Pure Blood: book I

By J. Montana

Lilliana is part of the Celestial Hierarchy from the Order of Powers. One of the great Old Ones formed in the firmament of the cosmos, carrying within her the fabric of creation known as the God Particle. When summoned to observe our planet she finds our world in turmoil. The Power is ask to disguise herself as a gatherer of the soul, that claims us when we come to the end of life. Lilliana is unaware of her influence on our world. By night she prowls our streets in search of the helpless and by day cleanses her essence of the human condition that plagued many of the hierarchy that called our world home. As old of a being the Power is, she's but a child on our planet trying to exist among humans until she learns of other immortals. In steps the Pure Blood Demetri, whose is a direct descendant of the fallen ones and shall acquired a taste for the Power and the hunt. However, it will be another that shall challenge and question the Powers true nature, exposing the origin of the slayer that was shrouded in secrecy. Lilliana's involvement with the planet inhabitants begins to concern the Hierarchy, as many more immortals sense her pure presence. Unfortunately, the surge will bring to light the hidden existence of the otherworldly creatures such as; the time keepers, the fallen, the vampyre, the wolfen. The Powers innocence will not only start the clock towards the apocalypse, but she will bring rise of the immortals

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Montana
• Release date: Jun 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476051390

J. Montana

J. Montana is the artist and pen name of Jeanine Wright . She is a self taught artist, receiving an AAS in Art & Advertising Design at a New York City college. Her interest in writing started at a young age, encouraged by a single mother who emphasized the importance of reading. She read everything from the Bible to classical mythology, from Harlequin romance to S. E. Hinton and Hemingway to Lovecraft. The majority of Jeanine's life was focused on art, as writing to a back seat. While pursuing art she also took an interest in literature classes and creative writing, spending hours producing poetry. It would take a college professor that would start her on the path to penning her 1st novel. It took Jeanine 10 years to compete a finish manuscript because again writing would be pushed aside for her art and single-parenting. However, it would be the art an her love of creating that would join the two. The Pure Blood series came about in the 90's from a painting titled, 'The Guardian'. Jeanine is a huge fan of authors like, Stephen King, Harold Robbins, Sydney Sheldon and Jackie Collins who fueled an imagination already creative from being an artist. It is said, “To be a good writer, you must be a good reader.” To this day, Jeanine is still addicted to the written word She is the single parent of to adult children and two granddaughter. She currently resides in NYC.

