Fallen Grace

By Jessica Cartwright

"The prophecy states that a time will come when a child is born of two vampires but is not a vampire. This child will grow and age with the sun. At this time another child will be born of vampires with powers beyond compare. If these two should meet and their souls be found to be the other's half, the will form a union unlike the world has ever seen. This union will cause the death and destruction of the human world and allow one family to rule all vampires and humans alike."

Almost 200 years ago at 18 years of age, Grace Kennedy was changed into a vampire. Since this time, she has become part of an elite group of vampires known as the protectors, who serve the Vampire Council. As a protector she is sworn to guard the Sempres and fight the Acelades. So when Grace is approached by Lucas Sempre, the head of the Vampire Council, for a special assignment she accepts no questions asked.

Alex is the 17 year old grandson of Lucas and although born of two vampires, he is human. His birth has led the Acelades to beleive that an ancient prophecy will be fulfilled. They seek to Kidnap Alex to be a mate for Scarlet the granddaughter of Benedict, the head of the Acelades family. To make matters worse, Alex has no idea that his family is a powerful vampire clan. Grace's assignment is to keep Alex safe and unaware of his true identity until he reaches the age of 18. As Grace protects Alex, their relationship blurs. Grace begins to wonder if she can keep Alex safe from the Acelades and if they can be kept safe from each other?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Cartwright
• Release date: Sep 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9780646546247

Jessica Cartwright

Jessica Cartwright lives in Sydney Australia with her husband. When she is not writing Jessica loves travelling, reading any book she can find and watching crime shows on television.Jessica is currently writing her next series that will be due for release in September 2016

Book preview

Fallen Grace

By Jessica Cartwright

Fallen Grace

Copyright 2010 Jessica Cartwright

Smashwords Edition

This book is copyright under the Berne Convention.

No reproduction without permission.

All rights reserved.

The right of Jessica Cartwright to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Commonwealth Copyright Act and its amendments.

Cover by David Cartwright

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from National Library of Australia.

ISBN 978-0-646-54624-7

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although it is a free ebook, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this ebook please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

For Bella and Manu

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Interlude

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Acknowledgments

Sneak Peak: Hidden Splendour

Interlude

Alex. Where is Alex? It’s the first thought that came into my mind. I had no idea how long I’d been unconscious for or worse what had happened to Alex. I opened my eyes to gain my bearings. My vampire sight allowed me to see through the pitch black. I could see the stone walls around me covered with years of moss and water stains. I looked up but I could not see the sky. I couldn’t see a door and the walls must have been at least 25 metres high. I had no idea how we had gotten in here or more importantly how we would get out.

Finally, in the corner of the room, I saw Alex. He was laying on the floor with his back to me. My heart caught in my throat, he wasn’t moving. After a few seconds of sheer panic I saw his chest rise and fall. Alex was alive. Relief flooded over me like a warm wave.

Alex, I whispered. Alex can you hear me? I rushed over to where Alex’s body lay. He must have been freezing in this place. He was only wearing jeans and his batman shirt. The sight of this made me smile. I flashed back to earlier that day when he had arrived in that shirt, laughing at the irony of him being the bat. He was so sure I would turn into a bat and fly away at the end of the night no matter how many times I told him not all the myths about vampires were true. I crouched down beside Alex touching his shoulder with my hand.

Alex come on you have to wake up. We need to get out of here. Alex lifted his head slightly and met my gaze.

Grace? Is that really you?

Of course it is. I replied confused by his question.

Alex looked unsure and repeated Is it really you? They said you were dead. I saw them stab you.

I looked at Alex; he looked so scared I felt so much empathy for him. He knew so little about his own kind.

Alex, you know that not all of those myths are true. I can’t be killed by someone stabbing me, especially not when they stab me on the opposite side to my heart. I’ve told you before the Acelades protectors are not as smart as ours.

Alex’s arms caught me off guard. He threw them around me, holding me in a tight hug, allowing me to feel his relief.

Alex, Alex I cried, attempting to break him out of the relieved state he was now in after realising I was alive.

What? he asked holding my back in his arms looking at my face intently.

A stab to the chest might not kill me but it still hurts like hell so take it easy, I replied extracting myself from his arms. I needed to keep my distance from him. The way he made me feel was not useful here. I needed to be a killer, a protector. In short I needed to do my job and keep him alive. I couldn’t believe I had allowed myself to become so distracted that I had risked everything and almost lost it all.

Do you remember how you got here? I asked him hoping for some insight into how I was going to get us out of here.

No he replied it was pitch black and I was pretty groggy. How did you get here?

