Immortal Fire Series; The Trilogy ~ Eighteen Summers, Severina, Rising Bloodtide

by K. M. Liss

  “It is a cane. What are you going to do with it?”

  “You will find out if you misbehave,” He laughs to himself in a low maniacal rumble of sound, and then he takes the cane from me and runs it all over my body. Across my head and shoulders, my arms, and my hands. Finally, he pokes me in the chest with its tip. “Mmmm, it seems my cane likes you... Put out your tongue.” I oblige in disgust. He draws the cane sideways over it slowly and then puts the end in my mouth, pushing it in and out, and twisting it side to side in a clear sexual simulation... I take hold of it and remove it, pushing it away. I can imagine what else he does with this cane. I feel sick at the thought of where it might have been. I've had enough of this mental torture in the dark.

  “Look Raffaele, that's enough of your games for today. Let me out of here.” I stand and feel my way around the room, trying to find the point of exit. I find the door and oddly he lets me leave with no further resistance. I lower the blindfold. The door closes behind me with a loud clang and a moment later the lights are turned on. He stands before me grinning broadly as if he had just told me a funny joke. I shudder involuntarily.

  “Was that not a fun, thrilling game Calista? I sense you were scared. But perhaps a little excited too?” His eyes twinkle with mischief.

  “Well I'll tell you something shall I? I was scared. And d'you know what? I'm wondering... why the hell would you want to scare your intended, Sire?”

  Disgusting evil bastard...

  “It is one of the purest emotions. That of fear... ”

  Our conversation is interrupted by someone calling my name. My saviour. My guardian.

  “I am so hungry and overdue for a feed, that is Nico calling me, I believe. I would like to try another game, My Lord,” I smile sweetly at him, now knowing I am out of immediate danger. “But next time, one of my choosing.” I pass through the wine cellars and up the stairs to find Nico standing in the doorway. He looks at me with concern and I stare back with wide warning eyes. I subtly shake my head at him as Raffaele follows me up the stone stairs, in close pursuit.

  “Until tomorrow then, my dearest Lady...” He removes the blindfold from my neck and takes my hand, kissing it over fondly.

  “As you wish. Call for me at your leisure My Lord, à bientôt...”

  I throw in a touch of French spice for a more dramatic exit. I'm getting into this posh vampire talk. Who'd have thought it? I extract my hand from his as quickly as is polite, and leave the room swiftly, Nico following in my wake.

  We arrive back in my room and he takes me in his arms and holds me closely.

  My heart leaps.

  Has he had a change of mind, about us?

  He wraps his hand around my head and nuzzles his face into my hair. This is very affectionate behaviour. After a few moments he releases me from his tight grip.

  “I'm sorry I was not able to come sooner. My agent arrived, delivering our new passports and travel documents. Sofia came to fetch me straight away. Tell me what happened?”

  “Just a taster of the real Raffaele. He played some games in the wine cellars in the dark. But he took me in his torture chamber after that and poked me about with a cane. It wasn't that bad. But I don't understand how I could have dreamed all this before. The smell, the atmosphere in the room, even things about Raffaele himself. How can that be?”

  “Vampires have many gifts. Yours may be that of precognition.”

  “So I am seeing my own future torture?”

  “Perhaps and perhaps not. There are many possible futures for you, all dependent on other actions.”

  “Well I hope you're right.”

  “In any case, I'm not leaving you alone. I will sleep in here from now on, on your sofa, and you must lock and bolt the door if I need to go out. We can leave the day after tomorrow, by train.”

  “That soon?”

  “There is no real reason to delay any longer Your blood lust is manageable.”

  “You must be worried about me.”

  “Obviously so.”

  I make a brave decision.

  “How much?”

  “I can't measure it.”

  “This much....?” I kiss him briefly on the cheek.

  “Or this much?” Then again, for longer, on the lips.

  I stand close, waiting for his answer not daring to breathe.

