Terraced hillsides adorned with vibrant foliage spread fragrant aromas of Sfusato d’Amalfi, Verdelo and Cedro lemons in bloom, whilst purple clusters of Wisteria, golden climbing Lady Banks roses, Willowleaf mandarins and kumquat trees envelop the silhouette of a rustic Italianvilla. Eponymously named Elettra for Giulia’s late great aunt and perched high above the azure glistening sea, it is neither imposing nor dramatic, yet irresistible, its magnetic allure beaming with mystery. Sunrise hues dance upon the whitewashed walls absorbing the late summeressence: turmeric orange, burnished saffron, soft chamomile and honey strokes beget theuniverse’s exhibit of an ever-evolving abstract composition.  

Lost in reverie, she absorbs the beauty around, the rhythmic melody of waves colliding with the rocks below, and the distant chirping of birds greeting the new day, she takes another bite of the sumptuous passionfruit, apricot, bourbon vanilla cream tarte, elegantly plated on delicate porcelain adorned with daffodils. Grains of paradise dusted goldenberries disburse ambrosial aromas, still dancing upon her tongue, as she opens her eyes and is once more captivated by the stunningly brilliant, intricate, and eccentric, Egyptian mandaring garnet adorning her finger. Newspaper headlines resurrected its mysterious disappearance, the chronicle of an artifact wore by a prominent pharaoh, vanishing while on display in Rome half a century prior. Pondering if fate will unveil the enigmatic narrative of the hidden truth, a mangled family legacy she swore to protect, she glances back at the 15th century vibrant tableau of wildflowers adorning the living room mantle, sharing a similar tale as the ring. In a place where memories intertwine with the whispers of the sea, Giulia keeps her vow of silence, for the stories enshrined within these walls must forever remain there, veiled from the eyes of any mortal being.

notes by mika toke, resident vampire