The Night Within Us: Dark Vampire Romance

by Sylvie Grohne

  “It was suddenly here beside you on the bed when I came back after leaving briefly to feed. It's full of things I didn't know. Also lots of confusing things I don't understand because they're written so cryptically with mysterious pictures and runes. But the maps with the protected regions are unequivocal. We'll be safe there. We should set off as soon as possible for one of those areas.”

  "You didn't know about these safe zones before?”

  He shakes his head. “And even if I had known about them. . . since I thought I was being hunted by all watchers, I would never have sought refuge there.” His blue eyes scrutinize me insistently. “And? Can you get used to the idea of going there with me?”

  “To me, it doesn't matter in the least where I am, as long as you're with me,” I answer quietly. “I just wish I could see my father again.”

  “Airas will find him. We'll find him, Amy.”

  He pulls me into his arms gently and whispers, “We have all the time in the world.”

  I blink back tears and feel a smile rising from deep within me, as I repeat his sentence slowly in my head. We have all the time in the world.

  Epilogue

  Surrounded by ancient stones in a cave by the shore, the salty night air is one of the few things that are still familiar to me. The world has changed, and I can't find my bearings in it anymore. Not because of the many strange things and the changes in the way people behave, but because of the fact that Emilia no longer lives in this world. Maybe she's now amongst the many stars which shine in the blue-black night sky and which I look up at with tears in my eyes. But maybe all that remains of her is the picture I carry in my heart. That, and our children, who are out there somewhere, and one of whom already carries our grandchildren in her. I hope I can hold them in my arms one day and tell them of the woman who was my light in the darkness and maybe still is. Because if she should really be one of the stars up there above us, then she must be the brightest of them all.

  Book two of Amy and Noah's story,

  The Light Within Us,

  will be released in 2017.

  Sign up here to be notified when it is available and get your FREE copy of the soundtrack to

  The Night Within Us!

  Acknowledgements

  There were days when I thought I'd never finish writing the story which wouldn't let go of me for so many years. But now, the film in my head really has been captured in a good hundred thousand words. Numerous people accompanied and supported me along the way. I'd like to thank them here by name:

  Michelle and Tiziana, to whom I have dedicated this book. You were the first people I told, years before, that my dreams were visited, time and again, by vampires. You were also the first to read the manuscript and give me the green light, in spite of the erotic scenes, which you preferred to imagine someone else had written.

  Your continuous encouragement, in which there was never the slightest hint of doubt, gave me courage on days of self-doubt. You are the best things in my life.

  My husband, Joe, who showed true patience when I was off in my supernatural parallel world and who always supported me, even if the appeal of vampires and angels is lost on him.

  Birgit and Gitte, who always believed in me and weren't only the best friends in the world to me, but were like family. My kindred spirits. Whichever cloud you're both sitting on up there – keep a spot for me.

  Sina and Ilona, the Glimmerfee whose friendship brings so much light and sparkles into my life, and with whom I have so much in common. Thanks for encouraging me and getting excited with me, for the inspiration, for beta-reading, for the awesome suggestions, for your warm words and interest. You're simply wonderful!

  Per-Anders, my long-time good friend, who created the song 'Naked' for the story with me, because Amy and Noah drove me to it. Of all our MoonFlowerMusic songs, this one is especially close to my heart. You know I love it! Here, I also owe heartfelt thanks to Marie for the piano melody, to Rick for his magic on the guitar, and to Katrin for the vocals preparation.

  Infy Snow – http://infyofficial.com/ – and

  Antonio Cappiello – http://www.antomusic.com/, who immediately agreed to sing 'Naked' when I asked them. You give Amy and Noah your awesome voices. I love you guys!

  Daniel and Infy of Empyreal Visuals for the many hours of work on the awesome music video. Also Christine Noels for her support.

  My dear friend Karin, I'm so glad to have met you. I still smile whenever I think about your enthusiasm and the chocolate comparison. ☺

  Pece Zdravkovski, for the wonderful lyric video and Alexander Kopainski for the beautifully done cover image. Two impressive young artists, about whom I'm sure we'll hear lots of good things in future.

  For their valuable tips, I'd like to thank the authors Claudia Toman, Nina George, David Rohlmann, Thomas Knip and Kristina Löffler, as well as Dagmar, Naike and Sandra.

  I don't want to forget to mention our dogs Black Jack and Hexe (Witch, who unfortunately is no longer with us now), who always brought me back to reality with their barking, so that I didn't get completely lost in the parallel world.

  I'd also like to thank all the artists whose music and lyrics found their way into my book:

  Michael Ortega – Inception, piano song.

  Ritchie Kotzen – Larger Than Life – headroom-inc.

  Coldplay – A Sky Full of Stars – Written by

  Bergling, Tim / Berryman, Guy / Martin, Chris / Buckland, Jonathan / Champion, William – published by Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

  Frédéric Chopin – Tristesse, Revolutionary Etude

  Paul Anka – You Are My Destiny – RCA Records Label

  The Chordettes – Mr. Sandman – Pat Ballard – Cadence Records

  Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe – Written by Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay, Tavish Crowe – Interscope Records

  David Garret

  Lindsey Stirling

  Boy Epic – he may not have been mentioned in this book, but his inspiring music accompanies me time and again, not only while writing.

  Rainer Maria Rilke, whose poem “The Panther” I fell in love with even as a child.

  William Shakespeare, one of the kings of dramatic literature.

  It was my dearest wish to see Amy and Noah's story translated into English one day, because it is a language close to my heart, and Canada and the United States are like a second home to me. Thanks to my wonderful translator Tracy Phua, this dream is now a reality. With her eye for detail and keen feel for language, she has done a magnificent job. Working with her was a pleasure and she is a truly delightful person.

  My heartfelt thanks also go to Bradley Hall, who undertook the proofreading of the English translation.

  A very special thank-you too, goes to Amkaya, Ramon, Noah and the rest of the gang. For creeping into my dreams at night, biting hard and not letting go. Thank you for your many visits – my door is always open for you.

  http://www.sylviegrohne.com

  facebook.com/Sylvie.Grohne.Author