Chapter 1 Screaming Mimi
Big decisions: If only I had a crystal ball to know exactly what my decision would do to my life, aside from the very obvious. Normally, I'm more of spur of the moment type but this was my life or my death. Alone in my room, I looked at the picture of my parents, two people a world apart but to this day remained in love and together. Almost like a fairy tale, renowned Russian ballerina Galina Ulanova performed at Madison Square Garden. At the same time, my father, Dante Sorvino, a thoroughbred New York Italian businessman and importer of Italian goods, attended a New York Rangers game, also at MSG. Afterwards, they literally bumped into each other, knocking mom on her bottom. Not long after that, they wed. If I followed through with this, I would never see them again nor would I?
Taking a look my other pictures, I saw a picture of a twenty-five year old Italian with his dark hair slicked back wearing a fashionable suit and tie I bought for him, Carmine my older brother who always looked out for me, even saving my life once. My streetwise brother became an accountant, making the family proud. Despite my travels, we remained close, thanks to cell phones.
In one of the pictures, Carmine stood next to his fellow high school baseball teammate and friend, Jeremiah Reinhardt, a handsome auburn haired, green eyed second baseman who became my first love. After a year together, I began my tour and he went to The Citadel. For a couple of years, we saw see each other when he was granted leave and between my tours. We loved each other, but distance and lack of seeing each other broke us up. To this day, we email each other every other month or so.
Then I looked at my childhood pictures with my brother at birthday parties, Halloween, Christmas and every holiday known in our Brooklyn Heights home. With my decision, children wouldn't be an option anymore. Then I thought about the man who offered me the most wonderful yet terrible gift I never imagined.
On my 24th birthday, the cast threw me a party after our performance in Brussels at the Royal Museum of Art and History. For most people, at the age of twenty-four, they commenced their career. For me, I had maybe two more years left before retirement. I dreaded it.
Our host, a collector of masterpieces, Alex Moenssens, a tall thin man with long black hair, with striking but slightly pointed features, gave me a tour of the entire museum. During our tour, he removed from his pocket a few antique bronze coins that were round but uneven in shape. "Do you know what these are?"
Carefully, I studied them. "Byzantine coins, I believe."
"You do know your history." Oddly, he would ask me what I knew about a piece and then add to it if he could which I found that he had vast knowledge. "Though I greatly appreciate it, why did you go to this considerable amount of trouble for me?"
"Because, I admire your work," he replied as he kissed my hand with oddly cool lips. "You have impressed me with your knowledge of art and history. A relationship between us could further your career." I threw my champagne in his face and walked back to my hotel.
When I got to my room, he awaited me and commanded, "Sit." To which both me and my Jack Russell, Pixie, did. Then he commanded, "Listen." Pixie and I tilted our heads in unison. I couldn't disobey him. "Brilliant exit with your father's quick temper and your mother's flair for the dramatic; however, you mistook my meaning. Ballerinas' careers are so short lived. I offer you a future where you can continue your craft without the limits of age or death. You see my dear," he grinned and bared his fangs, "the legends are true."
Alex proceeded to tell me his tribe of vampires he belonged to. They were known as the Patio tribe who possessed extreme senses. Several different tribes of vampires exited which had different traits. Vampire blood gave them these traits. Every tribe kept their identities secret from the mortal world. Also, to stay alive only the imbibing of blood was needed, not killing. That night I let him feed from me. As his teeth sunk into my neck, every nerve in my body tingled. My entire body felt an orgasmic rush. Frequently, Alex fed from me which I looked forward to every time.
Ballet was my life so I said yes to being turned. However, on this balmy evening in Paris, I still had the option to change my mind but I knew I wouldn't and I wouldn't give up my family. Earlier today, I went to the spa for the works to be done. From the neck down, everything was waxed. Would you want to shave every day for eternity? A deluxe facial made my skin glow. A very expensive coif to my very long ebony hair ensured stylish hair. Who wants to go through eternity experiencing a perpetually bad day…well night. Staring at the mirror, I wonder how much paler my skin could get. Ballerinas don't dance with Mr. Soleil. Would my hazel eyes get all freaky, like in the movies?
When Alex arrived at my hotel room, I handed him a Father's Day card to which he smiled in amusement. "I'll relish that sense of humor and your naiveté for years to come. You will be one of my greatest creations." He cupped my chin and admired me. "The gift affects us all differently both physically and psychologically. I want you to be prepared for some changes. It's unnerving not feeling your heart beating anymore. Sometimes our fears and foibles become exacerbated."
