Hi Everyone, Soul Seduction is a new Release through Eirelander Publishing, and one of my first contracted stories. I hope you enjoy.
Soul Seduction
by Charisma KnightPatience is a virtue -- especially if you're waiting for your soul mate's rebirth.
Vampire Angelus Cronen loved, lusted for and inevitably lost his true soul mate over two centuries ago. She was the beautiful slave, Vivienne, who set his body on fire and branded her name on his soul. He was told to have patience during the long years that separated him from her resurrection. His lust only grew to have her in his arms again. His dark soul's deepest desire was to bring her spirit once more under his control.
First he has to conquer the dark side of his spirit, the beast within who can and will destroy his soul mate with the least provocation.
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Angelus Cronen was in a rage. His fury inched higher as he watched her walk into her next client’s water-front condominium. Vicious red eyes glowed and an angry growl rose from deep within his throat as he fought to suppress the inhuman urge to rush into the posh apartment and slaughter them both. His diabolical mind decided to approach her in the same manner as her clients. “Damn you to hell!” Angelus hissed. Her place was with him, not someone who contacted her for a meaningless night of sex! “Bloody Hell,” he cursed, as he turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Seeking the serenity of his home, Angelus glided along the dimly lit, lonely streets, his feet barely touching the pavement. He turned his gaze to the night sky, his mind drifting to the time when he and his soul mate made love under another harvest moon, in another place. Another time. It almost felt as if their love had been forged by the gods themselves. Nonetheless, the same deities were also making them pay a hefty penalty for loving one another. Wanting nothing more than to claim her for his own, and eager to prove his love to her once again, he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists together, drawing blood.
He had to wonder if she would accept him once she learned who he was. A smile formed slowly upon his lips, and his cock hardened. Damn it! She did belong to him. She was his better half, bound to him for all eternity! Somehow, he would have to find an opening into this life of hers. Angelus suddenly realized there was a fine line between love and hate, and ultimately, that fine line slowly dissipated, however he fought to maintain his temper.
Cursing himself, he actually became ashamed for wanting to harm his soul mate. The beast within craved her blood, and the desire to dominate her mind, body, and soul rushed to the surface. An insurmountable amount of strength would have to be summoned by this dark soul, or his love mate would be forever lost. It was the dark menacing shadow dwelling beneath his human façade who sought to claim his mate, and not in a positive manner.
Gone was the innocent slave girl who had captured his then still beating heart. Had he not grown tired and rested that fateful evening, he would have returned to his estate before darkness fell. The fate he met changed his entireexistence, robbing him of all normality and the person he cherished most in life. Clenching his fists again in another fit of anger, Angelus decided this would be no easy task. This situation called for patience, perseverance, and an open mind. He needed to place himself into her situation since she had no knowledge of a previous life.
Arriving at his lair, a secluded luxurious four bedroom house overlooking the Severn River, he bitterly relived centuries of memories spent alone, searching endlessly for the one who gave him fulfillment. Vivienne. His love, his life, his eternal heart.
Sometimes the peaceful river offered him some sort of serenity. It appeared Angelus would be subjected to mental anguish for all eternity. Two- hundred-sixty-years of this dark life caused the battle within to rage, forcing him to the brink of insanity. Angelus contemplated embracing the dawn on many occasion. Once he lead a full life in Eighteenth Century Louisiana, now he was just a lonely shell of his former self.
Shifting uncomfortably in the lawn chair, his mind drifted to the time when he had taken over his parents’ antique business. Then his brother Aidan was to be his partner. However, it was Bartholomew, Vivienne’s uncle who had aided Angelus in maintaining the business. He entrusted Bartholomew with his life, including his dark transition. The old memories made him feel as though they took place only yesterday. Inhaling deeply, he sensed a domestic dispute between lovers flow to him on the crisp autumn wind. In the woods off the Severn River shores, he felt the agonizing pain of a stray cat, hit by a car just moments ago. Tuning everything out, Angelus sought to clear his mind until explicit images of Vivienne and her client invaded his thoughts again.
