Cortigiana (A Vamp Life Prequel)
Read Cortigiana (A Vamp Life Prequel) Online
Authors: Jez Strider
Tags: #romance, #vampires, #paranormal romance, #free, #venice, #courtesan, #romance 1500s, #jez strider, #vamp life
By Jez Strider
Copyright 2013 Jez Strider
In the summer of 1552, I came into this
strange, wondrous, and terrifying world. My father, Zacharia
Angelis, had acquired his wealth with unparalleled business skills.
His transactions, I would later learn, were dubious at best. Theft
and gambling were the staples of his profession. That man I did not
know, to me he was papa, and the provider of everything I could
have dreamed.
Osana Angelis gave me life. If not for her
teachings, that life would have no doubt ended centuries ago.
Though she no longer bore the title of cortigiana onesta, she
shared her knowledge so that I could survive on my own if the need
ever arose.
Nowhere in the world compared to Venice
during that time and never will for me. Strange things lurked
beneath the beauty, behind the masks. Vampires. Not the disfigured
kind that burst into flames at the sight of the sun. These vampires
were much more dangerous because they made you fall in love.
My story starts at the beginning of the end
of life as I knew it.
Flowers of red, white, and purple grew
wildly around the balcony overlooking the canal. The aroma from the
vivid memories intoxicates me still. With poetry book in hand, I
sat hidden amongst the lovely petals and vines of my own secret
garden. My life was relaxation and child’s play, stories and
music.
“
Evelina!” My mother called
from the kitchen.
my rush, kicked it with my bare foot. The tome slipped through the
bars and somersaulted into the depths of the water below. An angry
gondolier lifted his fist in the air and I ducked down into hiding
behind the colorful blooms. Little did I realize, my innocence
would soon be swept away as easily as the lost book. Irretrievable.
Gone for a longer eternity than I could have ever imagined.
“
Evelina!” This time my
mother’s voice sounded less composed and desperate.
“
Coming, Mamma!” I lifted my
skirt a little as I ran down the stairs so as not to trip. “I am
sorry. I lost track of time. I will practice the harpsichord for an
extra hour.” Two men with serious expressions were standing near my
mother. She had been crying. The very tip of her only slightly
oversized nose glared red to match her cheeks.
and I did as I was told. “These men have to borrow some of our
things. I am sending you to stay with your aunt for a while.”
“
Tell me what is happening.
Father would not approve of this!” I shot the men hateful glares
like an arrogant child, though after declining each proposal sent
my way, I bordered on becoming an old maid. Most of my friends had
been married for years.
her hands firmly on my shoulders. “Listen to me closely. I was a
fool to let you deny marriage for so long. Now I fear for what you
may have to do to survive.” She almost broke down again. “I am
sorry, Evelina. If I never see you again, know that your father and
I loved you.”
Before I could begin to process what was
going on, the men rushed me out of the only home I had ever known.
“Mother!” I screamed as the strangers released me to my uncle. When
I darted back inside, he wrapped his arms around my waist and
dragged me out the front once more. I was kicking and screaming.
Mother’s golden hair billowed in the wind as she fell to her knees
and reached out in despair.
Uncle Luca and Regina lived in a poorer area
than I had. We were all sitting around the table as they discussed
what to do with me. Never did they ask how I felt or answer any of
my questions about what was going on. I eventually stopped asking
and stared vacantly as they spoke of me as if I were less than
human and more than a nuisance.
“
No one is going to marry
her. Her reputation is soiled by the actions of my welching brother
and his whore of a wife. Criminals! Liars! Thieves!” Uncle Luca
ranted, slamming his fist down on the table only a few inches in
front of me, causing me to jump. Luca’s belly hung out, the fat
exposed. He looked nothing like my father, except they both had
green eyes.
“
The police may come for her
yet. It will save us the trouble. Then again…” Aunt Regina paused
and stared at me thoughtfully. The best way to describe her would
be to compare the woman to a ratty little shrew.
meet her curious gaze. Luca crossed his arms and leaned back in his
chair before throwing his feet up on the table, nasty boots and
all. My endless tears failed to draw any sympathy.
Regina smirked at me and I didn’t like it.
“Evelina, dear. Your mother must have taught you about her…
lifestyle before marrying your father.”
“
I do not know what you are
talking about.”
“
Avoid being coy with us.
You are an adult now, whether or not you behave as such. Surely,
your mother taught you dancing, how to walk, or even seduce?” She
chose her words carefully.
unorthodox skills. Her advice had always been to know everything
you can. At the time, I hadn’t thought much about the dance moves
or the strange books she had me read describing the acts men enjoy
most. It seemed like I was preparing for when I would finally be
married.
“
I… can dance and know about
things, but I am sure this will all be worked out and I can go home
soon.” I told them.
“They’re gone. No more mamma and papa to coddle their precious
child. I bet those men will take them to Poveglia and toss them
into a mass grave with victims of the old plague.”
I shoved my chair back and stood up. “I do
not need you. Either of you. I can take care of myself.” Without
waiting for a response, my uncle grabbed me by the hair and jerked
me back. The sudden pain made me cry out.
“
You will do what we say.
