In Darkness E-Book

L. Diane Wolfe

• Herausgeber: Dancing Lemur Press LLC
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Serie: In Darkness
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 139

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Souls shrouded in darkness…

Stuck working as a barmaid for her demanding father, Anna dreams of adventure. When mysterious strangers enter the bar, she overhears they seek Zancrela, an ancient fortress filled with treasure and a magical library. Taking her chance, she offers to guide them. The conditions: deliver Zancrela or die.

As they journey through the wilderness, she discovers their secret: they are vampires. And most view her as food. One takes interest in her and her heart dares to hope, but it might not be enough to change her fate. Will Anna find Zancrela or become a vampire morsel?

Leseprobe

IN DARKNESS

THE VAMPIRE

By L. Diane Wolfe

DANCING LEMUR PRESS, L.L.C.

Pikeville, North Carolina

http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/

Copyright 2023 by L. Diane Wolfe

Published by Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

P.O. Box 383, Pikeville, North Carolina, 27863-0383

http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/

ISBN 9781939844903

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system in any form–either mechanically, electronically, photocopy, recording, or other–except for short quotations in printed reviews, without the permission of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Cover design by C.R.W.

“…it’s a brilliant read and I found myself engrossed in the story…” The Strawberry Post

“I must say I had no idea I would love this book as much as I did. I also didn’t expect to devour it in two days, but I did! Everything from the plot to the characters to the world it takes place works to reel in the reader. I was enthralled. Really, truly loved everything about this book!” - Victoria Liiv, author

“The general storyline hooked me so fast…the author throws in some nail-biting suspense. I won't tell you how this ends; you need to read and enjoy this one for yourself.” - Tanya Reddinger, Read Love Reviews

“Thumbs up to the author for this entertaining story.” - Sandra Cox, author

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

About the Author

Other Titles

Chapter One

“Two more pints, please!”

Her order placed, Anna set the empty mugs in the bucket for washing. The aroma of stale beer wafted up from the damp wood. She wrinkled her nose and stepped up to the edge of the bar.

“Hold out your tray,” the bartender ordered.

Anna grasped the edges as he banged a glass on the surface, foam licking over the rim. She blew on the head to settle the bubbles.

“Start resolving your tabs,” the man said as he slammed the second mug on her tray. “Don’t wait until the last minute. I’m tired of freeloaders slipping out without paying.”

“Yes, Father.”

The man grasped her tray. Unable to move, Anna looked up at his face. The leathery wrinkles caught the uneven lighting in the room, creating sharp grooves along his cheeks. He wiggled his nose and the thick bush of whiskers below it twitched in unison. Anna held her breath, afraid the untrimmed hairs would fall into the ale.

“Anna, just do it. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” she said. His breath reeked of stale smoke even worse than the tavern itself.

With a flourish, he released the tray. She clutched it tighter, her gaze locked on the violent ripples in each mug. Their contents settled and Anna slipped away before he could bark another order.

She navigated the room with the agility of a mountain goat. Spilled ale came out of her meager wages. Anna delivered the pints, mindful to collect payment before retreating from the table.

She checked on her two remaining groups. The men were regulars and offered no protest when she asked for payment. They understood her father ran a tight ship. Anna expressed her gratitude when both tables slipped an extra coin her direction.

“Saved up enough to seek your fortune elsewhere?” an elderly man said, one eyebrow cocked.

Anna shook her head and reached for the empty mugs strewn across the table. “Not yet, but I’m getting closer.”

“The proper thing would be for you to get married and settle down.”

Anna froze, her hand wrapped around the still-cool mug. The man cocked his head, scrutinizing her with his one good eye. She searched for an appropriate response, but the man just winked.

“Ah, but proper sounds boring, doesn’t it?” he said, lifting a pipe to his crusted lips.

She smiled and set the mug on her tray. “Yes, it does. Especially when there’s a whole world out there to explore.”

“Keep saving your coins, then.”

Anna placed the empty mugs in the dish bucket and delivered the money to her father. Involved in a conversation with a man at the bar, he didn’t bother to count the coins. She slipped away before he could speak.

Sweeping through the room, she pushed in stray chairs. The hour grew late, and she could soon retreat to her room. The tavern’s hours went deep into the night, so sleeping through the noise was not an option. That suited Anna, though. Reading a good book enticed her more.

The front door creaked behind her. A gust of wind enveloped the tavern. Anna glanced over her shoulder. A tall man entered, his heavy jacket and pack marking him a traveler. Not a poor traveler, though. Adorned with gold thread, his clothes represented royalty rather than a wayward soul. Not to mention he held his head and shoulders with authority.

The stranger’s gaze locked with hers and Anna froze. Eyes darker than midnight pierced her like an arrow. Rather than fear the stranger, a deep curiosity stirred within her. Secrets lay hidden behind those black eyes. Valuable and mysterious secrets.

