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Showing posts with label Vampires of London Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vampires of London Series. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

IndieSage PR Presents: Lucille's Valentine by Lorelei Moone; #Audiobook #BlogTour, #NowAvailable, #OutNow, #TBR, #Live, #Review, #Giveaway


LUCILLE’S VALENTINE
by Lorelei Moone
Narrator: Gethyn Edwards
Vampires of London, #3
Publication Date: March 10, 2020 (Audio)
Genres: Audiobook, Adult, Paranormal, Romance, 
Novella, Vampires
Rating:  4 Stars
#Audiobook #Audio #Audible #Steamy #Romance #Novella #ParanormalRomance #VampireRomance #VampiresofLondonSeries #LucillesValentine

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for review from IndieSage PR and the author.  I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".


SYNOPSIS:


The enemy of my enemy is my friend?

Lucille Amboise has been serving as Enforcer to the Vampire Council for centuries; a role she’s always taken extremely seriously. When an investigation causes her to cross paths with a human tracker who is hunting the same criminal, she decides to join forces, at least on the surface, to increase her chances of bringing the rogue vampire to justice.
Two things she didn’t count on: The growing connection between the human and her, and the ever growing risk of losing either her life or her heart if he finds out about her true nature.
Valentino Conti’s family has lived on the fringes of human society for generations. He comes from a long line of hunters, not of animals, but of so-called Nightwalkers. His latest investigation takes him to London, where he’s surprised to find a mysterious woman on the trail of the same murderous monster he’s after.
They begin to work together, but he can’t contain his curiosity: Who is his new partner, and what secrets she does she hide?
All books, including this one, in the Vampires of London series are stand-alone and can be listened to out of order.






My Thoughts:

Mr. Edwards has been the perfect narrator for this series.  My respect for the way he brings a story to life just grows with every book I listen to.  He adds humanity into the author’s words which helps with the video that plays in my mind.  The only issue I had was with the speed of this latest book. 

While listening, I had to go in and check to see what speed was selected because my ears had a hard time connecting with what was being said.  It seemed as if the standard speed was going by too quickly – as if our narrator was speedreading.  This was the first time that I had to turn it down so that I could concentrate on what the author created.

This may be Lucille’s story but if you have followed the series than you already know that we have met her before.  If you’ve not followed than I would start at the beginning so that you can understand the type of woman she is–even though she was a secondary character in the previous two books.  This latest goes more into what her job is about–she becomes the star.

I almost felt like I should be sitting by a fire in a wingback chair with a glass of mulled wine.  Sad part is that where I live its summertime but I just might do the chair and fire thing anyway.  I could get a fake fireplace and that way I would still get the feeling without the heat.  What was even sadder was that the time went by too quickly. 

Our author has created a story with plenty of suspense, action and romance.  If you like a kick **s woman and a couple of men that bring out the mystery of the story than you’re going to enjoy this latest Vampires of London.  It may also make you curious as to what other type of books she has written.  My problem is that I’ve come to love listening to her audiobooks-but that’s not always a bad thing.



Excerpt:

Valentino stole a glance at Lucille as they left the pub together. What a peculiar young woman. Everything about her, from the way she carried herself to her choice of Scotch signaled that she was an old soul. The fact that she had joined him out here meant that apparently she was fearless as well.

Was she part of the same underground he belonged to? The online message boards, the discussion groups that met virtually to discuss any supernatural activity they had come across. It had been one of those anonymous reports of vampirism that had brought him to London in the first place. Was she active in those circles? Or was her presence here a coincidence?

Her catlike movements as she walked alongside him toward the feeding site suggested she was strong and well trained. She definitely knew how to fight.

He wouldn't be surprised if she had some hidden weapons somewhere underneath her long coat. He had some too, after all.

When they reached the bin he had inspected on his own earlier, he pulled out the bottle of Luminol again and sprayed the area where he knew the blood to be.

She leaned in closer and followed the direction of the spray pattern with her index finger.

"Interesting."

Valentino smiled. "As I said, the evidence is right here."

Lucille stood back and stared at the ground surrounding the area. "It wasn't much of a struggle, so perhaps the victim came here willingly."

Valentino raised an eyebrow. "How do you know this?"

Lucille pointed at a very faint muddy footprint which the winter rains had done their best to erase. "If two men had fought here, they would have knocked over some of these bags of rubbish. They would have left smudged prints and scuff marks from their shoes. I don't see any of that here."

