'Til Death Do Us Part: Lily Drake Series, #2

By T. Michelle Nelson

With a doting husband and a new job training a vampire military, Lily Drake was living up to the prophecies of being the best. Her life was seemingly perfect, until tragedy strikes bringing her a loss she's not sure she can endure.

The hard-working super mom / vampire slayer, Lily Drake, has just learned problems still exist even after you become immortal. 

As everyone knows, even if you find your soul mate, you don't always get a happily-ever-after. Lily may have found temporary happiness being a newlywed, but the honeymoon is over. When she finds her husband going out for late night bites with another woman, Lily has to fight to try and regain what she wants most, love and a happy family.

If Lily thought being a single mom was hard, she'll find being married can be a bloody mess.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
• Release date: Aug 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781939590039

Book preview

Chapter One

Sometimes your biggest asset is the fact you’re a woman, and smaller. They’ll underestimate you. Lily Drake looked around the all-female group, making eye contact with each of the three newly turned vampire trainees.

Miss Lily, I have a question. It was a tiny voice, barely audible.

Yes, Olivia?

How can someone my size fight a big man and win?

Olivia was the smallest of all the recruits hand-selected for fighting. Standing no more than five feet, she would be easily underestimated. Lily had hoped she’d have some spunk, but the girl had been so quiet from the moment she arrived.

You’ve heard the saying ‘it’s not the size of the dog in the fight?’ Watch this.

Before anyone could register her movements, Lily had taken off across the training area. Across the expanse of padded mats, she jumped mid-air. Poised for a perfect drop-kick, Lily almost lost her balance when she began to giggle just before her feet made contact between Valentine’s shoulders.

They both crashed to the ground. Lily scrambled to her feet, positioning one boot on the neck of her husband, as he lay helpless and smiling.

As usual, a little over the top, darling, Valentine muttered, rolling his eyes.

With one quick swoop of her arm, Lily grabbed her husband, lifted him to his feet, and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Thanks for playing along, she whispered in his ear before she turned with a stern look at her new recruits.

Her stunt had seemingly made the point. The three girls wore looks that ranged from awe to inspiration on their faces. Lily wished she’d known earlier that busting up her husband would’ve made such an impact. She’d remember that for future classes.

Ladies, tonight’s a training mission. I think you’re ready to go out into the world. We’ll be hunting an austere for real this time. Be downstairs ready to leave at nightfall.

Lily smiled at her husband when she heard the collective gasps of her students as they turned to exit the room. What the girls didn’t yet realize was the austere they’d be hunting had been surviving on wild dogs and woodland animals. He’d be weak and no challenge for Lily, even on her own. Yet Mathias, Lily’s ex-boyfriend who also happened to be her husband’s cousin, would be taking his male trainees out to hunt the austere as well. She hoped her girls made the kill, and not his boys. Mathias had a big enough ego without beating her at training.

I’d be honored if my beautiful wife could fit in an early dinner with me before she goes out saving the world. Valentine interrupted Lily’s thoughts, grabbing her hand and placing it over his heart.

Unable to resist her husband’s charm, Lily smiled and nodded. She didn’t really have time outside of her new duties and responsibilities, and knew she’d been neglecting her family since the new recruits had arrived. However, one dinner wouldn’t put her too far behind. Including training, Lily was also responsible for developing a program to find viable human bloodlines to make vampires. She’d become an integral part in the efforts to save the vampire race, but her family would always come first. Realizing just how little time she had spent with Valentine, she turned toward the door, his hand in hers as she dragged him behind.

As soon as Valentine shut their bedroom door, he pounced on Lily, throwing her to the bed, planting kisses all over her face and neck as she kicked wildly and giggled. Only married a few months, the couple had barely gotten a honeymoon before Lily’s role as trainer and head of the vampire military had begun. With the increased austere activity and organization, Lily would reign over every state when it came to training a new vampire soldiers who would fight the austere. Rarely did she and her new husband have quiet moments alone.

Baby, you haven’t fed in almost a week. If you’re going out tonight, you need to take some blood.

