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

by K. M. Liss

  She pulled his hair, jerking his head to one side and bit him hard on the neck as she moved rapidly on him, digging her nails roughly into his shoulders.

  “Owww! That's harsh treatment, girl”

  “Oh poor you. Don't you like the rough stuff?”

  “I didn't say I didn't like it... Do please carry on.”

  Later they dressed and sat sharing a bottle of wine, curled up on his bench. He swigged straight from the bottle and passed it to her. She took a long, long glug, revelling in the fire hitting her stomach. Then she leaned across and kissed him briefly.

  “I am meeting Raffaele here shortly, in the next day or so, maybe longer. My brother, cousin, and he have business they are attending to.”

  “I know. He called on me a few days back.”

  “He did?”

  “Yes, just for an hour, before he left to travel north to collect your brother.”

  “I am looking forward to his return, and the others. I have not seen my Vini and Saba for five years, since their last visit to London. And of course I am most definitely looking forward to rejoining Raffaele.”

  “I don't know what you see in him. Stay with me. Look at all I could offer you.” He gestured around his tiny cell with a wry smile.

  “It's quite funny, you know.... How little money means to you. Wouldn't you like some more creature comforts? To simply indulge yourself with a big pile of books to read and a hot scented bath of your own to read them in?”

  “Nope. This is me, ma cherie. Dirt and filth and the stench of bloodsucking immortality. I just love it. If I wish to be clean I can use the showers at the swimming baths and Michello knows someone who washes my clothes for a small sum. I am as clean as I need to be and have a lot of good and valued company in these caverns. There are many here who live as I do. We are not all wild and untamed. We can be who we wish. No one cares. If I were to live like you it would be a challenge. I would have to adapt my ways far too much. I can't be fucking bothered, to be honest.”

  She laughed loudly at him.

  “Come here Mr Lazy. Let's get hot again. This time you can be very rough and nasty with me.”

  “Sevi, how you have changed! And fuck me, do I like it...”

  Chapter 2

  Sabato entered the rusty gate using the key he had recovered from Raffaele's and Vini's possessions after sneaking back to the barn later that fateful day. Then he walked into the darkness and knocked on the door. Three knocks and then another three. And then he waited. It had been a long time since he'd been down here, to visit Fro with Vini.

  God knows he wasn't looking forward to this one bit. He had been thinking over and over what to say to her on the long drive back from Castellana. What a fucking ordeal that had been, as he'd never driven a car in his life! He and Vini had no need or desire to acquire such a skill in Milan. Yes indeed, that journey proved to be a fast learning curve which he'd only just survived due to his uncanny vampire wits and reactions.

  He hadn't approved of what went on in the barn on either side. He wished they'd taken no part in it. It was unnecessarily cruel and unpleasant from the moment he had knocked Gabriel out cold and carried him away.

  Jesus!...Chopping Sofia's hand off like that, for no reason at all! It was barbaric.

  Sabato hated any violence whatsoever towards the fairer sex. They were soft and beautiful and should be treated with care and respect, he felt. And he'd almost cried for Calista when Raffe had inserted that huge stake inside her. He'd laughed with shock and nerves but he'd been really appalled. Raffe was a damn fiend.

  And hanging the three of them upside down stark naked from the roof! Fuck, that was so base and humiliating.

  He'd tried to object, but Raffe was impossible to deal with. He made you feel small and weak if you weren't a natural maniac like he was. He could talk you in circles and make you end up agreeing with him without realising it. God knows why Sevi was so into fucking him. Perhaps he had a nicer side when he was with her. He'd deserved steep punishment for all that went on that day, but slicing off his hands and feet and feeding him to the pigs had been way over the top. As for Sevi's brother, Vini, he didn't even want to think about what happened to him. Having an axe buried half way into your skull was beyond brutal. He'd been wrought with nightmares over it ever since. He really was like a brother to him. They'd been so close since they changed, living together in Milan and sharing everything.