She turned to face him, her eyes narrow and darting back and forth between him and their surroundings. "Do you think the murderer might have arrived here by train? Or is he a local?"

"I think he is not the sort of man who could travel by train without drawing too much attention to himself. He is the sort who stays in the shadows."

Lucille nodded, as though she understood him perfectly, even those things he’d left unsaid. She really was peculiar, unlike any woman he'd met before.

Could he risk it?

It had been a long time since he'd ever told an outsider about his calling, and that had backfired spectacularly. Suddenly years of history didn't matter anymore, and the woman he'd opened up to because he wanted to spend his life with her had simply left.

But this right here was different; there was no history. What did he have to lose?

"There are more things between heaven and earth than most people choose to see or believe…"

Lucille folded her arms as she focused on him. He had her full attention.

"This murderer is not strictly a man," Valentino added.

"Why. Is it a woman?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.

The peculiar glint in her eye told him that he was on the right track. She was testing him; Valentino would bet his life on it.

"He's a Nightwalker. A vampire."

Lucille pursed her lips and glanced at the bin with the blood evidence on it, then back at him. The corner of her mouth twitched in amusement; it was so subtle he would have missed it if he wasn't paying attention.

"You're a hunter," she remarked, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

He nodded. She knew the terminology. Unless she was the best actress he'd ever come across, nothing he'd told her so far had shocked her in any way.

"You have unusual methods. More like a forensic investigator than a hunter," she added.

He nodded again. "And your methods? Old school. More like a tracker."

Lucille smiled briefly. "I favor a more intuitive approach."

"Have you been at this long?" he asked. He was thirty-four, not old by any stretch of the imagination, but Lucille looked about ten years younger—exceptionally young for someone in their line of work. Perhaps it was a family affair for her, just like it had been for him.

"My entire life," she said.

Fine, so she wanted to keep things vague. He didn't mind. Their line of work was lonely and unappreciated for the most part. To run into another hunter was its own reward. He didn't need anything more than that for now.

"How about you make good on that promise then?" she said. "Of buying me another drink."

Valentino grinned. If she didn't look so serious he might have thought she was flirting with him.

They walked back together, and he again marveled at her smooth, deliberate movements, the strong spring in her step. It was a lonely existence; living on the fringes of society, hunting creatures that most people only acknowledged in their nightmares.

The times had changed since his parents and grandparents had been around. Mainstream society no longer believed in the supernatural, as he had so painfully found out in the past. Continuing in their footsteps had earned him a solitary life. It would be a nice change of pace to combine forces with a like-minded soul.

Plus, Lucille was an exceptionally beautiful woman. He would be lying to himself if he thought that she hadn't affected him on some deeper level. But he'd been at this too long to simply take other people at face value. He still needed to find out if he could trust Lucille.

"Right. Let's get that drink then," he said.

ABOUT LORELEI MOONE:



Lorelei Moone is an author of paranormal / fantasy romance based in London. A lover of all things sweet, and caffeinated, when she’s not writing about sexy bear shifters and their strong-willed curvaceous love interests, Lorelei can be found baking cookies or cakes for her family.


ABOUT GETHYN EDWARDS:



Gethyn Edwards is an up and coming new British narrator, with a growing track record in top romance titles. Reviewers describe his work as “emotionally charged”, “compelling”, and “a pleasure to listen to”. Visit his Facebook Page for more information.




Friday, August 11, 2017

IndieSage PR Presents: Michael's Soul Mate by Lorelei Moone; #AudioTour, #OutNow, #Review, #Giveaway


Michael’s Soul Mate
by Lorelei Moone
Narrator: Gethyn Edwards
Vampires of London, #2
Publication Date (Audio): May 15, 2017
Genres: Adult, Audiobook, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires
Rating:  4 Stars

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for review from IndieSage PR and the author.  I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".


