Publication Information
This novel is a work of fiction. The names, places, and events in this book are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental.
War of Destiny: Lost Soul
Copyright © 2014 by Theresa Van Spankeren
Cover illustration © 2014 by Jonathan Hunt
All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be used or reproduced in any form, electronic or otherwise, without prior permission of the author.
Dedicated to Dan and the many friends and family that helped make this book possible.
A special thanks to the Westmont ‘Writing Factory’ for their help and input.
War of Destiny:
Lost Soul
by
Theresa Van Spankeren
Prologue
I am a little over a half a millennium old, and yet I am still troubled by the events that occurred over four centuries ago. I am a vampire and tell myself that the past does not matter but the aching in my chest doesn’t stop and the familiar sense of fear is back in my gut.
I am in present day England, not far from the place where I grew up over five centuries ago. Naturally, it is night and my companions are out hunting. That is perfectly all right, for I need the time alone to think.
I have many friends, both mortal and immortal, despite the fact that I’m their leader. I’ve earned their loyalty and trust, even though most of them do not know me well. I have always kept them at a distance. I have not told anyone much of anything about my human life; except for a few, because to do so is to be weak and I have always been strong.
What triggers these memories, these thoughts, after so many years? I do not know and that troubles me almost as much as the actual memories. Maybe it wasn’t one thing that triggered the memories, but a combination of things – if anything triggered it at all.
Whatever the reason for it, I have decided to go back and confront these images; my long forgotten life, so hopefully it won’t destroy me from the inside out. I’m choosing to write my story down because I’m afraid to tell anyone but need a way to sort it out, before I go insane. Perhaps it’s best if I start at the beginning.
Oh, and on one last note before I start, forgive me if the words and phrases used in here are not exactly ‘historically correct.’ It has been many years since I have thought about how I spoken back then and frankly I do not remember exactly which words we used nor do I remember the exact phrasing we spoken in. So please do not get upset if I use some modern words and phrases in here. It’s very easy for me to slip back into full modern usage.
Chapter 1
I was born in 1492, in a wealthy part of London. My parents named me Juliana Kendrick, but I prefer to be called Julia. I have long light red hair and pale blue eyes. I was the middle child in my family. My older brother, Peter, had red hair and green eyes. He was three years older than I was. We had a younger sister, Crystal, the baby of the family. She had the same color hair as me, but green eyes like our brother.
As I mentioned before, my family was very wealthy. And as with every noble family we had servants. That custom of royal life was how Adam and I first met. His mother worked as a servant for us and she often bought him with her. Adam was two years older than me and a year younger than Peter. He had light brown hair and dark brown eyes.
After Crystal was born, the four of us grew up together. We were all close, but Adam and I grew exceptionally close. As you can imagine, this worried my parents greatly.
I vividly remember a time when I was about eleven years old, when I had sneaked out of the room Crystal and I shared and listened at the doorway to the parlor. My parents were in there talking. They had sounded very angry that night. Peter had been with them. He no longer had time for his younger sisters anymore.
“You should see them, Father! The way they look into each other’s eyes! Whether you and Mother want to admit it, Juliana and Adam are falling in love!” he said sharply.
“Peter, don’t be absurd. They’re friends, nothing more,” my mother said in her usual gentle voice. My mother, as beautiful as she had been then, with her golden blonde hair and dark blue eyes had been growing weaker and frailer as the years went by. She had never fully recovered from giving birth to my little sister. That was the reason we had so few children in our family.
“Heather, quiet. Peter has bought up a serious problem. Juliana has become too attached to this young man. He is not good enough for her. That family has barely enough money to get by. What do you think we should do, son?” Father asked quietly. Father was a tall man with red hair and hazel eyes. He was also very traditional.
Peter shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps it’s time to start thinking of marrying her off.”
I was appalled at hearing Peter speak of me like this. I didn’t want to be treated like someone else’s toy. I also didn’t want to leave Adam. Peter was to be married off to a girl named Anna in two weeks. He had barely known the girl and had agreed to marry her. I couldn’t understand the reasoning for such a practice then and I still can’t understand it, centuries later. I was even angrier when I heard my father’s answer.
“I have a few suitors in mind. Perhaps, I shall start inquiring about them.” A second later I heard chairs scrape against the floor and knew they were getting up. I fled back into my room.
It wasn’t long after that night that he began to bring dozens of young men to our home. Most of them were nice but none of them understood me the way Adam did. During the next four years I saw less and less of him and I eventually realized that they were trying to split us up. It was after one of these “social parties” that I slipped out of the house and sought out Adam.
I found him helping his mother serve drinks to Crystal and one of her friends, Charles in the gardens. Once I came into sight he lowered the drinks and hastened to my side. “Julia, where have you been? I haven’t seen you in weeks. I was afraid you were ill,” he said anxiously.
I sighed and started deeper into the gardens. Adam matched my pace and waited patiently for me to speak. “I haven’t been ill. It is my parents’ fault. Adam, they are looking for someone for me to marry,” I blurted out unhappily.
