Innocence Broken

Chapter 8: Soul to save

Matt lay on the bed feeling Warren’s hand gently move over the raw skin of his back. He tried not to move but with each touch the pain ripped through him again. He felt the bed sink as Warren moved. Fear rushed over Matt and he started to pull away from the vampire, but strong hands pinned him in place, careful not to touch any of the open wounds.

‘You are not alone in this Matthew.’

Matt felt a dry sob split from bloody lips, ‘let me guess, you feel my pain?’

He felt Warren’s grip tighten, and the vampire leant closer. His lip brushed the back of Matt’s neck before his words sent icy chills through Matt’s body.

‘There are other humans...’

Matt felt his skin prickle, there are more, he tried to move but he cried out as the pain tore through his body. Warren placed a hand on his back, ‘you can’t do anything yet. Just wait.’ With those words Warren left the room, leaving Matt to imagine the pain the other boys were suffering through.

He listened as the door closed behind Warren. Turning his head he looked out at the dark moonlit night, he had to help them, and he had to save them. Closing his eyes, Matt slowly began to think of a plan.

As Warren left the room he felt hands pin him to the wall, Ezra’s blood red eyes locked onto his. He didn’t try to fight, since Ezra had hurt Matt he’d been dangerous to be around, the slightest thing could set him off.

‘What were you doing in there Warren?’

‘Tending to his wounds, Master.’

Warren kept his voice calm and even, Ezra’s hands tightened and then slowly released him. Warren watched as Ezra ran a shaking hand through his hair, his hand then moved to his cheek and rubbed a thumb over his lips. Warren swallowed, his throat dry, he knew he would anger Ezra but he could no longer hold the question back.

‘What is it about the boy Master? Why do you need to replace me?’

Ezra’s eyes darkened and dropped his hand to his side looking away from Warren. Warren regretted asking the question.

‘Matthew,’ Warren watched the emotion play over Ezra’s face ‘is everything.’

Warren furrowed his brows, ‘I do not understand master.’

Ezra closed his eyes for a split second; an unreadable expression masked his emotions.

‘Matthew would never disgrace me like you did, my pet.’

Warren felt the pain rip through him as Ezra turned and walked away, he glanced behind him at the door. Warren didn’t know what to do, Ezra was his whole world, he was his master, and once his lover. Ezra had turned Warren, taken him from the world of day and light, recreating him into a creature of the darkness. Nevertheless now that human was taking Ezra away from him, but Matt was just so young. Warren let his mind drift back to his own mortal life, his unyielding belief in hope and the hearts of others; he could see the similarities between himself and Matthew. How once he would have fought Ezra, how once he too would want to protect others. Warren chuckled darkly and leant against the wall, how innocent he had been, but Ezra had broken that, Ezra had stained him. Warren felt the anger overtake him, his eyes turned red and he smashed his fist into the wall by Matt’s door. He would not lose Ezra.

*** 1 month later ***

Ezra stood at the foot of the bed watching the boy sleep. It have been over a month since he had hurt Matt, the wounds were mostly healed, but still Matt would cry out in pain during his sleep. Ezra had dared not to touch the man in fear that he would damage him even more, he couldn’t get the images of Matthew out of his head. Closing his eyes, he again saw Matt hanging by his arms, the whip making bloody gashes on his smooth skin, the blood slowly sliding down his muscled legs. Ezra felt his fangs press against his lips, and his body began to stir with the memories. A groan turned Ezra’s attention back to the sleepy human. The sheet had moved down his slim body, exposing his chest and back, long scars marred the human’s perfect skin. Ezra slowly walked to stand beside Matt’s sleeping form; he gently leant down and pulled the thin sheet up to cover his body, careful not to touch the warm skin. He could hear the pulse of Matthew’s heart; smell his skin and the salt of the tears that caressed his cheeks. Slowly Ezra backed out of the room taking one last glance at Matt. He would make up his actions to Matt, opening the door he slowly walked out.

Matt sat upright. The scars on his back pulled his sensitive skin tight, he stared around the darkened room, unsure what had woken him out of his sleep. For the past month Matt had laid in the bed in agony having people come in and tend to him. Finally he was able to move and walk around the room, without opening the slashes. Slipping out of the bed he moved to the door and listened, silence echoed through the dark. Matt let out the breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. For a whole month neither vampire had touched him unless they had to, it should have made him feel relaxed, safe, but it didn’t. Matt turned and slipped back into the bed, staring up at the ceiling he slowly let the plan play over in his mind. I need to find my way around this place, and then I have to find the others. He already knew how he’d get out, he now just had to make sure Ezra and Warren were kept busy. Sleep gently began to tug at Matthew calling him back into the peaceful darkness.

