by Kailin Gow
“What are you doing…?” Keegan continued to stare at Skars with increasing disbelief.
“Time has slipped through my fingers, my old friend,” Skars said with arrogance and confidence. “What has it been? A century or two?”
With age old flair, he turned dark brown-red eyes to Alexis. “Ah,” he said with rapture. “And the beautifully delectable Alexis Stoker. This is truly an honor.” He reached for her hand and bowed over it to lay a kiss.
Sadie grimaced at the scene while Alexis giggled at the attention.
“You know me?” she asked, more coquette than wary.
“I’ve known Cleopatra, Josephine and Antoinette; all of the world’s most tempting beauties.” He cupped her cheek before turning to scrutinize Sadie. “Of course I know you as well. “I should have made your acquaintance years ago but there was a manner of a pesky guardian you’ve had watching over you for years – Delilah.”
“Delilah?” Sadie and Alexis looked at each other.
“Amazing that she still watched over you two after you’ve turned. All these years…from afar, fighting off hunters and Strigois that came near you…keeping you innocent and child-like in the ways of vampires so that you can retain your humanity.”
It took only one step to cause Sadie to back away, resulting in a deep chuckle from Skars. “And the genteel and demure Sadie. Always a pleasure to be in the presence of a true lady. How two beautiful siblings can be so different is something I’ll never understand, but then again, the spice of life is in variety.”
Sadie felt dirty just for having been under his gaze. There was something vile about the man despite the practiced grin and handsome face.
“Your fate is far larger, far more important than either of you seem to realize. How is it that two intelligent, beautiful and worldly young ladies such as yourselves have not come to fully understand the natural ways of a vampire?”
Sadie glanced at Alexis wondering if she knew of what he spoke. Despite everything, she thought they’d done an excellent job of living as vampires. Now she knew why she kept hearing in her mind, a voice calling her to come to Summerlin of all places. It was Delilah’s voice. But where was she now?
“You mean the Dark Side,” Keegan said.
Sadie heard the pent up anger in that one little phrase. Never had she heard such menace and determination in his voice.
“You’re not a Strigoi vampire, Alexis,” Keegan added.
Skars smiled while his eyes held a demonic gleam. “Not yet.” He quickly glided to Alexis’ side, tilted her chin up and looked closely into her eyes. “It has begun. Those beautiful eyes of hers are already glowing with a beautiful tint of red.”
Sadie was stunned to see Alexis stare adoringly at Skars who seemed more than pleased.
“No,” Keegan shouted. “You’ve done enough.”
“Ah.” Skars seemed increasingly pleased with Alexis. “But she truly does have the makings to be a natural in my army. Look at her.” He turned her chin from one side to the other, analyzing her features.
Keegan took a step closer to the pair with his hands fisted and his chin tight with determination. “Alexis is a lot more innocent than she lets on. And if Sadie has had any influence at all on her over the years, becoming the killing machine you desire is not going to happen.”
“Let me be the one to worry about that, my dear boy.” He took on a subdued fatherly tone that didn’t quite sit right on him. “I’m worried about you, Keegan. After all these years, you, more than anyone else should know that there are no innocents in the world of vampires. You’ve allowed these beauties to play with your senses, touch your heart and turn your brain to useless mush. No wonder why you couldn’t find Delilah. You’ve lost track of her for a while now.”
“I’ve done nothing of the sort.”
“Oh, but you have, dear boy. Your love for that sweet Sadie is more than evident in your eyes. And it is that love for her that will have you killed if you don’t wise up and realize what she truly is. Just another vampire out to get blood. Just another blood sucker out to dominate the world.”
An eerie chill ran up Sadie’s spine, visibly shaking her.
“Yes, the pure innocence she portrays is a magnificent cover. A pleasant diversion from all the obvious vampires who so wantonly display their ferociousness.”
In a second he was standing inches from Sadie, filling her with fear and dread. Never had she been in the presence of someone so evil and filled with hatred. “You’re mistaken, sir. I…”
His chest rumbled with what resembled a laugh, but it was deep and black, completely lacking humor. “Don’t waste your time stating your case for me, my sweet. Keegan’s naiveté, or perhaps it is his adolescent ardor, may have allowed him to be won over with the game you play, but I’ve been around too long to be deceived by the likes of you.”
Tears came to Sadie’s eyes at the accusation.
“Vampire history shows the wars that are constantly being waged between those who kill for a meal and those who do not.” At this he looked deeply into Sadie’s eyes. “Once you kill, you can’t go back.”
“I wouldn’t let that happen,” Keegan said.
Though Keegan’s voice was the epitome of calm, Sadie saw the murder in his eyes as he approached Skars. With lightning speed he was at Skars’ back, his hand raised and prepared to stake the old vampire.
Without even putting any effort into the motion, Skars grabbed Keegan by the throat and raised him high in the air. “I thought you were better than that.”
