Dark Heart

                                                                 ~*~ Chapter 12 ~*~

Sunset. Luciano awoke in his lair and immediately set out to feed, ignoring the ready taunts coming from Bianca, who was strangely not in her own lair but someplace else, a place all to familiar to him. She purposely kept her whereabouts cloudy and vague, knowing Luciano could find her with just a thought. No, she had a reason for delaying the inevitable showdown and she lured him away from her hiding spot, taking him almost to the far corners of the earth in an effort to exhaust him and weaken his powers.

~*~

Adriana woke up from her nap earlier than everyone else, having set her alarm an hour before, so she could leave the room and follow Bianca’s directions without any questions. Her friends meant well but she needed to go and do this alone, fearing the life of her beloved was already in danger if she didn’t comply with the demand.
However, Tatianna knew the moment her sister left and telephoned her friends, where they all met down in the lobby and secretly watched Adriana hire a gondola. Then they hurried out and hired another one to follow her, missing Marco as he came running up to the same pier, staring in shock as he watched the girls go in a different direction. Thinking Adriana knew the true hiding place of one of the blood drinkers, he hired the last gondola as well and discreetly trailed behind them, hoping that his assumptions were correct and praying he could protect them all as they innocently walked into the depths of hell to battle demons.

~*~

The thirst for blood was driving it mad, and since having lost rhyme or reason, it strained against the shackles it’s mistress had placed upon it during the day, wanting nothing more than to feed. It howled and gnashed its ragged teeth, blabbering and moaning until it felt her being suddenly invade the dark room and it flopped down to its knees, paying homage to her as she hovered over it, appearing like a witch minus the broomstick.
“Ah Geppo, il ragazzo caro, l'ho promesso una festa e stasera, lei avrà un grande un. Obbedirme e l'attesa, e lei sarà ricompensato con un'abbondanza di mortali al sup su. Lasciare Adriana di ragazza di il a me, e lei può portare il riposo. (Ah Geppo, dear boy, I promised you a feast and tonight, you shall have a grand one. Obey me and wait, and you shall be rewarded with an abundance of mortals to sup upon. Leave the girl Adriana to me, and you can take the rest.)” And Bianca bent down and gently tapped one shoulder, and its chains of bondage fell to the floor.
It bobbed and ducked its head, understanding nothing except the command and soon, it would be able to quench its unrelenting thirst.

~*~

Luciano finally got a clear idea of where Bianca was and with a howl of rage, he left off feeding and materialized back into his old villa, into the very room where he had lost his love and his life so many years ago.
“Bianca, you dare defile this place with your presence?! Show yourself, demon and let us finish this once and for all.” He bellowed, his rage a tangible thing as came off from him in hot waves.
“Tsk tsk, always the one for theatrics, eh Luciano. Defiling this place was already done and not just by me.” Bianca appeared a second later and surveyed the room with a disdainful eye. “But you are right about something, we need to finish this, don’t we il mio amore (my love?)”
“Si, this is something I should have done long ago. You almost corrupted me, Bianca, almost turned me into something like you. A soulless, evil person who can’t think beyond the moment’s passion, or above her own pleasures. “
Bianca threw her head back and laughed, a chilling sound like nails being dragged across a chalk board.
“You talk about me? What about you, Luciano? Have the winds of change gotten too cold for you, change your mind and decide to repent your past sins?”
She appeared by his side, whispering into his ear. “Tell me dark brother, have you reconciled the taint to your soul, are you ready to accept judgment for your past crimes against humanity?”
He suddenly appeared away from her, as if the close proximity was too much. “I have but the question really is, have you?”
“What do you mean?” Bianca asked, confused. “Why would I need to repent?”
“Think about it, cara. Who made me? Who infuse me with her blood, transformed me, became a part of me in mind and soul.” Luciano appeared next to her, his own eyes glittering with malice as he slowly turned the tables on the other vampire. “Who has given me everything a damned man could ask for and then some? And who shall be the first to die, so that I may be set free from this unholy bondage you’ve kept me in all these years.”
For a moment, Bianca seemed to shrink within herself as she realized the truth in what Luciano was saying.
“You wouldn’t dare.” She whispered, horror stricken. “Kill me? You would really kill me?”
“To release me from your grasp, to save the one I love more than life itself, I would gladly do so, again and again.” Luciano rose above her, his power flowing through him, streaming out his hair like a dark banner behind him, a red unholy light burning within his eyes, and his fangs appearing like twin daggers. He looked like a fallen angel of death and in his hand, he held a large wooden stake, intent on spearing his maker through her black heart.
With a snarl of rage, Bianca rallied back and thrusting her hands out in front of her, propelled the helpless Luciano into a far wall, slamming him against it hard and watched as he collapsed to the ground. And he dropped the stake.
He flew up from the floor with a snarl of his own and Bianca came after him, both of them meeting in mid-air and locking their hands around the other’s throat in a struggle for dominance.

