Love Lost, Blood Lust: Rage of Dracula, #1

By Jacqueline Steel

Vlad knew his army was to small to defeat the Ottomans as he marched them to certain death. It would require a master tactician’s skills to win the battle at hand. With the scouts returning to report the box trap was set, he rode ahead with his envoy to deliver his message personally to the Sultans second envoy. He was prepared to impale them as he had the first. He had no doubt they were prepared this time, which made his relish for it worth the risk. He knew his men were afraid, but seeing their prince lead the charge emboldened them. The crown was heavy for a man who was destined to lead. But revenge would be his for the Sultan killing his father and brother.

The battle was fierce, costing him well over half his men. But victorious they were as they all fought at his side to save their families and way of life from the rule of Sultan Mehmed II. Riding home, the thrill of victory eased the group of warrior’s pains from their wounds. The pain of the brothers they had left dead on the battlefield haunting them as they longed to rejoin their wives and children. Images of the impaled heads of the Ottomans seared into their minds, all thought was on returning to the comfort of their women. The laughter of their children free to laugh for another day.

None prepared for the horror that awaited them upon returning home. A horror that would make the most honorable of warriors boil with blood lust as they surveyed the love they had lost. The demon horde unseen by the horrified warriors, as they fed upon the tortured souls crying from the blood soaking the ground. The rage of Dracula, as he looked upon his dead wife and child, drawing the leader of the demons to him with fascination as he witnessed his opportunity to walk the earth once more. Merging himself to the human as the leader of these men lost his sanity, a new dawn is born as the demon once again has flash to walk the earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacqueline Steel
• Release date: May 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386354222

Book preview

Chapter one

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It is done, my Lord.

Slowly, Dracula nodded, his reaction belying his true emotions. Thank you, Commander. He slowly looked around the room, where his men were gathered. I thank you all for what you have done. We will make that monster pay for what it has done to us. This is our home, and we will not let him take anything more from us.

Cheers filled the room. It lifted Dracula’s heart, because he knew that his people were behind him. After everything the Sultan had done, revenge was the only thing he truly wanted. Go to your families. Kiss your wives. Tell your children you love them. I know some of our brothers and fathers lost their lives to do this, and we will look after those who have lost anyone. That is my promise to you. No one will be left to deal with their losses alone.

With that his men left, Dracula with his commander. It was a hard fight, Vlad, as we expected. Had we not planned as we had, it would have been very different. I would have lost more men than I did, and I lost too many as it was.

You did your best, John. I could never have asked for anything more. Dracula stepped over to prepare them both a drink. Do you think this will be enough to get the Sultan to leave us be, or will he declare war upon us?

Unfortunately, with the Sultan, there is no way of knowing what he might do next. He may declare war, or he may send more envoys. John sighed. I must be honest with you. After all that we’ve been through I’m beginning to wish he would just declare war. Then we will know what’s going to happen next.

Like always, you are right. Dracula stepped over to John, holding a glass of wine. There is no way of knowing what the Sultan may do. It has always been a problem. The only thing I am certain of is that he wants Wallachia to be his, and that will not happen. I swear on the lives of my father and brothers that Wallachia will stay in the Dracula family.

John smiled, sipping from his glass. I know you will do anything you have to, Vlad. You’re just like your father. Their eyes met. I wouldn’t have done what I did if you weren’t, but I always knew you were the man who had to be on the throne after him.

Mircea may well have been a better leader than I. Dracula raked a hand through his hair, thinking of his older brother. The two of us never got on well before, but I do wish I knew what was to come. If I did then I would have done things differently.

None of us can ever know what is to come. If we did I would have been able to save your father’s life, and maybe even your brother’s. John shook his head. I wanted to do more, but I had limited options, and your father, the way he always did, made his own choices.

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Vlad held his wooden sword, fighting his invisible foes, as Dracula watched with a smile on his face. Your son takes after you, my love.