I have no idea but I will find a way to get us out of here and get you back to the manor. Don’t worry Alex, I’ll figure it out. I stood up and moved away from Alex. I needed him to believe that we would get out of this even if I was not sure myself. I had been in worse positions before, but at least then I knew what I was up against, right now I had no idea where we were or who was with us but I could make a guess and if I was right it was bad. very bad. I began searching the walls looking for a clue as to how we had ended up in this chamber. I felt a presence behind me and I turned finding myself face to face with Alex, our bodies touching. I could feel his emotions pulse through me as if they were my own. Fear, anxiety, excitement, lust and love all of them flooding me.

Alex, you need to sit down, I’ll get us out of here but having you constantly in my face is not helping, I stated coolly trying to keep my thoughts straight. I needed Alex to stay away from me so I could concentrate on the job at hand. It was hard enough keeping my own emotions in check without having to deal with his as well. Alex needed to return to the manor, to Lucas and Katherine. Then a new protector could be assigned for the rest of the detail. To do that, we needed to leave this place as soon as possible. Alex looked at me rejected.

I just thought… thankfully his voice trailed off and I didn’t have to answer his question. I looked at Alex and sighed. He needed an explanation and I knew he would not understand or accept the truth and I didn’t have time to make him especially when I was having a hard time accepting it myself. I had always followed the rules, well mostly but now they seemed archaic and contrived.

I’m very good at what I do Alex, I make myself fit into any situation so that I can protect those who need it. I’ve done this for a long time. Just let me get us out of here and get you back to the manor, back to your life. I replied flatly.

Alex looked as though he was going to say something but it caught in his throat. He walked away from me and sat with his back against the wall, his eyes never leaving me. I could see the hurt I had caused. Alex was trying to be strong but I could see him crumbling. He had given up everything he knew for me, trusted me completely and here I was rejecting him. He didn’t understand how I could do this but there was no anger just pain. I had to remain cool, callous, uncaring, that was the only way to save him, maybe one day he would understand. I took a deep breath and tried to concentrate.

I returned to looking for a way out. I could hear Alex breathing deeply behind me trying to calm his emotions. I didn’t trust myself to look at him. I was still searching for an escape when a door opened to my left. It had been invisible, made from the same stone as the walls. Light poured into the chamber and across Alex. I could see a figure in the doorway. The face remained in shadows from the light behind her but I would know that form anywhere. I ran to Alex using my body as a shield to protect him from sight.

Hello Grace, Lillian purred in her husky voice It’s been too long and when I heard we were inviting Alex as our guest I just insisted that you join us.

I growled in response. I could feel the killer in me taking over as it always did. I would kill Lillian tonight of that I was sure.

~1~

I was running. Searching for the house, a servant, anything that could help me but I could not see my way through the fog. The fog was thick and the shadows menacing. I called out for my father hoping that it had been a mistake that he had been too quick to act, that he would return me to the carriage and mother would chastise him for his actions when we returned to the house. I called and called but all I could hear were the horses whining in the night. I continued to run. I was searching for the house. Father had told me to make for the house and wake the servants but then we had been separated. Here I was running in the middle of the night looking for a house that I could not find screaming for my father, a servant, anyone.

The fog was enveloping me. I could hardly breathe and my body was tired. My foot caught on something and I fell to the ground. My ankle began to throb immediately and I knew it was twisted. I grabbed my ankle, lifting up my dress to see the damage. It was already starting to swell. I knew I would not be able to make it to the house. I could hear the horses crying in the distance. Through my tears, I began to scream for help but I knew no one could hear me. I felt a presence behind me and I turned to see a figure materialising in the fog. I saw a woman walking towards me, her midnight blue cape flowing behind her. Her face was strikingly beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Her skin was the colour of snow and was framed by golden brown hair that formed curls around her face, softening her hard features. She had ebony black eyes that appeared to bore holes right through me and scarlet red lips which she moistened with her tongue. I looked past her and noticed the man. His skin too was pale but he had a softer appearance than she did. His hair was a deep brown and his eyes were hazel with flecks of gold. He looked at the woman as he walked past her towards me.

She’s perfect, gushed the woman as they circled me. I felt fear grip and my stomach lurch.

I woke up in a cold sweat. No matter how frequently I had this dream it always had the same effect, waking up in a cold sweat feeling panicked and more tired then when I had gone to sleep. Rolling over in bed and stared at my clock. It was 7:00pm and I would be due for the meeting soon. I sat up and observed my new room. I had arrived at the manor house early in the morning for my new assignment. I had been so tired I had taken little notice of my room apart from the large four posted bed which lay in the centre. I had fallen into bed almost the moment I had arrived allowing the thick white sheets and buttercup and gold quilt to surround me in a cocoon of warmth. It had been a trying month and I was in need of sleep and cared little for the other furnishings around me. Now, only slightly more, rested I began to take in my new surroundings.