Growling, his eyes shone a deep red and his fist smashed onto the glass table, shattering it. God, how he wished he could end it all at this very moment. What the hell did she think she was doing? If he could travel back to the condominium, he would kill them both for sure. More memories of the past returned, flooding his tortured mind.
He recalled that fateful night, when he’d awakened from his shallow grave. The estate, left in total disarray, was abandoned, with the exception of bones sporadically littering Cronen Estate. A strong feeling of helplessness engulfed him as his mind fought hard to recall the fate laid on his shoulders. It had been years since he departed the estate for the hunting trip.
Damn near an eternity had passed before she’d been reborn. It wasn’t until her birth, thirty-eight years ago when he had discovered her intimately familiar soul. He silently watched her from the shadows on and off for years, desperately holding on to the belief their strong connection forged in Louisiana would be resurrected in the present. The wait was long and unbearable for Angelus, as it was forbidden for him to approach her, until now; a hefty price for him to pay for becoming weak and indulging in flesh and blood centuries ago, almost costing him his very soul. He was given another chance.
”I curse you fate. Vile trickster that you are,” he seethed softly. Nothing, not even the dark predator residing in his soul could stop the painful images of her clients having their way with her.
“Vivienne.” Images from his past replayed within the tortured walls of his mind.
* * ** *
“But I’m twenty years her senior Bartholomew, the same age as you.”
Angelus stated, running his hand through his jet black hair. “Do you know how many men I’ve had to chase away from that chit over
the years?” Bartholomew returned with a laugh. “Those others were interested in her for one reason. It’s different for you and she, and I give you my blessings. I know she’s safe with you.” Bartholomew confessed. “You are meant to be together.”
“What do you mean Bartholomew?” Angelus asked.
“Vivienne is your soul mate, the one you are destined to be with for all eternity,” the man said as he gathered his belongings from under the willow tree. “It’s about time you approach her.”
“Bartholomew, have you been dabbling in witchcraft again?” Angelus raised a brow, knowing the man came from a strong line of witches.
“I know what I see in my visions Angelus, and I take them seriously,” Bartholomew told him, as the two walked into the house.
* * ** *
Feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders,
Angelus watched her for the remainder of the day. Once the moon rose, he broached the subject with Vivienne. She was cleaning his bedchamber when he quietly strolled in. His throat became dry, and he ran a hand nervously through his hair. Why had he waited so long to approach her? He wondered.
“Master,” she said in a low, seductive voice. Her gaze fell to the floor.
“Call me Angelus, Vivienne,” he said, slowly approaching the object of his desire. “How many times have I asked you not to call me master? You are on the same level as I. Other than our skin color, there is no difference. We both have needs, and desires.” Angelus’ voice turned husky.
“Maybe I like to call you master,” Vivienne said boldly, convincing Angelus she wasn’t as innocent as he’d suspected. He couldn’t help but notice her breathing became labored as his stare became trained on the rise and fall of her chest.
Gently, taking his index finger and tilting her head to look at him, a warm smile formed upon his lips. On this night, he would have her. How he craved her beautiful bronzed skin and tantalizing thighs wrapped around his waist. His sweet dark angel drove him crazy. Sitting in the chair, next to the bed, he pulled her onto his lap.
Her five-foot six-inch frame and voluptuous build rendered him breathless whenever he fantasized about her. Her tantalizing brown eyes set
against the rich dark brown skin and her thick, curly black hair, seductively framing her bewitching features and falling well past her shoulders, was enough to make him hard as steel.
He wanted to slap himself silly for not approaching her sooner, for thinking Bartholomew would have a problem with the coupling. Suddenly he realized, she wanted this moment as much as he did. “Vivienne, I must have a word with you,” Angelus said, becoming lost within her eyes. He loved how she observed every inch of him, her appreciative gaze sparking a yearning deep within his soul.
