Wednesday, 30 May 2012
The Release of Ace of Swords and Free Copies of Knight of Swords
Hello Everyone,
Just to let you know that the second in the vampire knights Swords trilogy, Ace of Swords will be released by Hellfire Publishing on the 15th June. On the same date the first book, Knight of Swords will be released for free on Amazon for a short time so get ready to download! I have included the cover art for each book and their blurbs to wet your appetite. Remember to put it in your diary.
Nathan Valancourt is young, stinking rich, a darling of London's social set in 1893 and a notorious womaniser. He had never believed in the supernatural but when a vampire killer masquerading as a clergyman begins haunting his dreams and forcing him to endure visions of the murder of his previous female conquests, Nathan determines to amend his frivolous ways.
When the killer turns his attention to Nathan's beautiful ward, Juliet, Nathan is anxious to protect her. As they battle the monster, Nathan and Juliet gradually realise that they share a psychic connection. This close bond triggers the discovery of their true heritage as descendents of human-vampire unions and leads to the gradual revealing of powers beyond their imagination that offer them hope of victory.
Nathan travels to a Scottish castle owned by Lycan leader, Marcus Duart to procure a cure for Juliet. Unexpectedly, he finds himself caught in a trap set by a powerful witch who seeks revenge upon the Taleian Queen and her race.
On awakening, Juliet finds the witch has taken Nathan for her own and transformed him into a demon, hell bent on his Queen's destruction. Stripped of her powers and throne by the witch, Juliet is forced to flee for her life and evade death at Nathan's hand.
Juliet must find a way to remind Nathan of their strong love for each other and battle the witch to retrieve her throne.
My contemporary romance Sleeping Love did extremely well in the free Kindle chart on Amazon in the US recently. It was positioned at number 2 in the Romance chart, number 4 in the free Kindle chart and number 6 in the free Kindle chart in the UK and is still selling quite well. Thank you for all of your support! Enjoy Knight of Swords and Ace of Swords.
Have a great day or evening wherever you are!
Best Wishes,
Sara
Friday, 27 April 2012
Free Copy of Sleeping Love
Hi Everyone,
Just to let you know that my contemporary romance novel, Sleeping Love is available for free at Amazon.com for five days! You know you want a copy!!!
The blurb and an excerpt is included below to wet your appetite. There are also a couple of chapters on my blog for you to read before making up your mind.
Have a good day!
Sara
Sleeping Love
Historian Sabrina Michaels lost her memory ten years ago after waking up in a London hospital badly beaten. When she travels to a French chateau owned by handsome wealthy businessman Raoul Valoire to research his famous ancestor, he lays claim to her as his wife.
Afraid of confronting her past, Sabrina attempts to leave the chateau but finds that her husband is more than determined to have his wife back in his arms and in his bed. He is prepared to hold her prisoner until she uncovers her true identity and remembers her love for him.
Sabrina embarks on a journey into her own past in the hopes of uncovering what caused her to disappear from the chateau without a trace the night of her birthday party and the man who was responsible for her attack. She only hopes it is not the husband she is falling in love with all over again.
Excerpt From Sleeping Love
Nothing appeared safe or trustworthy. Leaving would give her some control back until she could decide what to do. Surely, Raoul would understand that. Frantically, she headed for the door and reached out for the handle with a shaking hand when she stopped dead, hearing the cracking whip of Raoul’s reprimand across the air.
‘Sabrina. Where are you going?’
Sabrina turned sharply tilting her chin defiantly at him.
‘You can’t stop me leaving,’ she threatened. ‘I will call the police.’
He gave a laugh and began walking towards her.
‘It will do you no good,’ he told her softly. ‘They know that you are home and that your memory loss may have made you unstable. They are more than likely to advise hospital care if I can’t keep you under control than help you leave.’
He unfolded the piece of paper he held in his hand and offered it to her.
‘Your signature on our wedding certificate will prove that this is not some elaborate hoax. You belong to me, Sabrina and I am not letting you walk out of that door again.’
She glanced at the certificate and the signature that he pointed to. It was definitely her writing. Blind panic filled her mind. She didn’t know what to do. What if Raoul had been the man who had beaten her so badly she’d lost her memory? What if he really was the man who had put her in the hospital seven years ago? Perhaps she had tried to leave him then and he’d become violent. Too many questions. She had to get out.