~*~

Adriana arrived at the villa and when she stopped before the front door, she had a sudden feeling that someone else was standing beside her and slowly she turned her head.
She gasped in shock as the ghostly vision of Julianna stood beside her, smiling and whispered but one command.
“Use the sword, it’s the only way.”
And then disappeared before Adriana could reply.
Having no idea what the ghost had meant, Adriana put one shaking hand on the doorknob and slowly, entered the house, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the gloom. And she took no more than a few steps when suddenly, Luciano flew by her, crashing into the opposite wall with such force, the foundation of the villa shook with tremors. He slid down and landed in a crouched position, snarling and bearing his fangs, as he nemesis approached from another part of the villa.
Bianca flew into the room, her clothes billowing out behind her, reminding Adriana of a giant bat, her hands formed in sharp claws as she threw herself at Luciano, tearing at him with vicious swipes, shredding his clothes and raking across his cool pale flesh. She was snarling like a tiger, her eyes red with blood lust and she howled in victory when suddenly, the other vampire went down on one knee.
“Produrre a me, Luciano. (Yield to me, Luciano.) Beg me to let you live and I may even consider it.”
“To live as what, a monster like you? Never, I’d rather die first.”
“No!” Adriana cried out and suddenly, both vampires spotted her.
“Ah, giusto in tempo. (Ah, just in time.) Time to call in my special surprise for the happy couple.” Bianca cried and summoned her creation.
It crashed through a partially unhinged door and stood for a moment, its black and lifeless eyes staring in wild exuberance for now, it could finally feed. With a silent command from the other vampire, it threw itself at Luciano, just as Bianca disappeared and reappeared next to Adriana’s side. Quick as lightening, she grabbed the other woman by the throat and threw her to the ground, only to hoist her back up again in a choke hold, laughing insanely as her carefully laid plans were now unfolding.
“Now this is what I call a fitting end to things, don’t you agree Luciano?)” She asked as she slowly started to squeeze the life out of Adriana. “It seems so appropriate that a zombie I made to kill your wife, will now kill you. But not before you see her die again, right before your eyes. And there’s nothing you can do, my love. Nothing at all.”
Wrestling with the zombie on the ground, Luciano froze in shock when he heard Bianca’s confession and in doing so, the zombie broke through his defenses and sank its teeth into his shoulder. Luciano reacted and threw the beast against the farthest wall, staring in disbelief as his past came back to life again, and he was watching his wife die all over again.
“You ....you killed Julianna?” He hoarsely asked and sidestepped the charge of the zombie, who had quickly recovered and was on the attack again.
“But of course. And do you want to know why, my dear boy?” Bianca taunted, deflecting the punches and kicks by Adriana as she fought for her life.
Luciano didn’t have a chance to respond since the zombie had tackled him, throwing themselves against some, old abandoned furniture covered in sheets. They rolled a few feet and disappeared into another room, still fighting as the zombie started to howl in victory. The vampire was weakening.
“Because I wanted you. All night long at the dinner party, I tried to get your attention, to lure you away from your pretty wife and what did you do? You ignored me. ME! Bianca de La Vionda! And you had to pay for that insult.”
“So you killed my wife?” Luciano roared and materialized back in the room, unsteady on his feet, only to be captured again by the zombie who was slowly winning the battle.
“And made you into what you are, something I would gladly do again. See, lover. See how she weakens in my hands? You can’t win this, you can never win. I am for more stronger, more powerful than you could ever imagine. I am power, incarnate!” And Bianca’s vile laughter echoed throughout the villa.
“Yeah yeah yeah, and I’m the Queen of England!” Tatianna yelled and threw some holy water at the deranged vampire. “Get your hands off my sister!”
Cynthia and Greta pulled out two crosses and together, they held them up to the now screaming bloodsucker, as Bianca dropped Adriana and shielded herself from this new attack. And they slowly backed away the hissing creature to give their friend a chance to recover.
Adriana landed on the floor, gasping and coughing for breath as Tatianna reached her side and helped her stand. Fearfully she looked for Luciano and saw him on the floor, pinned by the slobbering zombie who was just inches away from tearing his throat out.
“Luciano!” Adriana cried. “Casper, we’ve got to do something!”
“But what? I don’t know how to kill a zombie, only vampires!”
“Here!” Marco suddenly ran into the room and saw the old, dust covered Peverite coat of arms still on the wall, and he grabbed the last sword. Without a moment’s hesitation, he threw it to Adriana, somehow thinking she would know how to use it. “Kill the zombie by hacking it to pieces, then cut its heart out!”
“Of course, the sword!” Adriana breathed, now understanding what Julianna had been trying to tell her.
Without breaking stride, he ran straight over to the still weakened Bianca and taking the stake he held in his hands, he prepared to drive it through her black heart.
