De Immortalitate by Raum

Official Description:

“The life of the Roman patrician Antonius is put at stake by his father, Felix. When Felix brings to his only son a new slave, Bella, more reasons arise for Antonius’ concerns. Felix’s secret can change Antonius’ and Bella’s destiny.” ExB AU/vampires.

This story is one of the most original you can find in the fandom. Vampires in the Roman empire! All the character’s names have been carefully selected by Raum, so that they are proper Latin names and don’t grate your nerves, if you have a sense of history. Romanward is therefore called Antonius, here. Well born, he lives under the Emperor Diocletian, is 25 yo and has a promising military career to pursue. All is well, therefore, until the day his father, Felix, supposedly dead, returns home. Alas, he is no longer the strong but loving father Antonius remembered. He has changed, physically and morally, in a hideous way.

I looked again at Felix. The mention of the word “death” had a strange effect on me. I had seen corpses before and there were odd similarities between them and Felix’s body. I had been surprised by the strength of his hand when he had greeted me, but now I recalled also how cold his skin was.

“You don’t believe in immortality, ,and you don’t believe in eternal youth,” he considered. “But I’m in front of you.”

I was even more confused.

He stood up. “I know that you have figured out more than you admit,” he told me. “And I expect you to be curious about the price of immortality. But we are going to discuss it another time.”

Felix is, however, the paterfamilias and his authority is absolute. He doesn’t allow Antonius to go back to the army, but confines him in his country villa. Any rebellion from his son is retaliated by punishing one of the servants. Felix takes them with him and they disappear, albeit Antonius has a pretty good idea of what happens to them, particularly since a slave girl, Alica, whom he loved like a sister and wanted to free, is taken away by Felix and referred to afterward as a small amphora, like this:

I’m sorry to tell you that, unfortunately, it was a little too breakable for my liking. I disposed of the pieces as well as possible. Rest assured that not even a drop of the delicious red wine it contained has been wasted.

A prisoner in his own home, incapable to rebel, lest he causes the death of the servants who trust him, Antonius is rendered impotent. He doesn’t consider slaves expendable and cannot put them more at risk than they already are. So days and months pass slow and dreary. At the end of the road he fears, from his father hints when he comes to visit, that Felix plans to make him like himself, undead, once his ‘education to insensitiveness’ is completed.

Then one day Felix comes with a surprise for his son, a young slave girl for him to enjoy, Bella. And things change drastically, because Antonius, who never loved before, is smitten by this girl who is strong, brave and, secretly, a Christian.

But, how can he love her keeping concealed that she is not, and will never be, a passing distraction, but the love of his life? Such a thing will condemn her for sure, because Felix has made it clear that Antonius must cure himself of all human frailties…

With seventeen chapters done, the plot is already completely absorbing. The reader desperately wants to find a way out for the doomed lovers, but not one is in sight.

Every detail of this story is crafted carefully, Raum knows the ancient Roman world as her own pockets and gives you a complete, enthralling background, from architecture to the use of cabbage as a panacea for curing many illnesses. In her blog, My Reading Lounge, Raum posts wonderful images related to the story. Don’t miss this journey in ancient Rome! The story is updated every Saturday and reviewers are sent individual gifts.

I don’t have much that I can add to Camilla’s awesome review, except to say that I totally agree–this fic is like nothing I’ve ever read. There are some moments where Edward/Antonius inner monologue gets a little sensitive for my tastes, but other than that, I am completely intrigued by the plot. It’s dramatic. It’s mysterious. It’s damned good. Even if you aren’t into historical fics, I think you should check it out.

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