Theresa Van Spankeren's Blog, page 11
February 29, 2016
Reading and Writing Update
I know it has been awhile since I posted. I was absorbed into the Dresden Files for awhile. At the moment, my source has dried up, so I had to come up for air.
I have read a couple of other books in the meantime, Juliet's Lullaby and Fire's Love. Both were fairly quick reads and I liked the story premises. My reviews for both are up. I have a couple books that I have my Kindle app waiting to be read. I will probably start on one of them soon . . . I just haven't decided which one yet.
I have just used one of Amazon giftcards to get a couple of remaining books off my Christmas List. (Clapping hands in glee!)
I have also been making slow progress on the revision and editing of Book 3 of the War of Destiny series. It is painstaking, but worth it. I am hoping to have a small teaser up in another month or two.
(Truth be told, I am still missing my Dresden fix.)
I have read a couple of other books in the meantime, Juliet's Lullaby and Fire's Love. Both were fairly quick reads and I liked the story premises. My reviews for both are up. I have a couple books that I have my Kindle app waiting to be read. I will probably start on one of them soon . . . I just haven't decided which one yet.
I have just used one of Amazon giftcards to get a couple of remaining books off my Christmas List. (Clapping hands in glee!)
I have also been making slow progress on the revision and editing of Book 3 of the War of Destiny series. It is painstaking, but worth it. I am hoping to have a small teaser up in another month or two.
(Truth be told, I am still missing my Dresden fix.)
January 28, 2016
International Holocaust Day
It is amazing that over 60 years after the holocaust, there are still those out there that deny its existence. Some do it out of ignorance, some do it to further their own misguided or malicious agendas.
Almost seventeen years ago, I was able to take an excursion I had wanted to do since I had been 8 years old and traveled to Germany and other surrounding German-speaking countries. My school joined others from other states, including a school from New Jersey. One of the side trips offered during our stop in Munich was to the concentration camp of Dachau.
I would be a liar if I said I did not have any trepidation about going. My roommate on the trip actually backed out, preferring to stay in Munich, but many of my classmates were still willing to go. I asked one of my chaperones what he had thought since he had been there before. His words of wisdom was “to go, and go twice if possible. The second time for reflection.” The likelihood of my being able to return there anytime soon is unlikely, so I’m reflecting now in case I never make it back.
It was a mild bright day in April 1998 when our group stepped off the bus and entered the museum of Dachau. The museum is housed in one of the original buildings of the camp that used to house the kitchen and laundry facilities for the SS. We went through each exhibit in solemn observation, our shock and sadness growing as we went from one to the next. The exhibits portrayed both the daily life of the prisoners as well as medical experiments conducted on them against their will.
During our trip through the museum, Westmont’s group soon chose to separate from the group from New Jersey because of their childish and inconsiderate behavior. During that time, I discovered that one of the girls in my group, Rachel, had journeyed to Dachau with her mother to honor a relative who had died in the camp.
After the tour through the museum, our group divided again. The guys from our group went one way, and we girls went the other. I do not remember having a large discussion about splitting up. It seemed to be one of those decisions that we subconsciously made together, a group mind-set.
The International Memorial was what greeted us girls when we emerged out of the building. It was horrifying and sad at the same time. A large sculpture, depicting emaciated prisoners was dominant, but as we wandered along the gravel paths we came to a wall on the east side.
The inscription on the wall simply read, “Never Again.” In front of it was a concrete urn filled with the ashes of unidentified victims. On top of the urn was dozens of little rocks. I remember being baffled by the stones and asking Rachel and her mother what they were for. They asked if I had ever seen Schindler’s List. When I answered I had not, they suggested that I see it. They explained that it was a tradition among Jewish people to honor the dead as they also placed small stones on top. I was so moved that I also found a small stone and placed it on top as well.
The next sights I remember seeing on our self-guided tour was Barrack X and the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign. The sign marked the original gate that the prisoners came through. Barrack X housed the crematorium and gas chambers. At the time I was there, there was a sign that said the gas chambers were never used there. Beyond Barrack X was an area where the SS used to execute prisoners and an old cemetery which was not open at the time. We did not stay long there. The area around Barrack X had felt wrong somehow. I would say “disturbing” but even that seems inadequate.
Various religious memorials are also in Dachau as well. I remember seeing the exteriors of most of these memorials, including Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant memorials. I recall all of them being locked during our visit.
