my hesitation, I glance at the humans.

  “I’m rather hungry this morning. We can chat later after we’ve had our fill?” Ignoring the powerful vampire sitting across from me, I curl a finger at the closest human. “Come closer, human. I don’t bite…hard.”

  “You must’ve not fed recently if you can’t indulge me with a conversation first,” Irina remarks, tracking the human woman that is ambling towards me. “If you are that hungry, maybe I would be a better choice?” she says it nonchalantly, like she didn’t just offer me her blood.

  One thing we are all cautious about is whom we give our blood to. The more powerful the vampire, the stronger the connection is that will form. For Irina, one of the eight sitting on a throne, to offer her blood in passing is as laughable as the girl coming to find us on her own. Unless I’ve missed something, and I’ve been very thorough in my research with spies planted years ago everywhere, I would think she wants me tied to her. They have no idea what I’m planning, of that I’m sure. So, what will make them show their weakness by offering an unbreakable bond to a troublemaker like me?

  “Trouble in paradise, Irina?” Lifting one eyebrow, I halt the woman trying to crawl on my lap. “You need protection? I can’t think of another reason you would want to bond with me.”

  “Don’t be absurd!” Spitting the words, she shifts restlessly on the sofa—another show of emotion I wasn’t expecting. “You are powerful in your own right, but I’m older. My blood will help you achieve so much more. Why wouldn’t you want that?”

  “And tie myself to you?” Tilting my head, I let her see my condescending smirk. “Why on earth would I want that?” Her face reddens in rage, so I give her a boon. “Why on earth would I tie myself to anyone after being free of that connection for a century.”

  “Not everyone is like your Sire used to be, Sebastian.” Calming down, she huffs a breath. “It has become a power play among the Council to collect powerful connections.” Not meeting my gaze, she calls one of the humans to her. “I figured I’d approach you first, before the rest of the vermin descends on you. I guess I made a misjudgment on how interested you’d be to form a connection after everything that happened.”

  “If it makes you feel better, I have no intention to form a connection with anyone on the Council.” Her eyes narrow at me, not missing that I said “anyone on the Council,” leaving other connections open to interpretation. We can scent a lie, all of us. With carefully chosen words, skirting the truth is possible.

  Stopping any further comments, I pull the human in my lap and bite into her wrist with a vengeance. Irina glares at my defiance, taking the human’s wrist instead of the neck, but I ignore her. She has picked these women herself, all dark-haired or red-haired, none of them blonde like her. It pleases me greatly that I have messed up her plans. My pleasure does not last long.

  The door opens without knocking and Andrei strides in like the king of a castle, smirking at Irina’s aggressive hiss. Focusing on holding my emotions in check, I didn’t even notice I drained the human to her last drop. Her lifeless body drapes over my knees like a blanket.

  “Or I can have this one as compensation, Sebastian.” Irina eyes Andrei with way too much interest for my liking. “First, you reject me, then you kill my human. These are from my personal feeders, and she was one of my favorites.”

  My gut clenches when the scheme she has been playing starts unraveling. She knew I was going to reject the bond. She came intending to bond one of mine to her. I was so focused on not showing her weakness that she managed to play me like a child. Well, I’ll give her points for being smart, but that’s all she will get from me.

  “Well played, Irina.” I tip an imaginary hat her way. “But, no.” Whipping my lips with the back of my hand, I lift myself up, the body of the human rolling off my knees and thumping at my feet.

  “You come unannounced, wreak chaos in our city, reject a bond with one of the Council, and you kill my human.” Irina lifts herself up as well, staring at me in anger. She is as tall as my six foot four, putting us at eye level. “That is an insult to us all. Unless you plan on paying for those crimes, I suggest you give me Andrei.” Glancing at him, her mouth twists in a grimace.” I had my sights on Marcus, but I guess this one will do.”

  “If you think I’ll let you get anywhere near my throat without a fight, you have lost your mind,” Andrei growls at her through clenched teeth. “Even if he commands me, I rather he rips my head off.”

  “Insolence!” Irina spits at him, her nails digging in her palms as she clenches her fists.

  “He is not on offer, Irina.” Calmly, I step over the body at my feet. Someone will need to get rid of it later. I doubt Irina will be willing to carry it with her. “If the Council has issues with me, then I should have a trial, no? Let’s hear the charges spoken and what I can do to soothe
your concerns. Giving you one of mine is not going to happen. Tonight…” When her eyes light up in interest, I smile indulgently at her. “Or any other night.”