‘Do what the hell you want but I am still leaving and there is nothing you can do,’ she shouted wasting no more time in turning the door handle.
But to her dismay she was not to get very far.
Raoul leaned over and raised his hand above her head slamming the door shut hard. Sabrina gave a yelp of fear and turned around to face him, finding her back pressed against the door with no means of escape. Raoul’s dark eyes looked down at her threateningly. He closed the distance between them, sweeping his arm around her waist when she made a gesture to duck out from under the cage of his arm. He pushed her back against the door once more and restrained her there.
‘I am going to keep you here even if I have to tie you down. I want to know why you walked out on my life. We were in love. I have spent years wondering what happened. I never once thought you were dead. Did you leave me for another man? Your absence has tormented me.’
Raoul’s tone grew more intense with anger leaving Sabrina trembling. ‘The police believed you were murdered and I was their main suspect. They even dragged the lake in the grounds looking for your body. The only thing that stopped them from charging me with your murder was the lack of a body. I want answers and you are going to give them to me, darling wife. So yes you will stay and yes I will make you a prisoner if I have to.’
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Cover Art for Ace of Swords
Hi Everyone,
I know it has been a while but I have been busy editing, writing and finishing some courses I have taken. I thought I would share the cover art I have just received from my publisher, Hellfire Publishing for the sequel to Knight of swords, Ace of Swords. Hope you like it.
I have included the blurb and an excerpt below. Enjoy! Back soon.
Sara :)
Ace of Swords Blurb
Nathan travels to a Scottish castle owned by Lycan leader, Marcus Duart to procure a cure for Juliet. Unexpectedly, he finds himself caught in a trap set by a powerful witch who seeks revenge upon the Taleian Queen and her race.
On awakening, Juliet finds the witch has taken Nathan for her own and transformed him into a demon, hell bent on his Queen's destruction. Stripped of her powers and throne by the witch, Juliet is forced to flee for her life and evade death at Nathan's hand.
Juliet must find a way to remind Nathan of their strong love for each other and battle the witch to retrieve her throne.
Excerpt
My captor had won and now he was claiming his prize. He appeared approving of my silence and began dragging my body along the dock into the fog. I made every attempt to keep my face from the ground but it scraped and bruised along the coarseness of the net and the cobbled path. I did not want to belong to anyone but Nathan and endure a life where another cold stranger was forced upon me. I would find a way to die. That would be my escape and Nathan’s proof of my loyalty and undying love if he ever became whole again.
Gerard continued to drag my aching body over the cobbles along the docks to an unknown destination and into the fog that rolled over the Thames and on into the city. But he was to suddenly stop. I could see his shoulders tense as we all heard the sound of footsteps in the fog ahead coming towards us in a determined manner.
He ordered the two human men forward to investigate. Each of them drew a knife from their breast pocket as we watched them disappear into the ghostly white air that swirled around us to obscure our vision of what lay ahead. Our heightened Taleian vision was of no use in the fog, only the night. There was no sound apart from their own footsteps now and that of the water and boats lapping against the side of the dock.
Silence reigned for a minute or more and then the distant cry of a man was heard and the sharp slice of a sword moving through the damp air. The sound was followed by the bounce of an object hitting the ground and rolling out of the fog towards us. I gave a startled gasp when the human’s decapitated head appeared. Another slice of air and the next human’s head quickly followed with enough force to roll and touch Gerard’s foot. With an angry growl Gerard kicked the head away from him and out into the Thames.
‘Give me my sword,’ he demanded of the Taleian that carried it.
The other two Taleians took a defensive stance as Gerard raised his sword ready to strike at his unseen opponent and the determined footsteps continued once more towards us.
A tall shadow emerged from the fog in the dim gas light. He was immaculately dressed as a gentleman of birth with an aristocratic elegance about him that no other seemed to bear. Relief flooded the blood that still pumped through my veins and my heart swelled with love.
Nathan was a terrifying haunting vision as he emerged from the night. His eyes were dark and were narrowed in anger at Gerard. For a brief moment they were drawn to my pathetic captive figure and I felt the spark of his fear for me. It was only brief for it turned to explosive anger.