Skars flung him into the air, sending Keegan flying like a ragdoll until he landed on the ground with a thud.
This threw the band of hunters into a frenzy. Seeing their leader manhandled in such a fashion, they sped to Skars wielding weapons and shouting cries of war far into the darkened night.
Ashwin took part in the battle as did Alexis. Her hunger for blood seemed endless as she killed one hunter after another. The young men who’d been recruited to save the world from vampires had little chance against the immense power she displayed.
Sadie felt obliged to do her part, if only to ensure Keegan didn’t get hurt again. He’d not yet risen from his fall and she feared for him. While she managed to send a few hunters running for their lives, she refrained from overpowering them to the point of death. As dire as the situation became, she refused to find herself guilty of having taken a human life.
Before long, vampires and hunters mingled, danced the macabre choreography of death and growled with pain and victory.
But the melee wasn’t enough to keep Sadie from noticing Ashwin’s diverging alliance. He made several attempts on Skars then turned his attention to a few hunters before trying again to kill Skars.
When all was said and done, many hunters lay lifeless in the little park of Summerlin. Sadie did a quick head count and was happy to see that many had survived, though surely badly wounded.
As for herself and Alexis, their arms had a few scratches and Alexis now sported a neat bruise on her shoulder.
“Congratulations, little sister,” Alexis said. “You put up quite a fight when your heart is truly in it.”
“Battles such as this serve no purpose. This is your doing…” She turned around, searching for Skars in order to point the finger of blame at him. But the park had only the bodies of the dead to show. “Where did he go?”
“Ashwin?” Alexis called out as she scanned the perimeters of the park
Sadie turned to stare at her sister. “Great. Now they’ve both disappeared.”
Epilogue
The dim light was intermittently obscured by an eerie shadow that played against the wall of the large library. Responsible for the constantly shifting shadow was one pacing form, eager and anxious in his every movement.
“I hadn’t anticipated the distraction these two immortal sisters would be.”
“They are, indeed, lovely, are they not?” Sitting behind the large mahogany desk, the younger man sipped his scotch.
“I once knew Delilah, tutor and partial guardian of the girls when they were young. She has always been a strong influence on them and her protective arm has never failed to be very far from her charges. When I learned she’d moved to the quaint, little beach town, I knew Sadie and Alexis wouldn’t be too far.”
“I’m impressed. You work well. Does she know you're here?”
A throaty chuckle filled the dark room. “Of course not. I’ve been keeping a distant eye on her, ensuring I’m aware of her every move without arousing any suspicion on her part.”
“Delilah has always been far too sympathetic to the plight of humans. I’ve never understood her obsession with minimizing the effect vampires had on society. While her attempts were slight and barely noticeable in Europe, she’s become a nuisance and a liability.”
“Inconvenient.”
“Exactly.”
“Of course her desire to protect the Stokers runs deeper than that. As the last human relations of Dracule, the sisters have a rather unattractive fate awaiting them. Just as Dracule was destroyed, many are out to tear them apart. I feel certain Delilah is prepared to do everything within her power to keep that from happening. You know, he was not the legendary figure so many have made him out to be. Bram Stoker exaggerated and took great liberties with Dracule’s life and his effects on Europe. Not enough was said about his gentle soul and the grand romantic he truly was. The truth is that he was more human than any vampire has ever been, and he transmitted his beliefs and ways to Delilah, rendering her a very humane vampire.”
“I assume that’s why she found herself at Stoker Manor; to protect the young girls.”
“Yes, and she did a fine job of it.”
“But not fine enough.”
Chilling laughter filled the room and echoed against the books that lined the walls. The pacing man clapped his hands in triumph.
“As worldly and experienced as Delilah is, she neglected to take into consideration just how easily the young Stoker girls would fall for my charm.”
“Surprising, considering your reputation.”
“I beg your pardon.” Mock anger furrowed his brow as he sipped from his glass. “I’ll have you know that my reputation is that of a gentleman.”
“Young innocents might mistake you for a gentleman, but I’ve no doubt many realize the rake you truly are.”
“Ah, and the role does please me, I must confess.”
“Lord Ashwin…” The name and title hung in the air as the men grinned.
“What can I say? I’ve always had a penchant for the high life,” Ashwin admitted.
“Well, you’ve certainly used your talent to perfection with the Stokers. I’m pleased. Very pleased. Vlad Dracule died a martyr, a symbol to all vampires that they can be a vampire and still retain their humanity. I’ve decimated all the blood descendants of Dracule. The remaining ones are under my control except for the sisters. With descendants of Dracule on my side, I will truly be a force to be reckoned with. And one of them is already showing promising signs of becoming a strong and ruthless Strigoi. What more could I ask for?”
“Her only hindrance now is that pure-hearted little sister of hers. Sadie is relentless in her attempts to keep Alexis as human as possible.”
“She’s a thorn in my side.”
