Blood Eternal Read Free

throughout his lifetime to respect the existence of a greater power. Yet he would never understand why this greater power would let a young couple wander through the streets hungry.
    Pushing past his thoughts, he picked up the pace. He had an appointment to make. Icy wind whipped through the air and sliced apart a light mist over the near vacant piazza. Late September, and a winter frost tiptoed across Rome.
     

 
    2
    Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape.
    —William S. Burroughs
     
    Savannah Michaels nibbled the fingernails of one hand while she crinkled a piece of paper with the other. Ninety thousand dollars of debt and now she was thousands of miles away from home doing only God knew what. Sure, it had been for necessary expenses. She hadn’t planned the accident and definitely wouldn’t have chosen to complete near two years of physical therapy afterward, but this knowledge didn’t soothe the butterflies in her stomach. A knot tightened her throat. Now was not the time for cold feet. She massaged her throat and glanced back down at the internet classified ad she’d printed off.
     
    COMPANION WANTED
    Traveling companion, male or female, between the ages of twenty-five to forty-five. Requires valid passport and the ability to travel throughout Italy for four weeks straight. All expenses covered. Will pay handsomely. Please inquire at [email protected]
     
    Too good to be true? Savannah released a shuddering breath and sipped her cappuccino. Steam hit her nose, warming it against the air’s chill. Across a huge expanse of ocean, meeting a complete stranger. She had to be crazy.
    “Your tartufo .” A waiter leaned forward and placed a chocolate lover’s dream before her. “Anything else, miss?” His gaze questioned beneath a broad brow.
    Rubbing the button holding her pants closed, she smiled. “No, thank you. Um, grazie .”
    He nodded and turned, attending another table.
    Hmm. She planned to eat in Italy and here she sat, content after a sumptuous feast. Of course bread dipped in olive oil, a cappuccino and a heaping plate of capellini al pomodoro slowed her gusto a bit. Aspiring chef or not, a person could only eat so much at one time. Good thing she’d spend four weeks here, although there might not be a plane big enough to carry her back.
    She settled further down in her seat, spooned a cold layer of chocolate and cream onto her tongue and let an explosion of cocoa work its magic. The accordion whines of “Quando, Quando, Quando” drifted past her and brought bliss. She’d imagined Italy like this. These tastes and sounds were the reasons her friends oohed and aahed when she’d mentioned this opportunity. Of course they’d also tsk-tsked at the idea of her spending four weeks with a complete stranger. Still, after everything she’d suffered through, what did she have to lose? Bad relationships, no funds, death. She’d pretty much been there and done all of them. Somehow, she stayed afloat, but the exhaustion of life made the thought of sinking deep alluring.
    She released a long breath, pushing away any daunting thoughts of her prospective employer. For now, Piazza Navona remained her personal paradise.
    Pink and purple painted the evening sky. Groups of tourists hustled into cafes for a warm meal. Passersby stopped to watch musicians and mimes perform for their day’s wages. Strange how no matter where one went, it always boiled down to the good old all in a day’s work . Though not opposed to labor, bartending at Murphy’s Irish Pub wouldn’t earn enough to pay her debts and establish her restaurant. Not in the near future, anyhow. She pulled out another folded piece of paper, confirmation she moved one step closer to her dreams.
     
    Dearest Savannah,
    I am pleased you have decided to accept my offer and I look forward to our meeting in Rome... Once you arrive, you may take a taxi to