Hi everyone. Here comes a new chapter. This one is rated NC-17 and you might be surprise ;o)
Since that one is a turning point in my story, it is longer that the previous chapters. Anyway, I hope you'll like it. It is quite different, first because of the character and in the construction. Please let me know what you think, I really enjoy your feedback! :o)
The chapter was betaed by my friend Ancholia and the amazing writer and friend Moonjat54. Thank you again Moonjat for your help.
A little note: it's possible that the language in some part of the chapter doesn't suit with the period. I apologize for that :o)
Thank you for reading this story.
1608
The lines of the wood made strange signs, marks from the old age, sometimes interrupted by knots which draw winding curves around them. The dark brown colour followed them in a subtle shading which transformed the desk into a living and moving surface.
"Sir?"
He lifted his eyes from the soft lines of his desk to the man.
"Yes?"
"Your dinner is here."
He wasn't hungry. He saw the beautiful asian girl coming in in a dark red dress, smiling, her eyes shining.
"Not tonight, Hachiko."
Disapointment appeared on her face and her eyes lost their light. She left the room without a word. The man stood in front of the desk.
"Do you need something else, Sir?"
"No thank you. You can go home."
"As you wish, Sir."
The man left the vampire alone. He turned his chair and faced the town plunged in the darkness of the night. He couldn't stop his mind from repeating the discussion with Talbot and Mick.
The ADA had told him about the anonymous call and the list. He didn't know much, but he was going to help them, he had no choice and he'd understood that. Then he'd asked him to leave him alone with Mick.
Mick had stood silent, lost in his own thoughts. Mick was worried and it wasn't only because of Talbot. Mick had realized that he was alone with his friend and looked at him.
"It was easier than I thought" he said.
Mick had only nodded.
"So what did Guillermo tell you?"
"Well, it seems that we can't smell the vampire because he was already killed once and came back to life. A very old tale says that if the vampire comes back from death, he loses his scent and his powers become stronger. Have you known about that one?"
He'd said no, that he didn't, but it reminded him of something his Sire told him once, a very long time ago. He'd also felt Mick was thinking of Coraline and how she'd came back from his fire. Josef had been there that night to save her from the fire. The Cure she'd taken centuries before had just made her stronger.
"Do you think it's possible?" he'd asked.
"I don't know. Maybe… but that doesn't explain the sign on the chests."
He'd rubbed his chin, thinking.
"Well, if it is an old vampire who came back to life, then we have a bigger problem than what we thought. I don't like that. There must be a logical explanation. Does Guillermo know how to identify the killer?"
"No, not yet. He'll call me."
"We don't have time for that Mick."
"I know Josef."
They'd stood silent for a moment. Then Josef asked.
"How is Beth?"
"She's not fine." His voice showed his worry and concern.
"Well, don't stay here, go to her, she needs you."
Mick nodded and left his friend. Josef had watched them from his large window, walking out from his building to the old Mercedes. Then Beth had showed up and he hadn't imagined that she was the one who was going to disrupt everything.
When she'd asked about the apartment 1608, it had been like a cold shower. How could she possibly know about it. That was impossible, only very few vampires knew about it and Mick wasn't even one of them. She'd explained she'd seen it in a dream. A dream… he remembered the first time she'd came to him because of a dream days ago. Were her dreams real, were they visions? Anyway, she knew about this apartment and it wasn't only about the place, it was more the number that disturbed him…
…1608… it reminded him of so many things, great ones and terrible ones, and he knew now that the killer was in one of them.
New York 1948
Coraline kissed him deeply, lying on top of him, her hands running up and down his strong naked chest. She was back in town and had waited for him in his livingroom in a beautiful emerald dress.
They didn't have a proper relationship. They'd quickly discovered that they were too alike and they grew in a natural friendship with some benefits. Tonight was one of the rare occasion where they were more than just friends.
Coraline had told him that she wanted to settle down in New York. The life, the rhythm, the city, it was just what she needed.
Josef rubbed the soft and tender skin of her back down to her perfect buttocks. He was happy that she was back. Being around her was always synonymous with excitment and he knew that she felt the same thing about him. He kissed her back, feeling her fangs on his tongue. She was insatiable. He pulled her on her back, feeling her legs around his waist, aching for him to start a new round.
He looked at her; her iceblue eyes, her lips red like an American Beauty, her smile so wicked.