Book preview

Prologue

There was silence after the division and Universal Collective was left in disarray. The battle horns were blown and the Archangel Michael was summoned to take up arms against one of his own brethren, Lucifer the Morning Star. All the Orders of angels were called into battle formation, ten in total; only to discover many from each descended. As the Hierarchy gathered in council the entrance of the Powers interrupted the meeting. The Powers, an elite group of the celestial angels were charged with policing the cosmos to keep order. But, they also had another special duty as keepers of the sacred knowledge. Each one of the Powers governed a different aspect of creation, Lilliana the keeper of creation took to Michael’s side for the battle. Everyone within the Hierarchy knew dissension at this level would throw off balance everywhere in the Cosmos. The agenda of the dissident ones was to invade the Heavens and wage war, to over throw the Collective Order. Darkness swept over the lights of the universe as the descending angels made their way up into the heavens, causing strife at every level. The Archangels took their stance, Michael to the east, as the others took their posts Gabriel to the west, Metatron to the north and Uriel to the south. As the devout waited and held post, the Powers floated over the firmament, in hopes of intervention but the battle path was clear. The dissidents came in swarms, striking at their faithful brethren from all sides. The darkness had changed the appearance of those that descended, what was once beautiful was now hideous. They were now repulsive to look at as many now reflected claws for hands and hoofs for feet. Horns protruded from their heads and the smell that accompanied their being was vile. As they struck out in defiance to their brethren, the question aroused how could celestial beings, which share the same essence, not share the same idea? To take up arms against the Collective, was to take up arms against themselves. Yet, they did just that and Lucifer became the self-proclaim leader of disorder. He led his legion into the dominion of creation and dared the challenge of his equal, Michael. As Lucifer rose above the Archangel, Michael in defense met his brother with a fiery sword, seven feet long that shined as bright as the morning sun in hand. The defiant angels cowered from the blades brilliance. Lucifer was blinded for a moment and was about to advance to strike when he caught sight of his reflection in the sword. He whom was once called Morning Glory saw not even a shadow of that which once was. At the sight of his own reflection he cringed, shielding with claws he now saw as himself. Michael seeing the look of horror on his brethren face lowered the sword in mercy, as Lucifer lost the craving for battle. The Cosmos and creation had suffered in the wake of conflict however he would not be discouraged for long. It was decided by council before Lucifer could regroup that he and his followers were to be cast out to another realm, Solis. But they did not go easy or quietly, threatening to cause strife for all time throughout the cosmos. All was quiet in Solis for a bit until the thought of a new species was felt. Now Lucifer and his followers had a new life form to focus on mortals. The Collective instructed the archangels and the angels to keep watch over them. Once order was returned, the Powers resumed their usual stations on the outer boundaries of the cosmos. From the outer rim they maintained keen sight and hearing during their vigil. It was during this time, after the creation of mortals that a second dissension occurred. Several angels from the Order of Watchers were attracted to the mortal women and decided to cohabitate with them, their offspring’s super human mortals. The Archangels were ordered to exile the Watchers that mingled with the women. The most defiant of them was Azazel; they chained him at the entrance of the Abyss. He would not be held long before Lucifer released him. Azazel convinced his new master that fate would bring about a new breed that would challenge change. The Collective could not allow these super humans run havoc on the planet. As they held council it was decided to cleanse the planet of the offspring’s created from the Watchers and mortal union. It would be remembered in history as The Deluge. However, there were some of the offspring’s aware the council’s plans and they descended into the bowels of the earth until they could resurface again. And, they would as the vampyre.

Pure Blood

Chapter 1

Nighttime was wonderful; it hid all the desolate, repulsive and the treacherous. Darkness was like a stalker and it preyed on all, with its take no prisoner attitude. Lillie took to sitting on the church steeple, overlooking the city. The sky had its usual thick haze, with a color of toxic waste. The lights from the buildings, streets and cars below let you know that life never stopped. She sat abreast on her aerial view, inspecting the action below. The music was loud and thumping a few blocks over. As the music rose on the night air, the soft wind blew the sound through her being. Lillie enjoyed nights like this when people were drawn into the safety of a club. She has watched nights like these all over the universe with different beings. However, it disturbed her how easily human life was lost here. She stood up from her post to scale the sights. Off in the distance, Lillie noticed a neon sign was burned out atop one of the cities bookstores. The word ‘Gotham’ loomed ghostly in the night from the top of the store. She decided to go down to street level to investigate the pleasures and mingle with the inhabitants. As Lillie swooped down and materialized on the street undetected, she realized there were many like her; night creatures. This was a city were the nocturnal preyed on the helpless.

Since her arrival on the planet Lillie found the humans were an interesting species to observe however she chose to stay separated from them during the day. Some that caught glimpses of Lillie saw her traits resemble the vampire who hides during the daylight hours. But, none were absolutely sure since she hid in the shadows. Lillie dressed in her usual black garb covered by her cloak; this helped her mix in with the Goth crowd. The closer she got to the music, the more she was drawn to it until she found herself right across from the spot the music stemmed. Club ‘Death Strike’ was in her sights and it was the hottest place in town. Lillie decided to go in and check out the club scene when she felt a surge sweep through her essence. This meant one of two things were near by  a soul stealer or demons. Lillie used her true sight to seek out the entity that alerted her. When she located it the Power discovered it was a soul stealer. Lillie never interfered with their kind, keeping her distance from them ever since a previous encounter came to close for comfort. They believed her to be a Watcher but she is hardly remembered after they come face too face with her. Not many soul stealers survive to tell what they know but all wish to get a taste of her. Unfortunately, for the soul stealers they cannot seek Lillie out, they can only hope for chance meetings. Lillie focused her energy to mimic the human, to look, act and smell like a human, then headed across the street.