Sunlight shone into his eyes when he next awoke. Matt tried to turn away from the offending brightness. A chuckle woke him sharply from his sleep, sitting up, he saw Warren leaning against the doorframe. Warren stalked towards him. Moving to the bed he sat down, turning to face him.

‘I see you are better.’

Matt had noticed a change in Warren over the month; coldness surrounded him. Matt felt Goosebumps crawl up his skin. He had never known whether he could trust Warren but now the ‘something’ in the vampire screamed at Matt to be careful. Warren smiled at him, ‘what are you going to do now Matthew?’

Matt furrowed his eyebrows, ‘about what?’

Warren just smiled and leant in towards Matt. Matt didn’t move, not wanting the vampire to see the fear that he felt.

‘Ezra wants to see you, when you feel up to it.’

Warren’s smile widened and something unreadable passed through his cold eyes. Matt watched as the vampire stood and left the room. Matt pulled his legs up to his waist wrapping his arms around them, now he had to try and put his plan into action. Taking a deep breath Matt dressed and walked out of the room.

Ezra turned away from the insufferable light and tried to force the fog of sleep from his mind. He opened his senses and felt the presence of another person in his room. Sitting up he faced the intruder, ready to kill whoever disturbed him. Ezra turned to find Warren standing at the foot of his bed.

‘What are you doing here Warren?’

Ezra watched as Warren’s eyes bled red. He opened his mouth to speak, Ezra tried to read Warren but the other vampire’s emotions where hidden too deep. Ezra shook his head, he had never been good at reading Warren.

‘Matthew is awake and searching the manor.’

‘Thank you Warren,’ Ezra slid out of the bed and then paused, ‘why is he searching the manor?’

Warren bowed slightly at him and walked towards the door, ‘I’ll have everything prepared for you Master.’

Ezra let Warren walk out without answering his question. He had seen Warren like this before. Warren was planning something, and Ezra didn’t like it.

Matt slid down an unknown wall in another twisting corridor. He had no clue where he was in the manor, but he stared at the painting in front of him. It was of a dark stormy landscape, he didn’t know if he’d passed it before or if it was just that Ezra liked storms. Somewhere a clock chimed three. Matt had walked around since ten, hunger clawed at his stomach. Matt hung his head. Maybe he should have left a trail of breadcrumbs or something. A chuckle turned Matt’s attention, Ezra stood leaning against the wall nearest the painting, and his white shirt hugged his toned body.

‘I guess you got lost?’

Matt noticed the smile that curled Ezra’s lips. He felt his own lips return the gesture, at the moment he didn’t care about what had happened. Matt just felt relief that there was another person.

‘Yeah, could you have a bigger house?’

Ezra laughed and walked over to him. Matt tried not to flinch as Ezra slid down the walls next to him and turned to face him.

‘I do have a bigger home, this is new so do not worry, I get lost here too.’

‘You’re joking, right?’

Ezra smiled and shook his head. His hair fell into his eyes, making him seem less dangerous. Matt noticed that when Ezra smiled, his eyes held silver flecks. Matt turned away and stared at the painting again as his face flushed, why was he noticing things like that about a bloodthirsty monster?

‘No, it’s true, I get lost here too.’

Matt shook his head and laughed, ‘so where does a vampire keep his coffin?’

Ezra rolled his eyes towards Matt and let out a huff of air with a slight pout on his lips. Matt tried to stop himself, but seeing the vampire pout, Matt burst into laughter, Ezra had looked so cute.

‘Vampires do not sleep in coffins, for your information. My home is in South Africa, a town call Aurora.’

‘You were born in Africa?’

Ezra laughed and shook his head, Matt watched as Ezra gracefully stood and turned holding his hand out to Matt.

‘I will tell you all about myself, if you agree to have something to eat with me.’

Matt sat and just stared at Ezra’s hand for a moment. Slowly he lifted his hand and placed it in Ezra’s, allowing Ezra to pull him to his feet. Matt was shocked at how cold the other’s hand was, the pale white skin was smooth as marble but held Matt’s hand in an iron like grip.

Ezra felt his heart stop as Matt’s hand fitted into his, he pulled the human to his feet and Ezra could feel the heat of Matt’s body against his cooler skin. Releasing Matt’s hand after a second, he began to lead Matt in silence through the maze of corridors. Ezra knew he would tell Matt a little about his past, but he would never reveal why he bought the house. Soon they were in the large dining room. The table was laid out with at least fifty different dishes. Ezra let his eyes glide over to Matt, he watched as the boy looked around the room, as the boy looked over all the food. Ezra’s own hunger rose but not for the food set before him.