"So, tell me horny froggy, have you any ideas where you want to live?"
She exhaled, understanding that she wasn't going to have a third round.
"No, I don't, well not yet. I thought of something very snobbish… very…"
"Very like you."
She smiled.
"Exactly."
"Then I know where to go."
She looked at him, surprised.
"Is that some kind of help from you, Charles?"
He nodded with a wicked smile. She kissed him, rubbing her body under him. Now she could feel that she was getting a third round.
****
They walked in the agency. A small fat man, with no hair welcomed them with a boyish smile. The man recognized Josef and as he saw Coraline next to him, he could not repress a wink at her.
"How can I help you Charles?" His eyes were not leaving Coraline who began to feel bored.
"It's not for me, it's for my friend here."
"Good! What would like the beautiful lady here?" He asked rubbing his hands with each other.
She looked at Josef who answered for her.
"The most expensive."
"Very good! I have exactly what you want! Two wonderful apartments with the most beautiful view!"
Coraline finally spoke. "The beautiful lady wants to visit them now, please?"
Josef smiled at the tone she used. Coraline couldn't help but play with men, especially if they were human.
They arrived in the first apartment on the last floor. The building was in Manhattan and only a street separated it from Central Park. The man opened the door and came inside followed by Josef and Coraline.
The decoration was very trendy, very class, very snobish. They walked in the large living- room which was the center of the appartment. All the rooms communicated to this one with black doors and white frames. Coraline looked around, she liked it very much. The bedrooms were spacious with a large bathroom in between. There was a beautiful terrace and the view was breathtaking, she felt like she was the master of the city.
"I like this one very much, Charles."
The man approached "Wait and see the other one."
The two vampires followed him. The apartment was two floors below. The man opened the door which had a gold number on it, 1608. Josef repressed a smile as he came inside.
It was smaller than the first one, all the walls were painted in white so the light coming from the large windows were spredding everywhere. The furnitures were all white and from the very last designers. The view was different but still very beautiful, there was no terrace but it felt like the livingroom was just above the park. Coraline turned around from the window and looked at Josef.
"Oh I like both of them. I don't know which one I like most."
The man was ready to open his mouth and recommend the first one- which was the most expensive- but Josef answered before him.
"I like this one very much. It suits you better."
Coraline walked towards him, with a wicked smile. As she reached him, she pulled her arms around his neck.
"Really? How's that?"
"Well, it's very sophisticated and it has something that reminds me of the french glorious time."
Coraline had listened to him very seriously. Still staring at Josef in his eyes, she answered to the man.
"I'll take this one."
The man seemed disappointed but before he could reply he saw the beautiful lady kiss Josef passionately, who waved the man away.
They laid on the sofa naked. Coraline's face on Josef's chest, discovering her apartment in another angle.
"So why did you really like this one?" She suddenly asked.
"I already told you."
She looked at him suspisciouly.
***
Coraline stood in front of the window in her gown looking at the moon above Central Park.
"So, do you like your apartment, froggy?" She giggled.
"I like it very much. Merci Josef."
He stood behind her, envelopping her in his arms…
She suddenly turned around and faced him.
"Why did you want this number?"
She'd already asked him and he knew she hadn't been convinced with his answer.
"What do you mean?" He asked smiling.
"You know. The number of the apartment, 1608? The other apartment had a bigger bedroom."
It made him grin
"You don't need a bigger bedroom. I just like the sound of this number."
Coraline looked at him with suspicion then whispered in his arms "1608"
He looked at the cars driving below and smiled. That apartment had really been like her. She'd lived there some years and because she couldn't really settle down, she moved to L.A before him. Then he met Sarah and Coraline met Mick some years later. The apartment 1608 held the memories of a special friendship that didn't last long.
His face was suddenly concerned. Thinking of Coraline was still hurting him. Even if she'd done terrible things against his bestfriend and Beth, he'd experienced wonderful things with her. She was a very smart woman, very independent but her past was always catching up and she'd felt into a dangerous universe. She'd chosen the dark side but he'd chosen the good one. She was death, despair; He was hope, life.
He exhaled loudly and went to a black table. He took a glass of crystal and filled it with blood and Bourbon.
1608… that wasn't only the sound of it that made him chose the apartment… that was because of all the things it reminded him of…
London, spring 1846,
He'd just arrived in town. He walked outside the train station and saw people going in every direction by foot or on horses or in cars, occupied with their own business, poor children begging for money, old ladies trying to sell their worseless goods. Josef knew at this instant that he would love this town.
