Mistakes of the Past

By Patricia Josephine and Patricia Josephine Lynne

Luc is ready for forgiveness.
But can the Devil truly escape his past?

Luc lives a quiet life in a small town as a priest. It is his atonement for his past wrongs against his family that banished him from their lives. A chance meeting with a beautiful, young woman named Rose throws his resolve into question. Does he want to go home if it means never seeing Rose again? He sees no choice, Rose could never accept who he really is.

When a Satanic cult from Luc's past kidnaps Rose, Luc must not only face the cult but himself if he wants to save Rose. Doing so means she will learn the truth. Will Rose be able to reconcile the truth with the soft-spoken man she knows? Or will Luc lose her forever?

Mistakes of the Past is an urban fantasy about overcoming past mistakes and owning who you are. Buy it today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Twisting the Myths
• Release date: Oct 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781393825623

Patricia Josephine

Patricia officially started writing in 2012. She was bored and since she was always day dreaming fantastic stories, she thought, “Why not write them down and share them with people?” She's still deciding if that was a mistake or not. Since then, she has finished a dozen stories and has no plans to stop. You can find her young adult novels and short fiction under Patricia Josephine Lynne and her adult novels under Patricia Josephine. When she’s not lost writing in fantasy worlds, she relaxes with knitting, drawing and art, and jigsaw puzzles. And of course, a good book. Patricia J.L. currently lives with her husband in Upper Michigan. One day, they both hope to have enough pets to resemble a petting zoo. (Until then, can she pet your cat or dog?)

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to thank all my cheerleaders, the writing friends I’ve made and pushed me to keep going when times got tough, Story Dam on Twitter who never let me slack off, family and friends for supporting me, and my hubby for putting up with me when all I wanted to do was write and not worry about dinner.

Thanks to Olivia for the beautiful cover. Thanks to my beta readers and critique partners, Christine, MJ, and Marie. Your feedback was invaluable. Also, thanks to Chrys Fey, my editor. You helped me polish this story until it shined. A big thanks to everyone who helped me promote and spread the word about my books.

Lastly, I want to say thanks to YOU, the reader. Thank you for picking up my book and giving me a chance to help you escape into fantastic worlds.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Bonus Story

Sneak Peek: Abducted Life

About the Author

CHAPTER ONE

THE WORLD WAS COLD. From the moment Luc set foot on it, he was chilled to the bone. Not surprising. After so many years in fire and darkness, he had become accustomed to the extreme temperature. He wondered how long it would take for him to acclimate. Or if he would at all. Had heat left its mark on him the same way his past had?

Luc huddled on the brown couch, with his arms wrapped around himself, and his knees pulled up to his chest. A shudder rocked him. His toes tingled with numbness. He blew on his fingers to warm them.

The elderly man sitting in the recliner next to Luc pushed to his feet. He wore black pants and a button-up shirt with a white collar. He clutched his cane and hobbled out of the living room, returning a few minutes later with a green blanket from one of the bedrooms.

You look like you need this. He held out the blanket.

Luc wrapped the thick fabric around himself, but it did little to warm him. He offered his thanks anyway. I appreciate you looking out for me, Father Albert.

Any time, my boy.

A grin quirked Luc’s lips. It amused him when Father Albert called him boy. Despite looking no older than twenty-five, Luc hadn’t been young for a long time. He didn’t mind, though. Being called that instilled him with hope. He could make amends if he thought of a vast future before him.

Father Albert straightened the best his crooked back would allow and returned to his chair. He sank into it with a wheezing sigh.

The cheer faded from Luc. Father Albert shouldn’t inconvenience himself for Luc’s sake. At seventy-nine, the priest’s joints were twisted by arthritis. He took a host of medication, and it didn’t take much for his energy to be sapped. Luc wished to ease the effects of aging for the man. After the kindness Father Albert had shown him, Luc owed him so much.

It took a special person to give Luc a second chance. He wasn’t always sure he deserved one.

The TV played a crime drama. Father Albert nodded off during a commercial break. Luc rose and draped his blanket over the slumbering man, then he turned the TV off. Goose bumps spread across his exposed skin. Shivering, he headed to his bedroom. It was sparsely furnished with only a bed and dresser, and the off-white walls were bare. Black pants and shirts hung neatly in the closet. A mirror was attached to the closet door.

Luc examined his reflection. He swiped his ebony hair aside and ran his fingers over his forehead. The tawny brown skin was smooth. He let out a sigh, but the worry remained in his hazel eyes. He closed them and listened to the steady beat of his heart.

You’re okay. You’re okay. His lips moved as he repeated the words in rhythm with his pulse. The affirmation untwisted his muscles and lifted the weight from his chest.

Stripping out of his clothing, he dropped the habit in the laundry basket. The white collar caught on his fingertips. He held it up. The fabric was stiff, curved to fit his neck.

Was this the right way? He had no idea.

If only Dad would tell––

Luc shut down the thought before it could finish. If he had learned anything over the years, it was to focus on what he could control. Remember the mistakes he made––how could he forget his biggest?––but don’t wallow in the past. The path to redemption did not lie in pity.