‘Another challenger?’ Gerard hissed. ‘I got here first. She is mine and I am taking her.’
Nathan’s eyes widened.
‘You dare to take my Queen and defile her?’
Gerard gave a small nervous laugh. ‘Who are you to call her your Queen?’
His question appeared mute, for his curious and anxious tone told everyone he already knew who Nathan was to us all.
Nathan’s voice was dark and soft as melted chocolate when he spoke. It only served to heighten the menace of his position.
‘I am the Knight of Swords.’
I know it has been a while but I have been busy editing, writing and finishing some courses I have taken. I thought I would share the cover art I have just received from my publisher, Hellfire Publishing for the sequel to Knight of swords, Ace of Swords. Hope you like it.
I have included the blurb and an excerpt below. Enjoy! Back soon.
Sara :)
Ace of Swords Blurb
Nathan travels to a Scottish castle owned by Lycan leader, Marcus Duart to procure a cure for Juliet. Unexpectedly, he finds himself caught in a trap set by a powerful witch who seeks revenge upon the Taleian Queen and her race.
On awakening, Juliet finds the witch has taken Nathan for her own and transformed him into a demon, hell bent on his Queen's destruction. Stripped of her powers and throne by the witch, Juliet is forced to flee for her life and evade death at Nathan's hand.
Juliet must find a way to remind Nathan of their strong love for each other and battle the witch to retrieve her throne.
Excerpt
My captor had won and now he was claiming his prize. He appeared approving of my silence and began dragging my body along the dock into the fog. I made every attempt to keep my face from the ground but it scraped and bruised along the coarseness of the net and the cobbled path. I did not want to belong to anyone but Nathan and endure a life where another cold stranger was forced upon me. I would find a way to die. That would be my escape and Nathan’s proof of my loyalty and undying love if he ever became whole again.
Gerard continued to drag my aching body over the cobbles along the docks to an unknown destination and into the fog that rolled over the Thames and on into the city. But he was to suddenly stop. I could see his shoulders tense as we all heard the sound of footsteps in the fog ahead coming towards us in a determined manner.
He ordered the two human men forward to investigate. Each of them drew a knife from their breast pocket as we watched them disappear into the ghostly white air that swirled around us to obscure our vision of what lay ahead. Our heightened Taleian vision was of no use in the fog, only the night. There was no sound apart from their own footsteps now and that of the water and boats lapping against the side of the dock.
Silence reigned for a minute or more and then the distant cry of a man was heard and the sharp slice of a sword moving through the damp air. The sound was followed by the bounce of an object hitting the ground and rolling out of the fog towards us. I gave a startled gasp when the human’s decapitated head appeared. Another slice of air and the next human’s head quickly followed with enough force to roll and touch Gerard’s foot. With an angry growl Gerard kicked the head away from him and out into the Thames.
‘Give me my sword,’ he demanded of the Taleian that carried it.
The other two Taleians took a defensive stance as Gerard raised his sword ready to strike at his unseen opponent and the determined footsteps continued once more towards us.
A tall shadow emerged from the fog in the dim gas light. He was immaculately dressed as a gentleman of birth with an aristocratic elegance about him that no other seemed to bear. Relief flooded the blood that still pumped through my veins and my heart swelled with love.
Nathan was a terrifying haunting vision as he emerged from the night. His eyes were dark and were narrowed in anger at Gerard. For a brief moment they were drawn to my pathetic captive figure and I felt the spark of his fear for me. It was only brief for it turned to explosive anger.
‘Another challenger?’ Gerard hissed. ‘I got here first. She is mine and I am taking her.’
Nathan’s eyes widened.
‘You dare to take my Queen and defile her?’
Gerard gave a small nervous laugh. ‘Who are you to call her your Queen?’
His question appeared mute, for his curious and anxious tone told everyone he already knew who Nathan was to us all.
Nathan’s voice was dark and soft as melted chocolate when he spoke. It only served to heighten the menace of his position.
‘I am the Knight of Swords.’
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Sleeping Love Released!
Hi Everyone,
My romantic supense novel, Sleeping Love has just been released by Hellfire Publishing. It is selling on Smashwords for $1.50 for today only. I have
included the blurb and an excerpt below. If you fancy a copy hurry over to
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/126836. It will be published on Amazon tomorrow and in print in 2-4 weeks.