‘Please sit Matthew, take whatever you want.’

Ezra led Matt to the table, letting his hand brush Matt’s arm. Relief washed over him when Matt didn’t pull away. Ezra watched as Matt took a spoon-full of sweet yoghurt and honey, Matt glanced at him and a blush coloured his cheeks.

‘What?’

‘I just like to watch you, my bel... Matthew.’

Matt turned his face away, it was funny that something that should have sounded creepy made Matt’s heart skip. He didn’t understand himself, he should hate the man, and he wanted to hate the man but something... Matt didn’t let his mind follow his thoughts instead he turned back to Ezra, ‘you were going to tell me about yourself.’

Ezra nodded and smiled, ‘Yes, I was not born in Africa; I was born in Italy, many years ago.’

‘How many?’

‘No comment,’ Matt couldn’t help but laugh, Ezra sounded so much like a cop, and he couldn’t help but wonder how old the man before him was.

‘Can you still speak Italian?’

‘Voglio passare il resto della mia vita con te.’

Matt waited to see if Ezra would say any more, something about the look in Ezra’s eyes made Matt know the words where true. Unable to turn away from the unknown, Matt asked, ‘You going to tell me what you said?’

‘Not yet, but I promise one day.’

Matt snorted, chewing on some dried fruit and leaning back in his chair, ‘okay, say something you will tell me what it means.’

Ezra turned his head to one side and smiled, ‘Ti amo, amore mio. It means, I love you my love.’

Matt felt the blush run up his cheeks, he bit his lip and turned to look at Ezra. The vampire stared at him. There was something in his eyes that tugged at Matt’s heart, he didn’t move as Ezra reached out and placed a hand on Matt’s cheek. Ezra rubbed his thumb over the scar under his eye.

‘What happened there, Matthew?’

Matt tried to fight the growing desire for the vampire. It felt as if something else was taking over his body. Matt wanted to move away from the touch but Ezra’s pale eyes seem to hold him to the chair.

‘I was a kid, I fell out of a tree and cut my face open, just that. Scarred though.’

Matt felt his eyes flutter shut with the warmth of Ezra’s hand on his face, the way Ezra’s thumb moved over his lips and his cheek. Matt’s eyes opened as Ezra’s hand left his face. Ezra stood, sadness filling his eyes.

‘I am sorry Matthew.’

Matt froze as Ezra started to leave and before Matt could understand what he was doing, his body started to move. As he suddenly stood the chair toppled over, clashing with the floor and making Ezra turn. For over a month Matt had not been touched or held by another person, he’d lost his family, his friends, his job and had been betrayed. He needed to feel something. A deep need, to feel something real, to just have someone there, overtook all of Matt’s other senses. Matt took the final few steps, closing the gap between him and Ezra. Matt gripped the front of Ezra’s shirt, pulling Ezra against him. Matt looked up into the pale blue eyes, his hand reached up and tangled into the dark hair. Leaning up he pressed his lips cautiously against Ezra’s.

Ezra didn’t move. He dared not. It all seemed like a dream. Matt was holding him, their bodies pressed against each other’s. Matt’s warm soft lips moved against his own. Ezra didn’t move until he felt Matt start to pull away, wrapping one arm around Matt’s narrow waist, pulling him close, and the other hand tenderly held Matt’s face. Once the kiss ended Ezra embraced Matt to him, not wanting to lose this moment. Even if it was just a dream or a wish, just for the moment he wanted to hold Matt in his arms.

‘Ti amo con tutta l’anima.’

Neither noticed the shadow out of sight, nor how two dark eyes watched the broken pair. Warren observed the two, pain and anger moved over his body. He watched as Ezra held Matt against him, as he whispered to the human. Warren clenched his hands into fists. He remembered Ezra’s touch, his kisses, and his eyes as they watched you with such a rare passion. Warren turned away from the scene, he could not just let Ezra go, Ezra was his master, the one who created him. He was the one Warren had died for and he would fight for him, no matter what...


************************************

Notes:
Aurora is a real town in South Africa. I choice the town Aurora as I liked the name and it reminded me of the Northern Lights. I think of Matt as Ezra’s lights.

Voglio passare il resto della mia vita con te. = I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Ti amo con tutta l'anima = I love you with all my heart