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Seasons Greetings!

I have some great news to hopefully add a little extra sparkle to your holidays. Actually, I have severalÌýpieces of great news.

You may or may not have known I’ve had some struggles finding an artist for the series. All of my artist have produced fantastic work, but unfortunately there are other considerations. Is the work commercial enough? Does it grab the eye? Does it have the correct feel for the story? And there are other considerations that don’t even relate to the art. Does the artist handle the licensing promptly? Do we work well together? Is communication solid?

I Have A New Artist!

Well, I’ve found an artist who seems perfect for the series and who I work with very well. Since I’ve had so many ups and downs with artists though, I didn’t want to announce the work until we had finished a few covers together and I knew it was going well. It’s going very well. Her name is Kirsi Salonen and you can find her portfolio . She has an amazing Dark Fantasy series that I recommend you peruse for your own enjoyment.

The Light Who Shines Gets A New Cover!

So the first task was to redo the cover for The Light Who Shines. I wanted it to speak to the romance in the story since I’ve been plagued by a certain set of readers who are unhappily surprisedÌýthat the plot has a thread of romance. Believe it or not, I don’t want just anyone reading my books. I only want the right readers to read my books . . . that is to say, people who will really enjoy it. ÌýPart of the art of getting good reviews is to market your book correctly. Every time I get a complaint that the book has too much romance, I take it to heart. I don’t think, “Oh, I should get rid of some of the romance.â€� Instead I think, “Oh, somehow I’m marketingÌýto people who hate romance. How do I fix that?â€� There are some things I can’t control. For instance, I can’t control who sees the book on Amazon, but I can control my book cover. ÌýI figured that if I let theÌýfirst cover of the series speak to the romance that would be enough. Readers would know what to expect.

This print version is available on Amazon .

The Light Who Binds Gets A New Cover and is Available in Print!

I know some of you dear readers are print only readers and I’m sorry you’ve had to wait. I knew I was going to change the covers and I didn’t want to make you buy one that was of the wrongÌýstyle. Maybe you aren’t like me, but if I had a set that all matched, except for one or two, I’d have to rebuy those books so I had a matching set. Sadly, I’ve done this before. So, knowing I was going to quickly redo the covers, I just couldn’t do that to you. That’s why the print version forÌýThe Light Who Binds has taken so long. I needed the artist to finish the cover first. It’s done now, and it’s glorious!

You can see this cover is all about the action. My intention is that the covers for the rest of the series represent a specific scene in the book, most likely one of the focal points of the story.

You can get your copy .

A Gorgeous Inside!

It isn’t all about the cover. One of the wonderful things about being an Indie Author is that I do my own publishing work. It’s hard to find a publisher willing to devote an entire day of someone’s salary to adding special details inside a book. It seems the mass market books have become duller and duller over the years. Rarely do you even get real chapter titles. It’s even more rare to get special fonts unless it’s a special anniversary edition. Well, not so with my print books.

Each chapter has a real title and each chapter header is in a special Celtic font. I’ve also placed gorgeous initial block letters at the beginning of each chapter. Here’s an example.

I don’t know about you, but my little book loving heart goes pitter-paterÌýwhen I see details like that. So I wanted to give it to you all to enjoy. These details are also inside of The Light Who Shines print edition. Unfortunately Amazon doesn’t allow us to use these special fonts in Kindle editions. In this one way, print really does rule.

The Audio Edition is Released!

Ohh, my dear Readers, I know many of you have been waiting for this. The audio version has just been released and it is available on both Audible and Amazon. It will soon be available on Amazon Whispersync. Now, I may have mentioned this before, but my parents are avid audio listeners. They listen to an audio book for several hours every evening together. So I want to share a tip my father shared with me. I shouldn’t share it with you because it will reduce my profits. But, I find myself compelled to anyway . . .

It is almost alwaysÌýcheaper for you to buy the ebook version and then pay the extra for the Whispersync version than to buy it straight on Audible. However, if you are an Audible member and you have the credit system, then you should compare the costs. It is still usually cheaper to go with the ebook version/Whispersync than to use one of your Audible credits. The Whispersync version of The Light Who Shines was going for only $1.99 last year, so it was definitely better to go that route than to buy it straight on Audible. The Whispersync version should be availableÌýany day now, but definitely within the next few weeks.

I’m telling you this because my narrator, Elizabeth Klett, is a master of voices. It’s amazing what she does with the characters. I think it’s a performance that is not to be missed. Yes, I used the same narrator for The Light Who Binds as I did for The Light Who Shines.

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You can get the Audible version .

You can read a five minute sample of it . Just click on the link below the book cover.

Just a reminder: It is so helpful for me to get reviews. Not only do other readers use it as a guide, but Amazon determined which books are most well loved based on the number of reviews and that makes a big difference to the amount of exposure they give me. Even a short review really helps.

Happy Holidays!

