The Blood Covenant: Book One of The Medici Warrior Series

by Emily Bex

  Shannon asks, “What about your folks? Did you tell them?”

  “Yeah, I called them last night. They were concerned, as always. But Shan, they're concerned I live in D.C. I mean, I only see them at Christmas as it is. This will not be a big adjustment for them.”

  Shannon’s disappointment shows in her face. “Not a big adjustment for them maybe, but what about us? Oh Kate, forget I said that. That was selfish. I'm really happy for you, I am. But I just can't imagine, I mean, we went through college together, and then got this job together. I almost can't remember when you weren't in my life.”

  Kate gives Shannon a hug, hating that she has to lie to her friend. “I know. It was hard to make the split. It's hard for me too, Shannon.”

  “What about him? Your new international man of mystery? So, I guess that’s over too?”

  “Shade? He was very supportive. He said he travels a lot in his business, and he would still catch up with me. He said he was in and out of Heathrow Airport several times a month.”

  “So, he'll still see you and I won't??”

  “Shannon, I'm sure I'll still see you. And we can talk. And email. And Skype. And Facebook.” Kate fears she is only delaying the inevitable. The day when she will have to break all ties with Shannon for good.

  “You better do more than that, Kate Reese. You better visit! You can come stay with me when you're in the States.”

  “Actually, Shade has a house in Virginia. He said I could use it anytime I was in the States. Stay there as long as I needed.”

  Shannon raises her eyebrows, “Move in? You're moving in with him?”

  “No. He travels, he's rarely there. The house is empty most of the time. He just offered to let me stay there whenever I'm in the States, that's all.”

  “So, you're selling your condo then.”

  “Yes, I'm calling the realtor today. I'll be moving in two weeks, Shannon.”

  “Two weeks! I can't believe this is happening. Okay, just be warned. I will officially be spending my vacations with you in London.”

  “Oh... of course... yes.” Now there’s a little glitch Kate hadn’t thought about.

  23

  This is it. Moving day! Kate has packed up everything, and Shade arranged for the movers. He said he would arrange for that since he wanted vamps to handle the move. The condo sold quickly, but that was not unexpected. Any real estate close to D.C. will turn over fast. The movers arrive and load up the moving van. She sold off much of her furniture as the more modern style would not work in the old house.

  She and Shade both want to restore this house and furnish it so it maintains the look and feel of Tuscany. She is taking her bedroom furniture, however. Even if it's only temporary, it will be better than the prison cell mattress Shade has on the floor. Shade told her he would be there when she arrived but would remain in his death slumber until sunset and he has arranged for Luciano to be on hand to help her with anything she needs.

  The movers finish loading the van, and Kate walks through the empty condo one last time, with no reservations about leaving it behind. She makes her way to the parking garage and gets in the Miata, following the van on the three-hour drive to Bel Rosso, and her new life.

  As they arrive and the truck lumbers up the private drive to the estate, Kate is taking in the beauty of the place in the daylight. She has come back here several times with Shade to measure rooms, and windows, and start making plans, but it is always at night. Being here in the day, with the brilliant fall foliage, the clear blue sky, and the crisp fall air is a totally new experience. The property is breathtaking. It is all softly rolling hills and open fields. The vineyards have been harvested, but the vines still cling to the stakes. The trees have all turned shades of yellow and orange for the fall, while the fields remain green, and the mountains provide the perfect backdrop of a dark bluish-green, making it clear why they are named “Blue Ridge.” Kate can't imagine this will be her view every day.

  Luciano comes to the door as soon as she pulls up and directs the movers as to where to place boxes. When she enters the house, all the internal lights have been turned on, and she notices the windows are all sealed. Luciano points out there are electronic blinds, on timers and sensitive to the outside light. The blinds will automatically close and open with the rising and setting of the sun. Luciano shows her the manual over-ride, if she is awake during the day and wants to open them. Kate realizes without the internal lighting, the house would be pitch black inside.

