Evanescere: Origins (8 page)

 WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE
PROSPECT of traveling to Italy. I knew Jack had another reason for going, but
he blocked me out of his thoughts. This was frustrating and all he would say
was “It was a surprise.” He knows I love surprises, but this was different.

In Italy, I asked to rent a Ferrari, only because
I wanted the speed. I was afraid Jack would tell me no but he was agreeable. He
arranged for our luggage to be delivered to the Villa di Selene, outside of
Naples. We would be driving there. With how fast I was traveling I made Naples
in half the time from the airport in Rome. Jack provided me with the directions
to how to get there. With the last turn we arrived at a massive wall with two
pillars on both sides. Each Pillar was about fifteen feet high with eroded orbs
at the top. It was not impressive but looking at the orbs, long since faded by
time I knew they were actually heads. I knew this wall was ancient, with the
modern convenience of a small glass room with a grizzly looking guard. We
stated our business and after a short wait we were granted entrance.

I lowered the window, and
I could smell grapes and wine. I could smell the sweet smells of perfume here.
I could smell fresh water from a nearby stream. The smells of this Villa were
overwhelming. I also smelled something old and powdery. Something delicate. I
opened up my mind and I could hear people, suddenly I heard a low humph. I
focused on that one expression. This was different from that one expression I
felt sadness, heartbreak, and the hopes of death.

I looked at Jack and in
my surprise I stated “There are human’s here.”

“Yes, there are. Ambrogio
hires people to work the vineyards for him when he is unable to do it himself.
As for the wine, he wakens to make the wine himself.”

“Ambrogio, awakens to
make wine?” I stuttered in confusion. I was not one to be confused and as a
vampire this is the first time I did not understand his reply. It was to say a
baffling experience.

“Ambrogio is a very old
vampire. Older than the old ones in the sewers. His family was known in Roman
times as being one of the finest winemakers of the time. It was only natural
that he should take over. Salome, this not my tale to tell. Ambrogio is called
a Mad Vampire, his mind broke long ago. He sleeps most of the time and he has
continued to make wine. These lands are his old family land. This Villa is over
three thousand years old,” he explained. He had given me more information than
what glimpses I got from his mind.

At this time, an old
Italian woman greeted us, her English greeting heavily accented. Jack and I
both responded in perfect Italian so as to make her comfortable. I read the old
woman’s thoughts and I knew she and the others knew what we were, but they did
not fear us. To them Ambrogio provided safety, security and excellent pay. They
did not ask questions. Their families have been working for Ambrogio for as
long as they could recall. I could tell the woman was kind.

She showed us into the
Villa and escorted us to our rooms. She advised us her master was asleep but
would awaken for the harvest as he has done before. She told use she would go
to his chambers and let him know he had visitors and from there we would see if
he would awaken. I was vaguely curious as to how she let him know he had guest
if he slumbered. I guess I would find out.

After she had gone, I
discussed what I had heard with Jack. Jack informed me that Ambrogio has
continued to employ the descendants of his families help and he has been good
to them in times of need. Amborgio’s wealth is vast as is the wealth of his
faithful servants. They have always known what he was and have accepted that.
Ambrogio is their protector and they in turn protect him. They keep the secret
of our existence safe. When he sleeps he is at his most vulnerable,” he
explained.

“How can we be vulnerable
if we are virtually indestructible?” I questioned.

“We can suffer death, but
as you know is very difficult. The only way for us to truly perish is to be
torn apart, burned and our remains scattered to the four winds, but even so our
death is not certain” he explained.  

I finally understood that
some semblance of death can occur, but never truly. I did not like the idea of
being torn apart and be scattered. What if I did not truly die and was left to
search the world for my missing pieces, like a giant jigsaw puzzle with missing
pieces. It would never be complete. I pushed the thought of death aside and
thought of the now.

I was still in awe of
being inside of an ancient villa and vineyard. I never thought I would see the
day I would be in Italy. I wondered if I had ever tasted this particular wine
in my previous life. I opened the vast glass door onto the veranda. My room was
to the back of the Villa overlooking the entire valley. It appeared to stretch
for miles around. It was beautiful.

As we waited for Ambrogio
to awaken, I went for a walk among the vineyard. I noticed modern day
accommodations throughout the villa. There was electricity and indoor plumbing.
There was a heavily secured fence surrounding the entire villa.  I saw a
separate building some yards away from the main villa and out of curiosity I
walked over to explore. I wanted to laugh when I saw an entire building
dedicated to a washroom. It had several shiny stainless steel Kenmore washers
and driers, shelves full of linens and extra clothing hung up on the racks. It
also had a huge refrigerator full of food and drinks. I was surprised, not
exactly what I was expecting.

