I think about the battle ground we left, and how much it resembled the images in my visions. The dismembered bodies piled high and the evidence of gene warfare. I imagine how this is going to look to the outside world; a military base abandoned to a religious order, then wiped out by an invading force.
Of course, with so many of us having retreated into the sanctuary, it’s going to appear there were far fewer of the Credinciosi, and that they have been wiped out. I can imagine the accusations of ethnic cleansing already, especially since so many of the bodies will have been decapitated and had their hearts ripped out and burned. The Calugari will have slipped into the background, leaving the Serbs to defend against those claims, and they will have mutilated bodies of their own to parade before the world.
Dillon is right; there is worse to come. I look around the room with fresh eyes.
“There are so few of us.”
My eyes fall on Alaric and his two remaining sons, who show no sign of enjoying the proceedings.
“And what about them?” I nod in their direction. “Something tells me they’re not the type to forgive and forget easily.”
“Perhaps not, but Alaric is a stickler for the rules. He won’t dare move against the houses of Elizondo and Tornicasa united,” Faruk grins, giving my shoulders an impulsive hug. “You’re the daughter of one elder, the intended bride of the heir of another, and you hold the third’s life in thrall; he can’t touch you.”
“Hold his life in thrall?”
“Dillon made sure of that. He owes you his life. Until that debt is repaid, he and his clan are at your command. You’re the most influential member of the whole coven. You could even challenge Princess Lilleth.”
I scan the room. The Princess is in conversation with Ruth and Falk, her face stern as ever. Not likely. I’d hate to be the one to take her on. Besides, why would I? She’s the one who granted me protection, right?
Her eyes meet mine. The corners of her eyes crinkle, the mere hint of a smile catching the corners of her mouth.
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ she projects the words into my mind, ‘you’re far from ready, child.’
I smile and nod, turning my attention back to Dillon and Faruk. I try to ignore the nagging thought at the back of my mind; ready for what?
The Princess breaks from Falk and beckons me to her.
“The Sanctuary is about to be tested,” she tells me, taking my arm, and drawing me aside. “It may fail. The houses are divided, when they can least afford to be. I’m afraid it falls to you to unite them.”
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Breed: Books
Coming Soon
Breed: Sleeper
Dillon has dreamed of coming home for two hundred years. But he never imagined he would be bringing The Breed slayers and the Anti-Vampire Alliance with him, or preparing for battle at the gates of The Sanctuary.
With The Coven in crisis, his father losing his grip on the knowledge that protects them, and his beloved Maxi battling her own demons, Dillon is on his own, and out of time.
Slipping out of The Sanctuary, Dillon goes back to what he does best – spying on The Breed from within – but with new enemies and broken alliances, can he save himself, let alone The Coven?
Breed: Slayer is the second book in the Breed: paranormal horror series. Coming Soon.
Join the Credinciosi at SandraSeymour.com to be one of the first to get your copy.
Breed: Seeker
With the only woman he loves betrothed to his brother, Faruk has to choose between loyalty and love. His father is losing his mind, his brothers have absconded, and the factions within The Coven might just tear it apart before their enemies get the chance.
But when Faruk leaves The Coven with a plan to garner support from the Italian Vampires, he doesn’t bargain on the Varcolac, ancient enemies of the vampires, entering the fray. Or on his brother’s long-lost lover jeopardising his one chance to put things right.
Can Faruk restore relations with the other vampire nations, or will the Russian and Chinese covens join forces with the Anti-Vampire Alliance and doom The Sanctuary forever?
Breed: Seeker is the third book in the Breed: paranormal horror series. Coming Soon.
Breed: Sanctuary
Patrick was exiled from The Sanctuary over two centuries ago – now it’s his job to save it.
With both his brothers exposed to the Anti-Vampire Alliance and in love with the same woman, and his father’s ascension imminent, Patrick must save a rebel group of witches, convince the Russian, Chinese, and Italian vampire Covens to co-operate with his plans, and placate an ancient enemy, all while keeping his own nature secret.
Breed: Sanctuary is the Fourth book in the Breed: paranormal horror series. Coming Soon.
Spread the Word
WHEN IT COMES to getting attention for books, reviews are the most effective tool any indie author has.
Without the might of a big-six publisher behind us, you won’t catch Max et al on the side of a bus, or on the Tube wall.
But underground authors have a secret weapon:
You.
If you enjoyed Breed: Slayer, tell your friends and family. Tell your co-workers. Better yet, tell the world. I’d love it, and be very grateful, if you left an honest review on your favourite book review site.
If you spotted a typo, or have a question about the books, characters, or story world, drop me an email at [email protected].
Acknowledgements
THANKS TO my mum, for always having high hopes for and expectations of me, even when I don’t live up to them, and to my dad for being the best never ending source of encouragement and support anyone could ever ask for. You are the best parents in the world, and I love you both.
Thanks also to my big sisters Mary and Dawn for always looking out for me and encouraging my imagination, indulging my fantasies and being the best friends I’ve ever had.
Special thanks to Dek, for showing me that real love is not conditional and for putting up with my mood swings, eccentric behaviour, and hermit-like tendencies during the gestation of this book, and to Kat and Chris for their excitement and pride as it finally comes together.
Double thanks to Dawn, for acting as both cold reader and copy editor, for ensuring that none of the characters has two left hands, or gets out of the same car twice without first getting back in, and to Lou for proof reading. Without your help, the manuscript would have been riddled with typos, logic and plot errors. Of course, any that have slipped through are entirely my fault for goofing in the first place.
Thanks to Lonnie Ezell for help with structuring the plot, framing, and organizing the scenes, to Cat-Claws at writing.com for providing the inspiration for the original short story that grew into this novel, and to the writers and editors at Helium.com who helped me grow throughout the process into a serious writer capable of finishing this book. There are too many of you to mention by name, but you know who you are.
Thanks to the providers of the translation engine at Babylon.com, without which even the rudimentary Romanian included in this book would not have been possible.
Thanks to Alan, for believing in me and my writing career, and encouraging me to never give up in the face of less-than-stellar results.
Thanks to Mark Dawson and the Self-Publishing Formula team for help with the relaunch of this book under the Breed: brand, for all the support during the cover design and pre-launch phase, and for finally making book marketing and promotion something I can approach with sanity and hope.
But most of all, thanks to everyone who reads the books, who enjoys, and believes. Welcome to the
Credinciosi.
Breed: Slayer Page 23