As Lillie entered the club the sound was magnetic and she glided to the dance floor. She found this form of pleasure exhilarating, allowing her to be free among primitives and that frightened her at times. She let the music take control of her form, swaying side to side until realizing she had admirers. It was too late to care in her human body; she was hot and sweaty and moved with the stealth of an alley cat on the dance floor. Lillie could feel them close to her body. As the music got louder her admirers were close enough to touch. Then Lillie smelled hunger in her dance partner and looked into the eyes of a soul stealer. The female smiled at Lillie, slightly exposing her incisors. Lillie drew closer to her predator, guiding the female hands skillfully around her back. The female grabbed Lillie tightly to widen the seduction the music started. When she felt Lillie was totally under her spell, the female soul stealer caressed the throat to move in for the kill. The soul stealer halted short, staring out of bulging eyes at Lillie and then disintegrated in the mist of the music. Lillie retracted her blade and slinked off the dance floor towards the door. She decided she had enough for one night. Lillie walked out into the concrete jungle leaving the music behind. Once on the street she heard something familiar and hastened in the direction of the sound. Lillie swept through the street until she reached the spot the sound originated from. She looked up at the buildings and searched the street to see if anyone was watching before entering the alley before her. When she saw all was clear Lillie took a step into the alley and without warning something jumped out at her from the dark, knocking her down. She recovered quickly and was back on her feet, cuing her sight to the far dark end of the alley. Lillie discovered a creature hunched in the dark, glaring out at her amidst the dirt and grime of the alley. Lillie braced herself once she picked up a canine scent. But, wait she also sensed a human trait and knew it was afraid. The sound of whimpering caught her attention and Lillie saw what the creature preyed upon before she arrived. She couldn’t see the damage done but Lillie knew it was young and female. With attention on victim the canine lunged at the Power. Lillie took her stance, pulling her sling-blade with her left and her dagger support in her right. She tried never to kill unless provoked and realized this was not one of those moments. The flesh eater felt cornered and wanted out when she happened into its’ path. Lillie was careful were she plunged her blade when the creature lunged, only wounding the animal as it knocked her to the ground. It let out a high piercing howl into the night air. Lillie pushed what seemed to be a wolf that stood upright off her and checked its’ wound to make sure no major artery was cut. Then she noticed its’ golden eyes staring in innocent confusion at her. She rubbed its’ wound then picked it up and placed it out of sight. Lillie had heard stories of such a beast; half canine, half human but this was her first encounter with one of its kind  a flesh eater. When she was sure the animal would be okay Lillie attended the victim. She saw the young female had a few cuts and bruises on her face and hands. As Lillie turned her over she discovered a deep gash in her back, the young woman seemed in shock from the lost of blood. The Power enraptured the body within her cloak and was swift with the process of saving a human life. She left the body outside the nearest hospital emergency room.

After such an interesting night Lillie decided to stay earthbound a few days. She kept an apartment in the city near the water front. The Hierarchy was against the idea but she convinced them what better way for her to observe humans but by living amongst the mortals. Lillie usually traveled back by rooftops but tonight she chose to walk the streets. She suspected more of the flesh eater would be out. The Power had learned what to expect of soul stealers but the full moon would not be complete for a few nights. She never expected they could change before at will; this had to be noted at next council. Lillie looked at the dark and saw the sky was filled with sparkles from the stars. The smell of death was on the air and the toxins of the city hid it well on average. The Power needed an aerial view to hone her hearing. All Lillie had to do was think and like a soft breeze she was airborne. She perched herself high up above the city on a billboard and listened to the wind. She could hear the faint cry of an innocent and the Power blinked to the location of dismay. As Lillie arrived on the scene she looked down at the street below and saw a body sprawled out between two abandon buildings, she was too late. The fragile young body lay still of life and as Lillie took form out of the mist to stand next to the body, the face already wore the mask of death. The alley had an awful stench and the nocturnal eaters, like rats scurried from her presence. Lillie was on time to greet another soul as it was ready to leave the shell of humanity. She reached under her cloak and pulled a dark velvet satchel off her belt and opened it. Then she reached for another satchel but it was a leather pouch and she pulled out a round crystal, the size of a marble. Lillie’s eyes glowed as the soul reached out towards her as a brilliant light form leaving its human shell. She absorbed the soul in the crystal and held it in the palm of her hand, then placed it in the velvet satchel. Lillie then anointed the forehead of the newly fallen with oil, a marking for the sweeper to know. The sweeper comes along to retrieve the spirit to present to the Harvester. When Lillie was done an ambulance arrived and the driver sees the Power crouched over the body, Hey, you there, what are you doing? the ambulance attendant screams out.

