Vampires of the Light: A Celtic Faerie Tale

By N.E. Tovell

"Blends" are a special breed of vampires, humans, and faeries  formed as enhanced humans in a well-constructed plan. Their creator reveals them incrementally to the existing world which is threatened by a transformed evil..   As the Blends struggle to survive in a hostile

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nancy E. Aulenbach
• Release date: Jun 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781535614405

N.E. Tovell

N. E. Tovell was a former professor of English at a private university in Louisville, Kentucky. A native of Chicago, she is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. Her curiosity about Celtic mythology, including vampires, has led her to travels around the world.

Book preview

Part One:

Dawn of the Light

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Chapter 1

Delbeth and Galian McDermot didn’t marry to raise a family. After all, Galian was a full vampire, and his wife was half vampire, both descended from a strong Viking line. But Delbeth’s other half was equally human and faerie, so many vampires in the old Council considered the young woman to be an inferior Blend who should be eliminated. To protect his unusual daughter, her powerful father, the vampire governor of North America, arranged her marriage to the Celtic Prince Galian, who was intrigued by Delbeth’s beauty and courage, and promised to offer the protection of the Celtic Council to the doomed girl.

The couple knew that vampires couldn’t produce offspring, so when their first child, Delian, appeared, he was considered an anomaly unlikely to be repeated. By the time their second son, Brian, arrived, however, the couple decided to make a home somewhere safe from the inquisitive vampire and human forces that might destroy them all.

Galian bargained for a sprawling castle on the Isle of Mann that was ideal for a growing family of vampire blends, so Delbeth had him build a manor house within the castle shell. The heavy mists that often surrounded the island were especially appealing to Galian, and Delbeth was intrigued by the rumor of ancient Sidhe Fae who occupied the vales and streams. The Fae’s magical skill was sometimes feared by the mortal world, but their presence was a comfort to Delbeth, who heard their music.

After the family settled into their new residence, a third son, Colin, arrived, followed two years later by Finn, their last boy. When Finn was almost a year old, Delbeth’s faerie grandfather, Sean arrived, proposing that she and Galian adopt twin half-faerie, half-human girls who were the progeny of the faerie Odin and a lovely Greek girl he’d met the summer before. The girl had died giving birth, so her infants were practically orphans. After agreeing to welcome the newborns, Galian and Delbeth were now parenting six Blends, although the twins had no vampire blood whatsoever. No one else would join the family for several years until they captured a clone of Colin, who was called Carson, but that is a story best left until later.

As the McDermot children grew, the couple marveled at the talents given to their offspring. From their vampire side, they were strong and fast, while their human-faerie side allowed them to eat regular food and walk in daylight. Their bloodlust was much weaker than full vampires’, so they moved unnoticed in human society. From the Fae DNA, they had limited immortality and the ability to communicate telepathically. They also had various Fae gifts that developed with age. For example, their oldest son, Delian, could forcefully hurl objects a great distance at will, and his brother Brian could envision the future.

The adopted faerie twins differed significantly from the vampire blends by being much more interested in the emotional world than in the intellectual one. Although they could also communicate with their brothers telepathically, they were excellent musicians who loved the arts and totally rejected the world of war and weapons that their older brothers found so fascinating. To them, strength meant courage and magic, not brawn and speed, although they happily used their brothers for both if the little faeries needed either.

When the McDermot children were old enough, their great-grandfather Sean taught them their Fae history, so they could understand and prepare for an end to the human world. When he finished, they had many questions about how this history would affect them.

But we’re immortal like you, Great-Grandfather, Delian argued for his brothers and sisters. Where will we go at the end of days? And what about Violet and Lily? They are only half Fae.

The end of days is Creator’s plan for humans, not the Fae or its Blends, but first we must find the missing Sidhe to return them to Breena where the Fae live. And remember, Delian, your immortality is limited by your human blood. All of you can be killed—even a full vampire like your father carries human DNA.