He was invited at the Royal Court. Queen Victoria wasn't easy to approach but as a 162 years old vampire, he'd made an important fortune and was known in the biggest capitals of Europe. After his sire's death, he'd inherited a powerful situation in both human and vampire worlds.
A man was waiting for him in front of a car with four white hitched up horses. Josef walked towards the car, followed by his suitcases.
"Welcome Sir. Was your trip enjoyable?"
"Very much, thank you." He stepped inside the car and watched at the city moving around him.
He arrived one hour later in front of a beautiful townhouse that a friend of his lent. As he walked inside, he was welcomed by all the servants. He answered them with a smile and went directly to his bedroom. The road to London had been long and the air very warm. He needed to rest. A servant opened a door on the first floor that headed to a staircase down to a fresh and cold room. Inside there was no daylight, only high walls, but everything was very confortable. A large bed of mahogany covered by a beautiful green velvet blanket over white sheets. On each side of the bed were standing to small tables with white porcelain oil lamps. At the opposite side, there was a prominent closet in the same wood as the bed. The cold floor was hidden under a long and large green and brown carpet which gave to the room a very pleasant atmosphere.
A servant helped him to take his jacket off and as he did the same with his shoes, two ladies came with large buckets of cold water, soon followed by a man holding a bath. The women filled the bath with the water and left the guest alone. Josef took off the rest of his clothes and slid in the bath, exhaling loudly at the pleasant sensation of the coolness on his body.
One day later, Josef was getting himself ready for a dinner where he was invited. All the most important vampires in the country were supposed to meet and he was one of them.
He arrived in the front of the building in London, not far from the castle. As he walked inside, he caught the delightful sounds of the music and the voices of the sweet human girls. The host welcomed him warmly and began to introduce him to some of the guests.
"Gentlemen, may I introduce you William Atkinson. This man has made all the way to London to meet us and this is a great pleasure for me to have him at my party tonight." He turned to Josef. "William, I will let you talk with those gentlemen. Don't forget it's not just about business." The host laughed loudly and left his guest those who just arrived.
Josef smiled to the men but already felt bored. He listened to their conversations about the economy of the country, the Queen and the preparations of the Universal Exposition that would happen in five years. He politely answered to their questions about the news he had from Europe and especially from France and Germany.
As he pretended to listen to them, he caught the sight of a woman sitting in the corner of the room. A very young man was next to her and talked to her. She was staring at Josef with a strange and mischievious smile. He could smell that she was a vampire, older than him. Power emanated from her and it seduced him. She took the hand of the young boy and pulled him closer so his throat was just some inches away from her red lips. Without breaking the eye contact with Josef, she pierced the human flesh and began to drink his blood wih deep mouthful. Josef grabbed the scents coming from the young boy and was suddenly lost in a strange desire for her. She finally put the young unconscious boy back next to her and walked to the balcony. Josef left the gentlemen with no words and followed her outside. She looked at the city in front of her.
"You're the newby in town, is that right?"
Her voice was low for a woman but as sweet as honey. A soft quiver ran through his body.
"I am indeed. May I introduce myself? I'm –"
She turned around and left him alone on the balcony, without understanding what had just happened. He watched inside the living-room and saw her leaving the house. He shook his head, astonished. The host arrived smiling on the balcony.
"I assume you just met Dolores Whitaker. Don't worry, she always do that. If she likes you she'll come back. That means never."
"What do you mean?"
"She likes them young and… humans or very rich vampires."
Josef was going to reply that he was rich but the host answered
"Much richer than you, my friend. And right now, you don't want to be with her."
"Why not?"
" Well, she has a large fortune and she got it from piracy. Dolores owns her own boats that she payed with the money of her rich victims… Not everyone knows about it. But everyone knows she has power and one from a dark side."
Josef listened to the words and realized how much that vampiress already had a power over him.
One week later, Josef had already meet the most important people in the city. He liked London very much, but since the first party his mind was on one thing, or one vampire. Since that night, Josef couldn't stop himself thinking of her seductive mischievious smile and her warm, soft voice. Each time he remembered her tone, he could feel a quiver run all along his body. He needed to see her again. Of course he'd already tried, but no one could tell where she lived or where she used to hang out. He heard about her little pirate army who was already taking a good part of the royal wealth. And the same answer came out from all the men's mouth
"Nobody goes to Dolores, she's the one coming to you."
