The Lockwood Chronicles Episode 6: A Second Chance

By Katrina LaFond

After Alexander left Madeline, she fled the memories that were all around her in London. She couldn’t go home, so she found herself in New York City. She goes about her days and nights in a daze, oblivious to those around her. Then, one night she meets Caleb, and his interest in her is intoxicating. But she feels a familiar presence, and knows that Alexander is near.

Madeline had warned him not to expect her to welcome him back with open arms when he’d left her, but unable to tolerate such a distance between them, Alexander has followed Madeline, all the way to America. He watches over her from afar, wanting nothing more than to be with her but still unable to give her that which she wants the most—an apology.

Caleb has secrets of his own, and someone has decided that Madeline must never be allowed to join with him, a bond that would create a power the world has never seen. Now Alexander and Caleb find themselves in an unlikely alliance, competing for Madeline's affections while fighting for her life.

Excerpt:

Madeline closed her eyes and breathed him in as though memorizing his scent. She concentrated on the feel of his arms around her and how safe he made her feel, the power coursing through her body from his. Then, full of regret, she lowered her arms from him and stepped out of his arms.
...
Alexander wrapped his fingers around her wrist, stalling her retreat. He knew she was waiting for him to return her apology, to ask for forgiveness for walking out on her the way he had, but no matter how hard he tried to speak the words, they just wouldn’t come. The images of her and Lucian were still too vivid in his mind. ...

The hope shining in her emerald eyes died gradually with each second that passed and he still hadn’t spoken. Finally, she tugged on her wrist, silently asking him to let her go. His hand tightened as he thought wildly that he could keep her there, that she was no match for his superior strength and power, that he could bend her easily to his will. Pushing aside that temporary insanity, he released her, slowly, finger by finger, until her arm dropped to her side.

Neither of them spoke, unsure of what to do now, when, for a moment, they’d been so close to reconciliation. Stifling a sob, Madeline backed away, then turned and fled.

♥♥♥♥

Alexander stared after Madeline as she disappeared into the darkness, not even realizing there were tears sliding down his own cheeks. His hands closed into fists at his sides as he struggled with himself to hold his ground.

“It seems like she’s forever running from you,” Caleb commented as he sauntered out of the trees behind Alexander.

Alexander turned on him, eyes flashing in warning, the sorrow in his heart turning instantly to anger. “How long have you been there?” he demanded.

Caleb shrugged. “Pretty much the whole time,” he admitted, ignoring the fury in the vampire’s red eyes. “I wanted to make sure she was safe.”

“She’s never safer than when she’s with me,” Alexander hissed.

Caleb gazed at him for a moment. “Are you sure? Why does she keep running then?”

Alexander was about to answer but stopped himself, tamping down his anger. “Why do you think I owe you an explanation?”

Caleb shrugged. “You don’t. Just give the lady some space.”

Alexander turned and looked back down the path after Madeline. “That’s not what she wants,” he muttered.

Caleb frowned. “Then what—?” he began. He was interrupted by a strong pulse of power sweeping over the clearing.
---
A Second Chance is the sixth episode in The Lockwood Chronicles series. It contains adult situations and some violence and is recommended for readers over 18 years of age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katrina LaFond
• Release date: Jan 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311240309

Katrina LaFond

Writing is the ultimate escape from reality. You can read or watch a movie, but you're not truly immersed in another world like you are when you're creating one. When I'm not writing, I'm wishing I was and when I'm writing I'm living another life. There's some of me in every female character who lets me write her story--some more than others, but I'll never tell which ones. In my other lives I'm a sexy vampire, a powerful witch, an independent werewolf or a seductive human. I can be anyone and anything I want, and who wouldn't want to do that? My genre of preference is fantasy romance. I became infatuated with vampires in high school when I read a book about a girl, who'd recently been turned, who allowed herself to die in the first rays of dawn rather than feed on the boy with whom she'd fallen in love. I remember that part vividly because I thought it was the most beautiful depiction of unconditional and unrequited love that I'd ever read. I promptly devoured every book with vampires in it that I could get my hands on (in my age range, of course). At the time I wasn’t interested in romance novels, and eventually I ran out of teen vampire stories, so I tried my hand at writing one. Over the years, my characters and stories have matured with me. At first, the only characters I met were vampires, but eventually, other characters came to me, and I discovered I had a thing for tall, dark and handsome aliens as well. I spend so much time with my characters that they become real to me, and all my friends and family have gotten used to me talking about them that way. Thankfully, if they think I’m crazy, they keep it to themselves. I’ve also been very lucky in love. For 26 years, I’ve been with the same wonderful man who is very tolerant of the fact that I fall in love with the leading men in my books.