Bianca shrieked in unholy rage when she saw Adriana run towards Luciano, and although weak from the holy water and crosses, she still had enough strength to bat away her tormentors and throw herself at Adriana, trying to get to her before she could save Luciano.
The zombie was so close to his throat, its yellow teeth gnashing and grinding, its fetid breath washing over him and Luciano could feel himself lose whatever strength he had left. Not having fed well tonight, and fighting Bianca had taken more out of him than he cared to admit, Luciano was certain he was going to die.
Suddenly, Adriana hacked away at it from the back, the sword slicing down in a wide arc and neatly chopping off one arm, as thick green blood spewed all over.
The zombie screamed in pain and rammed Luciano’s head against the flooring, momentarily stunning the fading vampire. It tried to swat away its new threat but Adriana danced just out of range and hacked away at it again, narrowly missing its other arm.
She raised to sword to strike again but Bianca appeared in front of her and literally knocked the sword out of her hands, and it went sailing through the air to land a few feet from them.
“Time to die.” Bianca snarled and lunged at her rival, fangs bared, claws out for the kill.
Adriana rolled with the momentum, falling back and letting the vampire fly harmlessly over her before she rolled back onto her side and jumped to her feet.
Bianca landed with cat-like agility and prepared herself for another attack but stopped short, when suddenly the tip of the stake appeared between her breasts, Marco standing behind her and shoving it in as hard as he could.
“Your exactly right, demon. Time for you to die, return to hell from which you came!” Marco shouted and shoved the stake one last time.
Bianca’s mouth opened in a silent scream, her body twisting and convulsing, her legs slowly withering away as her body shriveled unto itself and she sank to the floor. And nothing remained of the once beautiful vampire except a wrinkled, moldy skeleton with its arms outstretched, even in death still trying to reach for Adriana.
The zombie reared back, intent on finishing Luciano but once Bianca passed, he froze and fell backwards, the green colored body slamming the floor hard and oozing away until it melted into a puddle of slime.
And the room was strangely quiet.
“Tata? Cynthia, Greta? Are you guys alright” Tatianna was the first to recover and went over to help her two friends stand.
Adriana was immobile, staring at the still body of Luciano, not wanting to see if he lived....or if he had died. Her heart was racing, her hands were clammy and she couldn’t make herself take the first step forward.
“Go to him, he needs you now more than ever.” The ghost of Julianna hovered in front of her, beckoning her to move. “You’ve done well.”
And vanished with a smile of love at Adriana.
Somehow, she found the courage to move and seconds later, she knelt down by Luciano’s side, taking his dark head and resting it in her lap. His shoulder wound was gone, and he looked so peaceful, his long dark lashes resting against his pale cheeks, his face relaxed and void of any emotion....or sign of life.
“Luciano, está sobre, hemos ganado. Despiértese por favor, por favor me dice este trabajado, que yo lo salvé. (Luciano, it's over, we've won. Please wake up, please tell me this worked, that I saved you.)” She held him close, her tears rolling down her face as she waited for him to respond, waiting to see him open his wonderfully dark eyes, and see his dazzling smile. She smoothed back his hair and cried harder when she didn’t get a response.
“Por favor, se despierta por favor y dice mí que soy su Juliet como usted es mi Romeo. Diga mí que soy su amor, su ángel. Por favor Luciano, yo no lo puedo perder ahora. (Please, please wake up and tell me that I am your Juliet as you are my Romeo. Tell me that I'm your love, your angel. Please Luciano, I can't lose you now.)” And she cradled him to her chest, rocking back and forth, trying to contain her sobs of despair when he still didn’t respond.
“Yo no lo puedo perder ahora, ahora cuando acabo de encontrar usted. (I can't lose you now, now when I've just found you.)”
Tatianna, Cynthia, Greta and Marco all stayed a few feet back, letting Adriana grieve alone, sensing she needed too.
“I thought this would’ve worked, Marco?” Tatianna whispered to him.
“I would have thought so too, unless there is another maker, another vampire who still lives.” He tried to reason.
“There is no....other.” They suddenly heard a voice and stated in amazement when Luciano’s arms slowly reached up to embrace the weeping Adriana. “I am....alive.”
Adriana gasped when she felt him return her hug and she couldn’t help but start to laugh through her tears.
“Oh my God, Luciano. I thought you were dead.” Adriana exclaimed.
“We all thought you were dead.” Tatianna agreed.
“I was but something pulled me back,” He explained as they both climbed to their feet, although he leaned on Adriana for support, still weak from the transformation. Then he gently cupped her face, his hand caressing her cheek as a normal healthy color returned to his face.
“What brought you back?” Tatianna couldn’t help but ask.
Luciano flashed her a dazzling smile as he slowly lowered his head to kiss his soon to be wife.
“Do you really need to ask?” He murmured and soundly kissed Adriana, who melted against him in happiness.

