by Emily Bex
***
She absorbs the information, learning more of his strange world every day, but she is struck by a part of his message, and she doesn’t know why she never thought of it before.
“Theresa goes to the feeders?”
“Of course. All vampires must feed.”
“But you said all feeders were female.”
“Si. We make no distinction with feeding or sex, although most of us have a gender preference. Theresa may also hunt and seduce a male mortal, or she may find a male vampire who catches her eye. If not, she must also go to a female feeder.”
“But it is still sexual…the feelings, if Theresa feeds from a female.”
“Oh si, that part does not change.”
“So, when you said most vampires have a preference, does that mean you have the mortal equivalent of homosexuals?”
“Si, mi amore. A male vampire who prefers the company of other males may still need to feed from a female feeder on occasion. But a female vampire who prefers females, I guess she has the best world. She can choose to hunt only other females, as well as use the feeders.”
“And did you go to feeders?”
“I am not sure how you manage to always bring this conversation back to me, but si, I have gone to feeders. Sometimes it is the most convenient option when we are on unfamiliar grounds. Large cities usually have underground clubs, like the one in San Francisco, where it is easy to meet other vampires looking to feed, or mortals interested in the sex. Or we strike out on our own to hunt. If we go too long without feeding, the beast takes over. The bloodlust must be satisfied, or the beast drains and kills his victim. That kind of behavior puts the whole community at risk of exposure, so for that reason, there is not the same social stigma on our feeding and sexual habits as exists in the mortal world. If a vampire waits too long, we have a last resort to control the beast in a safe house. A safe house is also underground, known only to the vampire community. You will find no mortals there as the beast reigns.”
“A safe house? There are feeders there?”
“No, just other vampires who have waited too long to feed. It is savagery on every level. It is the option of last resort. We will not talk of it, si? You will never see the inside of a safe house, this I promise you.”
He turns his head and looks out the window, his profile outlined in the moonlight. She understands he has experienced the savagery of the safe house, and his reluctance to speak in detail about it sends images through her head, and she squeezes her eyes shut tight.
“But you are done with that, right? The feeders? The clubs?”
He turns his head sharply to look at her, “Kate, you have to ask me that? Have I not made it clear to you I feed only from you, I love only you? I have no interest in other females. I take no notice of other females.”
“No, lover, but I promise you, the females take notice of you. I trust you implicitly. I want you to know that. But women are drawn to you. I watch them when we are out. If they could mow me down to get to you, they would. So, am I jealous? Yes, I will always be jealous, but not because of a lack of trust in you. It is the women I mistrust.”
Pulling her from his lap, he stands up and sits her on the window sill. “Listen to me good, Kate. I love you. If you do not trust me and feel my love for you, then we have nothing! I cannot help that other women are attracted to me. You are all I see. Do you not feel that? What do I have to do, to make you feel that? Tell me, because for you to even have that thought makes my stomach churn. I am doing something wrong if you can’t feel I would never want another female.”
“Shade, I do trust you. And when we are out together, I hold your undivided attention. And maybe you don't notice the other women, but I notice the other women. I can see I have displeased you, and that is not my intent. This is my issue. And I will work on it. But I am jealous of every female you ever fed from in the past, every female you ever made love to in the past, every female who took pleasure in your embrace. And I don't even want to know the numbers, because it would surely crush me. I understand it is all in the past, and what we have now is real, and lasting and permanent. But that does not change how I feel. Would you rather I not tell you? I have tried to be honest with you above all things.”
He pulls her into his chest, crushing her into him. “No, I love you so much. I don’t want anything to make you feel jealous. My past is the past, all vampires have them. We have been here so damn long, surviving in the darkness. You are my mate for all eternity, it took me a long time to find you and I want you to know I love you so much. I don’t care about the women that look at me, I don’t care about the past, I want to love you, that is all. It’s okay to tell me how you feel, I am sorry, sometimes it upsets to think that I bring you any discomfort at all.”
He kisses her softly, deepening the kiss, gripping her hair, and letting all his love flow to her.
“Let me take you to bed and show you, mi amore. Show you how I love you.”
49
“Kate, Gi tells me Luca’s suite is finished. Have you seen it?”
“I have seen most of it, except for the custom cabinetry for his art studio. Have you been in to see it?”
“No, I have not. Gi tells me he is quite happy with it. They are all overwhelmed with your generosity and your kindness with their living quarters. You make me proud, bel rosso.”
“Lover, I didn’t feel like I was being generous. I just wanted them to feel at home.”
He smiles at her, because her spirit of generosity has no guile, no agenda. “Well, perhaps you would like to accompany me to his suite? I would like to see his rooms as well.”
“Of course.”
He takes her hand as they walk to Luca’s suite and knocks lightly on his door. As Luca opens the door and welcomes them in, Shade takes in the beauty of the strong, masculine room, and knows no warrior who lives in luxury like this. This level of opulence is reserved for a master, but he approves of bel’s choices because it has created a bond between her and the staff he has brought over from Florence.