As his fangs pierced my neck, I felt a slight sting followed by rapture. As my heart stopped beating, I conquered my fear by thinking of my family. From blackness I returned, hungrily drinking from Alex's wrist. Then I felt the change, my incisors grew and unexpectedly my heart beat again. Everything around me grew louder as I noticed the minute details of my surroundings. My silk dress felt sumptuous. I could smell the bistro preparing bread two blocks away. I could smell the blood pack in Alex's valise which satiated my renewed hunger. "My dear protégée, you hardly look changed at all and your heart still beats." In an oddly almost paternal loving fashion, he brushed my hair back. "You'll be the talk of the tribe."
------------------------------------------------------------------
Comatose, that describes how I slept that day, not awakening until dusk. Duct tape, secret weapon of vampires everywhere saved my skin. Courtesy of Alex, the curtains were taped so no sunlight peeped in and he left me a blood pack for breakfast. Though a "Do Not Disturb" sign was looped over the handle of my hotel room door, duct tape ensured the door remained closed. After showering and getting ready that evening, I heard a knock on the door.
A rather plain looking guy my age stood outside dressed a bit preppy. "I'm Thomas. Alex sent me."
"Come in," I replied. Even though I fed from a blood pack, he smelled so delicious.
Curiously glancing around at the kitchenette and small living room, grimacing at the slightly messy nature of the tiny suite, he pointed to the bedroom. Once I nodded, he went in so I followed. Thomas sat on the bed and leaned his head over. "Go on, I'll yell if you drink too much."
When I leaned in, my incisors popped out. Instinctively, my fangs pierced the correct spot on his neck. As the blood went through my incisors into my body, I didn't taste it but I felt it. It invigorated me. Then a feeling came over me, like I had just eaten a steak dinner, something I'm never allowed to do as a ballerina. Withdraw. After my fangs withdrew, my tongue flicked over the bite, sealing it so no marks were left. I kissed the spot from where I fed. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine but I've never been kissed afterwards."
"Well, I did lose my vampire virginity to you," I replied, trying not to notice the rather obvious pleasure he felt.
"Can you give me a moment?"
"Sure thing, I'm going to brush my teeth." After I brushed for an extra long time, I heard him quietly leave.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Like many other cities, we performed in a classical theater in Brussels. Unlike most of the company, I went in through the front, running up the marble steps, like I did every night to enjoy its beauty. Entering the theatre, I gazed at all the red velvet seats, the gold encased balconies, the crystal chandeliers, intricate carvings, red velvet curtains adorning the spacious wooden stage and all the gold trim, seeing tiny details I never saw before. Sharply, I inhaled the scents of all the flowers placed at the end of each row, something I normally didn't notice. The air conditioning blew against my skin, making it tingle. The elaborate magnificence of the theater enraptured me.
A scream shattered my entrancement. "Natasha, the director is looking for you and he's furious! You missed practice." My best friend and company stylist, Pipat scurried towards me, wearing a polka dot scarf to bring luck to the company while I ironically wore a Chinese jade good-luck charm. "Oh my, that spa works miracles. You're stunning."
"Umm, thank you."
"Hey now, you have always been beautiful but right now," he said as he looked me up and down, "I am ready to hop the fence." Grabbing my hand, he dragged me to the dressing room.
"Oh my God! I forgot my shoes." A ballerina who forgets her ballet slippers: classic.
"Natasha, you'd forget your head if it weren't attached. I have five spare of everything for you."
----------------------------------------------------------
During the show, my Grand jeté's hang time shocked me while I enjoyed the dance so much so that the audience didn't exist, just the dance and other dancers. After the show, my fellow troupe members congratulated me along with the stage crew. Several dozen red roses awaited me in my dressing room. One vase had a rather large card.
Natasha,
Congratulations on a wonderful performance. Below is my present to you enjoy.
Alex
A list of fashion houses followed with dates and times that coincided but didn't interfere with the rest of the tour. Truthfully, his gift meant so much to me and helped. As a professional ballerina at the top of my field, I couldn't afford fashion since I barely had a middle class income. Like most ballerinas, I performed for the love of the dance.
"Pipat!" I showed him the card.
We both squealed for several minutes. "Someone has a sugar-daddy," Pipat sang. "You finally gave in after all these years and got one."
According to the newspaper critics, my performance in Giselle was magnificent and flawless. Not to sound to un-ballerina like but the chance to perform anything other than Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, made me flip with joy.
Over the next few months, I continued on the tour. Because of my performances, I was easily excused from daily practices. The finest fashion houses in Europe provided my wardrobe. What woman, vampire or not would mind that? From time to time, Alex joined me but we enjoyed more of a mentor type relationship. Feeding became easier, a pretty girl in a bar attracted meals. Pipat became my ward. That is, I fed him a tiny drop or two of my blood which would keep him loyal and young. Believe me, he was more than happy not to age. For me, having my best friend as my companion for the next few centuries thrilled me. In the beginning of September, Alex took care of some business in New York while I ended my tour in London.