SYNOPSIS:


Some vampires have trouble figuring out how they want to spend eternity, but playboy Michael Odell isn’t one of them. He knows exactly what he wants: fine wines and beautiful women fuel his passion and he’s made it his mission to sample as many of either as he can. Fate has other ideas. One night, on his way home, Michael discovers a woman lying face-down in an alley, who is losing the fight to live. There’s only one way of saving her: The Ritual. Little does Michael know that this little act of mercy is going to change his life forever and before long he finds himself falling for the curvy stranger.
Anna doesn’t remember how she ended up discarded at death’s door in a dark alley, only that she woke up there. She doesn’t even know her last name. After coming face-to-face with her gorgeous rescuer, she passes out again and finds herself in a lavish mansion with a new lease on eternal life.
Who – or more importantly, what – is she now? And the people who tried to kill her – why were they after her? Anna is determined to figure it all out for herself. But before her questions are answered, she has to learn that even in this new immortal existence, it’s good to have friends – and perhaps a lover – by your side.

BUY:



My Thoughts:

Where does Michael's Soul Mate rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and would listen to it again. 

What did you like best about this story?

Michael became protective of Anna - feels responsible for her. He's confused about what he's feeling and I liked watching him come to the realization that she was for him. It's more about him as a person than as a vampire.

Which character – as performed by Gethyn Edwards – was your favorite?

I would have to say that Michael was my favorite. Mr. Edwards does a great job of bringing him to life. We get to hear what he's feeling and how he goes from doing the right thing to falling in love.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I wouldn't say that it made me laugh or cry but it did leave me with a smile on my face. It was fun to watch a man who thinks he's going to go through life carefree and come out by the end totally different. 

Any additional comments?

This is not a story where the vampires are all bad. We have some bad guys that Michael and his group need to deal with but if it weren't for Anna they may never have known about them. Having a little suspense just adds to my enjoyment.

We have a series that you can see is building as each story comes out. First we had Alexander and now it's Michael's turn. By the end you have to wonder who is going to be next. And I will keep my finger's crossed that our narrator will continue the series as well.

I will say that out of all the series this author has written, this would be my favorite. I get more enjoyment out of the books by having Mr. Edwards read to me. He has me wanting to pack my bags and travel to London. I can see myself enjoying the streets while listening to both Alexander's and Michael's stories. And maybe by the time I get there another book will be out because this book left me wanting more.

AUDIO EXCERPT:



ABOUT LORELEI MOONE:


Lorelei Moone is an up-and-coming author of paranormal romance based in London. A lover of all things sweet, and caffeinated, when she’s not writing about sexy bear shifters and their strong-willed curvaceous love interests, Lorelei can be found baking cookies or cakes for her family.



ABOUT GETHYN EDWARDS:


Gethyn Edwards is an up and coming new British narrator, with a growing track record in top romance titles. Reviewers describe his work as “emotionally charged”, “compelling”, and “a pleasure to listen to”. Visit his Facebook Page for more information.


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Tuesday, August 1, 2017

IndieSage PR Presents: Alexander's Blood Bride by Lorelei Moone; #SaleBlitz, #OutNow, #99Pennies, #LimitedTime, #Giveaway


Alexander’s Blood Bride
by Lorelei Moone
Vampires of London, #1
Publication Date (Re-Release): August 1, 2017
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Vampire, BBW

SYNOPSIS:

Cat has never been a social butterfly. The only reason she even agreed to go to the stupid Halloween party was because her friend and room mate Shelly wanted to attend. When she gets spooked upon almost falling into bed with the host, she’s convinced it was all a big mistake. And what’s worse, now people are stalking her wherever she goes!

Alexander Broderick has been hosting his annual Halloween parties for over a century. While his contemporaries use them as an excuse to engage in all kinds of debauchery, his own motives are more benign. He wants to converse, to get a feel for the times they live in through its people. But when Cat walks into his house, he forgets himself and is compelled to seduce her. There’s only one problem: she’s a so-called Blood Bride – a mortal woman whose blood smells so delicious that every vampire in town wants to drain her.

He knows he’s the only one wanting to keep her safe, but can’t act as long as she wants nothing to do with him. And then there’s his own growing hunger to contend with. Can he protect her from the rest of the vampire community, as well as his own lethal cravings?

It’s the ultimate forbidden romance; the love between a mortal and a vampire. What is it that makes flirting with death so utterly tempting? Read on and find out.

#SALE #ALERT Only #99c!

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2f3LwR6

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ABOUT LORELEI MOONE:

Lorelei Moone is an up-and-coming author of paranormal romance based in London. A lover of all things sweet, and caffeinated, when she’s not writing about sexy bear shifters and their strong-willed curvaceous love interests, Lorelei can be found baking cookies or cakes for her family.


ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:




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Friday, March 17, 2017

IndieSage PR Presents: Vampires of London by Lorelei Moone; #BlogTour, #OutNow, #Giveaway


Vampires of London: Books #1-3 Bundle, 
A Steamy & Suspenseful Vampire Romance Collection
by Lorelei Moone
Vampires of London #1-3
Publication Date: March 10, 2017
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires



Sink your fangs into Books 1-3 of the Vampires of London series in one handy bundle. This Vampire Romance collection includes: Alexander’s Blood Bride, Michael’s Soul Mate and Lucille’s Valentine.

Alexander’s Blood Bride

When Cat ends up at a Halloween party hosted by the mysteriously handsome and super rich Alexander Broderick, the last thing she expects is to become the object of his desire. Although she gets spooked and runs, she doesn’t yet understand the extent of his dangerous secret: Alexander, and a number of his guests, are vampires. And Cat’s blood is unlike anything they’ve smelled before…

Excerpt:

Cat turned back one last time and caught a glimpse of their cab leaving. There was nowhere else to run.
Shelly took her by the arm and almost dragged her inside.
They were both speechless. They both stood there, looking up at the most beautiful carved wooden staircase Cat had ever seen. In the center of the ceiling up above was a giant crystal chandelier, its light refracting and dancing around on the walls and parquet floor below.
A waiter arrived seconds later, offering them a glass of champagne.
Shelly emptied her glass immediately, but Cat wasn't much of a drinker. She sipped it slowly, and tried to take in as much as she could of the lush interior. This mansion didn't belong to some footballer, or other nouveau-riche celebrity. The place screamed old money.
As luxurious as it looked, it was tasteful.
Within minutes of their arrival, Shelly couldn't resist the pull of the festivities, and Cat found herself alone. She didn't mind. The champagne was lovely, refreshing with just a hint of citrus, and if Cat was left completely to her own devices, the decor alone would keep her entertained all evening.
Cat gazed at the staircase again. What wonders awaited up there? If she wasn't polite to a fault, she would have been tempted to check it out. She wouldn't, though. Not unless he was invited to.
Her eyes settled on a painting of a man on horseback that hung on the left hand wall closer to ground level. She squinted to get a better look; it seemed old, probably expensive just like everything else in here. But that wasn't what had attracted her gaze. The hunting scene looked just like the standard fare you found in country houses and palaces around the country, except the man was dressed completely in black.
She felt a chill pass down her spine as she focused on his face. His dark eyes gave the impression of being alive as he seemed to stare down at her. How handsome he was. He would have had a striking presence back in the day with his sharp jawline, impossibly flawless skin, and dark medium length hair.
If she found nothing else of interest here—which was unlikely—this one painting could captivate her for hours. That was how lifelike it looked.
Cat had to admit Shelly had been right: she'd never been to a place or a party quite like this one before.


Michael’s Soul Mate

Playboy Michael has never wanted to settle down. When he finds a severely injured woman lying in the street, his instincts insist he save her. He turns her into a vampire and takes her home, not realizing that this little random encounter is going to change his immortal life forever.