Lillie stood up and moved toward the ambulance assistant, Forget me, Lillie whispers as she transmuted through the human filtering into the darkness.

When she finally materialized it was several blocks away and unnoticed by a couple kissing under a streetlight. The Power stared at the couple amused by the show of what she learned as affection. She did not understand it but she could feel they exuded love. Lillie was ready to call it quits for the night when she heard the howls of canines singing to the moon. She understood the sound of their cry, they were seeking her out and they had her scent. They tracked her scent from the earlier encountered she had with the flesh eater in the alley. Lillie decided to go airborne so to collect a few more souls before the sun broke the morning sky and to keep her distance from the flesh eater. They sort after the Power the rest of the night. Lillie stayed transient and materialized right before daybreak. She could feel the pulse of the planet shift before sunrise. Lillie didn’t understand why the flesh eater searched for her but she could not ignore the cries.

Chapter 2

Illumination was guaranteed once enlightenment was achieved and the sunrise brought it everyday. This sector within the vast cosmos still attracts curiosity from the Hierarchy since its inception. Even the Power wondered if the darkness was what made the humans unique. From what Lillie had observed of the human species they were still in the dark stages of evolution. She studied the planets inhabitant, war like history of conquering the weaker sect in every aspect. It seemed to the Power they learned nothing from the past and yet they thought themselves masters of the universe. How did the humans lose their way? Lillie was missing something vital and that’s when she looked down the alley way heading back to her apartment. She watched as an elderly woman scavenged through a garbage bin in search for some food. The Power needed to take a closer look to be sure. Lillie leaped to a window in the alley and melded with the brickwork of the building to keep hidden. The elderly woman stopped in her search feeling a soft gust of wind. The woman looked around and shouted, Who’s there?

The woman waited for a stir but there was none. When she was sure nothing was amidst, the woman resumed her search. A back door swung open startling the woman and she scurried to hide. A storekeeper came out of the doorway to discard someday old food in one of the garbage bins. Once the storekeeper headed back indoors, the woman stayed hidden until the coast was clear before running to the bin. However, before the woman could come out of hiding, Lillie materialized. The Power grabbed the bag of food out of the bin and seeing it was still edible went towards the woman hiding. The woman stepped out only to be confronted by the Power holding the bag of food. Lillie was surprised to see the woman wasn’t elderly at all, just a little dirty.

Who are you? the young woman asked.

You are hungry, no? Lillie questioned.

Yes, the young woman replied with slight hesitation. I am, she answered reaching for the bag Lillie extended out to her.

Do you not have anywhere to go? Lillie asked.

No, I don’t, the young woman stated sifting through the bag. And, what business is that of yours?

It’s just that I… Lillie hesitated seeing how guarded the young woman was.

The woman saw genuine concern on Lillie’s face. I was in a shelter, she said pausing. But, it got too dangerous so I left to take my chances on the street, the woman explained. Where did you come from? she asked looking around the alley. Are you homeless also?

No, I saw… Lillie was about to say looking up at the window. I heard a commotion in the alley and came to see what it was and I spotted you, she said. I thought you were in need of help."

I was, in need of food, the young woman replied. God has answered my prayers.

Well if you need a place to stay, Lillie offered.

I’ll be okay dear, the young woman stated, starting to walk away. Thanks for being concern, she said turning around to address Lillie who seemed to vanished.

Lillie was camouflaged with the building and watched the woman as she headed out of the alley. The woman kept turning around wondering where Lillie disappeared but gave up once she reached the street. The Power materialized partially from the building and focused her sight upward. In a split second, in the form of mist Lillie left the alley and stepped lightly on the avenue in the mix of unsuspecting mortals. The same could be said of early morning, like that of night, it reflected a different side of the human species. Homelessness, hunger and hopelessness were everywhere the Power looked since she came to the planet. There were people living on the streets, sleeping in boxes on the side of buildings or storefronts and hungry. As Lillie passed the lost the Power could feel their wavering souls, each one felt her presence as she walked by. It all pained Lillie but she had to remember her mission, to gather information on what was causing disturbance to the outer reaches of the cosmos. After her walk Lillie headed back to her private abode to wait for nightfall.