I knew that my room was one of the larger of the manor house, an indication of Lucas’s gratitude for my assistance. My bay windows overlooked the estate grounds and gave me a view of the forest. Both windows had seats that another person may have used to sit and admire the grounds. There was a lounge suite to the left of the bed with wing backed chairs and an ornate coffee table in front of the sofa. I looked to my right and saw an immense wardrobe leading through to a bathroom complete with a corner spa.

I pushed back my bed covers and rose from the bed. The plush cream carpet was soft under my feet. My black satin nightgown reached to the ground brushing my ankles. I stretched my tired and battered body inhaling deeply. I walked over to the wardrobe smiling as I saw that all of my belongings had been packed away as if they always belonged there. Lucas had obviously sent his servants in after I was asleep to unpack my trunk. I inspected my belongings and noticed that there were several new items of clothing that I did not recognise. The tags told me these items were designer and appeared to have been bought especially for me. As I looked over the wardrobe, I noticed shoes, tops, pants and dresses all of which had not come from my trunk. I laughed to myself as I saw the array of colours, these new clothes came in none of which were my usual preference for black or charcoal. Lucas was always saying that I looked like I was in mourning and I guess this was his less than subtle way of making a change.

Not wanting to offend my host, I selected a new pair of denims and matched it with a purple v-neck cashmere sweater. I walked into the bathroom and saw that like the wardrobe, it too had been prepared. Fresh towels lay next to the vanity and various beauty products lined the shelves. I wondered why Lucas had gone to all this trouble. Protection duty does not generally allow for a lot of personal indulgence or require expensive clothing. I shrugged off the thought knowing that Lucas was aware of my last assignment and was trying to provide some recuperation in return for calling me back to duty so soon. I placed my new clothes on the seat next to the vanity and noticed a crystal goblet on the side table. The crystal goblet was frosted from its cool contents which was thick and red in appearance. My body was reminded that it had been sometime since I had last fed and I was grateful for Lucas’s thoughtfulness. I picked up the goblet and drained its contents greedily. I could tell instantly it was deer blood probably from the estate grounds. I was happy to know that at least feeding would be easy during this assignment, even if I was still unclear about the rest of the details.

I had no more idea about my assignment now than I did two days ago. I was thinking about this encounter as I stepped out of my nightgown and into the shower. The warm water was refreshing after my troubled sleep. I allowed myself to remain in the shower much longer than necessary enjoying the water raining down on me. When I finally stepped out of the shower, I felt clean and revived. I allowed myself the indulgence of using the various products that lined the shelves of my bathroom until I smelt of jasmine, lily, rose and strawberry. I enjoyed the way these smells made me feel, taking me back to my human days when I wandered around the grounds of my family home on a spring day.

I put on my new clothes and took a final look at myself in the mirror before leaving to go the meeting. Despite the new clothes, lotions and makeup I still looked tired. My eyes were dark; they had lost the topaz and green flecks that were usually present. My skin looked paler than ever accenting the darkness of my eyes. My dark brown hair fell down around my face in layers softening the edges of my face which appeared to have hardened. My lips still retained their scarlet red colour and provided my face with some femininity. I sighed at the face looking back at me in the mirror. There was a time when I was considered a great beauty. I had many suitors both human and vampire alike, but the centuries had been difficult for me and since William I had lost the softness that had been the object of affection for so many.

My duties had kept me busy after his death however, they could not take away my grief or my guilt. I knew I had only allowed myself to heal and carrying out my duties so that one day, I might meet the ones responsible for his death and bring them to justice. My brother had been taken and those responsible would pay. I looked away from the mirror, perhaps being at the manor with regular food and rest would allow my body to be revived a little and I would regain my former self.

I walked through the bedroom and noticed another goblet sitting on the coffee table next to an envelope addressed to me. I walked over and sat on the sofa whilst I read the letter and savoured the goblets contents. The letter was from Lucas;

Dear Grace,

I trust you rested well. I took the liberty of having my servants prepare your room whilst you slept and took the opportunity to make some amendments to your wardrobe with the assistance of Katherine. I look forward to meeting you in the library at 8:00pm so that we can discuss the duties of your new assignment.

Once again my deepest gratitude for your acceptance of this new assignment I know it must come at great personal cost to you.

