Dayalananda eased his entire body into the pillows, his hands losing their deliberateness, surrendering in his lap. He sang “Aum” with long, soft exhales. The light in the room flowed with their voices, colors merged and separated within them so the boundaries were hard to find. Loti reached deep into Wolf’s prana until they were like one being. He saw through her eyes, and she felt with his heart. Their heart beats slowed; their breathing so subtle it was like the air wandered in and out of their lungs with no effort. Together they watched the light lose the distinction of separate beings until a clear, white light engulfed them all, and Dayalananda’s light was the light in the room. Bliss and gratitude seeped out their eyes, and the light grew brighter until it flared wide, then faded. The room returned to a peaceful flow of prana.
Feeling less contained, more a part, Loti touched Dayalananda’s still hand and wrapped her fingers around it.
“He’s gone,” she whispered.
The room fluttered in the orange glow of a sputtering fire. Soft suckling noises faded, stopped, and then a fair-haired youth slumped to the couch. The black-haired man sitting beside him licked his lips. It was difficult to assess exactly how old he was; he had an aura of agelessness about him. His washed-out eyes held a strange energy—a blend of religious zeal and childish eagerness.
“That was divine, Mark.” He patted the blonde’s jean-clad leg.
Mark said nothing. His heart had stopped beating.
“I can’t survive on these generous gifts much longer,” Modore said to the corpse. “I need a new warlock to spike my meals. You just didn’t have Patrick’s talent, I’m sorry to say. But,” He rubbed the young man’s leg, “your magic tasted like lightning. So close, but not quite powerful enough, although your gift should last me another year or so.”
He sighed as he glided off the black leather couch and over to the stone fireplace. He studied the flames, as if they were speaking to him, and maybe they were. All things flowed with life; some more than others.
“I have lived far longer than any vampire I have ever known or heard of.” Modore’s eyes reflected the dying flames. “And I doubt any one knows what I know.”
He spun around to his companion.
“I do hope Christian’s new pet is as powerful as he says.” His mouth tightened into a grimace as he scooped Mark up into his arms. Gazing down at Mark’s lifeless eyes, Modore’s expression softened. “You know I had no choice, my dear? If you had been able to . . . like Patrick. Well, ifs and hopes do not solutions provide, do they? If she can produce the quality of magic required, I won’t need to do the same to her. And, hopefully,” he released a derisive snort, “she will bring me my Light Walker and this will never be necessary, again.”
I hope you have enjoyed Enlightened, Book 1 of the Love and Light Series. As an independent author, it is a great privilege to bring you my stories, but one of the challenges is not having a traditional publicist and other promotional venues. If you have enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review or comment at Amazon or Goodreads.
~Melissa Lummis
www.melissalummis.com
There are so many people to thank for getting this book off the ground, I don’t know where to begin. Actually, yes I do. First, I need to say thank you to my husband. It has been a long hike getting to this point and although it wasn’t all sunshine and daydreams, he was always there, pacing, listening, supporting and generally cheering me on. I also need to thank C. G. Powell for taking me under her wing and introducing me to the world of indie authors. If not for you, Christine, I might still be floundering around in shallow writing waters, and I certainly never would have met the wonderful IC. What can I say about the IC? You have been my undying support and I am honored and humbled to know you all. I need to acknowledge my crit partner Olivia Hardin. Wow! You are an amazing lady. And I have to thank my editors Liz Schulte and Kristin Beaird for their eagle eyes and guidance. Thank you so very much for helping me not only turn this book into something publishable, but for helping me to build my writing muscles and for teaching me how to be more flexible. And thank you to all my friends and supporters. There are too many to name. I am truly blessed.
Melissa Lummis considers herself a truth seeker, a peaceful warrior, a paranormal and fantasy writer, an avid reader, a thru-hiker GAàME ’98, a wife, a mother, and a free thinker. She believes the universe conspires to help an adventurer. And if we live our lives as if it is a daring adventure (and it is!), then everything we need will find its way to us.
The author lives in rural Virginia with her husband, two children, an Alaskan Malamute and a myriad of forest creatures. The nature of her mind dictates that she write to stay sane. Otherwise, her fertile imagination takes off on tangents of its own accord, creating scenarios and worlds that confuse the space-time continuum.
Namaste, dear friends.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Preface
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
www.melissalummis.com
Enlightened (Love and Light Series) Page 28