Lastly, I remember standing on the other side of the camp, along the wall where the electrified fence used to be. There, I looked around, noting the stone foundations where the barracks had once stood. I had felt profound sorrow as I gazed about. A chill had entered me that I wasn’t able to shake even though the sun was warm. The aura of the place as a whole was eerie, almost as if it had its own energy. The guys reunited with us there. I remembered that most of us had said we felt something strange and decided to go back to the bus. We were done.
To this day, I still cannot explain the feeling I had experienced there. I suspect that Dachau was and remains a place of troubled spirits or a place where the very air was imprinted with the horror that happened there. I would be curious to go back and see if I would still feel the same feelings I did the last time I was there.
Words do not adequately describe the experience of Dachau. To understand fully, you must go to a concentration camp yourself. The Holocaust was real. I have seen what some have vehemently denied or forgotten. The message transcribed in the Dachau memorial should not be taken lightly, “Never again.”
Almost seventeen years ago, I was able to take an excursion I had wanted to do since I had been 8 years old and traveled to Germany and other surrounding German-speaking countries. My school joined others from other states, including a school from New Jersey. One of the side trips offered during our stop in Munich was to the concentration camp of Dachau.
I would be a liar if I said I did not have any trepidation about going. My roommate on the trip actually backed out, preferring to stay in Munich, but many of my classmates were still willing to go. I asked one of my chaperones what he had thought since he had been there before. His words of wisdom was “to go, and go twice if possible. The second time for reflection.” The likelihood of my being able to return there anytime soon is unlikely, so I’m reflecting now in case I never make it back.
It was a mild bright day in April 1998 when our group stepped off the bus and entered the museum of Dachau. The museum is housed in one of the original buildings of the camp that used to house the kitchen and laundry facilities for the SS. We went through each exhibit in solemn observation, our shock and sadness growing as we went from one to the next. The exhibits portrayed both the daily life of the prisoners as well as medical experiments conducted on them against their will.
During our trip through the museum, Westmont’s group soon chose to separate from the group from New Jersey because of their childish and inconsiderate behavior. During that time, I discovered that one of the girls in my group, Rachel, had journeyed to Dachau with her mother to honor a relative who had died in the camp.
After the tour through the museum, our group divided again. The guys from our group went one way, and we girls went the other. I do not remember having a large discussion about splitting up. It seemed to be one of those decisions that we subconsciously made together, a group mind-set.
The International Memorial was what greeted us girls when we emerged out of the building. It was horrifying and sad at the same time. A large sculpture, depicting emaciated prisoners was dominant, but as we wandered along the gravel paths we came to a wall on the east side.
The inscription on the wall simply read, “Never Again.” In front of it was a concrete urn filled with the ashes of unidentified victims. On top of the urn was dozens of little rocks. I remember being baffled by the stones and asking Rachel and her mother what they were for. They asked if I had ever seen Schindler’s List. When I answered I had not, they suggested that I see it. They explained that it was a tradition among Jewish people to honor the dead as they also placed small stones on top. I was so moved that I also found a small stone and placed it on top as well.
The next sights I remember seeing on our self-guided tour was Barrack X and the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign. The sign marked the original gate that the prisoners came through. Barrack X housed the crematorium and gas chambers. At the time I was there, there was a sign that said the gas chambers were never used there. Beyond Barrack X was an area where the SS used to execute prisoners and an old cemetery which was not open at the time. We did not stay long there. The area around Barrack X had felt wrong somehow. I would say “disturbing” but even that seems inadequate.
Various religious memorials are also in Dachau as well. I remember seeing the exteriors of most of these memorials, including Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant memorials. I recall all of them being locked during our visit.
Lastly, I remember standing on the other side of the camp, along the wall where the electrified fence used to be. There, I looked around, noting the stone foundations where the barracks had once stood. I had felt profound sorrow as I gazed about. A chill had entered me that I wasn’t able to shake even though the sun was warm. The aura of the place as a whole was eerie, almost as if it had its own energy. The guys reunited with us there. I remembered that most of us had said we felt something strange and decided to go back to the bus. We were done.
To this day, I still cannot explain the feeling I had experienced there. I suspect that Dachau was and remains a place of troubled spirits or a place where the very air was imprinted with the horror that happened there. I would be curious to go back and see if I would still feel the same feelings I did the last time I was there.
