Eternal Ties 4

The First Tate of Darkness

Naomi stood at the edge of the city’s underbelly, her heart racing as the night unfolded around her. The streets of New York glowed with the life of the city, but there was something darker lurking beneath it all—something she had willingly stepped into. Marco walked by her side, his presence commanding, as if the shadows themselves bent to his will. She could feel the quiet power radiating off him, a tangible force that both reassured and unsettled her.

After their morning together, Marco had promised to show her what it meant to truly live in his world. She had agreed, knowing full well there would be no turning back. Now, as they walked deeper into the shadowed parts of the city, she began to feel the weight of that decision settle on her shoulders.

He had brought her here, to a place she had never been before—a secluded section of the city, far from the bright lights of Manhattan, where the buildings were older and the streets quieter, as if time had forgotten this place. It felt ancient, timeless, as if the very air held secrets that had been buried long ago.

“Where are we?” Naomi asked, her voice low, barely above a whisper. She wasn’t afraid—at least, she didn’t want to be. But there was something about the atmosphere here that made her skin prickle with unease.

“We’re close to the heart of my world,” Marco said, his voice calm, almost soothing. He glanced at her, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “This is where the Sangue Scuro operates when we don’t want prying eyes. The humans here, they know something’s off. They sense it, but they stay quiet. That’s how we keep the balance.”

Naomi nodded, trying to keep up with his calm demeanor, but it was hard to ignore the creeping tension in the air. The shadows here felt thicker, like they held more than just darkness. Something dangerous was waiting, just beyond her line of sight.

“You said you’d teach me,” Naomi said, her voice firmer now, determined not to be overwhelmed by the unfamiliar world Marco was pulling her into. “Show me how to survive in this world. How to… stand by your side.”

Marco’s eyes flicked toward her, his gaze sharp but not unkind. “I will. But understand this, Naomi: my world is not forgiving. You can’t hesitate. You can’t show weakness. And you must be prepared for anything.”

“I know,” Naomi replied, her chin tilting up defiantly. “I’m ready.”

The smile Marco gave her this time was different—darker, tinged with something more primal. He seemed pleased by her resolve, but there was a part of him that still seemed to be testing her, as if waiting for her to falter.

They continued walking until they reached a heavy iron door tucked into the side of an old brick building. It looked unassuming, like any other doorway on the block, but Naomi could feel the energy pulsing behind it—an invisible barrier that warned her to turn back.

Marco placed a hand on the door, and it opened silently, as if on command. He gestured for her to follow him inside, and Naomi stepped forward, her heartbeat quickening. The moment she crossed the threshold, she felt it—an almost tangible shift in the air, like she had stepped from one world into another.

The room beyond was dimly lit, filled with low, red-tinted lights that cast long shadows across the floor. The walls were lined with velvet drapes and old, worn leather furniture. There was a low murmur of voices, but as soon as Marco entered, all conversation ceased.

Naomi’s eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, and she saw them—people, or at least what looked like people, scattered throughout the room. But there was something off about them. The way they moved, the way they watched her with predatory eyes, sent a chill down her spine. She had no doubt that these were vampires—like Marco.

But they weren’t like him. Marco was different—controlled, regal, almost human in his demeanor. These creatures, however, radiated danger, their eyes hungry as they locked onto her.

Marco placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her further into the room. The small touch was reassuring, grounding her in the moment, reminding her that she was not alone. But it also felt possessive, as if Marco was silently warning the others not to come near her.

“We’ve arrived,” he said quietly, his voice calm despite the palpable tension in the air. “This is where the real work happens. You wanted to see my world, Naomi. Well, this is just the beginning.”

Naomi swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry as she took in the sight of the room. The vampires here were lounging casually, as if they had no care in the world, but there was an edge to their movements, a quiet menace that made her skin crawl. She was an outsider here, and they knew it.

Marco led her toward the center of the room, where an old-fashioned bar stood, polished dark wood gleaming under the soft light. A man was seated there, his back to them, but Naomi could feel the shift in the atmosphere the moment he sensed Marco’s approach.

The man turned, and Naomi immediately recognized him—though not by name. He was one of the men she had seen at the nightclub the night she had first run into Marco. Tall, broad-shouldered, with a face that was both handsome and cold, his eyes gleamed with amusement as they landed on her.

“Ah, Marco,” the man greeted, his voice smooth as he stood. “I see you’ve brought your little human friend.”

Naomi bristled at the way he said it—your human friend—as if she were some insignificant plaything. But she forced herself to stay calm, to not let his words get under her skin.

“Luciano,” Marco said, his tone clipped. “Naomi is here as my guest. Show some respect.”

Luciano raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Marco’s protectiveness, but he inclined his head slightly, as if acknowledging Marco’s authority. “Of course, of course. A guest of the king.”

