Sixty-One

The snow eased, but we got a week of a bitter cold. The sun showed up for two days, helping to melt the snow to a point where we weren’t stuck at the house anymore. Gradually, I was getting acquainted with this century, and believe me, I appreciated it more than I should, because of all the opportunities it held.
We spent the week training, and Liz introduced me to all the guns in her collection. Not that I would need them. I had powers of my own, and I relied on them, but wanting or not in everybody’s eyes, I was human. Well, I have always been, but a cursed one. The weapons were a precious asset.
I discovered a new world that left me speechless, and that only inflamed my eagerness to learn further and faster. Our nights were full of passion, and our connection grew with the passing moment, as we could not keep our hands away from each other, not even during the day. This time together allowed us a chance to get to know one another better, and I found out about a disciplined and organized woman that contradicted all my caveman remarks like she used to say.
The internet was a fascinating tool, and I learned how to use it in a short time. Sometimes when I was researching on the desktop, she would come and sit on my lap keeping me company, but most of the time she would be all curled up on the armchair, typing and reading on a device called ‘laptop’, or her phone, and I could only imagine what she was up to.
There were times she had been so absorbed in whatever she did, she didn’t even pay attention to the anger and tension radiating from her. When I asked if she was fine, she smiled at me, and if I got closer, she would shut the device down and divert my attention. I could demand that she present me with what sustained her so concentrated, but I didn’t want to get into an altercation with her.
Besides, Anton and I had spoken, and he explained a lot about her life, what she used to do, and her skills. My Liz was a genius in this modern technology, so I had a theory about what my little devil was working on all this time, but I kept to myself and just watched her. One afternoon, I was reading a book about 21st century discoveries when she closed the laptop and sneaked away. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.
Liz- Hey Grizzly…
Vlad- Liz?
She was up to no good, my little devil. I could smell it. The problem was that I still had trouble with these technologies and it took me longer to answer her texts. She said I just needed practice and she would help me with the right motivations.
Liz- I can’t concentrate at work. I keep fantasizing about what I’m going to do to you later.
Vlad- Where are you, woman?
Liz- Find me…
I knew exactly where she was; I didn’t even bother to pay attention to the rest of the message. In less than a second, I was in the basement and had a laughing devil in my arms, looking at me with playfulness in those bright lavenders. Then it was all gone. She laced her fingers in my hair and kissed me. Slow and gentle, no rush, and I enjoy every second, savoring the beautiful woman so compliant in my arms. But it was different. The kiss tasted farewell, and the freezing claws of fate squeezed my heart.
“What is it? Why do I feel there is something wrong?” I rested my forehead on hers as she played with my strands.
“I need to give you something before we leave this home. Come.” She gripped my hand and pulled me inside a room, turning on the lights. For some time I just stood there, glancing around me, taking in the room full of swords displayed on the walls and racks. All kinds of them, from several stages in history, every era.
“Dragă… I don’t know what to say.” Despite the dangers that surrounded it, I have missed a good sword fight, the life on the battlefields. It was how life brought me up, and a big part of myself. She reached to one shelf and retrieved a long wooden box.
“This is the sword dad taught me how to fight. It has always been my favorite. He told me once, he had a hard time locating and buying her back. Now I understand why.” She caressed my beard as a smile flashed across her face. “It belongs to you.”
All my thoughts fled from my mind and my eyes narrowed on that box, making it nearly impossible to breathe. I refused to keep my hopes high, but those violet eyes watered, making them shine as her heart pounded in her chest, matching my own. The telltale of her heightened emotions was her shaking hands as she handed me the case, and I closed my eyes to gather up the courage to open it. After a few long minutes, I felt the loving touch of her hand on my face again.
“What’s holding you from seeing what’s inside?” She had the sweetest tone as I shook my head. I couldn’t find my words. “I’ll do it for you. There it is… Look.” My eyes flew open, and she was there. The intricate, ornate hilt with the dragon lines etched in it, the bright red gem encrusted at the pommel, and the long thick, sharp and shining blade. It was my Toledo, father’s sword, passed on to me.
“I lost her in my last battle, somewhere around six hundred years ago. How… how is it possible?” I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I had to let go of it. A broad grin spread on my face as I touched the smooth, cold metal of my long-lost sword. When I stared at Liz, her face was tearful, but smiling at me.
“Tony has his ways. Now I understand so many factors while he raised me.” She took the box from my hands and placed it on the table next to us, then she wiped the tears from her face. “I knew she was important to you.” Inch by inch, she drew closer to my lips, seizing my mouth with stark possession. As I allowed her sweet exploration, her body melted into mine, becoming pliant in my arms.
Liz kissed me with her soul, and I felt her love for me at that moment. She hadn’t voiced it yet, but her actions said it all. The little weasel was silent about it, but more and more of old Liz caught up with her. Maybe she wasn’t even aware of it. I held her to me by her waist and neck as if she was my salvation board, inhaling her floral scent and delivering sweet, but agonizing, need to every part of my being as her fingers did their magic on my hair. The pain of living in this dark existence made my days unbearable, but when she was around, her light shone over my barren world.
“Liz…” I groaned on her lips. “I can’t exist without you. I forbid you to leave me, ever.” She smiled, her eyes burning with passion as she stared at me.
“Stop worrying about it. I’m going nowhere and let’s stop right here because if we get naughty in this sacred room, dad will kill us both.” She giggled, putting some distance between us. “Come, old man, grab your sword and let’s fight.” She chose one for herself, and I recognized it as Anton’s.
He said he forged himself, but I had my doubts. The hilt had very intricate carvings and drawings. I didn’t know what it meant, and it was pure yellow and white gold; it didn’t have a guard, and right where the blade started there were small blue gems, as clear as the sky. The blade had symbols I’ve never seen etched on it. It was beautiful to look at, and priceless.
“Hey, what takes you so long, are you frightened I’m going to crush you?” Liz teased me from the shooting range. She was there in the middle of the room, swinging the sword like a warrior, waiting for me.
“Prepare yourself, disrespectful woman. You are going down!” Having my blade in my hands was exhilarating. She was a part of me, just like an arm. We had many battles and stories together.
I walked straight to her, and she had that impish grin on her face, but before I caught her off guard and delivered the first blow, she released the sword and fell on her knees, embracing her middle and curling over her stomach. I ran to her, crouching by her side, and my blood froze in my veins. She was white as the walls and sweat streamed down her face.
“What’s wrong, dragă?”
“My father! Something has hit Tony!” Both of us looked at his sword on the floor, the symbols on the blade suddenly coming to life in a bright blue light.
Then I felt it...