Here is the blurb and excerpt. Happy Reading!
Sara
Blurb
Sleeping Love
Historian Sabrina Michaels lost her memory ten years ago after waking up in a London hospital badly beaten. When she travels to a French chateau owned by handsome wealthy businessman Raoul Valoire to research his famous ancestor, he lays claim to her as his wife.
Afraid of confronting her past, Sabrina attempts to leave the chateau but finds that her husband is more than determined to have his wife back in his arms and in his bed. He is prepared to hold her prisoner until she uncovers her true identity and remembers her love for him.
Sabrina embarks on a journey into her own past in the hopes of uncovering what caused her to disappear from the chateau without a trace the night of her birthday party and the man who was responsible for her attack. She only hopes it is not the husband she is falling in love with all over again.
Excerpt
Sleeping Love
Nothing appeared safe or trustworthy. Leaving would give her some control back until she could decide what to do. Surely, Raoul would understand that. Frantically, she headed for the door and reached out for the handle with a shaking hand when she stopped dead, hearing the cracking whip of Raoul’s reprimand across the air.
‘Sabrina. Where are you going?’
Sabrina turned sharply tilting her chin defiantly at him.
‘You can’t stop me leaving,’ she threatened. ‘I will call the police.’
He gave a laugh and began walking towards her.
‘It will do you no good,’ he told her softly. ‘They know that you are home and that your memory loss may have made you unstable. They are more than likely to advise hospital care if I can’t keep you under control than help you leave.’
He unfolded the piece of paper he held in his hand and offered it to her.
‘Your signature on our wedding certificate will prove that this is not some elaborate hoax. You belong to me, Sabrina and I am not letting you walk out of that door again.’
She glanced at the certificate and the signature that he pointed to. It was definitely her writing. Blind panic filled her mind. She didn’t know what to do. What if Raoul had been the man who had beaten her so badly she’d lost her memory? What if he really was the man who had put her in the hospital seven years ago? Perhaps she had tried to leave him then and he’d become violent. Too many questions. She had to get out.
‘Do what the hell you want but I am still leaving and there is nothing you can do,’ she shouted wasting no more time in turning the door handle.
But to her dismay she was not to get very far. Raoul leaned over and raised his hand above her head slamming the door shut hard. Sabrina gave a yelp of fear and turned around to face him, finding her back pressed against the door with no means of escape. Raoul’s dark eyes looked down at her threateningly. He closed the distance between them, sweeping his arm around her waist when she made a gesture to duck out from under the cage of his arm. He pushed her back against the door once more and restrained her there.
‘I am going to keep you here even if I have to tie you down. I want to know why you walked out on my life. We were in love. I have spent years wondering what happened. I never once thought you were dead. Did you leave me for another man? Your absence has tormented me.’
Raoul’s tone grew more intense with anger leaving Sabrina trembling. ‘The police believed you were murdered and I was their main suspect. They even dragged the lake in the grounds looking for your body. The only thing that stopped them from charging me with your murder was the lack of a body. I want answers and you are going to give them to me, darling wife. So yes you will stay and yes I will make you a prisoner if I have to.’
Saturday, 7 January 2012
The Hanged Man (Chapter 2 Cont'd & Chapter Three)
Hi Everyone,
Here is the next instalment of my vampire story, The Hanged Man. Hope you enjoy it.
Sara :)
Chapter 2 (Cont'd)
We ran past some humans hurrying the other way. Galen was near for the humans fell to the ground with a cry, dead before they hit the carpeted floor. I let out a sob, screaming for Richard to put me down, beating my fists at his back as I watched their helpless forms fall like marionettes in a heap just as I had witnessed before. He ignored me and picked up speed as we completed two flights of stairs and headed out into the corridor that led to the first class cabins. But we were to be thwarted. For at the end of the corridor Galen's handsome tall form emerged with a wide grin. Richard and Marcus stopped dead.
'I think you have something of mine, gentlemen. Now be good chaps and hand her over or bear the torrid consequences,' I heard him say in an eloquent English voice. 'Remember, you have seen what I can do.'