“But she can be dealt with easily enough. Leave her to me. I have a seductive way with Alexis and a puritan and genteel manner with Sadie. I worked them against one another well in Dorset and I will do the same now. They will be completely oblivious to what is truly happening to them.”
“Don’t get too cocky.”
“I’m not cocky. I’m confident. Alexis will lose all sympathy for the human race, of that I can assure you.”
He stopped pacing and set his knuckles on the desk to look at Ashwin. “I know you love her… Sadie. It is evident in the way you move around her, in your manner of speaking. Allowing your emotions to get in the way could be your end.”
“I’ll not deny the affection I have for both girls.” His eyes turned to the window and gazed far into the distance. “The conglomeration of both girls would be the woman of my dreams, the woman to spend my life with. Sadie needs to learn to be more seductive, more alluring, while Alexis is lacking restraint and discretion. But neither of them will keep me from doing what I must do.”
“I need their cooperation.”
“I’m quite aware of that, Skars.” His voice was suddenly hard. “I’m not a juvenile like Keegan, letting emotions get in the way of what needs to be done. My love for them will not keep me from my task. You should know me well enough to know that.”
“I’m relying on you.”
“But you have a trump card to play. If all else fails…”
A deep and contented growl shook the walls. “Yes. And I admit I look forward to playing it. There is something satisfying about dangling a prisoner in front of his beloved.”
“Sadie will not take Keegan’s imprisonment lightly.”
Skars turned to him with venom in his eyes. “And that’s exactly what I’m counting on; the pure vampire goddess out to save the life and soul of her adolescent lover who happens to be a hunter. How fitting. She will willingly join me…and then Delilah will soon follow.”
“I must admit your plan to turn him into a Strigoi is a stroke of genius. It will no doubt have Sadie rushing out to save him in no time.”
“You have to admire her guts and determination. For such a naïve girl she has willpower beyond many.” Skars turned to grin at Ashwin. “But I will break her of that, just as I did with you, dear boy. I’m patient. I can wait another hundred years to rid her of this love of humans and all that is good.”
**********
The Stoker Sisters Series continues in
Book 2
Angels and Hunters
February 2011
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the phantom diaries
What happens to the Phantom after the tragedy at the Paris Opera House is the basis for this fantastic tale of The Phantom Diaries, loosely based on Gaston Leroux's classic, The Phantom of the Opera, but with a new tale and a modern twist. This new series for older teens and young adults is told through the eyes of 18 year-old Annette Binoche, who lands a job at the New York Metropolitan Opera House as a seamstress' assistant only to become the lead singer of the Opera House, with the help of the mysterious, yet highly-seductive Phantom.
Excerpt from
the phantom diaries
kailingow
Prologue
Annette Binoche stepped out of the cab and had her first taste of a Manhattan sidewalk beneath her feet. Staring up at The New York Metropolitan Opera House, a cool breeze rustled through her long dark hair and tickled her nostrils. This was not the hot and lazy breeze of the bayou back home in New Orleans. It felt different. Smelled different. Even tasted different.
Despite her jeans, warm black sweater and leather jacket the chill in the air squeezed through the collar at the back of her neck, traveled down her spine and left her skin tingling all the way down into her boots.
The excitement of this new adventure added to that tingling sensation. She pushed through the doors of the back entrance of the Opera House and went in search of the head seamstress. As soon as her eyes adjusted to the gloom
, she glimpse the grand stage through a door left ajar.
Her desire to find the seamstress was overtaken with the need to view the splendid stage she’d long dreamed of. The silly childhood fantasy of singing to a full house had her heart pumping with envy. It was majestic and unending. The ceiling seemed to go on forever and she couldn’t even see to the back seat of the top balconies.
“Can I help you?”
With a start she turned to the unexpected voice and faced a small elderly gentleman who smiled politely.
“I’m looking for Mrs. Henley. She came down to Louisiana a while back to visit with my mom and liked my abilities as a seamstress and suggested I come up here to work for her.”
The old man’s smile broadened and Annette realized she was rambling, but just couldn’t stop. “I may be only eighteen, but I’ve worked at my mother’s dress shop since I was thirteen and my mother has been a great teacher and even though I lack formal training, I know I can do this…”
“Right through there,” he said as he pointed to his left. “Up the stairs, second floor, third door on your right. She should just be getting back from her lunch.”
With a tight and nervous nod, she turned on her heel, repeating his directions in her mind over and over again.
Her heels echoed up the steps and the cool chill at her back followed her. She turned to glance behind her and could have sworn her breath frosted in the air. The echo of her steps reverberated in an odd cadence that didn’t quite match the pace of her steps.
Though her body shivered, her hands were clammy and heated. Her fingers reached for the cross hung at her neck. Her index played repeatedly over the rubies that formed a rose pattern at the center of the cross. Her breathing soon returned to normal and she proceeded while remaining cautious and aware of the sensations around her.