  “You have brought this upon yourself, Sebastian. I tried to help you the only way I know how, without raising suspicions. Now you are on your own.”

  Rage is burning in her red glowing eyes when she gets in my face. We stare at each other for long moments, the tips of our noses almost touching. Her breasts press on my chest, the hard nipples poking my shirt. Her pupils dilate, her gaze flicking to my lips. So powerful, yet so rotten and predictable. My stomach churns from the nearness. Licking my lips slowly escalates her breathing.

  “You said your peace.” My words are spoken softly, for her ears only. “Now get the fuck out of my space before I get angry.” Her eyes widen at the power I blast at her, making her stagger a step back. “You won’t like me much when I’m angry, Irina. You remember Sebastian from a long time ago. He is not among us any longer.” With a wink, I walk past her, our shoulders bumping in the process.

  “You will pay dearly for this!”

  With a hiss, Irina leaves the apartments in a whirl of wind. The three humans look around, confused, before scrambling after her like frightened rabbits. Holding one finger up, I halt Andrei’s words until I’m sure she is gone. Then I level a livid glare on him.

  “The girl came to us.” Undeterred, Andrei grins at me, leaving me with my mouth hanging open. “We found her in the lobby. Well not really. She toppled over us while running for the staircase.” When I just gape at him, he continues blabbing. “She tried to trick us into taking her blood. Smart little thing.” A frown forms between his eyebrows. “Marcus is with her downstairs. I think she might be mute. She hasn’t said a word…”

  “Let’s go!”

  Cutting him off, I’m out of the door faster than I’ve ever moved in my long life.

  April

  Standing at the entrance of the indoor pool area, I watch Marcus prowl inside and literally throw himself on one of the lounge chairs littered around the large body of water that’s casting a greenish glow around. The sound of the air is different here. Coiled up like a spring, I stand unmoving, trying to see everything at once while keeping an eye on the monster that is trying to screw with my head. Soft lights cast a relaxing glow around the decorated area. Mosaic tiles surround the pool. Blue and white columns are placed around it close to the glass panels, protecting those that are lounging from splashing water when the pool is being used. Just like the rest of the hotel, history pulls you in, the tasteful decorations giving you a sense of peace and calm. A feeling that can get me killed if the monster decides he has had enough toying with me.

  “Sit down, little one.” Marcus waves his hand slowly, hoping to convince me to enter the place. I know how fast he is and that I have no chance of escaping him, or I would’ve bolted out of here as soon as he turned his back. “You can barely stand on your feet.”

  I came around too fast for my wellbeing after I passed out in the hallways leading us here. I still feel like I’ll topple over with the lightest breeze, but I’m grateful Marcus keeps his hands to himself, allowing me to walk on my own here. Giving him a sideways glance, I creep up on the opposite side of him, lowering myself on the edge of the chair closest to the door. When he doesn’t move or pounce on me, I hug my knees to my chest, still watching him warily.

  “I will not harm you. I give you my word,” he keeps talking, his deep voice pissing me off because I like hearing it. He must’ve seen something on my face because his eyes soften. “I know you don’t trust my words…yet. You will with time, I promise.”

  This is the moment when I decide that monsters can also be mentally challenged, just like humans. Marcus looks so sincere and hopeful at the moment that I smile despite myself. The answering tilt of his full lips freezes the breath in my throat when two fangs the size of my pinky make their appearance. What the hell is the matter with you April. Relaxing and smiling with a monster, you idiot! My brain chooses the perfect timing, after the fact as always, to remind me of important things.

  Looking away from him, I stare at the pool. I still have him in my sight, and from the corner of my eye, I can tell he is confused by my reaction. To him, fangs may be an everyday thing. To me, it’s something I’ve been running away from my entire life. Marcus can go suck on lemons if my reaction hurt him. Do monsters even have feelings that you can hurt? I’ve never actually considered anything about them apart from they are deadly. Glaring at the water that sparkles happily in front of me, reflecting the soft glow of the lights, I push those thoughts away. I really am crazy if I’m trying to give monsters human emotions.