Lilo

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Missing Lynx
The Lynx Series

By Fiona Quinn

Amazon Link:

#Supernatural #Psychic #Romance #Mystery #Action

Fiona’s second book of the series is as fantastic as the first and I’m still fangirling over this series. Spyder finally make an appearance, but it is a appearance surrounded by mystery. A creepy lady moves into the neighborhood, who keeps giving Lexi strange looks and her internal sense tells her the woman is bad business. Her internal knowing is correct. A series of events Lexi can’t prevent lead her into the worst mentally and physically damaging situation of her life. At the climax of the story your heart will be beating and you will be wishing with all your heart that Lexi will live.

The romance between Lexi and Striker teases us, the tension increases and their relationship deepens. I really like how Fiona takes her time with the relationship, letting it grow in a natural way. The action in this novel is still non-stop thrills, but the drama is even higher than in book one.

Bottom line: Fiona has created a world with high tension in the case, in the romance, and in physical action. This is a knock-out combination.

Excellent read!

Lilo Abernathy
Author and Book Lover

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Chain Lynx
The Lynx Series

By Fiona Quinn

Amazon Link:

#Supernatural #Psychic #Romance #Mystery #Action

Another fantastic book by Fiona Quinn! The story opens with Lexi waking up in the hospital in the most severe condition imaginable. Her body has been devastated, but her mind, oh her mind, it just never stops. I love how analytical she is and I must be frank, that is one of the main reasons I’m in love with her character. Her mind is like a machine, but it certainly doesn’t mean she is lacking emotion. The other great thing about Lexi is her will. It is like steel. You can totally see her overcoming every physical adversity and how she just pulls her body along.

In this story we really get to see Lexi’s mental acuity as she begins to unwind the case and gets to the heart of who is really causing the problems.

The best news? Striker finally makes his move! Yay! Go Striker and Lexi!

Another non-stop action and thrills story that will leave you begging for more. I can’t wait for book 4!

Lilo Abernathy
Author and Book Lover

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I missed the debate and went searching for a recording to watch tonight. Interestingly, I ran across an article stating there was a big conflict between who the news media thought came out on top (Clinton) and public polls (Sanders). I just watched the first 2 minute spiel that each candidate gave and I can immediately see why Sanders is appealing to the citizens and why the media might not get it.

The Citizens of the United States are getting more and more angry and Bernie Sanders seems to be the only one who is angry with us.

It reminds me of a day I was in the hospital with my daughter. She was on chemotherapy and she had a clot in her brain that the doctors hadn’t found at that point. She was projectile vomiting, her eyes were bulging out of her head, and she hadn’t eaten in 10 days. I was yelling at the doctors to stop doing nothing and find out what was wrong with her. The social workers were trying to placate me and asked if they could send a massage therapist up to help me relax. I’m like, OMG, my daughter is DYYYYYIIINNGGG IN FRONT OF MY EYES!!!!!!!! AM I SUPPOSED TO BE RELAXED RIGHT NOW? HOW WOULD THAT BE NORMAL?????

No. I didn’t want a massage therapist. I didn’t want to be relaxed. I wanted my daughter fixed. And the Citizens of the United States don’t want to remain calm anymore either. We’re angry and we’re glad there is FINALLY someone who is angry with us and for us. Our middle class is losing the battle against the wealthy, our earth is threatened, our very Democracy has turned into an Oligarchy, and the time to remain calm has passed. We want our country fixed.

I, for one, thank you Bernie Sanders. Thank you for being angry with us.

I agree with the media that Hillary came across as intelligent, confident, and most articulate, but her savvy in front of the camera, her smooth polish if you will, perhaps makes people less comfortable with her. It also doesn’t help that she is, at times, condescending. She’s slick and we’re a little leery of slick.

Bernie’s emotional blustering feels more honest and trustworthy to me. Not to mention that beneath the blustering, he clearly has a keen economic mind and the strongest sense of ethics.

I write this as someone who has long looked forward to voting Hillary, our first female President, into the White House. But I’m pretty sure I just changed camps. I think I’m a Bernie girl now.

The clot was eventually found in my daughter’s brain, but it wasn’t found while I was busy getting a massage. I kept after the doctors. I stayed in their face. I kept dragging my daughter back to the emergency room. When they couldn’t find what was wrong I took her to different emergency rooms. I wouldn’t take no for an answer until someone found out what was killing my daughter. And finally they did. And after nine months of treatment for the massive clot in her brain and three years of treatment for the cancer, she is fine now, knock on wood.

My fellow Citizens of the United States, the mess of our country isn’t going to get fixed while we get our hair done, have massages, or rake our leaves until our lawn is immaculate perfection. We’ve got to be angry. We’ve got to stay on this. We can’t let it go. I hope in 8 years I can say my country is fixed as well.

Lilo

P.S. Donkey is the symbol for Democrat.

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Fan Spotlight Review of The Binding of the Wolf

by Emmi Kivimäki

Absolutely loved it! Knowing that Varg is actually Fenrir it makes the perfect sense. Everyone who has read The Light Who Shines should read this! I love Varg even more now.