Yeah, Brother, piped in Brian. Remember the wooden stakes and silver knives? Brian was referring to near-fatal accidents they all had managed to escape when Brian’s adventures led them into danger. We try to avoid becoming wisps of smoke and vampire residue, he told Sean.

Colin nodded his head, understanding Brian’s warning. He knew that they weren’t immortal in the sense that the Creator or the angels were. Even the faeries could be killed by iron.

How will we recognize them? Colin asked, referring to the missing Fae.

They are just like Odin and me—somewhat tall, slim—handsome. The children snickered, but none of them was about to contradict their ancient great-grandfather. Now only Odin and I remain, Sean continued, and we are charged with searching for our missing brethren and bringing them to safety. Odin is scheduled for South America while I will remain in the northern world. When we find the Fae, we will all go behind the Great Seal together.

Finn summed the story up for his bothers. Well, that sucks! I don’t want you to go, he pouted. I don’t want the faeries to leave and take their magic.

Delian and Brian laughed at their youngest brother.

While Delian shook his head with disdain at the burden of teaching his younger brothers to conform, Brian ruffled Finn’s blond hair affectionately and explained. "Sucks is his favorite word now––ever since he got into trouble for exploding the F-bomb in front of Dad."

"What sucks is that we are still searching for the Fae, Sean sympathized. During a battle with the South American Thule, we thought we had a lead, but it proved to be futile."

Great-Grandfather, who are the Thule? Finn asked. Delian let out impatient sigh. The older boys already knew about the vampires produced by the Fallen Angels of Evil. These FAE turned humans into vampires by killing them, not by a curse.

"They are vampires of the night—mystics who became our enemies when they joined the dark forces and pushed the dominance of evil in the world. In the last century, they trained Hitler’s SS troops and then went on to aid Stalin and the Chilean dictator Pinochet. Their mission is to infiltrate weak-minded human beings, who are easily swayed by their deceptive propaganda, and destroy them. We suspect they are now working to acquire the nuclear forces around the world, and we must find our Fae before the Thule obliterate the Earth.

It’s perilous to underestimate their abilities. For instance, we know that they developed the cloned-blood formulas that your father purchased to ameliorate the vampire threat to humans. Galian knew that a German scientist made the discovery at the University of Chicago, but he didn’t know the scholar was a Thule. Now they are trying to clone humans, but we’re not sure how successful they’ve been.

I know that Dad suspects they are still trying to clone the Fae, which is the reason that they kidnapped Mam. Colin sighed, remembering the relief he’d felt when Galian rescued his mother several years earlier.

Your father, the entire vampire Tribunal, and the Council, believed that the Thule’s ancient worship would probably survive, and they were right, Sean confirmed. Your family has prevented the Thule from destroying humans, but the Thule haven’t given up on their mission.

Great-Grandfather, how can the Blends help prevent their control? Delian lamented after several moments of reflection. As the eldest son, he found the conversation sobering.

Sean shook his head, speaking almost inaudibly. I’m not sure, Delian, but there are Fae forces at work to destroy the Thule’s unprecedented grip on mankind, and I believe your family is a crucial element of that plan. The Thule is rooted in ancient mythology, but our Creator rules the universe.

Why us? Colin continued.

Without the Fae intervention, I fear the fate of mankind is in the hands of the Thule. Your family is a new blend of immortals, and I suspect that the Creator has a good use for your special gifts.

When he finished speaking, Sean simply disappeared, and the young McDermots stared at his empty chair, wide-eyed and speechless.

Wow, Colin said slowly. Maybe we should talk to Dad—or Mam. Colin didn’t trust any of his siblings to deal with the situation that their great-grandfather had just shared.