Words do not adequately describe the experience of Dachau. To understand fully, you must go to a concentration camp yourself. The Holocaust was real. I have seen what some have vehemently denied or forgotten. The message transcribed in the Dachau memorial should not be taken lightly, “Never again.”
January 20, 2016
Book 2 Excerpt: The Threat is Realized
Hi again everyone! Besides reading Dresden and whittling down other books on my to-read/to-get list, I am making slow progress on revision of Book 3. Slow but sure gets the job done, so I am told.
I wanted to share a small excerpt of Pursuit into Darkness with fans and new readers alike. I will keep you up to date.
“I thought he was in France?” Valerie said.
“He was. Daniel said Valentino arrived in England about a week ago.”
“When did you talk to Daniel?!” Valerie asked, bewildered.
“Tonight. He was in London, passing through. He wanted to get further inland, away from Dover because that is where Valentino landed.”
“That is not very far from hither.”
“Too close for comfort,” Samuel agreed. “I wish he had stayed in France. We are not ready to fight him. Julia and Adam are not even a century old. Their powers are just starting to develop.”
“Aye. We could go back to Birmingham.”
There was a long silence. “I would prefer to leave England,” Samuel said in reply.
I edged closer and peered around the corner. Valerie shook her head. “The nearest seaport is Dover, Samuel.”
“There’s Brighton,” Samuel murmured.
“’Tis practically next to Dover,” Valerie reminded him.
“Fie upon it. We will need to figure out a plan at the meeting tomorrow.”
“Perchance he will go back to France.”
This time it was Samuel who shook his head. “He will not. We both know why he is here.”
“Samuel –”
“He is here to kill me. You know that as well as I do.”
Valerie sighed. “We still may be able to get out of the country. Valentino must still be at least a week away if he did not need to feed. If he needed to stay in Dover to replenish his strength he could still be two weeks away.”
“I do not think it will be that easy to get away.”
“Damnit, Samuel! It is not just you that he wants to kill!”
“You think I do not know that!” Samuel exploded.
Valerie muttered something and looked away.
Samuel put his hands on her shoulders. “Damn, Val! Do not look like that!” he yelled. He winced and then lowered his voice. “You knew it would come down to this.”
Valerie turned away and stared down the street. “You said you were weaker than he. That you have always been weaker.”
“Aye.”
There was a long silence. “Julia said she had a strange dream two nights ago. One that foretold disaster and death.”
“It may not be that far off.”
“Are you trying to tell me you are going to die, Samuel?” she asked. I waited for his answer, as did she. There was none. “As the cat plays with the mouse so has it been a game,” Valerie muttered. I could barely hear her. “’Tis always had been.”
“Maw,” Samuel said softly. “No one knows who holds the trump card.”
I wanted to share a small excerpt of Pursuit into Darkness with fans and new readers alike. I will keep you up to date.
“I thought he was in France?” Valerie said.
“He was. Daniel said Valentino arrived in England about a week ago.”
“When did you talk to Daniel?!” Valerie asked, bewildered.
“Tonight. He was in London, passing through. He wanted to get further inland, away from Dover because that is where Valentino landed.”
“That is not very far from hither.”
“Too close for comfort,” Samuel agreed. “I wish he had stayed in France. We are not ready to fight him. Julia and Adam are not even a century old. Their powers are just starting to develop.”
“Aye. We could go back to Birmingham.”
There was a long silence. “I would prefer to leave England,” Samuel said in reply.
I edged closer and peered around the corner. Valerie shook her head. “The nearest seaport is Dover, Samuel.”
“There’s Brighton,” Samuel murmured.
“’Tis practically next to Dover,” Valerie reminded him.
“Fie upon it. We will need to figure out a plan at the meeting tomorrow.”
“Perchance he will go back to France.”
This time it was Samuel who shook his head. “He will not. We both know why he is here.”
“Samuel –”
“He is here to kill me. You know that as well as I do.”
Valerie sighed. “We still may be able to get out of the country. Valentino must still be at least a week away if he did not need to feed. If he needed to stay in Dover to replenish his strength he could still be two weeks away.”
“I do not think it will be that easy to get away.”
“Damnit, Samuel! It is not just you that he wants to kill!”
“You think I do not know that!” Samuel exploded.
Valerie muttered something and looked away.
