Walking with Shadows

By Julieanne Lynch

“Walking with Shadows” is the second of The Shadows trilogy, an urban fantasy of vampires and the supernatural, and much, much more.

Giselle regains consciousness and is horrified to discover she has been asleep for nine weeks. She was already aware that she was carrying a very special baby who was to be the first of a new race of vampires, but she is shocked to find how her pregnancy is progressing. Around her, the underworld is in turmoil. Vampires battle with creatures of darkness and with other vampires, and few are entirely what they seem. More confusing still, those who appeared to be totally evil may have a streak of goodness in them, and those who appeared to be Giselle’s friends may have a darker purpose of their own. Almost anyone, it seems, can be changed and turned, except possibly Ysoriel the Archangel and the goddess Lilith, and Giselle cannot be sure that even they are interested only in her welfare.

The only certainty is that it will all become very much worse before it begins to get better – if anything ever gets better for Giselle.

** Publisher’s note: Not recommended for readers under 15 years of age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Strict Publishing International
• Release date: Dec 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9780857792280

Julieanne Lynch

Julieanne Lynch is an author of YA and Adult genre urban fantasy books. Julieanne was born in Northern Ireland, but spent much of her early life in London, United Kingdom, until her family relocated back to their roots. Julieanne lives in Northern Ireland, with her husband and five children, where she is a full-time author. She studied English Literature and Creative Writing at The Open University, and considered journalism as a career path. Julieanne has several projects optioned for film.

Book preview

Prologue

Dreams

The bird sat on the ground with a broken wing. I could not help but feel sorry for it as it looked aimlessly towards the sky, grieving, and I swear I could see tears fill its eyes. The closer I came to it, the more its face became distorted, and when I finally perched beside it the bird went crazy, squawking and frantically trying to get away from me. Upset, I pulled my hand away, and watched as it pitifully scurried away. From within me, I could sense its panic and desire to escape from me. I was the one being feared.

Shadows fell around me on the barren terrain, and as I struggled to escape the looming darkness I found myself standing alone next to a tree that had been stripped bare of its life. I brushed my hand along the rough trunk and felt a sticky substance. When I bent down to look at it, I could see yellow pulp slowly pumping out of a small hole about the size of a dime. I leaned closer to see it more clearly, and to my horror I saw his eyes staring back at me. The dark, black holes peered out at me, and terror set in and I froze.

Unable to move, I screamed as the shadows descended upon me, each one tearing at me, pulling me apart, but from within me came a surge of power. It was like nothing I had ever experienced.

I held my hands out and closed my eyes, and I felt a warm, tingly sensation rush up my arms. My fingertips burned as if they were on fire. Incandescent heat came from them, burning up everything in sight. Slowly, I opened my eyes, and I saw the shadows gradually disappearing, screaming and shielding their eyes from the light that beamed from my hands.

All around me, the sound of a distant voice echoed, and as I walked towards the light, the familiar voice felt like a thousand suns warming my heart.

Chapter 1

Giselle, can you hear me? Antoine’s voice echoed through my head as I fought the dizziness of sleep. It’s time to wake up... Giselle!" he called repeatedly.

I stirred, but found it hard to focus my eyes in the light of the room. It was so bright, and the backs of my eyes stung. I was hazily aware of the electric blue eyes of the dark haired man kneeling in front of me. His gentle smile and whiter-than-snow complexion was a welcome sight, and, as a broad grin swept across his face, his beautiful white fangs glistened in the room’s light.

Welcome back, sweet Princess, his velvety voice spoke again.

I coughed, sat up on the bed, and looked around me. Really? I said as I cleared my throat. How long was I out for? I asked as I stretched my arms, yawning.

Just a little over… He paused, counting under his breath. Nine weeks. He smiled again.

What? How is that possible? I shouted, stunned that I had survived for that long and puzzled by the length of time I had slept, dreamt or whatever it was.

I had to do what was best for both mother and child, he remarked, and pointed my direction towards an I.V. line in my arm. A bag of blood hung above it. The bag was almost empty.

Huh, what’s this for? I asked, confused, and then felt rather stupid for asking.