Kind Regards

Lucas

I returned the letter to its envelope and replaced it and the goblet on the tray. I looked at the clock on the wall which informed me the meeting was to commence in ten minutes. I wondered why Lucas would have called his daughter Katherine for assistance. I was sure she was living in London and had far better things to do than purchase clothes for me. I stood up from the sofa and made my way to the door. I took a final glance around the room and wondered what this new assignment was going to bring.

I thought back to when Lucas had approached me about this assignment. I had been in Paris after just completing my last assignment. Marius and Lucas had come to inspect the bodies the Acelades assassins sent to kill the Trobe family. I had been their protector for the past five months and it had taken its toll on me. The threat had been high and the family was particularly needy which did not help. Being in the centre of Paris I had found it difficult to feed and remain inconspicuous but the family had refused to move. Eventually, their assassin had grown tired of making indirect attempts to kill the family and had conducted a strike attack. Seven assassins had stormed the home and I had killed all of them without losing a protective detail. Mr Trobe had suffered some minor injuries as a result of his attempts to help, causing him more harm than if he had remained silent and still as I had requested. Still, it was a successful assignment and I was looking forward to returning to my secret retreat. I was at the end of my decade of service and was scheduled to have six months rest.

Marius and Lucas had come to survey the bodies before the clean up squad arrived. The Trobe family had temporarily moved to a hotel whilst their house was restored. They may not have been injured, but the same could not be said for their house. Both Marius and Lucas congratulated me on my success. I took the compliments with grace but wondered why they had come. It had been decades since Marius had felt it necessary to observe my assignments and Lucas had never seen me on assignment or any other protector for that matter unless it was a Council event. After some small talk I cut them short.

Why have you come here? I asked knowing I was overstepping my boundaries questioning my boss and the Council leader about their actions. Marius and Lucas looked at each other and Marius nodded. I would not be sanctioned for my candour they knew I was no fool.

Marius informs me that your decade is up, Lucas replied.

That’s correct. I’m due to go to my retreat tomorrow, I stated regarding Lucas suspiciously.

I have a favour to ask of you, Lucas continued hesitantly. I had never seen Lucas like this before. He was always strong and sure of himself.

What is it that you need Lucas? You know I will do whatever is necessary, I replied. Lucas had never asked anything of me before and yet he had given me so much. I knew that whatever he asked, I would do.

I would like for you to come to the Manor and meet with me about an assignment. I know that you are due for leave but this is a delicate matter and I need someone I can trust, Lucas finished gravely staring at me intensely.

Of course, I replied. The thoughts of my home in Ireland vanished immediately. I will be at the manor as soon as I can. Do you have a brief of the assignment for me? I asked holding out my hand.

No, this assignment will be strictly off the record, he stated looking knowingly between myself and Marius who nodded at Lucas.

Oh, I remarked.

I will make preparations for your arrival. Alistair will meet you at the airport tomorrow.

Fine. Make sure he retrieves my car I left it in New York after my last assignment, I replied.

As I now prepared to hear about my assignment, I walked through the halls of the manor and it was just as I had remembered it. I had been a guest here many years ago before I became a protector. The walls were filled with portraits of Lucas’s family and masterpieces of artwork that he had collected over his many years. The manor had been restored to its original state with many of the modern conveniences including central heating, bathrooms and a modern kitchen. Lucas had carried out these renovations when he had ‘bought’ the manor house five years ago. In reality, Lucas had owned the home since it was built and he resold it to himself whenever he wanted to move back. Lucas had accumulated his wealth over many centuries and was probably the richest man in the world. Not that he would admit this fact. Ever the gentleman Lucas never talked business and kept his finances private. This allowed him to remain in one place for longer periods of time because people never really knew what he did. Lucas had moved to the United States after ‘buying’ the property five years ago. It had been vacant for over 20 years in his absence and the community was happy to see it lived in again. Lucas returned their kindness by investing in the community and hosting events in his home when he could. Lucas was still required to be away for long periods of time for business but he had an attachment to the manor. He had built it for his wife.

I came to the library door and hesitated briefly before entering, I could hear voices in the room. I detected Lucas’s voice first but the other voice was more difficult to identify. It was female and both parties appeared to be involved in a serious discussion. I knocked on the door and waited to be granted entry.

Come in, Lucas called out. I pushed open the carved wooden door and entered the library.