Richard's grip on my form intensified and I knew he would not give me up without a fight, perhaps to the death. I could not let him do it. I begged him to let me go but he resolutely refused.
'You know, it isn't just the humans who can be affected by my power so can the lycans and the vampires of this sorry little world. I may not be able to kill you but I can cause you severe tormenting pain,' Galen said amused.
I heard Richard give a sudden growl of pain. Marcus followed suit.
Richard dropped to his knees, still carrying me over his shoulder. His free hand rubbed at the intense pain in his head. I tried to move but he held on to me with shaking hands. I pleaded with Galen to let them go. Richard tried to lunge for me when he began to fall to the floor loosening his grip on me involuntarily. I rolled away from him and stood casting my eyes down upon him with concern and pity. He begged me not to give up my life as the devil beckoned with his hand and a beguiling smile for me to come to him like a child.
I looked upon my lycan companions including the helpless children, all in severe pain with horror. I made my choice without further hesitation. I went to the devil and took in the hopes of finding a way to stop him. I did not know what I was to endure before I found a way but I prayed God would give me strength to endure it. We were defeated.
As I walked to Galen and took his hand, I did the only thing I could do in my present state. I opened my mind to Nathan and pleaded for his help on behalf of my friends, for the humans. I did not ask for myself. He believed I had betrayed him. I believed he would not find me worthy of saving.
Chapter Three
The demon fought strongly. The Victor’s prize was to be Juliet and our fight would be to the death. I fell backwards into a chair my weight and strength bringing the feeble wooden structure crashing to the ground. When I stood up I jumped to my feet to tackle the demon once more I felt an icy breeze cross my face. Bewildered I quickly took in my surroundings and found myself standing in a vast wilderness covered in a thick crisp and even snow. Frowning with shock I looked down at my feet and found I was ankle deep in the snow.
My startled look was aimed at Cadell who stood to the side watching with cold interest. Where was I? And more to the point, how had I come to be there? It was the angel’s doing I had no doubt of it but I did not receive the courtesy of further time to debate the reason for it in my mind.
The demon ran towards me at full tilt but this time I was prepared and blocked every punch he aimed at my body. It was to be an endless and fruitless struggle to gain the upper hand. We tussled down into the snow and rolled over and over each one of us desperately trying to subdue the other. But the demon was to make more progress than I.
I lay prostrate upon my back in the cold wet snow. The demon sat upon me taking out his vicious anger against my jaw and cheekbone with each punishing blow he rained down upon me.
‘You will not have her,’ he spat at me. ‘You are weak. You allowed Sebastian to rape her, the witch to take her power and allowed her to leave us for the company of the lycans. You are unworthy of her love.’
My vision began to blur and I began to lose power in my strength. Blood poured from my bruised nose and mouth.
‘Nathan, how much longer is the disagreement with yourself going to take to resolve?’ Cadell asked dispassionately. ‘We have work to do.’
My eyes rolled upwards and to the side to view him. Snow was beginning to fall heavily from the dull grey sky and he was putting up his umbrella and drawing the collar of his wool coat tight against his neck. Was he to offer me no assistance? To my amazement he must have heard my thought because he shook his head as I attempted to summon the last of my strength to gain an advantage over the demon.
‘I am sorry, Nathan but I am afraid on this matter I cannot help you.’
He did not sound sympathetic. His tone was factual, barren of any emotional involvement.
‘You have chosen to separate your identity and it is your responsibility to rejoin your opposites and find a way for them both to live in harmony. I cannot tell you how you must live your life. That is your choice alone. I can merely show you the consequences of choosing to disassociate yourself from the reality of your being. I suggest you fight harder or your demon will win and you will lose your fair Queen.’
I gave a roar and banged hard on the demon’s chest with my fists. He flew back through the cold biting air to fall backwards in the snow. I jumped to my feet as he began to recover and knocked him back down into the snow. Enraged by the demon’s words I pounded my fists against his body and face as though I meant to kill him with each blow. I was enraged by the truth of his words. My mind was in turmoil. I wanted to banish the truth and the pain of them with the demon and his tormenting accusations.
Not far from where we fought there was a lake covered in ice. I lifted off the dazed and bloodied demon and caught his foot. With malicious anger I lifted his foot and began to drag him to the lake ready to commit more torture upon his body before ripping his head from his shoulders.
