anner.vittoriothevampire-第9章

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　I　could　hear　distantly　the　sounds　of　my　horse　being　tended　to　downstairs；　and　some　lonely　steps　on　the　deserted　stone　street。　I　was　safe；　at　least　that　much　was　so。
　Finally　sleep　came。　It　came　totally　and　pletely　and　sweetly；　the　net　of　nerves　which　had　held　me　suspended　and　maddened　simply　dissolved；　and　I　sank　down　into　a　dreamless　darkness。
　I　was　conscious　of　that　sweet　point　where　nothing　for　the　moment　matters　except　to　sleep；　to　replenish　and　to　fear　yet　no　dreams；　and　then　nothing。
　A　noise　brought　me　around。　I　was　immediately　awake。　The　candle　had　gone　out。　I　had　my　hand　on　my　sword　before　my　eyes　opened。　I　lay　on　the　narrow　bed；　back　to　the　wall；　facing　the　room　and　in　a　seemingly　sourceless　light。　I　could　just　make　out　the　bolted　door；　but　I　couldn't　see　the　window　above　me　unless　I　turned　my　head　to　look　up；　and　I　knew；　positively　knew；　that　this　window；　heavily　barred；　had　been　broken　open。　The　little　light　which　fell　on　the　wall　came　from　the　sky　outside。　It　was　a　fragile；　weak　light；　slipping　down　against　the　wall　of　the　town　and　giving　my　little　chamber　the　attitude　of　a　prison　cell。
　I　felt　the　cool　fresh　air　e　down　around　my　neck　and　felt　it　on　my　cheek。　I　clutched　the　sword　tight；　listening；　waiting。　There　were　small　creaking　sounds。　The　bed　had　moved　ever　so　slightly；　as　if　from　a　pressure。
　I　couldn't　focus　my　eyes。　Darkness　suddenly　obscured　everything；　and　out　of　this　darkness　there　rose　a　shape　before　me；　a　figure　bending　over　me；　a　woman　looking　right　into　my　face　as　her　hair　fell　down　on　me。　It　was　Ursula。
　Her　face　was　not　an　inch　from　mine。　Her　hand；　very　cool　and　smooth；　closed　over　my　own；　on　the　hilt　of　my　sword；　with　a　deadly　force；　and　she　let　her　eyelashes　stroke　my　cheek　and　then　kissed　my　forehead。
　I　was　enveloped　in　sweetness；　no　matter　how　hot　my　rebellion。　A　sordid　flood　of　sensation　penetrated　to　my　very　entrails。　〃Strega！〃　I　cursed　her。
　〃I　didn't　kill　them；　Vittorio。〃　Her　voice　was　imploring　but　with　dignity　and　a　curious　sonorous　strength；　though　it　was　only　a　small　voice；　very　young　in　tone　and　feminine　in　timbre。
　〃You　were　taking　them；〃　I　said　to　her。　I　tried　in　a　violent　spasm　to　free　myself。　But　her　hand　held　me　powerfully　fast；　and　when　I　tried　to　free　my　left　arm　from　under　me；　she　caught　my　wrist　and　held　me　there　too；　and　then　she　kissed　me。
　There　came　that　magnificent　perfume　from　her　which　I　had　breathed　in　before；　and　the　stroking　of　her　hair　on　my　face　and　neck　sent　shameless　chills　through　me。
　I　tried　to　turn　my　head；　and　she　let　her　lips　touch　my　cheek　gently；　almost　respectfully。
　I　felt　the　length　of　her　body　against　me；　the　definite　swell　of　her　breasts　beneath　costly　fabric；　and　the　smooth　length　of　her　thigh　beside　me　in　the　bed；　and　her　tongue　touched　my　lips。　She　licked　at　my　lips。
　I　was　immobilized　by　the　chills　that　went　through　me；　humiliating　me　and　kindling　the　passion　inside　me。　〃Get　away；　strega；〃　I　whispered。
　Filled　with　rage；　I　couldn't　stop　the　slow　smolder　that　had　caught　hold　in　my　loins；　I　couldn't　stop　the　rapturous　sensations　that　were　passing　over　my　shoulders　and　down　my　back；　and　even　through　my　legs。
　Her　eyes　glowed　above　me；　the　flicker　of　her　lids　more　a　sensation　than　a　spectacle　I　could　see　with　my　own　eyes；　and　again　her　lips　closed　over　mine；　sucking　at　my　mouth；　teasing　it；　and　then　she　drew　back　and　pressed　her　cheek　against　me。
　Her　skin；　which　had　looked　so　like　porcelain；　felt　softer　than　a　down　feather　against　me；　ah；　all　of　her　seemed　a　soft　doll；　made　of　luscious　and　magical　materials　far　more　yielding　than　flesh　and　blood　yet　utterly　on　fire　with　both；　for　a　heat　came　out　of　her　in　a　rhythmic　throb；　emanating　right　from　the　coolness　of　her　fingers　stroking　my　wrists　as　they　held　them；　and　then　the　heat　of　her　tongue　shot　into　my　lips；　against　my　will；　with　a　wet；　delicious　and　vehement　force　against　which　I　could　do　nothing。