Link:

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Editorial Review of The Light Who Shines

by Ruth Duran-Chea for San Francisco Book Review

During the 1600s, the first Vampire was created, bringing about extreme chaos and the beginning of the Red Ages.

Over two thousand years later, Bluebell Kildare, homicide inspector for the Supernatural Investigation Bureau, is faced with solving the murder of a boy found naked, tortured, and beaten near a bar. She is able to examine the emotions and feelings left over in the area, as well as of those near her through the use of her sixth sense; she is Gifted, and very good at her job. By closing her other senses off, she can focus in on the many emotions that permeate the area, so as to center her attention in on evidence and clues that others may miss.

Sadly, despite Blue’s passion for her job, and the other Daylight Vampires who ensure the safety of the people around them, not everyone during this time is so understanding of sharing the world with people who have come to be so different from themselves. Extremist groups, such as the Dilectus Deo, are constantly protesting the very existence of the Gifted humans among them and the Daylight Vampires that protect them from the dangerous Dark Vampires � beings who have fallen prey to their more base natures and given up their ability to roam in daylight after killing in bloodlust. It is a dangerous world, and it takes only the best and bravest to search after criminals who would do harm to others.

“The boy is stark naked, and dried blood streaks extend from the crushed area of his forehead down to the hollows of his eyes where they pool like small, bloody twin lakes. […] I’m going to catch the person who did this. I want to tear his heart out with my bare hands and squeeze it into a bloody pulp.�

Fortunately, Blue is not only a talented investigator, but she also counts on the help of her boss, Jack Tanner � or as she prefers to think of him,

“quite possibly the sexiest man alive. He exudes danger in a quiet, stealthy sort of way. I often think I should be frightened of him � quite possibly because he’s a very old and incredibly strong Vampire. But I can’t seem to muster any fear, even when he’s in an obvious rage. That only makes me question my sanity.�

It’s a complicated and strained relationship � but the clear and palpable tension between them only makes watching them work together all the more enjoyable.

In The Light Who Shines, Lilo Abernathy has created an amazing and fantastic world in which normal humans, Gifted humans, Daylight and Dark Vampires must coexist despite the magical dangers, intolerance, and greed that run rampant on a day-to-day basis. The mystery of the tortured boy is the driving force behind this intriguing novel. As clues are discovered, witnesses questioned, and tips followed from one place to another, it becomes progressively more disturbing to get closer to the person responsible for such a heinous crime. Yet, the more we learn about Blue and her commitment to fight for those who have been victimized by this bigoted society, the more we realize she is just the investigator needed to get to the bottom of these kinds of transgressions. She proves to be not only fully dedicated to her job despite any dangers that come her way � including her own safety � and surprisingly strong-willed for someone who’s most prominent gift is the ability to sense emotions. Still, it is her imperfections and limitations that make her an even more likable character we can all relate to� especially when it comes to her weakness for Jack.

As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that there is much more at stake than meets the eye. The torture and death of this young boy leads Blue down a path of unprecedented self-discovery and a much larger role she must play not only at the Supernatural Investigation Bureau, but the world. Furthermore, it brings her and Jack much closer than they’ve ever been. The Light Who Shines is a fast-paced, extraordinary, and provocative tale of high stakes and deep losses that demands to be read!

Link:

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Every hour a different author takes center stage.
Each author will introduce you to their book world.
Then they’ll entertain you during the party in their own unique way.
Some of the things you can expect include:
Trivia
Games
Contests
Free Samples
Prizes
Where
On Facebook
When
Thursday, October 29, 2015

9:00 PM, EST

to

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Midnight, EST


To Join


Click this link to the Facebook party:




Click the “Join� button in the upper right hand corner of that Facebook page.


Bookmark the page.


Mark your calendar and on the day of, go back to that page.


My slots will be:
Thursday, October 29

11:00 PM EST

and

Saturday, October 31

2:00 PM EST

Time Zone Converter

I’ll be providing a free short story to all who come to my time slot.
I’m also planning fun games that will have full novels awarded as the prize.
If you are a current fan of the Bluebell Kildare Series, some of the prizes that you can choose will be fan memorabilia.
This is my biggest event of the year and will be enjoyable for both current fans and new readers.

I hope you’ll join me and find some new favorite authors too!
Happy
Halloween!

Ìý

Mor
Winter, Year 1, Red Ages

It’s getting closer. Bolder. It’s been tracking me for three days now. I run as swiftly through the forest as my starved body can, holding wee Sorcha tightly in the sling wrapped about my torso. Low-hanging branches and brush tear into my forearms, but I pay no mind as I roughly push them aside.

I glance back and don’t see the beast. But I know it’s there. Invisible, and silent, it stalks us. My mind’s eye sees many things my real vision cannot. Flashes of images that make me shudder. Hungry eyes watching, waiting. Fangs descending.

