Chapter 4: Clandestine Affection

Chapter 4: Clandestine Affection1

“Romericco”, Darius said, sifting through the wood brush and foliage, carrying a worn leather flask. 2

Romericco groaned, shifting his shoulders propped up against the enormous pine tree.3

“Here, Ricco, take this…just drained”, he said, pushing the flask into Romericco’s trembling hands. Darius helped him grasp it in his hands, and lift it to his lips.4

Within two minutes he had drained the entire thing and was licking his lips. “It was a bit on the cool side”, he said coughing a bit.5

“Yes well from now on no starving yourself. My god, I haven’t seen a vampire as famished as you in centuries. No more of that. From now on you hunt on your own.”6

Romericco nodded, the strength starting to return and course through his veins.7

“Feel better now? Next time, if you want to kill yourself, just do it and spare me your suffering”, Darius said sardonically.8

“Look, I apologize, alright? It’s over and done with. I just…” he growled in rage, “…I just hate being this…this…thing…this creature! I want to be of this insatiable craving…it is tearing me apart…eating my insides, but never touching my body.” 9

“What is wrong with living forever? The thrill of a kill…so exhilarated…how could  you dream of giving it up?” asked Darius curiously. 10

“Because I hate it! Humanity is a gift, which I was foolish enough to give up once. But now…living off that gift…destroying it…I just can’t bear it. The next time you kill, take a moment to look in your victim’s eyes before they take their last breath. It is what I see there that compels me to this cursed fate.” 11

“Ricco…exactly how did you come about our dark gift? Why did you accept Ursula’s invitation to darkness in the first place?”12

“Because I loved her…and I thought she loved me. It was the only way for us to be together. I was young, and foolish.”13

“How old were you?”14

“Seventeen. I was a man. I wanted to bring my family fame and glory like my father and brothers did. But instead I brought them their deaths…each and every one of them. Right down to his four year old brother, Miguel.”15

“I’m sorry, Romericco…”16

“Don’t be”, Romericco replied, straining to keep stinging tears from pouring from his onyx eyes. “It was my own doing. Nothing could have prevented me from going with her.”17

Romericco closed his eyes, trying to block out the memories. He decided to focus on his task ahead.18

“Romericco, is there something else bothering you?” asked Darius.19

“Oh no, not really. Well, I was just thinking about my task.”20

“Ah yes, well I wish I could tell you differently, but it won’t be pleasant.”21

“It never is. I wish I didn’t have to do it.”22

“But you must. She is your sire. You must do whatever she bids…”23

“Until she frees me from her services”, finished Romericco. “I know. I’ve told myself that hundreds of times.”24

“But by now…you shouldn’t have a problem with it”, Darius said, looking up at the full moon. He shifted his gaze nervously. “You’ve killed hundreds of people over the course of your immortality. And you know, they would die anyway.”25

“Yes, that is true, but I’m just tired of killing innocent humans.”26

“Romericco…no human is innocent, just as no vampire is innocent.”27

At that moment, a breeze racked the branches of the trees near by, blowing both of the men’s long hair. A loud, melancholy howl came fourth from somewhere in the woods. At this, Darius jumped to his feet.28

“Romericco, I apologize, but we must speak later…I’ve just remembered something”, he said quickly, and ran headfast into the woods, his coat flying behind him.29

“Darius…wait”, Romericco yelled as soon as Darius had disappeared through the green. He supposed whatever it was, was urgent, seeing as he took off so fast. He shrugged, and was about to go back to his small abode, when he spotted a glimmer where Darius had been sitting. In a closer look, he realized it was his dagger, diamond studded and deadly. Darius never went anywhere without it. Without thinking, Romericco pocketed it and started through the path Darius had gone.30

“Darius! You left your knife”, he called as he proceeded down the dark forest.31

The forest came alive in the nighttime. Tiny nocturnal squirrels scurried up ancient oaks, and spectral like owls glided through the air. Romericco felt alive in the night. Night was the only time he felt he could truly breathe. Striding along the path, he could feel Darius’s presence lurking around somewhere near by. His suspicion was confirmed when he heard the sound of muffled voices. Quietly, he hid behind one of the tall oaks when he realized there was a second voice. He listened carefully, watching the two figures in front of them. Darius wasn’t alone. Beside him was a woman, with raven colored hair and violet eyes. Her arms were wrapped around Darius in an embrace. 32

“My love, what took you so long to answer my calls”, she asked him, kissing his neck.33

“I’m sorry my dear, but I was detained”, he answered stroking her hair.34

“I’ve missed you so…” she said kissing him.35

“And I you love. But one day it won’t be like this. And we can be free”, he cooed taking her in his arms.36

Romericco was so shocked; he dropped the knife to the forest floor, twigs snapping beneath where it landed.37

Darius suddenly put a finger to her lips. “Shh…I hear something…go now…I’ll see you again soon my love”, he said ushering her away.” 38

The woman picked up her skirts, and ran off into the distance, her footsteps disappearing in the distance.39

Romericco sighed, trying to calm himself. When he looked back up, Darius was gone. 40

In a second, he felt himself being pushed against a tree, a hand at his throat. Romericco gasped, trying to breath. 41

Darius just stared at him in disbelief. “Ricco?”, he asked, perplexed.42

“Yes… Yes”, Romericco gasped as the pressure on his throat was lifted.43

“You’re lucky. If I would have had my knife your throat would have been cut”, he said.44

“That’s why I followed you”, he grabbed the knife from his pocket and shoved it in Darius’s hands.45

“Ah…you then saw…”46

“Everything. I saw everything Darius.”47

“I see.”48

“Darius…how could you…a human I could understand, but a…”49

“Lupine. I know. But Romericco…why does it matter?”50

“Darius. Your lover is a werewolf. You are a vampire. You know that kind of union is forbidden! You would be killed if Ursula was to find out!”51

“No one will tell Ursula”, he said calmly.52

“Darius…”53

“Romericco…you became a vampire because you thought it was the only way you could stay with your lover. You see, when you are in love, its like nothing matters any more. I am in love with this woman. Damn the regulations!”54

“Darius…you are putting your life on the line for this woman, this wolf!”55

Darius sighed and put his hands on Romericco’s shoulders. “Romericco, you are the only kindred I have. I trust you as my one and only confidante. My life now depends on you. I love this woman…please…tell no one.”56

“Darius I could never bear to see you killed because of this. I promise this will be kept a secret.”57

“Thank you my friend”, Darius said, letting out a sigh of relief. “You look pale Ricco. Maybe you should go feed.”58

“Yes, thank you Darius, I’ll do that.”59

And with the last word, the two parted, the secret heavy in their chests.60