Free My Vampire and I by J. P. Bowie Page B

imagine, the world would be populated by millions of vampires. In fact, the gift I give a man or a woman when I drink just a little of their blood adds a few more years to their mortal lives."
    I had so many more questions, but I wanted to hear what happened to Thomas, so showing great self-control, I remained silent as he continued. "My mother died suddenly," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.
I felt slightly surprised that after all these centuries that had passed, he would still feel the loss.
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    "She had been ill for only a short time, and her death was a terrible shock. After the funeral and the period of mourning, my uncle came to me with the news that I was now the owner of our villa, and the inheritor of a vast fortune in land and gold. That and the investments I have made over the years has sustained me and will do so, for many more centuries, if necessary.
    "Anyway, I think I left off where Thomas and I journeyed to London where we lived happily for a time. No trap had been laid or sprung by d'Arcy. It seemed he intended to leave us in peace, much to my surprise. Occasionally, we would hear some news of him from two of our friends who travelled Europe regularly. On one visit, they told us d'Arcy had taken a new lover, a young man who bore a striking similarity to Thomas. At that news, I relaxed considerably, feeling our future together was secure."
I had a feeling this story was about to take a sudden and tragic downturn. I said nothing as Marcus conjured up images of an idyllic life spent in travel, meeting famous and exotic people from around the world, and, of course, their own personal happiness.
    "We were in the Highlands of Scotland one summer evening, watching the gloaming as the Scots call it—that period of time when the day is ending. Just before nightfall, the sky turns to a deep purple and the entire earth seems to hold its breath in anticipation of the serenity the evening will bring.
    "Thomas turned to me, smiling and about to say something, when all of a sudden, his eyes fixed in his head.
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He reached for me and I remember, I cried out, 'No, Thomas
    ... no!' but I knew with astounding clarity that d'Arcy had invoked his curse. I had lost Thomas forever. He sank into my arms, his face bone white, his pale lips slightly parted, the light gone from his eyes. I screamed into the night sky that I would see him avenged. D'Arcy would die for what he had just done. That monstrous man had lulled us both into a false sense of security, merely biding his time before taking what he considered to be his just revenge upon us."
Marcus fell silent then, and I dared not say a word.
     
Instead, I curled around him, laying my face on his chest, letting him feel the wetness of the tears I had shed for Thomas. The petty jealousy I had felt when he'd first mentioned Thomas as the great love of his life, now faded away, and all I wanted to do was bring him comfort, if I could. "I'm so sorry," I whispered after a while, and he hugged me to him, telling me without words that he appreciated my compassion. He remained silent for a long time, and I knew he was reliving Thomas's final moments over and over again.
    Had he ever found a way to avenge his lover's death? I wondered.
"No." His voice was flat and emotionless as he answered my unspoken question. "No, the Comte d'Arcy still lives."
"How can you be sure?" I asked.
"I know," was all he said in reply. Gently he unwrapped himself from my embrace then rose from the bed. He stood looking down at me, an unreadable expression on his perfect face. "I should take you home," he said.
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    "Can't I stay?"
"Not tonight. It's late, and you have to work tomorrow."
"But I don't want to leave you alone. You seem so sad. I'm sorry I forced you to tell me all of this."
"Don't be sorry for me, Roger," he murmured, touching my hair. "I told you of him willingly. I have had many years to