He was sitting in the living room, two lamps were lighting him and his book. He tried to read but couldn't. The day before he'd been in the Royal Court and was one of the few authorized to meet the Queen. She'd been there only ten minutes, but being seen in the same room as her was the garanti of a very good reputation. The Queen was still young but he could feel that she was going to make great things for the country.
A servant entered the room, disturbing his thoughts.
"Sir, a woman's just arrived." She paused, embarassed, then added. " She didn't present herself."
At this same time, the scent grabbed him. He stood up instantly and felt suddenly weak. She was here. He couldn't repress a smile; she knew he'd been in court, someone had told her. It was the key of this meeting. He nodded to the servant who disapeared.
The vampiress appeared slowly with the same mischievious smile on her lips. They saluted each other and Josef walked towards her.
"I don't think we have been introduced."
"You tried but I left."
Her tone was the same sweet one, the direct answer she gave him pleased him. It showed what kind of woman she was. She went to a couch and sat down without his consent. She looked around. Josef sat in front of her. A soft smell of sea grabbed him. The woman in front of him was the terrible goddess of the seas.
Another servant entered with two glasses and a carafe filled with fresh blood.
Josef wanted her to begin to speak. He knew what kind of game she played and he wanted to let her think that she was having an advantage on him.
"I heard that you tried to meet me Mister Atkinson."
He smiled.
"Yes, I did indeed."
She stood up, went towards him and just before she stopped, she turned on her side and left the room. Josef quickly followed her and saw her open a door. He couldn't believe it. He went downstairs, her scent awaking his desire. As he reached the last step, he saw her in the middle of his bedroom. He could only see her back, but he could guess her smile.
She began to open her corset. She looked at him over her shoulder as she let down the first layer of her red dress. He discovered the forms of her body barely hidden under the black and red underwear. When she was completely naked and still from behind, she removed the pins in her hair. Her long brown hair fell on her back with a soft moan coming out from her mouth.
She finally turned around and slowly walked towards Josef. He leant down to kiss her, but she pulled back. Her hands travelled on his chest then down to his belt. Josef exhaled under her touch and his eyes opened widely as he felt her taking firmly his crotch in her hand. She smiled to him and pulled his jacket down. She slowly untied the knot of his tie and ripped off his shirt that she held in her hands.
Josef couldn't say a word. He was completely lost in her power. He was standing in his trousers and saw her walking to the bed. She laid on her side with his shirt on her thighs and looked at him. He quickly removed the rest of his clothes and joined her on the bed.
Just as he leaned down over her to kiss her, he found his back on the bed, her on top of him, straddling him. He smiled thinking of her great power and before he could see her moving, he felt her fangs violently pierce the flesh of his throat. He growled and vamped out instantly. He tried to pull her down but she was stronger than him. She sucked his blood with big mouthfuls then kissed his skin up to his mouth. She licked his lips and was quickly taken by his tongue. He could tast his own blood in her mouth as he kissed her. He felt her rubbing slowly on his crotch, her kiss passionate, him hard like he'd never been before. He wanted to be inside her but he was her slave. She held him tight on the bed and she was the one to decide the next move. She broke the passionate kiss and looked at him. His blood covered her lips, her ice-blue eyes were burning with a desire he'd never seen before. She held his hands over his head and looked down, where he was hard, ready to enter her. She licked her lips from the remains of his blood, then took his shirt lying on their side and ripped it in two. She brought his hands up and made a knot around his wrists and the head of the bed then used the other part to blind him.
Josef felt weak but it excited him more. All his other senses were on and felt every touch of her body on his. Suddenly he gasped. He could feel her wetness around him. She let him enter her very slowly until he was completely filling her. Her nails on his chest clawed his skin until blood came out and she licked the red sweet liquid. Josef moaned from the pain and the pleasure she was inflincting him. Then she finally began to ride him; slowly up, then fully down. The motions went faster and her nails deeper in his skin.
