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

by K. M. Liss

  “No, I never did. I worked very long hours in the Vatican for many years. After that I never had the inclination. I should have read in the Refugio, but my head was addled with drink a lot of the time.”

  “You worked in the Vatican?”

  “Yes, as an archiver.”

  “What happened to you Miche? How did you come to be in the Refugio?”

  “It's a sad and sorry tale.”

  “Tell me, I'm interested.”

  He shut the book with a snap and laid it down on the table.

  “After the war, I was too young to be a part of that, I was an apprentice in the central library and I heard about a position in the Vatican which I applied for and was successful. I worked there for twenty years. Then my position became redundant. I left and took a variety of very different types of work for a couple of years, farm work then labouring. I was badly injured on the building site and couldn't do any more heavy work after that. I spiralled down and down into the depths of despair. I had very little money saved and soon became homeless. I drank too much for a while. That's where I met your kind, in the bar I spent all my days and nights in. I could see something different about you, but couldn't explain it. I struck up a friendship with one of you, Davide, and he offered me work, which I could easily do. He explained who and what you were as we had a level of trust at that point. I accepted it and that's all there is to it. I took over from the previous old doorkeeper a few weeks later.”

  “You were married though? And you have a son or daughter, don't you?”

  “I was married for a while. But I had no deep love for her. She was expecting our baby and I married Rosa through duty. That was the way in those days. Our son was born and within five years we had divorced. My son had a child, Mary, and then she had Rocco. I keep in touch with my family but they believe I travel a lot.” He smiled at the thought.

  “How did you tell Rocco about us?”

  “I took him into my confidence as it was clear he was no scholar. I didn't want him to lose hope, finding no work. He isn't the most motivated of young men as you can tell. He can sit and while away his lazy days happily in the Refugio. The pay is reasonable and you don't have many living expenses. You can leave for a few hours here and there to buy food and essentials and to wash nearby. It's basic, but still, it was home to me and I felt it would suit him too.”

  “I'm sure he'll do just fine. What do you plan to do? Do you need our help? We're happy to help you any way we can.”

  “Sevi you have given me my health, my youth, and my looks back. I can never thank you enough. You'll always be dear to me, but I can make my own way now. I should go soon and leave you and Saba to repair the damage I have caused.”

  “Damage? We are fine. I assure you.”

  “He looks at me in a hateful manner. And I understand why completely. I want his mate.”

  “Oh Miche, I'm not his mate. Not yet anyway. And most men want me, to be honest.”

  “Severina, you are such a treasure. A pearl of a vampire. Who wouldn't want you?”

  “You say the loveliest things.”

  “It is simply the truth.”

  She leaned towards him and touched her lips to his briefly.

  “Mmmm, how about a longer kiss? I have an urgent need.”

  “No, not now, Saba may come back any moment.”

  “We'll listen at the door. Come on, let's do it quickly.”

  “This is deceitful and I feel so bad,” she said, but she followed him with an eagerness that belied her words.

  “It's simply a kiss. I promise I won't go any further than that.”

  “You might not, but I will,” she admitted.

  “I won't let you.”

  His mouth met hers and she melted into him in bliss.

  How I want this, and him, I'm going to pay for this dearly, I know I am...

  His tongue probed at hers and her teeth descended, nipping at his tongue feverishly. His hands were in her hair, hers in his. Their breathing was harsh and excited. Her hands slipped under his top and she slid them around his waist savouring the feel of his silky skin against her palms. They moved up his stomach to his chest and her whole body almost exploded with desire at the feel of his muscular build beneath her hands. His chest was heaving and his heart pumping madly in response to her. She lifted his top and placed a kiss on his stomach and felt his muscles clench tightly against her lips. He pulled at her hair, bringing her up and kissed her hard. She was at the point of leaping on him and wrapping her legs around his hips when the house phone rang loudly at their side. They jumped apart in surprise, looking at each other as she answered it.

  “Hello?... Severina Basteri.” She croaked, trying to find her voice.

