Blood Match

Chapter 8: Revelations And New Beginnings

"Maybe it is just my innate charm and good looks," Leo said, smiling.

Leo took Liam’s hand. "Well, are you ready to continue the tour?"

Liam nodded. "Lead the way."

Leo walked out of the bedroom, still holding Liam’s hand, and went to the other end of the hall where an ornate wooden staircase led up to a third floor. As they reached the top of the stairs, Liam gasped. The entire floor was built of industrial-strength photochromic glass. Night-blooming flowers decorated the area, which included several sitting areas and a gas fire pit in the center of the space. The effect was one of an outdoor retreat that could be enjoyed in the evenings of all seasons. A telescope was set in one corner, along with a table filled with astronomical charts and antique instruments.

"This floor is sort of an observatory. I love to watch the stars, and so I often spend evenings up here when the sky is clear," Leo said as he watched Liam walk the space.

He could see Liam’s photographer’s eye begin to frame mental shots of the surrounding space. He waited until Liam walked back over to him.

"This is amazing, and the views of the city must be spectacular when the sun sets," Liam said enthusiastically.

"They are. Maybe you will join me for dinner up here after we make an appearance at the gallery," Leo said hopefully.

"Why, Mr. De La Cruz, are you asking me on a date?" Liam said jokingly.

"Absolutely," Leo said, looking at Liam.

"Well then, who am I to say no? So, is this the end of our tour?"

"No. Come, there is one more place I want to show you."

Leo led the way back down the stairs, but instead of heading to the first floor, he turned and went behind the staircase. Liam followed and realized there was an elevator under the stairs. Leo input a code, and the doors slid open. He ushered Liam inside before the doors closed again. Leo then pressed his hand against the palm scanner—the only control in the elevator—and it started to descend.

After several minutes, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened. Leo and Liam stepped out into a well-lit hallway with bright lights lining the ceiling, making the white walls and polished floors gleam. The doors on either side were made of dark wood, but the brass handles gave off a golden sheen.

"We are two stories below ground. This is my vault—the place where I keep my most prized possessions."

Leo guided Liam to the first door and opened it. He gestured for Liam to enter. As Liam did, the lights came up in the center of the room on an easel which held a single painting.

The young man’s jet-black hair fell in glossy waves around his face, and his striking violet eyes seemed to glow with an otherworldly light. His features were sharp and angular, giving him an ethereal appearance that was indeed more angelic than human.

Beside him, the beautiful older woman with her blonde hair woven like a coronet and clear blue eyes radiated a calm elegance. They stood in a grand library, surrounded by shelves of old books. The painter had captured their likeness with fine details and delicate brushstrokes, making the painting seem almost lifelike despite its age.

The painting was the only thing in the room.

"Liam, may I present my sire, Don Fernando De La Cruz, and his blood match, Lady Genevieve De La Fontaine."

"This is the one who made you Sanguinis Divina? Leo, he looks so young—and the woman..." Liam fell silent as words failed him.

"Don Fernando was 1,100 years old when that painting was done, and Lady Genevieve was 300."

"So she became a vampire?" Liam said, walking closer to the painting to examine it further.

"No. Sanguinis Divina are not like other vampires. We can only sire once, and our blood matches remain human. However, through some miraculous aspect of our nature, we can share part of ourselves with them. Thus, immortality becomes one of the benefits of being the blood match of a Divina."

"So their relationship was... romantic?" Liam said, looking at Leo.

Leo smiled. "No. Don Fernando considered her his mother and treated her as such. Blood match relationships are not always intimate—they can be as varied as human relationships. A blood match can be a lover, or fill the role of another family bond—mother, father, sister or brother, even a good friend. The bond is not always sexual. Fernando loved her fiercely as a son, and that was the relationship they presented to the world. I miss them greatly," Leo said, touching the frame of the painting.

Liam reached over and took Leo’s hand. He pulled him in for a hug and held him there, just letting the sadness and the grief have its moment in the quiet silence of the beating of their two hearts.

Leo felt himself relax—and for the first time in centuries, he didn’t feel so alone.

"Thank you, Liam, for your friendship," Leo said quietly.

Liam looked up into Leo’s eyes.

"Losing the people you love leaves a jagged hole in your heart, and there are days you don’t even know if it will keep beating. But time comes along and brings you people that help rub the jagged edges smooth. Although the hole will always be there, the wound somehow is less painful, and your heart can still beat."

Leo took a deep breath and nodded. "Come. There is more for you to see."