Josef was lost in all the sensations from his body, he felt her nails, the wetness of her tongue on his chest, on his lips, the smell of his blood in the air and the silky wetness from her center. He followed her rhythm and growled each time she was moving up, as she moaned when he entered her again. He could feel her orgasm build as he already was ready to come. He wanted to bite her, needed to feel his fangs pierce her sweaty skin and the rich blood filling his mouth. He felt her bloody lips on his and lifted his head so he could bite them, but she pulled away. He tried to free himself from his bond but couldn't. He was her prisoner and she was the executioner. He screamed as he felt her bite his neck again and felt a rush of strong excitement run along his body down to where they were joined. She came around him and sucked his blood hungrily. He felt her shoulder next to his mouth as she drank him and managed to finally bite her back so he could free his pleasure. As his fangs pierced the flesh, he heard her growl; then a warm current filled his mouth, full of endorphine and he exploded inside her as she rocked above him.
Josef felt the weight of her body still on his, but she moved and suddenly he could see her, naked on him. The view was priceless. His blood was covering all her mouth and her hands. As she untied his wrist, he stared at her perfect breasts and red nipples moving just above him. At this moment he knew he was addicted to her.
After that night, she visited him only when she wanted. He had no way to contact her and like his friend had told him, she was the one coming to him. He never knew when she was going to meet him or where she was. He was completely addicted to her, her body, her blood. He was supposed to leave the country in the week, but asked his friend to stay longer.
It had been one month and Josef had no news from Lola as he liked to call her. He was getting mad, he needed to feel her body press and move against his. One night she finally came and as usual they only had sex. Lola always had control on him, she decided every position, every move and he was more than happy to oblige. But lately he began to feel the need of being the one taking the decisions.
That night when she left his townhouse, he quickly put on his clothes and followed her car. He was very careful and didn't want her to smell him. As the car finally stopped, his own car stood in the corner of the street. He saw her figure enter the expensive townhouse and as she disappeared, he begged his drover to ride slowly in front of the house. As he passed her door, he carefully looked at the number… 1608.
That surprised him first. The number reminded him of something but he couldn't remember what. He drove back home and wrote her address on a piece of paper.
One week later, as she didn't show up, he decided to meet her at her place. As he arrived in front of his door, he was very nervous. He didn't how she would react and what he was going to see.
He finally knocked and a servant opened the door. He presented himself and the servant told him Lola was gone. He asked to wait her return in the living-room and the servant showed him the way. After three hours, the door opened and Lola appeared. She'd smelled his scent in the street and smelled it in her house. She saw him standing in the living room, irritated, but proud of himself and excited. She turned around without saying a word and walked down to her room.
Josef followed her. He felt like the first day she'd meet him. He was always the one following her, her little pet. Suddenly a strong emotion grabbed him and he sped to her and pulled her violently against the cold wall of her room. She stared at him, surprised. She smiled. He lifted her dress and pulled himself deep inside her. His moves were fast, urgent; he didn't take time to pleasure her and finally emptied himself inside her in long last stroke as he bit her neck violently.
As he pulled away, he instantly felt ashamed. His reaction had showed her his weakness but for the first time he'd been the one taking control. She looked at him and said in her warm low voice.
"I didn't get my part of the pleasure."
He looked at her surprised and saw her smiling.
The next day she'd left the town, maybe even the country. Josef was desperate, he needed her. He'd tried everything to find her, lost a lot of money and energy, but she was impossible to find. He finally left England and returned to his own country with the memory of this amazing woman.
That time he didn't know that it only was the first round of her game. He saw her again two years later in Paris. She'd found him of course and she'd used him. He gave her money and made her meet important people he knew. She was somehow different each time he saw her, even the way they had sex had changed. She had left her pirate army to slavery. She'd used some of his money to buy big property in Africa and another one in the Caribbean.
The third time he met her, it was in the New York. He was at the opera and smelled her. He'd followed her scent to a privat lodge, number 1608. He'd smiled and before he'd realized, the door opened and he saw her standing in front of him. Of course she knew he was in town as he knew that she needed something from him. He'd understood what her game was. She had no feelings for him, it was only for benefits… sex and money.
Even if he knew what she only wanted from him, he was always there to please her. He couldn't refuse her. She was mysterious, she was the only one he'd never managed to know. He knew nothing from her real life, her past. But the mystery was the pleasure. She was different from the other women he'd been with. Lola was an exception. Coraline had been one too, but she was too disturbed. Lola assumed her life and who she was. And somehow that life brought her to her death. Her loss had been painful. Even if she'd gone too far, he'd always admired her power.