 In my exhilaration, I
caught another expression, a sigh. I let it go. The sigh had the feel of a
tired exasperation. I made my way to a very beautiful stone water fountain. The
fountain was a statue of a woman sitting on a round stone. Upon further
inspection of it. It was the moon, I could not help but enjoy the marvel of the
fountain, which by some degree of ancient technology was fed by a natural
stream. I could see from the earths indentions that the stream had shifted with
time from its original location. I followed the stream for what seemed to be
miles, I would have continued to follow it; had I not heard the one soft
thought: Selene. I became lost in that thought and I could see visions of what
once was. A young couple in love, doomed and saddened. The thoughts were not
coherent. I got flashes, images of time passing by yet never changing. Always
the same pain, never changing. In a second Jack was at my side. Blood tears
running down my face. He had seen what I had seen. So vividly.

“Come.”

I heard the soft command
from so far away. Jack and I hurried to the villa. Once there, the same old
woman escorted us to a dark chamber. She lit the candles around the chamber and
slowly the chamber began to come alive with a soft glow. The flames dancing to
their own rhythm. It seemed this was the one room without any modern
conveniences. In the center of the room was a massive four poster bed, made of
mahogany, it was heavy and old from what I could tell. The bed contained
intrinsic carvings, as though they told a story. I could smell the soft down of
the pillows. The soft cold sent of the satin sheets. The mattress itself was a
modern marvel. I could smell the grapes; the entire room was permeated in the
scent. It was refreshing. I also smelled a delicious scent as well, it was warm
and salty. Blood.

“Come have a drink.”

I turned around to find
the sound of this soft, forlorn voice. The voice was still sweet, but
different. This voice was dripping in despair. There hidden in the shadows was
a young man, maybe seventeen. I could tell he was extremely young when he
joined this life. He was sitting in what looked like an elevated throne, with
steps to the seat. I looked closely, curious. It was made of smooth marble. 

“Yes, this was the throne
Caesar sat on before he was assassinated,” he answered my unspoken thought.  

“I thought it was a
golden throne.”

“No I was around then. It
was marble, and as you can see it has aged considerably well.”

“Salome, I am Ambrogio.”

I was stunned into
silence.

“Don’t be frightened. I
hear anything and everything. When I sleep, I hear the thoughts and prayers of
everyone in the world. I hear their hopes and dreams. That is my curse,” he
solemnly stated.

I looked from Jack to
Ambrogio. The cat has my tongue as the saying goes. Out of the corner of my eye
I see Jack nod and bow. I was curious about this. I had never seen Jack bow,
not even to the old ones.  

“Jacques, you have not
told her why you brought her here.”

“I was unsure if my plan
to wake you would work, since you so rarely waken.”

“A true thought spoken.”

I saw Ambrogio’s eyes
glaze and his skin turn as smooth as the throne he sat on. He sat unmoving,
becoming one with the marble throne. The slight creak of the door, told me we
were dismissed for the time. The scent of blood long forgotten.

We stayed at the Villa
for days, unsure of when Ambrogio would again awaken. I spent my time walking
the vast fields. I spent my time traveling from the villa to Rome. Hunting for
that perfect meal. Jack came with me. He was just as confused as I was. Hunting
in Rome was turning out to be quite difficult. It would seem that Italy does
not have a very high crime rate, which would mean we would need to either go
beyond Italy to feed or feed off of the wildlife. I figured, we could try to
find the Italian mafia members and feed off of them, the only flaw with that
idea was that most of the members are very prominent and their sudden disappearance
would be public news. So wildlife it was.

We returned to the villa
to hunt the wildlife when the old woman approached us with red bags in hand.
They were still warm.

“Master Ambrogio advised
you may be hungry and he had us get these from the blood bank, there is more
available in the washroom,” she explained.

I was surprised that they
could walk into a blood bank and order blood. I guess Ambrogio did not want us
to hunt on his lands. I would respect that and I was grateful he was able to
procure a meal for us without the loss of life. Jack and I drank the blood from
the bag, it was still warm and delicious. I a bit surprised that our natural
instinct did not kick in. I guess this had something to do with the fact that
we were not hunting. We actually talked during our dinner. Something that had
never occurred before. The one bag was satisfying for me. I politely declined
another.

Once we were done Jack
and I headed into the study and relaxed for a bit. My mind still playing every
memory from England. It was an experience I would not forget. I hoped to
one-day return. I missed the old ones and I hoped that one day I could see them
again. I guess when you have forever, you can do whatever you want, but for now
I will stay by Jack’s side at least until he orders me away.   

The next day I went into
Ambrogio’s chamber and stared at him. I tried to find his thoughts. I realized
since he knew what I could do, he too could keep me out. Unless…

I knew it was a long shot.
I approached Ambrogio and put my hand over his. His skin was as smooth and cool
as the marble throne in which he sat. And sure enough, the images began to
flood my mind. I was lost in his story. Surprised he would share them with me
in this manner. I did not think he would share them. I was more concerned that
he would be angry with me. Once I began to see his mind open up to me I
appreciated the gesture much more. There was no way for me to properly explain
this to him. I felt honored by the action alone. Ever so slowly I began to
piece his story together. 

