Category: Action/Thriller Publisher: Publish America
ISBN-10: 1424108152
Type: Fiction
Pages: 406
Copyright: November 2005
Devastated by the death of Dantalion, Alexandra throws herself into self-exile while making several futile attempts at suicide, until interesting yet suspicious new characters enter her life. As they try to help her cope with her fast-evolving vampiric side, she struggles to maintain the last remnants of her humanity.
Consumed with powers beyone her knowledge and control, Alexandra's wanton cravings open up a floodgate of new problems for her, especially figuring out how to deal with her feelings for a new suitor... and a couple of old ones.
Alex walked past the Art Museum and towards the river again.
She exhaled, watching her breath become vapor in the icy air. She
leaned against a tree when she got a little past the boathouses. Staring
at the moon’s reflection in the river, she found herself in a light trance.
“I need to fix everything wrong in my life! I want Dantalion back.
I want to get out of The Resurrection. I want to say goodbye to Paul,
and I want Sallos to move on without me.”
A figure not too far behind her shifted, listening to her. Alex’s
senses picked up on it, and she froze.
“What did you just say?”
She turned, knowing the voice. Alex smiled and ran towards him.
She crashed into him with a hug, tears in her eyes.
“I’m so glad to see you,” she said, sniffing. “I feel so lost…like
everything’s moving too fast for me to catch up! It’s driving me nuts!”
“Easy girl,” Antonio said, stroking her hair. “I told you to call me
whenever you needed to. Why wait so long?”
“I wanted to see if I could make out all right on my own. I don’t like
to bother anyone when I have problems.”
“You can’t live in this world all by yourself.”
“I know, I know, it’s just…too much weird shit is going on all at
once.”
“I overheard some of what you were saying. What did you say
about Sallos?”
She looked at him, a trickle of nervousness zipping through her.
“He…he’s alive.”
Antonio stiffened, staring at her.
“Alive…?”
She nodded slowly.
“You told me you killed him!”
“I know, and when he tracked me down, it scared the hell out of
me. But he explained everything. His buddies worked out a spell to
bring him back. It must have been the same one you and Divanna
used for Michael.”
“Those imbeciles tampered with magick?!” he yelled out, but not
directly to her. “No one is allowed to do that, except Divanna, the
Elders and whomever they choose!” He turned to her, a look of
foreboding on his face.
“What they did is blasphemy to the vampire race!”
Alex looked confused. “But…wouldn’t that make what you and
Divanna did wrong too?”
“Yes…and no. We did bring a former vampire back, but he’s
human now. There’s the difference. Bringing back a vampire is a
different story. It would be just like a human bringing back another
human. It would upset the natural order of things.”
“Is Michael’s presence screwing up things for him and his
family?”
“Doesn’t seem like it. But Sallos is back, and that isn’t good.”
“What could happen?”
“As you already know, everyone’s not the same when they return
from the other side.”
“That’s just it!” She stepped up to him, giving him a calm, assuring
look. “He’s not the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s the total opposite of how we knew him. It’s almost
unbelievable.”
“Exactly. And that’s why I don’t trust it. You don’t know Sallos as
well as I. He’s a sneaky, deceitful sonofabitch that should have stayed
dead!” He walked a few paces past her, running his hands through
his hair. “Where is he now?”
“At the club.”
He put his hands in his pockets thinking. “Has he made any
comments about coming back to Gratista House?”
“Nope. I think he has his own place now.”
“Did he speak of getting revenge on anyone?”
She shook her head. “Dantalion’s name irks him, but he shows no
rage against him or anything. He’s kind, playful, gentle,
romantic…he wants to be happy, have fun with his life.”
“Has he seen Michael?”
“No.”
“It’s best he doesn’t. He may be docile now, but he’s unstable.
Always has been.”
‘But I know the reason why,’ she thought to herself.
“Do you know where he stays?”
She shook her head again. “He’s been with me all day, constantly
telling me how much he missed me, and that he loves me and doesn’t
want me leaving him…”
He turned to her sharply. “He said he loved you?”
She looked puzzled. “Yes.”
“Hmm. He’s never told anyone he loved them. God, maybe he has
changed. Perhaps…you did get through to him. Nevertheless, be on
you best guard. Watch him and his attitude for ANY change.”
“Are you gonna tell Divanna about Sallos?”
“Not right now. She’s almost at full strength, and I don’t need
anything shocking her into remission.”
Alex paused for a moment. “You know, if the dead is supposed to
stay dead, then why are spells created to bring them back to life?”
“Who the hell knows.” Antonio sniffed. “To give us choices
perhaps? To mess with our free will? It’s the drama that makes our
world go round, I guess.” He hugged Alex again. “I’d better get back
and start interrogating the guys he hung out with, and figure out how
to get you into Gratista House where you belong.”
“Antonio,” she said suddenly. “How’s Michael? Do you see him
often?”
“Off and on. From a distance of course.” He looked disappointed.
“Not quite acting like how I’d expect him to. He goes to bars a lot.
Drinks like a fish…I thought I used to be bad.” He sniffed again. “And
the couple of girls I’ve seen him hang out with…he could do so much
better.”
Hearing that started to make her blood boil. Antonio picked up on
it immediately.
“And that’s exactly why I will never tell you any of his
whereabouts.”
She looked up and gasped.
“That’s not fair.” She folded her arms.
Antonio sighed, grabbing her by her shoulders. “I know you love
him, and I know he loved you…man how he’d ramble on and on
about you…but Dantalion is gone. I’m sorry he’s gone. You must
realize his essence has died away. Who you see now is a human, and
not who you fell in love with. Keep the memory of Dantalion and you
in your heart. It will have to be enough…for your sanity and
Michael’s.”
“Should I stay with Sallos?” She was still lost as to what to do with
him.
Antonio gave her a peculiar look. “Stay with him?”
“I feel like I have to—or need to. But then something says I should
get as far away from him as possible. Why, I don’t know. Probably out
of fear, or resentment. I can never tell.”
“As much as I hate to tell you, you two really are one. You’ve had
each other’s blood. Even if you do get away from him…he’ll always
be around in one way or another. In your heart, your mind…” He
sighed. “You could hate him forever if you tried, but you’ll always
love him. He could say he doesn’t want you around, but deep down,
he’ll always want you. The deep curse of love runs so strong in us, it’s
sickening. We’re passionate about love, life, even death. It’s been
instilled in us for centuries.”
Antonio kissed her on her forehead. “I must go for now. But
anytime you need me—”
She looked at him, giving him a faint smile.
“You’re strong. And very brave. Stronger and braver than a lot of
the vampires I know.”
He walked down the street and seemed to vanish into the darkness.
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