--------------------------------------------------
Alex called me the evening before I was to leave with news. "There's a skirmish in Atlantic City between some rogue vampires and several of the tribes including ours. Some of the of repercussions could be felt in New York City so your trip is cancelled."
"Are you alright?"
"I'm safe for now. Look Natasha, one of the rogue vampires terrorized the city who might have his sights on London. He may kill you to get to me."
"It's so nice to know I'm popular."
Alex chuckled a moment. "I've arranged for you to stay with an old friend of mine, Sinjin Breawood. He lives in Ipswich just outside of London. Sinjin is from the Veneficus tribe which practices blood sorcery. They guard their secrets closely."
"Why would he allow me in his home then?"
"Sinjin is a long time friend of mine. Because of his honor and loyalty, he wouldn't let an innocent female come to any harm, especially someone close to one of his good friends."
"Please tell me more so I know what to expect."
"Well, aside from being honorable and loyal, he's exceedingly scholarly and methodical."
"Sounds interesting," I commented. Bleh, bleh ….sounds boring.
"Well, he can be an intellectual snob. He's antiquated in many respects, reserved, somber and prefers his solitude." Alex paused a moment. "You should be cordial but just keep out of his way to avoid getting on his bad side."
"Alex really, I have plenty of friends." Besides, I don't want to hang out with a dull old fart.
"Natasha, don't take this the wrong way but you have a very effervescent personality. You might annoy him since he is rather morose."
"Thanks Alex."
"Look, his home is the safest in all of England. You need to meet him at a garden party tomorrow night at Stratford Manor. You got that."
"Uh..huh."
"I'm serious, write it down. I know how you are. Take care."
"You too." I made a note and googled it.
-------------------------------------------------
With my bags packed and Pixie sporting her bling with a scarf to match my dress, the next evening I attended a kindred only, garden party in the London suburbs. Daring to be different, dressed in a yellow mini dress with tiny white polka dots, I knocked on the door of an enormous mansion which looked several centuries old but well maintained. The butler ushered me through the ostentatious mansion with genuine marble floors, antiques and plants of every sort peppered throughout. "The party is in the garden maze." The butler looked me up and down, grimacing at Pixie. "Young lady, your kind does not keep pets nor do they dress in such a fashion. A sundress, polka dots?"
"I'm a new sect of the Parios, Perky."
"Very well, miss," he replied.
Through French doors, I stepped onto a gigantic wooden deck with garden themed patio furniture. A few wards chatted amongst themselves. When I looked onto the hedge maze, covered in multi-colored flowers whose scent filled the cool September air, I deduced that some blood sorcery had to have occurred since the flowers shouldn't be fully in bloom at this time of year. Throughout the maze, I heard various conversations and what sounded like a fist fight. Soon after I descended the stairs, a pale bashfully handsome gentleman with long dark brown hair and green eyes, wearing a rust colored cape with a royal crest of a tree greeted me, oddly eyeing me and my dog. "I am Devon Stratford, Ducis of the city."
Taking his hand, bowing politely as decorum dictated for the leader of a city, I introduced myself. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Natasha Sorvino of the Pario clan. Thank you for letting me stay in your city." So far I followed all the decorum that Alex taught me.
"You're welcome," he replied. "Would you like to be introduced to some of our residents?"
"I would love that but would you also tell me about this lovely hedge maze. I've never seen one with such a variety of flowers growing on it." I stepped closer to one of the flowers. "A purple rose, incredible," I remarked at the deep violet blossom before me. "The red gardenias smell divine."
"All this is my doing. I'm a botanist. I use my magic to create unusual flora." Proudly, he explained the various blooms while we ambled through the maze. First, we came to a small clearing where an elegantly dressed crowd chatted. "This is Gretchen, Riley, Amelia, Nathanial and Palti." He motioned toward a beautiful blond woman, a short red-headed man, a statuesque ebony woman, a very handsome man with shock blond hair and a distinctive Indian gentleman, all of whom nodded and shook their heads when they saw me.
To remember their names, I whipped out my camera phone, snapped their photos and added captions. Vaguely, I remembered meeting them through Alex but I couldn't remember their details so I nodded politely. "Nice to see you all again," I called as we walked passed. Later, I planned to get the details from Alex.
Next we came upon two gentlemen who looked like the classic Nosferatu in the movies, one tall and one short. "This is Ulric and Bakir. They have more knowledge of this city's history, secrets, back alleys and underground than anyone." Briefly, they nodded just as the Devon motioned me on.
Quickly, I took a picture but in the photo they looked normal so I made notes. "Pleased to meet you," I said, ignoring Devon's move to motion us forward. "I'm Natasha Sorvino." When I extended my hand, they hesitantly moved forward.