  “Hello Ms Basteri, it is reception speaking. We have Portia Ristoria with us and she wishes to visit you and Mr Accosi. Can we send her up to you?”

  “Of course, I shall be waiting, thank you,” she replied and hung up. “She's here.”

  “Quickly, we have two valuable minutes left.” He pulled her back for another wild kiss. Their hands began roaming around each other, everywhere, their breathing loud and urgent, gasps of pleasure escaping from their fevered mouths. Her mind was swimming and her body aflame with such need. “We must stop and compose ourselves,” he said while wrenching himself away from her suddenly and moving off to take a seat, picking up the discarded book. She quickly rushed into the bathroom and checked her appearance and waited at the door for the knock.

  A moment later it came. A loud rap of knuckles. Severina opened it and noticed Saba returning to their room behind her. She let them both in.

  “Portia, how are you feeling today?” she asked pleasantly, guiding her to the sofa. Portia nodded to Michello as she sat down daintily crossing her long legs and arranging her short black chiffon skirt around her thighs sexily.

  “As well as can be expected considering my poor dearest love's body has been devoured by pigs. I had the most dreadful nightmares about it last night.” Her graceful little hands fluttered about as she spoke, her nails sparkling with glittery red nail polish which matched her lipstick perfectly.

  “I did say to prepare yourself for a shock.”

  Severina examined her guest closely from her standing point. Not only was she smothered in extremely expensive perfume, she was clearly wearing designer brands of clothing and very high end jewellery. Obviously she had some money at her disposal.

  “Stakes through the heart and beheadings I can bear, but becoming a meal for those dirty animals is more than a shock my dear girl.”

  “I'm not your dear girl,” Severina snapped uncharitably. “I hardly know you.” Then she felt guilty about her snapping outburst. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

  “Oh, some grape juice or water would be so lovely.” She fluttered her eyelashes at Sevi.

  “Saba, would you mind fixing a drink for Portia?” she asked him sweetly and sat on the armchair opposite regarding her some more.

  “So...” Portia said looking at her equally closely.

  “So... I guess you feel aggrieved... So do I. My poor dear love of a twin brother had an axe embedded in his skull for very little reason.”

  “That is most unfortunate. I am sorry for your loss.”

  “I am taking action against those who carried out his 'execution'.”

  “And how do you intend to do that?”

  “I know who did it. I know where they are. It is a matter of executing them in return.”

  “I see. An eye for an eye.”

  “Exactly. One for my brother Vincenzo and one for your brother Raffaele. Two must suffer the penalties.”

  “Who are they, these animals who acted so callously?”

  “Giannis.”

  “No, it cannot be so?”

  “Oh yes. I was living in their house for thirty years. Raffaele was with them for nearly a hundred, as you may know. He was secretly planning their demise and a way to obtain their assets, many of which were taken from the
Ristoria by force in the long distant past. He was very patient and careful and almost had his wish granted.”

  “You were living with Raffaele, with the Giannis? I simply cannot believe it!”

  “It is all true, I assure you. I was his friend, in many ways.”

  “Oh really? How very cosy.”

  “I would hardly describe it as cosy,” Sevi laughed. “Anyway, all of that is beside the point. Do you wish to join with us? Saba and I are travelling to Tivoli, to bring about the end of their blood line.”

  “Oh my word, I shall need to think about such a thing. My little head is overwhelmed suddenly.”

  Saba handed her the drink and sat down next to her. Severina noticed Portia lift her skirt a few inches higher as he sat down.

  The bitch.

  “Let us talk about something more pleasant now. I wish to take my mind away from all this death,” she said smoothly, skilfully changing the subject while looking at Saba and Michello in turn from under her dark lashes.

  “It's a grim subject all right,” Saba replied with a smile in her direction. “Tell me Portia, what do you do to amuse yourself, apart from petting your Persian vampire cat, that is?”

  “I have a number of interests. I enjoy playing cards, I read Tarot, those are my little hobbies, and I bake cakes.”