                                               ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

                                                                         *Epilogue*

Fifteen months later
Miami, Florida

As the sun slowly rose like a golden orb in the sky, chasing away the last dark remnants of the night, Luciano slowly and quietly climbed out of bed and walked over to french doors that led out onto a small stone patio. And careful not to make too much noise, he walked outside.
Warm, dark honey colored eyes surveyed the scenic view offered, from the tall, graceful palms trees to the white sandy beach that lay just a few yards ahead, border to the clear, deep blue ocean that beckoned.
A few sea gulls swooped in lazy circles overhead, as a couple of fluffy white clouds gracefully glided by, giving way to a sky colored so blue like a robin’s egg.
He inhaled, taking in the air made sweet by nearby orchids blooming in the morning sun and he couldn’t help but smile, marveling at the changes that had taken place in his life over the past year. He held up his hands in front him, noting the skin that was once pale, now colored a deep, rich olive and he enjoyed the warm breezed that sprang up as it caressed over his exposed chest and stomach. He wore nothing except a pair of silk boxers and he reveled in every sensation that this morning and each morning since he was transformed had brought him. He didn’t think he would have ever seen the sun again and was alive all thanks to a woman who lay sleeping inside.
A sudden, tiny little coo of a baby caught his attention and he turned back inside, walking over to the tiny bassinet laying next to the bed, noting with a smile tiny fist waving in the air.
Strong, warm hands scooped up the baby from its bedding and he brought child close to his heart, capping the tiny head full of dark, auburn curls and crooning to his daughter as she gurgled a greeting to her father.
“E buoa mattina a voi, gemini. Avete dormito bene? (And good morning to you, Gemini. Did you sleep well?)” He murmured and gazed down into her dark, chocolate eyes, just like her mother’s. The baby gurgled another response, raising one tiny hand, fluttering it against his nose, then mouth and Luciano chuckled, remembering back to the night he had been given a second chance at life.
In the months that followed the death of Bianca, Luciano had to learn to live life as a mortal once more, adapting to life in the 21st century, and bringing all of his personal and business affairs in order. Keeping his claim to the vast estate of the Peverite family had been slightly difficult, for the legal guardians of it had been certain there were no surviving family members. And his surprise visit to their office one sunny afternoon threw them into a brief turmoil, sorting through papers, having him file claim after claim until finally they could decree he was the sole surviving heir. Why they even remarked on his uncanny resemblance to the deceased nobleman, saying the only difference they noted was the short length of his hair, compared to rather long length his relative had favored.
Adriana stayed with him most of the time, alternately flying back and forth between Miami and Venice, where he stayed at the same villa as the girls. Going back to his own villa was the farthest thing on his mind and yet one day he was struck with inspiration for remodeling it, a gift to his wife after their wedding and a project that was now finally started.