Chapter 2

Twenty years had passed since Finn became the last McDermot son. Both Delbeth and Galian assumed over time that the Creator had finished its family plan for them, so the birth of a daughter, whom they named Aine, surprised the couple. Their other children were grown, each with his or her own pastimes and careers. Delian had followed in his father’s footsteps and become a barrister who ran the Tribunal finances. Brian redeemed himself from being the least serious son by becoming an effective warrior and spy during the long war with the Thule, but he didn’t return home after they had defeated their enemies. Instead, he settled at the base of the Andes in Chile, trying to manage his sorrow for the soldier friends he had lost in war and for the vampire woman who was killed saving him. He became a more serious young man as a result of the war and abandoned his early licentious reputation. Colin and Finn, the youngest brothers who were not old enough to be soldiers, attended Trinity College in Dublin while the twin girls, Violet and Lily, were now accomplished musicians preparing to tour Europe.

All the McDermot offspring had special Fae gifts, but everything about their new sister was special. First, six Fae angels had appeared announcing Aine’s birth, playing music embedded in the Fae memories. Next, the angels brought forth a light that became a second moon above the Irish Sea. Then, as Aine grew, she illuminated her space whenever she used her powers. It was Violet who explained the light to the curious Colin.

It’s her faerie light, she told him when he expressed his amazement.

What’s a faerie light? he asked.

Oh, Colin! You are SO ignorant. Stop acting as though you have no Fae blood—even if your vampire side doesn’t like it. Her light tells us that she was sent for a purpose—and to protect us.

What purpose?

You are exhausting! Stop trying to make me angry. Her expression mixed exasperation with pity. ‘‘Sometimes you have the emotional complexity of a scone."

Colin cowered from Violet’s invective. Even when they were children, she bullied him by insisting he dress up and play house. He always feared his refusal would stoke her anger, so he acquiesced. In fact, his humiliation only stopped when their father, unnerved at seeing his son dressed in a bonnet, suspended her games. Even the manipulative Violet understood that the vampire ego would limit her desires, but Colin seemed less encumbered by such alpha-male predispositions than the rest of her brothers. (And he was cute in her costumes).

The vampires blamed Violet’s Fae or human DNA for her willfulness, and they disliked that she would do anything to get her own way—even lie. After years of fighting her emotional abuse, Colin recognized a tone of deceit that his sister couldn’t hide.

What aren’t you telling me, Violet?

Stop being paranoid! She spit her words at him. I’m not hiding anything. Then Colin knew she was lying. He didn’t know why, but he knew his sister well enough to suspect that she was making one of her plans to escape the watchful eye of their father, who seemed to be the only one besides Brian whom Violet couldn’t trick.

During times like this, Colin missed his older brother, because Brian had the gift of second sight and could always out-maneuver Violet. But Brian was in Chile nursing his own emotional wounds, so Colin just took a deep breath and let it out with a hopeless sigh. He was relieved when his sister Lily approached, saying that Galian wanted him in the Tribunal office. He bolted from the room before Violet had an opportunity to immerse him in her plans, which would certainly create a drama in which he became the dupe.

When Colin appeared at the office doorway, Galian was on his phone, and he motioned his son to enter and be seated. Colin deflected to the tall, solidly built Chief Legal Officer. He knew that it was Galian’s adroit handling of vampire affairs that kept them parallel to the human world.

After his father brought his conversation to a close, he walked around his desk to sit across from Colin. The Tribune’s youthful physique denied the centuries of his life, so he looked barely older than the young man before him. However, his Nordic blue eyes reflected a wisdom that the years had cultivated, and his long blond hair spelled Viking.

I’m glad you’re here, Colin. I have an important assignment for you.

The son perked up, hoping to finally be considered capable of Tribunal business, and he glanced at his mother sitting behind a second desk for assurance.

Son ––Galian chose his words carefully––I have selected you for an important mission because you have a mature disposition and a cool head.

Colin dreaded the tone of flattery that preceded some onerous task. I know you will agree that it’s important for someone to travel with your sisters to manage and protect them while they’re performing on the mainland, so I want you to be their manager and keep them safe from foolish decisions—no wild parties, no men in the hotel rooms, no taking off with strangers.

Galian knew the faeries well. At nineteen, their precocious hedonism was in full bloom, but their brother cringed at the thought of accomplishing what his father suggested. Sensing his son’s reluctance, the Celtic King glanced at his wife and used his best defense.

