Our Grave Sins [Vampires]

Blurb:

Antino is a vampire, possibly the last one in the world, and lately he has been hit by a severe double blow.

After being gravely wounded by a Church hunter, he was betrayed by his servant Lorenzo, the man who had always obeyed him and been as docile as a dog. Lorenzo went hunting and never came back.

When they met again, Lorenzo had a handsome boy in tow and was carrying a copy of The Guide to Avoiding Toxic Relationships.

He said, "You can no longer give me orders. From now on, I live for myself."

Lorenzo had prepared himself for a fight to the death. Then he saw Antino's lips curl into a mocking, beguiling smile, his dark-red eyes utterly cold.

He heard him chuckle. "Fine. Go."

Lorenzo froze. "You don't intend to, "

"I never needed you." Antino turned and disappeared into the darkness. "Remember what you said today, Lorenzo."

Don't regret it.

*

After escaping the hunters, the weakened Antino collapsed in an alley. In a daze, he saw a figure resembling his servant, with the same black hair and blue eyes, only brighter and more

righteous.

"Sir? Sir, are you all right? ... Dispatch, this is Patrol Group A. Someone has collapsed and needs an ambulance."

Antino looked at the badge on the man's chest: MPD, Miami Police Department.

A police officer.

What good luck, he thought.

The next second, Antino seized the young officer's wrist and looked up into his eyes. "Please, take me with you. Don't let them catch me."

A few seconds later.

"...Cancel the request. No ambulance needed."

*

Lorenzo had been restless lately. He didn't know why, and even the boy's comfort did nothing to help.

One day, as he passed a nightclub, his unease reached its peak. Almost without thinking, he looked inside. He saw Antino, and beside him a new stranger whose appearance was uncannily similar to his own.

How could this happen? he thought.

Antino had never let him see that dazed look after reaching the peak.

[You said I was your only servant. Only me.]

Lorenzo heard nothing but breathing and heartbeats.

How could he let that man undo Antino's collar, kiss his lips, trace his tattoos, and leave marks on his body?

From far away, Antino gave him a look.

The very same look he had given him the day they parted.

"Just as I said, I never needed you."

*

"Want to come back?" Antino descended barefoot from his high seat and drew a dagger across Lorenzo's throat. "Bring me that boy's heart."

Lorenzo knelt before the blade.

He heard himself say, "All right."

But once he had done it, Antino changed his mind.

"I never said I forgave you, Lo." The beautiful vampire cupped his lover's face. "You underestimate me. What I want is all of the Americas groveling at my feet."

Lorenzo stared at him in a daze.

"Go hunting. I need more hearts." Antino bestowed a kiss on him. "Soon, the streets here will be crawling with my servants, and you will be no more than one of them."

[ATTENTION]

★ Has the feel of an American TV series, and it's intense

★ Nobody is a good person

★ Antino is the absolute protagonist, and also an amoral, pleasure-seeking troublemaker who has lived for many years

★ If you don't watch American TV or you're a pure-love loyalist, please give this one a miss

Theme: Can love transcend species and time?