  All the things for their bedroom are stacked in a nearby room until he wakes. Luciano says he is sleeping and will not disturb him. Kate asks Luciano if the manmade lights will hurt him during the day, and he says “No, only sunlight, although Master sleeps in total darkness.”

  It only takes the crew a few hours to unload everything and then they leave the property. Luciano informs her that the kitchen has been stocked with food and beverages, and unless there is something else she needs, he has things he must attend to in the vineyards. Kate lets him know she is fine and begins the process of unpacking.

  She starts in the kitchen and unpacks the things she brought, checking out the fully stocked fridge and pantry. Good Lord! How much food do they think one mortal can eat?

  She unloads her books and places them on the bookshelves in the room that looks like a study. Maybe this could be space for him, a home office? This room has dark wood beams, and one exposed brick wall. It feels masculine. She unpacks the art she has collected in her travels and stacks it against the wall. She is thinking she will wait until they have furnished the house before she decides where to hang things when she notices another painting propped against the wall. She walks over to examine it more closely. It is the painting he bid on at the art auction. She smiles as she lifts it up to admire it, astounded at how much it does look like the grounds here. She will hang it here, in this room, which she will decorate for him.

  She has finished unpacking everything except the bedroom, which was put aside until Shade woke. She realizes she has never seen him in his death slumber. Will she be frightened? Does he look dead? Will she be able to sleep beside him? Or is this something he must do alone? She walks to the bedroom door and stands with her hand on the doorknob, and there is only silence.

  As she opens the door, ever so slowly, her heart is in her throat. The light from the hallway spills into the pitch-black room. He lies on his back, unmoving. She tip-toes in quietly and kneels on the floor, leaning in close to him as he sleeps on the mattress. She sees the rise and fall of his chest, so not really a death slumber. She lays her hand on his chest, and feels the beat of his heart, and the warmth of his skin. She leans over him and gently touches her lips to his. He looks beautiful in his sleep, his dark curls against the white pillow. She slides onto the mattress beside him, lays her head on his shoulder, and puts her hand across his chest, her leg across his thigh.

  "I am home, lover."

  ***

  As he lay in his death slumber, the scent of her rose fragrance streams to him, he cannot yet wake, but he feels her presence close to him. Her blood now pumps through him, bonding him to her, allowing him to feel her emotions, hear her thoughts more clearly. She gives him life and she grows stronger and stronger inside him each time he feeds from her. He feels her body slide over his, her hair soft and silken on his naked skin and he slides his arm around her, pulling her close, but the slumber not allowing him full release. He could fight through the grip of the death slumber if she were in harm or needed him, but even that would be a struggle for him now. As he feeds from her more, and she is eventually allowed to feed from him, his ability to arouse from the death slumber to respond to her need will become instantaneous. Her hand lies across his chest. He can feel it over his heart, like a protective cage. He moves to gently cradle her tighter into his body and lets his hand slide into her hair, his other arm across the small of her back, protecting her even in his slumber. He can feel her warm breath on him, her heart beating, her blood pumping, and he
only hopes she can feel the same in him. He awakens slowly, but gloriously with her in his arms.

  "Ti amo."

  ***

  Kate feels him stir, feels his arms encircle her and pull her close just as he speaks to her, telling her he loves her. She hears the soft whir of the electronic blinds as they automatically open, letting the last remaining pale light of the evening into the room. She looks up at him, and right into those blue eyes.

  "Lover, I never asked. It never occurred to me, but will I be able to sleep next to you? As a mortal?"

  “It is your choice to make, bel rosso, to give up the day and sleep next to me while you are still mortal. But it is the choice I hope you make. Nothing would bring me greater peace than to have you lie at my side in my death slumber.” Sliding his hand through her hair, he moans at the affect it has on him, the simplest things from this female makes him mad with passion and love for her. "You must be exhausted, how do you feel, bel?”

  “Excited, actually. I hadn't realized, until today, that I had never seen the estate during the daytime. It is even more beautiful. It makes me sad that you can't see it.”

