I couldn't sleep.
My thoughts were racing in my head as I laid in bed staring at the ceiling. Marcus didn't have a heartbeat. I shook my head. That wasn't possible! I had just imagined I didn't feel anything beneath my fingers while he kissed me, right? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I unable to convince myself that it was my imagination. Not with everything that was strange about him.
I glanced at the the digital clock by the sink and sighed. It was 3 am but I couldn't seem to put my doubts to rest. I threw off my blanket with determination as an idea popped into my head. I would get to the bottom of this.
I shivered as the cold air met my skin. I was walking as quickly as a I could in my thin pajamas to the store, a shiver of cold and apprehension coursing through my body. It was eerily dark, the only light coming from a dingy lamppost by the entrance driveway so, I was alert as I crossed the short distance. I managed to get inside without incident and made sure to lock the door behind me before briskly walking to my office. Not even bothering on turning on the light, I maneuvered the space with ease and started up the computer. It was old and internet was slow but it would be enough.
The faint blue glow of the screen filled the space, casting shadows in the corners of the room; which I steadfastly ignored. I didn't need any more nightmare fuel.
I impatiently tapped my fingers, watching the bar for the dial up and then the small hourglass as I typed in a few words into the search recalling everything I had observed.
Cold and pale skin, unnatural beauty, no heart beat
I added 'eyes that change color' as an afterthought since Marcus hadn't really confirmed nor denied that he wore contacts. I pressed enter and leaned closer to the screen, eyes a bit bleary from not sleeping. There were a few results but they had more to do with beauty tips. I sighed in frustration, settling for searching term for term. I started typing in the search cold skin but stopped when at the sight of a suggestion: cold one. I tilted my head, the words vaguely familiar. A blurry memory of a bonfire with my family, Billy and Jake surfaced from the recesses of my mind. I wondered momentarily if they were okay after what happened to her parents…
I pushed the thought aside, hesitating briefly before clicking. Immediately, the page was filled with results for myths, legends and monsters. I decided to explore the first link before moving on.
I rubbed my eyes, wanting to close the tab because this was completely ridiculous. Here I was, sitting in my pajamas looking up myths of all things when I should've been blissfuly asleep dreaming of the perfect date I had had last night.
I scrolled lazily through the site, rolling my eyes as I went to the alphabetical list of myths and spotted 'fairy'. I giggled to myself imagining Marcus with wings and a wand. I was starting to think that maybe I was crazy. I continued on, passing 'succubus', 'werewolves' and 'witches' but stopped cold when one word jumped out at me. It was the last entry.
Vampire.
I stared at it with a sudden sense of trepidation I didn't know why I had such a reaction but I tried to shake it off. I gripped the mouse tighter as I read, as if I could tether myself to reality and not get sucked into the pandora's box I had metaphorically opened. My heart raced as a took in the words knowing deep down that everything lined up. Every single detail including things I didn't know like inhuman strength and speed, lined up with my own observations. I wanted to think it was impossible but I had to dig deeper.
I clicked on legends around the world and found another striking piece of evidence. My eyes were drawn to European legends on vampirism and the new page redirected me to a map of Europe. There, over a region of Italy in glaring red font was the name Volterra.
"Volterra?" I mouthed, Marcus's last name flashing in my mind. This was not a coincidence. Despite my growing sense of unease, I went ahead and selected it.
I stopped short.
Staring at me was a statue of Marcus— no, St. Marcus— who drove away the vampires in the city. Even carved in stone, I could recognize him anywhere. The artist had even captured his expressive eyes but instead of sadness, he eyes were filled with determination. His stance was powerful, his back straight as his hand gripped a staff. This Marcus contrasted with the one I knew. It was like he was a shadow of his former self.
It took me a moment to read the description and then I saw the date.
I shut down the computer brusquely, trembling as counted back the years while trying to keep my breathing under control. If what I had read was true then the man who had kissed me so tenderly was the same man who who had driven away the vampires from Volterra.
He was also, ironically a vampire himself. A vampire who had been alive so long that my mere 18 years paled to his age. This man had seen the rise and fall of civilizations...!
Quite suddenly I felt like the room was suffocating me and in my endless clumsiness, I got up much too quickly. Vertigo washed over me in a tidal wave and I cursed as I tumbled, trying to grab onto the desk but taking down the picture frame of my family with me instead. It shattered as it hit the ground, glass flying everywhere and I was just unlucky enough to land directly on it. I cried out as I felt rather than saw it slice my hand open and a searing heat intermingling with the pain i felt and the scent of my blood.
As if on cue, the phone rang, its shrill ringing breaking the silence of the night. I stared wide-eyed at where it would be, suddenly very aware of the darkness that engulfed the room. Who could be calling at a time like this?
Panic bubbled in me as the phone continued to ring but I couldn't move. My heart was beating much too quickly and blood rushed in my ears, nausea rolling over me at the coppery scent and stickiness under the palm of my hand. I started feeling faint when the ringing stopped, leaving an eerie silence before I heard the sound of something breaking and then the sound of the bells that announced that someone was there.
Sheer terror gripped me when I blinked and suddenly realized I was no longer alone. A shriek clawed its way up my throat but it was cut short when the lights turned not, blinding me.
"Isabella?"
A distressed voice rung out as I blinked a few times and found myself face to face with a very concerned Marcus kneeling next to me. Relief coursed through me.
"Marcus!" I was comforted by his sudden appearance despite the conflicting feelings of my discovery.
His eyes, which were a startling crimson, trailed down my arm. I could only stare as his gaze hardened a bit.
"You're bleeding, my dear."