Naomi felt her stomach tighten at Luciano’s words. Marco had told her he was the leader of the Sangue Scuro, but hearing him referred to as “the king” by one of his own kind made it all the more real. This was not just a title. Marco ruled these creatures. He commanded their loyalty—and their fear.

Luciano’s eyes flicked to Naomi, and his smile widened, revealing the sharp tips of his fangs. “So, you’ve brought her here to teach her, then? To show her what it means to live among us?”

Marco’s gaze never wavered from Luciano’s, but Naomi could feel the subtle tension in the air between them. “She’s stronger than you think,” Marco said calmly, his voice filled with quiet confidence. “And she will learn.”

Luciano’s smile didn’t fade, but his eyes darkened with something more dangerous. “I suppose we’ll see.”

The other vampires in the room were watching now, their eyes gleaming with interest as they listened to the exchange. Naomi could feel their attention on her, the weight of their gazes heavy and unsettling. But she stood her ground, refusing to let them see her fear.

Marco turned to her, his expression softening slightly as he reached out and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. His touch was gentle, but the meaning behind it was clear—she was his, and no one here would challenge that.

“Naomi,” he said quietly, his voice just for her. “This is the part of my world that’s hardest to understand. The hunger, the power—it’s intoxicating, but it can be dangerous. You need to trust me. Let me guide you.”

Naomi nodded, her throat tight. “I trust you.”

Marco’s gaze held hers for a moment longer, then he turned back to the others. “Tonight, we begin,” he announced, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Naomi will learn what it means to be a part of this world. And she will survive.”

The room was silent for a long moment, and Naomi could feel the weight of what was happening settle over her. She had stepped into a world of vampires, a world where danger lurked in every shadow, and Marco was the only one who stood between her and that danger.

“Let’s begin,” Marco said, his voice steady as he turned back to her.

Instead of reaching for a knife as he had earlier, Marco stepped closer to Naomi, his eyes darkening with an intensity that sent a thrill through her. She could feel the shift in his energy, the quiet power he wielded with every movement.

“I won’t use a blade tonight,” he said softly, his voice filled with an intimacy that made the room seem smaller, like there was no one else there but the two of them. “There’s a more personal way to show you what it means to be a part of this world.”

Naomi’s heart raced as Marco closed the distance between them, his gaze locking onto hers. She could feel the heat of his body, the quiet hum of power that seemed to pulse beneath his skin. He reached up, gently cupping her face in his hands, his thumb brushing over her lips in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.

“Trust me, Naomi,” he whispered, his voice a low, seductive growl. “This is how you’ll understand.”

Before she could respond, Marco leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss—deep, slow, and possessive. Naomi melted into it, her body reacting to the warmth of his mouth, the way he claimed her so effortlessly. But just as she began to lose herself in the kiss, she felt it—something sharp, something electric.

Marco bit down on his own tongue, just enough to draw blood. The metallic taste filled his mouth, and then he kissed her harder, pressing the warm, coppery liquid into her mouth with the kiss. Naomi gasped as the taste of his blood hit her, her senses exploding with the unfamiliar sensation. It was dark and intoxicating, a rush of heat that spread through her body, making her feel both light-headed and more alive than she had ever felt before.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she swallowed instinctively, the blood sliding down her throat, rich and powerful. She felt it the moment it entered her system—an intense surge of energy, a rush of heat that flooded her veins. It was as if a new force had been unleashed inside her, something primal and untamed.

Marco pulled back, his eyes gleaming as he watched her, his hand still gently cupping her face. “This is what it means to share my world,” he murmured, his voice a mix of desire and darkness. “To share me.”

Naomi’s breath came in short, sharp gasps as the energy coursed through her, her body responding in ways she couldn’t explain. It was as if every sense had been heightened, her vision sharper, her hearing more acute. She could feel the power in the air, the pull of Marco’s presence as if he were a part of her now.

“What… what is this?” she whispered, her voice trembling with both fear and excitement.

Marco’s smile was slow, dangerous. “It’s my blood,” he said softly. “My power. You’ve tasted it now, Naomi. It will change you. Strengthen you.”

Naomi’s heart raced, her mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened. She felt different—stronger, more aware. But there was something else, too. A deep connection, a bond that pulsed between them like an invisible thread.

“You’re mine now, Naomi,” Marco whispered, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. “And I’ll never let you go.”

Naomi’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t pull away. She couldn’t. There was something about the darkness, the power, the intensity that called to her, something that made her want to be a part of it. A part of him.

She was no longer just Naomi Monroe. She was bound to Marco, bound to this world of shadows and blood.

And she didn’t want to escape.

As Marco’s eyes gleamed with the knowledge of what he had done, Naomi felt a thrill of anticipation rush through her. She had taken the first step into his world, and there was no turning back now.

Whatever came next, she was ready.

She was his. And he was hers.