Josef felt tired. Those old memories brought old emotions back. But they weren't the strongest. There was one memory he always tried to keep in the darkest side of his mind, where he was never going. But Beth had brought it up, without knowing it. All those years long, he'd never realized how that number had been important in his life. Only now he understood…
Venice, april 1608…
Josef was a young man of 23 years old. He'd left his hometown for the summer; his father wanted him to be in the Society and maybe even find a wife.
He was from a very old and rich family from Hungria. He'd grew with no brother or sister. Her mother had been pregnant just once and had given a boy, the heir of the family. His father wanted another son but it never happened. Rumors came to the castle that Josef wasn't his real son, that he wasn't able to give to the family children, but the father didn't hear them.
Josef grew with his cousins Alfred and Rudolf. They were like brothers, so Josef never felt lonely. His cousins' parents died from the plague when they were too young to remember.
He was in Venice with his two friends and cousins. They lived in the middle of the floating city. The richness of this town amazed them and they quickly found their way in the high Society.
Josef knew he was in the age to get married. He'd met girls from rich families but no one found the way of his heart, and he understood very early the pleasure of women without marry them.
One day he received an invitation from a German Duke. He was the only one invited to this privat party. His cousins had told him it was a great honour and he couldn't refuse it. But Josef hated those boring parties. He prefered enjoying some time with his cousins or stay in the library and read books in quiet. As a late teenager, Josef was still a little contradictory; he'd received a strong education and quickly showed that he was very smart. But he also liked using time for something else than learning. He knew the world was vaste and that there was so many things to see and discover. He also knew he was going to take the control of the property after his father's death, but he wanted something else. Travel in Europe and do great things.
"Franz what are you doing? The car's waiting outside!"
"Yes, I'm coming."
He looked at his reflection in the mirror at the candlelight. He was a goodlooking man of 23 years old. He blew on the candle and went downstairs. His cousins were having another party that same night and Josef had rather been with them.
The car didn't drive long, he had to take a gondol and then he reached a large brown door with two large torches at each side. A man appeared and helped Josef come inside. On the other side of the door, there was a little courtyard with many candles and some servants crossed it from the kitchens to the room where all the guests were sitting.
Josef appeared in the party room and was welcomed by the host.
"Here you are my young Franz. I'm so glad to see you; there is someone who wants to meet you."
Josef understood in the eyes of the host that he wanted to introduce him to his daughter. Of course she wanted to meet him; he had a large fortune, he was young and goodlooking. Josef politely nodded and followed the Duke.
Women and men were talking to each other and servants held them silver plates with crystal glasses filled with expensive wine. As they walked, the Duke told Josef
"I received a letter from your father. He was really glad to hear that you were coming tonight. He wanted you to meet my daughter. You'll see, she's beautiful and has received a very strong education."
Josef nodded smiling, but inside he was burning. He'd understood what the Duke was telling him. His father and him had made an arrangement between the two families. Then he saw the figure of his young daughter with dark red hair. As she turned, he noticed that she was indeed beautiful, but she was very young, only fourteen.
He greeted her and she smiled shyly. She seemed pleased to finally meet him. The Duke introduced her and left them alone. There was an embarassed silence between them; Josef wasn't in the mood to pay court to her and she was too nervous to talk. They both watched at the people in the room and exchanged shy looks.
Suddenly Josef saw the Duke talking to a beautiful woman. She had a very tender face, with light features; her blond hair almost white formed a very tasteful and delicate bun with small flowers and a little white bird on the side of her curls. Her white and skyblue dress reminded of the fresh wind of the summer in the plains in flowers of Hungria. She was around twenty but something in her posture, in her gestures and in her blue eyes gave the idea that she was much older.
Josef felt his heart beat faster and butterflies in his stomach. He'd never felt those emotions at the sight of a woman. His blood rushed to his cheek which suddenly felt warm. The young girl next to him noticed that he was looking at the woman.
"She's a friend of my father."
Josef suddenly remembered that he wasn't alone. He saw her staring at him a bit disappointed. He tried to take his breath back and finally managed to say.
"Oh really?" His voice shaked at his own surprise.
The girl realized that she had to play wisely to keep him with her.
"She's married to an old Austrian man."
Josef's heart senk low in his stomach, causing him nausea.
"Yes, she was married but I heard that he suddenly disappeared and then she left the country and changed her name." The girl stared at the woman as she talked.
