Eighteen Summers (18 page)

I wake with a start and look around me. It's my villa room. I am safe and sound. Nico is holding my hand and grinning broadly.

“Cali, I thought you would never wake. You have been asleep for ten hours!” He kisses me on the forehead.

“
Maybe my mind didn't want me to wake.” I stretch a little, careful not to move too much.

“
But all is well. And we have such very good news... We managed to save Sofia's hand…"

"What? You managed to do what Nico?" I ask with a look of astonishment on my face.

"Thankfully, her tissues and blood vessels fused quickly enough so that something could be done to save it. Sadly, the nerves are likely severed forever but with all of the blood we were able to donate to her she should make a fairly speedy recovery. Her hand will always feel numb and won't be of much use, but she will at least feel whole again and appear normal which will help her recovery greatly. That is some consolation, is it not?  And as for you, Messia examined your injuries and luckily the stake was not long enough to cause much internal bleeding but there were a few deeper gouges and a very nasty tear from the width of the damn thing. You were bathed and disinfected with a salt wash, to ensure there would be no infection from the wood. You are mending well. Vampire healing properties are most remarkable.”

“
Oh God Nico... I just wish I could cry about it all. With horror and relief...”

“
I know, believe me we all feel the same way. But at least the devilish bastard has paid his dues.”

“
Is he dead?”

“
Half eaten the last time I looked. Teo is making sure the pigs finish their meal, giving their swill a good stir now and then.”

“
What was Teo doing here anyway?”

“
Raff called at their household. The Paolo's are very well known. In hindsight, it was an obvious place for him to go, and I should have warned her not to mention us. She had no idea that he had ill intent and spoke of our visit with him. He then forced her violently to tell him where we were staying. She made him believe that all she knew was that we were staying in the town of Castellana.”

“
She drove here with Teo and two others afterwards to warn and assist us. They arrived just after you were taken. You see we have such good friends here.”

“
Raff attacked so fast, Nico. I still can't believe what happened. I guess I am still in shock about the whole bloody thing.”

“
I know Cali, I know. I was only inside for about two minutes, but the three bastards discretely circled the estate and then doubled back. They leapt down from the roof of the villa and surprised the three of you, knocking you all unconscious. Then they gathered you all up and took you to the barn as you well know. Savio said it all happened in the blink of an eye. I am so sorry Cali. I should never have left you unattended. I blame myself entirely.”

“
Please, don't blame yourself, okay? We were in the company of a dozen people, how could you have known he would strike like that? You would not have made any difference. You were not armed or prepared for it. In fact he might have taken you and killed you first, so perhaps it was best you weren't there. You were able to save us Nico, be thankful for that.”

“
Even so, I will never, ever, let you out of my sight again.”

“
How did you know where to find us, in that barn?”

“
Teo and Desmona saw them carrying you off through the open field towards the farm as they arrived. I thank God for that. Vampires can track the scent of others quite easily, but vampire scent is very light and the trail needs to be fresh. It had completely faded by the time we set forth. We caught your scent only as we entered the barnyard. I truly wish we had arrived just five minutes sooner, to spare you both that terrible agony but we needed to gather some weapons to give our attack some strength.”

My heart is just about fit to explode with love for this hunk of a vampire. It is a shame that my feelings of pain are still so acute. But despite that, I still need his closeness, more than anything.

“Nico, come here and hug me. Get in bed and take off your clothes, so I can feel your warmth...” He slips inside the covers and I snuggle up to him with a deeply contented sigh.

“
It's not over, is it, the feud?”

“
No. I don't think it ever will be.”

I kiss him passionately. At this moment, he is my complete and utter hero.

Two days pass by and I am more or less healed physically. I think the mental scars will take a lot longer to fade, but I am young and resilient and determined to cast off the remaining shadow of Raffaele as soon as I can. We are staying in Italy for another week or two to ensure that both Sofia and I are completely recovered and well rested, and to also enjoy the warmth and hospitality of Villa Aldo, now that our situation is no longer so dangerous or worrisome. I sit next to Sofia in her room, stroking her now rejoined, but sadly limp hand, examining the pale red line that is all that remains of the horrific wound. She smiles at me and then laughs heartily.

“What's so funny?”

“
I'm so grateful for this.”

“
You are?” I ask incredulously.

“
Gabriel and I are now mated because of it.”

“
How? I didn't think you could take a mate?”

“
If you live in a household, no. But Gabriel is not Gianni. He travels and I shall be at his side, with your permission of course. I can find another to care for you in London.”

“
Sofia, I don't need a servant. I can look after myself, I'm a modern girl. I've loved our time together, but honestly, go with Gabriel and travel the world. He is a fine vampire and obviously loves you very much. He was willing to give his life for you in that barn.”

“
I know. It took him by surprise, the depth of his feelings for me, as did mine for him.”

“
I love you like a sister. You'll always be welcome to stay, whenever, and for as long as you wish. I will keep my rooms especially for you as Nico and I will move to Raff's suite of rooms now.”

She hugs me gleefully, kissing my cheeks. Her eyes sparkle yellow and bright with happiness.

“Yes my sister. That would be a wonderful arrangement. We have plans to visit China and Japan. Gabriel wishes to improve his Asian dialects.”

