Page 14 of Elegy of Twilight
Titus reached to refill my glass and broke off a hunk of bread and cheese, passing a portion to me. As he did, a shadow appeared on the edge of the hill.
Titus stiffened, then reached for his lute as the shadow morphed into a being, and this time, as it reared on two legs, I saw for myself what a truevampire looked like. The light caught the shape of its body, standing tall like a man. Lines of darkness ran from his eyes, and his rags displayed his bone-thinness. The vampire lurched forward as though his bones would break.
Pausing, he licked his lips and spoke, his voice like death. “We are hungry. Release us.”
Ignoring the voice, Titus began to play. A rushed, impatient tune bolted from his lute and then swelled into the darkness like a balloon of power. I felt a wave of intensity coming from Titus as he called to me.
“Lucia, come, put your hand on my heart.”
It was an odd request, but I was in no position to refuse him, especially with a vampire stalking closer. I hastened toward him, but he jerked his chin. “Kneel behind me, touch me, skin to skin.”
I hesitated, but only a moment as more shadows crept up the ridge, surrounding us. Kneeling behind Titus, I dropped my arms around his neck, and he leaned back into my embrace. I felt the hard muscles of his back press against me as I slid my hands under his shirt, over his heart. It thudded there, quick as a drum while he played.
“Yes,” he rasped, voice hoarse. “Stay with me, just like this.”
The shadows crept closer.
I closed my eyes and focused on simply being, the breath flowing in and out of my body, my arms around Titus, the warmth of his skin, and the tingling flush that went up from my fingertips up my arms and flared from my runes.
Heat filled me like nothing I’d experienced before.
This time, it wasn’t the flush of embarrassment from being so near Titus, nor the conflict in my heart from breaking my vows, nor was it the warmth of the summer night. No, something strange was happening to me.
I opened my eyes and light filled my vision.
At first, I assumed it was moonlight, for the silver hues glistened so brightly that I saw every blade of grass in front of Titus, but that wasn’t it. I tilted my head, my cheek brushing against strands of Titus’ hair. He smelled woodsy and earthy, the kind of scent that reminded me of the garden and made me want to lie in the dirt like one of the plants while the light beamed upon me, making me transform.
The surge of sensation inside felt like a transformation, and as I leaned over Titus’s shoulder, I realized my runes were glowing. A knot of dread tightened in my stomach, and a fear wormed its wayinside. The tempo of his song increased while my runes glittered like starlight. Ever since I’d met Titus, my runes had itched. It was easy to brush it off as a coincidence, but now I wasn’t so sure.
I was shining.
Did he know something that I didn’t? And why did he want me to touch him like this? Heat swelled within me like an inferno as the tempo reached a crescendo and Titus broke off. Hot and sweaty, I pulled away from him, eyes tearing across the dome, but we were alone. The shadows had gone.
I scooted away from him, reclaiming a patch of grass—close to him for safety but not within reach. “What was that? What did you do?” I demanded.
“Me?” He placed a hand on his heart as he lay down his lute. “You think I did something?”
“Yes,” I sputtered, grasping for answers. “It’s your lute, isn’t it? That night I met you in the glade, you used music to lure the knights to sleep. And again, just now, to frighten away the vampires. But why did my runes glow? What kind of power do you have?”
He ran a hand across the stubble on his jawline and stared up at the sky, avoiding my gaze. “You are smart, intelligent. I thought you would tell me what happened just now. I only met you a few weeks ago. Idon’t know why your runes glow. I just know when you touch me, skin to skin, I feel an intoxicating power like nothing I’ve felt before, and it comes from you. Why do you think I call you a moon goddess? You entice me, you draw me in, and I know you have power, but no one taught you how to use it, did they?”
My hands trembled, and I clenched them into fists. It wasn’t true. I didn’t have power. I didn’t have anything except an odd skin condition and a deal with a vampire. It was about time I found a way out of this madness. This situation could not continue.
Rising to my feet, I crossed my arms. “Has this night been enough? Will you take me home now?”
Titus neared, his eyes dark. “I will give you an excuse for tonight, but this is only the beginning. You fear what you have, but you shouldn’t be afraid.”
My body continued to tremble, and I focused on the lights in the distance, unwilling to look at him. “It’s not what’s within me that I’m afraid of. It’s what you bring out of me.”
The palm of his hand pressed against my cheek as he guided my face toward his. “You should not fear what you have; it is beautiful, but you are right to be wary of me. There are times when I’m impulsive and lose control of myself. More sowhen I’m with you, and while the idea of your power entices me, it’s you, the purity and beauty of your soul that makes me want to stay right here.”
I wasn’t ready when he kissed me.
I whimpered under the assault of his lips, but my entire body throbbed with need. A burning desire swept through me, and I opened my mouth, inhaling him, tasting him as he dominated me. I felt the rough stubble of his unshaven chin, the power of his jaw, the scent of wine still on his tongue, and the way his hands cupped my face.
Titus groaned, the sound deep and sexy, sending a thrill through my body. I wanted to hear him make that sound again. But no, I shouldn’t want it. I was losing myself, my sense of right and wrong, under the haze of desire.
When at last he broke the kiss, we were both breathing hard, and I knew my eyes were glassy. “See,” he whispered. “You want me almost as badly as I want you.”
