TWENTY-ONE

"Where do you want to start? Brothels or taverns?" Dario pointed at his right and then at his left, his white teeth shone under the full moonlight when he smirked mischievously.

"Oh well, it'll be an interesting night in Pompeii..." Terra whispered next to me while we all laughed.

"Of course, I know the best places to have fun. Trust me. This is the main street leading to the forum..."

The entire group followed our guide while he was highlighting popular attractions and asked for Marcus' confirmation on some details sometimes or to read an inscription taking advantage of his knowledge of Latin and his exceptional night vision despite the moon shone bright in the sky and even humans could see where we were putting out feet. And yet, because I've always been clumsy while I was busy listening to something fascinating, I stumbled on a cobblestone and Terra's hands grabbed my arms, stopping me from falling on the ground. We talked, laughed and even took pictures but no one showed up to find out the reason of the racket and I guessed that the vampires were keeping the guards on the other side of the city, manipulating their minds to ignore us.

"The Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Apollo and Venus' one over there..." Dario kept playing the tourist guide role. "So the population was protected by the King of Gods, the God of Music and the Goddess of Love..."

"What a party," Aren whispered amused. "They only needed a bit of wine, is there a Dionysus temple?"

"No but the slopes of Vesuvius were covered in vines, they knew how to have fun in Pompeii. This is the brothel, by the way, we know that by the inscriptions left by clients on the walls and those suggestive paintings showing, well, you get the idea... Although those beds look bigger and fancier and the girls are prettier and well-fed... On the contrary, the real brothel is smaller, dirty and sordid." I nodded, agreeing with him, rooms were so small and dark that I almost felt claustrophobia and couldn't picture in my mind how terrible would be to work there if I were a poor Pompeian girl. I took a deep breath when we left the building, feeling grateful for the cool night air and Ruby's arm enclosing my waist protectively while we walked away. "And this was a tavern..."

"What were those holes in the counter for?" Vera asked with curiosity getting closer.

"Large clay jars that were full of food, olives, nuts, sausages... This was Roman people's fast food: you came here, ordered a wine and picked out something to eat."

"It was also the fastest way to get a terrible stomach ache and diarrhoea, I'm afraid that health rules concerning food, even if they existed, were consistently ignored by the owners of these taverns." Marcus shook his head, frowning, maybe remembering the days when he writhed in pain in his bed after eating bread and bad anchovies.

"I bet you had a great chef and kitchen helpers at home, what were you doing eating in a dump?" My father-in-law nodded before chuckling.

"I liked having fun with my boys, we collected money during a year and used to go out to drink and have fun every Saturnalia... A wild night when we ended up drunk as a skunk and fooling around the city." There was a spark of nostalgia in Marcus' eyes remembering those old praetorian guards.

"We still do that..." the vampire stared at me confused and I smiled. "We call them company dinners or Christmas dinners with workmates, they're pretty common in my country, everybody eats and gets drunk and it's the only day you can make fun of your boss without consequences because you know his hangover will erase his memories the next morning. We could do something like that this year if you want, go out and have fun with the family..."

"But you fall asleep when you get drunk," Aren looked back at me over his shoulder with a mocking grin plastered onto his face while Vera blinked confused: obviously, her partner didn't tell her how I ended up working for them and he just explained her that he'd met me in the supermarket I was working at back then.

"Yes, well, you and I should have a conversation about not kidnapping humans who have drunk too many cocktails, above all because it's illegal. And you must know I'm the life of the party... right before having the drink that will make me fall asleep," I answered angrily while we head to the House of the Tragic Poet. My phone vibrated in my jeans back pocket and I grabbed it absentmindedly, reading the screen while everybody walked in the atrium of the house and Dario explained some mythological frescoes to Vera; I answered the text quickly and shoved the device back in the pocket, turning around to follow them... But Terra stopped my movement standing in front of me, staring at me intently.

"What was that?" she whispered sternly.

"Nothing," I answered moving one step to my right to dodge her body but she blocked my way again.

"It was something, you've frowned and looked upset..." the vampire insisted while Ruby stared at us concerned from the house threshold. The bright moon shining over the street allowed me to notice that my Spanish girl was clenching her jaw with an obstinate expression on her face, an expression I knew really well but I refused to give her what she wanted: I wouldn't let her dominate my life.

"It was nothing, I promise. Come on, let's go to find the others..." Terra was faster than me taking advantage of her skills as a vampire, she took my phone from my jeans pocket before I was able to move a single muscle. I turned around shocked and realized that my girl was standing in the middle of the street scrolling down. "Terra... Terra!"

"What?" she asked looking at me but clenching her jaw even harder.

"If you read that text I'm going to get angry at you, is that what you want?" The beautiful blue-eyed woman looked at me cautiously while I tried to control my temper despite I was about bursting with rage and starting a fight that would hurt us both. Her sister fidgeted awkwardly behind me feeling the atmosphere getting thicker and thicker.

