Shattered Soul: House of Venor

By M.S. Farrell

Previously Marya learned the worlds were not all black and white and that race, whether made or born, does not determine the good or evil of a soul. Now she's setting out with David to find his beloved, one of the sisters taken from her so long ago.
But are they too late? Nireleth herself believes that what she has become isn't worth saving. Is anything left of the carefree girl they once knew and loved? Or is her soul to shattered by what's been taken from her to survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781329840850

Book preview

Shattered Soul: House of Venor

Shattered Soul: House of Venor

M.S. Farrell

CopyRIGHT © 2015  M.S. Farrell

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-329-84085-0

This book is dedicated to Deborah Duggin, without her support and encouragement I would never have made it this far.

Prologue

There are many worlds out there that you may not be aware of, one such world is Venomira. It is a world of magic that is connected to the other worlds only through paths to the Third World.  Centuries ago these worlds barely interacted. Only those of demonic blood, angels and a handful of the Ancient Blood vampires tended to travel between them along with the rare few that stumbled on the paths between by mistake. In both worlds angels and demons walk openly among others, some even leaving descendents behind. Now it is becoming far more common for refugees and slavers to travel from one world to another.

A particular demon spends her free time tormenting the innocents of Venomira, so much so that her father has granted her special influence where all things Venomiran are concerned. It was she that tasked Alex Monter to destroy the house of Venor. Slighted by the master of the house, he’d been more than willing to take the assignment.

In only hours the Ancient Blood had destroyed the Manor and many of the occupants. He’d particularly enjoyed the feel of his dark blade piercing the heart of the lord.

He took only a moment to enjoy the sight of the fallen man before cleaning his blade and beginning his search of the ruined home. His spirits slowly sunk as his search proved fruitless. He finished off a few who were already dying and bound the three daughters of the house that he found still breathing.  None were the one he was seeking. Finally he concluded that the girl must have perished and dragged those he had found away.

He handed two of the girls over to the demoness to be taken to the slave markets. The eldest captive he took back to his home in the Third world. A part of him hoped that she might perhaps fill the now empty space in his heart.

Chapter One

Nireleth sighed as she gazed up at the stars. She lay on the grass in a small clearing surrounded by the forest she’d dwelt in for more years than she wished to count. The damp grass soaked through her cloths but she took no notice. A soft breeze carried the sweet scent of the night blooming flowers that were scattered around her. She cared about none of it.

Every day that passed was one more day than she wished to continue on as she was. Unfortunately, even had she tried, he would never allow her to destroy herself and her means of doing so were few.

Once, long ago she’d managed to throw herself into the sunlight. She’d hoped then to end her existence. The warm light had caressed her like a dear friend rather than offer the escape she had hoped for. It was just her luck to be one of the rare day walkers, giving her one less means of escaping her fate. She remained in the night because Mithel chose to do so. Her choice was either live in the night or live in absolute solitude. She could not leave the grounds without being accompanied by either her sister blood or sire.

As Nireleth stared up at the dark sky she contemplated trying to go into the village once the sun rose. The thought was immediately followed by the dull ache that always came when she even considered disobeying. If she actually attempted to rebel the pain would increase. It would eventually become excruciating, tearing through her like acid in her veins. Her thoughts and the ache were interrupted by the sharp snap of a twig nearby. Unperturbed, she remained as she was.

Mithel slid out of the shadows and made her way to Nireleth’s side. She crouched beside her and frowned after taking in the girl’s appearance. Nireleth’s skin was paler than even a vampire’s should be. The fiery red curls that had once been glossy and full of life hung in limp snarls around her face and her amber eyes were dull with shadows. Mithel shook her head and gave her a concerned look. You still haven’t fed.

Nireleth rolled her eyes and glared at her would be keeper. And I don’t intend to any time soon.

It’s nearly time for you to seek out Alex and it will be sooner and less in your control if you don’t feed beforehand. You know that Nire. I don’t understand why you continue to make things harder on yourself.

Nireleth met her blue gaze evenly and said nothing. She liked Mithel despite the fact that Alex had charged the woman to supervise her. Mithel was only doing as she’d been bid and could no more disobey their sire then she. Still, it bothered her when she tried to convince her to give in and stop fighting for some semblance of her old self, or at least for some semblance of control over a reality she didn’t even care to have to begin with.

Mithel let out a long suffering sigh and dropped down beside the stubborn girl. Nireleth pushed as far as she could and tried her hardest to find loopholes in every order she was given. Often she succeeded but she paid dearly each time. All Mithel could do for her sister blood was attempt to ease the consequences of her insolence where she was able.

You’re lucky no slayers have managed to break through his barriers. You’re so weak even a novice could kill you, Mithel hissed as she once more noted Nireleth’s feverish pallor.

That would simplify things for me, Nireleth mused.

Mithel rose and cursed, eyes flashing. You’re a fool. You need to stop wallowing in self pity and just accept that you’re a vampire and there’s nothing you can do about it. Starving yourself won’t change anything and wishing for death is imbecilic. Just do as I do and feed from those who deserve it and try to find a way to live. You’d be allowed more freedom if you’d stop being so obstinate!

Nireleth turned her dull gaze on the woman and said nothing. They’d been over this a thousand times and more. Nothing was going to change how she felt about what she’d become. Nothing would change that she had no reason left to remain among the living. It was rare that she found anything worth her interest and she was trapped on the grounds as long as she remained defiant. What point was there?

Fine, continue on like this. Waste the life you have and remain bound to the grounds. At least you could have some freedom. You’re better off than Lianne and Kyla and you waste it.

Don’t bring my sisters into this, don’t even speak their names! Nireleth snapped, showing more emotion in the retort than she had through the entire exchange.

You could save them if you would just give him a chance and obey. He’d let you go save them if you showed even one ounce of will to survive, if you gave him even the slightest ounce of companionship. He’d probably even help you.

"Leave her be sheshilla. She’s not going to listen this time any more than she’s listened any other time you’ve tried to talk sense into her.