Samuel put his hands on her shoulders. “Damn, Val! Do not look like that!” he yelled. He winced and then lowered his voice. “You knew it would come down to this.”
Valerie turned away and stared down the street. “You said you were weaker than he. That you have always been weaker.”
“Aye.”
There was a long silence. “Julia said she had a strange dream two nights ago. One that foretold disaster and death.”
“It may not be that far off.”
“Are you trying to tell me you are going to die, Samuel?” she asked. I waited for his answer, as did she. There was none. “As the cat plays with the mouse so has it been a game,” Valerie muttered. I could barely hear her. “’Tis always had been.”
“Maw,” Samuel said softly. “No one knows who holds the trump card.”
January 6, 2016
New Year, more Reading and Writing
Hello everyone! I hope the holidays have showered you with books you wanted. I have gotten several books I wanted for Christmas, and giftcards to buy the ones I didn't get. I finished a couple books I wanted to read, including the 3rd book of the Deglon Blood Series. Super happy.
I also have a source (thanks Jason!) for the Dresden Files books which I am gobbling up like candy. Deglon Blood and Dresden - I am flying through books like I haven't in years. No, I am not a speed reader. It is just the way my mind comprehends the written word when you intrigue it.
Anyways, I also had the word Writing in this blog title as well. I should get to that part, shouldn't I?
Now that the craziness of the holidays have died down and my brain has had time to create some "video" in its spare time, I am ready to start revision work on Book 3 of the War of Destiny series. I figure it is at least a year out, maybe more. It still needs a lot of work, but I will keep you updated on progress.
I also have a source (thanks Jason!) for the Dresden Files books which I am gobbling up like candy. Deglon Blood and Dresden - I am flying through books like I haven't in years. No, I am not a speed reader. It is just the way my mind comprehends the written word when you intrigue it.
Anyways, I also had the word Writing in this blog title as well. I should get to that part, shouldn't I?
Now that the craziness of the holidays have died down and my brain has had time to create some "video" in its spare time, I am ready to start revision work on Book 3 of the War of Destiny series. I figure it is at least a year out, maybe more. It still needs a lot of work, but I will keep you updated on progress.
December 22, 2015
Happy Holidays!
I wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday! I hope everyone enjoys time with loved ones and good food (and some good books as well!)
Wishing everyone a happy 2016!
Wishing everyone a happy 2016!
December 16, 2015
A Big Thank-You
I want to thank everyone who entered the Giveaway for Pursuit into Darkness! You made it a success with 476 people having entered!
Congratulations to the three winners - Darlene, Heidi, and Jeremy! Your autographed books will be on their way by the end of the week. I hope you enjoy it!
I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!
Congratulations to the three winners - Darlene, Heidi, and Jeremy! Your autographed books will be on their way by the end of the week. I hope you enjoy it!
I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!
December 3, 2015
Interview with a Vampire - Matthew
Matthew sits across from me at the table, sipping a glass of boubon. He agreed to an interview immediately as long as I had some hard liquor to spare.
Does living as a vampire have the same appeal as prior to being turned (if you’re that type of vampire)? If you had to do it over, would you?
Yes, being a vampire still has the same appeal. I would do it over in a heartbeat.
Who made you, and why? Was it by choice, or was the choice made for you?
Samuel was the vampire who turned me. We were already connected by the ka-tet when we met. Destiny bound us together so being turned was the logical choice. I embraced the idea of becoming a vampire, which I think freaked Samuel out a bit at the time.
What’s it like to be a vampire?
(Matthew grinned) It is freaking awesome! There is so much more that you can see and hear. I enjoy the abilities I have as a vampire.
From what you’ve witnessed yourself, do the history books have it right?
(He shrugged) Right according to whom? Many argue there are at least two sides to every story. Besides that, there were times in history where disease had driven mortals to near extinction. How would they know what was happening places where there weren’t very many humans? (He shook his head) That was some rough hunting times. There was so much humans didn’t know, so how could they get it completely correct?
Do you have an example of how much they didn’t know?
I’ll just say that mortals had more interaction with my kind than they know about. If you think about it, important mortals need protection at all hours of the day and night, right? (Wink, wink)
(I smiled slightly, completely at ease) Matthew, are you trying to tell me vampires have been bodyguards to some of the world’s most known historical figures?
