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blank range of Marcus.
    “For my Master!” I’d heard her scream before she went eternally silent.    
    Antonio and Marcus gave each other that “dude nod” and turned toward Dante and myself with readied weapons.   The elder struck back with his elbow and I lost my grip from the blow, falling to the floor.   Blood ran from my mouth, down my chin, and onto the dress.   The blow left me winded and I tried to crawl toward my protectors.   Dante was weakened and in pain, but he snatched me by the hair before I could gain enough distance, pulling me to standing beside his tall frame.
    “Let her go, father.   You can’t force someone to love you.   What did you expect when you imprisoned her for what was it?   Two hundred years?”   My breathing was coming out hoarse and I knew that one or more of my ribs were broken.   Vampires may regenerate more quickly from injury than normal humans, but broken bones take time.  
    Dante ran his free hand through his white hair and over his face as he tried to decide his next course of action.   “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted the boy,” he said, talking down to Marcus.     “Though I do applaud how convincing he was.   I was sure after watching you ravage her on camera he’d kill you for me, Tonio .”
    “I may still kill him for taking advantage of her, but Evey is more important right now.”   He gave a small laugh.   “For all your years, you’re an idiot, man.”   He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills, tossing them to the floor.   “I don’t need your fucking money.   I need her.”   He pointed directly at me.
    My eyes lowered and I couldn’t help but feel shame.   Sure, I’d been weak, hungry, and thought Marc was dead, but he’d still been forced to watch me with another man.
    “So what’s our next move, gentlemen?”   Dante taunted, giving a tug of his hand and pulling my hair.   “Do we let the little courtesan die or do we make a deal for her love and life?   She’s accustomed to being bargained for.   Don’t be fools and think I won’t kill her before you can take me down.”
    Antonio spoke up.   “She’s comes with us, you go free.   Simple enough.”
    A laugh erupted from my captor and he leaned in and kissed my cheek roughly.   “What do you think?” He asked me.   “You’d like to protect these boys by being my little caged bird again, yes?”   With his hand he made me nod my head.
    Suddenly my body convulsed into a violent fit and I coughed up blood.   I wasn’t used to consuming such massive quantities of it.
    “Let him take me.”   I said with as much confidence as I could muster.
    “Hell no,” both of my lovers said in unison, then gave each other a brief look.  
    Antonio spoke up.   “Father, you’re severely injured.   Even you won’t hold out much longer with bullet wounds and deadly bites.   Give her to us, and you have my word, we will let you leave.”  
    The vampire slowly led me closer to his private chamber door before shoving me toward Marcus.   If he hadn’t caught me in his embrace I would have collapsed.   “Never call me father again.   You have failed me for the last time, Antonio.”   I heard him call back as he fled through an exit in his private chambers, “Soon, Evelina Angelis!”

 
    The rest of the evening is a blur.  Much of what I know is from what was recounted to me later.   My strength and adrenaline must have given out when I felt Marcus’ arms around me.   I recall thinking I was bleeding to death on the crimson carpet.   It’d been a feverish dream, because when I woke I was in one of the hotel’s bathroom tubs.   Marcus was gently washing away the blood from my face when I turned my heavy eyes toward him.   My body ached and I felt like I’d suddenly contracted the flu.   Venice crossed my mind again and how I would have died from the plague if Dante hadn’t turned me.   Tears ran silently down my cheeks.
    “Don’t