Blood Match

Chapter 2: Oasis Of Light

"Hi, I'm Liam Von Anderson," the man said, smiling as he shook Leo's hand.

"Leonidas De La Cruz, but you may call me Leo."

Leo smiled at Liam, captivated by his enthusiasm and the warmth he exuded. He walked over to the portrait that Liam had been adjusting and took a closer look.

In the portrait, a man stood by a large bay window as the setting sun cast a warm glow over the New York skyline. His head was turned towards the photographer, caught in a candid moment and wearing a sincere smile. Leo couldn't help but feel his heart warmed by the genuine love captured on the man's face.

"There is such a strong feeling of love in this portrait. Can you tell me the story behind it?" Leonidas said as he looked at it.

Liam put his head down for a moment, and Leo saw a tear in the corner of his eye.

"I took that picture two years ago. I haven't held a camera since. Leo, may I present Alexander Portelescu, my husband, deceased."

Liam reached out a hand and stroked the cheek of the portrait.

"Deceased? I'm sorry for your loss. How did it happen?" Leo said, quietly.

"Car accident. He was hit by a drunk driver who lost control of her car and plowed into several pedestrians. Alex pushed a baby and her mother out of the way at the last minute, saving their lives, but ended up pinned between the car and a building. The damage was so severe that he died moments after impact. I never even got to tell him I loved him. The police rang my doorbell at 1:30 in the morning to tell me he was dead. After his funeral, I put my camera down and haven't picked it up since."

Liam turned his back to Leo and wiped his eyes. "But enough about me. What brings you out on a snowy night like this?"

"I was out for a leisurely stroll, as I often do when there is fresh snow on the ground. There's something magical about the untouched beauty of newly fallen snow before it gets trampled by the masses of people passing through." Leo began to walk slowly through the gallery, looking at the other photographs as he went. Liam walked by his side.

"You have an amazing eye. It is a shame that suffering has taken your passion from you."

"Thank you. Leisurely stroll? It's a blizzard out there! It’s a wonder you didn't freeze," Liam said, as they walked.

"The cold doesn't affect me. I'm a vampire," Leo said, stopping and looking into Liam's eyes.

"I thought so. Only someone with preternatural senses could have navigated that blizzard. But the question is..." Liam said, holding Leo's gaze, "why stop at my gallery?"

"I saw the light, and knowing the area, I became curious." Leo began to walk again, perusing the photos as he went. "When does your gallery officially open?"

"Tomorrow night, but with this blizzard, I'm not sure we will have an opening," Liam said, looking at the snow falling outside.

Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. He dialed and placed the phone on speaker. After one ring, a deep bass voice answered.

"Sir, what are your orders?"

Leo smiled at Liam.

"A friend of mine is having a gallery opening tomorrow night. Invite a hundred guests, a mix of both human and vampire elite. Also, set up a security detail for the gallery. It is under my protection."

"Yes, Mr. De La Cruz. The invites will go out immediately. What is the gallery address and name?"

The voice on the phone asked. Leo looked at Liam.

"Uh, 50 Broad Street. And the gallery name, the gallery name... shit." Liam hadn't settled on a name. It had been the one thing that he had put off doing.

Leo rescued him. "Lifeline Galleries. Have a fascia board designed and delivered tomorrow morning—modern, black and white, a blend of fine art, architectural, and street styles. Make sure the workmen have it up by 5 p.m. The opening will happen at 5:30 p.m. Oh, and have Claude prepare refreshments and have the waitstaff arrive by 4:30."

"Yes, sir. I will get right on it. If there is nothing else?" the voice questioned.

"No, Tristan, that will be all. And thank you," Leo said, hanging up the phone.

"Mr. De La Cruz, I cannot accept this. It is too much. And what is the catch?" Liam said warily.

"No catch. I have money, influence, and power, but what I haven't had in many centuries is a friend. I’d very much like for us to be friends." Leo offered his hand to Liam.

"I don't know what to say." Liam was at a loss for words.

"Say yes. You’ll be my friend," Leo said, looking into Liam's eyes.

Liam sighed and shook his head. "Yes, Mr. De La Cruz. I will be your friend."

"Good. And as my friend, you must call me Leo. Do you want to know why I chose the name Lifeline Galleries?" Leo said.

"Yes, it does seem a strange name," Liam said, sitting on the window sill as the snow fell behind him.

“When I was walking tonight, I felt nothing. I have lived a long time, and I was tired, bored, and feeling hopeless. Immortality can do that to you. The countless years wear away any sense of purpose or delight. Life becomes a prison.

That was how I was feeling—until I saw that small oasis of light streaming from your window. I walked toward it, curious. And when I stepped into the light and looked at the pictures in your gallery—places I had been, lived in, loved in, and experienced in my long life—seeing them again through your eyes — like the moolit canals of Venice or the night festivals in the Piazza San Marco was like someone had thrown me a lifeline. I realized that there was still beauty in this world, and I wanted to be part of it. So anything I can do to make you successful is a small price for the gift you have given me tonight.”

"Wow. I don't know what to say," Liam said, a tear running down his cheek.

"I didn't mean to make you sad," Leo said, reaching up to brush it away. He felt connected to this man in a way that he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

“No, it's alright. Maybe Lifeline is an appropriate name, because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do this.

I'm opening this gallery to fulfill a promise.
Alex always wanted me to open a gallery, and he made me promise that we would open one on our tenth anniversary.

Tomorrow—November 18th, 2024—will be ten years. So I'm opening the gallery in Alex's honor.
I didn't know how hard it would be… but I think you have thrown me a lifeline as well.
And I could use a friend right now.”