(Matthew laughed) Is the idea really so far-fetched? There’s no worry about a vampire falling asleep in the middle of the night. It makes a great job for one of us. No one would question our sleeping habits if we are a night guard.
If you had the choice to no longer be a vampire – to just be a human again – would you go for it?
Nah. There are a few things I miss, but it is not enough to give up all I have.
Do vampires possess a soul? What difference does having or not having a soul make? What happens when you die? (Assuming you can actually die… Can you?)
I firmly believe all vampires have souls. I really don’t know what difference having a soul would make since we retain our souls. Now, the question whether that soul is good or bad, that’s another story. We can die. I have learned things over time that makes me believe the soul survives after death. Where it goes, well, I guess that goes back to that good or bad question.
Do you believe in ‘true love’ and ‘soul mates’?
Yes, I do. (He smiles wistfully) I had a soulmate. She was a wonderful, beautiful person. We had great times together. (He looks at me and sighed) Love is complicated, you know? I also believe it is possible to love someone who isn’t a soulmate. The love is not less, it is just different.
Should humans tolerate the existence of vampires?
(Matthew leaned back and looked deep in thought) That is a hard question. I am not sure if humans can really tolerate us openly. I think there might be some vampires who have made that impossible. However, I think we can co-exist peacefully as long as my kind isn’t cutting down humans left and right. (He paused) It would be cool if we can be friends, but that’s not always possible.
What do you think of the recent fashion for vampire books and films? Has it made your life harder or easier?
(Matthew howled with laughter) Can I look like a pale God like those vampires? I might not be ugly but I ain’t no movie star either. I wouldn’t want to be sparkly either. Seriously, it is really rare for humans to fall in love with vampires knowing what they are. Usually they have no idea and when they find out, the human is a little freaked out. It takes a lot of trust and patience to convince a human you love to be turned. I would say it has made my life easier. Did I mention how much I love mortals? (More laughing)
(I wait patiently for him to calm down. Finally, he is down to just a chuckle and asked the next question) If you live forever, or for thousands of years, and are difficult to kill, and are very strong and powerful… how do you not become a sociopath? And go off and start doing anything you want and acting on any impulse?
Some vampires get drunk on power and do exactly that. Personally, I love mortals and enjoy interacting with them. They are fun to be around. I caution my kind to not let power get to their heads, or else the mortals will organize and we will have hunters on us again. We might be hard to kill, but hunters train to do just that.
Thank you so much for your willingness to answer my questions! You are so open compared to Samuel. (I smiled happily) He was a little scary to talk to, to tell you the truth.
(Matthew sighed) Samuel had a much different life than me or Julia. Don’t condemn him for his rudeness. I embraced this life with full knowledge, he didn’t have that luxury. Aw, crap, I gotta go. Sunrise is in about an hour. See ya! (He stands and walks out)
Does living as a vampire have the same appeal as prior to being turned (if you’re that type of vampire)? If you had to do it over, would you?
Yes, being a vampire still has the same appeal. I would do it over in a heartbeat.
Who made you, and why? Was it by choice, or was the choice made for you?
Samuel was the vampire who turned me. We were already connected by the ka-tet when we met. Destiny bound us together so being turned was the logical choice. I embraced the idea of becoming a vampire, which I think freaked Samuel out a bit at the time.
What’s it like to be a vampire?
(Matthew grinned) It is freaking awesome! There is so much more that you can see and hear. I enjoy the abilities I have as a vampire.
From what you’ve witnessed yourself, do the history books have it right?
(He shrugged) Right according to whom? Many argue there are at least two sides to every story. Besides that, there were times in history where disease had driven mortals to near extinction. How would they know what was happening places where there weren’t very many humans? (He shook his head) That was some rough hunting times. There was so much humans didn’t know, so how could they get it completely correct?
Do you have an example of how much they didn’t know?
I’ll just say that mortals had more interaction with my kind than they know about. If you think about it, important mortals need protection at all hours of the day and night, right? (Wink, wink)
(I smiled slightly, completely at ease) Matthew, are you trying to tell me vampires have been bodyguards to some of the world’s most known historical figures?
(Matthew laughed) Is the idea really so far-fetched? There’s no worry about a vampire falling asleep in the middle of the night. It makes a great job for one of us. No one would question our sleeping habits if we are a night guard.
If you had the choice to no longer be a vampire – to just be a human again – would you go for it?