  “Bel, I can go out at sundown, especially in the summer, when the sun sets but there is still light. I can also see it on rainy overcast days. It is just the direct sun rays that will burn my skin, so we can enjoy evenings together, when I am home and not working. We need to have a little talk about this renovation. Can you handle that at the moment?”

  “I am so excited about moving in, and getting started on this project! I had the movers bring my bedroom furniture. I know it will be only temporary, but it will at least work better than your current prison cell.”

  He chuckles at her description of his room. "You are in my bed in my prison cell, though, are you not, mi amore?"

  Kate laughs, "Which I hope you see as a true testament of my love, that I would sleep in here to be with you."

  “Give you an estate and you get sassy with me. I see how this works, vixen!” Slapping her ass, he loves the sound of the sharp crack of his hand against the firm flesh of her ass. Grinning down at her beautiful upturned face, nothing is more stunning than that twinkle of mischief in those gorgeous brown eyes.

  She feels the sharp sting of the slap and curls into him. She slides her arm tighter around his chest, as she runs her foot up his leg, teasing him.

  ***

  He growls softly, and feels his beast sit on the edge just under his skin, waiting to have her, and Shade must fist his hands to suppress the urgency of the beast. The beast has had a taste of her blood, a taste of her sex and he wants more than she can handle as a mortal.

  "Damn mi amore, you tempt me like never before. But we need to talk. I need to make sure you have what you need to get this job on the move. Now come, sit up. Are you hungry? There is food that has been stocked. I can get you something if you wish it, si?”

  “I saw the kitchen, lover, and I grabbed something earlier. How much food do you think we mortals eat anyway? There was enough stuff in there for an army! But you have my attention. What is it you want to talk about?”

  “I am used to armies, bel rosso and I had Luciano stock it. But I have something for you.”

  Reaching to the side of the bed, he digs around in his leather jacket that lies on the floor and finds the envelope tucked inside a pocket. Positioning himself upright on the mattress, he lifts her and lets her straddle his waist, sitting in his lap so she is facing him as he lays naked to the world

  He leans in and kisses her softly. "This envelope is for you, for the estate, si?” Handing it to her, he watches her face closely as she opens it.

  Kate tears open the envelope to find two credit cards and several business cards. Both credit cards have her name on them.

  "Shade, I have a credit card. You don't need to give me these."

  Tipping her chin up, he stares into her eyes. “Oh si, you most certainly do need them. Do you see the clear credit card, with the gold trim? That card has a limit of three million. You use that on absolutely everything you buy for this place, si? I mean everything, mi amore, nothing is to come from your own pockets. My accountant takes care of paying all the bills, so don’t worry about maxing it out. Those business cards are for my immortal business associates, they own shops in D.C., and they will ship anything you wish from Europe; Florence, Milan, Rome, London, Paris... They can get things for you that you cannot find anywhere here in the States. Antiques, textiles, art, all available through those cards in your hands, they will also arrange for deliveries, and the work that needs to be done. You may notice many workers on the grounds. Luciano is busy coordinating those workers for the vineyards, so pay them no mind. You can concentrate on the renovation of this house and our gardens, si?”

  “Three million? Do you think I will need that much? I promise you, whatever it takes. You will love the house when I am done. I will make sure it reflects the Tuscany we both love, and the feel of the house is not so feminine you will feel out of place here. I will find the perfect balance for us. But what is this other card for?”

  Smiling at her, it amuses him that she can be frugal, but he wants her to spend to her hearts content and never worry again about such things.

  “Mi amore, please, this house will cost you three times over that amount to renovate and decorate. You are mine now, you need not worry any longer about money, si? I want that understood. Artwork alone can cost great sums of money, and I know you love art. I have it, so spend it. There is something else I wish to talk to you about. I want to take you to the California house, show you that property and have you furnish it as well. It is in much better condition than this property, and the vineyards are already producing. Can I ask something else of you? I know this is a lot for you to accomplish, but I need to concentrate on providing security for Alec and I slumber in the daylight hours.”