The stranger hesitated, his hand on the door jamb. Something registered in his eyes, a slight glimmer, and then vanished. He glanced around the room, scanning those present, and stepped inside. Behind him, a group waited to enter. The man strode past Anna, the others following single file as if under orders. They appeared dressed in a similar fashion—heavy clothes marked by fine tapestry. They stood far above the other patrons in height and frame. All of them.

Anna took a step back. Most of the tavern’s regulars lived in town. None measured up in terms of stature or poise. Travelers sometimes stopped in for a drink, but these were not the average vagabonds.

“They’re nobles,” Anna whispered to herself after the last person passed her. Why would nobles visit a tavern in this modest town?

The strangers gathered around a sizable table in the corner. Tearing herself away, Anna returned to the bar. She grasped the wood frame, her fingernails digging deep into the surface. Anna closed her eyes. Nobles in her town. What did it mean?

“You take that table.”

Anna’s eyes flew open. She glanced to her right and bit her lip. The other barmaid raised a pint to her mouth and consumed half its contents in one gulp. She uttered a belch, her lips pulled back in a pose that reminded Anna of a pig catching a foul scent. The woman wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

“You heard me,” she said, her words as slurred as her posture. “I’m on break.”

Under normal circumstances, taking a table so late in her shift would annoy Anna. Not tonight though. A mystery awaited her. She wanted a closer look at the strangers.

She slid a tray under her arm and navigated the tables to the newcomers. Few patrons remained, and the table closest to the strangers sat empty, froth still dripping down the side of two half-empty mugs. Anna wondered why the men had left without finishing their drinks. That thought fled as she neared the travelers.

Now seated, their coats slung over their chairs and packs at their feet, the group watched her approach with interest. Their dark eyes and solemn expressions reminded Anna of a pack of wolves. Not in hunting mode. Rather cautious. Even their arrangement around the table, all chairs swung so their backs were to the corner, spoke of caution.

Anna paused at the open section of the table and offered her bravest smile. “Welcome. What can I get you?”

“Two pints, stoutest ale you got,” the man to her left said. He scowled and crossed his arms. “And it better not be watered-down piss.”

“No, sir!” Anna said. His throaty growl implied more than an unhappy customer if she failed to deliver. Wrapping her arms around the tray, she shifted her gaze to the young man beside him.

“Pint of ale for me,” he said, his pleasant voice a sharp contrast to the first man.

The woman to his left scoffed and dropped her furred gloves with a flourish. “Wine. Red. And it’d better be a big glass.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She continued around the table, taking in more than their drink orders. Anna marveled at their rich clothes and fine skins. Up close, the garments showed signs of wear and age although still more regal than the other tavern patrons. Unusual for these parts, the style intrigued her.

I’ve not seen such clothing outside of my mother’s books, she thought in between drink orders. Andtheir faces—so different!

The youngest man and one of the women bore regional traces, but the others carried distinct and unique features. Roughened skin lay stretched over long cheekbones and square jaws. Their dark wolf eyes echoed the black of night. As she took their orders, the lack of emotion in those eyes unnerved Anna.

She reached the last person, the first to enter the tavern. A burly man by any standards, his presence dominated over the others. His shoulders pressed against the back of the chair, he lifted his chin with pride and met her gaze. Unlike the others, life sparked within his eyes.

“Double pints for me,” he said, his rich voice rumbling from the depths of his chest.

“Yes, sir,” Anna said, her smile returning.

“Are you going to remember all of that, lassie?” one of the men said. His tone implied an unlikely chance, but Anna refused to let him intimidate her.

“Yes, sir. I have an excellent memory. I’ll return with your drinks momentarily.”

She spun away from the table. Her father waited, his hands pressed firm against the bar. Anna recited their order, giving her father time to complete the ales before announcing the wine drinks.

“How many drinks did they order?” her father said with disgust, his moustache twitching. “There’s but nine of them.”

“Five ordered double pints,” she said, adjusting the position of the mugs on her tray

“You be sure they settle up. No tab! I don’t like their looks. Band of thieves no doubt.”

The strangers were deep in conversation when she returned. They fell silent as she set the tray on the table, spilling not one drop. She passed out the drinks, relying on help from the group when she couldn’t stretch to the far side of the table.

She set down the last two pints. The burly man adjusted the position of his mugs and offered a curt nod.

“Beg pardon, sir,” Anna said, dipping her chin to catch his eyes. “This late in the evening, I’ve been instructed to collect all payments. I’m sorry if it’s an inconvenience.”

His eyes shifted and Anna caught her breath. She regretted her father’s orders and suspected her chance of a tip resided at zero.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she said, her chin dropping.

