5

Natalia had overseen the modernization of the archives for the Council in the States and worked with Malachi to bring the same technology to the European Council. They had employed thousands to scan all the original documents into computer files, as well as provide typed transcripts of the old handwritten documents. Once that was done, she maintained a staff of a few hundred to keep the data current. She’d gone into Council at the age of twenty-five and had been there ever since.

Her private room was pleasant, and she’d been allowed to decorate it as she pleased. Her need for closet space was minimal, since she only wore the off-white hooded robes, and was known inside these walls as Ivory. Only her family and Marcello, still called her Natalia. She kept a few articles of clothing here for when she visited her family, and her mother maintained her bedroom for her at Bel Rosso, although her opportunities to visit were rare.

To distinguish the Council members from their European counterparts, their names were modified, although they wore the same color robes, and held the same roles. Here in the States, the green robe was worn by Emerald, and the orange robe by Amber, the blue robe was worn by Indigo, and the purple robe by Amethyst. Citron wore the yellow robe, and Ebony wore the black one.

Her father had allocated a large plot of land for the U.S. Council, and as each of the Council members were identified by Malachi and assigned their role, they too had moved into the Council, where they’d remain for the whole of their lives. She was the only female among the all-male Council, but her voice carried no less weight. She’d made sure of that. She knew her father was proud of her, but she also felt his sadness. It wasn’t the life he’d dreamed for her. She found she was content here and felt fulfilled in her role and her contributions to the vampire community at large. She’d spent hours discussing her visions with Malachi about the changing roles of females in their culture and pushing for policy changes in both Europe and the States. The changes gave females equal power, and no longer required a mistress to mate, to hold onto her coven. Still, it was a lonely life, and she didn’t know if she’d be as happy had her father not assigned Marcello to oversee the warriors assigned to Council. His assignment would also be a permanent one. Once a warrior was assigned to Council, just like the Council members, they’d never leave this post. Council members didn’t mate, and they didn’t hunt. The feeders who resided here were also permanent.

Natalia still used the feeders, so as to not raise suspicion, but it was Marcello's affection she sought. She fed from him when she could, but he could never be allowed to feed from her. She’d felt a bond with him, even when she was a child, and had watched him in the camp. Even then, before she ever understood her fate as Council, she knew her father would not have approved of her mating him. She often wondered if her father was aware of her attraction to Marcello, and made the decision to assign him here, knowing she’d seek him out. She’d never ask him, and she doubted he’d give her an answer, if she did. Whatever the reason, she was grateful to have him, although they must both be alert, and make sure their relationship remained hidden. Their love affair was one of stolen glances, and soft smiles, of accidental brushing of shoulders, and the intentional and lingering touch of hands when he gave her something for the archives. And when they were lucky, they’d steal away to the attic, under some pretext of retrieving old documents she needed him to carry for her. Occasionally, he found a way to enter her private rooms unseen and slept with her through the day. It was a rare treat to be held by him, as she was pulled into her death slumber. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do.

***

Marcello had watched Shade's daughters grow up under the protection of his cousin, Luca. He’d always been intrigued with Natalia, but he was a warrior, and she was royal blood. He knew better than to overstep his bounds. He’d been as shocked as anyone when Sophia had broken the rules and mated with Alfie behind her father’s back. He’d remained content to admire Natalia from afar and felt great sorrow when he’d learned that she’d been born to Council and would be leaving Bel Rosso, and he’d probably never see her again. Still, there was a part of him that celebrated the news, knowing she wouldn’t be mated to another, and he knew even as he had those thoughts how selfish it was of him. He loved his life as a warrior and took pride in rising to the position of SIC of the camp, but it was a lonely life, and watching her leave was painful.

When Shade had asked him to take over the new post of Commander, overseeing the warriors assigned to the protection of the U.S. based Council, he didn’t have to think twice about it. He had no illusions about their future together. If she was out of reach before, as royal blood, Natalia’s position in the Council cemented the fact she’d never mate. But Marcello wasn’t blind, either. He was well aware their attraction was mutual. Whenever she was outside at Bel Rosso, her eyes would find him. Whenever he was called to the house by Shade, she’d always find an excuse to appear. They had exchanged glances, and the occasional touch of hand, and somehow, they’d both made it enough.

Since living at Council, they had found reasons to interact, and without the watchful eyes of so many, it had become easier for them to find a private space, and what had started out as stolen kisses had evolved over the years. As much as they loved each other, they could never mate, he could never take her blood, but he cherished what they shared, allowing her to feed from him when they made love. It was a huge risk for them both. He had no idea what the punishment would be, but he was certain he’d be removed from the post, and Natalia would have to remain here. He never aspired to be mated and had been prepared to live his life in solitude, but now that he had her, even if in secret, he couldn’t bear the thought of a life without her. He went to feeders, but she held his heart, and always would, and she knew it. He dropped everything whenever she called for him, her request a smokescreen for them to sneak away for private time together. For both of them, who’d been raised with no expectations of ever being able to mate or find love, their union was enough.

