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Category: Romance
Description: From the mists of time?dark powers arise. For years, travelers in the French Vosges Mountains heard the wailing of a woman echo in the hollows. Her cries went unbidden. No one was brave enough to seek out the source. Over time, the screams lessened and then stopped. Eventually, even the memories slipped away, forgotten. Six centuries later, two over-eager research assistants find and release the young half vampire, Chloe--unaware of the events they unwittingly unleash with her. Far away, other forces are aware of her awakening. Zaccarius, greatest of all the Slayers, is sent by the Council of Nine to seek out Chloe, determine her worth and render justice. Enticed by her purity and innocence, he soon becomes her protector. However, Jochad, the Dark Master, and his army of evil vampires are also eager to claim Chloe. In the battle that ensues, Zaccarius falls beneath Jochad's army, and to save her lover, Chloe must make a choice. Ancient and dying, Jochad needs Chloe's blood to reanimate. His ultimatum--her blood or Zaccarius' life. Excerpt: "Be ye here?" she murmured, seeking his presence. Zaccarius recoiled, startled by the power emanating from the mind of the fledgling, aching as she suffered alone, her abandonment all too clear. She'd sensed him, even though he'd taken great care to mask himself. Untapped and untried, she had no idea who or what she was. "I canst feel ye," she whispered. "Show me yer face." Stunned, Zaccarius froze, veiling his presence even deeper. That she had felt him was almost unheard of, even among the ancients. He was old and greatly skilled, comfortable lurking in the shadows and silently watching as life's dramas unfolded. "Why doest ye hide?" she whispered again. "Ye offer no harm. I know it, I do." Soft and melodious, her silken voice flowed over him, evoking unwelcomed imaginings. It had been so long since he'd felt anything, so long since he craved a gentle touch. Existence was a never-ending burden of harsh, unforgiving retribution.
eBook Publisher: Eternal Press/Damnation Books LLC/Eternal Press, 2011 2011
eBookwise Release Date: May 2011

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Words: 94893
Reading time: 271-379 min.

Prologue

She woke with a start, the pounding of her heart deafening in the confined space. What be this place? Where be my papa?

Her fingers traced the sides of her prison, feeling for an opening, but found none. Confused, she attempted to sit, but the space above her was too narrow. Absolute darkness surrounded her, choking her with terror. She could see nothing, even with her heightened eyesight. The darkness was too dense to pierce.

"Help me!" she cried. "Someone help me!"

She screamed as realization hit--and screamed, clawing and shredding the velvet above until her fingernails broke and her hands bled. I be in a tomb with no way out!

Why?

She screamed again, over and over. Crying and weeping. Please! Please!

"Papa," she whispered. "Save me...Save me!"

Why had she been so forsaken? What had she done? She knew not, but her sins must be grievous for such a terrible punishment.

She kept screaming until she could scream no more.

For years after, travelers in the woods crossed themselves when the banshee wailing of a woman echoed in the hollows. Her cries went unbidden. No one was brave enough or willing to seek out the source. Over time, the screams lessened and then stopped. Eventually, even the memories slipped away, and she was forgotten.