* * *
Chapter 34
Jocelyn watched the golden elephant atop her music box go round and round as its fanciful melody danced in the air. She let the movement enthrall her, calm her, absorb her anxiety. She barely heard Lawrence enter.
“Your message said you wanted to see me right away. What is so urgent, my dear?”
Jocelyn turned away from the mantle. “Come sit with me.” She waited until they were both on the sofa before continuing. “Michael has returned. I told him what I’m about to tell you. I’ve thought it over very carefully. I considered everything you said. After I sorted through it all, my resolution was reaffirmed. I want to marry Michael more than I’ve ever wanted anything. However, I want to do it with your blessing. So I think it’s time the three of us share a meal and you and Michael get to know one another. I hope after you know him better, you’ll be happy for me.”
Lawrence smiled, giving her hope that all would be well. “It appears you’ve really thought about this. I respect your decision. I’m happy you sent for me, as there’s something I need to tell you as well, something that may affect your decision and how we proceed.”
“All right, I’m listening.” Jocelyn focused on Lawrence. She couldn’t tell whether this was good news or bad.
“This may be shocking, but I want you to trust me, and remember that I’ve never done anything to hurt you.”
Unease rose in Jocelyn’s gut. “All right. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. In fact, soon nothing will ever be wrong for you again. Do you know those silly superstitions the king entertains?”
“You mean about witches?”
“Yes. He believes in other beings as well, beings who survive on human blood and live eternally. There are many names for them. One that James likes is baobhan sith. We call ourselves vampires.”
“What?” Jocelyn couldn’t figure out what kind of joke this was.
“I’m a vampire, Jocelyn.”
“I don’t understand.” Jocelyn couldn’t discern what Lawrence was attempting to accomplish with this story. He had taught her to never believe in superstitions or anything that couldn’t be proved, whether it be God or witches.
“I am over two hundred years old. Two centuries ago, a vampire sucked all the blood from my body and then fed it back to me, mixed with his venom. It brought me back to life, transformed me into a vampire. While I eat human food to maintain appearances, I subsist off of human blood. I never sleep. I’ll live forever, never aging.”
Jocelyn wanted to recoil in horror, but she couldn’t reconcile Lawrence’s words with the man she’d always viewed as a father. “But you’ve raised me since I was eleven years old. You’re human.”
Lawrence shook his head. “Ever since I first saw you, I knew you would make a wonderful vampire. Your instincts, your ability to read people, they will improve when you’re a vampire.”
“When I what?” She couldn’t hide her shock.
“I would like to transform you into a vampire. I will give you eternal life.”
Jocelyn’s mind reeled. Lawrence appeared as serious as she had ever seen him. “Lawrence, you’re scaring me.”
“No, no. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Lawrence placed his hand on top of hers. His cool skin assumed a new connotation in light of his declaration. “I want you to join me, my dear.”
“What about Michael?” The only thing she could do was play along with this story.
“I can turn him into a vampire, too. You can live with him through eternity. Imagine that, Jocelyn. Your senses will be heightened. You’ll feel more deeply. You’ll never have to worry about anyone taking power away from you. Instead of living with Michael for decades, you’ll have centuries.”
Jocelyn shook her head. “Why now? You’ve never mentioned anything about this before. What is the rush now?”
“I’m frightened of losing you. I worried that if I waited much longer, you would marry, and Michael would take you away from me. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.”
“That’s ridiculous, Lawrence. You could never lose me.”
“My dear, it’s sweet of you to say so, but once you’re married, your life will revolve around Michael. I couldn’t risk not having the chance to tell you.”
“I need some time to consider this, Lawrence. I don’t even know what to think.” She needed to be alone. Her mind whirled too fast for her to decipher it.
“I’m afraid I can’t give you much time.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to go into details, but if I’m going to transform you, it needs to happen now.”
“Now? At least let me go get Michael, talk it over with him.” Lawrence’s intensity alarmed her.
“That’s not possible. You may speak to him after you’re transformed. When he sees you as a vampire, it will be easier for him to believe you. You’ll be asking him to spend eternity with you. If he really loves you, he’ll accept. Why wouldn’t he want to be with you forever? You’ll be able to do anything you wish. Life will completely change. I can’t describe to you how incredible the world looks through the eyes of a vampire. Each smell, each taste, each sight is heightened, amplified. You think you love Michael now? Once you’re transformed, you’ll think your heart will burst with the feeling.”
“This is all so sudden, Lawrence. I don’t know what to think.” Eternity was exactly what she and Michael wanted together. It’s what they had promised each other. Lawrence could be offering her everything she desired. If only it was true.
“You don’t have to know what to think, my dear. All you have to do is trust me. Do you trust me?”
“Of course.” The answer came automatically to her lips even after hearing his strange tale.