  “You do what?” Severina burst into hysterics.

  “I bake cakes,” Portia said again with a dark look at her.

  “What on earth for?”

  “For weddings and other such occasions my dear. I am artistic by nature. My Royal icing is something to behold and the fancy sugarwork so fine it will take your breath away. I am in much demand. My book is full for the next year.” She opened her little purse and plucked out a card and passed it to Sevi. “There… Cakes by Portia.”

  “Right... Well if it passes the time.”

  “Passes the time? No, I enjoy it immensely.” She wriggled a little further down in the chair, in the pretence of getting comfortable, exposing a lot more of her legs. Sevi noticed Saba's eyes stray to them, not that he could help it, as they were now almost thrust in his face.

  “I am sure your cakes are lovely,” Saba said and Sevi caught his eye and scowled at him. He looked away, back to Portia. “And you read Tarot? Now that's interesting. Would you read for me?” he asked.

  “Saba, really! Tarot? When have you ever been interested in that stuff?” Sevi admonished.

  “You don't know everything about me, as I'm sure I don't know everything about you. We all have secrets, don't we?” He flashed a heated yellow glance at Portia and her eyes flashed back brightly.

  “Oh yes! Secrets are fascinating, mysterious, and wonderful things. How dull life would be without a little intrigue. Would you like me to do it now, my reading? I have the cards with me. I always carry them.”

  “NO!” Sevi exclaimed, butting in. “I don't like things like that. Certainly not here in my hotel suite, thank you very much.” She hoped that would be that, but it appeared not.

  “I'll visit you later this evening Portia and we can do it then. Perhaps you can show me one of your cakes too and demonstrate your artistic techniques with your sugary stuff?”

  “Of course. You will be most welcome,” she purred enthusiastically and licked her lips openly at him.

  “You'll do no such thing. Please Saba.” She had a bad feeling about it. And she didn't want him alone with her for a minute!

  “If you can take Miche shopping and for his first feed against my wishes, then I can go and have a Tarot reading against yours,” he said firmly with an annoyed, pointed look.

  “Dabbling with the occult is quite different to spending an hour in Hugo Boss, Gucci, and Paul Smith.”

  “It's hardly summoning Satan from Hell, is it? Stop this nonsense Sevi, my mind is made up. I fancy a little card reading for my amusement tonight.” He gave her a hard stare and her stomach dropped. This was pay up time. She was paying for the orgasmic sucked fingers and the wild kisses at the door, which would have become a lot wilder if the phone hadn't rung. Portia would be all over him like a cheap hooker, she was sure of it. He was handsome, stylish, rich, and very pleasant to be with. What woman wouldn't want Saba? More to the point, what man wouldn't want Portia? No wonder poor old Fro was obsessed.

  She felt hurt. Saba was doing this deliberately, and pointedly, to show her how it felt. How he felt about Miche. She knew he had no interest in the occult and Tarot at all. Her heart felt stabbed with pain.

  Saba stood and offered Portia his hand and she arose to his side.

  “I shall see you out.”

  He led her to the door and Sevi watched her glide away on her high heels, her long black hair sweeping across her back, and her short chiffon skirt swishing around her slim pale legs. She noticed Michello turn to admire the view as she left. She gave him the evil eye as she caught his glance and he hurriedly returned to reading his book.

  “Until later then Saba, eight o'clock would be good, goodbye for now,” she called out and Sevi muttered goodbye reluctantly.

  Saba turned from closing the door, gave her a cool look across the room, and entered their bedroom. She followed him in and closed the door.

  “Saba, please. Don't go. I don't like that card stuff. You can read too much into it. Honestly, it may influence your thinking. Don't do it now, not before our visit to Tivoli. Please?”

  “Stop all this whining. I fancy a night out and she's pleasant, interesting company. We should do things on our own now and then and don't worry about me taking it seriously. I am not that into it. It's fun, that's all. Really.”

  “Promise me you won't let her seduce you. She's after you Saba. I can see it.”