EXCERPT:
Before she knew what was happening, she found herself floating in his arms as they swiftly descended down the side of the roof and into a nearby window. Michael rushed her through the upstairs hallway, straight to one of the many bedrooms.
She briefly looked around only to note that she had never been in this room before. It must be his.
Now on her back on the bed, she watched as Michael unbuttoned his shirt. Was she ready for this? She'd thought of it after their first kiss and rejected the idea. Not that kind of woman, she'd said to herself.
All bets were off now. She wanted him. He wanted her.
What difference did it make who she had been in her mortal life? She was a vampire now. Powerful, strong, guided by instinct and pleasure.
She could have her cake and eat it too. And after getting to know Michael just a little bit, she was confident she would not be judged. The whole world lay at her feet now, as Michael had said. Anything she wanted, it would be hers for the taking.
Right now, all she wanted stood in front of her, only halfway done with the buttons on his shirt. Too slow!
She reached for him, almost clawing at the soft fabric. He understood, and with a naughty grin on his face, ripped it off in one swift move.
"Now do me," she demanded.
In the past, she might have felt insecure, but the way he was already looking at her, with lust darkening his normally light blue eyes, was all the reassurance she could wish for. He got onto all fours on top of her, leaned down, and grabbed the collar of her pullover with his teeth, then, without breaking eye contact, he tugged it off.
Anna gasped as the fabric split at the seams. How effortless it looked. Could she do the same? She pushed him back, fighting the barrage of goosebumps that spread over her naked skin as she felt his firm, chiseled chest underneath her hand. She would have plenty of opportunity to touch him. First, she wanted to play some more.
He stood back at the foot end of the bed, and she got down on her knees in front of him, pushing her fingers into the waist of his trousers and giving them a firm pull. They came off in shreds just as easily as her pullover had done.
This sort of strength she could get used to.
She dropped her own jeans and stood back, admiring him as he did the same to her.
They circled each other like animals prepping for a fight. It wasn't conflict they were after, though. Their end game would be so much more satisfying.
It was Anna who pounced first, jumping Michael and clinging onto him with her legs around his waist. They kissed again, more violently than before.
They had endless energy to spend, immense tension to release.
Their bodies felt right together, hers slightly softer than his, but still more toned and powerful than she'd ever been before. Perhaps it was for the best that she was discovering all this with him to guide her. By now, she might have broken and bruised a human lover.
"You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear.
"Mhmm," she responded, as she nuzzled the crook of his neck and bared her teeth. Was this how vampires made love? She wasn't sure, just that it felt right.
He groaned, his low voice sending a shiver down her spine.
"You're tasty," she remarked, as she pulled back and licked her lips. She hadn't meant to hurt him, much.
His eyes narrowed and he grabbed her firmly by the back of her neck, guiding their lips together again.
"Let me see. Yes, that's rather nice, isn't it?" he mumbled, in between kisses.
Then, abruptly, he threw her off, back onto the bed, and approached on all fours again. His movements were smooth, deliberate, like a large feline stalking its prey. She felt her heart flutter as she waited for what he would do next.
He was on her within a split second, his weight pressing against her naked body, as his hand tore at her underwear. She was completely naked now, completely his.
Anna couldn't suppress a moan as his hard manhood pressed against her aroused sex. It was going to happen at last. She would discover just how extra sensitive all her senses had become.
Lucille’s Valentine

Marek the Soul Eater has escaped and it’s Lucille’s job as Enforcer to return him to the Council. She’s not a team player usually, but when she finds Vampire Hunter Valentino Conti also on Marek’s trail, she decides to join forces. The longer they work together, the more their connection grows. What if the truth comes out? What if Valentino realizes Lucille is the very thing he’s been hunting all his life?

