vampires of san francisco 07 - suckers lost and found (4 page)

When we get to our rooms we find them decadent and designed to mimic the décor of the Italian Renaissance. Updated bathrooms with showers and tubs fill out each suite. Definitely not what you would expect from its outward appearance. From the canal, it just looks like some crumbling brown building. I am beginning to understand this goes for people too. There is more to a person than the image they project to the world, you need to open them up like you would lift the cover from a book and peek inside. I’m trying not to make any flash judgments. 

Quickly, I chose a black dress with a wide scoop neckline and elbow length sleeves by an Italian designer for our introduction to the King. Yves Saint Laurent sling back pumps work nicely. It is a perfect dress to show off Sebastian’s present, a beautiful swag necklace of emeralds and diamonds. Sebastian wears a tailored charcoal suit with an emerald-colored tie and a diamond tie tack. Even if we don’t worm our way into the King’s confidence, we can’t fail to impress him.

      Andrew, Liam, and Hannah are even more nervous than I am. They’ve fixated on the worst parts of the King. We never forget that we are responsible for killing a Queen and that it was done on Italian soil. Hopefully he never knew.

      “We’ve known Basilio for centuries, children. Don’t be so nervous, you’ll be fine,” Julian tells us.

“Not that we care for him or the way he rules, but he is even-tempered and tries to be just. He lets his personal feelings get in the way of it sometimes,” Helena says. “Besides it will only last a few minutes. We’re being introduced and will ask to be able to be in Italy for the time being.” 

“I’m most concerned about what he thinks of hosting two werevamps on the night of their transformation,” Liam says.

We will have to impose on the King’s hospitality to fulfill our feeding frenzy. Unfortunately, we have no control over our bodies’ metabolism as we go into the change. We need fuel and our craving for blood is still beyond our control. There isn’t any research to let us know if we ever will be able to handle it. If Julian has his way no one will have to wonder again. He is very dedicated to monitoring our disease and publishing the results for others that suffer like we do.

      The King is curious so has agreed to oblige the situation.

      We’re ready and are leaving our hotel on the canal. The hotel’s marble entry is so high I stop in the middle like a goof and look up at the domed ceiling. 

After we are sufficiently prepped on protocol, we get into the boat that will take us through the canals of Venice to a very old mansion. The vampire guards are indifferent to us and search us before letting us enter. If they only knew what Aidan, with his upper-crust British accent, could do.

      Our high heels give satisfying clicks as we are led through beautiful, blood-red marble hallways into a room with frescoes on the domed ceiling depicting the Garden of Eden. The building is a museum. Original artwork by the masters, Giotto, Rafael and others of Italy, line the hallways. How and when the King acquired them is an intriguing question. The amount of raw beauty depicted in the scenes makes them look like they were painted for a vampire. I have to stop and admire a certain painting of Klimt’s that has long been thought to be a vampire’s bite. It looks original. The owner of the other must have a copy that is a fake. 

A human girl, who doesn’t try to hide the bite marks on her neck, brings us wine while we wait. She tells us that the King is finishing dinner and it will be a bit of a wait.

      Julian starts to mumble under his breath about pretentious dictators and Helena casts a worried eye towards Julian. They have a certain status where they are never kept waiting. I wonder if the King is playing a game. Planning something in retaliation for Julian’s and his past scrimmage. Julian still won’t tell us what it was about.

      A man comes in who has an air of importance about him. He’s dressed in a black Armani suit and has the shiniest pair of shoes I think I have ever seen and that’s saying something. His narrow nose is crooked from a fight or accident that must have occurred before he turned. He also has a small scar just under his left eye.

      “My name is Armand. I am King Basilio’s personal assistant,” he says with a deep unexpected baritone voice. “Inform me of any needs you have while you are here and it will be my pleasure to provide for them. It is our esteemed honor to welcome you to Italy.” He glances at Hades furtively, and I can see his nervous tick. Good.

      “Thank you. Italy is a beautiful country. We are thankful for King Basilio’s hospitality,” Julian says formally.

      “He apologizes for being tardy. He was just finishing dinner and he thought it rude to invite you in. He is now ready to see you and to accommodate our guests with their special feeding needs.” He eyes Liam and me with rude directness. “They must be getting hungry?”