A bird squawks at my intrusion, and I stumble in exhaustion. Fear rips through me as I remember how Shaina’s fall ensured her death. An injury to me now would do the same. But I catch myself. My years of running over the moors as a youth have served me well.

The Sea Caves must be within one day’s travel from here, perhaps less. I’m so tired, but I dare not rest. This morning I awoke to the vision of the man-creature leaning over me while I slept. His fangs were extended as he stroked my hair and stared hungrily at my neck. No, I cannot sleep again. Not tonight, for tonight he may not walk away.

With resolve, I push through branches and shrubs, following the river to the sea. I stop for a moment at the bank and scoop handfuls of water into my parched mouth. Then, tenderly, I expose Sorcha’s little mouth and dribble water onto her tongue, hoping desperately that it will keep her alive.

Her sweet, round face lolls pathetically in the crook of my arm, a pale ghost of the rosy baby she had been just a few days prior. Her eyes remain lifeless, and my heart clenches. If I don’t reach the Sea Caves soon, her chances will be ended. The sinister chill of the wind wraps around us, trying to claim her, and I have no more warmth to offer than my own body. With grim determination, I set off again at an exhausted trot.

Darkness falls, and the moon hangs high and bright atop a shield of mist. The glowing orb is ambivalent to my worry about being easier to track, but at least it gives light to walk by. The fog thickens with each passing hour as I move steadily toward the sea. Serpent-like, it twists and writhes, then billows up in alarming gusts, enveloping us in its pearly, biting embrace. Despite my chattering teeth, I take solace in the icy wind because it means we must be getting closer.

I see a nearly imperceptible movement from the corner of my eye. A dark shadow hovers on a tree limb high above, out of place in the misty forest. Then the fog shifts, and the shadow disappears in a smear of white like the rest of the world. But I know what it is.

So this is it, then. I have come so far, but the beast will get me before I reach safety. The fear and panic that have been building within me for days have finally driven me to my wit’s end. I will stop this now.

“Show yourself!� I shout. “Let me look upon the face that will end my life and the life of this innocent child.�

The shadow leaps from the trees above me, and the man—no, the beast who used to be a man—stands before me now. Tall and powerful with long fangs cutting into his lip. Dirty and ragged, the tattered remnants of clothes hanging off him. Then he speaks, and his voice is that of a man. “I have no wish to harm you. I’ve seen what happens to those who kill to ease their craving.�

His sharp eyes pierce me.

I don’t believe him, and though I tremble in fear, I bite back. “Then why do you stand over me while I sleep and gaze at my neck with longing? Why, even now, do your eyes flit to the lifeblood pulsing there?�

He turns away in shame. “Because I hunger. I have not yet eaten since I was turned. The pain is nearly unbearable.�

“Why do you stalk me, then?�

He moves in close and grips my arms, fingernails digging into my gaunt shoulder blades. I gasp at the shock of his touch.

“Because your blood calls to me,� he snarls in frustration.

“Is it my blood you want, or my flesh?�

His brow wrinkles in confusion. Then he drags his nose over my neck, inhaling the scent of my skin. Fear racks my body, but I stand frozen in place, trembling beneath his hands. He gives my jaw one long lick. The baby hangs silently between us.

“It is your blood I hunger for.�

Then, in a flash, he’s ten feet away, where the mist is thick and his features indistinguishable.

“How long?� I ask.

His voice travels softly through the silvery haze. “What do you mean?�

“How long before you give in to the hunger and slay me?�

“I don’t know. Soon, I fear.�

The stark honesty of his reply shakes me to my bones. My knees collapse beneath me and I sprawl backwards on the damp earth, clutching Sorcha to my breast. “Must you end my life? Can’t you take some blood, enough to ease your pain, but leave enough for me to live? I must get this child to the Sea Caves, to the Dragon tribe. She’s ill and starving. She hasn’t woken once today. Already, I fear it’s too late for her.�

He moves forward and regards Sorcha with concern. “You think I could stop? None of the others did.�

“Did they try?�

The question hangs heavy in the air between us while his eyes dart from my neck to the motionless baby pressed to my breast and back again.

Suddenly steel bands grasp my shoulders, sharp daggers pierce my neck, and my body arches in an instinctual scream that’s absorbed by the unsympathetic forest. His mouth undulates relentlessly, like a baby at a teat. I feel my lifeblood flowing inexorably toward his mouth, but surprisingly, the pain is minimal. Before I can struggle against his strength, I’m overcome by a profound exhaustion, heavy as a leaden blanket, which forces me against the earth. My vision grows dim as it tunnels ever narrower. Then the last prick of light blinks out.

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Bluebell Kildare
July 7, 2022, Red Ages

Lightning streaks across the twilight sky casting a brilliant glow on the building before me. Stone gargoyles loom above me, their eyes seeming to gleam and blink, their great amphibious wings, arched for flight. A slow roll of thunder fills the air as though the bowels of the earth are opening.

