Spells and Treasures
Raimond sniffed the air as they chased Faison through the
labyrinth of Paris alleys. The first time he lost the scent, Aveline crouched
down to cracked cobblestones and chanted a few words.
“That way.” She pointed south to a crooked lane, stood and
stumbled.
“What was that?” Anton grabbed her arm. “Latin?”
Aveline giggled. “Maybe.”
The next time the group found themselves at an unmarked
crossroads, they fanned out in all possible directions. Each vampire returned
to the intersection shaking their head and Parlan dropped to the ground,
pressing his ear to the grime. “I hear nothing.”
Aveline stepped beside him and chanted again, in a language
no one recognized. “Follow the dirty water.” She coughed, covered her mouth and
wound up with two handfuls of blood.
“Aveline,” Siras hissed. “You’re getting sicker!”
“It’s nothing new.” Aveline pressed her finger to her lips.
“Don’t distract Raimond.”
By the time they reached the outskirts of the city, Anton
and Siras were taking turns carrying her.
“I’m weighing you down.” Aveline pounded on Anton’s chest.
“Leave me behind.”
“Here?” Anton looked at his feet. The bridge under him
wobbled over a stream that smelled of rotten eggs.
“We need you, mademoiselle.”
Raimond flashed back and hoisted her onto his shoulder. “Light as a feather.”
Siras jogged to keep up with Raimond’s fast walk. “Aveline,
where did you learn the odd spells and spooky stuff?”
She forced her tired eyes open and gave a brief smile. “Wouldn’t
you love to know?”
“Didn’t you see her kill that bad man?” Anton ran beside
Siras and punched his shoulder. “That girl might be tougher than you.”
Aveline waved them off with frail fingers and let her chin
rest on Raimond’s shoulder.
Parlan and Raimond shared the role of leading the chase.
Glowing lights of Paris disappeared long before dawn’s first rays threatened
the horizon. With Faison’s scent still vibrating in the air, they were forced
to take refuge under an abandoned barn.
“They must be hiding close by.” Parlan slammed a splintering
hatch shut behind him and crawled around stray beams of sunlight on his way to
the back of the room.
“They definitely picked up reinforcements outside the city
wall.” Raimond discovered a trunk of tattered clothes and handed them out. He
tucked a heavy coat around Aveline and himself. “Keep hidden. This old building
has cracks.”
“Write in the magic books.” Aveline snuggled under Raimond’s
arm. “You too, Parlan.”
“About what, dear?” Parlan fumbled in his pocket.
“Your parents, the homeless man. Everything we survive
together—” Aveline screeched.
Raimond flinched back. “What?”
“I saw it again.” She pointed to Raimond’s eyes. “The
silhouettes!”
“Shhh!” He clamped his hand over her mouth. “What are you
talking about?”
She pushed his hand away. “In my family’s bible—”
“The grimoire?” Parlan asked.
Aveline nodded. “From what I could decipher, the shadows are
outlines of crypts.”
Raimond groaned and cleared his throat. “Go on.”
“Apparently, it’s the sign of a soul who is in tune with
both sides of the veil. The living and the dead.” Aveline held out her hands.
“The past and the future.”
“Sounds like a curse.” Parlan sighed.
“Or an incredible power.” Raimond tucked the coat tighter
around them. “Does this miracle have a name?”
“I could barely read it and the rest of the grimoire was
burned. Or covered in blood.”
Raimond rested his chin on her head. “Lovely.”
“You might not want to hear this…” Aveline buried her face
in his neck. “But I definitely saw something about bones.”
Raimond
Monsters and Angels
Anne Marie Andrus
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Anne Marie Andrus Publishing
Monsters and Angels
Anne Marie Andrus
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Anne Marie Andrus Publishing
Date of Publication: October 25, 2018
ISBN-13: 978-0-9984155-2-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-9984155-2-9
ASIN: B07HYFKPXY
Number of pages: 260
Word Count: 59,000
Cover Artist: Eight Little Pages
Tagline: The road from soldier to saint is paved with blood and magic.
Book Description:
A lone soldier on night watch. A single bullet through the heart. Every light in Paris flickers—the city’s thundering silent scream.
When Commander Raimond Banitierre was assassinated, French Revolutionaries lost their gallant leader. After a villain’s offer of eternal life condemned him to slavery, Raimond rebelled again, driving his vampire comrades to freedom.
Raimond escapes to Savannah, Georgia where his dream of becoming a doctor comes true. During his trial-by-fire residency on the Civil War’s battlefields, he discovers his true calling—the power to preserve memories and dignity in the face of death. His chance meeting with a beguiling mortal nurse ignites passionate nights and a long overdue crack in the door to paradise.
Vicious flames and an unholy miscalculation deliver Raimond back to the depths of hell. Being arrested for treason makes him wish for death and the arrival of Prince Draven Norman appears to be the final nail in Raimond’s coffin.
Will the prince’s eccentric judgement grant Raimond a true reprieve? Is Draven’s invitation to join New Orleans mystical royalty an extension of his own treachery, or the next step in Raimond’s miraculous journey?
Has the legendary Crescent City found a spirit noble enough to protect her future?
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/-uSS41Ytoak
About the Author:
Anne Marie has been an equestrienne, chorale singer, EMT and baseball fan.
Roaming the back roads of New Jersey with her family, she found great respect for antiques, historical locations and the stories they hold. Her current list of favorite pastimes includes coffee, bourbon and Les Misérables—which requires more bourbon. She has been known to attend sporting events just for the flyover. The boat she and her husband christened Glory Days, is her escape from the chaos of everyday life.
The inspiration for Raimond and Monsters & Angels is Anne Marie’s fascination with vampires, castles and her passion for everything New Orleans. When she isn’t writing, she can be found working nights with the critical care team in a busy trauma center.
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