Blood Match

Chapter 7: Leap Of Faith

Leo watched Liam walk through the door to the walk-in closet. As it closed behind him, he heard Liam exclaim, “Holy fuck!”

Leo chuckled as he left the room.

Mr. Von Anderson, this is only the beginning, Leo thought to himself.

But even in his joy at rediscovering joy in life, he couldn’t silence his uncertainty.

How would Liam react to all this attention from him? Was he moving too fast? Should he slow down and explain to Liam who and what exactly he was—and give Liam the choice on how far they took their new relationship?

Despite his efforts to live a simple life as an average vampire, Leo was well aware of the complexities that came with immortality. He had walked away from his past, but he could never fully escape the fact that he was unlike any other vampire.

How could he explain Sanguinis Divina to Liam? That he was the last of his kind in existence, and that he had been searching for eight hundred years for the one soul who could complete him?

Leo had nearly abandoned hope of finding his blood match when he left Spain in 1750 and ventured to the Americas, immersing himself in the excitement of the New World and getting lost in the adventure of witnessing the rebellion of the colonies against George III.

The next three hundred years passed almost in the blink of an eye. Leo watched people he loved be born, grow old, and finally die.

He shook his head to clear the memories. In this moment, he wanted to focus on spending time with Liam, and experiencing the newfound joy this incredible man had ignited within him.

Liam took in the sight of the walk-in closet.

In the center of the room stood a dressing counter with drawers. It was waist-height, topped with burnished cherry wood—perfect for laying out selected clothes.

The walls were lined with valet rods, filled with slacks, jackets, and shirts—all designer labels. Shoe compartments covered the lower half of the closet walls, packed with a myriad of shoes and sneakers.

Liam opened the drawers of the dressing counter and found underwear, socks, T-shirts, soft cashmere sweaters, and pullovers. Looking around, he realized he could stay here for a month and never wear the same thing twice.

It boggled the mind.

He pulled open another drawer and found several pairs of jeans. Selecting one, he placed it on top of the dressing counter. Then he chose a black T-shirt and a grey hoodie to go with them. A pair of sneakers from the shoe wall followed, added neatly to the stack.

He stripped off his pajamas and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

Liam had just returned to the bedroom when Leo walked in. Leo took one look at him and smiled.

“I knew you would choose comfort over extravagance. It’s no surprise.”

Liam smiled. “Even comfort costs more than I make in a month. These sneakers are vintage, and I know for a fact there are only seven pairs in the world—and you just happen to have a pair in my size.”

Leo had the good grace to look guilty. “I’ll have to speak to Tristan about his enthusiasm. I told him to buy a few things—I didn’t expect...” He trailed off at the sound of Liam’s laughter.

“Leonidas De La Cruz! That man would never do anything but follow your explicit instructions. Don’t try to blame him,” Liam said, crossing his arms.

“Okay, okay, maybe I did go a bit overboard when I suggested he pick up some things for you. I just wanted you to have the best,” Leo said earnestly.

“Leo, I would’ve been happy with a pair of Levis and a plain old cotton tee. But thank you,” Liam said, hugging him.

Leo hugged Liam, inhaling his scent and feeling both calm and excited. He couldn’t quite understand the strong pull he felt toward Liam, but it felt familiar—almost like a rediscovered sensation.

“Are you ready to see the rest of my home?” Leo said, breaking the hug to take Liam’s hand.

Liam nodded.

“Okay then. This room we stayed in last night is the second master bedroom—that’s why it has the ensuite and walk-in closet. All the rooms have shutters so I can move freely through the house in the daytime.” Leo led the way out into the hallway.

He walked down the hall. There were two additional bedrooms on the floor, pretty much set up as guestrooms with generic furnishings. Leo said they were hardly ever used.

At the end of the hall stood two large carved wooden doors. Leo opened them, and Liam gasped as he looked into the largest bedroom he had ever seen.

The room exuded subtle luxury, blending modern and classical elements. Soft gray walls provided a neutral backdrop for the king-size bed with its tufted velvet headboard. Dark walnut nightstands flanked the bed, their clean lines complemented by brass handles. A large, muted area rug anchored the space, while an abstract painting above the bed added a splash of controlled color.

Across the room, a classic fireplace with a white marble surround housed a sleek gas insert. A modern chaise lounge in one corner offered a cozy reading nook.

The ensuite bathroom continued the theme of understated elegance. A double vanity in dark walnut supported a white quartz countertop, with oval mirrors and modern sconce lighting above. The freestanding soaking tub—a blend of classic silhouette and modern finish—stood as the room’s centerpiece. A walk-in shower with frameless glass doors and herringbone-patterned tiles completed the space, its brass fixtures echoing the bedroom’s subtle warmth.

Throughout both rooms, carefully chosen accessories in muted tones tied the modern and classical elements together, creating a sophisticated yet welcoming retreat.

“This is my bedroom. It’s where I go when I need to retreat from the cares of the world. Lately, it’s felt more like a prison cell than a haven,” Leo said quietly.

“Why?” Liam asked, looking over at him.

“When you’ve lived as long as I have, you begin to tire of the people you love and who become part of your life—growing old and dying,” Leo said, sitting down on the bed.

Liam sat next to him. “But vampires can make other vampires. Have you never thought of sharing your gift with another?”

“For me, it’s more complicated. I’m not like other vampires,” Leo said, looking at Liam.

“What do you mean?”

“My sire was Sanguinis Divina—it’s Latin for Divine Blood. He was the last of his kind when he made me. Sanguinis Divina can only sire one offspring, and that can only be done when they find their perfect blood match. My father had searched for centuries before he found his, and he chose me as his son and passed on the gift—and the curse—of Sanguinis Divina.

I’ve been looking for eight hundred years for my blood match—the one soul who can complete me. I cannot procreate or come into my full potential until I find them.Until I met you, I didn’t know how tired and full of despair I was. Seeing you that night woke something in me, and I realized that even if I never find my perfect match, I can still live my life with joy. Liam, you woke that in me, and for that I am very grateful.”

Liam reached over and grabbed Leo’s hand. “Wow. I’m sorry, Leo. I know what it is to search for that one person who would complete you—I found that in Alex, even though he was taken from me too soon. I can’t imagine eight hundred years of looking for someone—the longing and yearning to be complete. All those years never finding the one who you are destined to be with... it has to crush the spirit.”

He placed his hand on Leo’s cheek and turned his head gently to look into his eyes. “I don’t know where this is going, but I know fate has brought us together, and I’m willing to trust in that.”

Liam leaned in closer and pressed his lips to Leo’s, starting off with a simple kiss that quickly turned into something more intense. A spark ignited between them, kindling a passionate flame that grew stronger with each passing moment.

After a few minutes, Leo pulled back, planting a final kiss on Liam’s lips. Liam took a deep breath to compose himself.

“Why is it, Mr. De La Cruz, that I have such a hard time controlling myself around you?” Liam said, smiling.