‘A carnival?’
‘Yes. It is a deeply religious time for some but for most it is an excuse for theatre, gambling and the perverse to take their pleasures without consequence.’
I shuddered and Gabrielle laughed softly. ‘Don’t look so alarmed. Venice is magnificent and you will fall in love with it despite its sins.’ Then more seriously: ‘It is important we are together at all times. Antonio will help us without asking any questions. He will always feel he owes me a debt.’
‘And does he?’
‘Let’s just say that some of our strigoi were up to mischief on carnival night several years ago, forgetting to honour their pledge and perhaps, because of the masks, not discriminating between worthy and unworthy. I was required to intervene to protect Antonio. He did not see who grabbed him but was aware that it was my intervention that saved him from what he thought was to be a robbery.’
Gabriel knocked on the small wooden door, which was opened by a manservant. He told us to wait before a woman shortly appeared with a candle. She was small as she was round with a ruddy complexion. Her dress was a lavishly embroidered ochre silk with lace at the collar and cuffs.
‘Ah, Gabriel!’ she said, giving him a hug. Gabriel introduced me and her eyes looked me up and down. I should not have been surprised that Gabriel knew so many people when he had travelled across many lands and two centuries.
‘Antonio will be pleased to see you,’ said Estella, Antonio’s wife.
We were taken to a sitting room where a man, a good decade older than me was playing with several small children. He was neither witch nor strigoi. The two embraced and Antonio patted Gabriel on the back when he learned of our marriage. As we were invited to dine with them, it felt uncomfortable to deceive someone who I read as completely honest.
In the dining hall we were served steamed fish spiced with ginger and cumin, imported from the Far East. I had never tasted such flavours. For dessert we ate cake filled with creamed cheese, glazed with peaches soaked in grappa. In the monastery our food had been plain and even at the castle the cooks, though good at their work, were not required to be inventive with original tastes since, before my arrival, they had few to service.
I sat demurely beside Gabriel who occasionally put his hand upon my knee. Though, this often distracted me from the conversation.
‘What brings you here Gabriel? It has been nearly four years.’
‘Well, as you can see I have been busy with my new wife.’
At the mention of this word I felt a spasm of guilt that I had not given his true wife, Arianne, any thought until then. Not only had I unwittingly led her to a life of killing, I was also with her husband who no longer cared for her.
‘I have come to find someone,’ he asked. ‘You may know her. It is Signora Tomasina Morosini.’
‘Oh, she is the daughter of a wealthy merchant whom I care not to cross. I hope you do not wish an appointment with her. The father does not like to see foreigners for any reason unless they are buying his overpriced silks. And what is it that you require from her?’
‘I have to deliver a message to her from an old friend.’
‘Well, undoubtedly she will take her usual place on the Rialto at Carnevale.’ He turned then to me oblivious of our motives and grateful he had changed the topic. ‘Now my dear, has your husband told you how we came to be friends?’
I shook my head.
‘So modest, Gabriel! He saved my life. I was set on by thugs and out of the night he threw them away with a strength that I can only liken to a bear. I am eternally grateful and if not for him I would not have had my family.’ His wife entered at that moment with their newest baby.
She passed the child to me. I thought of my own and gazed across at Gabriel who seemed to stare at me strangely as if I was not in the room. The child squeezed my finger and it was then I felt the air thicken around me, like glass, and everything in the room seemed to fall into the shadows. Even voices were muted and slow, and I struggled to keep up with the conversation. It was as if time had stopped and I had been shut out of their world. All that felt real in my strange enclosure was the baby Lorena and myself.
I tried to speak but no words came from my mouth. I looked down at the fingers of tiny pink hands grasping my own, seeking comfort and recognition. The baby stared widely at me as if also aware that something had changed and then before me a scene appeared: life sized and colourfully drawn on invisible walls around us. A woman stood there with small children of her own, a large family, some as young as Oleander. They stood around a gravesite. The inscription showed that they were burying two infants. As the image changed, several people and a child were crying by the woman’s bedside and there were tears on her face. The child cried for its mother, wailing so hard it hurt my ears. It was like I was above her on the ceiling looking down upon her bed. The woman was covered in sores, her skin blackened in parts. She coughed hard and her breathing was laboured. She took one more breath before dying, her eyes wide and staring at me. I looked down at the eyes of the baby cradled in my arms to see that it was also those eyes of the woman from the vision. I had just seen into this baby’s future. A terrible illness would befall them in this city.
The thick air disintegrated around me and once again I was back in the room with the others.
‘Are you alright?’ asked Gabriel.
‘I feel poorly,’ I replied.
I looked at them afraid of what I had just seen. ‘She is perfect,’ I said to the mother who beamed with pride. The men then fussed around me before escorting me to a room where I would once again sleep with Gabriel.
My head pounded and exhaustion began to consume me. Later, I told Gabriel about my vision.
‘You indeed have a gift, which few of us have. Please don’t tell me what you see in my future.’
‘Gabriel, this is not a joking matter. I cannot live with this.’
