Redemption at Midnight

By Mary Moriarty

Bella is the only daughter of former Vampire King, Cormac O’Heachthanna. She spent the first four hundred years or so in peace, happiness and love. Surrounded by her loving and strong father and brother. Then came the 1900s and with that women demanding their rights... and Bella starting to spread her wings.
By WWII Bella was in the thick of it. Working for the British as a spy. She goes to Germany where she would fit in to try and persuade top officials to come to the Allies side. No one prepared Bella that her objective was a dashing, German Aristocrat. Pictures didn’t capture his charm and personality... The reports only stated he was the architect of the concentration camps in Europe and the elimination of the Jews.
He was responsible for the worst crimes against the Jews but Bella fell for him hard and thought her love would change him or she would.
Problem is she never did, so her father and brother had him killed.
Bella spiraled out of control and would have perished had it not been for her dearest friends from a coven of witches in England.
Brent O’ Hara has been a Marine for almost half his life. He lived to go to battle. He was finally called up for a Special Ops unit with none other than Cormac O’ Heachthanna. Both he and his brother joined. After three years his brother is mortally wounded and changed. Seven months later without the backup of his brothers in arms he is on a mission, doing a sweep of a village when an IED kills four and severely wounds Brent. He wakes up to the bottoms of his legs missing and one of his hands also gone. He then knew he would never be good for anything again... or so he thought. He needed to heal and Cormac knows just who would be the one to help. His daughter Bella... only she hasn’t spoken to him in sixty years.
Redemption at Midnight brings back some of the beloved characters of One Thousand Years to Forever and I’ve Been Waiting for You. There are also some new characters that you will fall in love with.
Can Bella and Brent find healing and love before it’s too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Moriarty
• Release date: Apr 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311976758

Mary Moriarty

I grew up in New England surrounded by a lot of history and story telling by my father who was from the Mid-Coast of Maine. What I remember of my mother was her love of fairy tales, the wee people and poetry. So it’s no wonder I would one day write.I actually started writing at a very young age, mostly poetry but I loved playing with words. I also loved books and before I even learned to read I would sit and pour over the books that had belonged to my mother. Works by writers such as Dante and Shakespeare filled the shelves. When I was about 6, I remember trying to read a first edition copy of Ivanhoe that belonged to her.So what does this author do when she isn't writing? Well I write 7 days a week, early in the morning but when not writing I love to read, knit (so I don't kill people... except in my books), chase around all my animals, there are way too many. I drink a lot of tea to keep me going, some people call me a tea snob. I love great tea like some people like great coffee, beer or wine.I love great tequila but reserve drinking that with one friend of mine.If you enjoy my books, tell your friends and family. Say hi over at my Facebook author page or my website.

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Redemption at Midnight

By Mary Moriarty

Copyright © 2014, Mary Moriarty

Smashwords Edition

Self-publishing

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, emailing, blogging, recording, or by any digital information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

Dedication

I want to thank my children and husband Bob for all the love and encouragement they give me. I truly appreciate everything you do for me so I can write.

To my little Bro Rob: I love and miss you still with every day. See, your Big Sis is still hard at work, loving all the stories that come to me. I still want to share with you, and hope you are watching from up there in heaven somewhere.

For my readers, I write for you, each and every one of you. If you like this story let me know. I love hearing from my readers.

To Jimmy Thomas who has provided me with not only great covers, the last three so far, BUT because of you Jimmy I have some of the most amazing sisters & brothers in the world! To my Boobie Sisters & Brothers. You know who you are. I love you all!

Prologue

Bella walked into her father’s office at HQ. She saw him glance up as he finished his call. She heard Churchill’s voice booming loud and clear, so she sat and waited.

Cormac listened to the rise and fall of Churchill’s voice. Yes Sir, I have one of my best agents sitting right here. I will have her leave immediately. He listened. Yes, I know, this is of upmost importance… She is one of our best and I know she won’t let us down.

He looked up and smiled at Bella. He scribbled something down and handed it to her. She glanced at the sheet of paper. She was to go to Berlin on the next flight out. She opened up her briefcase and pulled out a file. Opening it, she saw the men who she would be contacting.

She read through the files while her father finished his call. She knew these men would be her key to blending in. She had a home that was supposedly owned by a distance relative. She looked at the layout of the home; a great, grey stone structure near Tiergarten. She studied the rooms, and where the rooms were located. Her story was that she was returning to take over the house after the death of her relative, and was returning to her family’s ancestral home. She was an antiques and rare book dealer. This story was already circulating so she would be excepted as soon as she landed, getting there through various channels.