  ***

  The enormity of the project is hitting her. The renovation of this home and gardens, along with another house she has never even seen. But Kate loves a good project.

  "Of course, you can ask me anything."

  “That’s my, bel rosso.” Pulling her into his arms, she lays her head on his chest. “Bel, the staff quarters here are in very bad shape, I need you to get that renovated as soon as possible. Luciano is there now with the barest of necessities. But I intend to bring some of my own people here from Florence, my manservant, a housekeeper for you, and a chef, perhaps. We will need the staff quarters renovated and furnished quickly. Could you take that on first?”

  “Of course! Just let me know your priorities, and I will coordinate it. So, I will start on the staff quarters first. We can set up my stuff here in the house and that will give us a foundation until I can work on the house. No problems. But what is this other card?”

  ***

  Taking her face into his hands, he softly kisses one cheek, then the other. He kisses her nose and then her forehead and almost kisses her mouth. He can feel her breath on his lips as he whispers softly.

  "That card is for you, for your personal expenses. Clothes, shoes, whatever you want. You deserve this, you deserve to be pampered and spoiled. Promise me, you will spoil yourself.”

  "Lover, you already spoil me. I can't imagine what else I could need. But thank you." She kisses him. "Although, now that I think of it, you do seem to rip through my undergarments, and I love La Perla, so that could get quite expensive!”

  “See, you already are thinking about it.” Her arms go around his neck and she kisses him with passion. "Is this too much for you, you must tell me if it is, si?”

  “Nothing is too much to ask. I can't wait to start our life together.”

  “And so it shall be, mi amore. Come, lay with me awhile and let us rest and dream of what our future holds. Is there anything you wish to ask me, talk to me about?”

  She cuddles in to him. He is waking up for the night, and she has been running around all day with the movers. She will need to begin the process of shifting her schedule so sh
e can sleep when he sleeps, but for right now, she just cuddles up next to him, feeling warm and protected in his arms as she listens to the night call of crickets and tree frogs lull her into sleep.

  "I can't think of anything. I think we will just figure it out as we go."

  “Si, I think that is a wise decision.” He can feel the tiredness of her body as her breathing begins to slow, and he knows she needs her rest. He rubs her back gently and kisses the top of her head. He could lay here for the rest of eternity with her, just like this.

  "Rest, bel, sleep. I will be here, I will not leave you. You are protected, loved and safe.”

  24

  Kate has been shifting her schedule so she is able to sleep during the day with Shade, climbing into bed with him each morning when he returns from the Dead House. She doesn't even want to ask what that means, or how it got its name. She knows he provides security for Alec, and she does not probe for details. During the night hours when he is gone, she has been busy with the renovations. All of the contractors Shade referred her to are vamps, so they are fine with her scheduling their work at night, and they work fast.

  Kate is amazed at how much work gets done. The renovations of the staff quarters are almost completed, and she will begin furnishing it soon. The workers have gutted the kitchen and all of the bathrooms except the one off the master bedroom in their main house. They will save the master bathroom and bedroom for last, giving her and Shade a private space to retreat to while the house is being worked on. She has worked with the contractors to make sure the renovations remain true to the original design of the house and has been delighted with the results so far. She is already working with the interior designers, tracking down furniture and other pieces to move in once the renovations are complete.

  She takes time every day to walk outside, either early morning, or late evening, to enjoy the beauty of this place. Autumn is advancing, and the leaves are beginning to fall. This morning, she stands in the cool crisp air, a light jacket around her as she watches the sun begin to rise, and the mist that hovers over the ground starts to dissipate. He will be home soon. She sees Luciano is the distance. He has a field of migrant workers, harvesting the last grapes of the season, already hard at work. She turns and goes back inside the house. It feels chilly even inside now. She should have the workers check the heating system, it is probably old and will need replacing, and will need to be moved up on the priority list.