"No, I don't want you to be angry at me..." she whispered pouting. I extended my arm slowly and stared at her quietly for a few seconds till she left the phone on the palm of my hand reluctantly.

"Terra, I understand you're a vampire and your reactions are different to the ones of humans, more visceral, and you're also very protective and I know you always take care of me..." My girl crossed her arms over her chest pursing her lips but nodded. "When someone reads my private texts without my permission I get pretty upset because it's rude. I told you it was nothing... Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do," she answered sighing and biting her lower lip. "I'm sorry..." Terra stared at the cobbled paving, embarrassed, and I couldn't help smiling sadly.

"It was a text from Maria, she ran into my sister on a street and found out I'd visited my family the previous week after they exchanged a few words. Maria doesn't remember our encounter, obviously, given that she's sent me a text asking me if I'll be back soon, she's told me she misses me and would like to see me again." Both vampires got tensed and stared at me very upset, I could feel Ruby's eyes drilling a hole in my back. "I answered her I had no plans to go back home anytime soon and I wouldn't see her anyway because I'm not single... This is why I told you it was nothing, okay?"

"I still want to break her neck..." Terra growled and I nodded.

"I understand, but she's far away, in a different country and won't get what she wants. I, on the contrary, am here and I'd like you to give a hug before continuing our tour through Pompeii." My girl moved immediately and put her arms around my waist firmly, I knew my vampires would never denied me a hug or a kiss if I asked them.

"I'm sorry, amor." Terra repeated hiding her face on my neck.

"It's all right, babe, I'm happy we've solved this like civilized people." I kissed her cheek with love and she let me go finally so Ruby could hug me too. "Come on, I want to hear what Dario has to tell us about this house... although I think Marcus should be our guide, he's a genuine Roman guy after all..."

"Dario loves to show off his knowledge about this city and Marcus loves Dario..." Ruby shrugged and I nodded, laughing amused because that sentence described the situation pretty well. Terra followed us quietly while we walked to the vestibule where they were all gathered looking at the floor, I got closer with curiosity and opened my eyes wide, surprised.

"The dog's mosaic, I know this one..." I whispered excited staring at the fierce animal made of white and black tesserae that looked like it was about jumping on us. "Cave Canem..."I read the inscription between its paws.

"Beware of the dog," Marcus translated before bursting into laughing. "There're several mosaics like this one all over the city but sometimes the real dog didn't exist and the only animal in the house was the one drew on the floor."

"What's the point of warning people to be careful with your dog if there's no dog?" Vera asked confused.

"Humans do the same nowadays too, the sign is supposed to deter intruders so they don't trespass your property, it's aimed at evil spirits in this case because the sharp fangs of the animal will scare them away and they'll never dare to cross the door."

"Come on, we'll walk through this gate to go to the House of the Vettii family. This area isn't open to public so be careful where you put your feet..." Dario pointed at a narrow alley covered in weed between old stone walls and we all followed Marcus walking in single file, Terra walked ahead of me pointing at dangerous cobbles quietly so I paid attention to them and didn't trip over again: I blew a kiss and she smiled. Suddenly, something hit my back and everything turned black.

*****

"Iselen, my love, wake up, please..." Ruby's voice seemed to come from far away despite I felt her breath fanning my cheek till my brain was able to process what was happening finally and I opened my eyes... Or that's what I thought, I was sure my eyes were open but everything was dark around me and couldn't see. I tried to move but realized that my muscles didn't respond, my hand hit something hard and a heavy weight on my body stopped me from moving my legs. I was lying face up and trapped. Panic burst in my stomach, my heart raced and my breathing quickened. "Iselen, calm down, baby, I'm with you..."

"Ruby, what happened?" I asked crying, moving my hand blindly till her fingers enclosed my wrist and I was able to touch her cheek with my palm.

"You need to calm down, please..."

"I can't see, I can't move..." I sobbed feeling more and more scared and she twisted next to me, almost lying on top of my body.

"Stop it, calm down!" Suddenly, I could feel my vampire invading my mind and holding it, my heart was beating at a steady pace a few seconds later and my breathing was back to normal but I was still terrified inside my head and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "A wall has collapsed over us, I think there was soil and rubble too, I don't know... I barely had time to jump on top of you and protect you with my body..."

"Oh my God, what are we going to do?" I asked scared, twisting under her torso looking for a way out, the feeling of being blind despite I knew my eyes were open was about driving me crazy.

"I need you to calm down," I stared at her in disbelief even if I couldn't see her actually. "Terra is out there and can feel your anxiety, she's going insane and fighting Marcus who's holding her tight to stop her from jumping on the area that has collapsed and digging with her own hands. It's the wall on my back what protects you from dying buried here right now and Dario and Aren are checking what area is safer to start digging... If you don't calm down, Terra won't do either, and she won't be able to help along with Marcus... Please, they'll rescue us sooner if you relax, do you understand?"