Cormac said his goodbyes and hung up the receiver. Sitting back he smiled and steepled his fingers watching and thinking about his only daughter, Bella. She was able to get into places that even Colum couldn’t get into.

How are you, darling?

Bella smiled and handed over the file she had been reading over. These are my contacts?

Cormac took the file. Is this the file Colum gave you?

Bella shook her head. No, Travis brought it over to me. He came over to my flat a few times. We have been going over contacts I will visit, places that I will be going to. The entire time we spoke only in German.

Cormac smiled. You have always been a quick learner, my Bella. I think you will do excellent. I will be calling you once a week. If you need to get in touch with me, go through the channels we discussed.

Bella handed another file to her father. What do you think about him?

Cormac opened the file and saw Peter von Brunell. He was from an old aristocratic family. His father had been a high-ranking General of the Luftstreitkrafte. Peter’s godfather was Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen. He had been second only to Ernst von Hoepper, the Commanding General, during the Great War.

It had been passed through the channels, that Peter’s father was said to have been questioning the Fuhrer’s actions. Bella was to get into that circle and become acquainted with the son, Peter. He was in charge of all the concentrations camps. Bella had read through the communiqués; it was said that he’d wanted to make a mark for himself, rather than be part of the German Luftwaffe and following in his father’s footsteps. If she could bring both father and son to the side of the Allies, their names would bring many more of the German elite and the Wehrmacht to the Allied side.

Darling, get yourself settled, give yourself about a month. You will get calls and will meet people through those contacts.

Bella stood. I will leave first thing. She walked up to her father and kissed his cheek.

Cormac studied Bella. Are you sure you will be fine?

Bella smiled at her father. Of course, Papa, why would you ask me that? You know I have done and gone places that Colum can’t go. I will be fine.

Cormac held her a moment longer. Be careful my darling. If you feel you are in over your head, get out. It doesn’t mean you are weak. This is something that none of us have seen. This war machine is more complicated than even we have dealt with before. So don’t worry, if you want to come home, I will get you out.

Bella pulled away. I will be fine. This is nothing more than I have dealt with before.

Cormac held her hand. He felt her pulling away. She had been spreading her wings for the last couple hundred years. She was such a caring woman, but in a vampire body. She would have an orphanage open in Berlin within six months. She was that type. He was just getting a feeling that maybe she would become too attached. He would have to watch out for her more carefully.

* * * * *

A Week Later, Berlin

Bella sat at her desk late in the afternoon, going over calls that had come in the last hour. She had brought along Gerda and her brothers; Kristian, Leopold, Konrad and Kasper. They were from the Oldenburg Coven. She had been in contact with them for the last couple of years and they had been instrumental in helping the whole ruse to work.

She heard a light tap on the door. Looking up saw it was Kristian, who was acting as her butler. Yes Kristian?

Kristian came in and handed her a package and an envelope. These were just dropped off. The courier said he would be back later with a very large container.

Bella smiled. All goes according to plan. I will have this house filled with priceless paintings and books. At least the Nazis won’t steal these. She put the package and envelope to the side. Now tell me, Kristian, what of the children?

Kristian handed her a piece of paper. She glanced at it and handed it back. He went and threw it in the fire that was going nicely in the fireplace.

We will leave at midnight and get to the orphanage at about two in the morning. You have the truck ready? She asked.

Kristian nodded his head. Yes, we will have uniforms for all of us and you are a female guard, transporting these children to a camp for...work purposes, of course, should we be stopped.

Bella rose from her seat. Brilliant. Have Gerda have the cots made ready and make extra soup and bread. Twenty children will leave tomorrow night, with our select guest, and from there be transported to the waiting place, bound for a freighter to cross the North Sea to England. Once a week we will be getting as many children and young adults out as possible.

They both turned to the sound of the doorbell.

I will get that, Bella.

Bella waited and listened as Kristian answered the door.

Yes?

Bella could hardly make out the voice, it sounded so feeble.

Kristian looked down at a little boy who couldn’t be more than ten, at the most. He wore no jacket and Kristian suspected it was to hide the fact, if even for a little while, that he was Jewish.

Sir, I have seen the kind lady come to this house.

Bella heard a commotion and then heard the person be pulled in. Bella got up and headed out of her office. She heard the feeble voice rise.

Sir, I did nothing wrong.

Running down the hallway to the front door, Bella saw the frightened child cowering away from Kristian, who though not as big as her brother, was quite tall. What with his steely blue eyes and flaxen hair, he was the perfect Aryan vampire.

Bella got down on her knees, looking over the child quickly. You are quite safe here, child. Don’t mind Kristian, he was only trying to get you off the street and away from prying eyes. How did you find out about me?

