Camulus: Gods of the Highlands, #1

By Bambi Lynn

Camulus Vass wants a simple life, absent the power and responsibility that can consume a man. But being laird of a clan as large as the Munro does not offer such luxury. Always under the domineering heel of his uncle, Cam has allowed himself to become a pawn. But the arrival of a mysterious newcomer awakens a beast within him that will not be tamed.

Màili has been given the task of rooting out the spawn of an ancient god. It’s the only way to take her revenge against the man who betrayed her. But getting what she wants means taking the life of the man she loves. Will her hunger for a mortal man wreak further havoc on her already bleak future?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bordeilles Books
• Release date: Nov 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9780991443130

Book preview

Book 1 in the GODS Series

Gods of the Highlands

Series I: Camulus

©2016 by Bambi Lynn

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ABOUT THIS BOOK

Màili is a goddess. At least she was, until she trusted the wrong mortal. Now her powers and her immortality are gone—stolen. The only path to revenge against her betrayer? Root out and expose the Highlander scion of an ancient god. But succeeding means taking Camulus' life. Will her growing love for him overcome her thirst for revenge?

Camulus Vass is laird of clan Munro. He'd rather have a simple life, without the power and responsibility that consume his waking hours.  Reared under the domineering heel of his uncle, Cam has become a pawn. Until the arrival of a mysterious newcomer awakens the warrior within him ... and this time, he will not be tamed. How far will Camulus go to protect Màili, and their chance of a future together?

CHAPTER ONE

The Underworld

Màili stood before the gate, her insides churning. Flames of blue, purple, orange licked their way up the bars. Shadows from beyond seemed to reach for her. Soulful moans, wails of the forsaken, echoed off the walls. She wanted to clamp her hands over her ears and run, screaming from the entrance. But she stood her ground. Màili could not back down. The god of death would find her even if she tried to run. She had to find another way out of this.

She pushed waves of dark brown hair away from her face and stared through the bars, fighting back tears. Once she entered, she would never emerge. The enormous lump in her throat threatened to choke her. How had she come to this? What had she done that was so bad, the fates had punished her with eternal damnation? Fall in love? Pledge her soul to a mortal man? Her shattered heart ached, but she pushed away the pain, willfully replacing the heartache with a strong desire for revenge.

She drew in a slow steady breath. Where was Daro now, while she stood before the gates of Ifreann? Enjoying the luxuries of some island in Greece, resplendent and starkly white, rising from the sapphire blue sea? Or one of lush, tropical greenery, nestled in the warm waters on the unexplored side of the world? No doubt the man she loved, the man she had trusted, the man who had stolen all her powers and bestowed them on his wife – Màili still bristled – was taking full advantage of those powers and living the life of excess he craved, the life that drove him to betray her.

Don't just stand there.

She jumped at the sound of a man's deep voice. Ankou, the god of death, stood on the other side of the fiery gate. The gray pallor of his skin was partially hidden in the flickering shadows. It hung from his skeleton, most of it covered by a tattered black robe. Solid black eyes stared back at her, discomfiting and fearsome. He made the slightest motion with one bony finger and the gate began to open, slowly making a gap through which the doomed could enter.

Màili's heart pounded. The moaning shadows tugged at the frayed hem of Ankou’s robe. Beyond him darkness loomed, a void of desolation and anguish. She curled the fingers of one hand around those of the other and pressed her cupped hands to her roiling stomach.

This was it, mortality. In all of her long life, she had never considered that she would not live forever. She was a goddess, no one of importance to be sure, but a goddess with the powers and life span of Brighid herself.

She had lost everything.

Màili gritted her teeth. If she allowed herself to think about a fate she could not control, fear would take over. She refused to let that happen. She wouldn't let it end like this. Wait, she said.

Ankou, an expression of mock surprise on his face, halted the opening of the gate. What? Do you not want to come in? He laughed, a malevolent guffaw that reminded Màili of the wail of the undead on Samhain.

She flattened her lips against the bitterness in her mouth and fixed him with a sneering glare. Does anyone ever want to come in?

He stopped laughing and glared at her. You dare mock me puny woman? You are nothing now. Do not forget that.

How could she forget it? Doomed to spend eternity here in despair and misery, suffering for her stupidity until the end of time.

Which was a long way off. How about a bargain?

Again the mock surprise. Now there is an offer I don't receive every day.

His sarcasm was not lost on her, but Màili plowed ahead. There must be something you need that only a goddess –

Ah, ah. He lifted the bony finger, his head cocked condescendingly to one side. Former goddess.

She swallowed her frustration. There must be something you want that only...someone like me can help with. Give me back my powers. Just for one day. Let me punish the man who betrayed me. And his whore, she thought. I will do anything you need done. Then return of my own free will.

Ankou studied her for what seemed like forever. She began to fidget under his intense consideration. Finally he seemed to reach a decision. "There is something you can do for me. But you realize, of course, the price will be high."

Anything.

He lifted one corner of his mouth. I like a woman with hatred in her heart.

She could not see his eyes, but Màili sensed his gaze slide down her body, again making her fidget. The leering hunger in his black eyes was surprisingly evident as he admired curves that had remained enticing throughout her long life. His stare made her skin crawl. Her heart sank as she realized the payment Ankou would extract from her, but it would be worth it. To see the look on Daro's face when she destroyed him.

"I seek an ancient god, one who was once protector of Alba. Those close to him have hidden him away, disguised as a man, somewhere in the Land of the Scots. He was last seen among the highlanders. I know this because some of his descendants have passed through these gates. You would be surprised how much people are willing to reveal when faced with eternal torment."

She tilted her head, just enough that her russet–colored hair fell across her eyes. She could no longer stand to look at him. What do you want me to do?

This god is called Ian. I do not know the name of the man he pretends to be. He is well protected by someone of great power, but his descendants most likely do not have such good friends. Find Ian’s spawn, he curled his lip, "before Imbolc. Do so, and I will restore your powers."

He paused. She could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke again. You will have one day to take your revenge. Then you will return to serve as my consort until the end of all things.

Màili choked back a sob. In what seemed barely enough time to blink, she had fallen from goddess to slave. She had gone from serving Arduinna, goddess of justice with all the power that title entailed, to serving Ankou, God of Death with no power whatsoever.

And most likely that service would include the most degrading of demands. She snapped her gaze to his. What will your wife say?

His flinch was so slight, she almost missed it. Aerecura is not bothered by that about which she does not know. As he spoke, he glided closer to her, until he stood so close, the stench of decay that reeked from him besieged her. And no one but me will know you even exist.

She would not cry. She had cried her last tear after Daro betrayed her.