***

Natalia walked down the long hallway of the Gothic mansion, located on the Potomac in Northern Virginia. The land was prime real estate, worth millions for its location alone. She was one of two vampires on the Council that weren’t day-walkers. She kept the records of all the births and knew most newborns today were born day-walkers. The Council would have frequent meetings about these patterns in shifting gifts and felt the evolution to day-walkers was a survival mechanism necessary in these modern times. She stopped at an open window high on the third floor where the Council had their private quarters, and looked out at the wide river, as the moon glinted off the water. She had often envied her brother and sister their ability to walk in the sun. She’d asked her father once when she was still a child, if he missed walking in the sun. He’d taken her on his lap, and held her chin, speaking softly to her, saying it was hard to miss what you never had, and to focus on the gifts she did have. She wasn't too sure about that now.

As she started down the stairs, lifting her long robe so as not to trip on the steps, she looked up to see Marcello on his way up. "Marcello!" It was impossible to disguise the joy in her voice.

Marcello was making rounds when he encountered her on the stairs. He knew her schedule and frequently managed his workflow to maximize their time together. The excitement and joy he heard in her voice when she saw him was well worth the planning to be there. He was a day-walker, which gave him the latitude to work around Natalia’s schedule. She was so beautiful, even with no makeup, and wearing the simple robe, her eyes could take him to his knees. "Good evening, Natalia. Your mind seems preoccupied with something." He was careful not to touch her when they were in the corridors or stairways where they could encounter others. He lowered his voice, so only she could hear. "I’m hoping it’s me." He winked and gave her a smile, his blue eyes twinkling behind the mop of brown hair.

Natalia pulled the hood further over her head, masking her face as she whispered, "You’re always in my thoughts." She looked over her shoulder to insure none of the others were leaving their rooms yet. "I have work to do in the archives, and once the data is entered, the records will need to go to the attic. You can help me, yes?"

“Of course, just let me know when you’re ready.” His eyes darted around, as he listened for the sound of footsteps.

“It may take a few hours for them to finish entering the data." She lightly touched his bare forearm and felt the spark between them. "Come find me in the archives later."

Marcello saw Emerald enter the corridor, and he answered her, making sure his voice was loud enough to be heard. "I’m happy to help. I’ll check back later." He nodded to Emerald. "Everything is under control. Have a good evening, both of you." Marcello quickly descended the stairs and continued on his way, his excitement to see her tonight held deep inside.

Natalia smiled to herself as she made her way to the archives. The large, well-lit room looked very different from the dusty tomb she’d visited in Florence. Her archives were a model of the latest technology. Records were stored by coven families in a large database and cross-referenced to include all mating’s across covens. Most data was entered using a touchscreen keyboard, but documents could be retrieved by the sound of her voice. She was the only person who could retrieve the records once they were entered, and the computer system recognized her voice. Ivor had been slow to adopt the changes until her father had brought both he and Malachi here to see what she’d done. She could find any document within seconds. The originals were stored in temperature and humidity-controlled rooms and were cataloged in a way that would allow them to instantly locate the original paper document as well. She walked briskly behind the workstations of the data entry staff, who were housed on the campus in a separate building. Like the Council, their assignments here would be permanent. She directed them as needed, and answered questions, as busy fingers hammered away at the keys, and she counted down the minutes when she could steal away to be with Marcello.

Marcello kept one eye on the time as he worked through the night, checking in with each of the warriors at their assigned posts. He rotated their stations often, so every warrior was familiar with every inch of the mansion, as well as the grounds. As the night wore on, he made his way to the archives and watched as the workers filed out, one by one, as they returned to their private quarters. He waited until no one else exited and knew Natalia was alone. He rapped lightly on the door, and heard her soft voice call out, “Come in.” He stepped into the room and was always impressed by the massive banks of complex technology. It looked complicated, but she moved around with ease, making a quick inspection at each workstation of the data that had been entered through the night. She was still in work mode, her attention focused on the records. He stepped up behind her and took her hand, squeezing it softly.

Her heart beat faster at his touch. She looked over his shoulder at the door. It was rare for one of the other Council members to enter the archives, but they did occasionally have business here. The storage room was always safe, as no one else went there, and she had the only key. Well, the only other key. She’d made a copy for Marcello years ago. “Meet me in the attic. I'll be there shortly."

Letting his hand slide along her cheek, he smiled at her. He lifted a file box filled with paper documents and turned quickly to leave the room. Walking briskly, he headed down the long corridors and up the stairs to the attic storage. Balancing the box on one hip, he slipped the key from his pocket and opened the door to the document’s storage room. This space was reserved exclusively for storing the original documents and was rarely accessed by anyone other than Natalia. Closing the door behind him, he heard the lock automatically engage, and he set the box down on a worktable and waited for her.

Within minutes, he heard her key in the lock. When she entered, she made her way directly to him. He lifted the hood from her face, and exposed her rich, brown hair, and his hands quickly tangled in her thick locks as his mouth covered hers. He knew she wore nothing beneath the robe and loosened the ties at her neck. The robe dropped away, billowing in a pool at her feet, leaving her naked and exposed.