  “Cali...” His eyes blaze into mine. The heat rises between us.

  “Please... Show me, just for a moment?” I plead.

  “No, I cannot.” I see him hesitate for a second before he walks away across the other side of the room, keeping his back turned to me.

  My stomach churns with disappointment yet again. It appears Nico is very dedicated to his duty, way beyond his personal feelings for me. I apologise and try to make a joke of it. I don't want us to be cold with each other again.

  “Oh my God, I'm so sorry about that. I felt fuzzy and lightheaded. I didn't know what I was doing! It must be lack of food.”

  He turns to face me with a smile returning to his handsome face. “I shall arrange something for you shortly.” I change the subject quickly.

  “Tell me about our travel plans... I've never been to Italy.” In fact I've only ever been to Spain and that was camping with my mum and dad and the cub scouts.

  His face lights up with joy. “It is such a beautiful place, the country of my birth... You will enjoy it I am sure. We could stay for some time, if you find it acceptable.”

  “Where are we staying exactly?”

  “In Etrusca, with Savio and Messia. They have a vineyard.” He pauses for a moment as if far away in his thoughts. “It's a large estate with a substantial villa.”

  “It sounds lovely. And you think we'll be safe there?”

  “As safe as we can be.”

  “What are we going to do about My Lord?”

  “We shall investigate his past. Examine records of the Caprices, in the time of the Etruriae. There cannot be that many Raffaeles' born to them. The Tarquiini monastery museum at Vulci is the place to start. Monasteries were the central point for collecting information in ancient times. The monks must have kept some records we can access. But they will all be in Latin of course. Perhaps you will be able to assist us, with your knowledge of the language Cali?”

  “Well I can try. What will this record search prove anyway?”

  “It could establish his lineage, whether there could be truth in his story.”

  “But he could have taken anyone's name?”

  “We will check all the records we can and follow things through to a conclusion. Gabriel is a most excellent Legal counsel, an Advocatus. He is an academic and a linguist and has a great deal of knowledge of historical matters, being an Oxford 'don'. He is most proud of that fact. He will know where to look and what to do.”

  “My Lord told me he is writing a book, about his family. Maybe you could take a look at that somehow?”

  “He is? Now that could prove to be more than helpful. Perhaps you could entertain him in your room and I shall see what I can find.”

  “I was hoping I wouldn't have to see him again.”

  “I think he is expecting to see you tomorrow. Sofia can sit with you.”

  “I'm sure she'll love that.”

  “Sofia will always do her best for you Cali.”

  * * *

  The next morning, I spend a pleasant hour in the pool and spa in the garden, swimming and chilling with Sofia. But now I sit fidgeting, anxiously waiting for Raffaele to arrive. Nico has gone to invite him to my room. I have several games to play with him today. None involve pain, sitting in the dark or anything remotely weird. He will definitely find my games dull compared to his. Sofia sits quietly in the corner of the room, with a book. There is a knock at the door and he enters in his usual theatrical rustle of deep purple robes and dark, devilish good looks. He is a very striking Lord, I must admit.

  “My Lady summons me?” He bows briefly and his eyes flash with a tinge of yellow.

  I nod my
head at him in return. “I thought we could play a game in my room today.”

  “This is most acceptable. What do you have in mind?” He takes a seat next to me draping his arm across the back of the sofa.

  “QatQi. It's a word game. I have it on my iPad. Here.” I show him the game.

  “I like to play with words. I confess I have never played 'QatQi' before. This will be very interesting.” He smiles at me broadly flashing his white teeth. “Explain it to me.”

  “We can play against the computer or anyone else in the world. Today we'll play against the computer.” Basically because I have no one else to play with, but I don't mention that. I run through the rules and we begin our game. I'm hoping and praying Nico will find something useful in Raffaele's room. After an intense hour of Scrabble-like QatQi, at which he excels of course, we move on to cards. My Lord seems to like my App games. We play a quick game of Solitaire together.