      “Yes Armand, I believe they are. We all feel protective of them during this time – though they could take care of themselves,” Helena answers for us.

      “Then please follow me.”

      We follow Armand through corridors that wind through the mansion like catacombs until we reach large double doors with the moment of creation cast in bronze bas relief. Hades waits patiently at the door to be let in. Thank the Goddess he doesn’t scratch at the door. I wonder if Aidan has had a little talk with him about appropriate behavior. He hasn’t barked fire nor has he tried to matchmake anyone since we got here. Good boy. 

Biblical themes run through the mansion. I wonder why? Vampires by nature are not religious. Basilio is old, though. No one claims to know what makes him tick. Armand opens the doors with a flourish revealing a grandiose ballroom. Inside, the king presides from an actual throne. He was turned when he was perhaps thirty and is devastatingly handsome. He has a small hook to his nose, brown hair and brown eyes. He is wearing a suit and tie and beautiful, gorgeous Italian shoes. I may have mentioned I have a thing for shoes. The walls depict battles between Angels and Demons. The colors are as clear and bright and in much better condition than anything I’ve seen before. How? Crown molding wraps around the room, framing another domed ceiling.

      The King rises when we walk in and meets us halfway across the room, dipping slightly in a semi-bow. The rest of us return the bow – dipping lower to the King. 

      “Helena, Julian, my old friends. How have you been?”

      The King kisses each of them on their cheeks.

      “Very well, Your Majesty,” Julian says, his voice polite but cool. I know Julian is still pissed for something that Basilio did a long time ago.

      “I understand besides two werevamps, you have brought a jinni, a demon, a Hell Hound and two hybrid children with you. Is that correct?” the King asks.

      “Yes, Your Majesty,” Helena answers.

      “Excellent! I would like very much to see some of Mr. Aidan’s talents if possible. Now let me kiss these beautiful children.” He coos at the babies. The babies watch him, fascinated. He plays nice but I feel Hannah and Diel’s hyper-focus. We may be curiosities to him but we are dangerous curiosities.

      “Such a blessing to have children. Look at their cute little fangs! I must give them something. They must have presents to commemorate their inaugural trip to Italy.” He looks over his shoulder. “Armand, have two platinum rattles commissioned with our coat of arms. And get our Hell Hound friend some meat and a bone. A big bone.” He looks warily at Hades as he says this.

      “Yes, Your Majesty.”

      I know he met Aidan when Hannah was pregnant and Aidan was searching for Manda, so I am surprised that he’s never seen Aidan do any magick.

      “Your Majesty, I will help Lilith and Liam by changing their clothes before they eat and again after. I am sure I can do a few other things,” he says as he glimmers up a set of diamond cufflinks for the King.

      The King looks stunned but delighted.

      “Bravo! Grazie!”

      “You are welcome, Your Majesty,” Aidan says. I don’t know what the King’s agenda is but I do know what Aidan is up to. He is determined to charm and if he makes Basilio feel obligated, all the better.

      “Which of you are Lilith and Liam?” the King asks.

      Liam and I step forward. He studies us for a bit.

      “My dears, you are truly unique and we cherish that. I wish to let you feed. I understand you must be hungry as the need is great for you on this first night.”

      “Yes, Your Majesty,” I say.

      The King nods at his man and Armand leaves. He returns with two men. Liam and I slightly panic and look to Julian and Helena.

      “Your Majesty, Liam and Lily each need a minimum of four humans to feed from tonight,” Helena says.

      “They can drain four humans?” the King asks, astonished.

      “Well no, Your Majesty. We usually don’t drain our donors,” Julian explains. It is obvious the King is puzzled.

      After a moment, King Basilio chuckles.

      “You Americans and your ethics. These two have requested to be turned, so as long as they are not drained completely, the young ones can feast to their hearts’ desire.”

      “I’m not sure if they will have the control, Your Majesty,” Helena says.

      “No matter to us,” the King says and shrugs. The humans exchange uneasy looks.

      Liam and I look at each other. The smell of fresh blood is growing difficult to resist though. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out and I am older than Liam and have better control. I see Liam clench his fists.