The boy looked up into the eyes of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He hadn’t known his mother, as he had been what they called a foundling. The women at the orphanage were so tired looking, and sick from lack of food, you couldn’t call them pretty. Here stood a woman who was so beautiful, like a fairy princess from the stories they used to read to them at bedtime, before all the nightmares started. He felt so lightheaded, but had to tell her.

News travels fast about kind people. I was sent out from the orphanage to get help. We heard they are coming to empty the home. Many of the little babies are sick because of lack of milk and food. The nurse told me to ask you to hurry. He stood looking at her and felt his legs start to give out as the world went black.

Kristian was the first to scoop him up. Poor Lamb. I will have Gerda make up some broth for him. He walked down the hall with the child in his arms. Speaking to Gerda as she came out of the kitchen, We need broth for the child.

Get him settled on the couch, cover him, I will be back momentarily, Gerda said.

Gerda then glanced down at Bella, before she stood back up. If it were all possible Bella looked pale. Mistress, I will get the boy settled. Let me know if you want anything else.

Bella followed her to the grand staircase that led up stairs. She would get changed. Make sure enough soup is ready for more than we thought. Contact HQ through the proper channels, tell them plans have changed and to send extra supplies through the courier. Also make sure we have our courier pigeon ready for messages. That will be the only safe way to get messages delivered. I will leave with your brothers for the orphanage. It is probably the one on the other side of the city, the only one I know of that is Jewish that is left.

Gerda nodded. Right away, Mistress She walked away to the kitchen.

Bella watched Gerda go back to the kitchen before she headed up the stairs.

Running upstairs to her bedroom Bella stripped down quickly. She put on a nurse’s uniform and then changed her shoes. Running into her bathroom she washed her lipstick off. She was going to be the plain nurse, making sure all the attention was away from her. She took her hair out of its chignon and brushed it out. Then she pinned it up into a plain and severe bun. Giving herself a once over, she was more than satisfied with her look.

Walking out, she grabbed her purse off her bed. Peeking in, she saw she had her Luger pistol. She really didn’t need it but it was nice to have. She put that in her coat pocket. Patting that, she felt satisfied.

Walking down the hall to the stairs, she saw her home with fresh eyes. She wished it could be any other time. She would fill this house with children, children who needed a home and love. She had more than enough material possessions, and money, she could give back forever.

These children would be sent to her English witches’ coven. There, they would have the countryside to try and become normal again. Walking down the stairs, she saw Leopold standing at attention. He was a fairly young vampire by her family’s standards. Leopold had died on the battlefields of France in the last war; The Great War. He had been created by her father and brought back to Ireland. At that time he had been a young eighteen-year-old Private, and would now forever remain young.

Fraulein, I was told to come see you.

Bella grabbed the pad of paper that stayed at the hallway table. She wrote out a quick note then looked up. Go put this note on the pigeon and let it go. It will warn our sisters of the extra children.

Leopold read the message:

Chwaer yn gwneud yn barod ar gyfer llawer mwy.

Sister, make ready for many more.

Why not write it in English rather than Welsh? He asked.

Bella smiled. I could have written it in English, but my birthplace was Wales and my sisters in the witches’ coven understand Welsh, so this makes more sense to write in that language. It will also confound anyone else finds it, besides who it is intended for.

Leopold nodded, Yawohl.

Bella smiled Touché. We leave in thirty minutes. Get the transport truck ready to move as many children and those there at the orphanage as we can.

Leopold nodded, We don’t have paperwork yet, though.

If we are questioned, I will create a diversion. So, we will have a few less nosy soldiers if they question us. We will come back here and go back out at midnight.

Leopold nodded. I will have the truck ready in ten. It is all fueled up with petrol.

Bella smiled. Good.

* * * * *

They pulled up in the back of the orphanage, sitting in the shadows. Bella looked at the building in the gathering gloom. Now listen, we are here to help with the liquidation of this orphanage. She looked at Leopold who drove and Kristian who sat in the middle. Konrad and Kasper had their heads poking through the flap from the back of the truck into the cab. Remember, act like you are here to help. Don’t be cruel, but don’t show any emotion towards the children. We want to keep this low key. Should you have to take any of the Germans out, do so quietly. Am I understood?

Jawohl, could be heard.

Then let’s get moving.

They got out. Everyone adjusted his or her uniform. Bella led the way, walking tall. A shot and scream rang out. All of them stopped.

Bella heard Kristian whisper, Bastards.

Remember stay calm, the more we can get out… If you can, kill the Germans, but we don’t want anyone suspecting us. Act normal. She was having a hard time and could feel the energy of the men behind her. They walked quickly and rounded the corner. What met their eyes was a nightmare; people being led out of the building, some shot, others pushed