I behold the formidable oak doors of the Dragomir Magical Artifact Shop, wondering what mysteries lie inside. Oh, I know many spells, charms, and magic secrets reside within the artifacts, but those aren’t the unknowns I seek tonight. Tonight, I anticipate learning secrets about myself.

From behind me, the warmth of Jack’s chest radiates into my back, and Varg leans into my thigh. A measure of calm returns to me. Whatever news awaits me, at least I have friends at my side. I straighten my spine, lift my chin, and remove the remaining space between me and my future, pushing the heavy oak doors open to boldly stride in.

As I enter the shop, eddies of dust coalesce from the swish of the doors into a whirlwind at my feet. I’m instantly comforted by the familiar shelves of aged magical texts stacked on bookshelves and delighted by the glass-doored cabinet stocked with magical artifacts. I was last here just a few months ago, but I feel like an entirely different woman now.

Dragomira stands behind the counter and lifts her head with a weary expression, but a fierce glint fills her warm, brown eyes. She is not Dragomira right now. No, she is the Dragomir. Her movements, as fluid as rippling water, trace a path across the room as she quietly deadbolts the door behind us.

With a wave of her hand, she beckons us into her back room. A small fire flickers in the fireplace, casting dancing shadows across the walls. Jack and I take a seat in wing-backed chairs next to the hearth, while Dragomira, still curiously silent, pours three drinks from a beautiful decanter sitting on an ornate wooden table amidst the chairs. She places one in my hand in silent command, watching as I taste it. The shock of whiskey burns my throat and slides warmly to my belly. She sets a glass in front of Jack and keeps the last for herself.

As Dragomira takes her place, I notice again how strikingly beautiful she is. Her hair cascades in long, tumultuous brown waves against her olive skin, and her deep-set eyes gleam with life. Sitting back in her chair, she directs her scrutiny toward me. “Welcome, Illustrissima,� she begins. “I’m sure you have many questions.�

Her harmonious voice rolls through me in a soothing wave. I forget myself for a moment and tilt my ear to enjoy its song. Then I gather myself and say, “I do. Let’s start with the name Illustrissima. Why did you give this name to me?�

Dragomira blinks. Then she regards me steadily and answers, “I no more gave you the name Illustrissima than I gave you your blue eyes. It is a Latin word that has many meanings: the Shining One, the Bright One, the Lustrous One, the Famous One, the Distinguished One.� She waves her hand as though all of that is inconsequential. “You are all of these things. You simply are the Illustrissima.�

I take a slow sip of whiskey. “You can see my light.�

The Dragomir’s eyes flare with a glint of yellow in acknowledgement.

“H´Ç·É?â€�

She contemplates the fire for a moment before responding. “I am also many things. I have magic . . . gifts, you might call them, which allow me to see things that would normally pass unnoticed. However, what I have been most as of late is a scholar.� She looks at me intently again. “Tonight, your time would be better spent allowing me to share what I’ve learned about you.�

She’s right; after all, Jack and the Dragomir have kept me waiting on this information for months now. “Yes, why don’t you,� I answer curtly.

The Dragomir raises her eyebrows and Jack gives me a warning glance, but I am not so easily cowed.

She nods and settles back in her chair. “Let’s start at the beginning. I’ve told you the story of Patersuco and the inception of the Vampire race. As you know, it didn’t take long for him to kill in bloodlust and turn Dark, as corrupt as he was, but he had already started creating children. And so the curse spread.�

“What I did not tell you was that Patersuco was survived by his wife. Shaina lived in the village, and before the first winter of the Red Ages had passed, several of the townspeople had died at the hands of Patersuco and his Vampire progeny. The villagers turned on Shaina and burned her as a witch.�

I shudder at the thought of that pain, thankful I wasn’t there to feel it.

“Yes, these were rough times, Illustrissima. We have very few written accounts from that time, but from what we know, Shaina was Gifted. Like you, she was an Empath. The villagers tied her to an ash tree and used oak branches to burn her alive.�

“Both these trees have deep, old magic. Ash acts as a bridge between worlds, and oak provides strength. Somehow, the combination of the rage of the villagers, the strength of the oak, and the power of the ash all fed Shaina’s pain, creating a force strong enough to open a pathway from Shaina to the Great Demon Lilith. As she burned, Shaina was able to reach across to the Plane of Fire and lay a powerful curse upon Lilith.�

“What was the curse?�

Dragomira leans back, and her eyes glaze as her mind transports to another place and time. The firelight flickers, and shadows play artfully on the curve of her cheekbone. Then her husky whisper fills the room.

Ìý

“Lilith, I call on you to hear me.

By my blood, you will be destroyed.

Ìý

A light will come�

a light that shines through your evil;

a light that calls you to answer for your deeds;

a light that binds you as I am bound and burns you as I burn;

a light that rips you asunder and destroys your darkness.

Ìý

Lilith, hear me.

I call to you.