Josef turned his head and saw the woman looking at them. His heart jumped in his chest and melt at the same time. He had never seen such a beautiful face. He thought he saw her smiling at him, but she instantely answered the Duke.
The daughter saw Josef watching the woman again and it irritated her. She continued.
"My father is very good to her, he helps her because she has no fortune. I know he shouldn't help her; you know she's the kind of woman who 'thinks'. She has those meetings with writers and philosophers and she calls herself as a 'free minder'. Father always tells me that it's such a pity, because she'll never find a husband that way."
For the daughter that woman was a shame on her sexe, but Josef admired the woman even more.
Josef woke up next morning, very tired but his mind full of the images of the lady he'd met the night before. The Duke had finally introduced her to him and her name had been a sweet song to his ears. He'd repeated it in his dream with the view of her beautiful eyes looking at his. He'd felt nervous when they'd came to him and the daughter. He'd felt like she could read his mind, understand his soul. There had been no bareers, his emotions were completely opened to her.
He stood up and was ready to find her. He wanted to see her again. He used the whole day to find where the literary meetings were taking place. That night he'd been to an old library. He found a seat and heard the discussions between the writers. Then he saw her, sitting in the corner of the room, surrounded by books, her face lightened by a candle. His heart jumped as he saw her beautiful eyes. She listened carefully at the men talking, suddenly she looked at him straight in the eyes. He felt the blood rush to his cheek, she'd smiled to him.
After that night, Josef came to those meetings every evening. She'd asked him if he wrote and he'd aswered that he enjoyed litteratur but wasn't a good writer. She'd introduced him to some philosophers and writers, and enjoyed talking to them.
A month later, Josef knew that she was the woman he wanted to live with. He'd seen in her eyes a warmness towards him that she hadn't with other men. He'd made a decision, tonight he was finally going to tell her about his feelings.
He arrived in front of the door of her little apartment in the middle of Venezia. He knocked on the door and a little servant opened. She was surprised at the sight of Josef but let him enter. The place wasn't big. There was only a little dining-room with a living room in the corner and at the right side there was a door that led to room.
Josef was nervous, he stood in the room rather than wait sitting on the chair. Then he saw her arrive from the door. She was wearing the same dress than the first time he'd saw her. A sign he thought.
She sat in front of him and waited for him to speak. Finally she said,
"Are you nervous Franz?"
He was still standing in the room, staring at her. As he heard her sweet voice, he smiled and sat next to her.
"Aliana, I have something to tell you."
Her face became suddenly serious. She stood up and walked on the other side of the couch.
"I know your feelings Franz, but I can't-"
"I love you Aliana!"
She smiled tenderly at his words and his heart melted.
"You're so young, my dear."
He stood up.
"I'm older than you are!"
She laughed and nodded.
"That's right. But you deserve a young girl from a rich and noble family. I am not worthy, Franz."
"That's not true." He voice softened.
He walked towards her.
"I want to be with you."
She looked at him in the way he loved so much. She could read in his eyes and she knew that he was telling the truth. She exhaled loudly and he could see sadness on her face. She sat back on the couch and looked down.
"You can't be with me Franz."
His heart broke in two.
"Why?"
"You just can't."
"Don't you love me?"
She lifted her face and stared at him with sad eyes, yet he could see her love for him.
"Love isn't enough. I can't let you be with me. Now please leave."
Josef couldn't believe her words. He stood there for a second, then left the apartment. As he arrived in the street, he looked at her windows and saw her watching him. He turned and went to the first place where he could forget his humiliation.
He'd sat four hours at the table, drinking bad wine. His cousins had tried to make him speak, but he said nothing. One night he'd followed her gondol and saw her enter a very old house. He tried to enter but a man stopped him. As he went down to the gondol, he noticed a little gate on the other side of the house. There was a little door, where servants came in. He followed one of them and arrived in a little courtyard. He could hear music and voices. He reached a door and entered the room. Young women and men dressed with wardrobe laughed as other men and women in expensive costumes looked at them. Then he saw her talking to a young boy, she was holding his hand close to her mouth. She rubbed the skin with her lips and with horror he saw her bite his arm.
Someone noticed Josef and as the servant asked him to leave, Aliana saw him watching at her with fear and disgust. She went after him outside the house.
"Franz, wait!"