Maybe your aunt can doll you up enough to get you into Sanuto’s
party.” He shoved me roughly toward the stairs. “Get upstairs. Give
her a place to sleep, Regina.”
a horrible man. He was nothing like my father. It was no surprise
they never associated with each other. Aunt Regina followed me up
the stairs and led me to a tiny room to sleep.
“
Worry not. Do a good job
and we shall all be living more comfortably.” She said before
leaving me alone.
and hugged my pillow. There wasn’t even a bed. The linens smelled
musty, not fresh like they did at home. There were no familiar and
comforting sounds. No books. None of my favorite things. Not even
the music box my father had brought me when he had returned from
one of his long trips. I longed to hear the delicate, soft music.
It always helped me sleep.
Then, I did hear a sound. Not one familiar
or reassuring, though. Quietly, I moved toward the window and
searched for the source of the grunts and groans. A common
prostitute was servicing her client in the alleyway. This was not
one of the respected courtesans I had heard so much about, but a
poor woman doing what she had to survive. For a moment, I couldn’t
turn away from the scene. Was this what would become of me if I
failed to impress? If my skills were not of a high standard? I
turned away and returned to my meager bedding. No. I would not be
reduced to a street whore. If I was going to have to do it, I was
going to do it right.
The nobleman, Dante Sanuto, often held
prestigious parties that rivaled the festivities of the Carnival of
Venice. One of these masquerade balls, my Uncle hoped to gain me an
invitation to. How he was going to do so, I had no idea. Aunt
Regina and I focused on our own tasks.
My relatives were putting a hefty amount of
faith in abilities that I had never used. Regina and I bought the
best dress and mask that we could afford. It had taken what little
savings they had and I was reminded of this constantly. With a bit
of sewing and flourish, we were able to change the dress into
something special. Golden trim, beads, and feathers made it almost
pass for an expensively crafted gown. Now we just had to wait for
word on the invitation.
“
I did it.” My uncle
informed us the day before the party. He walked into the room and
slapped the invitation down on the counter.
unfolded it. The script was elegant and the paper trimmed in
silver. Luca had already broken the seal. The invite was real. I
was going to the ball.
“
How did you manage this,
Uncle?” I asked in shock, my eyes widening.
his gut protruded further. “A few mentions of your mother to the
right people. That and Sanuto has a craving for ravishing young
virgins. I offered your services to him, free of charge for the
first time. You had better impress.”
I slumped into a nearby chair, shocked, with
the elegant invitation still in hand. “I am not sure I can do
this.”
“
You damn well better or you
will be on the street. We all will. This is our last chance. All
our money is gone.” He said.
I fanned myself. “You told him I was a virgin?”
“
Well, even if you aren’t,
act like it. And I didn’t exactly tell
him
. I told his people.”
across the room. “This is it. Our big break. I told you she was a
good investment.”
“
Excuse me, please.” I stood
abruptly and headed outside for some fresh air. It was embarrassing
and demeaning to have my virginity sold. Not even sold, given away
for free. Life was not turning out how I expected in the slightest.
I had almost convinced myself not to go or to run away when a
strange woman walked up to me.
“
Hi.” I said awkwardly when
she paused.
“
Hello there. What a lovely
girl with that flowing brown hair and those big green eyes. You
remind me of myself before age took its toll.” She said with a
grin. A few of her teeth were missing.
she reached out to touch my hair. “Thank you?”
“
Do not be alarmed. You will
see me often. I work this area. Have for years.” She gave me a pat
on the arm. “Take care now.”
prostitute I had seen the first night I had stayed with my aunt and
uncle. Once more, seeing her motivated me to not end up in the same
state. I was meant for better. From all accounts, my mother had
been a successful courtesan. I could be, too.
The night of the party, Regina helped me
with my dress and styled my long hair. She had left me alone to
apply make-up. I enhanced my cheeks with red ochre. My uncle had
bought some Venetian ceruse from a shifty trader. I examined the
container of skin whitener with reluctance before looking back into
the mirror. Pale skin was a sign of wealth in those times. Though I
wasn’t nearly as tanned as women who worked outdoors, my face was
lightly sun-kissed from many days spent reading on the balcony of
my family’s home. I loved the warmth of sunlight and the scent of
flowers, being surrounded by the life teeming in my little world.
That life disappeared, but the memories and longing to return to it
did not.
With a sigh, I placed the white lead powder
back on the counter without using it. My eyebrows had been plucked.
A face pack had been left on my skin to cleanse and moisturize.
That had been enough for me. Beautification was a tiring process. I
slipped on the mask, becoming the whore I needed to be, and
descended the stairs carefully.
“
She looks lovely, does she
not?” My aunt asked.
“
Let us hope her performance
is as good as her looks.” Luca responded. “A boat and escort is
waiting for you outside.”
Uncle Luca grabbed me by the arm and pushed
me toward the door. “Do not question a blessing. Go and do well, or
forget about returning at all.”
Tears welled up in my eyes and I struggled
to keep them at bay as I stepped outside. The night sky was a dusky
blue. The boat had two gondoliers and my escort. The man was tall,
broad, and had amber eyes that drew me in so deeply that I forgot
what I was doing and stared into them. His mask was simple as was
his dark attire. I had expected a more elaborate costume, but he
wore it amazingly well.
He extended his hand, but I was still
frozen. “Watch your step.”