After her beloved had left her, the minutes passed and Angelina's despair grew deeper. She longed for death but knew that it would never come. Her only comfort, her one reason to live on, was the sympathetic presence of her loyal companion. Cole blew his tickling breath down the back of her neck and nudged her shoulder. He lowered his massive head against her chest, trying to get a reaction from her. Absentmindedly, she stroked his jaw, staring at a small beetle crawling up to the end of a piece of straw. Once there, the tiny creature seemed to be at a loss and crawled back down then up again, only to come against the same dead end. Such was the story of her life and she felt kinship with the poor insect.
A numbness grasping her body, she sat motionless until a sound caught her ears. She jumped to her feet and Cole, startled by her excitement, lunged to his feet also. She rushed to the door and opened it, almost too afraid to look out. But when she did, a tall, dark figure was striding towards her from the edge of the clearing, leading his horse behind himself. As he drew closer, the face of her beloved filled her vision and a sob caught in her throat. Her hands covering her nose and mouth, she began to run, her face becoming wet with her relief and sorrow. He broke into a jog and her name was carried upon the breeze.
Strong arms caught her up into their hug and she felt her feet raise off the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him, sobbing so hard as to bring about harsh coughing. He whispered soothing entreaties and as his loving words broke through, she quieted. He gently lowered her down, until both of them were kneeling in the grass. Nestled against his chest, she found her ear to be over his heart and listened intently. He was there and he wanted her. A joy stole through her crushed soul, a sensation that was foreign yet wonderful.
Adam pulled away from her and raised a hand to skim along her neck, pushing the mussed hair away from her face. His face was gentle, a smile softening his mouth but the creases didn't reach his eyes. "I am deeply sorry that I had to leave but I am here now. Reda, we need to talk and you promised me answers."
She stared into his serious gaze and lowered her own. "Why did you come back?"
"Oh, Reda, I would never leave you here alone again, not after you saved my life. I have also found love in my heart for you, something I thought I would never feel for another woman again. If you will give me another chance, I will listen. Just be patient, all of this is new for me and I am uncertain, afraid even."
She nodded, fear replacing the joy. "I know you are afraid, my sweet, but I would never hurt you. Come, let us find a quiet place, away from this scarred place."
Adam looked at her outstretched hand and then back up at her face. She saw a wariness there in those hazel eyes and, for a split second, she wondered if he would join her. He reached out then and slipped his fingers into hers. Her breath was lost as he led her out of the shed and toward the woods. Arm-and-arm, they walked, not a word passing between them.
The trees became thicker as the couple moved deeper and she began to wonder what was on Adam's mind. He held her hand tightly, moving methodically through the brush and with a calm that was unsettling. Perhaps he was waiting to kill her and wanted privacy. That thought sent a chill through her and she stopped, making him turn around when her hand was withdrawn.
"What's wrong, are you alright?" he asked, his head cocking to the side.
"Yes, a bit cold, I think is all," she fibbed, wrapping her arms around herself.
He immediately took off his coat and draped it around her. With surprise, she pulled the material close, not being able to feel the warmth but enjoying his natural scent all the same. She thanked him and he only smiled, pulling her to his side. Her fears were calmed somewhat by his gentleness and she smiled back. Her paranoia made trust a difficult thing to come by but she was trying so hard to relax.
Walking a little further, they reached a carpet of wild violets. The soft purple flowers pillowed among the roots of the ponderosa pines and was a most beautiful sight. In a corner of her mind, she was aware that Adam had stopped but didn't think further. Only when his arms were around her did she put her full attention upon him. He molded her body close to his but didn't move to kiss her. Instead, he simply smiled, skimming his eyes up and down her body as if memorizing every part of her. His smile fell after a time, replaced by apprehension. The glimpse of uncertainty passed and he left her, wading into the flowers and sitting down in their midst. Picking one of the purple flowers, he held it to his nose and beckoned her to join him.
"Come here, my lady. Let's talk."
A laugh broke from her at his unusual behavior but she did as he had bidden. When she was beside him, he pulled her down and held her close. The intensity of his eyes overwhelmed her being and her breath was lost. Taking her into his gentle grasp, he eased her down to lie on her back and reclined on an elbow next to her. A sigh escaped her as she stared up at him, marveling again at his beauty. His face became serious and he made no comment so she knew the time had come for honesty.
"What do you want to know, Adam?" she asked, raising a hand to rest upon his chest. "Anything you want from me and you have it."
"I only want to know you, Reda," he smiled, "Only you. I want to know every little detail and for you to not lock me out as you have done. I want you to trust me."
"I...I do not know if I can but...I will try my hardest."
He nodded as if satisfied and reclined onto his back, his eyes closing with a sigh. She craned her neck and watched as he stared up at the blue sky above the treetops. A happy smile grew over his face. As they lay side by side, he looked over to her and moved his hand to grasp hers.
