Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4)

“Those are expensive,” Natalia said after they were back in Tia's car.

“To be expected at that shop. But any alterations you need will be free. You'll be able to go back anytime and without an appointment.”

“Nice. So where are we going for dinner?”

“Mud's Cafe,” Tia said.

“Sounds rather appetizing,” she said with some sarcasm in her voice.

Tia laughed.

“Best kitchen in Viperia.”

Rush hour traffic was over. The drive to the other side of town was fast. It didn't seem long before Tia pulled up to the familiar gates of Viperia. She rolled down a window. There was no one in sight. Natalia barely felt the vibration, and the gates opened. She waited until the gates closed behind them.

“Is the Viperian language something I can learn?”

“Is that something you want to do?”

"Yes."

“Then you can learn it, but I would wait a bit. Your hearing is going to improve. About the middle of your pregnancy might be a good time. You'll be able to talk to the baby.”

“I know all about talking to your baby while it's in the womb.”

“Your baby will be able to let you know how it's doing.”

"Ahhh, the baby isn't going to know Viperian or English. Language skills, I'm quite sure, are developed months after the child is born.”

"Viperian language is innate.”

“The baby’s already going to know how to speak Viperian?”

“The basics. Just the basics. Mostly feelings. Senses.”

“I think I have a lot to learn.”

"Yes, you do.”

Tia pulled into the parking lot of a building. There were quite a few other cars already there. The place didn't look anything like a restaurant or a cafe. Natalia could see no sign.

“Mud’s cafe,” Tia said. “Looks like the dinner crowd has dissipated.”

"How would I know this is a cafe?” Natalia said when she got out of the car.

“There's a sign,” Tia said.

“I see no sign.”

“In due time you will. When you do, let me know.”

A doorman stepped out and held the door for them.

Inside, the delicious smell of food waft around them. Natalia could hear both her language and Viperian.

"I can feel the language,” she said in a quiet voice.

Tia just smiled and held up two fingers. A waiter seated them immediately. Natalia could tell that Tia acknowledged a few people but using Viperian.

Natalia was surprised to find the menu quite elaborate with gourmet options.

“I assume that tartare refers to what is raw?"

Tia nodded.

“The filet and shrimp meal is probably one of their best dishes. Be aware that Cajun refers to seasoning and tends to be quite hot and spicy.”

Natalia noted that there were a number of seasoning options below the filet and shrimp. “Interesting way of doing it. Giving spice options.”

They both ordered that meal with different spices. Natalia wanted her steak medium rare, but Tia choose raw.

“Oh, Uri,” Tia said as if reprimanding him, but she was looking down on the table over by Natalia. “He hasn't ringed you, yet.”

“Ringed me? You mean call?”

"No."

Tia reached over and touched Natalia's left hand.

"With you, he needs to put a ring on your finger to show you're married, so to speak. To fit in with your society. You need to remind him to do so.”

"Yeah, when we had a house check, one of the men noted no ring.”

"House check? Oh, that house check.”

Tia didn't look too pleased about it.

"We thought Uri was clear of any more house checks, but apparently someone saw Mag and took a fancy to her. Best way to get access to a maid is to do a house check. No one wants to piss that agency off so they let them have free rein. Unfortunately, it's usually not a good end for the maid.” The waiter served ice tea. Another waiter right behind him brought salads.

Natalia found the ice tea very good and the salad excellent.

“This is nice,” she said.

“The best kitchen. Menu changes on a regular basis according to what is in season.”

Natalia noted more women than men were present, and the men were always accompanied by a woman.

"A difference of taste between you and Uri,” Natalia said.

Tia smiled.

“Men like their bars and their darts. This Thursday you'll be treated to a tournament. It will be well attended.”

Natalia thought of how big the club room was.

"Can't see you getting too many more people in the club.”

“Oh, no. It won't be held at the club. We have a larger facility for tournaments.”

"Grazie going to participate?”

"Of course. He won last year, so there's extra pressure on him this year to maintain his title.”

Tia looked rather pleased.

Once salads were done, their main meal was served. Natalia felt more herself with her appetite. She was able to eat slower and enjoy the food.

However, they didn't linger after the meal.

“Thank you for taking me, Tia.”

"You're welcome. I'll pick you up at five again tomorrow.”

Tia dropped her off at the front door. Uri was waiting.

“New suits?” he said, despite it was obvious what she was carrying.

