Fate
of the True Vampires
Publisher:
Grey Horse Press, Createspace
Book
One
Christine
Church
Genre:
Paranormal
Date
of Publication: October 26, 2015
ISBN:
978-1518815232,
ASIN:
B0187LY2P2
Number
of pages: 90
Word
Count: 26,000
Cover
Artist: Christine Church
Book Description:
The
main character in this first installment is Kesi (later known as Kesi
Akhede, as in ancient Egypt they really had no last names). Kesi is a
hybrid; half human and half "Pet Mer," a term used for her
father's people who are from another place after theirs was
destroyed.
She
appears a delusive Goddess. She is ageless. But what she wants most
is family. Unable to bear children through her own body, and after
the death of her husband, she travels the world searching for a way
to "create" a child (later known as “Vampyr”). She
offers aid to those who need her. But, her deep desire to have a
family of her own is never met until she comes across an alchemist by
the name of Yin.
Taking
what she needs and leaving behind chaos, Kesi continues to run, to
search, and to hope. Her everlasting quest takes her through history,
from one continent to the next; from her home in Egypt, to China,
Scotland, Rome, and finally France.
Read
the journals to hear her story, learn about the truth behind the
"myth" of what humans call the vampire, read about her
unique take on her species and those they create, and discover the
chaos and bloodshed caused by a man determined to put an end to
vampires forever.
Excerpt:
“Queen
of the Nile”
Entries
found on Papyrus sealed and preserved within a tomb in Egypt
Circa
20th Dynasty
English
Translation, 1958
Believed
to be written by Kesi, who lived in a village near Giza, and is later
known as Kesi Akhede.
Wind over the desert
creates a sandstorm that has left all in ruin. The days of old. Eras
long past. Will he believe that I existed long ago and was dubbed
"The Nile’s Graceful Queen" by pharaohs and kings? Will
he believe that, to Amenhotep I in the eighteenth dynasty, I was
viewed as an "exquisite work of art?"
I pray now. Not to
the gods the desert people bow to, but to my ancestors and my family.
I pray that he will understand what it is I must tell him. Who I am.
Where I come from. And where I must go.
I think about the
time that has passed so quickly. My heart swells with love for my
family, for the desert so cruel yet forgiving, the people, and most
of all for Jabari.
Life was once simple
yet elegant and my people worshiped. When I was young, I heard say
that all of the gods had blessed me with a part of themselves. The
grace of Bast, the eyes of Horus, the wisdom of Thoth, and even the
cruelties of Seth made me who I am. Perhaps this is true still. And
yet I remain as I always have and life around me continues to weave
its gradual yet inevitable web anew.
Now, the sands of
the Sahara have drifted, propelling the destiny of the Pet Mer in a
new direction, forcing me to choose, to make the most difficult
decision of my life. A decision on which I have procrastinated for
too long. A decision, I know, I must make on this night. And so, I
prepare my journey with a questionable destination.
Entry Two
The journey was a
familiar one. The mud-brick estate stood on the edge of the village,
far enough from the Nile that few had business in that direction, yet
close enough to Jabari’s estate to place little travel time between
the two. My thoughts had already run too far and I needed to make
haste.
I saw her before she
saw me. Head bowed, ebony hair flowed over her shoulders. Though they
were lowered, I knew her russet eyes. My heart pounded, loins ached,
each time I saw her. She stood half hidden behind a copse of rose
bushes, palm and myrrh trees, nestled within the vast gardens, just
as we had arranged. I approached, letting my presence be known.
She raised her head.
"Mistress. No one saw me come but I have little time this night,
as my chores are vast."
I nodded. This one I
had known for over a year. One of few humans remaining who, through
family ties, still revered Father’s people. One of few raised to
recall a time when my people were seen as Gods from the Sky. When
offering their blood to us was an honour.
Yet still I did not
know her name. Usually, it mattered little. She was merely a servant,
though a generous one with the sweetest scent in all of Giza,
Saqqara, Alexandria, and all the Nile Delta. Even as far as Abydos.
So many I had tasted none of their names known. But tonight it
mattered. Tonight everything mattered. This could be my last eve
here.
"I know the
time has been long," said I, "but please, tell me your
name. I need to know it now."
The girl raised an
enigmatic brow. "Zahrah."
I smiled. "Zahrah."
Though the dim light exaggerated her high cheekbones and ruby lips,
her beauty was real. I pulled her toward me, one arm snaking around
her slight waist. Our lips met then, and the lust of Seth came to
greet me. Zahrah, her taste. Her scent. Her beauty. Everything about
this human tantalized me. Almond and olive oils.
"Sweet,"
I whispered. "Sweetest in the Valley." With more care than
usual, I pierced the thin human flesh of her lips with my teeth. No
hesitation. No pain. Zahrah parted her lips against mine.
And then the smooth
satin that I treasured above all others flowed over my tongue.
Youthful innocence. Power. And within it I was lost. The surrounding
world shrank away and all that existed was that sensuous taste.
Exuberance. Tensions of the past week released. A cocoon of calm
wrapped me in its warmth and I reveled in it. But it was not to last.
All at once, coldness settled over me like a cruel wind. A shiver ran
through me. Someone approached. In the distant fog of my mind I heard
my name on the breeze.
"Kesi! What are
you doing?"
A man’s voice,
deep, confused, angry. Zahrah was forced from my arms. Painful. The
hunger had not been satiated. Frigid desert wind flogged my flesh. My
eyes blinked open. At first the whole scene was as a surreal dream.
I heard my own
voice. "Jabari?"
He was there. He
had taken my hand, pulled me from Zahrah. Away from my meal. I was
disoriented, having been interrupted, too bewildered to respond. He
was speaking to me.
"What were you
doing!? Wha—There is blood!"
I realised then I
still tasted the bliss, licking it from my lips, feeling its trickle
on my chin.
"What are you?"
I had never heard him so angry.
Indeed, what am I?
Tell him. You need to reveal who you are, where you may go.
"What has
happened, Kesi? Answer me!" He grasped my shoulders with firm
masculine hands. He shook me. A blast of wind and sand—a gritty
slap in the face—helped to awaken my mind.
About
the Author:
Christine
began writing at the age of nine, penning and illustrating picture
books, taping them together, and even creating a publishing company.
In school, she could be found sitting in the back of the class,
writing short stories (she aced English and literature). By 1992 she
was professionally published in both nonfiction and short stories. In
1998 her book was traditionally published, which led to many more
book deals (nonfiction).
Her
books and articles have won many awards. She lives for the
paranormal, writes in the deep dark night and has a closet full of
Goth clothing rarely worn any longer. By day she works at a horse
barn caring for 7 horses, including her own noble steed--her best
friend, her “son.” She is a professional photographer, actress,
and voiceover artist as well. In rare spare time, she loves riding,
archery, swimming, singing and auditioning for “Survivor.”
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