Nah. There are a few things I miss, but it is not enough to give up all I have.
Do vampires possess a soul? What difference does having or not having a soul make? What happens when you die? (Assuming you can actually die… Can you?)
I firmly believe all vampires have souls. I really don’t know what difference having a soul would make since we retain our souls. Now, the question whether that soul is good or bad, that’s another story. We can die. I have learned things over time that makes me believe the soul survives after death. Where it goes, well, I guess that goes back to that good or bad question.
Do you believe in ‘true love’ and ‘soul mates’?
Yes, I do. (He smiles wistfully) I had a soulmate. She was a wonderful, beautiful person. We had great times together. (He looks at me and sighed) Love is complicated, you know? I also believe it is possible to love someone who isn’t a soulmate. The love is not less, it is just different.
Should humans tolerate the existence of vampires?
(Matthew leaned back and looked deep in thought) That is a hard question. I am not sure if humans can really tolerate us openly. I think there might be some vampires who have made that impossible. However, I think we can co-exist peacefully as long as my kind isn’t cutting down humans left and right. (He paused) It would be cool if we can be friends, but that’s not always possible.
What do you think of the recent fashion for vampire books and films? Has it made your life harder or easier?
(Matthew howled with laughter) Can I look like a pale God like those vampires? I might not be ugly but I ain’t no movie star either. I wouldn’t want to be sparkly either. Seriously, it is really rare for humans to fall in love with vampires knowing what they are. Usually they have no idea and when they find out, the human is a little freaked out. It takes a lot of trust and patience to convince a human you love to be turned. I would say it has made my life easier. Did I mention how much I love mortals? (More laughing)
(I wait patiently for him to calm down. Finally, he is down to just a chuckle and asked the next question) If you live forever, or for thousands of years, and are difficult to kill, and are very strong and powerful… how do you not become a sociopath? And go off and start doing anything you want and acting on any impulse?
Some vampires get drunk on power and do exactly that. Personally, I love mortals and enjoy interacting with them. They are fun to be around. I caution my kind to not let power get to their heads, or else the mortals will organize and we will have hunters on us again. We might be hard to kill, but hunters train to do just that.
Thank you so much for your willingness to answer my questions! You are so open compared to Samuel. (I smiled happily) He was a little scary to talk to, to tell you the truth.
(Matthew sighed) Samuel had a much different life than me or Julia. Don’t condemn him for his rudeness. I embraced this life with full knowledge, he didn’t have that luxury. Aw, crap, I gotta go. Sunrise is in about an hour. See ya! (He stands and walks out)
November 9, 2015
Pursuit into Darkness: Mingling with the Mortals (Snippet # 3)
A snippet from Chapter 3 of Pursuit into Darkness. This is a longer excerpt than I usually post. I hope you enjoy it!
“If you were feeling well enough, we wondered if you and Adam wished to come to the White Hart Inn with us? You can hunt while we are out as well if you want to.”
I stared at them a moment, noticed how they were dressed. Matthew, who was a little taller than Adam, had on a red tunic with a black doublet. Christy was wearing a black gown trimmed with gold. Her blonde hair was pinned up in a simple black caul with a few pearls woven in.
“Is that where the knights and other guests of the palace are staying?” Adam questioned, glancing at me.
“Aye, some of them. They had a jousting tournament today so there is entertainment tonight,” Matthew replied.
“It sounds like fun if Julia is feeling well enough,” Adam replied.
I nodded. “I will feed as well.” I looked at Christy. “Could you help me with my hair? I have not pinned it up yet.”
Christy nodded. “I am sure we can find a nice caul to go with that black and blue dress.”
“We will meet you outside,” Matthew said as he and Adam left my room.
I turned around and noticed that a candle was now burning on my side of the bed. Was it my imagination or did it seem as if candles mysteriously light themselves when Matthew is around?
I opened my mouth to ask Christy, but she was already looking through my assortment of hair pieces. “This shall work well,” she said, holding up a black caul with several small sapphires tied in. “Let me braid your hair and get it up,” she continued.
Several minutes later, we joined Adam and Matthew outside the house. Due to my other activity tonight, we took our own carriage to the inn, with a slight detour. About a block away from our destination, Adam and I got out so I could find a suitable person to feed off.