In the alcove that has been converted to an art studio, Luca already has an easel displaying a canvas. Shade gasps aloud as he sees it and stops in his tracks, waiting for her reaction at what she sees before her. Shade turns his eyes to Luca and sees him intently watching for her response.
***
Kate almost bumps into him when he stops suddenly, and she hears his sharp intake of breath. She looks past Luca to a painting on the easel and she is dumbfounded. Me? He has done a painting... of me?
She walks slowly over to the easel, aware that her mouth is open as she gazes in amazement at the portrait. He has painted her in a three-quarter profile, standing with her bare back and shoulder exposed, as she looks over her shoulder, her hair cascading down her back. And while she is clearly recognizable, there is an abstract quality to the portrait.
“Luca... this is... this is seriously good. I mean, this is museum quality good. Your technique, with the broad strokes, that is very unique. And you painted me? I've never been an artist's muse before. Wow, I'm really just overcome by it. Lover look at this. Do you like it?”
Shade walks up behind her, wraps his arms around her waist and puts his chin on top of her head.
“Si, mi amore. And you would be any man's muse, mortal or immortal. Your beauty is quite unique and astounding. I think your protector has captured your spirit, si?” He kisses her cheek softly.
The portrait spellbinds Kate. “I feel like I shouldn't ask. I feel like I am taking advantage, but may I have the portrait please?”
***
Luca watches her face as she takes in the canvas. She is so mesmerized by his hand it makes his heart leap.
“I painted this for you, my lady. It is a housewarming gift from me. This is how I see you when you look at master, your love for him, and the calling of your blood to him. Your posture and demeanor changes when he is near you. There is a light in your eyes, and a softening in your face. It is something I wanted
to capture for him as well. I am so grateful you have given me this honor of protector, given me a home and my own quarters, and I wanted to show my appreciation to you both.”
***
Kate takes in Luca’s explanation of his work, what he sees in her when she looks at Shade, and the love that she feels for Shade is visible on the canvas, palpable. She gives Luca a hug knowing that Shade has engineered the situation in Florence to make sure she would have the best of the best as her protector.
“You honor me, Luca. You honor both of us. I want to hang this in our bedroom. I want both of us to see it every day, every night. I don't have the words to thank you.” Kate plants a small kiss on his cheek before stepping back.
***
Shade watches as Luca lowers his head in loyalty, respect, and gratitude, as a good warrior should. He has molded Luca since he was a young boy, and Shade is proud of the man he has become.
“I am so proud of you, Warrior.”
Shade embraces him, pounding his fist on Luca’s back.
As they break from the hug, Luca asks for permission to leave.
“Shade, if you would allow, I would like to leave again tonight. I can come back tomorrow evening when the painting is completely dry and hang it wherever my lady wishes.”
Shade understands the hunger and sees it in his eyes and allows him his leave. “Go Luca. I will call you if I need you, keep your head about you, new territory, you know the rules.”
Taking bel's hand, Shade walks her down the corridor and heads to their own part of the house and finds it quiet. All the workers are gone, and the staff has cleared out for the night.
“So mi amore, what shall we get into?”
“Lover, there is so much to get into.”
He laughs as he holds her hand, pulling her up the stairs behind him.
“Then follow me, there just happens to be this very private bedroom at the top of the stairs.”
50
Shade is busy in the Dead House. He has sent out the list of weapons he needs to Florence and is waiting for delivery. He sent the bill off to Alec and is re-working some of the grid maps and adjusting the warriors’ assignments. He is working with a crew to finalize the installation on the security system they are putting in. From his spot in the command center, he can now monitor every room in the Dead House, as well as both exterior entrances. Even with all the activity here, most of the neighborhood still thinks this property is vacant since his crew typically teleports in, and the high wall around the rear courtyard protects them from view when they step outside.
Despite all the busy work, and the fact that it is all vital and needs to be done, his mind is restless, as are his hands. He much prefers the action on the streets to the activity in the command center. Deciding to take a break and stretch his legs, he heads out on his nightly rounds in his own personal grid in G-town. He teleports out, making a few quick checks on the other appointed grids, just to make sure all the warriors are on point. Everything looks quiet tonight and his warriors look bored, preferring a little more action themselves. Shade heads into G-town and does a broad sweep, starting at the outside perimeter of the grid, and working his way in, getting closer to the sector that includes Alec’s house.
As he gets closer to the center of the grid, he picks up a scent==vampires. He is only a few miles from the Canton residence and this does not bode well. He focuses his sense of smell and hearing and finds them quickly. There are two of them, young street punks, skulking and unaware of the Medici high above them, zeroing in on their heads.
“Stupid punks, you just found yourselves in the hands of the only nightmare you will never escape!”
He watches them take a side street directly on course for Alec’s home and with sword in hand, he swoops down on them. One is caught totally unaware, and that is exactly Shade’s intention. He didn’t become a warrior of this magnitude by being careless. Before the rogue even sees his face, Shade swings his sword and has the rogues’ head rolling along the alley as his body drops lifeless to the street.