Marcello was the only male to have seen her this way, and her breath caught in her throat when his fingers traced her jawline and trailed down her neck, across her collar bone, to her breasts. His touch was light and patient. He’d always been gentle with her, like handling a rare crystal artifact that, once shattered, could never be replaced. He kissed her again, as his hand slid around her waist, and he pulled her to his chest.

Marcello knew what he held in his hands was a rare and precious jewel. She was his master's daughter, and one he’d never abuse or disrespect. His love for her had grown immensely over the years. They both knew it could never go any further, but for both of them, they’d come to accept it was enough. Marcello was no stranger to females. He’d hunted and used feeders all his life, and must continue to do so, as he’d never be allowed to feed from her. Still, he had no doubt about her love, or her loyalty to him. He was, without a doubt, her warrior. They needed no blood covenant to seal what was between them.

"It feels like forever since I’ve held you in my arms, kissed your lips. What is your pleasure tonight? Do you want to watch me undress, or do you want to undress me?"

She felt the texture of the leathers against her skin and was excited by the feel of his hard body. She smiled coyly. "I'll undress you. It's like opening a present, and I love presents."

She began with the leather jacket that fit him like a glove and bore the Council crest. She slowly unzipped the garment, exposing his smooth, hard chest. She brushed his skin with her fingertips and watched the goosebumps on his skin. She slid the jacket off his broad shoulders and shimmied it down his arms until it dropped to the floor. Marcello had always worn his hair long. It was light brown and kissed by the sun. His skin was a golden tan, and emphasized his bold, blue eyes. His lashes were as dark, and as long as hers.

She walked around him, her hand trailing along the waistband of the leather pants, until she stood behind him, and kissed his muscular back, right between his shoulder blades. "You’re beautiful, Marcello."

Returning to stand in front of him, she slipped her hand inside his waistband and gave it a sharp tug, jerking him forward, before undoing the snap, and unbuttoning the fly. She sighed as she worked each button. “Someone needs to tell Cory this is the 22nd century, and it's okay to use zippers."

She heard his soft chuckle at her impatience to rid him of the leathers. She started to slip the leathers down his hips, when she heard him say, "Boots." She sighed again and knelt before him, unlacing the boots and helping him pull them off, before he kicked free of the leather pants.

“You sure make a girl work for her reward."

He laughed. "I thought you liked opening presents?"

She backed away slowly, drinking him in with her eyes. “So, show me what I get for all that hard work."

It was their foreplay, the undressing, and it stirred the fire in his belly, knowing what lie ahead. He smiled softly and growled. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the soft blankets stacked in the corner. Laying her down, he began to kiss her softly, starting at her toes, and working his way slowly up her body, always stopping before he reached her throat. She drew him like a bee to honey. "You’re so beautiful."

He tangled his hands in her hair, as his tongue slid along her collar bone. It was the only taste of her he’d ever have. His hand slid down her torso, between her breasts, and across her flat tummy, to rest between her legs. She was wet for him already, her anticipation as great as his own. He slid his hard body along hers, until they fit together perfectly. Kissing her passionately, he entered her and heard the soft moan from her lips. His blue eyes locked with her brown ones, and he moved slowly inside her, making every stroke count, for their encounters were few and far between.

She had to stifle her cries of ecstasy, and bit hard on her lip, as he mounted her. Their love making took place in soft spoken whispers, so as not to draw the attention of others. Maybe someday they could sneak away from here for a few hours, and she could allow herself to enjoy him with free abandon, but for now, they moved in silence. Their love affair had gone on for years, hidden from everyone. She savored his weight on her, and the power of his thrust, as he gripped her hips. She wrapped her legs around him, and slowly kissed his neck, before tasting his skin, preparing him for her bite, so he too would remain silent. She sank her fangs into his flesh and was hit with the power of his warrior's blood, so much more satisfying than that of the feeders. She couldn’t stop the soft moan in the back of her throat, as she felt the heat surge between her legs, and she let herself fall into the orgasm that followed.

Marcello felt her fangs sink into his flesh. He knew his blood gave her strength, she was Medici, but he was still a warrior. He felt her reach her orgasm and he let go, exploding inside her. Closing his eyes, he turned his head away, ignoring the deep ache in his fangs, as he buried his face in the blankets, muffling the sound of his pleasure. How he wished he could be free with her, but they’d both accepted that was something that may never happen.

He rolled off her and pulled her to his chest, as his hands caressed her back and ran softly through her dark curls. He could lay here all night with her in his arms, but that too was a dream that was rarely fulfilled.

She lay quietly with her head on his chest, his arms draped around her, and felt safe and loved. She did love him, but she knew she’d never mate, never bear his children. And in the deepest part of her soul, she’d come to accept that. She loved her life at Council, and the freedom to make her own choices. She answered to no male, and there was a freedom in that that, few females in their culture would ever know. She felt her death slumber pull at her, and knew she had to hurry. She sat upright, leaving their makeshift bed and gathered up her robe, slipping it over her head, and replacing the soft leather slippers on her feet that allowed her to move about silently. She kissed him one last time before she left.

“I must go now. I can feel the sun rising." She stared into the deep sapphire blue of his eyes. “I love you, Marcello."