Adam stopped walking and turned to stare at me. “What?! Oh God, Julia, please tell me they’re not serious?” he questioned in a shocked voice.
“They are serious. They really seem to like this one man in particular. His name is Gregory Smith. He’s richer than us and he seems very interested in me. My parents are very happy but I’m not sure. He seems nice and all but he’s just not my type of man.”
Adam looked even more distressed if that was possible. And I, naïve fifteen year old I was then, couldn’t understand why. I didn’t realize that our relationship had changed, that we were actually in love.... what my father and Peter had feared. Adam looked at the flowers for a moment and then looked back at me. “Julia, I can’t let this happen.”
“Cannot let what happen?” I asked, confused.
He took a deep breath. “Julia, I love you. I can’t let you be married to someone else. I’ll ask for your hand in marriage.”
I stared at him in shock. I couldn’t believe what I had heard him say. “Oh, Adam. I – I love you too. But I don’t think Father would ever agree to it. You are not rich,” I pointed out bluntly.
Adam looked angry for a moment and then shook his head. “It doesn’t matter,” he said drawing me into his arms. “Change their minds, Juliana, I know you can.”
I collapsed into his arms willingly and was amazed at how natural it seemed. This is where I belong, I thought to myself. Out loud I said, “I don’t know if I can.” I looked up at him helplessly.
Ada
m frowned but then smiled. He lowered his head until our lips touched. I was elated. A thrill ran through me as he pulled me closer and my arms wrapped around his waist.
“Juliana!” My Father’s voice shouted from the house. My world shattered like glass. I was suddenly afraid that Father had seen what had just occurred. I jumped away from Adam and ran for the house, leaving him dazed and dumbfounded in the gardens.
When I reached the house I found Father with Peter. They had serious expressions on their faces. I didn’t like the fact that Peter was here. He had been married for over three years and had a one year old son. Why would he be back here?
“Aye, Father?” I asked sweetly, although with a hint of sarcasm. I felt nervous and guilty over what had just occurred.
“Get into the house. We have things to discuss.”
I glared at him and did as he asked. I then entered the house and swept into the parlor. Mother sat there looking as if she had been crying. Peter and Father followed me in and also sat down. I remained standing. I had a very bad feeling about this family meeting. Crystal was the only one not in the room and I’m sure it was because neither Father or Peter wanted her there.
My father was the first to speak. “My dear Juliana, you are now fifteen years old. It’s time you marry. Gregory has asked for your hand in marriage. Will you accept?”
I stood rooted to the ground and stared at him in horrified shock. Finally, slowly, I shook my head. “No. I wish to marry Adam, if I am to marry at all!” I answered defiantly. I had always been known to be an independent woman and I had always wished for the power to make my own decisions. Especially about the person I was to marry!
Father’s face turned purple. “I will not have you disgrace this family, Juliana! He is only a common man! You deserve better!”
I glared back angrily. “I do not love Gregory. I love Adam. We would be all right even if he isn’t rich – –”
Peter interrupted me. “Don’t be a fool, Julia. Gregory can take care of you much better than that boy can. You will be happier, believe me.”
I looked at him in disgust. “You and Adam used to be friends, Peter. What happened to you?”
Peter sneered at me. “I grew up. You should try that some time, Juliana. He is nothing but a servant to us.”
In desperation, I looked to my mother for support. She looked back in sorrowful defeat. “Listen to your father and brother, Juliana. They know what’s best for you,” she said in a tired voice.
I couldn’t believe this. “I know what’s best for me. I know! No one else does!” I shouted in frustration.
My father drew in a deep breath. “Juliana, you shall marry Gregory Smith. I have already arranged the marriage because I didn’t think you would listen to reason. That’s all right; you shall forget that common boy in no time. Adam’s mother is being dismissed tonight so you’ll have no further contact with him before your marriage next week.”
I looked at them in hatred. “I hate you. I hate ALL of you!!” I yelled, turning and running out the door.
“Julia – –!” Mother started, slowly rising to her feet.
“Let her go,” Father said wearily as I raced up the stairs. I sought out my sister, Crystal. She was the only one left that I could turn to.
She was sitting up in the drawing room, writing a letter. “What’s wrong, Julia?” she asked looking up.
I broke down and told her everything that had happened. I was crying by the end of it. Crystal shook her head.
“Adam’s great but our parents are too stupid to realize it. Julia, this man Gregory; I really do not like him.”
I looked up at her. “What do you not you like? He seems really nice.”
Crystal gestured helplessly “I don’t know exactly. He does seem nice enough but it’s just a feeling I have. I cannot explain it, Juliana. If Father and Peter will not let you marry Adam, can you marry someone else? Anyone but Gregory Smith?” she pleaded in a frightened voice.
I shook my head uneasily. “Father already arranged it. He will not listen to me now. What’s the matter? Crystal, you’re starting to scare me a little.”
My sister looked down into her lap. “I told you, I cannot explain it Juliana. It’s just a feeling I get from him.” She looked up at me with dark green eyes. “Just like how no one ever says it but I know Mama is sick because she had me.”
