Part 10 (2/2)

I looked down on two toddlers dressed in the fas.h.i.+on of a century ago, the unmistakable stamp of Ethan on those sweet faces. Gut instinct told me he still grieved for them. ”Ethan, can't we have a baby?”

His face had that sudden odd look again. ”No. We procreate through the blood.”

”What if you had taken me and I hadn't- gotten rid of it?”

”An abomination that would have devoured you from inside. We're sterile. We'll never make a child together.”

I sank to the floor in a heap, sobbing. For some reason, in the glow of transformation, I'd never considered this. What had I deluded myself into thinking? I wasn't really alive anymore was I? I was some kind of ghoul now no matter what fancy name we called ourselves. Ethan lifted me to my feet and held me close. ”Hush now little bird, don't cry. I understand.”

I tried to free myself. ”You didn't murder murder your own offspring! I'm eternally d.a.m.ned for what I did!” your own offspring! I'm eternally d.a.m.ned for what I did!”

”Who is to judge what you did? It was the best thing you could have done, under the circ.u.mstances. There's no such place as h.e.l.l, except for the one men make, but you are my angel, and I can't bear your tears.”

I choked back the tears as he ordered, but I'd never absolve myself of the responsibility. Every time I went to his arms I'd remember what I'd done to get there. Yet, there I was and how I craved his embrace. If he was d.a.m.nation- then I was d.a.m.ned.

Ethan's regime didn't let me hunt at first, instead he taught me to navigate the sinuous web of the human mind and just what strings to pull to get the desired result, involving me in complex seductions with mortals. Physical attractions snare the victim, but he trained me to play the vampire on a higher plane, to learn the victim's weaknesses and exploit them, whether the demons be s.e.xual, psychological or both- more challenging and hence more of a thrill at the game's conclusion.

More than just a voyeuristic thrill was involved in these nasty little con games we played. Each time we took on more complicated scenarios, more complex rules and more wealthy victims, and he guided me through each with a sense of deadly purpose.

He also dictated my appearance, wardrobe and manners to the letter, until I was completely his creation, his dress-up doll. However, Ethan's lessons also involved the use of less feminine weapons, namely knives and firearms, and the best methods for dispatching Immortyls, quick decapitation or a large caliber bullet to the brain or heart. I couldn't imagine why he wanted me to learn all that.

After several months of training, Ethan finally let his falcon fly solo. We drove up north, all the way into Connecticut, to a lonely Tudor knock-off on a hill. Dusty gravel driveway crunched like shards of dried bone under our feet, while the Long Island Sound crashed on rocks below. Leaded gla.s.s windows on the first floor were dark, no beacon s.h.i.+ning to welcome our arrival. I asked him who owned the house.

”Your former lover's wife- time you did the honors.”

Up until now, Ethan had done all the actual killing, and I might have balked had it not been Richard.

We crept around to a completely modern patio and swimming pool surrounded by chairs and chaise lounges, where I envisioned Richard and Katherine on fine days, drinking c.o.c.ktails and spitting venom.

A foghorn belched over the water. Mist enveloped the house like in some old Universal horror flick, the perfect setting. I could smell Richard's blood already.

Ethan jimmied the back door and we stole into the house. Bluish moonlight streaming into the cavernous phony English Country interior set Ethan's eyes ablaze. I ascended the stairway, gracefully in the manner he'd taught, careful not to let the tapping of my tiny heels ruin the element of surprise.

A small pool of light spilled out into the hallway. Berlioz on the radio. I took one deliberate step after another, forcing myself into the dark corner bearing Richard's name. A baby cried desperately for help. Legions of demons poured out as I lay again on the table, cold instruments invading, tearing into me.

I took a deep breath and swooped into the room, alighting on the bed. Richard's book fell to the floor with a thump. ”Mia, good G.o.d, everyone thinks you're dead!”

”Good thing you had Katherine as an alibi that night. Do I look dead to you?”

Beads of perspiration came on his forehead, the smell of adrenaline coursed through his body. ”I'm relieved to see you alive.”