Luc pulled on a pair of blue fleece pants with yellow stars and a snug fitting white T-shirt. Blankets were piled thick on his bed, and he burrowed under them. The goose bumps faded. He felt...a little warmer.

Sleep eluded him, though, as his mind churned. He forced himself to think of things other than his worries and how cold he was. There was laundry to do in the morning. The church windows needed to be cleaned. The floor vacuumed.

Eventually, his eyes fluttered shut, and he drifted away.

The scent of coffee woke Luc. He inhaled deeply, and the aroma made his mouth water. Dreams faded into oblivion as he rose. He padded down the hallway, following the smell to the kitchen. The coffee machine sat gurgling on the counter next to the microwave. The time indicated it was seven-thirty.

Luc tapped his fingers on the counter top as the coffee brewed. Whoever said patience is a virtue never had to wait for coffee.

Father Albert, already dressed, sat at the table, nursing a cup of decaf. Fifteen years ago, his doctor had recommended he give up caffeine. Luc wasn’t sure how Father Albert managed. Until Luc got his morning jolt, he felt dead on his feet.

Finally, the coffee was ready. Luc stirred in a teaspoon of sugar. The steam heated his skin as he sipped the scalding drink. He sighed, not only at the taste but the warmth traveling down his throat and pooling in his stomach.

Father Albert was watching when Luc looked up. His sapphire eyes sparkled with curiosity. More unanswered questions? Luc thought the old man would have asked them all by now. He supposed he shouldn’t complain. Questions were preferred over condemnation.

Luc took another drink. Will Matty be by today to finally mow the lawn?

Father Albert blinked, as if coming out of a trance. Oh? Yes, yes. His father said he’d drive Matthew over around nine.

Luc nodded. Matthew Ward was a teenager Father Albert hired to cut the grass. Only, the boy liked to collect payment from Father Albert first and then take off without doing the work. Three weeks after he was hired, Luc caught him, literally, by the collar as Matthew tried to sneak away with the lawn mower left running under an open window by Father Albert’s office. Luc had to give it to the kid; he was clever. Now, Matthew’s dad drove him over with the push mower in the bed of his truck, and Luc watched the teenager to ensure not a blade was missed. He was paid once the task was complete.

Great, I have time for a shower then.

Yes, yes. Father Albert’s gaze turned distant again.

Luc hesitated in the kitchen doorway, watching the old man. Should he be concerned? Did Father Albert need to make an appointment to see his doctor? This wasn’t the first time Luc had found the priest zoned out. He worried for him.

Who would take over the church when Father Albert passed? And would the new priest accept Luc?

His stomach twisted into knots. It was selfish to focus on something so petty. Father Albert’s health was more important, but Luc couldn’t help but be afraid of a potential stranger. Experience had taught him the fear was valid.

Pushing the uneasiness to the back of his mind, Luc headed for the bathroom. He cranked the hot water, and steam filled the small space. After undressing, he jumped under the spray. It prickled against his skin like thousands of needles. His head fell back.

The air was heavy and humid when he stepped out. Condensation fogged the mirror. When he wiped it away, it instantly clouded up again.

His attention was drawn to his chest, and he traced the jagged circle of scarred skin with his finger. There was a time the inverted pentagram had given him pride; it was a sign of who he was and what he had done. Now, he kept it hidden. Even Father Albert hadn’t seen it.

No wonder he still had questions for Luc.

Luc took his time drying off and shaving carefully. He slipped on his clothing. Cold slammed into him like a battering ram when he opened the door. He hissed as it bit into his flesh. It was tempting to lock himself in the heated bathroom. Steeling himself against the onslaught, he strode to his bedroom.

The day was full of mundane chores. Matthew did his job, but more than once, Luc had to get the youth back on track. He took many breaks, playing on his phone. Father Albert tended to his duties, too. Julie Miller and Andrew Gates stopped by to discuss their upcoming wedding, and Father Albert attended a meeting with the parish council about an upcoming rummage sale and charity the proceeds would be donated to. Luc stayed on the sidelines, listening quietly.

By official records, he was a vicar for the parish. He was to aid Father Albert in any way required. The priest had fought hard to get Luc the position in the small town of Thornwood. Luc was a stranger, and that made the residents wary. They warmed up to him slowly and eventually accepted him into the fold, but Luc still caught occasional whispers about him and his past when he went on an evening stroll.

If they knew the truth, they’d run him out of town.

After the meetings, Father Albert excused himself to his study. Luc tidied up the kitchen where the gathering was held. The clock chimed three as he finished. He slipped on his coat, grabbed his bike from the garage, and headed to the library.

There, he leaned the bike against the brick walls. A lock wasn’t needed, as the security the small town offered was nice. He had lived in sprawling cities, and while there was enough to do to fill several lifetimes, danger lurked like a storm cloud. He had disappointed several muggers looking for cash he didn’t have and stared down many gun barrels.

Silence greeted him when he walked inside the library. The wooden floor gleamed with a new coat of wax, and the smell of fresh paint hung in the air. Luc admired the mural on the ceiling depicting people