Cadell followed me.
‘This is not exactly what I meant, Nathan,’ he said gravely looking down at the wretch as I dragged his limp body to the lake.
I ignored him. The only way to deal with the demon was to kill him. He would forever stand in my way making my passage through life a unruly and reckless one. The snowfall was now a blizzard. I wiped at the blood and snow on my mouth and face with the sleeve of my morning coat. I was wet through but not as wet as my demon was about to become I mused to myself with sarcastic amusement.
When I reached my destination I dropped his leg and took hold of his hair, dragging him down the sandy bank. He dug his feet into the snow trying to gain a grip in the snow so that he may have gained some leverage to pull himself up and away from me but the ice underneath prevented him from gaining a foothold. Kneeling in the snow I hung his head over the ice covered lake and with fervent anger I broke a hole in the icy cover with the demon’s head. I drowned the sound of his angry cry of pain by plunging his head into the freezing water and holding it under.
‘Juliet is mine. She was meant for me not you,’ I shouted as his hands fought to stop me. I watched his head toss from side to side under the water as he gurgled his words in protest at me. I wanted to kill him. ‘I did everything I could to protect Juliet. There was nothing I could do to stop her being raped. Stop judging me for something I couldn’t prevent. I would give my life for her in an instant but I couldn’t save her from that. I failed but I can’t keep punishing myself for it. I’ve let you drive Juliet away and now she is in danger once again. I am not going to let you stop me protecting her this time.’
It took me sometime to realise that my face was not just wet with melting snow but my own unexpected tears. I hadn’t cried so strongly since being told my parents were dead.
‘I am going to end this. It’s you who drives her away,’ I shook the demon ferociously as he thrashed his arms about trying to grip my own in an effort to raise himself from the water and my grip. Lost in my anger, blinded by reason I dragged him from the water and forced his head into an arm lock and prepared to pull his head from his shoulders.
‘Stop,’ Cadell instructed in a loud voice.
I looked up to find him bending over me looking down at the demon with a piteous look.
‘This is not the way to resolve your dispute with yourself, Nathan.’ He waved his hand in the air in a hopeless gesture. ‘You cannot simply kill off a part of yourself. You must learn to live with your dark side. Juliet will not accept one without the other. She loves all of you not just the part you wish to show her. Quite rightly, she will not accept anything less than your whole being loving her.’
I stared at Cadell long and hard.
‘He’s right,’ the demon strained to speak, still trying to pull at my arm around his throat. ‘You need me. You need my fire and strength to help you protect her. Kill me, human and you will never protect her. She will die without us both at her side.’
I turned to stare down at him. My anger fought against reason in my mind. I knew he spoke the truth but I hated him. My grip on his throat tightened.
‘Nathan, you cannot exist without him. If you try you will never be the same. You will only be a paler shadow of the person you could be. Your life will never be full and your spirit will be empty and Juliet will be lost. Be who you are and embrace your identity. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are loved for who you are not who you want to be,’ he told me with great empathy in his tone.
It struck a chord deep within my soul. I had approached my fight in the wrong manner. Slowly I stood pulling the demon with me still in my arm lock. I moved my mouth close to his ear and told him firmly.
‘You are defeated. Accept my mastery.’
Without hesitation I moved his body backwards by his throat in one sharp violent movement and forced his body backwards into my own, swallowing him whole. The rejoining was painful causing me to cry out in unison with the demon but I was determined to complete our amalgamation. I turned to look upon a smiling relieved Cadell, a bloodied wet mess but whole and one with my nature. He covered my sodden head with his umbrella and opened his mouth to speak to me but I was unable to hear his words. A sudden sharp searing pain entered my head sending me groaning onto my knees. A female voice in terrible pain cried out loudly in my mind calling for my help. Juliet.
Here is the next instalment of my vampire story, The Hanged Man. Hope you enjoy it.
Sara :)
Chapter 2 (Cont'd)
We ran past some humans hurrying the other way. Galen was near for the humans fell to the ground with a cry, dead before they hit the carpeted floor. I let out a sob, screaming for Richard to put me down, beating my fists at his back as I watched their helpless forms fall like marionettes in a heap just as I had witnessed before. He ignored me and picked up speed as we completed two flights of stairs and headed out into the corridor that led to the first class cabins. But we were to be thwarted. For at the end of the corridor Galen's handsome tall form emerged with a wide grin. Richard and Marcus stopped dead.