Chapter 3

It was dusk when he arrived at the gates of the old Victorian estate that once belonged to his father. He entered the country undetected using his unique powers to ease through customs. Uncle Ethan convinced him a trip to the states would help bridge the gap between the families. As far as the occupants of the mansion knew, they were expecting an elder from the old country. The ride from the gate to the mansion was half a mile. He admired the grounds up keep especially during a cold month. As the taxi got closer to the mansion he noticed there were several other buildings on the property. The sun was almost fully down in the western skies as the taxi pulled up to the wide staircase which met a southern style porch that wrapped the front area of the mansion. He paid the taxi driver and headed to the front door, turning to see a soon-to-be full moon rising. To the average person the estate resembled any other wealthy owned home but once inside the truth rang out. He tapped the bell button lightly and waited for an answer. When the door opened, an attractive young man stood statuesque and inviting in the entrance.

May I help you, the young man asked when the stranger turned around to face him.

I am seeking the owner, he stated, staring and taking note of the vampyre before him. He could tell the difference between a vampyre and a soul stealer by the scent they give off.

You must mean the mistress, the young man answered. Please come in and I will fetch her for you, he added bringing the stranger into the Great Hall. Is she expecting you?

No, is that a problem? he asked.

The young man allowed his stare to linger a bit longer at the stranger, noting his handsomeness. I doubt she will mind being disturbed, the vampyre stated. Please wait here.

The young man left him in the Great Hall to wait and it was quite impressive. It was decorated with blood burgundy and gold brocade fabric wall paper. There were two round mahogany end tables in Victorian style with the leg bottoms craved in a lion claw around a ball. The tables were surrounded by matching chairs with the same leg design and upholstered in gold brocade. In the center of the hall hung a diamond chandelier and the walls were lined with beautiful paintings of the Victorian period. He walked around the parlor admiring the paintings on the wall when he came across one of interest. It was of a very young charismatic man, dressed in black pants and a white poet shirt. The background in the painting was blood red, his black coal eyes were magnetic and his smile was slight but inviting, reminded him of the ‘Mona Lisa’. As he took a closer look, he saw the name on the bottom of the painting ‘Dracula’. He stood there a moment looking up at the painting; this was the Count as he proclaimed. It was always thought Count Dracula was a myth, a vampyre created by mortals to symbolize their own evil. But, here was a painting of real man, an immortal he wished he knew, having read and heard of Dracula’s many exploits. As he resumed his study of the paintings in the hall, he was drawn back to the painting of the Count. The real Dracula was no Count but a king of Walachia, Vlad the Impaler. Even though he was not a real vampyre, his reign in the old country was legendary. He became impatient waiting for his hostess and headed out of the Great Hall only to enter a large parlor with a winding staircase. There he discovered another sitting area, with many occupants waiting but he sensed life in all of them. He stood confused for a moment when his attention was drawn to an attractive young woman walking down the spiral staircase. She was slender, with chocolate satin skin wearing a black lace dress. Her dark red locks cascaded around her face and half way down her back.

My Lord, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, the young woman said interrupting his concentration. We are honored by your visit.

I need not mean to just show up unannounced, he stated not able to take his eyes off his hostess.

Your uncle called to advise us of your arrival, the young woman said. You should have told us, we would have met you at the airport, she said walking up to him. I hope your flight was okay.

She looked at the young prince standing before her with his dark complexion, dark hair and dark eyes. He stood about six feet tall with a masculine build that only the gods could have sculpted.

I wanted to study my new surroundings, he advised feeling the young hostess stare. It is an interesting city you have here, ah? he questioned hinting for her name.

Angelica my Lord, she introduced. I did not realize a vampyre could walk in any daylight? she queried back.

Only those of us born this way, he mentioned. We can withstand the light as long as we consume blood before going out, he paused. But I usually prefer to go during the twilight hours, he told her.

