Nocturnal: Lightwalkers, #1

By J. D. Robinson

Two brothers, one unavoidable destiny...

All Seth wanted for his birthday was a chance to get out of the city, but when strangers attack him and kidnap his younger brother, Seth will stop at nothing to get Jon back. Even if it means accepting fantasy as reality and siding with the very things that took his brother. 

When Nickolas von Klaus, the long thought dead Prince of the Vampire Court, awakens from an unplanned hibernation, he finds his nation on the brink of civil war. Armed with a mission from his god, Nickolas starts his search for the newest Lightwalker, a vampire with the power to withstand the light of the sun. Instead, he comes across the young wielder of Orion's Blade, Seth, who's on a search of his own. 

Can Nickolas help Seth find his brother while gathering his forces in preparation for war? Or will they be too late to save Jon?

Book 1 of the Lightwalkers Series is 21,800 words. This story follows multiple points of view to create a compelling, fast-paced narrative. In this book, you're introduced to the cast of characters and follow Nick, Jon, Seth, and Sin as they deal with the different obstacles that have appeared in their lives. 

2nd Edition Released, freshly edited.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Typeset Press
• Release date: Sep 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393861560

Book preview

1

Nickolas

Images flashed before me. Violent scenes of war the god insisted on showing me over and over again. Vampires and shifters alike, even some casters, fought side by side against one another. No clear distinction of sides or loyalties. I knew some of the settings by heart. The Court's stone rooms and hidden maze-like passages underneath Paris. The forest that surrounded my American estate. The old cemetery where I bury my children after they fall into their final sleep.

But most of the visions the Grand Sire showed me, I had trouble understanding. Strange cities of metal and glass. A number of even stranger machines that flew in the air, or moved on the ground. Buildings that seemed to reach up and touch the sky. 

I saw that humans, even though dressed differently, still rushed around frantically. I saw some of my children, vampires that I'd turned over the centuries. I recognized faces I knew well, Sin and Samera. Kastina, my fellow Lightwalker and the Queen. I saw the original Avian, Jayger, fighting with a young man. But something seemed odd about it. 

I knew Jayger very well. The flippant man cared for little more than his own kind. Watching the fight closely, I could see he wasn't even fighting back. Merely trying to gain the upper hand to calm his opponent. He was also trying very hard not to hurt him, even though the young man had already landed a blow hard enough to make his nose bleed. The young man didn't have the look of a shifter either. 

The vision changed and I soon saw the same young man standing beside another. Their features were so close, they had to be brothers. They were both looking at something they held between them. This was important, I could feel it in my ancient bones. I took a step closer to them, looking at the blade they held so carefully. Shock flooded through me as I caught a clear look at it; Orion's blade.

As quick as the images began, they ceased, leaving the dream world cloaked in darkness. The Grand Sire stood beside me now, though this was the first time I'd actually seen him. He wore a robe that was similar in fashion to a monk's, but it was the color of old blood and laden with golden chains and charms. His dark hair was so long, it brushed the floor in spite of being drawn up into an elaborate headdress. 

I bowed to him, as so many had bowed to me in the past. 

Nickolas, I know you do not understand these visions now, but… the god paused, taking a step closer. The charms and chains jingled like tiny bells, a sound that could warm the coldest of hearts. Change is coming to the Court. And your actions, as well as those of others, will determine if the change will be for the better or for worse. 

I stared at him. A change? His words sparked my curiosity, but at the same time, I was hesitant.  The Court hasn't changed in thousands of years. Why—

Now? he finished for me. Because a new Lightwalker is about to be turned. It was hard to hide my excitement. A new Lightwalker? The last had been turned ages ago, during the Inquisition, only to die shortly after. Her death had created a very dark time in the Court. That a new Prince or Princess would join them would be a cause for celebration. 

What would you have me do, Grand Sire? I bowed again, trying to show my willingness to serve. 

The human that wields Orion's blade will come across your path. Help him, and he will lead you to the new Prince. The Grand Sire paused briefly before continuing. This new Lightwalker, he will need careful guidance. He will be very powerful, but…unbalanced. I am asking you to stay by his side and mentor him.

I looked up at him, stunned, as my memories fell into place: Kastina's vision during the Ceremony and her announcement afterward about our new Princess.

Is this what you asked of Queen Kastina last time? When the last Lightwalker was brought to the Court's attention? The question was out of me before I could censor my words. Kastina still blamed herself for what happened so many years ago. For her inability to protect Jazel. 

He took a step closer to me, a grimace tracing the lines of his face. Yes, but Princess Jazel was not nearly as important to the Court's future as this Prince will be. The Grand Sire's voice was angry as he spoke. He reached out and his hand touched my forehead. Do this and I will owe you a debt, Prince Nickolas. Now wake.

2

Jonathan

North of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

W hat's out there? Why's it so quiet? I swallowed, my throat dry with nerves.

Seth shifted next to me, reaching to look out the flap. I studied his face and worried over the dark circles under his eyes. This trip was for him, I reminded myself.

He chuckled at me. Jon, you need to lighten up. There's probably a bear or wolf out there somewhere. He pulled on his shoes. Stay here. I'm going to go check on the food.

My brother crawled out, leaving me alone in the tent. I reached for my cell phone, checking again for reception. There still wasn't any. I threw it back down onto my sleeping bag, and slipped my hand underneath the pillow. This time, my fingers closed around the hardened leather handle of my father's knife.

After all those years, even when we'd begged and pleaded with Mom to tell us anything about our father, she'd said it just didn't matter anymore. I couldn't remember what we'd been searching for, but I wouldn't soon forget the look on Seth's face when he'd pulled the box marked Elijah out of Mom's safe. We were both in shock.

We'd spent the rest of that night pouring over the papers and a small, cloth-bound photo album we found pinned underneath the knife in the box. I remember that tight pressure in my chest when we pulled out the last slip of paper. A death certificate for Elijah Lewis, our father.

I pushed the thought from my mind. I couldn't think about that now. Seth was already worried enough about having to support us. He'd been working every moment he could since Mom had passed. He didn't need to come back and find me crying like a baby. Sixteen year-old's don't cry.

I gripped the knife's handle tighter and pulled the blade from its sheath. Anyone would expect the metal to be rusty and dull from the worn look of its casing, but the steel was as bright as if it'd been made yesterday. I read the inscription that ran along the guard. Aut vincere aut mori. Conquer or die.