ear. “The heartbroken can be ruthless. I only spoke the truth.” I’d never known this Antonio. He was being cruel.
“I’m sorry.” The words I spoke were also the truth, but I was angry. “If you loved me enough, you would have run away from Dante in Italy when I asked you. How many times did I beg? At the end of the night, I cried and pleaded to deaf ears.”
He spun me around to face him once more. I knew that he wasn’t actually mad at me at that moment. Those brown eyes held regret. Regret that he’d borne for centuries. “I made a mistake. He would have killed us. You were human. I didn’t want you to suffer my existence.”
Why did he have to do this right now? I guess he realized as I did, there may not be another chance. “We can’t live in the past. We won’t be living in the present if you don’t let me go to him.”
“Have you talked to Marcus about changing him to a vampire? You don’t even know how.” He pointed hurtful realities at me one after the other without waiting for me to respond. “Do you know there’s a chance he’ll die if you try? Do you want to watch him grow old and die in front of your eyes if you don’t change him?”
Each question I’d already asked myself . His ranting was pointless. “Listen, I will love you forever. You were my first love.” I looked into his eyes. “But just let me go.”
He stared up at the starlit sky and ran a hand through his soft dark hair. The moon highlighted a face full of torment. “I’ll take you. I’ll do anything you want.” I couldn’t stand the cracking of my heart as he spoke. His hand slipped down to mine and our fingers entwined as he led me toward his car. The first thing he did was make a call for his people to watch over the apartment. I let him hold my hand as he drove. It was obvious he didn’t want to let go.
A person can go years without falling in love and even longer without it being reciprocated. Why did I have to have two men love me and I love them both at the same time? It was a cruel trick of the cosmos.
Antonio was scared of taking me to Dante. According to him, the only way I could get in alive would be with his help. I was going to be his gift to his father, master, and maker. As far as apologies go, giving me to Dante was a good one.
We didn’t speak much on the drive. Briefly, I explained my plan to him. He just nodded. I assumed he thought it was a decent idea since he didn’t outright call me stupid. We both hoped that he might be able to get one of the servants to smuggle a weapon to me.
The sight of Dante’s home caught me off guard. I’d been to Biltmore and this mansion was almost as extravagant. A garden wrapped from the sides to the back of the home. The green bushes appeared to be planted into a maze pattern. Through the windows, I could see the partiers. Men and women, both vampire and human engaged in dancing, drinking, and sex. Why didn’t they have curtains to hide the debauchery? I was unprepared for this. My wildest imaginings didn’t even come close to the reality.
A human valet opened the door for me and took my hand, helping me out of the car. Antonio tossed the man the keys. When he turned to the side, I could see numerous bite marks on the side of the employee’s neck. I wondered how many vampires had fed from the man and the hairs on my arms stood up.
Another gentleman opened the front door for us, giving a small bow. I’d expected us to be arrested and dragged inside. How could we be treated as guests? When the door swung wide, I was immediately bombarded with the scents of the scene. Alcohol, food, cigars, and blood. Oh so much blood. The past few days I had fed well and even my fangs extended involuntarily.
“The Master is expecting you.” The doorman said.
“I’m sorry.” The words I spoke were also the truth, but I was angry. “If you loved me enough, you would have run away from Dante in Italy when I asked you. How many times did I beg? At the end of the night, I cried and pleaded to deaf ears.”
He spun me around to face him once more. I knew that he wasn’t actually mad at me at that moment. Those brown eyes held regret. Regret that he’d borne for centuries. “I made a mistake. He would have killed us. You were human. I didn’t want you to suffer my existence.”
Why did he have to do this right now? I guess he realized as I did, there may not be another chance. “We can’t live in the past. We won’t be living in the present if you don’t let me go to him.”
“Have you talked to Marcus about changing him to a vampire? You don’t even know how.” He pointed hurtful realities at me one after the other without waiting for me to respond. “Do you know there’s a chance he’ll die if you try? Do you want to watch him grow old and die in front of your eyes if you don’t change him?”
Each question I’d already asked myself . His ranting was pointless. “Listen, I will love you forever. You were my first love.” I looked into his eyes. “But just let me go.”
He stared up at the starlit sky and ran a hand through his soft dark hair. The moon highlighted a face full of torment. “I’ll take you. I’ll do anything you want.” I couldn’t stand the cracking of my heart as he spoke. His hand slipped down to mine and our fingers entwined as he led me toward his car. The first thing he did was make a call for his people to watch over the apartment. I let him hold my hand as he drove. It was obvious he didn’t want to let go.
A person can go years without falling in love and even longer without it being reciprocated. Why did I have to have two men love me and I love them both at the same time? It was a cruel trick of the cosmos.
Antonio was scared of taking me to Dante. According to him, the only way I could get in alive would be with his help. I was going to be his gift to his father, master, and maker. As far as apologies go, giving me to Dante was a good one.
We didn’t speak much on the drive. Briefly, I explained my plan to him. He just nodded. I assumed he thought it was a decent idea since he didn’t outright call me stupid. We both hoped that he might be able to get one of the servants to smuggle a weapon to me.
The sight of Dante’s home caught me off guard. I’d been to Biltmore and this mansion was almost as extravagant. A garden wrapped from the sides to the back of the home. The green bushes appeared to be planted into a maze pattern. Through the windows, I could see the partiers. Men and women, both vampire and human engaged in dancing, drinking, and sex. Why didn’t they have curtains to hide the debauchery? I was unprepared for this. My wildest imaginings didn’t even come close to the reality.
A human valet opened the door for me and took my hand, helping me out of the car. Antonio tossed the man the keys. When he turned to the side, I could see numerous bite marks on the side of the employee’s neck. I wondered how many vampires had fed from the man and the hairs on my arms stood up.
Another gentleman opened the front door for us, giving a small bow. I’d expected us to be arrested and dragged inside. How could we be treated as guests? When the door swung wide, I was immediately bombarded with the scents of the scene. Alcohol, food, cigars, and blood. Oh so much blood. The past few days I had fed well and even my fangs extended involuntarily.
“The Master is expecting you.” The doorman said.
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