  How could he explain all this to Sevi without destroying her? He knew her twin meant the world to her and Raffaele was far more than a passing interest. He wasn't the most eloquent of people at the best of times, his education and upbringing had been very simplistic. He'd have to try very hard to make the whole sorry episode sound much better to her, to make her feel as if Raffe had died honourably and that the Giannis were to blame more than they actually were. And he did feel the pig swill was a dreadful, insulting grave for a noble Lord.

  What did it matter if he lied about what had happened? If it made it all easier for her to bear, he'd say whatever he needed to.

  Severina was very dear to him. He didn't want to hurt her any more than was necessary. She was almost like a sister.

  Why the hell am I lying to myself...? I don't think about her in a sisterly way at all.

  He tried to clear his head of the direction his thoughts were taking him regarding his half cousin. He would indulge his needs shortly, inside. There were lots of pretty little females tucked away in those cells just waiting for him to beckon with his finger. His mouth watered and his teeth descended with lust. He was dying for a piece of action. It had been days and days. He couldn't stand it. He was hard as hell all the time and it hurt. He was sick of jerking off to relieve it. Sometimes his overly high sex drive was a curse. He just needed to get this awful business out of the way and he could get on with something more pleasant.

  How he yearned to be back in Milan, within the small but wild vampire community there, with his harem of adoring and willing females at his disposal and his beloved dog.

  But shit no... Not my dog. Not anymore... Maxi is dead. The bastards...! Why the fuck did they have to kill my innocent dog?

  He wrinkled his face in disgust.

  God, what was keeping that fucking old bastard? He was taking an age…

  He knocked again, harder and louder.

  The window slid open finally and the sick face of the old human peered out.

  “Yeah, whad'ya want?” He slurred drunkenly, rubbing his eyes.

  He'd obviously been asleep on the job, a drunken sleep.

  “I'm Sabato. I'm meeting Severina at Alfredo's.”

  “So I heard. Having a party are 'ya? Needin' refreshments?”

  “No to both. Now open the door will you old man? I have something to do. Be quick.”

  “All right. Keep yer hair on, young 'un. There's no fire in need of dousing, is there?”

  The bolt slid back slowly and the door opened even more slowly. Sabato, simmering with impatience, thrust it wide open and marched in past the old man, stalking off in his haste.

  His heart was thumping wildly. He hoped she wasn't here yet, and then he could relieve his anxiety in more pleasurable ways. Suddenly, it hit him. He had to hold his nose to shut out his senses of smell and taste as he passed through the caverns.

  Jesus fucking Christ, this lot were really the pits. I'll wait until I get back to Milan for my fun. They all stunk. It was too much.

  He rounded the final corner and came to a stop at Fro's cell. He stood quietly for a moment and gazed at the two of them asleep so peacefully on the bench. He was laying one way and she another, her long hair falling over the edge of the bench to the floor in a curly swathe of black silk. She was the most beautiful female vampire he had ever seen. Her skin was so exquisite, he ached to touch it. Her lovely face made him melt inside and he wanted to kiss it very badly. How he had missed the sight of her, she aroused him in so many ways.

  No! I shouldn't be lusting after her, especially now, it was
n't right.

  He guiltily brought his mind back to the task at hand. Bravely, he cleared his throat with a discreet cough and the two of them opened their eyes and focused upon him.

  “Saba...!” Severina jumped up joyfully and unlocked the door and pulled him inside, hugging him hard against her soft body with joy. “Where are the others?”

  He took a deep breath and began to deliver his wretched bad news. It was even harder than he thought it would be now that he was looking at her lovely smiling face.

  “The others... I'm sorry, but they won't be coming.”

  “Why not? Are they delayed?” Her eyes searched his for a clue.

  “Very much so... Permanently,” he replied slowly, almost stuttering, his eyes burning with emotion.

  “Saba, you're scaring me. What has happened? Tell me, please,” she murmured, shivering under his pained gaze.

  “There was an… incident. They won't be coming back. Ever.”