“Yes. Four. I'll be comfortable tomorrow.”

“Nice.”

He brushed her cheek against his. She felt him inhale.

"Hummm, you went to Mud's. That's a nice place.”

He followed her upstairs.

“Tia said you need to ring me.”

"Yes, I do. I'll get something tomorrow when you're out.”

She wondered if he would since he didn't seem to be paying attention to what she said. He seemed more interested in taking her clothes off.

“You miss me?”

She managed to get the suits hung up before Uri dragged her toward the bed.

“Yep,” he said, taking off his own clothes as well.

Natalia woke before Uri the next morning. She rose and used the bathroom before him. In a reversal, she pulled the covers away from him.

“Good morning,” she said.

Uri rose, grinning, only to drag her back into bed. He kissed her rather hard.

“I think you're feeling much better,” he said, grinding against her, while he was half on top of her. "Yes, except now I can't breath.”

He adjusted his weight. She thought he was going to have sex with her, but he inhaled deeply in her hair, then rose, dragging her with him to the shower.

The morning routine progressed as usual and soon they were in the limo.

“That one of the new suits?” Uri said when he slid over by her.

"Yes. Very comfortable.”

“Looks nice on you. Tia has good taste.”

“I picked this one out,” she said, even though it was a lie.

“Then you both have good taste.”

They didn't pick up Sophie, and Natalia didn't ask.

She spent half the day in the conference room finishing boxes, then after lunch, Ursula arrived. "Come with me. We're going to have you help with a project in HR,” she said.

Natalia grabbed her satchel and followed. Even though, she knew the work of entering data and sorting papers was easy, she enjoyed it. At five pm, Tia arrived.

"Good day?”

"Yes. Something a little different, but good.”

“We'll see you later, Ursula,” Tia said

Ursula nodded in acknowledgment.

"She'll join us later,” Tia said. “Let's take the stairs. It's only one floor and at this time of night, we would be waiting for the elevator forever anyways.”

Like the evening before, they walked over to the garage to Tia’s car. Tia knew which side streets to take to avoid the rush traffic, but it still took longer than the night before to reach a gate into Viperia.

Again, Tia rolled down a window. There was no one there, but the gate opened after Natalia felt the vibration. Tonight, there were a few cars behind them that followed them in. These same cars pulled into the parking lot with them. Natalia could see that everyone in view was a woman. There wasn't a man in sight.

“A lot of women come to these meetings?”

Tia was looking in the rearview mirror picking at her right cheek.

“Everyone is invited. Rarely do they all come at the same time, but they always attend at least a handful a year. There's usually good attendance. There might be a few more tonight since everyone knows this is your first meeting. Some people want to meet you.”

Tia managed to get a piece of the skin and peeled it off to reveal her tattoo. This was the first time Natalia had seen it and it was exactly like Uri's. She almost inquired about that before she remembered that family members tended to have similar ones.

Tia seemed happy to have the piece of skin off.

“Let's go.”

The building they entered looked like a community hall. It was a single story, but long. After the entrance foyer, the room was huge and open. It was quite different from any other building she had been in. There was no bar. There were tables along the walls filled with a tea service and finger foods. There were tables and chairs positioned in the center of the room.

"So, this is Natalia or Nattie,” a woman said, holding a cup of tea.

She had the typical black hair and green eyes of a Viperian woman. She was also pregnant. Natalia guessed around the seven month mark.

“Yes. Nattie this is Sherri. Sherri is one of the members of the Council.”

“I hear you are doing well,” Sherri said

"Yes. Very well, thank you,” Natalia said.

Sherri seemed to be studying Natalia's face.

“She's getting color,” Sherri said with a smile while she brushed Natalia's right cheek. “I wondered if she would since she's doing so well.”

“I hadn't noticed until you said,” Tia said, also looking closely.

"Rosy cheeks,” Sherri said. “So very glad you could join us. I'm sure Tia has told you we have these meetings every Wednesday. It is encouraged to come, but not required. I would highly recommend that you come to the next couple, so you can acclimate yourself.”

"Yes, thank you. I believe I have a lot to learn,” Natalia said.

"Quite. Help yourself to some tea. Tia, make sure you introduce her around.”

Sherri walked off to greet another woman.

“Where is she in the scheme of things?”

“As high as you can get,” Tia said, leading her over to a group of women.

They all looked like the typical Viperian woman.

“Friesa, Jada Lee, Pearl and Kareen, this is Natalia or Nattie, Uri's woman."