The man reached for one of his pints. “How much?” he said before taking a swig.

“Eight silver, sir.”

Setting down his mug, the man reached into his vest pocket. He produced a bag and proceeded to count out the appropriate amount. When he reached eight silver coins, he hesitated and cast Anna a sideways glance. He added two more coins and dropped the handful onto her tray.

Anna suppressed a gasp. Those two silver coins matched what she’d garnered working all night. “Thank you, sir! I’ll be back to check on you later.”

“Take your time.”

Anna retreated, slipping the two silver coins into her pocket before she reached the bar. Previous experiences had taught her not to give her father access to her tips.

“At least you didn’t let them run a tab,” her father said when she turned in the money. “Never trust strangers.”

“But they’re nobles,” Anna said. “Look at their fine clothing.”

“Not bloody likely! Probably stole those clothes. Don’t like the looks of them. Darn well don’t trust them.”

“You don’t trust anyone,” Anna said under her breath. She whirled away before he forced her to repeat those words.

Anna checked on her other table. The men finished their drinks and bade her a good evening. She removed the empty mugs and glanced at the table of strangers.

The group leaned forward, their heads close for a private conversation. Only the burly man sat straight in his chair. He watched the others, listening rather than contributing. Anna wondered again as to their country of origin. And where they were bound.

She tidied the remaining tables. The other barmaid now circled the room, which meant no more customers for Anna. She appreciated it though. Her final table continued to intrigue her.

I wish I knew where you were going. I need to get closer.

The logs shifted in the fireplace and Anna seized the opportunity. She slipped to the end of the bar, her face averted. She slid to the wall and dropped lower as she approached the fireplace. Anna kept her chin down, peering through the locks that fell across her face. The strangers continued to talk among themselves, oblivious to the figure crouched by the fireplace.

Anna picked up the poker and knelt in front of the fireplace. She stabbed at the flames, her prods gentle. The embers crackled, but the sound didn’t mask the voices of the strangers. She leaned to her left and inched closer.

“I still say we need to go through the pass.”

“Fool, why would they build it in such an accessible spot?”

“Besides, that takes us away from the Chiltarn Valley.”

“Still clinging to the belief it’s there? Not bloody likely.”

Anna frowned, her gaze on the curling flames. What did they seek? Chiltarn Valley rested high in the mountains. Few traveled her treacherous path. Her mind churning over who might attempt such a feat, she continued to prod the logs with care.

“We’re chasing our tails. We could spend months searching those mountains.”

“Maybe even years.”

“Do you want to give up now?”

Anna paused, the poker hovering over a log. That voice belonged to the burly man. She leaned closer.

“Victor, we just want to know where we’re going. We’ve traveled so far already. We don’t want it to be for naught.”

“After years of searching, we know it’s in this region,” Victor replied. “We don’t know the exact location though.”

“And without a map, we could spend years more looking for Zancrela.”

Anna gasped. Zancrela! The hidden fortress of myth.

The poker slid forward and jarred loose one of the logs. It tumbled from its perch, crackling as it sent sparks flying. The table fell silent, and Anna cursed under her breath. She wanted to hear more about Zancrela.

She pushed the offending log back into place. Without looking their direction, Anna returned the poker to its place. She strode toward the back room, fists clenched in an effort not to turn around. Once through the doors, Anna hid behind a row of shelves. If the man who cooked and cleaned noticed her, the chances of discovering more about the strangers would vanish in a barrel of sudsy dishes.

They’re searching for Zancrela, she thought. The castle of legends, constructed by scholars rumored to be vampires. The origins didn’t matter, though. Only the fortress’ library. Every book of history and magic lay within that room.

I remember reading about it in one of my mother’s books. I’d long since given up hopes of ever finding it. But now, she thought, peering around the shelves. These strangers are looking for it. I must talk to them. Or rather, get them to talk to me. But how?

She slipped out of the back room and behind the bar. She stole a glance toward the corner of the tavern. The group conversed among themselves, heads bowed and shoulders stooped. Anna wondered what excuse would allow her near them without raising suspicion.

Her gaze fell on the table itself. Their drinks! Several empty mugs littered the surface. The table required cleaning.

“All finished?”

Anna jumped at the sound of her father’s voice. She turned his direction, mouth open in surprise. He wiped down the bar, eyebrows pulled together into a scowl as he focused on the motion.

“I need to check on my last table,” she said, reaching for a tray.

He didn’t look up. “After that, you’re done for the night.”

“Yes, father.”

She tucked the tray under her arm and steadied her mind. She had one chance.

Don’t blow it.

Clutching the edges of the tray, she approached the table. As expected, the party’s voices died before she reached the group.

“Can I get you another round?” she said, forcing cheer into her voice.