The library was exactly that, a large room with three of the four walls covered with ceiling to floor book shelves, crammed with books on every imaginable topic. There was a fireplace in the corner which was providing warmth for the room. The windows in this room like those of mine looked out over the estate grounds and into the forest. In the middle of the room was Lucas’s desk. A large wooden desk with a high backed leather chair sat in front of the book selves to the left. It was covered with the usual papers and a computer which appeared to be showing Lucas’s current stock prices. To the right of the room there was a sitting area which contained two large plush lounges, and two large armchairs. A glass coffee table sat in the middle and placed on a tray in its centre were three crystal goblets filled with blood. Their red liquid was thick and inviting, it was the life force of our people. I walked over to the sitting area where Lucas was seated in an arm chair.

Lucas was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt. Lucas looked like a gentleman from another time. His thick silver coloured hair was combed back and his olive eyes appeared kind and inviting. Lucas smiled at me as I walked over to his chair and beckoned me to sit on the sofa next to him. I took my seat and noticed the other person in the room. On the sofa opposite me, sat Katherine. I smiled at Katherine and she gave a small smile back. Katherine looked worried but as elegant as ever. Katherine took after her mother and had long fiery red hair which was pinned up in a French twist. Her skin was pale and her eyes a striking blue. She was slender and tall and positioned herself with poise on the sofa opposite me. I wondered why Katherine was here and what had given her that cause for concern. I looked to Lucas for answers.

Thank you for coming Grace I know that you were supposed to be resting after completing your last assignment but I knew you were the only one that could help me, help us, Lucas began looking from me to Katherine. I am sure you are anxious to know why we asked you to come here but firstly I wanted to ensure that you found everything to your liking in your room. I see you found the new clothing I purchased, Lucas’s eyes smiled as he looked at my new clothes.

Everything was perfect thank you Lucas but you really did not have to go to all of this trouble. It is my honour to help you, I replied.

Lucas sat back in his chair and looked from Katherine to me. As you can see my daughter Katherine has returned from London to visit me here at the manor. I looked at Katherine who shifted in her seat and appeared to be more anxious than when I had entered the room. What you are not aware of is that whilst my Katherine has been living in London she met a man. Lucas paused and I looked at Katherine whose eyes shifted to her father and then to the ground.

Lucas I am aware that Katherine and John were in a relationship and I also know that it occurred far before she moved to London, I assured them both.

Grace, I am not talking about her relationship with John. This was another man and as a result of this relationship Katherine became pregnant with a child. At this I sat forward in my chair, I could not believe that I had not known of this before. Children were rare in our kind and they were celebrated. The fact that Katherine had given birth and no one had been informed not even the protectors made me wonder. I looked at Katherine who nodded confirming what Lucas had said.

Katherine and her husband, Stephan had their child, my grandchild and have been residing in London ever since, Lucas continued not bothering to answer the questions I was sure he knew I wanted to ask.

My mind was failing to process the information I was being given. I wondered why I had not heard of this before. I looked at Lucas who appeared to be waiting for me before he continued. Go on, I encouraged.

My grandson, Alex, is now 17 years old and Katherine and Stephan have moved here to be closer to me and the protection that brings. Alex is special and not only because he is the child of vampires. Lucas stopped.

I looked at Katherine, she was sitting on the edge of her seat staring at me. I looked to Lucas who appeared to be gauging my response. What makes him special? I asked beginning to become suspicious of the reason for him being kept hidden.

Lucas took a deep breath and looked to Katherine before replying. Alex is not one of us, he is human. He does not possess any vampire powers and ages as a normal human does. I looked at Lucas incredulously sure that he must be joking. Lucas continued We are not certain how this happened but Alex appears to have no vampiric attributes apart from being the son of two vampires.

I could not believe what Lucas was saying and I looked to Katherine. Katherine, is this true?

Yes, I don’t know how it happened but it’s a miracle. Our son is human. We felt so blessed to have him and have cared for him all these years with no thought to what this could mean until recently. Katherine stopped. She appeared unsure of whether or not she should go on. She looked to Lucas who nodded his permission for her to continue.

As you can imagine, she said, when Alex was born we kept him secret for fear that the Acelades would find out and try to harm him. As he grew and we realised that he was human we had more reason to protect him because of his weakness and we feared that the Acelades would find him and kill him so we remained in London and faded into the oblivion of the city. Last week Stephan was returning home and he found a package on the front door step addressed to Alex. The postage stamp on the package was from Italy and knowing that we did not know anyone in Italy he kept the package from Alex. Later that night, when Alex was asleep, we opened the package and it was from Benedict Acelades himself. The package was a present to Alex and it contained a cape bearing the Acelades crest, a vile of blood and a copy of the prophecy. We left London immediately and came here.

The prophecy, what prophecy were they talking about? I looked from Katherine to Lucas questioningly.

"She does not know about