Lily had hoped Val wouldn’t notice. She hated taking blood from him, not because of the act itself or the blood, but because when one of them fed, it always left the other weak for several hours until their own body could regenerate. While Lily trained the new girls, Valentine would be out hunting and fighting dangerous austere. It scared her to leave him weak and less capable than usual.

Not if you’re going out, too. I’ll have Mathias and all the recruits to back me up. You’ve got no one.

I planned on staying home, anyway. Keaton and I are going to work on his report about the Black Death for his history class.

Why did he ask you instead of me? Because you lived through it? Lily smugly grinned at her husband as she made yet another running joke about his longevity.

Baby, it might be because I’ve actually picked up a history book once in a while. I’m not old enough to have lived through that. If he wanted an eye-witness account, he could’ve called your aunt Rose.

Shhh, don’t say her name. She’s like one of those ghost stories. If you say her name too many times, she pops up with more work for me to do!

Although Lily sometimes teased about the workload her aunt had given her, Lily loved her dearly. Rose, Valentine, and Lily’s son, Keaton were her life. She would do anything to keep any one of them safe and healthy above all else, even if that meant putting herself at risk, as she had months earlier to save Keaton when he had been kidnapped by the austere.

Valentine softly kissed Lily’s lips before gently placing her head to his neck. He rubbed her hair as he whispered, I promise. I’m staying in tonight.

Reservations gone, Lily slowly bit down on her husband’s neck. As the blood ran down her throat, Lily closed her eyes. A single tear ran down her face. Each time she fed, it was the same. The bond between her and Valentine became that much stronger. She could feel him, his love, flowing inside her and it was overwhelming. Even if they lived for millennia, she would never take this man for granted. He was perfect for her. Gorgeous inside as much as out, generous, caring, intelligent, and most importantly, he loved her son as if he was his own.

I know I don’t have to say this, but be careful tonight. Val kissed her lightly on the forehead and wiped the tear from her cheek.

***

After a romantic dinner at The Cove, Mount Vernon’s finest restaurant, Lily was not only stuffed but sleepy. She reluctantly changed into her hunting clothes, strapped on her custom-made sword and pulled her hair up into a tight ponytail. As she looked in the mirror, she caught the reflection of her delectable husband lounging on the bed behind her, watching her every move.

Stretched out like a lounging predator, Valentine smiled when he realized she was watching him. His infectious smile and irresistible laugh had made Lily fall in love with him. From the moment she’d laid eyes on him, she’d known he was trouble. She just never dreamed that trouble would be all hers.

How am I supposed to leave when you look as delicious as that steak dinner I just had?

I think you’re supposed to wait thirty minutes before vigorous exercise. Just think of it as biding some time and hurry up and get back home to me. He wagged his eyebrows.

I feel like I’m neglecting you and Keaton with all this work Rose has thrown on me.

Baby, it’s important. I know that. When these recruits leave, we’ll tell her we need to take a family vacation and I’ll spend so much time with you that you’ll sicken at the sight of me!

Not possible, but that’s a deal. Talk to Keaton tonight and figure out where you guys want to go. I should get moving. I don’t want your cousin to make me look bad.

Val chuckled. We’ve already decided. I want to take you to New Orleans. As much as you love good food, you’ll never want to leave there. And baby, remember, training the recruits isn’t a competition. Val paused, then crowed. Well, with you and Matty, it’s always a competition. Regardless, please be careful tonight.

Before Lily could do more than narrow her eyes at him, he continued, I know you’re badass, darling. But you’re still my wife, and I worry. Be careful for me.

Lily leaned down and gave her husband a light kiss on the lips and agreed. She knew what it was like to have confidence in a mate’s abilities, yet still worry. She was concerned about him every night he left the house to hunt.

***

In the six short months Lily had been a vampire, she had topped the kill stats for almost any other vampire in history, with the exception of her husband and Mathias. The two cousins had trained her well, and she was now in charge of training others to do the same. More austere vampires were popping up all over the world. They were also banding together, which until recently had never happened. The austere, or rogue vampires, had always kept to themselves, becoming problematic only because they killed humans when they fed, but were typically easy to find and eliminate. In the last year, their modus operandi had changed. Not only had they targeted Lily, they’d kidnapped her son and begun openly attacking other vampires. They had to be stopped before they organized any further and more innocent lives were put at risk.