I traced the line of his throat, reaching unb.u.t.toning the topmost pajama b.u.t.ton. His pulse raced under his damp skin.

”We had a little appointment that day, remember? In Sumara.” Sumara.” I ran my other hand up his thigh, a teasing little spider crawling up the old waterspout. I tossed my hair filling the air with a pheromone c.o.c.ktail and slipped overtop him. His fingers timidly brushed the bare thigh above my stocking. I smacked his hand away. ”Naughty boy.” I ran my other hand up his thigh, a teasing little spider crawling up the old waterspout. I tossed my hair filling the air with a pheromone c.o.c.ktail and slipped overtop him. His fingers timidly brushed the bare thigh above my stocking. I smacked his hand away. ”Naughty boy.”

”You're still full of surprises.”

”You've no idea.”

Ethan slipped into the room, leaning gracefully against the doorframe and laughed.

Richard blanched. ”What the h.e.l.l?”

Ethan was at his best, the cavalier at his lady's service, all panache. ”The lady needed an escort... you bowed out.”

I pinned Richard to the mattress. Bringing my face very close to his I whispered, ”You owe me a life, d.i.c.k d.i.c.k.”

His bloodshot gray eyes gleamed with fury. ”You're crazy- the two of you. Get out of my house!”

”Your house?”

He pushed against me. A rush of power went to my head as he fought, my hands gripping his throat, his heart accelerating racing against mine. Blue veins stood out in his forehead as I bared my fangs. ”What in G.o.d's name!”

”I finally know how Hilde felt when she drove Solness up the tower. Pity, I'll never play her again. Frightfully exciting!” Frightfully exciting!”

His wide-eyed look of horror was almost compensation for the pain he'd caused. A warm wet patch of urine spread on the mattress.

”Not very romantic, darling.”

Ethan laughed, still in his casual pose at the doorway, perfect in every way. My bad boy never looked so good.

My lips brushed over Richard's throat. ”Our revels are now ended Richard. Thanks for the ride.”

I tore into the artery. A torrent of salt and iron slid warm down my throat and into my belly. His fingers clutched me as he whispered a prayer to the deceased G.o.d. My heartbeat grew stronger as his fought against the irresistible tide. Then- nothing. Demons ministered to me, fawning and caressing in adoration, whispering endearments, as I looked into my lord's approving frosted eyes.”

Joe shuddered. ”That's sick.”

She ignored him and continued, ”Ethan kept me locked away in his house for another couple of months, tweaking my skills until he was satisfied. Then one night I woke to find him holding a magnificent ball gown of blood red satin trimmed with spider web-delicate black lace and intricate jet beading, very old but beautifully preserved. ”Come on, let's get you dressed.”

After I'd dressed, he led me downstairs to the old ballroom, where I smelled the spicy perfume of roses, hundreds of them. Ethan moved silently about the room, lighting dozens of candles. He must have ransacked the house for candelabrum.

He softened in their glow, utterly devoid of the usual hauteur. I caught my breath in wonder. We were surrounded by ma.s.ses of roses, placed about the room in vases and petals strewn on the floor. Boy, did he ever know how to make a girl love him.

He placed the needle down on a small phonograph. Waltz music filled reverberated off of the old walls like a heartbeat, as if the house was coming to life again after a long vampiric sleep.

He turned slowly. A pain like dying went through me. Wow, did he look good.

I stood, tremulous, antic.i.p.ating his touch. What was this about? Was there some significance to all this?

He enfolded me in his arms. ”Happy Birthday, cara mia cara mia.”

”But it's not... .” I said, realizing the reason for this display, as his lips locked onto mine. It wasn't my birthday, not in the usual sense, not the anniversary of when my mother fatally labored to bring me into the world. It was the date I was reborn to him. him.

He reached into his breast pocket. Blood red and rainbow sparks spilled out into my hands. ”Ethan, this must have cost a fortune!”

He clasped the necklace around my throat and kissed my bare shoulder. ”A handful of cold stones cannot express the depth of my love for you.”

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