　There　formed　in　my　crazed　mind　some　realization　that　she　had　used　my　own　hot　desire　to　render　me　helpless；　that　carnal　madness　had　made　of　me　a　body　constructed　about　metal　wires　that　could　not　help　but　conduct　the　fire　she　poured　into　my　mouth。
　She　drew　her　tongue　back　and　sucked　with　her　lips　again。　My　entire　face　was　tingling。　All　my　limbs　were　struggling　both　against　her　and　to　touch　her；　yes；　embrace　her　yet　fight　her。
　She　lay　against　the　very　evidence　of　my　desire。　I　couldn't　have　hidden　it。　I　hated　her。　〃Why？　What　for！〃　I　said；　tearing　my　mouth　loose。　Her　hair　descended　on　both　sides　as　she　lifted　her　head。　I　could　scarcely　breathe　for　the　unearthly　pleasure。
　〃Get　off　me；〃　I　said；　〃and　go　back　into　Hell。　What　is　this　mercy　to　me！　Why　do　this　to　me？〃
　〃I　don't　know；〃　she　answered　in　her　clever；　tremulous　voice。　〃Maybe　it's　only　that　I　don't　want　you　to　die；〃　she　said；　breathing　against　my　chest。　Her　words　were　rapid；　like　her　heated　pulse。　〃Maybe　more；〃　she　said；　〃I　want　you　to　go　away；　go　south　to　Florence；　go　away　and　forget　all　that's　happened；　as　if　it　were　nightmares　or　witches'　spells；　as　if　none　of　it　took　place；　leave　this　town；　go；　you　must。〃
　〃Stop　your　foul　lies；〃　I　said　before　I　could　stop　myself。　〃You　think　I'll　do　that？　You　murdered　my　family；　you；　you　and　yours；　whatever　you　are！〃
　Her　head　dipped；　her　hair　ensnaring　me。　I　fought　vainly　to　get　loose。　It　was　out　of　the　question。　I　couldn't　budge　her　grip。
　All　was　blackness；　and　indescribable　softness。　I　felt　a　sudden　tiny　pain　in　my　throat；　no　more　than　the　prick　of　pins；　and　my　mind　was　suddenly　flooded　with　the　most　tranquil　happiness。
　It　seemed　I'd　stumbled　into　a　blowing　meadow　of　flowers；　quite　far　away　from　this　place　and　from　all　woes；　and　she　lay　with　me；　fallen　against　silently　crushed　stems　and　unplaining　irises；　Ursula；　with　her　undone　ashen　hair；　and　she　smiled　with　the　most　engaging　and　demanding　eyes；　fervent；　perhaps　even　brilliant；　as　if　ours　were　a　sudden　and　total　infatuation　of　mind　as　well　as　body。　On　my　chest　she　climbed；　and　though　she　rode　me；　looking　down　at　me　with　exquisite　smiling　lips；　she　parted　her　legs　gently　for　me　to　enter　her。
　It　seemed　a　delirious　blending　of　elements；　the　wet　contracting　secretive　pocket　between　her　legs　and　this　great　abundance　of　silent　eloquence　pouring　from　her　gaze　as　she　looked　lovingly　down　at　me。
　Abruptly　it　stopped。　I　was　dizzy。　Her　lips　were　against　my　neck。　I　tried　with　all　my　might　to　throw　her　off。
　〃I　will　destroy　you；〃　I　said。　〃I　will。　I　vow　it。　If　I　have　to　chase　you　into　the　mouth　of　Hell；〃　I　whispered。　I　strained　against　her　grasp　so　hard　that　my　own　flesh　burned　against　hers。　But　she　wouldn't　relent。　I　tried　to　clear　my　mind。　No；　no　dreams　of　sweetness；　no。　〃Get　away　from　me；　witch。〃
　〃Hush；　be　quiet；〃　she　said　sorrowfully。　〃You　are　so　young　and　so　stubborn；　and　so　brave。　I　was　young　like　you。　Oh；　yes；　and　so　determined　and　such　a　fearless　paragon。〃
　〃Don't　talk　your　filth　to　me；〃　I　said。
　〃Hush；〃　she　said　again。　〃You'll　wake　the　house。　What　good　will　that　do？〃　How　painful；　earnest　and　enticing　she　sounded。　Her　voice　itself　could　have　seduced　me　from　behind　a　curtain。　〃I　cannot　make　you　safe　forever；〃　she　said；　〃or　even　for　very　long。　Vittorio；　go。〃
　She　drew　back　so　that　I　could　see　her　sincere　and　large　yielding　eyes　all　the　better。　She　was　a　masterpiece。　And　such　beauty；　the　perfect　simulacrum　of　the　fiend　I'd　seen　in　the　firelight　of　my　chapel；　needed　no　potions　or　spells　to　advance　her　cause。　She　was　flawless　and　intimately　magnificent。