He sat on the bed and put his arm around me. All modesty and history disappeared between us and I felt at least that I was with someone who understood something that I bore.
We shared a double bed but it did not concern me this time. Fully clothed I fell into a deep sleep and the sun was high when I woke the next day. I threw open the shutters to see the shallow canal beneath me. The waterway was busy with travelling crafts and people called to each other as they passed. I could see tall buildings across the canal, some with windows of glass. Gabriel was nowhere to be seen and I realised that I was wearing a sheer nightgown, suddenly embarrassed that someone had changed me during my heavy slumber caused by the magic I used in the foreseeing.
I dressed and went downstairs. Several workmen were loading large sacks onto the dock: exotics spices of cardamom, green pepper, saffron and ginger. On the basement level, men and women were grinding them on slabs of stone and placing the powder into small pottery jugs to be sold at markets, to the kitchens of the wealthy, and to be exported to the west.
It is not a grand trade Antonio had said at dinner, as there were competitors, but it kept the family in a nice house.
I learned that Estella and her children had left earlier that morning with Gabriel to purchase masks for the carnival that night. I was slightly bewildered at this since the trip was about finding my family. Gabriel returned early afternoon with many boxes.
I asked him why we were not looking for my mother.
‘This is the perfect disguise, my dear. Tomasina will most certainly be at the gala where the carnival will be central. We will find her there and confront her. It is best we do not go to her house. Her father is powerful and it is unlikely we would even get an introduction. It is best he does not see us. I would prefer the strigoi way of breaking in, perhaps even jumping through her bedroom window but something tells me you would disagree.’
‘Should there be a confrontation? I only want to meet her! It is not as if we are attacking or that we need the element of surprise.’
‘My darling girl, you were not listening to Beatrice. Your mother does not
want you.’
After all these years of never knowing her, these words stung with the knowledge that she had forsaken me as a child. I had to hope that once she saw I had tried hard to become like her husband, my father, that she would welcome me back into her life.
Gabriel opened boxes in the room. He had bought me a red velvet gown with garnet beads around the neckline, no doubt traded for a heavy purse of silver. He also had a jar of cosmetic and a piece of wax molded into the shape of cat’s eyes and painted black.
I arranged my hair much in the style of Beatrice. I was not practiced in the art of hairdressing and Estella’s servant helped pin it back.
I dressed behind the screen and applied the mask, which sat across the bridge of my nose, and tied with black satin ribbons behind my head.
Gabriel wore a velvet cape lined with satin, both fabrics a deep rich purple; a dye that was not only expensive but reserved for the Venetian Doge. It was scorned by some and this fact alone gave Gabriel greater reason to choose it, but on such a night as carnevale, where anything was possible, such behaviour could be forgiven.
His face was naturally pale against his dark blue eyes. The mask, made from clay and painted white, was macabre and covered most of his face except for the holes for his eyes. Gabriel explained that for many years he would arrive specifically for the nights of the carnival. It was a celebration of Venice and all its wonders, of its decadence where the poor could mix with the rich. Where the rich could mix openly with whores without fear of retribution. And where servants and street vendors could masquerade as noblemen and women, and act out another life. It was the one night where one could pretend they were someone else where the strigoi enjoyed blending in with humans and decide their fates while they laughed around him. I told him I did not wish to hear any more of the subject. Such revelry sounded too fraudulent or deviant for my liking.
Antonio and Estella were dressed in their finery, with masks similar to ours, and we walked over pavements of large square stones through narrow alleys lit by candles on the walls, and between buildings in shades of pink, yellow and orange. We could see the Rialto Bridge ahead where the festive atmosphere seemed to increase. It seemed the whole city was heading in the same direction and I wondered whether the wooden Ponte di Rialto, which inclined high towards the centre, could safely hold so many people. Musicians with flutes and lyras serenaded passersby.
Street vendors sold plates of food and we sipped glasses of wine as we strolled along the edge of the canal. Whether it was the wine or the melodic music or Gabriel’s arm linked through mine, I had a rush of happiness and felt at ease for the first time in a long while. Estella guided us along and introduced us to their friends and acquaintances and we felt safe and anonymous in our masks. Gabriel took me into his arms and we danced with another group by the canal. I followed in the steps of Gabriel, and we twirled so hard that I tripped and he moved to hold me tighter. As we were walking back to join our hosts, Gabriel nodded at another man.
‘Who was that?’
‘That man is a strigoi. Someone’s party will not end well tonight.’
As quick as my happiness came so did my regret. Those moments of freedom from who I was were too short. Even here I could not escape my heritage.
Then I saw the strigoi was whispering to Gabriel and they looked up towards the top of the bridge. I followed their gaze but could not see what they did. There were so many in colourful costumes and masks. Some wore simple clothes with strips of leather for masks. Never had I seen so many come together to celebrate the beginning of Lent, the decadence so much in contrast to the true meaning of the occasion.
Gabriel whispered that Tomasina was nearby with my brother.
Arianne
Half a mile away, I could smell the grounds of the castle. When I chose to be a strigoi I was meant to live there. Although I have enjoyed my travels and notoriety among the wealthy I was returning to claim what should have been my privilege at the beginning.