That was to ensure both you and the child received the right sustenance. Plus, I got to play the hero whilst you slept.

Yeah? And I bet you really enjoyed that.

Well, one would be stupid to deny the obvious, but I have always been a sucker for damsels in distress, especially beautiful Princesses like you. He was so irritatingly confident and smug.

Oh, whatever... Just take it out. I’m awake now, so I can take care of myself. I shook my arm in front of his face and waited for him to remove the line.

As Antoine tended to my arm, I studied the room we were in. It was large and oval shaped, with a round window to the far end. Mirrors of all shapes and sizes adorned the walls, and I could not help but noticed a portrait of a beautiful raven-haired woman. Her deep blue eyes and smoldering skin were unlike any woman I had ever seen, and in the past six months I had come across some very beautiful women. None more so than my ‘mother-in-law’, who had just happened to take an unhealthy interest in me now that I was carrying the child of her adoptive son, Alex. It was because of her that I was on the run for my life. So, something inside me made me very wary about those who had been blessed with such beauty.

So, where are we? I asked, half expecting some riddle or the usual half answers that Antoine was so good at delivering.

We are in a place far from the human world. Of course you already know that, but where exactly depends on how you envisage the Other World. We may very well walk with shadows, but we have angels on our side.

That was when the woman from the portrait walked into the room, holding a decanter of red liquid. Her hair shone like silk and she moved effortlessly as she glided towards me. Her whole body glowed in a shimmering light, and I was completely dumbfounded by the power of her presence.

Giselle, I am glad you are well, she said as she poured some of the red liquid into a silver-rimmed glass and handed it to me.

Taking it from her, I meekly whispered thanks and proceeded to take a sip from the familiar scent of tantalizing crimson. It worked a treat, and soon ignited the flame that had been simmering while I slept.

So, who are you? I asked as I took another mouthful. This time, I savored the luxury of the thickness, letting it glide down my throat.

Sweet Princess, this is Ysoriel. She has been our savior, Antoine proudly declared.

They exchanged a look that spoke a thousand words, and I could not help but feel a little jealous of the adoring gaze they shared.

Earth to Mars, I whined sarcastically as I threw my legs out of the bed. Geez, get a room.

Antoine looked at me disapprovingly. I hated it when he scolded me as though I were a child.

Dare to mock me again, and you’ll find yourself back in the land of dreams, he threatened me with a sparkle of mischief in his eyes.

Okay! I was only joking, I said as I stood up, but what happened next scared the living crap out of me, almost literally.

I screamed as I looked down at the bump that was clearly visible beneath my t-shirt. Holy hell, what’s wrong with me? I squealed.

That, sweet Princess, is your unborn child, Antoine said as he rubbed the bump.

What? How? It’s only been a few weeks! I mean, does it grow that quickly? I asked, shocked and disbelieving.

The child will continue to grow, and at an accelerated rate, just as you will. This is all a part of the divine beauty of life, Ysoriel said, smiling at me.

Okay, I think I need to sit down, I said as I frantically tried to control my breathing.

Don’t be so scared. This is, after all, something you knew would happen, and besides, I kind of like the new you. It’s heartwarming to see someone so beautiful carry the next generation of our kind. And you will succeed, just as long as you continue to embrace your path,

Yeah, easy for you to say. I should be at home, doing stupid girly stuff... not this... oh God, I think I’m going to be sick, I cried, and as Antoine handed me a basin I threw up.

I did not know if it was panic or pregnancy sickness, but the prospect of my growing baby scared the living daylights out of me, and I was pretty sure that Antoine knew this. He always seemed to calm me, and if it were not for the adoring gaze he gave me I think I would have believed that glamour did not exist. But I knew him and his tricks too well, and this was one of those moments.

Dear little Princess, I think you ought to calm those nerves, or at least put them on the back burner for a while. You will be fine, I promise you. Have I broken any of my promises yet? He smiled as he wiped my chin with a silken handkerchief.

No, you haven’t. Well, not yet, anyway, I shook my head and whispered.

All is well. Now come. Let’s get you cleaned up and ready to face the world. He took me by the hands and helped me and ‘bump’ to my feet.