"I will listen to whatever you have to say, my love, don't keep me in suspense."
A tremor passed through her and she rose up on an elbow. "I am frightened, Adam, and unsure where to start."
He gently drew her down to lay her head on his chest. "Why not at the beginning? Perhaps when the Earth was blessed to see you breathe your first breath?"
She giggled quietly, feeling happy in spite of the secrets she needed to tell. "You flatter me, kind sir. Can we lie here for only awhile longer? The breeze is blowing, the sky is blue, the flowers are sweet and you are holding me. I am content for the first time in a very long time."
A soft chuckle rumbled under her ear and a hand was run through her hair, fanning out the long tresses over her back and his stomach. Again, he made no comment. As the minutes passed, her trembling subsided and her thoughts grew into some order. Taking a deep breath, she began to lay out the evidence of her sorrowed past.
"Adam, I...I do not know how to begin," she started, her voice faint, trailing away. Giving her all the time she needed, he tightened his fingers upon hers and waited in silence. His heart rate had increased; he was becoming anxious. Taking a shaky breath, she looked up into his stormy irises, only innocence and apprehension to be found there. He remained still as she sat up and drew her knees to her chin, wrapping her arms about her legs.
"The only place to start, I suppose, is my place of birth. I was born on the desert plains of Morocco, in a tent that served as my family's dwelling. There were about fifteen or twenty tents in all, adding up to as many families. My father was our leader, a proud man who was strict but could also be kind. My mother was known as the revered healer of the group and had a wide knowledge of herbal remedies and medicine. We were a peaceful nomad group, raising sheep, goats and camels as our livelihood. We traveled over the desert in a constant search for fresh foraging, all the while trading in the settlements for our provisions. When I was born, my mother gave me her aunt's name which was 'Jasrin'. The name of my father's household was 'Saab'. I had one sister, Nowa, who I was very close to and we would play for hours in the shade of my father's tent. She was younger than I and quite sickly."
"So...your name is 'Jarsin Saab'? Is that what I should call you then?"
She shook her head. "No, actually. My name is Angelina Dioli, a new identity I took on later, during my travels in Italy. The former means "messenger" and the latter means "unknown". The name seemed to sum up my life quite well somehow. I carry a lonely message that tells of what the price is for inaction."
Pausing to take a deep breath, she tried to gauge how her information was being received. No change was apparent in Adam, other than his eyebrows twitching slightly as he studied her. His fingers were still clasped upon her own, showing his quiet support. He didn't appear to be inclined to speak so she made to continue, knowing that if she didn't tell him now then she would never get her sordid past out of her troubled soul.
"When I was of age to marry, I was given to a respected man, a traveler who had joined the group a few months before. He had befriended my father and grew in prominence until he possessed his own tent and a small herd of camels which were as good as money for my people. Although Gilad Alfarsi was almost thirty years my senior, my father thought him to be credible and worthy of my hand so I was given in marriage to this man on the eve of my sixteenth birthday. I felt no love for him and found that he was abusive, beating me if I didn't submit to his sexual demands. He said that if I ever screamed, he would kill me at once. I was too scared to tell anyone so bore the pain in silence. I went on for years, thinking that I would be doomed to endure this life but fate had other plans. A little over seven years after I was wed, anything and anyone that was remotely important to me was stolen...I...I think I need a minute...I'm sorry..."
Burying her head in her knees to hide her tears, she fought the sobs that threatened to rise up. The memories were too strong and the pain too fresh, even after all this time had passed. Her heart began to crack anew and she didn't know if she could finish. A presence drew near and then Adam was there, wrapping his body around hers. His presence gave her courage.
"As our group traveled in search of richer foraging for our herds, we came across an old woman, cast into the sand and supposedly left to die. I helped take her to my husband's tent and my mother came to use her abilities. I thought that something was very wrong but I let the feeling go without further thought. As the days went by, the woman grew stronger and was able to sit outside the tent. Her eyes were black as night and were trained upon me constantly as I went about my duties. I became uneasy. When my husband beat and took me each night, she would sit in the corner. Those same black eyes would bore into me but she did nothing!" she spat out, her sobs waning as her anger grew.
Her throat was choked and she couldn't bear to tell Adam the next part. He turned her, looking into her eyes and then pulled her to his chest. "My darling, I am so sorry...I should never had made you talk of this."
She relaxed into him, his warm tones easing her anxiety. "No, no, if we are to have a future, I need to finish. You need to know the whole truth so as to make a decision."
"What is this decision of which you often speak? I don't understand what you mean by it."
"I will tell you in due course," she replied, moving away from his embrace and gracing him with a tiny smile. "Thank you for being so patient."
"You test that patience quite deliciously, my lady," he grinned momentarily but then fell into a solemn frown. "But as long as you wish to talk, I will always listen. For as long as you need."