Lily descended the staircase of the Chapman Mansion, the home she shared with her husband, son, Mathias, and the current recruits. Her three trainees were ready to go on time, each standing at attention with somber faces. Each one of these young ladies reminded Lily why she had agreed to her new title and quickly learned to embrace it. Not only was she helping to teach the newly turned to fight and stay alive, she was helping them assimilate into vampire life, something no one had taught her. Each of Lily’s students had become special to her, especially the tiny Olivia. She felt a particular need to take her under her wing and make sure the girl possessed all the skills she’d need to survive.

Ladies, relax. No one is going to get killed on tonight’s little exercise, I promise. Now let’s hurry up and beat Mathias and his boys out there.

They already left about fifteen minutes ago. Niamh, the Scottish recruit, answered.

Damn, we gotta move then, girls! Head to the garage, we’re taking Mathias’ Hummer. Olivia, you sit up front with me.

The girls were either unaffected or had become accustomed to Lily’s reckless driving. Completely comfortable speeding down the back roads of Mount Vernon, Lily reiterated the training she had drilled into the girls over the last few weeks, with some additional instructions.

Remember to stay close and in a group. I don’t want any one of you running off on your own. This vampire will undoubtedly be weak from living off animals, but he will also be incredibly dangerous. He’s got nothing left to lose.

How do you know where he is? Olivia asked.

Reports of several animals with their throats ripped out have been coming in over the police scanner. Mathias went out to investigate yesterday and found some dead squirrels and dogs. He was sure it was an austere and undoubtedly will still be in the area. He’s going to be too weak to have traveled far.

But more than anything, you want us to be the ones that get the kill and make a right gobdaw out of your old fella Mathias, Niamh added.

I’m going to assume that means I want you girls to beat Mathias’ boys and make him look like an ass. If that’s what you meant, Niamh, then yes. Please. Make Mathias a gobdaw, girls.

The Hummer exploded with laughter as Lily made a quick right turn into a field and barreled through mud and what was left of the harvested corn. She laughed a little harder than the rest, knowing Mathias would be furious when he saw how dirty she had gotten his favorite SUV.

They parked in the back of the field, which adjoined the woods where the carcasses had been found. Before they exited the Hummer, Lily went over the game plan.

Mathias will have his boys out looking for the austere. We’re going to save some time and lead him to us. How does one of you feel about being bait? Lily raised her eyebrows as she looked from one girl to the next.

I’ll do it. Bianca, the largest recruit, answered.

Lily felt confident in Bianca’s abilities. As the last girl to be turned and show up for training, Bianca also happened to be her good friend Burchard’s great-niece, many times over. Although the girl was quite striking, she still favored her uncle in that she was extremely tall and had flowing strawberry blond hair, which gave the two an unmistakable resemblance. The similarities didn’t stop with her looks, either. She fought like a seasoned warrior. Of all the girls, Bianca was the one Lily worried about the least.

***

Who knew she could sing like an angel, too? Niamh whispered to Olivia.

Girls, be quiet! Lily scolded, but the reprimand didn’t reach her eyes. She was having a wonderful time out of the training center and was surprised, herself, how beautifully Bianca could sing.

Stumbling around in the forest, pretending to be drunk and singing whatever song came to mind, Bianca attempted to lure the austere while the others stalked in the shadows, waiting. It was the same strategy Lily and Val had used the year before when they would hunt in the alleys of Columbus. Lily liked her husband’s style of hunting. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, he would draw out the austere.

Only minutes passed before that familiar feeling came over Lily. She couldn’t explain it to the girls during training, just like Val could never explain it to her until she began to feel it herself, but something inside her tingled. She knew they weren’t alone.

