"Surely I have not become since then the pure and simple damsel of a children's tale."

 

 
My Story

My life began in Florence, but Venice became my world. Some said that I was the most beautiful woman in all of Italy, like one of Botticelli's goddesses come to life.

Given the appearance of freedom and independence - the life of a courtesan - I managed to find happiness, even while carrying out the criminal deeds that were forced upon me by my own family. I suppose I could say that I was a victim of circumstance and greed, but that's happened more than once in my lifetime. My family cared nothing for me, other than having me to dispose of those who would keep them from money that wasn't theirs to begin with. They made a murderess of me long before the Blood ever did. But still, I flourished, relishing in my world of beauty and opulence, trying to forget the crimes that were now and then put to me.

My rooms were always open, and any were welcome, so long as they were interesting enough to hold the attention of myself and my guests. Some were even greatly anticipated. Marius de Romanus was such a guest.

He and his boys were always a delight. I came to love Marius, along with his favored apprentice, Amadeo. I became mistress of their house, free to arrange parties there, opening their home to all of Venice. In their palazzo I could exist outside of the world that had been created for me.

In the course of one night all things changed. The palazzo was destroyed, and those who I had come to adore were taken from me. Or so I thought. I soon discovered that Marius lived, and I took it upon myself to care for him. I knew that the decision could mean surrendering my life, but that didn't matter. A new life waited for me.

Bianca, the courtesan, the pearl of Venice, the tool for others' greed, became Bianca the immortal.

I spent centuries with Marius, learning secrets that might have been best not to know. Over time, I grew stronger than I'd ever imagined, and eventually I set out to begin a life of my own.

A new life, once again, and in a new world. I came to America. I purchased a home, and began to reclaim some of that opulence that I'd lost with the passing of centuries. At times, I've even been tempted to open my home again, to receive visitors that might entertain or amuse me. And now, that temptation grows stronger.

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