I found myself being scooped up into strong arms and then being placed on the counter by the cash register dizzyingly quick. He disappeared briefly and then appeared seemingly out of thin air again with a phone to his ear, making me jump. I tried to calm myself as I watched him closely. His lips move imperceptibly as if he were speaking before I realized that he was. His eyebrows scrunched as he hung up and looked down to my bleeding hand.
"I must remove the glass from your wound." He stated, distressed at the sight of my injury. I couldn't understand if he was a vampire, why he hadn't bitten me at the sight of my blood. I started doubting myself.
"Doesn't it bother you? The blood?" I found myself asking, the words leaving my mouth without my consent.
His eyes flashed to mine and I held his gaze, not backing down.
"Why would it bother me?"
Oh. I frowned that he was making me say it just because I felt ridiculous even voicing it.
"Marcus… you're not telling me something." I hedged, trying to force him to tell me. I bit my lip as he gripped my wrist tenderly with on hand and removed the glass with the other.
He was silent, his expression neutral. As the silence stretched on, filled only with the clinking of the glass, I realized he was waiting for me to continue. I glared at him but he simply rose an eyebrow.
"Why are you here?" I asked, remembering that it was 3 in the morning. I didn't stop there though. Questions spilled from my lips unbridled. "And why are your eyes red? Why do you move so quickly? Why is your skin cold and hard like marble. Why are you so beautiful?" His eyes softened and I blushed as that slipped but I continued my voice faltering. "What… what are you?"
"I don't wish to frighten you." He replied hesitantly as if he feared that what he told me would send me running away. It was my turn to raise an eyebrow at him. A haunted look creeped into his eyes.
"I am a selfish man, Isabella." He said, almost inaudibly. "I would tell you everything if you asked. I would bear my soul to you and whisk you away forever..." He paused, staring longingly into my eyes as emotions swirled deep inside me at his words. I was thrown in a loop with the intensity of his emotions. "You must understand, dearest. There are grave consequences and ramifications to your questions but I am willing— and have always been willing— to tell you if you wish to know."
I stared at him, noting that he was being completely sincere. I still had so many questions but he looked so… lost that I nodded, deciding that even with everything I knew, it didn't change anything my feelings toward Marcus. He had not done anything to make me doubt him or his intentions.
"I already know." I said softly, convincing myself to utter the word that I was so hesitant to voice. He froze.
"Vampire."
He closed his eyes, seeming to fold into himself and remained silent as he nodded silently. I could almost feel the anguish rolling off of him so I gently brushed away the locks from his face. I was bewildered but not afraid. Perhaps overwhelmed was the right word.
"Marcus…. I still trust you." I said, trying to convey that I was being sincere. "But I still have a few questions."
He seemed to regain his composure and his expression flittered from shock to happiness and then settled on endearment.
"You never cease to amaze me." He started, a small smile gracing his lips. "Allow me to tend to you first and I shall answer to the best of my capabilities. I would also like to know how were able to come to discover nature, my clever little flower."
I blushed at little as I watched him take my hand and lay it palm upwards. I didn't realize how bad it was until I saw the blood pooling and coating my fingers. I would've fainted at the sight if I wasn't so fascinated with his actions. He pulled my hand closer to his face and he seemed to inhale almost imperceptibly.
"What are you-"
I yelped as his cold tongue darted out and lapped at the blood. I felt the the unmistakable heat of a blush blossom up my neck and to my face. My breathing hitched as he closed his mouth over the wounds and sucked gently. Electricity tingled wherever his lips made contact and my heart pounded in my chest. I closed my eyes a bit in embarrassment and at the inexplicable pleasure that the action caused. This was the strangest and most sensual moment I had ever experienced in my life.
He finally stopped and ran his tongue over my palm once more before placing a kiss to the inside of my wrist. I shivered as he pulled back with his eyes closed and his jaw clenched. I took the opportunity to look down and I gasped as a tiny pale scars littered where gashes used to be. My eyes flickered between my hand and his eyes which were now open.
"That was…" I trailed off, inspecting my hand the scars and tracing them with a finger, noticing that the skin was cooler. If what I had just witnessed wasn't confirmation enough that Marcus was a vampire, I didn't know what was.
I suddenly felt exhausted, everything finally weighing down on me. I sagged a bit and he was instantly steadying me.
"You need to rest."
"Yeah…" I frowned thinking of the hard sofa that awaited me. Marcus seemed to know what I was thinking.
"If you so desire, you may stay at the house I am staying at." He asked, hesitant in his tone. "I am aware that your living arrangements aren't the most comfortable."
I agreed even though a part of me told me I was crazy but, I was too tired to care. The thought of sleeping in an actual bed was too enticing. Marcus picked me up gently, slipping his arms under my legs and carrying my bridal style. My head lolled onto his shoulder and my thoughts strayed again to Marcus. He was a vampire. I felt like I couldn't fully comprehend that at all but in his cold arms she felt completely safe.
I yawned, slipping into a deep sleep as the sky began to brighten deciding that as long as I felt this way, I didn't care what he was.
Author's note: Ah, yes. Dear Bella has finally put two and two together. Well, it wasn't that hard, really. Marcus has never acted human nor did he need to, so it was easier for her to figure it out than with the Cullens who have been constantly around humans for years. Also, I'd like to clarify that Marcus was going to tell her eventually. We have to remember that he is coming out of millennia of mourning so he is hesitant and unsure of how to act around Bella. He will regain more of his personality as the story unfolds.
I am pondering a Marcus POV at this point of the story but I am undecided since I wanted this to be strictly Bella POV. What do you guys think? Would you like a glimpse into his mind? Thank you for reading!