  “No... no, no, no... Not my brother and my love?” Her lips quivered and her voice was barely audible above a whisper.

  “I'm so very sorry.”

  “But how... and how did you survive?” She asked accusingly.

  “I was the lucky one. I managed to escape.”

  “Oh no, no, no. I cannot believe they are dead. Say it isn't true.” The pain in her eyes made him want to die of shame for surviving.

  “I wish... I could... Spare you this horror.” He could barely speak, his throat was so tight.

  He clutched her close while she sobbed and screamed into his chest. He closed his eyes as she began pounding at him with her small fists and burying her face into his neck. He stroked her head, murmuring and shushing her gently for an age. She finally stopped her sobbing and screaming and calmed herself. Taking a big gulp and a deep breath, she looked him squarely in the eye. Hers were raging with a yellow anger as bright as the sun.

  “Tell me everything. I want to know.”

  Fro had been sitting white faced on the bench staring at the wall. He got up and spoke quietly to her.

  “I'm so very sorry, to hear of all this. I shall go and feed and hang out with some of my friends in the nearby cells. My quarters are yours for the night. You will wish to discuss this more privately, I feel.” He left quickly without any objection from either of them.

  “So? Spit it out. Warts and all.”

  “It isn't a pretty tale.”

  “Death never is. Now tell me.” Her voice took on a louder, more forceful tone and she prodded him in the chest hard.

  “We were attacked by many with weapons. We tried to fight them off but only Raffe was armed. Vini was killed instantly by an axe to the skull. Raffe was fatally wounded and bled to death before my eyes. They threw him to the pigs, Sevi, it was a shocking end.” At least that was what he thought happened. He wasn't actually there. He had seen them dragging Raffe's handless and footless body to the swine pen from a distance. He had assumed he was dead by then. Maybe he wasn't, but that didn't bear thought or mention.

  “He was fucking WHAT?” Her chest was heaving with shock and emotion.

  “He bled to death and then his body was disposed of by the swine.”

  “Noooooo... ”

  Her eyes suddenly blazed bright red and she passed out in horror in his arms.

  He laid her down gently on the bench and held her hand. A few minutes later she started to come 'round and he placed a newly opened bottle of red wine in her hand.

  “Sevi, drink. It'll help with the shock.”

  She sat up and gulped down a big swallow of the liquid painkiller. He took a few mouthfuls too.

  They sat silently for a few minutes as the wine took effect.

  “Why did this happen? Who did this to them Saba?”

  “We had taken Calista, Sofia, and Gabriel to an old barn and tied them up so they wouldn't escape while Raffe interrogated them about why they had left London. Nico came to rescue them with a lot of other vampires. They went crazy. It was a blood bath.”

  “Did they suffer? My brother and my Lord?”

  “No, I am sure it was quick. Vini's death would have been instantaneous and Raffe bled out very fast from his multiple deep wounds. He would not have known what happened to his body.”

  “Are you really sure?” He couldn't bear the desperate appeal in her eyes. He looked away.

  “Absolutely positive. I buried Vini, in the fields beyond the farm. It was a beautiful spot. He'll be content there.”

  He had found the body of his beloved half cousin, along with his dog, dumped behind the barn. They were covered with a mound of sacking and rocks to weigh it down. He then laid them to rest as best he could, together.

  “Oh Saba. I feel so sick. So... so... Actually, I don't know what I feel. I think I am numb inside. Hold me. I need your company tonight. Don't leave me, will you?”

  Her teeth seemed to be chattering uncontrollably. In fact she was shaking all over wildly.

  “Of course I won't go. Now let me wrap you in this blanket. You are suffering from shock.” They stood up as he wrapped her up. He looked into her eyes and dropped a kiss on her perfect little nose. “It's just us now. I'll take care of you for a while, until you know what you want to do with yourself. You're coming back to Milan with me, tomorrow.” He suddenly felt responsible and protective. His half cousin needed him more than ever. And to be honest, he needed her. The loss of Vini and his pet dog was suddenly hitting him very hard.