N THE GREEK TEMPLE OF
APOLLO there lived a maiden, fair haired, fair skinned and beautiful. It was there
that I fell in love by Cupid’s arrow. I secretly sent the lovely maiden many
love letters in the hopes to one day have her heart. Yet I knew our love would
be impossible because she belonged to the God Apollo. You did not take that
which belonged to the Gods.

I was surprised when the
young maiden responded to my love. A love I believed would go unrequited. She
said she wished she could love me and be with me, but as a possession of the
Gods she did not want to anger them. She pled with me to leave her be.

I proceeded to conduct my
business but missed the fair haired maiden of Apollo. I prayed to the Gods
every day. One day my prayer was answered; however, in so answering my prayer I
was cursed by the God Apollo for coveting that which was his. In this curse, I
was unable to be with Selene in the rays of the sun. I found I could venture
out into the night since the dark sky did not bother me. Yet I noticed my
senses had become more acute. I was faster, stronger and yet I was weakened by
the sun. I also had a hunger that mortal food could not satisfy and so it came
to be I craved the life source of mortal men.

I hid from Selene, out of
shame of what Apollo had done to me. I had no way to communicate this to her
and so I hid in a cave of Hades. Hades made a deal with me. I was to steal the
silver bow of Artemis and in exchange Selene and I would always have protection
in the world of the dead; however, should I fail I would be damned to the
Shades. In this frame of mind, I did the unthinkable. I gained the trust of
Artemis only to betray her. In her rage she cast another curse on me: silver
would burn to the touch. The silver bow burned my hands and I was unable to
deliver it to Hades.

Shortly thereafter,
Artemis came from Olympus to speak with me, in which I explained the nature of
my curse and the reason deceit. Artemis took pity on us and she allowed our
love to flourish in exchange Selene must remain forever virgin. I accepted the
Goddess’ terms and Selene and I had a love like no other. We lived together.
She walked the day and I the night. I spent the nights watching her sleep as sleep
no longer came to me. During the day I would crawl under a hole and stay there
until the rays of Apollo had passed me by.

Sadly, as the years went
by, Selene aged and I was forever young. I again called on the Goddess Artemis.
Once again the Goddess took pity on the us. The Goddess allowed me to touch
Selene only to drink her blood and kill her mortal body. In this Selene would
live within me and once again allow me to walk in the sun. Sadly, I would never
see Selene again or hold her in my arms. I have continued to weep for her for
many millennia.

*******

I felt the warm, tears of
blood flow down my cheeks. I felt a sudden warm touch on my check. Armbogio
cradled my face and embraced me solemnly. I was broken from all that I had
witnessed and glad I was given such pleasure. I feared Ambrogio would be angry
with me and I hesitated to look into his eyes.

“Child it is a wonderful
gift I have given you. You have seen Selene and from your mind I have seen her
as she was. One so young, beautiful and vibrant. I continue to mourn for Selene
and I always will. At times the pain becomes so unbearable for me; yet I feel
as though you have taken that from me. You have somehow taken my pain into
yourself, and I ask myself, what sort of creature are you?” he explained and I
could hear the wonder in voice.

I heard the unfamiliar
cadences of his voice, as though the memories had taken him back to a time once
known by him. A Greece and Italy long since gone and forgotten by all, except
the few who continue to exist. I looked up into his eyes and they had glazed
over as he became lost in his thoughts, but he did not return to his slumber.
From his mind I had seen a world so ancient, beautiful and pure. It was a world
I would never see except through his eyes. I was both saddened by his loss and
I envied his love for Selene. I never knew that such a love as pure as theirs
could exist and it gave me hope that one day I could love someone as he had
loved.

Seeing Ambrogio’s
memories had answered several questions about us and our different abilities.
Where Apollo and Hades, cursed us, Artemis saved us. I looked at him unable to
speak as the tears still flowed. I felt a mixture of emotion flood me from the
inside out. Suddenly, I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder. Jack had come to
see. I turned to him unable to contain the flow of bloody tears from my eyes
the blood soaking my clothes. The term a bloody mess was quite accurate for
this moment.

I heard Ambrogio’s
unspoken thoughts, he was fascinated by what I could do. I felt the weight of
Ambrogio’s sadness lift with each tear I shed. Not knowing what I was doing or
how I was doing it was bewildering. We did not know what to call this new gift.
At this moment I pitied Jack especially since he could feel my emotions. I was
unsure how long I spent crying for a love long since gone, but still vividly
remembered. A love that was not mine, but I was allowed to witness. When I was
finally done and all out of tears, I felt famished and somehow drained. I
smelled the blood and heard the chink of the glass as it was given to me and I
drank. This drink tasted different so unfamiliar, yet so delicious. I saw
Ambrogio smile and for once his smile lit up the room. It was a smile that for
once was not held back. This was a genuine smile and beautiful to behold.