I started and looked at her in surprise. “What ?!” I said harshly. It had been something we had agreed on, Peter, Father and I; to never let Crystal know that Mother was slowly dying because of her.
“I could read it in your body language. The way you hesitate around me, how Peter and Father treat me, like nothing more than another servant around the house. Well, perhaps a little better than that, but not by much,” Crystal said sadly, “You resent me because it’s my fault. Sometimes, I think I’m better off dead.”
“Crystal! We love you, I love you. Yes, after you were born, Mother never fully recovered, yes, she’s dying, but it’s not your fault! Listen to me! You’re my sister and the closest person I can consider a friend now!” I exclaimed. “Please, do not talk like that.”
Crystal looked at me meekly. “All right, Juliana. Let’s not talk about it anymore.” She paused. “Look, Julia, please be very careful. I know they are going to make you marry him so please be extremely careful. I love you and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
I hugged her tightly. She was my sister, my friend. Crystal sometimes knew things that no one else could know. It scared me sometimes, but I still loved my little sister more than could be said. “I promise, Crystal. I’ll be very careful. But if anything does happen, remember I love you.”
“I will, Julia. If you need help come to us. After all, we are your family. You’re strong and independent. I am weak and submissive. However it matter not how opposite we are. Just know that those traits of yours are your greatest strength and greatest weakness. Use them wisely,” she said abruptly releasing me.
“Crystal! Where are you, you miserable wretch!”
Crystal sighed and stood up. “Mother must be sleeping,” she muttered turning to walk downstairs.
I grabbed her arm. “You do not have to listen to Peter when he’s acting like this!” I told her urgently. “You can stand up to him.”
Crystal smiled sadly. “But I do. I always have to.” She tugged free and walked downstairs. I sat down and stared out the window. Presently, I began to cry.
The next few days flew past. Father dismissed Adam’s family and my family made sure we did not see each other. They kept me in the house and grounds to make sure we couldn’t see or talk to each other. My mother made my wedding dress and veil. She was radiating happiness when she had finished the dress and bought it to Crystal’s and my room to show me.
“Juliana, look at this dress. Isn’t it lovely?” she asked smiling.
Both Crystal and I looked over. The dress was breathtaking. It was long with lace sleeves and a low collar. Most women didn’t wear a low collar – – It wasn’t allowed. Of course, I greatly disliked high collars, I found them very uncomfortable. This was my mother’s way of saying sorry about this marriage I was being forced into. Against my will, I felt my face soften into a smile. “It’s beautiful, Mama. Thank you,” I said sincerely.
My mother sighed and lowered the dress. She walked over to us. “My baby girls. You’re all grown up, Juliana. I couldn’t wait until the day you were married so you could be happy. I’ve waited for this day because I was afraid I would not live to see it. And soon Crystal will have her turn. I hope I can see her off as well.”
I looked away. “I know how you feel about this, Mother. But I cannot be happy marrying someone I don’t love.”
My mother suddenly seemed very sad and weak. “I understand your feelings, Julia, but you will learn to love him. Don’t worry about that.” She turned to leave. “It’s for the best, Juliana.” She left the room a second later.
I got up and slowly hung the dress up. I t
urned to look at Crystal. “She says I’ll learn to love him. Father and Peter say that too. Do you think that’s possible Crystal?” I asked softly.
Crystal looked at me and shrugged. “It’s possible, Juliana. However, I still do not like him. Be wary of him.”
I looked away. “Crystal. He doesn’t strike me to be that kind of a person,” I said in exasperation.
Crystal stood up. “They seldom do,” she said and left before I could make an angry retort. I let her go. I didn’t want to think about it anymore. I turned and looked out the window at the gardens and the city. I thought of Adam and his family. I had no idea how well they were doing. I shook my head and lay down.
To my relief, I was able to rest more during the days that led up to the wedding. Those days I spent in my room sleeping or glowering about how unjust this was. Crystal bought me food and listened patiently as I ranted and raved about this unfair agreement. She also bought me news of Adam since she was still trusted to go out to the markets during the days, which I wasn’t. I discovered that he knew about my upcoming marriage, heaven knows everyone seemed to know; and he had also gone to work to support the family. Crystal paced beside the bed where I lay and said plainly, “He almost had a fit when he heard about your marriage. Didn’t you say anything?!”
“I never got the chance to, Crystal. Now go away. I want to sleep.”
Crystal looked at me. “Juliana, stop it. Get over it. You’re going to be married tomorrow. Maybe he will be better than Adam,” she said dubiously. “At any rate you have been moping about for days. You have to deal with it.”
I rolled over. “Maybe, “I muttered, my voice muffled by the pillow. I heard my sister sigh and leave the room. I curled up and went to sleep.
The next afternoon, I found myself wearing the lovely dress my mother had made. It fit perfectly so the collar was right around my collarbone and shoulders so I wouldn’t choke. I wore a necklace with a small diamond in it. My hair was slightly curled and Mother helped adjust my veil.
Lost Soul Page 1