      “Your Majesty, we usually have help when feeding. Would it be possible for Helena and Julian to feel for a pulse on our volunteers to know when we should finish?” I ask.

      “That is acceptable.” King Basilio nods as if conferring a great honor. As if saving these voluntary humans is of no concern at all. “But please, eat now. Your young friend is biting his lip to keep from pouncing.”

      Aidan changes our clothes and then Liam pounces. Julian, Andrew and Hannah are with him in an instant. I approach my dinner and wipe his neck with a handi-wipe. The King laughs. Aidan has a grin on his face, instantly at my side to help me. Sebastian has the other side and Helena is standing behind the man with her hand on his neck, ready to take his pulse. Liam’s feeding is getting to me, my fangs are fully out.

      I bite into the man quickly and the blood lust takes over. I growl as I suck. I hear the King chuckle. The blood is sublime. I love foreign blood. It’s good to diversify your palate. It is time for them to pull me off but nobody is doing it. Then I remember that I don’t have to stop feeding and I relish it. I cling to my dinner and hiss as Aidan and Sebastian get closer. I lick the man’s neck and sink my fangs back in to suck some more. Oh Goddess it is good. I am starting to get full when Helena gives the word to stop me. Aidan and Sebastian grab me and I let go with a bit of reluctance. I’m still a little hungry.

      I am a mess and Aidan gives me a washcloth to clean up. After I am done with it he zaps it away. I notice he has done the same for Liam. 

      “Have you had enough, piccolo?” the King asks me.

      “I’m still a little hungry, Your Majesty,” I answer.

      He smiles and motions for Armand. Armand quickly returns with two more humans for Liam and me. Liam and I readily accept them. Our eyes have turned silver and the humans are leery. We only drink about a pint more before we readily give them up. 

      “Aidan?” I ask motioning at my blood splattered clothes.

      “Anything, love.”

      “Your eyes, Lilith are molto bella…” the King sighs.

      He touches my cheek. I sense Sebastian and Aidan’s tension. The King takes my hand and leads me back to a chair next to his. Armand motions for everyone to sit down.

      “I haven’t seen such a beautiful sight as you eating tonight in a long time. It was raw and powerful. Tell me, why did you wipe his neck off first?”

      I look down shyly. I hate to have to explain myself.

      “I have a problem with germs, Your Majesty.”

      Basilio puts his hand to his heart and grins.

      “That is only more endearing.”

      I hear Sebastian grunt, but I am devising a plan to make the King’s flirting work to my advantage.

      “Tell me more about yourself, Lilith. What do you do to pass your days?” the King asks.

      “I worked for a suicide hotline. I tried to talk people out of killing themselves. At the moment I am trying to discover what I want to be when I grow up.” Basilio laughs.

      “Interesting. I don’t think I have ever met a vampire like you. You must stay here for a few days and let me show you my city. I will not take no for an answer. Armand, send for their luggage.” I know this is not a suggestion but a nicely worded command.

      “Yes, Your Majesty.”

      “Your Majesty, Lily and Sebastian are to be married in five days in Florence. We must be there in time for that. It was very difficult arranging for the church,” Julian gently reminds the King.

      “There will be plenty of time. I promise. Now before I forget my manners, does anyone else need to eat? We have many donors here at court.”

      “Andrew is new and will need to eat today or tomorrow, but the rest of us have just eaten, Your Majesty,” Helena says.

      “Armand, why don’t you get young Andrew something to eat and then let us find accommodations for our friends. Lilith, I would like to show you around my home.”

      He captures my hand and starts to lead me away before I realize what’s happened. But I look back to Sebastian and wink. Sebastian looks panicked. Helena and Julian are stiff and I know they are nervous, but I am not a possessive vampire fiancée. 

The King leads me from the ballroom down the hall to a gallery of exquisite art work. Sculptures sit in between the columns supporting the high ceilings, paintings of every Italian period and more frescoes cover every square inch of the room. We stroll, his running commentary about the artists and history of the place almost hides his personal questions peppered skillfully throughout the tour. He is a smooth one, but his interest makes me uncomfortable. He seems to be trying to find out what our plans are. I believe he is worried about what happened to Zoe.