  To his credit, Marcus lets me be, stopping his attempts to get me chatting with him. In the quiet around me, my mind is slowly shutting down, and my lids start dropping. They feel more cumbersome with each attempt to peel them back up, and in no time at all, I drift into a light sleep. A blast of air slapping my face jerks me out of the half-sleep state I was in. My head swivels, expecting to see Marcus attacking me, going for my throat. When my wild eyes settle on a man dressed in an immaculate business suit, my brain short-circuits for a long moment. Did I imagine being dragged to a hotel by an asshole and a monster keeping me company? When my gaze lifts up and a lump lodges in my throat, I know that I didn’t imagine any of it.

  I thought Marcus and Andrei had angelic features. I was way off the mark if the face staring down at me is anything to go by. Neatly combed dark hair, so dark brown it looks black, makes my fingers twitch, wanting to touch it and see if it’s as soft as it appears to be. A perfectly symmetrical face with sharply cut eyebrows above dark eyes with specks of light in them watches my reaction. A straight nose completes his face, sitting above thick cushioned lips, forming a perfect bow at the top one. His square jaw with a five-o-clock shadow brings it all together like a slap to my face. He does look like an angel, but one of those fallen, sinful ones that everyone warns you about.

  Broad shoulders stretch his suit jacket, the black color contrasting perfectly with his white shirt, his thin black tie, and his olive skin. His pants wrap around powerful thighs where his fists are clenched, making me scramble back up the chair. He looks pissed, and I want to be as far away from him as possible.

  Where the hell is Marcus now? I have no idea why I think one monster can save me from another, but the energy coming from this one in pulsing waves tells me Marcus is the lesser of two evils.

  “You are scaring her, Sire.” Andrei pops his head out from behind the death that is staring at me, unblinking.

  “I most certainly am not.” Goosebumps cover me from head to toe when the baritone of his voice drums in my chest. Even if I die now, I am sure I’ll be hearing it in the afterlife.

  “Umm, I think Andrei is right, Sire. She looks paler than when she passed out earlier.” The deep voice of Marcus makes me lean to the side and look behind the one they call Sire.

  Marcus sees me and nods encouragingly with a tight smile, as if telling me everything is okay. What the hell can be okay when this Sire guy looks like he wants to rip me apart? Andrei tries to move around him to come closer to me, and in my attempt to keep distance between us, I topple off the chair and slam my hip and my shoulder on the unforgiving tiles. With a grunt, I scramble up and stay crouching. If they try to get closer again, I’ll bolt around the pool. I know they’ll catch me, but anything is better than sitting here.

  “If she hurts herself, I will rip your head off,” the Sire tells Andrei with a murderous glare.

  “My voice used to calm her earlier. I was only trying to help.” When Andrei lifts his hands in surrender, the Sire guy raises an eyebrow at him. He’s calling him an idiot louder than if he said the words.

  Returning his focus on me, the Sire takes a slight step closer. “Stand up so I can see you.” Unclenching his fists, he lifts one hand slightly towards me before dropping it down to hang next to his side. I am watching his movements so intently that I almos
t miss the trembling of his hand. Why are his hands shaking? Why do I even care?

  Not wanting him to come closer, I slowly lift myself up from my crouching. Standing up, his height is less scary. While I was almost plastered on the tiles, he looked like a giant looming over me. But that tremble of his hand gives me enough courage to lift my chin stubbornly and stare up at his face. Everything that has happened since last night makes me act crazy. One moment I’m terrified, wishing for them to kill me and be done with it. The next, I want to fight them every chance I get. Insanity sounds more realistic with each breath I take. When he sniffs slightly and his face twists in disgust, I lose my shit all together. Screaming like a banshee, I jump at him, pounding my fists on his chest with all the strength of a mosquito hitting an elephant.

  That pisses me off even more. I continue punching, kicking, and screaming like a nut job while he stands as still as a statue, taking it all. He doesn’t stop me or hit back. His arms hang down his sides, and he accepts all my anger like a punching bag. I don’t know how long I keep at it, but eventually, all the adrenaline drains from my body and my legs give out from under me. Before I hit the floor, two strong arms wrap around me, cradling me to a firm chest. My head plops limply on his shoulder, and the scent of some expensive cologne fills my nostrils, emphasizing my stench even more. A sob is all I have the strength to utter before he starts walking. His movements are so smooth he doesn’t even jostle me.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Marcus’s voice is soft from somewhere behind the broad shoulders.