  “Do you still have that vile dog you emailed me pictures of? I cannot abide dogs. Horrible drooling smelly creatures.”

  “No I don't. I took him along as our guard dog. But Maxi was slaughtered as well.”

  “Oh dear. I'm sorry about that. He wasn't that vile. I'm sure he was quite lovely once you got to know him.”

  He suddenly wanted to laugh, but didn't, out of respect for Maxi. Vampire dogs were not lovely in the slightest. The word Hellhound sprang to mind. They were vicious and needed a strong master, someone like him. What tussles they had had in the beginning. Rottweilers were strong minded as well as strong bodied. Once or twice he wished he had turned a less formidable hound. Still, Maxi soon learned where he stood and obeyed him and Vini faultlessly. He smiled at the memory of their time together. Fifteen years was a long partnership.

  “He's not important. I can get another dog, if I want one,” he said with a flippancy he didn't actually feel.

  She lay down on the bench. “Hold me now. Closely. Very closely.”

  He lay behind her and his arms held her tight, his nose buried in her beautifully scented curly hair.

  Shit, I'm getting so turned on... This is fucking torture.

  He edged away from her.

  “I said very close. I need to feel safe,” she demanded.

  “Right. Got it.” He moved back again biting his lip and trying to calm his raging erection.

  She sighed and rubbed his arm with her hand, kissing his wrist, and laying her face against his hand.

  “Night Saba. What a dreadful cursed day. I'm so glad we still have each other.”

  “Night Sevi. Me too.”

  Despite the noise, stench, and events of the evening, they both slipped into a peaceful slumber. It was many hours later that they both awoke. She had turned in the night and her face was buried in his chest, her leg and arm slung over him and their bodies tightly pressed together. She raised her head and they both stared at each other for a moment.

  “Well this is rather awkward.” She said quietly.

  “Kind of.”

  “You're my cousin. Almost another brother.”

  “Half cousin.”

  “Even so.”

  “We should get up then.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “So, shall we?”

  “No. I don't want to yet.”

  “Me neither.”

  They stared some more.

  “You're so very good looking Saba.”

  “And you are hotter than the sun Sevi.”


  “I'm getting up now. It's not right to be thinking these things when my poor brother and Lord have only just passed in such a dreadful fashion.” She sat up next to him and stretched sexily, fluffing up her hair and pulling down her silky top which had ridden up. He looked at her tempting naked waist until she covered it up.

  “Thinking what things?” He pressed her.

  It's all right with me to be thinking 'those' kind of things at any time at all. And doing them is even better. A great comforter and stress reliever. I'd better not suggest anything like that though. It might not go down so well.

  She ignored his question tactfully.

  “I'm dying to leave the Refugio. I just hate it here.”

  “It's the pits, I agree. I'll have stench nightmares for a good month. I need a hot shower and the comfort of my own space. Come on, let's make a move honey.”

  “We need to say goodbye to Fro first, then we can go.”

  At that very instant, he appeared at the barred door as if summoned by magic and she opened it and let him in.

  “How are you both?” He asked with concern for his friends.

  “Coping. What else can we do? It still doesn't seem real that they are both gone. How can it be? Look, I'm sorry but we are leaving shortly, Fro. We want to get away for a while and think things over,” She explained.

  “That's okay, I understand honey pie. You don't want to hang around here, considering what's gone down. Make sure you don't leave it thirty years before you come to see me again, hmmm?”

  “I promise I'll be back soon. Both of us will. Won't we?” She looked to Sabato for confirmation.

  “Of course. Whatever you say.”

  Fro kissed her gently and lovingly on the lips and then sunk his fangs into her with a release of passion. Saba's blood boiled for a second as he realised the extent of their intimacy.

  I can't be jealous. How can I be? She isn't mine.

  “'Bye then and take care sweet pants. And my best wishes for you too Saba. It's a shame we met again under such terrible circumstances. Look after her, won't you?”

  Saba opened his mouth to reply but Sevi cut in swiftly.