"So nice to meet you,” they all said together.

“They are the other four members of the Council.”

"Good to meet you,” Natalia said, deciding to keep things simple.

“Has she met Sherri?” Kareen said.

"Yes. Just.”

"Have some tea and make sure you introduce her around,” Jada Lee said.

"We are doing just that,” Tia said.

She led Natalia over to the tea service.

While Natalia fixed a cup of tea, she noted a young girl trot over to give Friesa a hug. Then, she realized there were other children, all girls and ranging in all ages.

“I think this is only the second time I've seen children.”

“Mothers are encouraged to bring their daughters. Mine is somewhere here. She came with some friends.”

"Why does Viperia seem so empty. Well, I guess it did the one day I was here.”

"Our schools and hospitals are here. We hold meetings and entertain here, but most of us maintain houses in A’ppollo. We have reputations to maintain in regards to our jobs.”

“So that's why Uri has two houses?”

“Exactly. But he needs to spend most of his time in A’ppollo because of his position.”

“Momma,” a young girl skipped up and hugged Tia.

She looked very much like Tia.

"Hey, Theresa. This is Nattie, Uri’s woman.”

Theresa looked shy, but just for a moment.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, holding out a hand for a formal hand shake.

“Nice to meet you,” Natalia said, returning the hand shake.

“Is grandma here, yet?” Tia said, scanning the room.

“I haven't seen her. We just got here. I'm starved.”

"Go eat.”

Tia led Natalia to a table.

“Leave your tea here and we'll go get some food.”

By the end of the evening, Natalia knew she had been introduced to over a hundred women. And she knew she wasn't going to remember them all. However, she did repeat the Council women’s names in her mind. It was obvious of their leadership and everyone deferred to them.

She also learned of the difficulties of tracking family members, and why it was only through the mother.

“This is my mother, Rayna,” Tia said.

“Nice to meet you,” Natalia said.

“Good to meet you.”

Natalia could see her tattoo was exactly like Tia's, and in fact, Tia looked like a younger carbon copy of her mother. After, Rayna had moved on, Tia added more information on the family.

“She is Uri's mother too. However, of interest maybe to you, we have different fathers. We don't necessarily keep track of or honor fathers the way you might. Some fathers track their children. Some don't."

“Very different.”

“With us, the mother's lineage is strongest.”

Natalia had to agree since Uri's facial features and his eyes were very much like his mother's.

It was about nine pm when women started to head out, ending the evening.

“It's a school night,” Tia said as if that explained why.

Tia's daughter followed them and got into the back seat. While Tia drove Natalia home, she was feeling she was getting to know the route pretty well.

"See you tomorrow,” Tia said.

"Goodnight. Nite, Theresa.”

“Nite.”

As soon as the car door closed, Uri opened the front door to greet her.

“Have a good time?”

"Yes, got to meet Tia's daughter.”

“Nice.”

He yawned.

“Yeah, I'm with you. Time for bed,” she said.

While she took out her thermos from her satchel for Mag to refill, Uri headed up for bed. By the time she reached the bedroom, he was already half undressed.

“I won't wake you if you're sleeping,” she said to his yawn.

Natalia undressed, then brushed her teeth. When she washed her face, she remembered Sherri's comment about her getting color. She checked out her cheeks, but it was only the right cheek that seemed slightly discolored. She moved closer to the light and stared. Just under her skin there seemed to be a swirling red/brown pattern.

“I'm getting a tattoo. Wait..."

She looked to the bedroom.

“Uri?”

Yes”

“Your tattoo. It... it isn't a tattoo, is it?"

“Nope.”

“What is it?"

“My lineage.”

Natalia stepped out.

“Your what?"

“My lineage. Or birth mark. All family members have virtually the same mark because we have the same mother."

"Why... why am I getting a mark?”

"Are you?"

He swung his legs out of bed.

“I can't see,” he said, joining her in the bathroom.

She let him tilt her right cheek toward the light.

"Yes, you are getting a mark. Amazing. I have heard stories, but never seen it. Does Tia know?” “Yes. It was mentioned tonight that I was getting color. I just now see what they mean.”

“You'll need cover-up. I'll show you in the morning.”

"Why am I getting this? Is this because of the baby?"

“I think it's because I bit you. Viperian venom has characteristics I don't fully understand. Ask Tia. Maybe you'll find out more, and can tell me. I know Tia has the answers, but she holds on to them. She doesn’t share.”