“Then let me transform you. Let me give you the gift of eternal life.”
Lawrence’s blue eyes were more earnest than Jocelyn had ever seen them. She didn’t know if she believed him, but if he was telling the truth, then there was no reason to reject his offer. Questions swirled in her mind, but she knew Lawrence would be there to answer them all. “You’ll make Michael a vampire as well?”
“If he wants it, yes. I don’t know why he wouldn’t want to join you.”
Jocelyn tried to imagine explaining all of this to Michael, and she failed. He wouldn’t believe her, and even if he did, he wouldn’t agree to it. “I can’t, Lawrence. I need to talk to Michael.”
A flash of anger lit Lawrence’s eyes. “Don’t be foolish. Don’t you understand? He’ll leave you eventually. It always happens. That’s why you’re not the marrying type, my dear. You’ve seen how these things end. It’s not love you feel. It’s only the excitement of something new, of knowing he desires you. If it is love, it will last. It will persevere.” His eyes darted to the clock on the mantle. When he focused back on her, he moved closer.
“You must believe me, Jocelyn. I’m a vampire. Feel my skin. It’s as cold as death.” Lawrence touched his hand to her face. The chill raised bumps on her skin. “I’ve been keeping it from you until you were ready. I had hoped for more time, but there isn’t any left. Let me turn you, and you’ll have eternal life. If he truly does love you, he can join us. If he loves you, he won’t begrudge you this. It’s what I’ve always wanted for you: for us to live together for eternity. Let me take care of you, show you a new life. I only want you to be happy. I’m not only offering you eternal life, I’m offering you an eternal marriage with Michael. He can’t offer you that on his own.”
It was too much. Cutting through her thoughts was the inclination to trust Lawrence. Following him had never proved wrong. If what he said was true, she could get everything she’d ever wanted. She could have power, autonomy, and Michael at the same time. They could be together forever, and she would never have to worry about being weak. She could transcend mortality.
“Yes. I’ll do it.” The words escaped her lips before she consciously made her decision.
Lawrence smiled wider than Jo
celyn had ever seen before. “Excellent.”
“Is it going to hurt?” She had no idea what to expect. Fear lurked in her stomach, threatening to overcome her. She couldn’t think too hard on her decision, or the absurdity of the situation would overtake her. All she could do was focus on the moment.
“No, my dear, not at all. I would never hurt you. I’m just going to take your wrist like this.” Lawrence raised her wrist to his lips. She could see her hand trembling. No matter how much she concentrated on stilling it, she didn’t succeed. “And I’m going to give you a little kiss.” His mouth descended.
Jocelyn thought she felt a prick, but it could just as easily have been her imagination. A slight pressure that felt strangely comforting followed the prick. Drowsiness overcame her. Every muscle in her body seemed to relax. Was this really how it happened? It felt much too calm, too peaceful, to be any type of transformation.
Minutes passed, and she drifted further and further into an almost trance-like state. She couldn’t discern if she was awake and feeling tired or asleep and dreaming. Then she ceased feeling anything until a bitterness slid down her throat, waking her. Lawrence pressed his wrist against her lips, squeezing blood from it. The bitter taste overwhelmed her tongue. She tried to pull away but didn’t have the strength.
“I know it’s unpleasant, my dear. It’s my venom. It will give you life,” Lawrence whispered into her ear.
Jocelyn choked down the blood. As it entered her body, it burned a trail of energy wherever it went. All drowsiness fled. Her mind raced too fast to settle on any one thing. The more she drank, the higher her frenzy mounted. It wasn’t long before she couldn’t even remember her own name. When Lawrence drew back his wrist, every instinct in her body was to eat, to consume more blood, blood of a different type—blood without the bitter taste of vampire venom.
In the distance, she heard a knocking.
“Let me see who that is.” Lawrence left her hungry, confused, and seeking an outlet for her uncontrollable energy.
* * *
Chapter 35
Perfect timing, Lawrence thought. When he had arrived at Jocelyn’s, he had spoken to Anne before proceeding to the parlor. Anne had informed him that Michael had been there earlier in the day. Lawrence told her to dispatch a message to him, asking him to come as soon as possible.
In the hall, Lawrence saw Anne ushering Michael inside. “Lord Dover, I hope your journey was pleasant.”
“It was. Thank you for asking. It’s nice to finally be spending time with you and Jocelyn together.”
“I agree.” A few paces behind Michael, Anne awaited orders. “I’m sure there’s plenty of work for you to attend to, Anne. Your services aren’t needed here. We’re not to be disturbed.” Anne nodded and left.
Lawrence put a hand on Michael’s shoulder and led him to the parlor. Inside, Jocelyn’s wild appearance on the sofa visibly startled Michael. Her eyes were wide, darting around the room until she saw Michael and focused on him.