  “I must acquire an iPad Calista. It's a useful and enjoyable device and so very portable.” He turns it over and looks at it carefully, touching the screen with his long sharp nails.

  With difficulty, I try to hold a normal, modern conversation with him.

  “You can play chess, mahjong, lots of other games... you download the app.”

  “What app is this?”

  “It's short for application. They are little programs for the iPad.”

  “I see. I am not very technologically minded I'm afraid. I only use the computer as a research tool and for my 'amusement'.” I shudder at the type of amusement he might look for on the net.

  I realise I haven't been very hospitable and I offer him a belated drink, but he declines. “No thank you Calista. I shall retire in a moment. I have my work to do. Perhaps tomorrow, in my rooms again?”

  “I'll look forward to it.” I lie. With a bit of luck, I'll be half way to Italy by then. I offer him my hand and he rises and takes his leave. I breathe a deep sigh of relief as he closes the door behind him. I really do find his company so tortuous, whatever we do. I certainly won't miss My Lord for one single second. I allow Sofia to leave after having chaperoned me for hours.

  I wait for a few moments more and then call for Nico. He knocks and enters. I rush up to him in excitement.

  “So...?”

  “I couldn't find any sign of his book I'm afraid, but I did find something much better. His research notes... I copied everything as best I could in my haste. I now have a list of names and dates. This should make our research so much more targeted.”

  “That's cool. Hopefully we'll find what we need faster as well. We don't want to spend all our time in the Tacky monastery, or whatever it's called, up to our eyeballs in dusty old records, do we?”

  “It's the Tarquinii monastery. And I do have other ideas planned for your entertainment.”

  “Such as?”

  “A trip to Rome... Some time at the coast... Whatever else you wish to do, literally. Gabriel informs me your trust fund has become available to you today. You are financially independent forever Cali. It is a sizeable inheritance, so you really can have a holiday for a lifetime, if you wish.”

  I gulp. “Nico... How much is my inheritance?” I ask with a pounding heart. A broad grin appears on his face.

  “Almost 180 million Euro.” His eyes glow with happiness and yellow warmth.

  “No!” A wave of heated shock runs through me.

  “Yes, it is a good sum, is it not?”

  “Can I send some money to my parents?”

  “You can arrange to do whatever you wish with it. It is not my fund or my business what you do. I shall provide details of your fund manager and you can contact him and discuss it directly. The fund is in the name of Miss Jane Gray. She is your pseudonym. You will travel as Jane and I shall address you by that name, for reasons of safety and privacy. I will become Jason. Sofia becomes Susan and Gabriel, John.”

  “Do you have a fund Nico?”

  “Your father's estate provided me with a generous sum for my own personal use.”

  “Did you get on well with my father?”

  “My Lord Aule was a fine leader and a master swordsman. We used to fence and travel together. I was his aide.”

  “A bodyguard?”

  “No, he was more than able to look after himself.” His face looks strained as he realises the irony of his words.

  “How did he die?”

  “Unpleasantly of course.”

  “Tell me.”

  “He was decapitated, your mother too.”

  “Oh no Nico, and were you there?”

  “No, they went out, to the theatre. Their car was found outside the next day, containing their bodies and that of their chauffeur. Their heads were missing.”

  “And you think the Ristoria murdered them?”

  “Who else?”

  “I don't know. Perhaps he had new enemies?”

  “It's possible of course, but most unlikely.”

  “What happened after that?”

  “My Lord Raffaele took over the household, being in favour with My Lord and an elder of course. I began my role, as promised to your father.”

  “You promised him?”

  “Yes, I gave my word that I would guard you with my life, and put you out of harm's reach, should anything happen to him and your mother. At eighteen you would inherit. It was planned between us. As any parent plans as best he can for his offspring after his death. It was his will. I removed you immediately, within hours of their deaths, before My Lord had a chance to interfere with our private arrangement.”

  “So you placed me in care?”