'I think you have something of mine, gentlemen. Now be good chaps and hand her over or bear the torrid consequences,' I heard him say in an eloquent English voice. 'Remember, you have seen what I can do.'
Richard's grip on my form intensified and I knew he would not give me up without a fight, perhaps to the death. I could not let him do it. I begged him to let me go but he resolutely refused.
'You know, it isn't just the humans who can be affected by my power so can the lycans and the vampires of this sorry little world. I may not be able to kill you but I can cause you severe tormenting pain,' Galen said amused.
I heard Richard give a sudden growl of pain. Marcus followed suit.
Richard dropped to his knees, still carrying me over his shoulder. His free hand rubbed at the intense pain in his head. I tried to move but he held on to me with shaking hands. I pleaded with Galen to let them go. Richard tried to lunge for me when he began to fall to the floor loosening his grip on me involuntarily. I rolled away from him and stood casting my eyes down upon him with concern and pity. He begged me not to give up my life as the devil beckoned with his hand and a beguiling smile for me to come to him like a child.
I looked upon my lycan companions including the helpless children, all in severe pain with horror. I made my choice without further hesitation. I went to the devil and took in the hopes of finding a way to stop him. I did not know what I was to endure before I found a way but I prayed God would give me strength to endure it. We were defeated.
As I walked to Galen and took his hand, I did the only thing I could do in my present state. I opened my mind to Nathan and pleaded for his help on behalf of my friends, for the humans. I did not ask for myself. He believed I had betrayed him. I believed he would not find me worthy of saving.
Chapter Three
The demon fought strongly. The Victor’s prize was to be Juliet and our fight would be to the death. I fell backwards into a chair my weight and strength bringing the feeble wooden structure crashing to the ground. When I stood up I jumped to my feet to tackle the demon once more I felt an icy breeze cross my face. Bewildered I quickly took in my surroundings and found myself standing in a vast wilderness covered in a thick crisp and even snow. Frowning with shock I looked down at my feet and found I was ankle deep in the snow.
My startled look was aimed at Cadell who stood to the side watching with cold interest. Where was I? And more to the point, how had I come to be there? It was the angel’s doing I had no doubt of it but I did not receive the courtesy of further time to debate the reason for it in my mind.
The demon ran towards me at full tilt but this time I was prepared and blocked every punch he aimed at my body. It was to be an endless and fruitless struggle to gain the upper hand. We tussled down into the snow and rolled over and over each one of us desperately trying to subdue the other. But the demon was to make more progress than I.
I lay prostrate upon my back in the cold wet snow. The demon sat upon me taking out his vicious anger against my jaw and cheekbone with each punishing blow he rained down upon me.
‘You will not have her,’ he spat at me. ‘You are weak. You allowed Sebastian to rape her, the witch to take her power and allowed her to leave us for the company of the lycans. You are unworthy of her love.’
My vision began to blur and I began to lose power in my strength. Blood poured from my bruised nose and mouth.
‘Nathan, how much longer is the disagreement with yourself going to take to resolve?’ Cadell asked dispassionately. ‘We have work to do.’
My eyes rolled upwards and to the side to view him. Snow was beginning to fall heavily from the dull grey sky and he was putting up his umbrella and drawing the collar of his wool coat tight against his neck. Was he to offer me no assistance? To my amazement he must have heard my thought because he shook his head as I attempted to summon the last of my strength to gain an advantage over the demon.
‘I am sorry, Nathan but I am afraid on this matter I cannot help you.’
He did not sound sympathetic. His tone was factual, barren of any emotional involvement.
‘You have chosen to separate your identity and it is your responsibility to rejoin your opposites and find a way for them both to live in harmony. I cannot tell you how you must live your life. That is your choice alone. I can merely show you the consequences of choosing to disassociate yourself from the reality of your being. I suggest you fight harder or your demon will win and you will lose your fair Queen.’