Quickly back flipping to face the other rogue, Shade laughs wickedly as the rogue is getting ready to take flight over his head to escape, but Shade has other ideas for this piece of worthless vampire skin. The rogue wears a black sweat jacket, the hood pulled over his head, and Shade can’t make eye contact with him, not that he needs to. The rogue leaps over his head and Shade catches the glint of moonlight reflecting off the shuriken the rogue holds in his hand. Shade lifts himself higher, hovering in midair, as he grabs the rogue by the arm, attempting to wrench it from the socket when the rogue breaks free. Shade makes a grab for him, catching only the hood of the sweatshirt, but the rogue swiftly backs away in the opposite direction, sliding out of the shirt and escaping into the black night.
Shade’s beast roars as he hovers above the ally, looking at the fucking sweatshirt clutched in his hand, the Italian curses flying. He has had enough of these games! He whips out his own shuriken, and with the flick of his wrist, he lets it fly with speed and accuracy, aiming it straight into the back of the rogues shaved head. The shuriken hit its mark and the rogue drops to the ground like a stone. Shade is there waiting when he lands. The rogue tries to jump to his feet immediately, but it is of no use. Death by the Medici is swift and sure.
Shade immediately calls on Tomas telepathically, commanding him to come to his location. He has two rogues down and needs assistance getting their bodies back to the Dead House and into the courtyard for the encroaching morning sun to vaporize them. Shade kicks the dead body in front of him as the rogue lay on his side. He spots an emblem on his back and flips the rogue over, so he is lying face down in the alley. He crouches down to get a closer look and notices the rogue’s back is covered with a tattoo that runs shoulder to shoulder. The black ink is not very old, and the design is elaborate and might provide a clue.
As Tomas lands beside him, Shade quickly gives him instructions to gather the other body and the severed head and return back to the Dead House. Shade lifts the other dead rogue and teleports straight back himself. He and Tomas land in the section of the basement that was cordoned off as a dungeon and holding cell for rogues, though few live one’s ever end up here. Shade dumps the rogues’ body next to the one Tomas had carried in and instructs Thomas to strip the beheaded rogue of his shirt.
As he does so, they discover the same tattoo on that rogues back and Shade knows they had a coven or a master to deal with, and one that was probably on target for Alec. They are no longer dealing with the lone street punks who plagued every city, but something more organized and coordinated. Masters would often tattoo their warriors with the emblem of their coven as a symbol of allegiance or ownership. They felt it created a bond between the warriors, a sense of pride, not unlike a soldier wearing a uniform, or a biker wearing a ‘cut’. Shade had never done such. Everyone knew you were a Medici, no one needed a damn symbol of allegiance to create their bond. Medici warriors were elite and the best in the entire world. Taking out his cell phone, he snaps a few pictures of the rogues’ tattoo.
Turning to Tomas, he asks, “What the hell does this mean? I have never seen this tattoo before Tomas, don’t recognize the coven. This is going to take some research. The ink looks fresh, so probably new recruits. What the fuck are they doing here? They appeared to be heading in a direct line to Alec’s. You ever see this, brother?”
***
Tomas stands with his arms crossed over his chest. Stupid fuckers. He recognizes the tattoo all right, and he wonders why Max would want to advertise. This just made his job a lot harder and he’ll be sure to let Max know about it too. He keeps his mouth shut and plasters a quizzical expression on his face as the Medici inspects the bodies. Tomas thinks to himself, Shade can research all he wants, but he won’t find any answers, of that Tomas is quite sure.
Tomas crouches down beside Shade and runs his hand over the inked image and shakes his head.
“Never saw anything like that in my travels, brother. Bee
n around a while and I’ve seen a lot of coven symbols, not familiar with this one, though.” Tomas stands back up and waits for his orders, and Shade isn’t long belting them out.
***
Shaking his head, Shade takes several more shots on his camera and tells Tomas to haul the bodies to the courtyard. Shade has a phone call to make.
Tomas quickly does as he is told. He has a phone call to make himself.
Shade climbs the rickety stairs to the upper floor of his makeshift command center and flops down in his chair, shoving aside the papers that cover the surface of the desk. Looking at the photos on his phone, he’s still perplexed at what he is seeing, but he has to call Alec and let him know. This should be good! Stir his ass up a bit.
Shade knows Alec probably won’t have a clue about the tattoo. He had disconnected from the immortals years ago, but he will need to know of this latest development. He dials up Alec, and after several rings, he finally answers. Shade fills him in on the details and the locale of the rogues’ whereabouts and it is no surprise when Alec informs him to text the images to him and he would get to them later and see what he could make of them.
Shade ends the call and runs his hands through his hair. Sliding the phone into his pocket, he hears the warriors as they start rolling into the Dead House, their jobs done for the night. He can almost feel the slow progression of the sun making its way to its dawning, and he is more than ready to head home.
51
Kate is waiting for Shade to return home, it is close to sunrise. Luca has received a shipment of boxes and crates from Florence, and they are stacked to the ceiling, and line the long corridor to Shade’s office and Luca’s suite. She can’t imagine what it could possibly be. If all this stuff belongs to Luca, it is going to get really crowded in his suite.