EXCERPT: Prologue
Ever since Lucille had hauled the criminal known as Marek before the Council, she could not wait for the trial to begin. She had so many questions and very few answers. Her curiosity was what made her such a driven investigator.
Marek was a Soul Eater; that much was clear. But how had he become so powerful? How old was he? How long had he been killing humans indiscriminately without appearing on her radar?
Obviously, he had only just started his reign of terror in London a few weeks ago, when a human had been found on the brink of death by one of their own. The vampire Michael had turned the unfortunate female, and Lucille had worked together with the unlikely pair to track down Marek and his henchmen.
It had been a triumphant victory for her, and earned her much praise from Julius, Lucille's maker and leader of the Council.
Tonight was finally going to be the night. The trial of Marek and his associates would begin.
He stood accused of reckless conduct that risked the exposure of the vampire race to humanity as well as attempted murder of a fellow vampire. Julius had wanted to add on more charges, but decided against it on Lucille's advice. They had caught him on the gravest crime possible. The Council took the safety of their kind extremely seriously. And randomly draining humans and leaving them for all the world to find was the most callous display of overt vampirism the city had seen in over a century. The only way the Council could have come down any harder on Marek would have been if he’d videotaped himself drinking his victim's blood and posted it on the Internet.
So it wasn't the outcome of the trial that Lucille was interested in; the case was clear and the punishment obvious; Marek would be sentenced to death, and depending on whether they were complicit or only following orders, so would his two associates. Lucille was more interested in any possible justifications Marek would give during the process. Any information at all that would shine a light on his motivations and history.
Lucille would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that Marek's immense power had intrigued and even impressed her a bit. He had been a formidable adversary.
Additionally, there was something about the vehemence with which Julius sought to punish Marek that had set off her investigative instincts. There was something more to their relationship than the Council leader had led on.
"Are you ready, my child?" Julius interrupted her thoughts.
"Yes, of course." Lucille looked up and nodded at her maker.
The most powerful vampire in the world, as Julius liked to refer to himself at times. It was true in a political sense. His claim for the Council leadership had gone unchallenged for centuries. Though Marek had shown powers that outshone Julius manifold. Was that his reason for disliking the Soul Eater so much?
He returned her nod and beckoned her to come closer.
"It'll all be over soon. Before long, Marek will no longer be able to threaten our way of life."
Lucille scrutinized the smug grin on Julius' face. He was definitely hiding something.
"Have you come across him before?" she asked.
Julius glanced at her, his face suddenly serious again. "We've known of the Soul Eaters that live outside the Council's realm of influence for centuries. You know this. Never before have they ventured into London, though."
None who were this evolved, no. Though Lucille had dealt with plenty of killers before.
That hadn't answered her question, but Lucille decided not to pry. Due to their history, Julius had a soft spot for her, but it would be unwise to exploit their relationship just to get answers out of him. Perhaps she was just being nosy. What business was it of hers whether or not Julius knew the Soul Eater from another time?
"I will call in the elders," Lucille said. "Once everyone is here we can begin."
Julius shot her a quick smile and rubbed his hands together. "Very good, my child."
Lucille left the main hall and rounded up the other six members of the Council. Although she was already four centuries old, the elders, as the term suggested, were all much more senior. At least a millennium old, each one of them. Together, they represented the far corners of the world, both ancient and modern. As the six venerable vampires entered the great hall, Lucille found herself captivated by their movements. Some seemed to levitate rather than walk, but each demonstrated a smoothness and elegance of movement that Lucille herself could not replicate if she wanted to.
Vampires, those that had the capacity to outlast the age they were born in, got better and more impressive with age.
They sat on the six chairs arranged in a semi-circle around Julius' throne. Three to his left and three to his right. There were further chairs inside the main hall facing the throne for any other vampires who wished to observe the trial. The center of the hall had been kept free for the accused.
Lucille signaled at Dominic and Cameron, the two guards stationed beside the large entrance doors, to let the audience in.
Whispers and footsteps echoed against the tall ceiling of the cathedral as about three dozen vampires shuffled inside and found their seats. Then, Julius raised his right hand and the crowd became silent.
"We are gathered here for the trial of Marek the Soul Eater and his two progenies, who shall remain unnamed," Julius spoke in a firm voice.
A whisper traveled across the audience once again.
"So it's true."
"A Soul Eater!"
"I can't believe it!"
Lucille rolled her eyes. The sort of vampires who frequented Council trials were not her usual choice of company. Then again, not many people were.
Julius cleared his throat and silence prevailed once more. "Bring in the prisoners!"
Lucille watched as the double doors swung open and two more Council guards rolled in a cage on wheels that gleamed under the chandelier in the center of the hall. The Silver Vault, as it was known, was only used during trials of the most notorious, dangerous criminals. Obviously, Marek posed a flight risk; his powers were greater than those of anyone in this room. Perhaps he was even stronger than Julius himself.
Marek's two associates were led in wearing cuffs right behind the cage.
The audience was deadly silent as the three accused were positioned in the empty space between the council members and the rest of the crowd.
Julius cleared his throat again and got up from his throne.