When I learnt that Gabriel no longer desired me, I pretended not to care and chose many other lovers to distract me, most of them human, unable to comprehend my nocturnal endurance and my steady hand at most manual tasks. They had been awestruck and overwhelmed by the prowess in the confines of our chambers. These interludes were enjoyable but later, and after several weeks of one human, I was left feeling hollow. For it was Gabriel I yearned for and a life at the castle.
Lewis had given me this craft and could easily take it away, which is why Gabriel stole me away safely. Lewis still wished me dead.
As I entered the grounds, I knew immediately that things were not as they should be. I did not sense Gabriel’s presence as expected, and worse, I could not sense Lilah either.
Gabriel
To see her laugh tonight was rare. It reminded me of the young girl at the monastery who had thought her destiny would be one of solace in her work. Yet there she was, happy once more.
I had known her mother would be here, especially with her son who I had heard rarely missed an opportunity to attend a public event.
It was not something I relished but I led her to the top of the bridge. The wooden structure was the heart of market activity during the day and tonight it was the hub of festivity. All elite society was there in high fashion, from procurators to wealthy glass makers. On this bridge, drinks were served to private parties in coloured glasses with pewter stems. Tomasina stood with a group of fashionably clad people wearing a mask of coloured silk. She had a long face and bore very little resemblance to her daughter. Her cheeks were pinched and her mouth tight and lined; a face that did much serious talking to others who would benefit the political aspirations for her son. Andrew stood a little way off talking to several women. He was as unattractive as his grandfather, the deceased King Andrew; Lilah’s grandfather also.
I walked close to Tomasina and she became aware of me. ‘I must speak to you Signora,’ I asked.
‘And who might you be?’ she asked, casually glancing at Lilah.
‘I cannot reveal that Signora but beg just a moment of your time.’
‘I do not have time for beggars as you no doubt want something from me. Everyone does at these occasions.’
‘Perhaps if you won’t talk to me then you will to this lady.’
I removed Lilah’s mask. Tomasina squinted slightly and leant forward, her eyesight poor.
‘I have no time for either of you.’
‘Surely you could allocate some time for your only daughter.’
She laughed then, nervously looking around to measure the faces of others. A couple had already left to find more company and wine for I did not think that Tomasina was someone who could engage another for long.
‘I have no daughter,’ and she turned to head towards Andrew, grabbing his arm and pulling the reluctant young man from the group of girls who vied for his attention, attracted by his station. His grand velvet attire, shiny bucked shoes, sapphire rings, and lace handkerchief screamed wealth and privilege.
Tomasina sped down the steps with an Andrew in tow who berated his mother for their forced departure. We followed as they stepped onto their privately owned sandolo moored close by and climbed aboard.
‘Out!’ demanded Andrew. ‘This is a private craft.’
It was then I had to resort to force and holding him by the shoulders I pushed him backwards onto the leather seat.
I signalled to the oarsman to begin his rowing while Lilah and I sat opposite the stony faces of Tomasina and Andrew. Tomasina avoided meeting Lilah’s curious gaze and stared at me in silent rage. Andrew on the other-hand was jittery, roaming our faces anxiously. I could sense his fear.
I took off my mask. Tomasina did not flinch.
‘Do you remember me?’
‘I know who you are, Gabriel,’ she said. ‘I knew the moment you walked onto the bridge.’
‘Please explain to me, mother,’ Andrew pleaded. ‘What is happening and who are these people?’
‘They are intruder
s who will be dealt with. Sir, I might say that we are on the way to San Marco where you will be prevented from entering because of what you are.’
I could not help but laugh out loud. It was silly superstition that the strigoi could not enter a church.
‘We will see what the Doge has to say.’
‘You think he will send me away. He is a mortal fool, Tomasina. What can he do?’
She ignored this comment and chose to ignore Lilah who looked to me for reassurance. I squeezed her hand, which nervously held on to my own. Every so often we would pass a lamp on the esplanade above casting eerie shadows on their faces; one stern, one fearful, and one regretful. Lilah I can say was the latter.
We arrived in the piazza where Andrew helped his mother out of the swaying craft. He had given up his attempts to source information and proceeded to follow in her purposeful steps towards the cathedral.
‘Tomasina, you must recognise your daughter,’ I beckoned, before becoming annoyed at the charade.
‘Daughter? What is he saying mother,’ taking twice the steps to keep up with the long legs of his mother.
As we crossed the large square, sounds of singing came from the church where the carnival for some meant prayer.
Despite her urgent quest, I watched Lilah marvel at angles in the paving and the gilt horses at the entrance to the cathedral, plundered from Constantinople. Lilah’s eyes widened at the mosaic art in gold and coloured stones of brilliant blue adorning the ceiling.
‘Tomasina,’ I said, this time with malice for there was no other way to control her. ‘If you don’t come now, I will put it to my fellow strigoi who frequent your delightful city that your son’s blood is of the worst kind.’
With this she turned like a snake about to strike. ‘You harm one hair on his head…’
Lilah Page 25