“Talk to me Angelus, I’m listening,” Vivienne murmured, her gaze locking with his. She approached him, running her fingers through his hair.
“Why have you avoided me all these years?” Angelus asked. “I might ask the same of you Angelus,” Vivienne challenged. “Surely you knew I wanted to be with you,” he murmured, his heart
skipping a beat. Her skin was smooth, like silk, he noticed as he gently grabbed her hand.
Pulling her close to him, Angelus studied
her face. There was more than lust shining in her dark features. It was her gaze that held him in rapt attention. The eyes were the windows to the soul, and her soul was telling him she loved him. Boldly, she sat on his lap, completely shedding that aura of shyness he so loved about her.
**END EXCERPT**
Just an Average Vampire
Coming Soon to Amira Press
Blurb:
After discovering the courage to divorce her abusive husband, Trina Jones rises from her ashes like the legendary Phoenix. Strong-willed and determined, she rebuilds her independence. After her divorce, a string of bad luck sets her back tremendously. Faced with eviction and repossession, Trina becomes frustrated. To make matters worse, she is laid off from her job.
Vampire Cecil McKagan graciously accepts Trina into his home once he discovers her hardship. The bond between them ultimately strengthens, and the pair become lovers. However, past negativities threaten to tear the couple apart...
" Across the alley, on top of the abandoned building, an ancient being peered through Cecil’s bedroom window. Witnessing the affection between Trina and Cecil, venomous curses escaped its lips. Consumed by hatred, and unaffected by the bitter wind whipping it’s long raven locks against flawless ebony skin, the creature dug it’s talons into the brick ledge on which it perched. Another opportunity would arise to drive a wedge between them, it decided as it expanded black wings and leapt off the top of the building. Enraged, it released a blood-curdling scream and soared high into the starlit sky.
* * *
The screech jarred Cecil and Trina from their embrace. Abruptly, Cecil sat up, quickly dashing to the window. His keen senses had alerted him to something seconds before hearing the blood-curdling scream. Now, he sensed nothing.
“Was that a cat, or something?”
“Honestly? It was a vampire.”
“Maybe it was Izzy or Ivanna.”
“No, the presence I felt was over there. And the scream, well, we vampires make those noises when enraged. This presence seemed vaguely familiar, but I can’t bloody place it.” Cecil was puzzled, then an eerie thought crept into his head. What if…?
“Cecil, you’re scaring me. Stop looking like that. Are you sure everything is all right?
“Yes, Trina.” He returned to the bed and slipped beneath the bedcovers.
“Liar,”
“Oh, Trina.” Cecil slowly shook his head. He looked at her, sighed heavily and fell against the large, goose down pillow. Trina turned on her side to face him, running her fingers lightly through the silky soft hair dusking his broad chest.
“Do we have more secrets, Cecil? That sound, whatever it was, caused my damn skin to crawl. I would bet my life you know what, or who, it was, and this time I really would appreciate an honest answer.”
“Along with living many lifetimes comes the threat of many enemies. I was a knight in England. This scar came from a werewolf attack, as I was returning from the Crusades. I fought with honor for my King Richard, no questions asked.”
“When were you made a vampire?”
“Almost a week after my attack. Once I returned, I learned my wife and child had been brutally murdered by the hands of someone I thought to be a comrade. Shortly, after a day of mourning, my sire introduced herself to me, taking my life as though I’d accept the monster I’d become afterwards. I wished for death, but not like this. Nydia was my sire. She was a cold, ruthless vampire who hunted only for the thrill of the chase. She is an enemy.”
“Why would she be an enemy?”
“Oh, I’m getting to that, trust me.”
“I’m sorry for the loss of your family. Do you regret becoming a vampire?”
“For centuries, yes. Then I met you. Fate has a way of making things happen. If I weren’t a vampire, I would never have met you,” he said, kissing Trina softly on the head as she snuggled close, allowing him to continue his story.
* * *
Coming Soon to Amira Press
The Circle of Stones talisman designed exclusively by Storm Eldermoon!