By my blood, you will pay for what you have done.

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Lilith, by my blood, you will be destroyed.�

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As these words wash over me, tendrils of fear sink into my flesh and thread through my soul. The curse grabs something deep and dark inside of me, and I start to shiver. I reach out for my drink and take another burning sip.

My voice comes, breathless but laden with protest against the implications of Dragomira’s story. “And you believe I am this light? You’ve proved no connection.�

She takes another drink of whiskey, a deep pull this time. I’m not sure if it’s the fire reflecting off them, but her eyes seem to swirl with yellow in their depths.

“Three times Shaina called Lilith’s name that night. Three times she demanded that Lilith listen. Three times she said that retribution would be by her blood. This cinched the curse. But what you need to know most is that while Patersuco’s son was sacrificed, his twin sister survived. Her name was Sorcha.�

“Still, how does that relate to me?�

She raises one dark eyebrow at me. “When Shaina said ‘by my blood,� she meant her lineage, not the blood that flowed through her veins. You are Shaina’s only remaining descendent, through Sorcha.�

I stand rapidly, knocking into the table and causing it to rock furiously, my glass of whiskey threatens to spill. The table eventually comes to a rest, but I do not. I fling myself across the room and pace as the thoughts roil around in my brain. Despite the cacophony of questions on the tip of my tongue, one thought rises urgently above the rest.

They think I’m supposed to destroy Lilith!

I spin around to see both Jack and Dragomira watching me with grave concern.

Jack sits tensely on the edge of his seat as though ready to leap to my rescue. The light glints off his cropped golden curls, and he reminds me of a fierce golden angel ready for vengeance. Every hard plane of his body speaks of coiled strength and lethal abilities. I’ve felt those enticing planes beneath my fingertips just a few times, and I’m honest enough with myself to admit I want more.

Dragomira says, “There’s more.�

Jack and Varg growl simultaneously, and I guess the more she’s talking about isn’t quite the more I want.

I swipe my drink from the table and knock back the rest. The liquid scorches my throat and traces a fiery path down to my belly, providing a momentary distraction. With a huff, I sit down again and cross my arms. “Just tell me all in one shot, please. I’d like to process this once, not five times.�

Dragomira deliberately refills my glass. I consider this a bad omen. She begins again, this time watching me intently.

“Shaina was close with a woman named Mor who had the gift of sight. She warned Shaina that the villagers were coming for her. Still, they could not escape in time. When Shaina saw that she couldn’t outrun them, she entrusted Mor with Sorcha.

“Mor watched the burning from the safety of the woods, and it is she who documented the events of that night. Afterward, she took the babe to the Dragon tribe, a clan who lived in the Sea Caves nearby. While she was there, she had a vision. That’s what brings us to you.�

Dragomira lifts her hand and a roll of parchment flies off the mantle and into her palm. She passes it to me, and I carefully unroll the aged hide. Quietly, I read aloud the ancient script that promises to reveal my fate.

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The DARK ONE spreads her plague across the land.

Rivers run red and earth soaks black with blood.

Man will fear the Cursed and greatly decline.

When they hide like rabbits, the end is near.

The DECEIVER will dance in her triumph.

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There is one way that Man can rise again:

trust their enemy

live as one people,

or all will perish.

Ìý

If they succeed, the DESTROYER will rage;

mourn her loss of souls,

plot her artifice,

move forth with vengeance.

Ìý

Beware! The PRETENDER has many ways.

Need changes to greed;

love corrupts to hate;

hope buckles to fear.

Ìý

Foes renew and the Great Pact is broken.

When Man wrongs Man, the BEAST has all but won.

Yet one last path still remaining for Man,

Yet one last path to deliver the Cursed.

The scion of Shaina’s blood will shine BRIGHT.

Ìý

The BRANDED ONE will thrice-fold be guarded:

blade preserves body;

bone benefacts mind;

Cursed entrenches soul.

Ìý

The LUSTROUS ONE will thrice-fold be fitted:

light her palisade,

justice her design,

love her instrument.

Ìý

The ONE WHO IS KNOWN will thrice-fold meet death:

once in trade for life,

once that is taken,

once that is given.

Ìý

The LIGHT WHO SHINES will shatter the darkness.

The LIGHT WHO SHINES will deliver the Cursed.

The LIGHT WHO SHINES will assail the DARK ONE.

The ANNIHILATOR will be destroyed.

The ERODER OF SOULS will be rebirthed.

Ìý

Be steadfast, for the end is uncertain.

Ìý

The edges of the aged parchment nearly crumble under the force of my grip. I loosen my shaking hands, and color flows back into my knuckles. Varg, sensing my stress, leans heavily against my knee. He places his snout in my lap, raises his eyebrows and blinks his ice blue eyes. I wrap my fingers in his long fur, gaining strength from his comfort.