Ysoriel will assist you. Don’t be scared. She hasn’t fallen yet, he said as he winked over to her.

Fallen? You mean, like an angel? My voice was a little high pitched, and I struggled to clear it.

Indeed, child. I am an angel, an archangel, and I can’t see me falling any time soon. Although, there are some who would stop at nothing to see that, but rest assured I am still very much a part of the divine, she said smoothly as she took me by the hand. I looked back at Antoine who sat smugly in his chair and watched us walk from the room into an unbelievably beautiful garden.

I gasped in awe. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. It was like something out of a picture book, and I think Ysoriel approved of my reaction.

It’s magnificent, isn’t it? she gushed as we walked past exotic palm trees, rows and rows of wild ferns, lines of orange, red, pink and red Amaryllis, tulips, ginger and a bedding of orchids. The aroma was amazing, and I inhaled the delicious scent as the mixture of the perfumes spun in circles around my nose.

What is this place? I asked.

This is what I like to call my own little piece of heaven. It is as good as it gets in a world controlled by chaos, she remarked as her voice lowered.

So, um, how does an angel know a vampire? I asked curiously, shifting the direction of the conversation.

Oh, I guess you could say our paths crossed quite some time ago and we have remained firm friends ever since,

Yeah, but I mean, you know. You guys seem to like each other an awful lot, I said, watching her reaction from the corner of my eye.

How could we not? We have, after all, shared many remarkable moments together, and some of them have found a permanent place in my heart… she said, and then paused. Giselle, may I ask you something?

Umm, yeah, sure? I fidgeted.

I can see that you have grown quite attached to Antoine, but how do you see your relationship with him?

What? I asked, stunned.

Do you have any romantic feelings towards him?

Shocked and embarrassed, I was instantly on the defense.

Oh, God, no! I could never look at him like that. Besides, have you noticed how awful I look? I’m not exactly desirable at the moment, but no, I could never be anything more than a friend to him, I lied. Anyway, it’s not me he loves. I’m right, aren’t I? I asked and noticed her shifting her gaze back towards the white-edged building we had left.

Some things remain forbidden, no matter how much the heart desires it, she said as we walked into a small building at the end of the path.

I knew it, I whispered as I realized we were standing in a bizarre looking bathroom.

Large squared windows lined the walls. They were covered discreetly by thin, baby blue colored voiles. A huge rectangle bath sat centre stage in the room, like a pool in the ground. Towards the rear of the room, water flowed over stones, and the gentle stream of water flowed down to the bath where the water gently rippled.

Cushions had been scattered to one corner of the room. Their colors were rich and opulent, quite strange in a place that seemed to mirror the simplicities of life. But I accepted that things were not always as they seemed, and I ignored the questions that almost fell from my mouth.

You will find all you need in here. There is fresh linen laid out for your use, your clothes are hanging in that closet to your left, and when you’re finished I would love for you to join me for lunch. She was so serene and elegant that I felt like crying for being so jealous towards her.

Angels eat? I asked her, trying not to sound too smug.

Well, we like to blend in, she laughed.

Blend in here? I remarked sarcastically. This is a world away from what I’m used to.

Even so, I feel it a necessity to make an effort, and sometimes things aren’t as they seem. Giselle, remember the phrase, ‘Never judge a book by its cover’? That applies here. She smiled at me and left the room.

For a moment, I almost felt afraid to go right into the room. I stood close to the door and looked at the luxurious bath, craving the touch of warm water on my skin. A part of me was frightened of stripping off and seeing the damage caused by Alex. It was not too long ago that I was fighting for my own life after Alex beat me. He had thrown me into the shower cubicle of our room back in Armenia and almost strangled me to death, yet somehow I survived the brutality. I was left with terrible wounds that needed lots of stitching, and to this day I had not seen the results. I guess you could say I was a little naïve to believe that they had gone, and I knew only too well that things just did not disappear. It was going to take time to heal completely, and time was something I would have to learn to accept.

