Tribes Of The Vampire - Eternally Bound Part 30

Chapter Thirteen.

Tatiana gasped for breath, looking over to where Marcello laid motionless next to her on the dining room table. Her body was sore and she was sure she couldn't move. Marcello had just made love to her in a dozen different places and in twice as many ways. His eyes were mere slits as he stared at the ceiling. His chest didn't heave with the exertions and she knew he wasn't really tired. He was sated, but not tired.

Taking her finger, she touched his jaw and delicately traced the line of it. He turned to look at her, his eyes questioning. She glanced up at the portrait of him, which stared eerily down at them, and s.h.i.+vered.

"I saw your past," she whispered. "I felt what you were like as a human."

Marcello visibly stiffened. He followed her eyes to the portrait.

"I saw you in a garden in daylight. You, well I think it was you ... you were wearing a blue coat and a cream waistcoat talking with a group of friends. You were happy. I've never seen you happy like that. And you were laughing. I can't understand what you said, but I could tell it was a perfect day."

Marcello said nothing, only looked at his likeness, at the demon he'd become. Her voice was soft, wistful. He was no longer that man of whom she spoke.

"The house was in the mountains. It was beautiful. I saw you twice, though it could've been your...." Tatiana hesitated, swallowing. Things were good between them at this brief moment. She didn't want to ruin it.

"My brother," he stated coldly. "He wore a red jacket, just like mine with the same waistcoat."

"Yes," she breathed. "What does it mean? Why did I see it?"

"There is no meaning."

"There must be." Tatiana sat up with newfound energy. She rolled, pus.h.i.+ng up on her elbows to look at him. She laid a hand on his chest, over his steady heart. She wished his heart could still feel. But, as she looked into his dead, blank face, she didn't believe it could. He never once gave her reason to hope and yet foolishly she did. "If you remember it ... it must--"

"No,bella mia ," he interrupted. His hand lifted to stroke her flushed cheek. His eyes softened by a small degree. When she saw it, her breath caught in her throat. "The day is of no importance. It was just a day. I only remember it for it was my last day as a human. That night I died."

"Was it painful? Your death?" Tatiana began trailing small circles over his skin, skating her fingers absently over him.

"Yes," he allowed without pa.s.sion. "It was."

Tatiana s.h.i.+vered. "Did you sell your soul to the devil? Is that why you were made to be--"

Marcello's chuckle cut her off. She tried to pull back, but his hand on her fingers stopped her. He pressed her palm flat against his heart. "No,bella , I did not sell my soul. I wasn't the seventh son of a seventh son. I wasn't cursed by a witch, born to a b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Those are old stories told to frighten children. I was merely chosen by one of the vampire kind, for he wished for his life to be quickened once more. He saw Leandro and my youth, our n.o.bility, our beauty and wanted it for himself."

"Then, if you wanted, you could make someone to join you?" Tatiana asked carefully, horrified by the idea and yet strangely intrigued. It was the first time they ever spoke without anger or fear between them.

"I haven't," Marcello sated. "I can't say that I won't. Eternity is a long time,bella . Already, I have felt the strain of it."

"And you'll never die?" she asked.

"I never grow old, will never be sick," he answered, "and, unless someone kills me, I will never die."

"What if you stopped drinking blood?"

"I would go insane and attack," Marcello said. Her eyes dipped away from his only to be drawn back. She s.h.i.+vered. Marcello lifted his hand and the fire blazed hotter. She smiled, grateful. His voice low, he admitted, "No,bella , it is better to feed the beast than to deny him."

"You won't make me into what you are, will you?" she whispered.

Marcello saw the look on her face and frowned. "I give you my word, Tatiana, that even if you were to beg me, I will never curse you with what I am."

Slowly, she nodded, taking him at his word. She laid her head down on his chest. Marcello stroked her hair back from her face, grazing his nails comfortingly over her scalp.