I turn my attention to Dragomira and Jack. They clearly knew the prophecy, as their faces are not filled with questions; instead, a great solemnity surrounds them like a thick mist. Dragomira seems weary but resolute. Jack’s eyes burn with an unnatural shine, and fear and pain wisps around him in an eerie dance. Most telling of all are the tentative vines of hope intertwined with his concern.

Once more, I fill the dark silence. “The first stanza refers to the beginning of the Red Ages. The second stanza clearly describes the creation of the Great Pact.�

An unhappy agreement with my interpretation weighs their expressions.

I study the parchment for another moment. “We have no way of knowing if the third and fourth stanzas have occurred yet. The beginning of the fifth stanza says that the Great Pact will be broken.�

My hands tremble at the thought of that. It is not an event I wish to see in my lifetime. The image of Daylight Vampires taking blood at will and Dark Vampires going unchecked by Daylight Vampires horrifies my very soul.

Dragomira prompts, “And what does the end of the fifth stanza predict?�

Suddenly, I feel older than the darkness of the sky and more burdened than the ground beneath the mountains. “It predicts my birth and says I am the last hope.�

I lay my hand on Jack’s arm. “The last hope to free the Vampires from the curse.�

His jaw clenches, and his body becomes taut. Shame wraps around him as guilt leaks from him like wine through a sieve, filling all corners of the room.

“Jack?� I ask.

He glances at me briefly, then stares straight ahead. “You should go over the rest.�

The parchment, all but forgotten in that singular moment, still remains in my hand. I wrestle my eyes away from him and examine the next set of stanzas. “I can see how the Lustrous One could refer to me, but what about the Branded One and the One Who is Known�

Dragomira responds, “Recall that Illustrissima means Famous One and Distinguished One. To say someone is known is equivalent to saying they’re famous. Remember, there was no technology in those days—no phones, cars, or news stations. People’s circles were small. If someone was widely known, they were famous.�

“But I’m not famous, and I’m certainly not branded.�

Jack grimaces further. “You are famous. When the slaves were found in Blackwater’s house, the Dilectus Deo staged protests across the land. Of course, you were missing at the time, so your name was spoken in every other broadcast. The Dilectus Deo cast aspersions on you, said that you were involved in the crime rather than a victim. You were a topic of much debate.�

“You’re also branded. Your birthmark is no ordinary mark. To be marked like that is to be distinguished. It connects you both to the name Illustrissima and to the prophecy.�

It feels as though the noose is tightening further. I can’t imagine that I’m special enough to be the savior of the breeds. Every scrap of my life has been a fight for even the smallest amount of respect, so to be cast in this light, as though I’m important . . . I just can’t grasp it. But, clearly, they believe it.

“So you really think that I’m the Illustrissima, and I’m supposed to deliver the Vampires from the curse?�

Jack replies softly, “You don’t have to do anything. I’m not sure that the entire Vampire breed is worth your life.�

“Jack, it isn’t just the Vampire breed at stake,� I point out. “According to the prophecy, the fate of all mankind hangs in the balance. That’s a large prize for destroying Lilith. If this is true, then it’s lucky that I’ve already died twice and I only have once more to go.�

Their heads snap toward me, four shocked eyes taking me in as though wings have suddenly sprouted from my back.

I narrow my gaze as I take in their befuddlement. I was sure they would have known.

“I was stillborn,� I explain, “and with a combination of my father’s healing skills and my mother calling to my soul, much the way you did, Jack, I came back to life. That’s the first death, which was in exchange for life. The second death, the death that was taken, was at Blackwater’s hands. That leaves a third death: one that must be given, though I have absolutely no idea what that means. And I’m not saying I believe the prophecy, but how does one go about giving a life and killing the Great Demon, anyway? I’m certainly not killing anyone in sacrifice.�

A wry smile slides across Dragomira’s face. “If I knew, and if it were within my power, I assure you it would already be done. I can tell you though, it’s no coincidence that the amulet found its way into your hands. This is ultimately a war between you and Lilith, and somehow the Grimoire is involved. I wouldn’t be surprised if that necklace of yours played a part as well.�

I lightly finger the Belladonna necklace, which drapes down my breasts and shoulders like a piece of archaic chainmail. “Can you remove it? Do you know how?�

Dragomira stands in obvious dismissal. “Come to me tomorrow evening, and I will see. Now, I have other things to attend.�

Bluebell Kildare
July 7, 2022, Red Ages

Fat, icy raindrops fall from the night sky, drenching my hair and clothes. I should have worn my cloak tonight. Varg and I bound up the steps to St. Michael’s Church and welcome the dry antechamber.

I hope Father O’Brennen is still up. Though I’m not religious, he’s always been there for me. When my parents died, he encouraged my grandparents to take me in, but they were too full of hate for the Gifted, so he placed me in the Green Tree Orphanage. The housemothers would bring us here for Sunday mass, and I would escape to the bell tower, happy to be alone. When I came of age, Father O’Brennen let me live rent-free in an apartment next door until I got my first job. Above all, he’s always been a counselor to me, someone to just listen when I need a sounding board. I certainly need both now.