“How did you enjoy the
wine?” he asked.

“It was beyond heavenly,
it tasted like sweet honey and grapes,” I replied.

“Yes, it is called
Ambrosia, the wine of the Gods. Its recipe has been in my family for millennia,
and has been improved with time. Every era provides a new way to make wine, yet
I have kept mine the same way my fathers had made it. I have a small secret for
you,” he said. I was curious now. A small secret for me.

“I make a wine for our
kind only, it is the Ambrosia you have just tasted. It is infused with the
essence of Selene, I call it
Eterno
, and that is what you drink,” he
explained.

“A wine only for
vampires, such as us,” I exclaimed. Surprise filled my words.

“Yes, a wine for vampires
and a wine for the humans. As you know my villa is known to have produced the
finest of wines in the world. Ambrosia
Eterno
, is the only wine for us,
it brings us closer to the Gods,” he explained. Every word he spoke was filled
with pride. He was proud of his vineyard and his wine.

I had not heard of such a
thing and I thought to never be able to have anything other than blood, and
here Ambrogio has created a wine that vampires can drink. I looked at Jack in
amazement and I knew by the look on his face he did not know. I assumed
Ambrosio had kept this secret and only now has he decided to share it. I felt
honored that he felt I was worthy of his secret.

“No not secret.” He
answered my unspoken thoughts. “I have spent ages trying to refine it and
perfect it. I, let me rephrase that, we can drink wine, and other heavy drinks,
as long as they are infused with blood and yes my wine allows for a type of
drunken experience. It helps to ease the ache of the hunger. As time goes on
the burn of the hunger ebbs, but as I have learned it takes near a millennium to
do so and I have seen three,” he explained.

I was astonished by what
I had learned and I had hope. I drank some more of Ambrogio’s wine as he
offered it. I must have drunk about three bottles of
Eterno
, and soon I
began to feel a long forgotten feeling. The swirling of my head. My thoughts
were becoming fuzzy. I began to feel drunken. I was laughing a laugh so
lighthearted and I was dancing with Jack. Somewhere along the way Beethoven’s
Midnight Sonata had begun to play. I saw Jack and I saw Ambrogio twirling in
delight. We were drunk and happy. I wondered if they were in fact actually
feeding off of my emotions.

I stopped twirling, my
head was still spinning, Ambrogio still laughing, and drunkenly staggered
towards me. He embraced me, and thanked me for saving him from his despair. We
continued to laugh on into the night and soon Jack and Ambrogio were reminiscing
of their time together a long time ago. The things they would do together.
Their travels and adventures. They both avoided the darkness of Ambrogio’s
madness; yet through my drunken haze I somehow knew Ambrogio would be okay now.

We spent another month
with Ambrogio, I enjoyed his company and from his thoughts I could tell he
enjoyed mine as well. He too, learned to shut me out at times, but a simple
handshake or caress would bring the thoughts, the memories flooding through my
mind. Somehow, being here with Ambrogio had changed me, I felt different as
though I could fly. Being here has somehow made me stronger. The ability to see
what I did by simple skin contact grew. I did not know what to call this new
ability and it baffled them, yet fascinated them at the same time.

Ambrosio and I spent
countless hours discussing my abilities and assumed I would grow to be one of
the strongest vampire they knew. Even he could not do some of the things that I
could do and in such a short time. I could hear the thoughts of Ambrogio and
the thoughts of many others from miles away. Ambrogio informed me that others
of our kind could do different things. He himself could read minds, make the
body hurt without a touch, he could levitate, make you see what he wants you to
see. He explained it usually takes years for powers to fully develop, yet I am
quickly growing into mine and this is fascinating to him. He helps me build on
my own powers to strengthen myself. Ambrogio pushed me to no end always
challenging me to be better. I enjoyed every challenge he threw at me.

In the time we have been
here, Ambrogio appears to be happier and more content with his lot. I have seen
him laugh, dance and drunk just about every night since he has awoken. I have
learned that
Eterno
is supposed to bring you closer to the Gods and
Goddesses of old. The fact that it allows me to become drunk is amazing. I mean
well maybe it does make us drunk or maybe it is just a placebo effect.

What I have learned is
that the drunken experience happens to enhance my powers while in such a
drunken state. It is because in my drunken state, my mind is relaxed and by the
end of our time with Ambrosio I too can levitate the way Ambrosio does and I
have also seen the Goddess. Crazy as it seems, maybe a hallucination due to
being able to become intoxicated. The drunken stated does not last long before
we are sober again. The good thing about being a Vampire is that we did not get
hangovers. So no need to worry about this.