"Why was the man knocked unconscious in our booth? Was that why you were running away from me?" he asked softly.

"Mm, yes. He tried to buy me. I hit him over the head to escape," Tatiana said. She stiffened. "Why? Is he...?"

"Alive? Very much so. Though, if I had known he'd attacked you, I might not have left him as such."

Tatiana yawned, relaxing once more, feeling a wave of pleasure wash over her at his possessive tone. Her eyed closed dreamily. "I'm so tired. I don't think I can walk."

Marcello rolled, wrapping his limbs around her. She smiled, looking up at him through her lowered lids. She felt their bodies move with supernatural speed. The next moment, they were lying on the bed and Marcello was pulling a thick coverlet over their bodies.

"Get the light, would you?" she murmured sleepily.

Marcello smiled. The look made her heart catch. It was the last thing she saw as the fire was smothered. The bedchamber was thrown into complete darkness.

Marcello lay on his back, not touching her, placing his hands behind his head. Tatiana sleepily gravitated toward him. He stiffened in surprise as she wove her leg over his thigh. Her hand crept up onto his chest and her head burrowed into his side.

Instantly, she was in a deep sleep.

Marcello swallowed, almost too afraid to move. Hesitantly, he lowered his arm, letting it settle protectively over her back.

She moaned, snuggling closer. He felt her naked body, so soft and warm against him. A small smile of contentment and wonder came to his lips. For the first time in over a century, he imagined he was almost completely happy.

Marcello's eyes narrowed in anger as he stared at Tatiana. She pulled away from his arms and sat up with the sheet wrapped around her body. His happiness from the night before faded into black oblivion as he watched her. She showed no sign of affection toward him, gave no indication that anything happened.

"Will you keep your word and free Cesare?" she repeated louder. Her back was to him and her dark hair wildly spilled over her shoulders.

Bitterly, Marcello beckoned his servitor. He glared at her back. Anger and hurt made him say, "A professional would've collected the debt up front."

Tatiana gasped and he was almost sorry he allowed the words to pa.s.s his lips. Her round jade eyes turned to him. She swallowed visibly. "Then, you will not keep your word?"

The door opened. Tatiana jolted in surprise. Marcello stood and crossed over to the wardrobe. He was well aware of Tatiana's eyes on his naked body, but did not care. He grabbed a black silk robe and lightly pulled it over his arms. Cinching the belt, he turned to Cesare. "I release you, servitor."

Tatiana watched in amazement. Cesare began to bow only to stop. He blinked. The whites of his eyes filled in with a dark brown, as if stroked to life by an artist's brush. The man jolted in surprise, his mouth agape as he looked all around.

Cesare looked at the half naked woman in surprise. Tatiana blushed, trying to see if recognition dawned on his face. There was nothing.

Marcello watched in silence, noting Tatiana's hopeful expression. Cesare glanced down at his hands. He knew the man expected them to be old and wrinkled. They were only aged five years, still in the prime of youth. The man looked around in wonder only to turn to the vampire once more.

In a very fast Italian that Tatiana couldn't understand, Cesare said, "Conte Spoleti, my term with you, it is over?"

Marcello motioned to Tatiana but did not look at her. In the same tongue, he answered, "S, she has taken your debt for you."

Cesare lifted his hand into the air. First, he went to Marcello. He took the vampire's hand and bowed over it. Then, leaning up, he kissed his cheeks in grat.i.tude.

"Thank you, thank you," Cesare murmured. "Thank you for the life of my sister,Conte . Bless you, bless you."

Marcello glanced at Tatiana. She didn't understand the man and only stared on in confusion. Cesare then turned to Tatiana. He smiled kindly at her, took her hand, and kissed it enthusiastically.

"Grazie!" Cesare kissed her hand another time, squeezing and shaking it in his enthusiasm. "Grazie, angelo!"

Cesare turned to leave them, looking for the door and rus.h.i.+ng to it in his excitement.