I find him in the kitchen, standing by the beige tiled counter with a cookie in his mouth. A few crumbs fall to the gray slate floor as he chews. Father O’Brennan is of average height and build, his graying hair capped with a small bald spot. But his most stunning features are his deep-set, dark gray eyes that are so expressive, so wise, and so filled with compassion.

“Father O’Brennen,� I call from the arched doorway, leaning slightly so Varg can poke his head in next to me.

He jumps up guiltily.

“Having a midnight snack, are we?� I tease.

An abashed smile fills his gentle face. “Caught red-handed, I suppose. Come on in, Blue. I’m glad to see you looking so well. Would you like some cookies?�

“I’d love some.�

He opens the cookie jar, grabs another plate, and pours me a glass of milk.

“Mmm, chocolate chip,� I say through a mouthful of cookie. “My favorite.�

He chuckles, then pulls out another jar and hands a cookie to Varg. “That’s peanut butter for him. So, how are you, Blue?�

“Fit as a fiddle.� I peer down at my cookies and pick at the corner of one until it crumbles. “But I’ve had a bit of a shock over some things I learned today.�

His eyes soften. “Well, sometimes it is best to unload your worries. So why don’t you share the burden with me?�

I smile at his gentle kindness. “Remember how you told me I was stillborn and my mother called my soul back into my body?�

“Of course,� he says, studying my face.

I peer intently at my plate again. “Well, the same thing happened to me again in the crypt with Blackwater. Jack found me because my soul’s light was burning so brightly, he said it was shining straight past the moon. He called my soul back into my body and gave me Vampire blood to bring me back to life.�

“I see.�

I glance at Father O’Brennan. His forehead is furrowed in grave concentration.

I push forward through the rest. “Well, that isn’t nearly all of it. Today, I spoke with Jack and Dragomira. You may know her as the owner of the Dragomir Magical Artifact Shop.�

Father O’Brennen gives a little murmur of acknowledgement.

“Apparently, a prophecy from the beginning of the Red Ages foretold of my birth, and somehow I’m supposed to fight the Great Demon Lilith and destroy her.� I keep going now, avoiding his gaze because otherwise I’m afraid I won’t get it out. “I’m called the Illustrissima. It means ‘the Light Who Shines.� The prophecy says the Great Pact will be broken, and I have to destroy Lilith to save mankind and deliver the Vampires from their curse.

“It says a lot of things in threes—like I’ll be thrice guarded and have three weapons. It also says I’ll have three deaths.�

I pause now, conscious of how ridiculous it all sounds, expecting to see disbelief or scorn on his face. Instead, his solemn eyes gently hold mine as he places his hand on my shoulder. “That’s a heavy burden to bear.�

“Yes, it is. I’ll do what I can, of course. But I have no idea what I should do now.�

“If this is your calling, it will find you,� he responds. “When the time is right, I’m sure you’ll know what to do. Just trust in the Lord and follow your heart.�

“Well, you know, I’m not very happy with the way he runs things, so the Lord and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms right now.�

Father O’Brennen smiles at me gently. “I know that. I’ll pray for you, if that helps.�

“Thanks, Father. It does. So, can you tell me anything about the number three? It struck me as odd that everything in the prophecy was supposed to be in threes.�

He gets that dreamy expression that he gets during mass sometimes. “Three is a very important number in the Catholic Church. It signifies unity, completion, and perfection, and as you know, the Trinity is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In broader Christianity, Jesus was crucified and entombed for three days before he arose. It’s a strong number, significant in Pagan mythology and other religions, as well. Some mythological gods were considered to be triple-deities and were said to have three different aspects. For instance, the goddess Badb was also known as Macha and Anand. Ancient Druidism was comprised of three specialties; the Bards who were the memory of the tribe, the Ovates who were natural healers, and the Druids and Druidesses who were shamans or directors of the rituals.

“Those who believe in the Lady of Light say she came to earth once at the beginning of the Red Ages to teach Daylight Vampires to feed without killing, then a second time to usher in the Great Pact. And it’s said she’s promised to come to earth a third time at the end of the Red Ages to guide us to peace. I think it bodes well for you that things will come in threes.�

How interesting. “Do you believe these other Gods really existed?�

He smiles. “I believe in only one God. But I think you have to consider what “existed� means. If a group of people believe in a god and worship him or her, doesn’t that god exist for them? Over man’s history, many gods have been worshiped. Some people believe those gods truly did exist and when man stopped believing in them, they lost their divine powers and faded away. In my faith, I believe those were false gods and idols and whether they truly existed is not of consequence.�

“I have one more question, Father.�

“I have open ears.�

This question has confused me the most. “Why me, Father? Why do you think all this is happening to me?�

Father O’Brennen eyes droop in deep empathy. “You’ve had a hard life, Blue. No doubt. But don’t most heroes have to rise above hardship and misery?