"Yes, baby, I'm sorry... but it's pretty difficult..." I sobbed feeling adrenalin running wild through my veins.

"I can do it for you if you let me, I'll manipulate your mind a little... I know you don't like it but..."

"Do it, please, hurry up..." I begged and felt better immediately, my muscles went limp and I sighed relieved, my mind seemed to float on a cloud of comfort... like I'd smoked weed but not feeling dizzy.

"All right, it's over..." Ruby whispered and grazed my cheek with her soft lips. "They'll recue us soon..."

"I'm scared..."

"I know," she cut me off. "But it's okay, you're surrounded by powerful vampires that are already working, I can hear them removing rocks above my head even if you can't, all right?" Ruby moved over me, crawling a little to pull away slightly and flopping down next to me. "This is too narrow but I'm trying to give you a little space, I'm crushing you..."

"I don't care, I love feeling you..." I whispered closing my eyes although it was true that I could breathe more easily. "What will happen if we run out of oxygen? I'm human and won't be able to survive if..."

"They'll get us out in time, babe, don't doubt it." Ruby put her arm around my waist. "But I could drain your blood right now giving you enough of mine to keep you alive till Terra can give you her share, it's a very dramatic way to become a vampire and I don't want to do it, but I would if necessary..."

"I don't want to turn into a vampire like that, I want to do it at home... And I think it's too soon, I don't know if I'm ready... I'm sorry, Ruby..." I shook my head keeping my eyes shut, I felt better like that, pretending that I could see her if I opened my eyes even if it wasn't true.

"I know, my love, it'll be when you want and how you want. We're going to get out of here... But before I need you to move your hands and feet, do you feel pain?" I obeyed cautiously and felt minor aches all over my body, I was sure there were bruises everywhere, but I knew what she was looking for and shook my head.

"I don't have broken bones and nothing hurts terribly..."

"Great, that's good... I think you have a scratch on your arm, I can smell your blood, not much but Terra will go nuts if she smells it too so I'm going to try to lick your skin to close the wound." I heard Ruby writhing and cursing quietly, we barely had room to move and I started to feel hot... I feared I'd die suffocated or that my girl would have to start my conversion in that damned hole. Her soft and warm tongue licked my flesh and the familiar sensation managed to calm me down. A moan escaped from her throat...

"I can't believe you're getting horny in this circumstance..." I complained angrily and the vampire chuckled.

"I always want you, babe, no matter where we are... You're my beautiful partner and I love you." Her lips grazed my cheek and I could feel the tip of her tongue catching a tear, I opened my eyes trying to see her gorgeous face but darkness surrounded me, swallowing me up.

"Ruby, I can't stand this anymore, please..."

"Calm down, Iselen, they're almost here. I can hear them close... I have to lie on top of you again to protect you, baby, stay still and close your eyes, okay? Trust me and Terra..." I nodded while she crawled again, tangling my legs with hers but above all protecting my head with her shoulders. I leant my forehead on her neck and waited, wrapped in her delicious fruity scent,and pretended that we were back at home, lying on our bed while minutes ticked by. Suddenly, I was able to hear the noise those vampires made while digging too, getting closer, and my body relaxed slightly...

A breath of cold air fanned my face and I opened my eyes instinctively, I could see the outline of Ruby's tattoo on her chest and relief made me sob. I tilted my head trying to take a look at the hole to see the light but the arm of the vampire stopped me when a little bit of soil fell on her back. I understood that the situation was dangerous and remained still, praying, till some strong hands grabbed my shoulders and pulled, dragging me out. Moonlight, stars in the sky, Terra's blue eyes shining while she hugged me and whispered sweet nothings I didn't understand in my ear... Where was Ruby? My heart skipped a beat till I saw Marcus helping her to crawl out of the hole under the rubble, Aren hugged Vera who had traces of tears on her face.

"I thought I'd lost you both..." My Spanish girl's legs gave up, so relieved that they felt week, and she fell down on her knees dragging us to the ground too because she refused to let us go.

"We're fine, everything is all right..." Ruby answered but Terra shook her head.

"I can't stand it, Iselen, humans' life is fragile and you're always in danger. I spend my life monitoring your movements to protect you but I'm about going crazy because I'm worried all the time... Please..." my girl begged while her gorgeous eyes were filled with tears. "I'm terrified that something bad happens to you..." Her anxiety triggered mine through the bond even if Ruby was still holding my mind and I understood that I was hurting my precious vampire.

"It's okay, I have to start thinking about my conversion and assume that it'll happen soon... It's difficult but I'll do it for you... I'd rather do it at our home, if you don't mind..." Terra nodded and grazed my lips with hers, getting relaxed in my arms finally. "Babe, can you give me a drop of your blood? I feel sore..." My question made her smile, I knew they adored feeling their essence inside my body and healing my bruises would make the protective vampire feel useful. "Thank you, I love you... I love you both..."