Bakir stepped forward and looked at my hand. "N..Normally, your kind are offended by us …because we are hideous."
"I don't think you're hideous. It's what on the inside that counts." This time they shyly shook my hand. "Maybe you can show me all the hidden secrets of the city. Here's my phone number. May I have yours?"
"Yes," they replied cheerfully.
After they did, Devon continued forth. "I'm sorry I tried to cut that short but many of your kind would have liked that." Through several more twists and turns, we encountered another group of folks, a young Greek man, a nice looking Harvard type man, a geekly barely adult boy with glasses and an Asian looking man who seemed young as well. "This is Cadmus, Jace, Hugh and Veradis. Cadmus and Jace are of the Accipio tribe and Hugh and Veradis are in the Custos tribe."
From Alex's teachings, the Accipio tribe were scholars while the Custos tribe were keepers. Basically, the keepers ensured that vampires remained fairy tales only. Repeating my typical behavior, I snapped their pictures and exchanged numbers. Cadmus studied the real estate and financial trends and Jace studied medicine. Hugh and Veradis were computer an d forgery experts setting up new identities for vampires throughout the ages.
Then we went to a clearing with a huge oak tree where three men fought but laughed as they did. "These guys are from the Proeliator tribe. Brad and George are the ones in plaid and the one with the crazy hair is Rip."
The two ones in plaid had a grunge look to them while Rip had a blue Mohawk to match the punk clothing he wore. Promptly, Rip did a time out motion and approached us. "This is my lucky day," he said in a thick Cockney accent. "And she brought a snack for afterwards."
"Natasha Sorvino, pleased to meet you." I extended my hand. "Pixie is my pet, not a snack."
Clasping my hand firmly, silently stating, I'm not letting go, he kissed it, following with more kisses trailing up my arm. Devon cleared his throat but Rip continued until he reached my elbow. Because of my shock, I just stood there. Next to my ear, he whispered. "Wanna shag, baby?" Using supernatural speed, I slapped at his face but missed because quicker than a blink, he leaped backwards. "I'm faster than you but I promise to take it slow."
In the middle of his uproarious laughter, Devon focused on the large tree behind Rip. Suddenly, the tree sprang to life, snatching Rip into the air and tossing him clear off the property. A whistle blew and all the vampires rushed in and exchanged money before they went back to the cubbies where they chatted prior. "What was that?"
"I commanded the tree to do that." Devon looked at the crowd rushing back. "With Rip, it's a matter of time before he gets kicked out of a party. Everyone places their bets beforehand." Now, he rolled his eyes. "I'm sure he's unharmed but I should make sure. Pardon me."
Once Devon left, I made my way through a couple more turns towards a small gaggle of vampires whose visages reflected youth but whose mannerisms revealed age as did the gothic wardrobe. Undaunted, I approached which quickly quieted them from surely secret spells. "Good evening everyone, I'm Natasha Sorvino." I extended my hand. "Pleased to meet you." The posse looked perturbed and a bit freaked with Pixie.
After the deer in the headlights looks faded from their eyes, each one introduced themselves. "I'm Guthrie," replied a strawberry blond man with a thick Scottish accent.
"I'm Elijah," a rather somber fellow who looked all American but had a British accent and long hair.
"I'm Perth," added a rather prickly gentleman with sandy hair.
"I'm Osman," a boy of sixteen added with patchy blond and black hair.
Lastly, a very handsome, refined looking, golden blond haired, blue eyed rather tall gentleman, who seemed to be the leader of the passel, introduced himself. "I'm Sinjin Breawood, pleased to meet you. After the party, we will do as Alex wished."
"Please return to the topic you were discussing." Casually, I moved to join their circle.
They glanced around and Sinjin smirked. "We are discussing the merits of Aristotelian logic." Each one rolled their eyes and volunteered a remark and started to close the circle they stood in: intimidation through intellectual superiority. Just like Alex said, Sinjin was an intellectual snob.
"Moreover, it spurned many more forms of deductive reasoning from Deontic in the Middle Ages up to Bisimulation which has a foundation in modern computer science," I volunteered. Being a ballerina, I performed, practiced, schmoozed at parties and spent many long hours in my hotel room studying humanities and history among other things. Dead silence and shocked expressions answered, especially from Sinjin who just stood in awe with his mouth open. Then the circle opened and invited me in as we all discussed the many forms of logic. By the end of it, I had photos, some contact information and most importantly a little respect from them. Often, I noticed Sinjin staring at me with a bemused look on his face and grimacing at Pixie. I wondered what a sorcerer's home would look like upon close inspection. Would it have deep dark secrets like the movies or the Scooby Do cartoons? After all, I did have a dog to play the part of Scooby. What would it be like to deal with a centuries old blood sorcerer? All I knew is that he better not experiment on Pixie, or else.