　〃Oh；　yes；〃　she　confessed；　her　half…visible　eyes　searching　my　face；　〃and　I　do　find　such　beauty　in　you　it　pulls　on　my　heart；〃　she　said。　〃Unfairly；　unjustly。　How　am　I　to　suffer　this　as　well　as　all　else？〃
　I　struggled。　I　wouldn't　answer。　I　wouldn't　feed　this　enigmatic　and　infernal　blaze。
　〃Vittorio；　get　out　of　here；〃　she　said；　lowering　her　voice　ever　more　delicately　and　ominously。　〃You　have　a　few　nights；　maybe　not　even　that。　If　I　e　to　you　again；　I　may　lead　them　to　you。　Vittorio。　Don't　tell　anyone　in　Florence。　They'll　laugh　at　you。〃　She　was　gone。
　The　bed　creaked　and　rocked。　I　was　on　my　back；　and　my　wrists　ached　from　the　pressure　of　her　hands；　and　above　me　the　window　gaped　on　the　gray　featureless　light；　the　wall　beside　the　Inn　rising　up　towards　a　sky　I　couldn't　quite　see　from　this　helpless　vantage　point。　I　was　alone　in　the　room。　She　was　nowhere。
　All　of　a　sudden；　I　willed　my　limbs　to　action；　but　before　I　could　so　much　as　move；　she　appeared　again；　above　in　the　window；　visible　from　the　waist　to　the　top　of　her　bowed　head；　peering　down　at　me；　and　with　her　hands　she　tore　loose　the　low　embroidered　border　of　her　gown　and　bared　her　naked　white　breasts　before　me　…　tiny；　rounded；　very　close　together　and　with　piquant　nipples　visible　only　in　their　darkness。　With　her　right　hand　she　scratched　her　left　breast；　just　above　the　little　nipple；　made　it　bleed。
　〃Witch！〃　I　rose　up　to　grab　hold　of　her；　to　kill　her；　and　instead　felt　her　hand　grasp　my　head；　and　there　came　the　pressure　of　her　left　breast　into　my　very　mouth；　irresistibly　frail　yet　firm。　Once　again；　all　that　was　real　melted　and　was　swept　away　like　so　much　idle　smoke　rising　from　a　fire；　and　we　were　together　in　the　meadow　which　belonged　only　to　us；　only　to　our　diligent　and　indissoluble　embraces。　I　sucked　the　milk　from　her；　as　if　she　was　maiden　and　mother；　virgin　and　queen；　all　the　while　I　broke　with　my　thrusts　whatever　flower　remained　inside　of　her　to　be　torn　open。
　I　was　let　go。　I　fell。　Helpless；　unable　even　to　raise　a　hand　to　keep　her　from　flying；　I　fell　down；　weak　and　stupid　onto　the　bed；　my　face　wet　and　my　limbs　trembling。
　I　couldn't　sit　up。　I　could　do　nothing。　I　saw　in　flashes　our　field　of　tender　white　irises　and　red　irises；　the　loveliest　flowers　of　Tuscany；　the　wild　irises　of　our　land；　blowing　in　the　greenest　grass；　and　I　saw　her　running　away　from　me。　Yet　all　this　was　transparent；　half…tinted；　and　could　not　mask　the　tiny　cell　of　a　room　as　it　had　done　before；　only　linger；　like　a　veil　drawn　across　my　face；　to　torment　me　with　its　tickling　weightless　silkiness。
　〃Spells！〃　I　whispered。　〃My　God；　if　you　have　ever　mitted　me　to　guardian　angels；　will　you　spur　them　on　now　to　cover　me　with　their　wings！〃　I　sighed。　〃I　need　them。〃
　Finally；　shakily　and　with　dim　vision；　I　sat　up。　I　rubbed　at　my　neck。　Chills　ran　up　and　down　my　spine；　and　the　backs　of　my　arms。　My　body　was　still　full　of　desire。
　I　squeezed　my　eyes　shut；　refusing　to　think　of　her　yet　wanting　anything；　any　source　of　stimulation；　that　would　soothe　this　awful　need。
　I　lay　back　again；　and　was　very　still　until　this　carnal　madness　had　left　me。
　I　was　a　man　again　then；　for　not　having　been；　at　random；　a　man。
　I　got　up；　ready　for　tears；　and　I　took　my　candle　down　to　the　main　room　of　the　Inn；　trying　not　to　make　a　sound　on　the　crooked　winding　stone　stairs；　and　I　got　a　light　from　a　candle　there　on　a　hook　on　the　wall；　at　the　mouth　of　the　passage；　and　I　went　back　up；　clinging　to　this　forting　little　light；　shielding　the　shuddering　flame　with　my　cupped　hand　and　praying　still；　and　then　I　set　down　the　candle。
　I　climbed　up　and　tried　to　see　what　I　could　from　the　window。
　Nothing；　nothing　but　an　impossible　drop　beneath　me；　a　sloping　wall　up　which　a　flesh…and…blood　maiden　could　never　have　climbed；　and　higher；　the　mute；　passive　sky；　in　which　the　few　stars　had　been　covered　by　f