“Joc–” It was the last sound to leave Michael’s lips. Faster than any mortal could observe, Jocelyn was at his neck, teeth piercing his skin, blood gushing into her mouth.
Lawrence stood back and watched his first progeny take the final step toward becoming a vampire. For two hundred years, he had awaited this moment. Pride swelled his heart. She was his now. No one could take her from him, not even Zenas. His sire would be upset with him, but no amount of anger could sever the link Lawrence now shared with Jocelyn.
She made quick, messy work of Michael, unaccustomed to the strength Lawrence’s venom gave her. Her dress was drenched with Michael’s blood. Her fangs would grow during her transformation sleep, aiding in future kills. Even without them, her new strength would have made biting into his neck feel as easy as sinking her teeth into butter. When all the blood was drained from his body, Jocelyn dropped it to the ground with a satisfying thud. Michael’s death knell was her birth chime.
“Did you get your fill, my girl?”
“Yes, thank you.” Her voice was light and airy.
“Of course. Anything for you.” Lawrence saw the fog of confusion obscure her eyes. He doubted she knew who he was at this point.
Jocelyn looked at Michael’s body. It would be a while before she remembered who he was or the details of her mortal life. After peering into the lifeless gray eyes for a moment, she looked away. “I think I want to sleep now. Just for a little while.”
Lawrence nodded. It appeared the transformation was proceeding perfectly. “Yes, my child. You must sleep.” He saw the drowsiness overtake her and was there to catch her as her knees lost their strength. The venom had run its course and now settled inside her, mixing with the blood of her first kill. She would sleep for the last time, and while she slept, her body would transform from mortal weakness into eternal strength.
He carried her upstairs to her room and laid her on her bed. He adjusted the pillows, making sure she was comfortable for her last journey to dreamland. Once she awoke, she would never sleep again. “Sleep, my dear.” The words fell on deaf ears. He knew she had already succumbed to a deep slumber.
“It is done.” Lawrence knew he had to tell his sire.
“What?”
“I’ve turned Jocelyn. It was necessary.”
“You dare to defy me, Lawrence?”
He was prepared for Zenas’s anger, had expected it. What he had done was a capital offense. “I had no choice.”
“I’m coming to you. I want to see the girl. I’ll deal with you when I get there.”
“I understand, Sire.” It was worth it. There was nothing Zenas could do to take away the joy he felt at his child’s birth.
Lawrence brought a chair over to her bedside and sat. He would watch over her, like any good parent watched over his newborn. A smile curled his lips. She was his.
* * *
Chapter 36
The taste of blood on her lips—sweet and tangy—followed her into sleep. It was delicious. If only she could remember the name of the man she’d killed. There was something about him. Her thoughts couldn’t penetrate the fog consuming her mind.
All she knew was that the man’s blood was a welcome change from the bitter mixture of her blood and vampire venom she had been fed. But the man’s blood had an echo of a familiar flavor, a trace of the blood that had been mixed with the venom.
Her blood.
The thought was elusive and fled her mind as quickly as it had entered. The drowsiness was too much to fight. All she needed was sleep. If only those gray eyes would stop staring at her with that strange expression.
* * *
Thank you for reading Fates Entwined!
Want to read more about Jocelyn and Michael?
Other books in the Haunting Echoes series:
Haunting Echoes
Immortal Echoes
Get sneak peeks and stay up to date on new releases by joining the Insider Newsletter at: http://CaethesFaron.com/Newsletter
Start another series by Caethes Faron:
Measure of Devotion, the first book in the Measure of Devotion trilogy.
In Distress, the first book in a science-fiction romance series.
Connect with the author and discover new books:
http://CaethesFaron.com
http://facebook.com/CaethesFaron
http://twitter.com/CaethesFaron
Goodreads
If you liked Fates Entwined, please consider:
Reviewing it on the site you purchased it from or Goodreads.
Recommending it to your friends both online and off.
Lending it. This book is lending-enabled so you can share it with a friend.
Caethes loves hearing from readers! Email her at:
http://CaethesFaron.com/Contact
Also by Caethes Faron
Current list of books:
Caethes Faron
Haunting Echoes series:
Fates Entwined
Haunting Echoes
Immortal Echoes
Measure of Devotion series:
Measure of Devotion
Measure of Strength
Measure of Peace
In Distress series:
In Distress
In Pain
About the Author
Caethes's writing is influenced by her observations of this imperfect world and the flawed characters who inhabit it. She's lived in seven states and is always looking for the next place to call home with her husband and dogs. She currently resides in Florida.
Connect with her on:
@CaethesFaron
CaethesFaron
CaethesFaron.com
Copyright © 2014 by Caethes Faron Cover by StreetlightGraphics.com All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
About Fates Entwined
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Fates Entwined Page 14