  “I know. It's quite amusing. But I have women after me all the time. I have to fight them off.”

  “But she is an exceptional looking vampire and so predatory.”

  “So what? What did you say to me about brief affairs? If I choose to, I will. But don't worry Sevi, you're exceptional too and I still love you the best.” With that cutting remark he headed off for a shower. She wished she could cry her throat stung so much.

  Saba arrived at Portia's a little after eight and she opened the door with a smile. He couldn't help but smile back when he saw her standing framed in the doorway. She was wearing a short sleeved tight black mini dress and had a white frilled apron tied around her waist. Her hair was twisted and clipped up in a big clasp and she was wearing a pair of black heeled satin slippers. She looked like a French maid. He was enjoying himself already.

  “Come in,” she said in her charming sexy voice, ushering him inside. “I'm in the kitchen, making your cakes.” She set off down the hallway and into the brightly lit kitchen. “Take a stool, there and oh, pour us both a glass of wine.” She motioned towards the bottle and two glasses sitting on the counter top behind him. “You can watch. I won't be long.”

  “Well this is different. It's been a long time since I was interested in food,” he said as he poured out the wine and took a seat.

  “Not food Saba, it's art.”

  He watched as she stirred a bowl of yellow creamy stuff with a large wooden spoon and added some drops of something from tiny bottles. She poked her finger into the mixture and touched her tongue to it and added some more stuff from a yellow bottle.

  “Mmmm, have a taste.” She leaned over and stuck her finger into his mouth before he had a chance to protest. A strong lemon and vanilla flavour assaulted his taste buds like an orgasmic oral earthquake.

  “Fuck, that is so gorgeous. Gimme lots more,” he said in awe.

  “Oh no, you mustn't ingest human food. You know that. Just a tiny touch on the tongue for fun.”

  “I can see why you like doing this now.”

  “It's not the taste so much as the finishing touches which give me the most satisfaction,” she said softly, looking at him for an overly long moment. “I don't normally do this type of thing Saba. This is for you and Sevi. I have made you each a little cake, as
a thank you for finding me.”

  “That's very kind of you. There was no need to go to this effort.”

  “I am happy to do it. You can give them away to someone in the hotel later, someone who can eat them of course. Now watch the fun part my dearest man. You will enjoy this I am sure.”

  He sat sipping his wine a little too enthusiastically and watching her whip up various coloured sugar mixtures and piping them onto greasy paper before him. He took the opportunity to stare at her rather beautiful face and hands as she concentrated on her 'art'. He had a very good view of her breasts too as she leant over and his eyes kept going back to those.

  She took two little cakes from the fridge and began putting together her design. After a few minutes she stood back to admire her work.

  “There. All done. One for each of you. Will Sevi like her Portia cupcake, do you think?”

  He gazed in wonder at the cake art in front of him. Two tiny yellow mountains were beautifully adorned with their names on the top in black icing and dark purple and white roses sat around their rims. Small white sugar stars stood proudly in the yellow cream.

  “I think so! I love mine. It's a shame I can't actually eat it.”

  She placed them carefully into a little cardboard box.

  “I know. I feel the same way at times, especially with my bigger cakes. I'm almost dying to munch my way through them. Come and see one.”

  She opened the door to the side of the kitchen and led him into her cool room. A large cake sat there in all its glory. It was a mass of white and black contrasting parts festooned with tumbling ivy and roses and almost took his breath away.

  “It's my signature. White and black or white and red. But I do whatever people want of course, it's their choice.”

  “It's simply wonderful Portia, I am so impressed. I can't believe this is all made of sugar.”

  “Why thank you handsome, and yes, it is quite a versatile medium to work with.” She patted his cheek and squeezed past him slowly giving him the eye, as she went back to the kitchen. She took off her apron, brushed down her dress neatly and turned. “I'll clean up later. Come now. Let's do your reading. Bring the bottle of wine with you,” she said and slinked off ahead. He gathered the bottle and his glass, dipping his finger in the lemon cream leftovers and taking a big suck as he passed.