It was early evening, shortly after sunset, so people were still on the streets, scurrying to get to their destinations. Within a minute, I had spotted the perfect meal. A young man, dressed in similar clothing to us, with a healthy flush to his skin. Adam kept an eye out while I made my move.
“Good eve, Sir. Pray pardon me, wherefore ist White Hart Inn?” I questioned. The young man looked up at me and I hypnotized him and led him off into an alley.
Tilting his head to the side, I gently bit the side of his throat. Warm rich fluid filled me, replenishing my strength. I took what I needed and carefully lowered the man onto the ground. He’ll wake in a little while with no memory of me or of what happened. It is better that way.
Adam and I rejoined the other two at the carriage and proceeded to the Inn. When we arrived, the evening’s festivities were already well underway. Many men and women of various upper classes were sitting on the wooden bar chairs and stools with mugs of ale. A small musical trope was playing in the front corner of the room and a small group of people danced to the music.
I wondered for a moment if we would be too conspicuous, but we were greeted warmly. Before too long, we were sitting at a table with several knights and their ladies and sharing in the carousing. As we conversed with our new human acquaintances, I watched Adam with love and pride. He never misspoke and called a person by the wrong title when he talked. He glanced at me and I could see relief, joy, and excitement on his face. We had worked for a long time to refine his skills so he could blend in and accompany me to various social occasions.
“Matthew had a wonderful idea to come here,” he whispered to me over the noise of the crowd. I smiled and squeezed his hand for a moment. The movement was so quick that the humans would not notice.
I glanced to my left where Matthew and Christy sat. “Sir John, your joust at tournament was a wonder to behold,” he said.
“Aye, I toss’d every opponent that came at me. Marry, I say! I believe I saw the beautiful Lady Christy in the stands,” The knight grinned and slapped Matthew on the back. Although he was of broader stature than Matthew, my friend didn’t move more than an inch from the force. The knight looked vaguely surprised. “Do you joust, Lord Matthew?”
“Nay, ‘tis been awhile,” Matthew replied with a smile.
Adam and I looked at Christy, who had blushed slightly. “Sir John, you flatter me so,” she said with a sweet smile.
We then shared a look, he with a slightly puzzled expression. I shook my head in amusement. No matter how many times I have seen it, watching the two of them immerse themselves almost seamlessly with the humans always amazed me.
How did Matthew know how the knight did at the tournament? And why did he swear he saw Christy in the stands? Adam questioned silently.
Telepathy has its advantages. As for the knight, he is simply trying to place us. He thinks he must have seen her somewhere since we obviously know the outcome of the day’s tournament so his mind fills in the simplest of answers.
You look like you belong, you act as if you belong, then you take the barest amount of information from their own minds, and you have your disguise. Humans do not like to think more than they have to. Especially inebriated ones, Matthew added.
Christy and I both giggled as Adam smiled.
“If you were feeling well enough, we wondered if you and Adam wished to come to the White Hart Inn with us? You can hunt while we are out as well if you want to.”
I stared at them a moment, noticed how they were dressed. Matthew, who was a little taller than Adam, had on a red tunic with a black doublet. Christy was wearing a black gown trimmed with gold. Her blonde hair was pinned up in a simple black caul with a few pearls woven in.
“Is that where the knights and other guests of the palace are staying?” Adam questioned, glancing at me.
“Aye, some of them. They had a jousting tournament today so there is entertainment tonight,” Matthew replied.
“It sounds like fun if Julia is feeling well enough,” Adam replied.
I nodded. “I will feed as well.” I looked at Christy. “Could you help me with my hair? I have not pinned it up yet.”
Christy nodded. “I am sure we can find a nice caul to go with that black and blue dress.”
“We will meet you outside,” Matthew said as he and Adam left my room.
I turned around and noticed that a candle was now burning on my side of the bed. Was it my imagination or did it seem as if candles mysteriously light themselves when Matthew is around?
I opened my mouth to ask Christy, but she was already looking through my assortment of hair pieces. “This shall work well,” she said, holding up a black caul with several small sapphires tied in. “Let me braid your hair and get it up,” she continued.
Several minutes later, we joined Adam and Matthew outside the house. Due to my other activity tonight, we took our own carriage to the inn, with a slight detour. About a block away from our destination, Adam and I got out so I could find a suitable person to feed off.