Natalia felt her cheek, but it didn't feel any different than the other one.

“This is so weird.”

“You're becoming a Viperian,” he said when he dragged her into bed.

“But I don't have fangs or venom,” she said, not knowing if she liked what was happening.

“No fangs, but you will have venom.”

“What?”

He cuddled up to her.

“Because you don't have the proper fang, you will only have one venom. Just the one in your saliva. Heals wounds. Causes Undents to become agitated.”

"And if I bite you?”

"Might piss me off. Might get me excited. Depends on what I want it to do. It will only enhance what ever mood I'm in."

“This is all so strange.”

“Don’t bite me. Ill do the biting.”

He nibbled her earlobe, then she felt him slide a ring on her finger.

“I've ringed you,” he said, breathing deep in her hair while he settled to sleep.

The ring was hardly a distraction. She couldn't sleep while she thought about the consequences of looking like a Viperian. She knew about how her people negatively perceived Hollows.

Damn, she thought. I'm going to look like a Hollow.

However, she thought about Uri. He was in a very high position in the biggest bank of the city. No one knew he was a Hollow. No one knew he was a Viperian.

Hell, half the bank was run by Viperians, she thought.

And no one knew this? No one had figured it out?

Hidden only by a thin piece of skin

She kept mulling this over, but Uri's deep breathing kept soothing her. Finally, she fell asleep.

She was in a deep sleep when Uri woke her by rolling out of bed. He gently pulled her out of bed and to the shower. She was feeling tired and cranky until she caught sight of it.

“It... it's beautiful,” she said, finally seeing the ring he gave her.

“Hoped you would like it. Blue diamond surrounded by white. Reminds me of your eyes.”

She felt him get aroused, but he just lathered her up. For some reason, she still felt perturbed. After the shower, Uri handed her a bottle.

“Nail polish?”

“No, liquid skin. Brush lightly over your cheek. Let dry. No more tattoo. Let me show you.”

Natalia realized this was why she was feeling perturbed. She leaned in toward the mirror to check her cheek. The swirls seemed more pronounced than last night.

"Are you watching?”

“Yes,” she said, moving her eyes over to him.

He pulled out the brush attached to the lid just like it was nail polish. With light strokes, he covered his cheek.

“There's still some visible on your neck.”

“Those are okay, besides my collar hides it pretty well. It's this upper area of the cheek that your people look for.”

“Interesting that it's only the right cheek. Do you refer to them as tattoos?”

“Lineage marks. But calling them tattoos is fine. Only Viperians know they really aren't tattoos. Big city officials think they are and that a Viperian is required to get this identifying mark at the age of sixteen. But that's when the hormones start raging and the lineage mark appears.”

"Wow."

"On rare occasions the mark can go down your right arm.”

That remark caused her to pause and look, but there was nothing.

“Your mark will be unique, and that's what is passed on to your children. Might take a week or so for it to fully express itself.”

Natalia dipped the brush and dabbed her cheek. The liquid seemed to seep into her skin and hide the marks.

"Weird how it seems to match my skin color.”

“The marks are below the skin, so the liquid skin is taking on the hue of the upper layer of skin. So, yes, in a way, it's matching your skin color.”

“Does it wash off? What if you're caught in the rain in A'ppollo? Then everyone sees?”

“No, it doesn’t wash off. It either wears off as you shed skin cells or you have to pick it off. I think it takes about five days to fully come off if you don't pick it. I would put that bottle in your purse, so you always have some.”

He pulled out a new bottle from the medicine cabinet and touched up areas on his cheek.

“Does it hurt to pick it off?”

"No."

"What if I forget and head out the door?” she said.

"One of the first things a maid is required to do is to check that no tattoos are visible,” Uri said. They finished dressing and headed down the stairs to the dining room for breakfast.

"Mag?”

"Yes, sir.”

"What is your first job of the day when Nattie and I come down?”

Mag looked at him and then Natalia.

"She's getting the lineage mark, isn't she?” Mag said in monotone. She received no affirmation so she continued. "Yes, sir, I am required to make sure your lineage isn't showing.”

“Then why is yours not covered up right now?” Natalia said.

“I'm not going out just yet,” she said.

"And house checks?”

"We have cameras and alarm systems that alert us. It's easy to apply if we see someone coming.” The fact that Mag and Uri felt comfortable with all this didn't ease her tensions.