  “No, I used a private adoption company. It was all conducted anonymously. I knew where you were, but your parents did not know where you came from. I arranged a fake birth certificate with no parentage. You were offered as a foundling, Candace Anna, and you were adopted by the Roberts family. I visited you from time to time over the years. You were a very sweet and beautiful child Cali.” He smiles wistfully with the memory of me as a child and my heart melts.

  “I don't ever remember being that sweet.”

  “In appearance you were.”

  “They never told me I was adopted.”

  “I know, it was a condition of the contract. That you were never to know. Never to ask about your real parents as they were unknown to everyone but myself.”

  “So nobody else knew I was there?”

  “No. Only myself, and Sofia in the past few months.”

  “You guarded me from afar.”

  “As best I could.”

  “And always will?”

  “Always.” His look is so serious. I am wondering why he is so dedicated to me.

  “Why?”

  “The promise I made to My Lord. I owe him my life many times over. He took me from a starving hell-hole and helped me live again.”

  “Why did he do that?”

  “I don't know. It was circumstantial and coincidental. He was passing, he found me. I had just lost my wife and son. He had suffered similarly. Perhaps it was a shared feeling of loss. We shall never know. He could have left me to my fate, but he did not. I am and always will be grateful and I am honoured to serve his daughter.”

  “So whose idea was it to marry me off to Lord Raffaele?”

  “It was My Lord Raffaele's idea. And an obvious progression.”

  “Not obvious to me.”

  “I simply meant that he, as Lord Protector of the household for the last eighteen years, and you, the rightful incumbent, but not yet experienced enough to manage such a position, would do well to join forces. It makes sense.”

  “What happens if I die? Where does the money go?”

  “It passes to the next living relative.”

  “Don't tell me... Lord Raffaele?”

  “At present he is the only other blood born relative. A very distant one. I don't know how he would prove it in a court of law... ” he laughs suddenly.

  “What's so funny?”

  “The th
ought of proving you are at least fifteen hundred years old and a thirteenth cousin twenty times removed and still alive to tell the tale. That would be a huge task to undertake.”

  “So it's best I stay alive then. So that he can marry me, in a human ceremony and then, after a decent period of time he can kill me to get my money....” I think out loud, in a completely serious tone. And I'm not being funny at all.

  “That would be the best option for sure.” His face suddenly darkens with realisation. “No. I am not going down that avenue of thought.”

  “I already have.”

  “Calista... Are you now thinking he killed your parents so that he can marry you and then planned to murder you for your money?”

  “That would be a fitting end to the feud, wouldn't it? The Ristoria finally winning the game. And doesn't My Lord Raffaele love evil games?” I am not entirely sure I believe my theory, but it fits and it's food for thought.

  Chapter 7

  I arise slowly with hunger. I need a feed. I look at my iPad.

  Damn... it's only 5.30 am.

  I wander into the bathroom and stare at my perfect face. There is never any trace of tiredness, dark circles under my eyes, or pale tinge to my skin. I look the same all the time now. It's nice to know I always will.

  I have noticed a lot of subtle changes emerging since I burned with the immortal fire. My nails are longer and very hard. Naturally more pointed. For gripping and climbing vertical surfaces perhaps? My teeth have all straightened and are icy white and healthy. I have tiny red flecks in my irises. I haven't seen these in either Nico's or Sofia's eyes. I like this touch of individuality. My muscles are rock hard in tone. I can squeeze everything really tightly in my pubic area and it feels so good. I've been practising that a lot. In addition my whole body feels more alive, tingling alive. I'm not sure what this state of being is. You could say it's a state of perfect preservation and I suppose I am just as alive as I was before, but in a different way. I still breathe. My heart beats my vampire blood around my veins. I sleep. I feed, and I have feelings, very deep physical feelings and strong emotions. A hot temper too.

  I have an urgent need to seek out my own food. I dress and ascend to the ground level, leaving the house quickly. I walk the streets for a while searching for a lone person to approach.