"Marek. You know why you are here. You are to stand trial—"
Marek shook his head. "Julius, please refer to me by my full title."
Lucille frowned. Julius and Marek did seem awfully familiar, the way they spoke to one another.
Julius' eyes narrowed. "Very well. Marek, son of Lilith. You are on trial for—"
Lilith. Only the most ancient of vampires held the title son or daughter of Lilith. Julius held this title himself. That meant Marek was an ancient? A contender for a seat on the Council?
"The rest also, if you don't mind. I've worked too hard these past millennia for my achievements to go unnoticed."
Lucille found that she was holding her breath. Marek had guts to interrupt Julius twice in front of an entire room full of his subjects. Then again, he probably knew as well as any of them that his life would soon be over, so he had nothing much to lose.
"Son of Lilith, Master of a Thousand Souls." Julius folded his arms and stared darkly at Marek. How long would his patience last?
"Thank you." Marek grinned, showing off a row of razor sharp white teeth.
During the brief contact Lucille had had with Marek, he had not struck her as one of those vampires who grew weary of immortality and longed for it all to end. Yet here he was, taunting Julius and grinning like a madman on what could very well be his last day walking this earth. It wasn't just unusual, it was unnerving.
Julius ignored Marek's remark and started listing his offenses, during which Marek seemed to grow even more cheerful. He was obviously proud of everything he’d done.
Lucille found herself tuning out Julius' monotone voice. It was all stuff she’d heard before. Killing humans, leaving their bodies, risking their exposure, blah, blah.
Instead of listening to him rehashing the same old accusations, she took the time to really observe Marek. His strange appearance had fascinated her from the moment she’d first laid eyes on him.
Vampires didn't age normally, but in the case of Marek, he seemed marked by every century he’d lived through. The casual observer might mistake his transparent skin, his slender body, and papery voice for signs of frailty. Lucille knew otherwise. It had taken a dozen guards to subdue Marek and restrain him for transport back to the Council prison.
The two younger Soul Eaters who stood toward his left now looked much more powerful, but actually did not even possess half of Marek's strength. Lucille found it difficult to control her curiosity. She knew of vampires who’d killed humans; she had locked up many of them over the years. But these three were different. They didn't just kill, they had figured out a way of absorbing a victim's essence—their strength and life-force. Not just their blood.
Was it magic?
She could not make sense of it on her own, and seeing as Julius seemed in no mood to share whatever information or previous knowledge of Marek he had… She would talk to Alexander about it as soon as the trial was over. Perhaps her brother and his vast library of old books could shed some light.
Lucille rested her gaze on the younger Soul Eater who stood nearest to the Silver Vault. He seemed unafraid, like his maker, smiling subtly and staring at nothing in particular, until suddenly he looked up right into Lucille's eyes.
A shiver travelled down her spine, but she did not let it show.
If you want to live, you'll stand down.
So he was a telepath, and a rather talented one too, if he could communicate with her halfway across the large hall.
Lucille did not take kindly to threats. Her hand instinctively reached for the dagger she kept in a sheath attached to her belt. She snapped open the clasp that held the blade in place and tightened her fingers around the grip.
She looked back at Marek, who had started to laugh. A quick glance at Julius revealed that he was starting to lose his cool. He spoke faster now, lecturing the three accused on the codes of conduct the Council lived by and promoted. His eyes were wild, his expression even tenser than before.
Lucille looked back at Marek, who had now reached for the bars on his cage, tightening his long, bony fingers around them. The scent of burning flesh filled the air as his skin reacted to the metal. An ordinary vampire would not be able to bear it, but Marek showed no sign of being in pain. Instead of letting go, he held on tighter, tugging at it until the bars started to give way.
Lucille jumped forward, her dagger drawn, and was instantly joined by the guards who had been positioned at the doors. The crowd gasped in horror as Marek's form became blurred, his body twisting and whirling around so fast that even Lucille's perfect vision could no longer focus on him. His laughter echoed through the Council chamber, growing louder and louder until it became deafening.
She reached the cage, but Marek was no longer inside. Instead, he seemed to be levitating far above the ground, still turning at lightning speed, like a whirlwind. Now what? She didn't have his talents or his powers; she could do nothing but watch.
Lucille turned and saw that Julius was frozen in place in front of his throne, his fist raised in the air in protest, lips opening and closing, without any sound coming out.
She had never seen him stumped like this.
At that moment, the stained glass of the large rosette shaped window above Julius' throne shattered as Marek's floating form surged against it and broke through. He was gone within the blink of an eye.
"Go after him," Julius hissed, before repeating himself much louder and forcefully. "Go after him at once!"
Lucille turned and found that Julius had moved from his throne. He now stood just a few feet away from her near the Silver Vault, with Marek's two followers slumped in pools of blood at his feet. After the initial shock of Marek's grand display, Julius had recovered and taken swift action and punished them with death. Their still twitching hearts lay on the ground beside their lifeless bodies.
"Yes, master," Lucille mumbled. It had been extremely difficult capturing Marek the first time around. This time, she would need a miracle.

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ABOUT LORELEI MOONE:

Lorelei Moone is an up-and-coming author of paranormal romance based in London. A lover of all things sweet, and caffeinated, when she’s not writing about sexy bear shifters and their strong-willed curvaceous love interests, Lorelei can be found baking cookies or cakes for her family.


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