I steadied my nerves and moved to the side of the pool-sized bath, and from there to the opulent cushions that lay on the floor. I sat down on them and observed the room and all its little features. It was like something out of a fairytale. The rich colors of purple and gold almost clashed with the tranquil blue of the voile, but somehow it all came together beautifully. Tiny little drawings hung on the walls behind me, little designs of stars intertwined with silver threads, and right in the heart of the picture I could just about make out the shape of a woman with white feathered wings. It was beautiful.

I exhaled deeply. I was still trying to put off the inevitable, but I knew I had to wash, so, standing up, I loosened the gown that had been put on me whilst I ‘slept’ and let it fall to my feet. I closed my eyes tight, avoiding having to look down at my growing abdomen and the shadow that I knew had grown. But, as always, curiosity got the better of me. Opening one eye, I peeped down at my breasts and saw how they had grown, and between them the darkness spread down and rested on the top of my now protruding baby bump. I grimaced as I stared at the neat, round shape. I knew the child was Alex’s, and I hated having a part of him growing within me. Yet, somehow, I knew I would love the baby, no matter what.

I went over to the side of the bath and stepped in, slowly lowering myself into and under the warm water. I let it flow over my head, washing away the stains of the past nine weeks, and then I lay floating on my back, clearing my mind of all its stress, and that was when it happened for the first time.

Chapter 2

My baby moved inside, like little butterfly wings brushing against the wall of my womb. It was scary and amazing. Jumping to my feet, I silently willed my child to move again.

My heart pounded in my chest as a wave of excitement ran through me. It was the most unusual sensation I had ever experienced, and, resting a hand on my small round abdomen, I rubbed gently, completely spellbound.

I know you’re in there, I whispered to my abdomen.

Patiently, I waited for my baby to move again, and minutes passed before the gentle flutter happened. A buzz of excitement flowed through me. I knew it was impossible for my child to understand me, but these were not normal circumstances and I believed that the unbelievable could happen.

I lay floating on the water with my hand on my bump, smiling. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about Alex and how all of this was his fault, yet something stopped me from thinking about him and it was not the baby moving. It was the gentle rustle of a breeze from the window.

The voiles moved like waves as warm air filled the room, and before I had a chance to get out of the water a strange mist began to fill the area around me.

I waded through the water and silently out of it, and I grabbed a nearby robe from a wooden bench. Slipping it on, I heard noises that sounded like giggling. Scared, I tried to make my way to the door, but lost my footing and fell to the ground. I fell hard on the solid marble floor and winced in pain. I tried to sit upright, but the pain in my wrist ached and I cursed.

Damn it, I cried out as I moved my hand up to my face.

Are you okay? a child’s voice echoed around the room.

Looking around the room, I saw nothing but the increasing mist that left the area around me white.

Are you hurt? Should we get someone to help? another child spoke.

Err... I think, I’m okay, I stuttered.

Slowly, three little white silhouettes appeared before me, and I could see the shapes of three small children: two girls and a boy. They each had golden hair that shone like the brilliance of the sun. They stared at me, smiling, watching my every move, and as I tried to get to my feet, the tallest of the three, a blue-eyed girl came to my side and took my sore hand in hers. Her hands were cold like ice and the pain shot up my arm into my shoulder. Closing her eyes, she mumbled something, and smiled down at me. In what seemed like only seconds, the pain began to decrease. As she released her grip on me, she tilted her head sideways and stared hard into my eyes. Her gaze was fixed on mine, and it felt as though she was reading my soul. For a split second, I lost myself in her glorious blue eyes, and I found myself becoming drowsy.

You will make a wonderful mommy, she said confidently as she let go of my hand.

Oh...! I barely replied.

I was amazed at how someone so tiny had removed so much pain from me and then read my mind as if it was an open book.

Who are you? I asked as I got to my feet and pulled the robe tighter around me, shielding my modesty from the eyes of the children.

The little boy giggled and hid behind the girl beside him.

We are the children of the Seraphim. I am Aurelia, and this is my sister Sabina and our brother Caius, Aurelia said.

She stood in front of me like an angel, her golden hair sparkling in the strong light that now shone bright in the room.

The children of the Seraphim? What is that? Is that like some otherworldly organization? I asked with an irritated tone to my voice.

"No, silly. It only means