It took all the restraint Lily could muster when the austere slinked past her, heading straight for Bianca. The creature was more than weak: it was so starved it had become careless, not even noticing Lily as it made its way to the bait. Unsure if the creature was male or female, Lily could only see dirt and what appeared to be dried blood matting its shaggy hair. The putrid smell of death and body odor floated up her nostrils in its wake. She wanted to gag, but caught herself before she took the attention away from Bianca.

The austere grabbed Bianca’s arm, pulling her toward him. His mouth flew open, anticipating a long-awaited human-size meal. Lily’s heart pounded in her chest and immediately she began to regret her decision to take the barely trained girls out in the field. Her sword was in her hand as she raced to Bianca’s aid, but she was too late—a moment too late.

Bianca, without hesitation, spun to meet the austere’s attack and efficiently twisted until she had broken the creature’s neck. Relief and a sense of pride filled Lily as she stood above the austere taken down by one of her own girls. Before she risked losing her tough reputation as well as the tears that threatened to roll down her face, Lily brought the sword down in one fell swoop across the austere’s neck, severing its head from its body.

Bianca stopped it; I took its head. Who’s gonna carry the body to the Hummer? Lily asked.

Olivia’s just a wee lass, and all I did was fooster about. I’ll carry the body if Olivia will carry the head, Niamh joked.

Without delay and to everyone’s surprise, Olivia grabbed the decapitated head by the hair and started off in the direction of the car. Lily watched as the girls walked ahead and reconsidered her initial appraisal of the tiny Olivia. She was small and meek, but the girl had some gumption hidden down in there somewhere and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. None of her girls were. They would be fine in the outside world when they returned to their home states or assigned areas to protect. They were quickly becoming just like her own children, and the satisfaction of knowing her girls had accomplished a new feat warmed her. Suddenly, she remembered Mathias and his male recruits were out hunting as well and she picked up her step in excitement to find her colleague and rub her win in his face.

As the girls lined the Hummer with plastic garbage bags and loaded the corpse, Lily sent a quick text message to her husband, letting him know of her exciting evening. Before she received a reply, snapping twigs and the sounds of muffled voices grabbed her attention, putting her on guard until she realized it was Mathias and his trainees.

How did you ladies know to give up already? Mathias smirked.

"Give up? We just finished loading our kill. You

Reviews for 'Til Death Do Us Part

[stephanie_keyes-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Lily married Valentine, it seemed like the story had been sewn up nicely. Lily was all set to lead the vampire army, fight the Austere (human-blood-drinking) population, and live a happily-ever-after with Val and her son, Keaton. However, Lily’s sugar-coated ending immediately turns into a blood-coated one as the mansion is attacked when Lily and Mathias, Val’s cousin and her former love, are out hunting. She returns home to find Keaton locked up in a safe place and Val gone. After months of fruitless searching, a depressed Lily is sent by her Aunt Rose to help the New Orleans contingent fight a series of inconsistent Austere attacks. Lily does as she’s told, and heads to the Big Easy, only to find that her husband isn’t as dead as she thought. In the end, Lily will need to make choices about who to trust and who to love. Will it be Val or Mathias?

If you’re a long-time follower of my reviews, then you’ll remember that I loved the first book The Life and Death of Lily Drake. Nelson’s writing style is quick, sarcastic, and funny, which I personally identify strongly with. So the storyline of the follow-up, ‘Til Death Do Us Part, interested me from the beginning. In the sequel, we end up with a whole series of twists – the reader literally thinks they know where the story is going and then they get hit with an unexpected turn.

As Lily’s relationship changes, Nelson does a great job of helping the reader see how the shift in Lily’s affections might be believable. Though I did miss some of the “we-could-get-attacked-at-any-moment” tension from book one, it was understandably absent, given the character was in mourning for a majority of the book. The reader ends up empathizing with Lily on many levels and agonizing over her choices. In the end, there is a cliffhanger, so be warned! You will be scrambling as you wildly search out the release date for book three and hope for more. Fans won’t have to wait too long for a teaser. The free read The First Time, comes out from Inkspell Publishing on April 24th. You’ll want to add both that and ‘Till Death Do Us Part to your TBR list!

Bottom line: Fans of Lily Drake will be happy to welcome her back with open arms.