"That is good because there is much more to tell," she replied, easing back into his chest. Listening to the sound of his heart, she continued, "One night, my husband kept me awake longer that usual and, exhausted, hurting and hopeless, I fell asleep. I awoke very late, in the afternoon of the next day. The tent was empty and the camp was absolutely silent. I still remember the awful silence. When I went outside...all of my people had been slaughtered, adults and children alike, their blood staining the sand! My husband lay sprawled outside and I approached him first. Blood pooled around his head and his eyes, dull and lifeless, stared unseeing at the sky. The same could be said of my mother, my father, my sister, the rest of the camp and our herds. I was the one survivor."
Adam loosened his arms and drew her to arm's length. Absolute horror registered on his face. "Oh my god, your family...but...who or what would do such a thing!"
"A demon! The old woman was crouched over a body, her mouth latched onto the man's neck. When she raised her face, her eyes glowed red, twin black patches extended from them to her cheeks and her teeth were long and pointed. She rose slowly and calmly folded her hands in front of herself. All of the evil disappeared from her face. Her teeth shrank, her eyes stopped glowing and the black patches faded into wrinkled skin. Then she spoke for the first time and her words were the end of my life..." Her voice trailed away, her throat refusing to work again.
"Take your time, we have all day if you need it," he whispered, rubbing her arms to bring comfort. "Would you like to stop? We could relax for awhile and finish later..."
"No, I can finish," she interrupted, shaking her head and pulling away so as to see his face. She raised her hand to his cheek, smiled and then rose to her feet, leaning her back against a tree. Sighing as she stared up at the clear sky, she asked, "Where was I?"
"The woman's words...what did she say to you?" he asked quietly, rising up on a elbow, his face creased with sadness.
"Oh, yes, the old woman," she murmured, taking a deep breath. "After we looked at each other for a minute or two, she begin to speak. First, she explained who she was, a sorceress who commanded supernatural forces, of which I knew nothing up to that point. Her voice was booming and devilish, as if a thousand persons were speaking as one. She said that her eyes had seen the maltreatment I had suffered and that she had avenged the wrongs done. She had slaughtered my parents for giving me in marriage and slaughtered my husband for his abuse. The rest, she had said, had been killed so there would be no witnesses. She said that I was 'special', that she had taken an interest in me, but that I needed to be punished to make me pure."
"For what, for God's sakes?!"
"For not protecting myself or 'failing to ease your own suffering' were the words she used. She said that leniency would be extended but I would have to agree to her terms. I cannot bear to go into the gruesome details but suffice to say that she forced a curse upon me, one that would change my body in ways that took me a long time to figure out. Horrible pain got the better of me and I lost consciousness. When I awoke, it was night and I was alone in the desert. The camp had vanished, as had the sorceress. I never saw her again."
"What ways were you changed, my love?" he asked quietly, his nostrils widening somewhat.
She took a deep breath and steeled herself, watching his reactions closely. "First, my skin turned pale as death and became numb. I cannot tell the difference between warmth and cold anymore but my sense of touch is magnified a hundred fold. Take your coat for example. I cannot feel the warmth but I can feel every single fiber in it and I know exactly how it is woven together with its brothers. I need no sleep and my strength is that of ten men combined. I can hear a leave fall from a mile away and can sense when a danger is near. However, the largest change is that of my diet, the center of the curse."
Cocking his head, Adam had frozen as she spoke, his eyes widening into pools of dark-hazel disbelief. He remained sitting on the ground, the forgotten blade of long grass slipping from his fingers. She heard the sliver hit the ground and the sound echoed through her scared heart. Turning her back, she walked a pace away and gazed up at the sky. Letting the coat fall to the ground, her eyes closed and her ears became intuned to his lifeblood. For her purpose, she allowed the frenzied urge to sweep over her. Her eyes reddened, black tendrils erupting outward around them; her lips drew back, exposing the fangs that extended. A low hiss escaped her throat as she took a breath, trying to stop the flood of hunger as his blood cried out to her. In one swift turn, she spun around, exposing her beloved to everything that had been kept hidden.
Alarm washing over his face, Adam gasped and jumped up, backing away until a tree trunk met his back. His chest heaved as he shook his head, as if trying to erase what was before his eyes. She took a step closer and halted, breathing heavily as her body screamed at her to feed. The sweetness of his blood sent cascading chills through her enraged body. In the deepest part of her fevered mind, she suddenly knew that this gesture had been a horrible mistake; she wouldn't be able to contain the monster.
"W...w...what are you?" he stammered, wide-eyed and more than wary. In fact, she could feel the fear flooding his veins and it made her gums ache even more.
"I am what is known as a vampire, Adam," she panted with a hiss, beginning to lose control as her gaze fixated on the pulse fluttering at his throat. "I crave blood...human blood...your blood."