Book preview

The Lockwood Chronicles

Episode 6: A Second Chance

by Katrina LaFond

copyright 2014 Katrina LaFond

Smashwords Edition

Edited by: Laurie Williams

Cover by Abstractionz

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Table of Contents

Beginning of Book

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The tavern was like hundreds of others. Madeline sat on the stool, her forearms resting on the edge of the polished, wooden bar, a drink in her hands. She lifted it to her lips and took a tiny sip, staring into the mirror across from her, watching the scene behind her. There was the usual assortment of weeknight drunks, lonely men and women who couldn’t face their empty homes. She knew how they felt. She’d hated the empty house so much that she’d fled all the way across the ocean, to New York City, so she wouldn’t have to hear the silence of Alexander's absence. Everywhere she looked, she saw him. Every time she turned, she expected to see him appear at a doorway. Everything around her was Alexander's. She’d moved into his life, his city and his home. And now he was gone, and she didn’t know for how long. Every reminder broke her heart anew.

She’d taken to this bar the first night she walked into it. It was usually pretty quiet and nearly empty, which worked out well. She needed somewhere safe to hunt, and she found it quite easy to pass off anyone she fed from as simply drunk. She didn’t see any prospects tonight, though. That was all right. She could go a few more days.

She swiveled around on the stool and stood up, dropping a few bills on the bar. She paid no attention to the other patrons as she walked away. They watched her go with varying degrees of envy and disappointment in their eyes. She walked with a confidence that came from knowing that no one posed any real threat to her. Before she was turned, she never would have gone into a bar by herself. She would have been too nervous, too afraid.

Suddenly, a flicker of power whipped through the bar, dancing over her skin. She froze at the door and turned to scan the room, trying to find the source, a small part of her hoping it was Alexander. But it was gone as quickly as it had surfaced, and all she saw were humans. It must have been her imagination. With a sigh, she left.

* * * *

Caleb watched her move through the bar, her every move smooth and silky, her carriage that of a goddess. She wore a simple dark green dress which hugged every sinuous dip, every luscious curve of her slim body. Her thick and full ebony mane of hair was loose around her shoulders and down her back, moving around her like living silk, almost an invitation. Her skin was smooth, unblemished, china-doll pale. Her eyes were downcast, watching the floor rather than her surroundings, and he realized she was leaving. His heart skipped a beat and he got to his feet. For just a moment, he lost his iron control and he radiated power.

The goddess froze and turned, her emerald eyes scanning the bar. He clamped down again, hiding his power, but the damage had already been done. On the other hand, his mistake revealed two things to him: she could make him lose control, and she wasn’t human. So, it must have been her power that he’d sensed, that had drawn him into this bar for the first time two weeks ago. It was fragile, relatively new, but it was strong and formidable. Her beautiful eyes narrowed as her gaze skimmed the patrons, sliding over him without even pausing. He knew she couldn’t sense his power anymore. She seemed to decide she’d imagined it and turned away, slipping out the door into the New York night.

Dropping a few bills on the bar, Caleb moved to follow her. He stepped out into the humid evening and looked up and down the sidewalk, searching for her. She was gone. He frowned. How had she managed that? What was she?

* * * *

Alexander watched Madeline walk into her hotel, her head down. She moved like that a lot these days, her shoulders curved, her gaze downcast, like she’d been defeated. His heart wrenched a little at the thought that he’d done that to her. Leaving her had hurt him as much as it had hurt her, but he’d never been far away. He’d followed her during her travels, her flight from him. He would never leave her truly alone. He was always nearby, ready to protect her if needed. But it was more than that. He found he just couldn’t be away from her. He needed to be as near to her as he could be. He was hurting, but he wasn’t sure if it was more from what had happened, or from their separation.

A soft breeze rippled his hair, lifted his jacket, and brought the scent of lavender to him. He didn’t have to turn to know. Hello, Stormy, he greeted absently.

Her laughter was light, like the tinkling of bells. Alexander, my darling, she purred, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, leaning her cheek on his shoulder. Why do you hover so? She’s moving on. So should you.

He disengaged her arms from his body, turned and moved her away from him. With you? he asked.

She smiled, her eyes full of promises. Of course, she said.

Is that why you put that spell on her and Lucian?

Her eyebrows lifted. Why, Alexander, she gasped, I have no idea what you mean! She fluttered her eyelashes at him innocently.

He shook his head and turned back to watching the hotel. Madeline's light was on in her room. She was right there. So close. He wondered what she would do if he knocked on her door. Would she welcome him in? He flashed back on her ultimatum, when she’d told him she wouldn’t welcome him back with open arms. More likely, she would slam the door in