"No! You betrayed me!" His voice was shaking with tears. Then in a low voice he added "I would have understood, I loved you enough, but you gave me no chance."
As he arrived at his apartment he emptied a bottle of wine. The images of her sweet lips biting the skin of the young man, her eyes silver blue. He could have thought of her as monster, a demon, but inside he envied the boy. He'd wanted to be the one giving his blood to her.
The next morning he received a letter from his father who asked him to meet the daughter of the Duke. In his dispair, he understood that it was the only way to his life. He had to marry a woman he didn't love. In the afternoon he went to the Duke and asked for the daughter. He tried to be nice with her and show interest, but his mind was in the memories of Aliana. Two weeks later, after visiting every afternoon the Duke and his daughter, Josef was going to talk to the Duke about the wedding. He'd not heard from Aliana and he'd stopped going to the meetings at the library. He'd only meet her one night at the theater, he was with the Duke and his daughter; he'd seen her alone in her lodge and she'd only smiled to him.
As he arrived at the little gate where his gondol was waiting for him, he heard steps behind him. He turned and saw her; her face was pallid, full of sadness.
"I've heard you were getting married." Her voice had lost her joy.
He nodded.
"I'm happy for you Franz. I wish you happiness."
She was going to leave when he finally said.
"You know I'll never be happy with her."
He walked towards her and took her hand.
"Tell me you love me."
She looked at him, her eyes shining with tears.
"Franz, we can't."
"I love you no matter what you are."
He slowly kissed her lips. It was the first time he kissed her and the soft touch of her cold lips made him forget everything; his father, the Duke, the daughter, the young boy she'd bitten, nothing mattered anymore, only her. She answered his kiss and let his passion take control. He finally broke the kiss to take his breath back. They smiled at each other.
The next months, Josef had cancelled the wedding. His father and the Duke had tried everything possible to make him change his mind, but he hadn't. He met Aliana everynight and he finally had the life he wanted. She'd showed him her true nature and even drank from him. The feelings he had for her were stronger than before, he was even decided to be with her forever. They had planed his turning, he had to change his name and arranged a fake death. He'd managed to take a good amount of his money with him before the day of his turning.
It was now August, Aliana wanted him to meet the man she called her father. It was her Sire and she wanted him to be there for the transition. They left Venezia to Rome where the Sire was waiting for them. Josef and Friedrich Wallenberg became friends and Aliana was happy to see the human she loved ready to join her world.
She turned him the next day. Josef had given his last human breath and opened his eyes as a vampire. A terrible feeling of hunger surrounded him. Aliana feeded him with her own blood the two first days, but his hunger was still there. He'd never imagined it to be so difficult. Her tender words were keeping his mind with her and prevented him from turning feral.
One night, Aliana left him as he slept to find fresh human blood. As he woke up a terrible feeling of hunger grabbed him. He was alone, Aliana and Friedrich weren't there. He'd waited several hours and his fear and distress mixed with his hunger made him loose control. He went outside, it was almost the morning, no one where in the streets. Then Josef heard something move. His senses felt something that awoke his appetite. An old man was sleeping in the street and without realizing, the man was suddenly attacked by a monster.
As Josef came back to the house he saw Friedrich completely devastated.
That night, as Aliana was supposed to find him fresh blood, she had been attacked and decapitated. Josef could still remember the voice of the man who then became his Sire, telling him that the love of his life was dead. He'd left everything, his human life, his family, his friends for her and she'd left him alone, as a new turned vampire. He'd disappeared that same night, running in the streets of the city. A week later, Friedrich had found him, completely lost, his body covered with drain blood from his poor victims. After that, they left Italy to Austria, where he tried to forget the terrible things he'd done.
Josef took another glass filled with only whisky. He'd tried so many years to forget that part of his life. The first love of his life, Aliana, the one who'd turned him, the one who'd chosen his name. He could still hear her sweet voice as he asked her what name he should take.
"I like Josef very much."
Josef drained the glass in one mouthful. Her death had changed him forever. That night, that terrible night he'd drained his first human and she had been killed. Friedrich had told him that a vampire had killed her. They never found the killer.
As he walked to his freezer, he could still see her in her dress, the first time he'd met her. He took off his clothes and laid in the cold fog. As his eyes closed he could see that number 1608… it was the year of his birth and the year of her death… that day, that terrible day… 16th august 1608… 16.08.1608.