Then we have much to learn and then some about the pure vampyre. Angelica said.

He studied the young vampyress for a moment. I guess we will have many hours of conversation.

Well, I hope you enjoy your stay with us, ah? Angelica paused hinting for his name. However long that might be, Angelica said with a hint of seduction. Would you like to see your room?

How rude of me not to introduce myself, Demetrios, he said as he started to follow her. As they made their way upstairs to other floors of the mansion, Demetri took notice of the mortals in attendance. I am curious, he referred to the people sitting along the wall seats. I sense they are all mortals. Demetri noted.

Oh the humans, they are donors my Lord, Angelica hesitated to answer with him following up the stairs. They donate their life force willingly as food in hopes of becoming part of the kindred.

They offer themselves freely? Demetri asked surprised. I have never heard of such a thing.

It is different here my Lord, she commented as they reached the door of interest.

Please, call me Demetri, he stated.

Angelica opened the door they stopped in front of on the third level of the mansion. It was an extraordinary room, decorated in vintage furnishing. The bed was a king-size canopy with four oak posts surrounding it and craved in detail of the celestial fall of the angels. A Victorian chair was off in the corner and the terrace was adorned with red and gold brocade drapes. There was a moment of silence when they entered the room and then they heard a chilling sound out in the distance. Demetri walked over to the French window doors as it opened to a balcony with the front garden below.

I have never heard them sound like that, Angelica said from behind him. Savage dogs, she said with a putrid tone in her voice.

He looked out into the dark night and closed his eyes to the air to cue his hearing, The flesh eater are calling out to each other. They are looking for something or someone, Demetri told her.

As he turned around to look at Angelica, he noticed a painting on the wall, of a man whose eyes seem familiar to him.

That is a painting of your father, Angelica informed following his gaze. This was once your father’s room, she said noticing his reaction to the painting.

I never knew my father, Demetri replied.

I didn’t know, the vampyress said. It’s a perfect likeness, Angelica said looking up at the painting.

You’ll have to tell me about him sometime, Demetri replied.

I didn’t know him that long, Angelica said. But from what I remember, he was a good man.

Demetri asked to be left alone and the vampyress granted his request. He could still hear the howling of the flesh eater off in the near distance. Demetri laid down on the bed his father once slept on and stared at the painting. He drifted off to sleep thinking about the father that left him when he was an infant and never returned.

Chapter 4

They assembled in the great hall, Watchers, Guardians, Angels and Archangels. It has been the meeting place of the Hierarchy since before recorded time. Here they gather and sit in high council to discuss all that happens in this sector. Since the division of the Collective Consciousness, the Hierarchy watched the evolution of the human race with much concern. The Power first stopped to see the Harvester; here during dawns’ twilight they bring the collected souls to the place of reckoning. It is here the souls are told of their individual fate; it is here that they are confronted with the Truth. Afterwards Lillie headed to the Great Hall to take her place in council after a quiet night. Her presence at council caused quite a stir but none dare to question The Collective. The Hierarchy only knew her order as the guardians of the universe and that her sudden appearance meant something was array. The regents of this sector remembered when the Powers fought alongside of Michael and Gabriel during the Great War for the upper realm. Lillie was from an older order of Hierarchy, the Power had to maintain secrecy of her mission while in this sector.

When she arrived the meeting was about to come to order as the archangel Michael entered from battle, with Gabriel on his heels. There is a moment in the universe when night is experienced everywhere at once and the Hierarchy are enthralled in battle with the Prince of Shadows. Michael took his place at the head of council and Gabriel took seat at his left with Lillie holding court on his right.

How many did we loose? Michael questioned council starting the meeting immediately.

A council member stood up, My Lord, the tallies are rising in greater numbers of late. The humans are waging wars again. It’s hard to keep up, the member announced. It is hard to handle, with hardship, famine and the killing of innocence. The children are suffering all over as they gain more knowledge, they advised. This species keeps finding new ways to destroy each other,

Many still hold faith even with darkness growing more powerful, another council member added.

Even with all of our powers, we are at a lost on what to do, a third member concluded.

The gathering held quiet briefly until Lillie broke the silence to recap her evening. She advised the