“
Jeez, he can speak Chinese and Japanese as well?”

“
Sixteen languages. He can read and write them perfectly too. He is a linguistic marvel, is he not?”

“
I'd say! I had trouble with three at school.”

“
You forget, he has been learning for hundreds of years. But he does have an aptitude, a skill if you like, for speech.”

“
I'm sure we all have good skills, yours is for caring, organising and kindness. You helped me settle in so quickly in my new life and I'll always be grateful to you for that.”

She looks at me for a moment as if not sure how to say what she is thinking. “I've been meaning to explain, about Nico and I…”

“You don't need to explain anything. You were together long before I came on the scene.”

“
No, I do have the need, Cali. And for your sake, please hear me out. I have always enjoyed my times of intimacy with Nico, I won't deny it. He is a caring and very skilled lover. But he was never mine, in any way. Nor did he belong to Yulia or Frances, his other female partners in London. They all felt like I did. That he was distant, emotionally detached, and completely uninvolved with anyone. Far more so than the other male vampires we took for recreation. It was as if he was waiting for something or someone for many years. I think that something was you. He is a deep person, old and wise, yet scarred by events. He needed your youth and energy to give him a new reason to enjoy his life. His eyes have shone so brightly since you've arrived. I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you two are together. The household will be in love with you both. You are an inspiration, My Lady.”

I am so choked, I can hardly speak. I gulp several times.

“Oh Sofia...” I croak with a rasping soreness in my throat. “I wish I could cry right now. It really hurts.”

“
I know. It's a fucking pain in the arse,” She giggles at her use of my commonly used phrase. 

Nico and Savio enter the room, Savio with some sparkling wine and Nico with the glasses.

“
Let us have a quick drink to our new lives,” Nico says cheerily.

We all raise a toast to ourselves. I try not to think about Sabato and Severina and whoever else might still be out there plotting and scheming and planning on spoiling our happiness one day. I drink the wine fast and it rushes to my head in a fizzy whipping rush.

Whoa, very pleasant indeed....

“
I would like to take you on a tour of my old estate later today, Cali, if you feel up to it.”

“
I do. Where is it?”

“
We are already there.”

“
You mean this is it, Villa Aldo?” I am amazed.

“
My villa was to the north of the estate, I shall show you the remains. I gave the land rights to Savio and Messia. I had no heart for wine production after the sickness and the loss of my family. It lay uncared for and uncultivated for a long time.”

“
Any more secrets up your sleeve?” I ask.

“
Just one.”

“
What's that? Don't tell me, you're Prince Nico and have your own massive fortune.”

He laughs wildly and I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him in rapture.

“Not so, I'm afraid. I am a poor landless vampire with a trust fund. That is all I have to offer.”

“
What is it then, your last secret?”

“
Just this, which I think you will like better than having a prince at your side...”  He takes me to the door and walks me into the kitchen. My mum and dad are standing there with Gabriel. My mouth gapes open in shock.

I rush forward and hug them, knocking the breath out of them, forgetting my enhanced vampire strength.

“Candy, oh love.” My mum is crying and my dad looks like he's trying hard not to.

“
Mum, Dad.... I'm so sorry...” I dry sob.

My dad takes my face in his hands. “Look, we know all about you... Elijah and Gabriel have explained everything. I didn't believe it until I was shown hard proof, and I can see you have changed love, not that it matters. Whatever and whoever you are, we'll always love you.”

I dry sob even more and hug them harder. They gasp breathlessly. “Candy... please, not so tight,” Mum says stroking my hair.

“
It's Cali. My name is Calista Isadora now. I'm a lady. With a fortune. You're rich Mum.”

“
No, you are. We're happy as we are.”

We sit down at the table and have a quick gabbled chat about what happened after I disappeared and what went on in Exeter when they were abducted for safekeeping. Once we straighten out our missing pieces, things seem almost normal again. But of course they aren't and never can be. I am a vampire now, and one with a household to run. I look to Nico and he joins me at my side.

“This is Nico.” I stand up and introduce him holding him proudly around the waist and kissing his cheek. “I belong to him.” How I enjoyed saying that. I'm overcome with love again and give him another kiss.

“
We've met briefly, just now, and know all about Nico from our long discussion with Gabriel on the way back from the airport,” My dad explains.

“
I still can't believe you are here!” I jump up and down like a silly kid clapping my hands. I don't know what else to do. I am just so happy and excited. They all laugh at me. 

“
They took some persuading that you were in fact in Italy. Elijah brought them over last night, by air, to Rome,” Gabriel explains and for the first time I notice the tall blonde vampire at his side. I now recognise him from my first feed on the London table. I move towards him and give him a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“
Awww, Elijah... Thanks for keeping them safe, I am so grateful to you.”

“
It was my pleasure My Lady,” He says somewhat embarrassed by my familiarity.

We all move outside, to the pool area. Savio brings water and wine and Alfredo's wife arrives with a large basket of fruit, olives, ham, cheese, and bread. The food is laid out, and Mum and Dad tuck in greedily.

I smile at them with love.

“
I don't suppose you eat this stuff anymore, do you?” Mum asks between mouthfuls.

“
No, I have a liquid diet now,” I reply tactfully.

“
How are you finding that?” She probes hesitantly.