Cara MIA - By Book One of the Immortyl Revolution - By Denise Verrico Page 0,36
darling.”
Ethan laughed, still in his casual pose at the doorway, perfect in every way. My bad boy never looked so good.
My lips brushed over Richard’s throat. “Our revels are now ended Richard. Thanks for the ride.”
I tore into the artery. A torrent of salt and iron slid warm down my throat and into my belly. His fingers clutched me as he whispered a prayer to the deceased god. My heartbeat grew stronger as his fought against the irresistible tide. Then— nothing. Demons ministered to me, fawning and caressing in adoration, whispering endearments, as I looked into my lord’s approving frosted eyes.”
Joe shuddered. “That’s sick.”
She ignored him and continued, “Ethan kept me locked away in his house for another couple of months, tweaking my skills until he was satisfied. Then one night I woke to find him holding a magnificent ball gown of blood red satin trimmed with spider web-delicate black lace and intricate jet beading, very old but beautifully preserved. “Come on, let’s get you dressed.”
After I’d dressed, he led me downstairs to the old ballroom, where I smelled the spicy perfume of roses, hundreds of them. Ethan moved silently about the room, lighting dozens of candles. He must have ransacked the house for candelabrum.
He softened in their glow, utterly devoid of the usual hauteur. I caught my breath in wonder. We were surrounded by masses of roses, placed about the room in vases and petals strewn on the floor. Boy, did he ever know how to make a girl love him.
He placed the needle down on a small phonograph. Waltz music filled reverberated off of the old walls like a heartbeat, as if the house was coming to life again after a long vampiric sleep.
He turned slowly. A pain like dying went through me. Wow, did he look good.
I stood, tremulous, anticipating his touch. What was this about? Was there some significance to all this?
He enfolded me in his arms. “Happy Birthday, cara mia.”
“But it’s not… .” I said, realizing the reason for this display, as his lips locked onto mine. It wasn’t my birthday, not in the usual sense, not the anniversary of when my mother fatally labored to bring me into the world. It was the date I was reborn to him.
He reached into his breast pocket. Blood red and rainbow sparks spilled out into my hands. “Ethan, this must have cost a fortune!”
He clasped the necklace around my throat and kissed my bare shoulder. “A handful of cold stones cannot express the depth of my love for you.”
“It’s lovely, all of it. Thank you.”
He smiled, placing his hand on my waist. “Follow me.”
As if he didn’t know I’d tag along to the ends of the Earth. Add one more skill to his list of accomplishments. Was there anything he couldn’t do? My feet barely touched the parquet as he swept me about that blazing room expertly, leaving me breathless as always, a heavenly partner, devil that he was.
“I’ve engaged a villa on the Bay of Naples,” he said. “We leave tomorrow night. What do you think?”
Demons stirred in the dark corners. What did I think? Of my father, his warm hazel eyes looking down at me, his strong hand in mine, and my mother, her child-like face a memory from a photograph.
“I’d like to go very much. Oh Ethan, yes, yes!” Then it occurred to me. Europe, old ones were there. Was Ethan’s maker there? “Will we meet others?”
“Mia. There’s a certain etiquette I haven’t touched on yet.”
“Good grief, not more charm school lessons!”
He chuckled. “They won’t understand your charming impudence. You mustn’t speak until addressed, or look one directly in the eye.”
Did I hear him correctly? Speak when spoken to like a child? “Shall I don a veil and chastity belt?”
“Keep your wits about you and obey me. They’re accomplished liars and will say anything to lure you to their den. Pity them if they succeed.”
“I can handle myself.”
“Seriously Mia, we can’t afford enemies.”
“Like your progenitor?”
Ethan’s face slammed shut. “We won’t be calling on him.”
“Aren’t you afraid of offending him? What’s his name anyway?”
“Subject closed.”
“But Ethan— ”
“Must you spoil this evening? Dance!”
We danced until the candles sputtered. Ethan made a brief turn about the room, extinguishing nearly spent tapers, one by one, until only a single melted lump was left burning, casting him in long shadows, his beautiful face a tragic mask. Turning to a vase, he plucked out the largest, most spectacular bloom and regarded its perfect blood red petals sadly for a moment.