I gave a roar and banged hard on the demon’s chest with my fists. He flew back through the cold biting air to fall backwards in the snow. I jumped to my feet as he began to recover and knocked him back down into the snow. Enraged by the demon’s words I pounded my fists against his body and face as though I meant to kill him with each blow. I was enraged by the truth of his words. My mind was in turmoil. I wanted to banish the truth and the pain of them with the demon and his tormenting accusations.
Not far from where we fought there was a lake covered in ice. I lifted off the dazed and bloodied demon and caught his foot. With malicious anger I lifted his foot and began to drag him to the lake ready to commit more torture upon his body before ripping his head from his shoulders.
Cadell followed me.
‘This is not exactly what I meant, Nathan,’ he said gravely looking down at the wretch as I dragged his limp body to the lake.
I ignored him. The only way to deal with the demon was to kill him. He would forever stand in my way making my passage through life a unruly and reckless one. The snowfall was now a blizzard. I wiped at the blood and snow on my mouth and face with the sleeve of my morning coat. I was wet through but not as wet as my demon was about to become I mused to myself with sarcastic amusement.
When I reached my destination I dropped his leg and took hold of his hair, dragging him down the sandy bank. He dug his feet into the snow trying to gain a grip in the snow so that he may have gained some leverage to pull himself up and away from me but the ice underneath prevented him from gaining a foothold. Kneeling in the snow I hung his head over the ice covered lake and with fervent anger I broke a hole in the icy cover with the demon’s head. I drowned the sound of his angry cry of pain by plunging his head into the freezing water and holding it under.
‘Juliet is mine. She was meant for me not you,’ I shouted as his hands fought to stop me. I watched his head toss from side to side under the water as he gurgled his words in protest at me. I wanted to kill him. ‘I did everything I could to protect Juliet. There was nothing I could do to stop her being raped. Stop judging me for something I couldn’t prevent. I would give my life for her in an instant but I couldn’t save her from that. I failed but I can’t keep punishing myself for it. I’ve let you drive Juliet away and now she is in danger once again. I am not going to let you stop me protecting her this time.’
It took me sometime to realise that my face was not just wet with melting snow but my own unexpected tears. I hadn’t cried so strongly since being told my parents were dead.
‘I am going to end this. It’s you who drives her away,’ I shook the demon ferociously as he thrashed his arms about trying to grip my own in an effort to raise himself from the water and my grip. Lost in my anger, blinded by reason I dragged him from the water and forced his head into an arm lock and prepared to pull his head from his shoulders.
‘Stop,’ Cadell instructed in a loud voice.
I looked up to find him bending over me looking down at the demon with a piteous look.
‘This is not the way to resolve your dispute with yourself, Nathan.’ He waved his hand in the air in a hopeless gesture. ‘You cannot simply kill off a part of yourself. You must learn to live with your dark side. Juliet will not accept one without the other. She loves all of you not just the part you wish to show her. Quite rightly, she will not accept anything less than your whole being loving her.’
I stared at Cadell long and hard.
‘He’s right,’ the demon strained to speak, still trying to pull at my arm around his throat. ‘You need me. You need my fire and strength to help you protect her. Kill me, human and you will never protect her. She will die without us both at her side.’
I turned to stare down at him. My anger fought against reason in my mind. I knew he spoke the truth but I hated him. My grip on his throat tightened.
‘Nathan, you cannot exist without him. If you try you will never be the same. You will only be a paler shadow of the person you could be. Your life will never be full and your spirit will be empty and Juliet will be lost. Be who you are and embrace your identity. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are loved for who you are not who you want to be,’ he told me with great empathy in his tone.
It struck a chord deep within my soul. I had approached my fight in the wrong manner. Slowly I stood pulling the demon with me still in my arm lock. I moved my mouth close to his ear and told him firmly.
‘You are defeated. Accept my mastery.’
Without hesitation I moved his body backwards by his throat in one sharp violent movement and forced his body backwards into my own, swallowing him whole. The rejoining was painful causing me to cry out in unison with the demon but I was determined to complete our amalgamation. I turned to look upon a smiling relieved Cadell, a bloodied wet mess but whole and one with my nature. He covered my sodden head with his umbrella and opened his mouth to speak to me but I was unable to hear his words. A sudden sharp searing pain entered my head sending me groaning onto my knees. A female voice in terrible pain cried out loudly in my mind calling for my help. Juliet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)