It was early evening, shortly after sunset, so people were still on the streets, scurrying to get to their destinations. Within a minute, I had spotted the perfect meal. A young man, dressed in similar clothing to us, with a healthy flush to his skin. Adam kept an eye out while I made my move.
“Good eve, Sir. Pray pardon me, wherefore ist White Hart Inn?” I questioned. The young man looked up at me and I hypnotized him and led him off into an alley.
Tilting his head to the side, I gently bit the side of his throat. Warm rich fluid filled me, replenishing my strength. I took what I needed and carefully lowered the man onto the ground. He’ll wake in a little while with no memory of me or of what happened. It is better that way.
Adam and I rejoined the other two at the carriage and proceeded to the Inn. When we arrived, the evening’s festivities were already well underway. Many men and women of various upper classes were sitting on the wooden bar chairs and stools with mugs of ale. A small musical trope was playing in the front corner of the room and a small group of people danced to the music.
I wondered for a moment if we would be too conspicuous, but we were greeted warmly. Before too long, we were sitting at a table with several knights and their ladies and sharing in the carousing. As we conversed with our new human acquaintances, I watched Adam with love and pride. He never misspoke and called a person by the wrong title when he talked. He glanced at me and I could see relief, joy, and excitement on his face. We had worked for a long time to refine his skills so he could blend in and accompany me to various social occasions.
“Matthew had a wonderful idea to come here,” he whispered to me over the noise of the crowd. I smiled and squeezed his hand for a moment. The movement was so quick that the humans would not notice.
I glanced to my left where Matthew and Christy sat. “Sir John, your joust at tournament was a wonder to behold,” he said.
“Aye, I toss’d every opponent that came at me. Marry, I say! I believe I saw the beautiful Lady Christy in the stands,” The knight grinned and slapped Matthew on the back. Although he was of broader stature than Matthew, my friend didn’t move more than an inch from the force. The knight looked vaguely surprised. “Do you joust, Lord Matthew?”
“Nay, ‘tis been awhile,” Matthew replied with a smile.
Adam and I looked at Christy, who had blushed slightly. “Sir John, you flatter me so,” she said with a sweet smile.
We then shared a look, he with a slightly puzzled expression. I shook my head in amusement. No matter how many times I have seen it, watching the two of them immerse themselves almost seamlessly with the humans always amazed me.
How did Matthew know how the knight did at the tournament? And why did he swear he saw Christy in the stands? Adam questioned silently.
Telepathy has its advantages. As for the knight, he is simply trying to place us. He thinks he must have seen her somewhere since we obviously know the outcome of the day’s tournament so his mind fills in the simplest of answers.
You look like you belong, you act as if you belong, then you take the barest amount of information from their own minds, and you have your disguise. Humans do not like to think more than they have to. Especially inebriated ones, Matthew added.
Christy and I both giggled as Adam smiled.
November 2, 2015
Book 2 is Out!
Whew! I am excited to let my readers know that book 2 of the War of Destiny series is finally out! Pursuit into Darkness was released on Halloween!
I am very excited to share the good news, although there was a slight glitch so the paperback and Kindle editions are not showing up together yet. (Amazon is working on it, so do not fear).
In the meantime, you can find the links to both editions here: Pursuit into Darkness
I am also happy that the pressure is off and I can finish a short story I have been working on and get back to reading some of the books on my to-read list in my spare time! I will also be starting the long tedious process of editing book 3 soon.
Happy reading and Nanowrimo to all!
I am very excited to share the good news, although there was a slight glitch so the paperback and Kindle editions are not showing up together yet. (Amazon is working on it, so do not fear).
In the meantime, you can find the links to both editions here: Pursuit into Darkness
I am also happy that the pressure is off and I can finish a short story I have been working on and get back to reading some of the books on my to-read list in my spare time! I will also be starting the long tedious process of editing book 3 soon.
Happy reading and Nanowrimo to all!
October 29, 2015
Cover Reveal!
Hello everyone! The cover for Book 2 of the War of Destiny series is complete and looks awesome! I am awaiting approval from CreateSpace on the book itself.
In the meantime, you can check out the cover on my Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/WarofDestiny...
(A quick reminder, book 1 is on sale through November 2nd for 99¢ on the Kindle Countdown Sale).
In the meantime, you can check out the cover on my Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/WarofDestiny...
(A quick reminder, book 1 is on sale through November 2nd for 99¢ on the Kindle Countdown Sale).
