Chapter 11: Crimson Tears

Jane sighed in pleasure as she slid into the large bathtub, feeling her skin tingle at the touch of the steaming water. She smiled as she splashed water over her body, relishing the feel of being clean for the first time in days.

There were several small clinks as she set pulled her hairpins free and set them on the tile floor next to the bath. She ran her hands through her hair and shook it out, letting the ends trail in the water. She grimaced as she combed out twigs and leaves, wincing as her comb caught in a particularly vicious tangle. Jane smiled in grim satisfaction as she finally freed her hair of knots and began to wash herself.

Many minutes later, she tucked her legs back against her chest as she watched the water swirl down the drain, carrying the dirt and soap with it. She looked outside the window, it was still raining and it did not appear to be night yet. The youthful vampire smiled and plugged the drain once the water had gone, turning the two large brass handles and leaning back as hot water sluiced into the tub.

She then stretched out and remembered the time she had spent with Felix on their most recent mission:

Aro had received word of a rogue newborn who had decimated a fishing village near the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Not only was the newborn out of control, but the vampire was a child. The vampire who had created this l'enfant terrible was unknown, but one thing that was sure was that this child would be dead very soon.

They set off on horseback for the village of Fulcinea. When they arrived, they didn't have to look very long to find this destructive little beast.

He was sitting in the middle of the small village square. The boy appeared to be no more than four years of age. He had golden curls that fell just below his ears. He was holding the head of a recently eviscerated corpse.

"Are you my mommy?" The crazed child looked up at Jane with an evil gleam in his eye.

After a single glance at Felix, Jane concentrated her power upon the child...

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" the boy howled.

Jane tried to conceal a grin as she watched the child writhe in pain. She didn't want Felix to think she was too sadistic.

Felix quickly dismounted, walked over, and twisted the kid's neck like he was opening a jar of peanut butter.

After burning the village, they rode out to the farthest point on a nearby peninsula. It was a fertile land, green from the many storms and warm temperatures of the sea.

Jane half-turned and smiled at Felix. He was standing a few feet away staring out to sea.

"Felix? Those clouds are coming towards us awfully fast..." Already she could feel the wind getting colder.

"You're right, if we ride hard we should be able to get back before the storm hits." Felix lifted Jane into her saddle.

Jane tried not to flush at the feel of his hands tight around her waist. She could climb into a saddle perfectly well. After all, she had been riding horses for hundreds of years. But she enjoyed letting Felix help her. She thanked him as she settled herself in the saddle.

Heavy drops of water began to splash off her cloak as Felix vaulted into the saddle and turned his horse back towards Volterra and the castle. Jane looked up and felt the rain falling harder.

Felix smiled faintly as he studied Jane's legs out of the corner of his eye. He knew she'd get embarrassed if she knew he was watching. Still... He shook his head and tapped his horse's flanks with his heels, watching as Jane did the same.

The storm had overtaken them a little more than halfway back. Rather than brave the fierce winds and lightning, they had taken shelter in a small cabin that hunters would use if they stayed out too late. The horses were stabled in the small lean-to next to the cabin. As Jane dried her hair, there was a fire going as Felix entered the cabin.

"Good thing we brought something to eat..." Felix grinned as he produced a wineskin,"I brought some leftovers."

They gorged themselves on the blood, which was even more delicious due to the fact that it had become warm from resting on the horse's flank.

As Felix made his way to the window to survey the storm, he couldn't help but notice how beautiful Jane looked, even if she was soaked from the rain.

Jane lay by the fire, her back towards Felix. He had given her a blanket that he had under his horse's saddle, settling on his dried out cloak for himself. She had slipped out of her clothing and was only wearing her chemise beneath the blanket. She snuck a look over her shoulder and saw Felix lying on his back, his hands behind his head and eyes closed. She had a sudden urge to go over to him and lie down with him. Flushing in the firelight, She gathered the blanket around her shoulders and walked over to him. She threw the blanket over him and snuggled up next to him.

Shaken from his reverie by her soft breathing, Felix lowered his mouth to hers in a hungry, demanding kiss. All Jane could do was focus on the soft, insistent kisses. She clung to him, until there were no more thoughts left in her mind. As she began to sob gently, Felix brushed her hair out of her face and began to dry her tears with warm kisses.

"Jane, why are you crying?"

"It's just all these feelings from the past." Felix didn't fully understand what she meant.

"All those years ago, when I was burned, it really scarred my soul, if I have one."

"Talk to me Jane, you can trust me."

"Can I trust you? I have trusted so few in my life..." Jane continued,"So often I feel trapped, trapped by my reputation and appearance. Even though they respect my power, I know I am still looked upon as a child by many. I thought I would never know love until I met you."

He traced the sides of her face with his fingers and kissed her ear and face until he came back to her lips.

"Sweet Jane, I can see the real you..."