Most of all, he had made his peace with his past, and forging a new but tentative friendship with Marco, who was still seeing Tatianna. And he was falling further in love with Adriana.
They were married six months later in an old church located just outside Miami, and area famous for its cypress trees and southern charm.
Holding Gemini close to him, he thought at this moment in time, he couldn’t be happier, the memory of Bianca a distant and vague reminder of what he used to be ....and would never be again.
“Luciano?” The warm, sleepy voice of Adriana brought him out of his musings and he smiled, staring down at his wife. “What’s the matter?”
She stared up at her husband and for a moment, was struck in amazement as he was suddenly framed in a golden light from the sun, as the yellow orb continued its trek across the sky. It highlighted the dark accents in his hair, making his smile seem more brighter and for a moment, she believed she had just seen the goodness radiating from his soul.
Luciano placed a sweet little kiss on Gemini’s head, whispering to her words of love in Italian and Adriana leaned back against the headboard, smiling as husband and father of her child climbed into bed.
Linking hands, the three of them laid in bed for a little while, simply enjoying each other, and making a complete circle of love.
“Li amo, Adriana, angelo del mio cuore. (I love you, Adriana, angel of my heart.)” Luciano whispered to his wife and caressed her cheek.
“E I usted, mi Luciano querido. (And I you, my darling Luciano.)” Adriana whispered back with a smile.

~*~

Capital city of the province of Prato
Same Day

The construction foreman arrived at the old Peverite villa a few minutes before sunset, walking through the site and making notes on how much material they would need to start the repairs tomorrow. He walked through the main room, shaking his head in amazement at the debris and damage the old villa had sustained, marveling that somehow it had withstood the passage of time. He passed by a particular large mound of trash centered in the middle of the room, looking down in surprise at seeing a rusty old sword lying nearby. Fascinated with it and in his eagerness to retrieve it, he stumbled over the boards and almost tripped on his own feet, instead managing to shake himself loose. He swung his leg back and accidentally kicked a small wooden stake that was protruding from the mound and sent it flying through the air.
Dropping the sword, he suddenly had the feeling he should leave the room and quickly fled to the nearest door, ignoring the hairs raised on the back of his neck in alarm.
Unseen by the foreman, the withered remains of a once vicious and beautiful vampire slowly ebbed back to life, its limbs and torso infusing and inflating, leathery muscle and tissue reforming over dry bones. It suddenly jumped up, shrieking with fury, its claws waving frantically in the air as its ruby red eyes sought blood to satisfy its insatiable hunger.
With a beast like snarl, it spotted the now frightened foreman, trying to bolt out of one door and with a scream, it flew through the air like a giant, winged back. Claws dug into his skin and a moment later, sharp fangs buried themselves in his neck, as his screams of pain and terror echoed through the empty villa over and over again.
It drank the human dry, throwing away the now withered husk and delicately wiping its mouth with one tattered sleeve on its dress, soul less eyes recognizing its surroundings with malicious glee.
And it whispered one word, in a voice that sounded as if it were dragged up from the depths of hell.
“Luciano.”