Synopsis
After centuries of
searching, Lawrence has found the perfect person to help him birth a new race
of vampires: Jocelyn, the girl he’s groomed to be the most powerful courtesan
at the court of King James. All goes according to plan until Michael Barwick
arrives at court and threatens everything.
Michael abandoned his
life at sea in order to take his place as Baron Barwick after his brother’s
death. Overwhelmed by his duties, he’s eager to leave court until Jocelyn sits
across from him in a tavern. The intriguing woman soon has him opening his
heart to her, and he’s prepared to fight for a place in her life.
Jocelyn’s desire for
Michael, the one man who has ever fought past her professional façade to truly
love her, threatens her independence. When Lawrence offers her the gift of
eternal life, she must choose between the man she loves and the freedom she’s
struggled for.
Fates Entwined is a
prequel and is intended to be read after Haunting Echoes.
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Read Chapter 1 of
Fates Entwined Now
Chapter One
Lawrence admired the amber and gold music box on the parlor mantle while
he waited for Jocelyn to join him. A delicate golden elephant twirled as
tinkling music floated through the air. The superb craftsmanship impressed even
him, and he wondered which of her clients had gifted it to her.
Lawrence noticed Jocelyn’s energy brushing against him,
reaching out to him, before he heard her steps on the stairs. Her aura
enveloped him in its warmth, the strength of its touch bringing a smile to his
lips. The approaching young woman was unaware of the magnificence of her
energy. Her ignorance made her all the more attractive, as did the fact that
she was his. He had taken her raw talents and molded her into his most
successful courtesan.
“Lawrence, sorry to keep you
waiting.”
“Not at all, my dear.” Lawrence
kissed her on each cheek then held her at arm’s length.
“You didn’t have to
doll yourself up for me.” Jocelyn’s dark blue dress with black lace trim
brought out the shine in her auburn hair. A simple blue ribbon with a golden,
heart-shaped charm accentuated her slender neck.
A young maid entered with a tea
service. Without having to be told, she served Lawrence a cup with two lumps of
sugar and a little cream. After handing Jocelyn her cup, the girl left as
quietly as she’d come.
“How is Anne faring?” Lawrence blew
on his tea. The maid was new to Jocelyn’s service and hoped to someday be a
courtesan.
“Well enough. I don’t know if she’ll
make anything of herself, but she’s pretty.”
“You should know that it’s not the
looks that make the girl.” Jocelyn was beautiful in her own way, but there were
plenty of women more attractive than her at court. Her eyes were hazel instead
of the more desired blue, she refused to cover her auburn hair with fashionable
blonde dyes or wigs, and her bosom was smaller than most men preferred in their
paid company. But appearance could only take a girl so far.
“She’s eager to learn, but she lacks
patience.” Jocelyn took a sip of her tea.
“If she’s not suitable, we can find
someone else. There’s no lack of girls wanting to learn from you.” Lawrence’s
tea was sweet, but it didn’t sate his thirst. He would need a real drink once
he left Jocelyn.
“Let’s give her some more time. I’ve
grown used to her.”
Lawrence nodded. “How was your night
with the Marquess of Buckingham?”
“George was wonderful, as always.”
She held something back. There was a
way she held her mouth and eyes, as if trying to prevent her emotions from
showing. It worked well on clients, but Lawrence wasn’t a client. A decade
spent studying her as he’d raised and trained her had attuned him to her
physical tics as well as her energy. “He offered to install you as his official
mistress, didn’t he?”
Jocelyn sighed as she placed her
teacup on the table and faced Lawrence. “Yes, he did.”
“And you weren’t going to tell me?”
“Why would I? I have no intention of
accepting.”
Of course she didn’t. She would never
give up her independence to anyone. Lawrence exclusively held her strings.
“Still, I should think something that momentous would warrant at least a
mention.”
“He knew what my answer would be. If
I’d accepted, he would have lost interest. My refusal didn’t appear to dampen
his affection. He’ll be here next Tuesday. I’m entertaining a few people to
discuss The Pennylesse Pilgrimage by John Taylor.”
“Good. I’ll put it on the calendar.
Now, why are you looking so desirable tonight?”
“I was thinking of going to King’s
Head.”
“You don’t have to go looking for
business at the inn, dear. You’re more than welcome to take the night off. You
have a masquerade the day after tomorrow.” It was no surprise that she was
eager to exert her independence after having it threatened. The Marquess was a
good man who genuinely cared for Jocelyn. He might even love her. He would have
seen his offer as security for Jocelyn, but she would only see it as another
man trying to control her. She had Lawrence, and he had done a good job of
convincing her he was all she would ever need.
“I know, but it’s fun. I promise I
won’t overwork myself. You need to stop worrying, Lawrence. I’ll be fine. I
enjoy the change of pace away from court.”
“Then have fun. You’ve earned it.”
•••
Lawrence licked Jane’s neck, his
mouth watering in anticipation. A gentle pressure in his mouth released his
fangs. The razor sharp teeth sank into Jane’s skin, releasing the warm flow of
blood. Thicker than water, sweeter than wine, it slaked his thirst. The warmth
brought life. Stolen life.
Lawrence released her neck. Jane was
one of his favorite whores. While Jocelyn’s success afforded her a private
residence, his other girls lived in the brothel, servicing the crowds Hampton
Court Palace drew. Lawrence had his own home, but he was rarely there. He
preferred to make use of his suite in the brothel, where he could keep an eye
on his girls and the comings and goings. He didn’t mind Jocelyn’s independence.
He wouldn’t dream of using her services himself. She was too important to him.
Lawrence kissed along Jane’s breasts
until he reached the other side. As always, his victim was unaware of his
actions. The venom in his fangs masked the pain. Jane would only feel a light
pressure and sucking sensation. Nothing out of the ordinary in her line of
work. He descended once again on her neck, taking a little more.
Once Jane finished him off, sating
more than just his thirst, she swayed drowsily to her room. Lawrence rose. For
him, a bed’s only purpose was fucking. He had not slept in more than two
centuries. He sauntered to the bookshelf, trying not to think of what he
couldn’t have. Selecting the most recent medical treatise, he situated himself
in his worn armchair to read.
It took effort to
concentrate on the words in front of him. Jocelyn was almost ready. He longed
to feel her blood on his lips, sliding down his throat, to taste its tangy
sweetness. But it wasn’t feeding he craved. No, the feeding would only be a
precursor. She would be shocked by the truth of his existence, but he didn’t
doubt she would join him. He would pour her blood back into her. Mixed with his
venom, it would transform her into a vampire. His first daughter.
Meet Caethes Faron
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 two dogs. She currently
resides in Florida.
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