Your mother is worried about the twins being alone—with good reason. We would both feel better if you were there to protect them.

Galian understood the close bond between their third son and his mother. Delbeth had nursed him through a near-death experience from a silver blade. Although she was attached to all of her children, Colin was the only one she had almost lost. Since that time, the mother always touched her son’s arm when she stood near him, as if holding on to him physically would prevent his loss. Now his mother walked toward him, and the young man knew that both parents expected him to comply with their request.

Delbeth had the vampire advantage of appearing like a young woman while possessing the confidence of her experience. For years she had ruled the immortal Celtic realm with her husband and leaked an unfamiliar compassion into the vampire world. She was almost revered among the people on the Isle and its environs, and they marveled at her beauty, which reflected her Celtic roots. Her reddish-blonde curls framed a small face with an impish Fae mouth and creamy complexion. Only her hazel eyes conveyed the surety of the power that she had forged through her alliance with Galian. Together, their kingdom not only survived, it flourished.

Why isn’t Mam like the twins, Dad? She has a quarter Fae blood. Colin nodded toward Delbeth, noting the difference between the mother he adored and his adopted sisters.

Galian smiled in agreement as his arm circled his wife. Yes, she does, Colin, but your mother has a sensible, vampire side that keeps her steady. Delbeth knew her husband was teasing her, so she pinched him, and he held her at bay. But, he continued, she learned to manage her blends, just as you all have. Now Galian feigned protecting himself.

She smells like honeysuckle, the son reminded his father, knowing that the scent was stronger as the Fae DNA increased.

Galian nodded as he faced his wife. Yes, I know. There is a lovely faerie inside this beautiful woman. He dipped his wife backward with a gentle movement often missing in the vampire immortals and kissed her for what seemed to Colin an awkward length. The siblings were familiar with the affection that their parents often displayed, so their son just waited until his mother straightened up, and they both faced him. Why are you so reluctant to be your sisters’ manager? Galian continued.

You know how Violet is. She sings like an angel and acts like a banshee. She won’t listen to me, he lamented.

Yes, she will—or she will answer to me. So far, your sister still respects my power over her, and she will respect your authority. I promise you that.

Unlike the vampire Blends, both girls had the Fae desire for entertainment, and their appetites were only limited by their weakened human energy. Furthermore, they seldom considered that rules applied to them. Galian knew that the twins possessed the charm, talent, and beauty to weave their way into waiting hearts, so their father resolutely considered them too imprudent to be in the outside world alone, especially when Violet exercised her influence.

Then Delbeth gave the final blow. You know how busy I am with Aine, Colin. Her powers are growing so quickly that I’m afraid to leave her alone with Betty and Cedric. I don’t want to also worry about the twins being on their own. They need a strong vampire as a bodyguard—at least for the summer.

Colin knew that his parents were not going to release him from their mission. Although he was over twenty in human years and almost as tall and strong as his father, he felt like a small child under his stare. Reluctantly, he took a deep breath, and resigned to his parents’ wishes.

Does Violet know about this? he asked, suspecting that she probably did.

Yes, his father admitted. I told her she must be chaperoned if we allow her to go on tour. She knows it is the condition of her travels. Why?

I knew she was hiding something when she was especially disagreeable this morning. How can two sisters be so different? If Violet weren’t so bent on getting Lily into trouble, she would be all the protection either of them needed.

Galian and Delbeth laughed at Colin’s summation of his sisters. He only voiced what the entire family knew about the half-faerie twins.

All right, Colin surrendered. If you say they will let me be in charge, I’ll do it, but if Violet goes over the hill, I’m coming back and you can deal with her.

A chuckle escaped as Galian spoke. I’ll take care of it, Son.

Before Colin left, he turned to his mother. What’s a faerie light, Mam?

His mother looked surprised. A faerie light?

Like Aine has. Violet said it was her faerie light.

Of course, Violet would know, thought the mother. Delbeth was raised by half Fae/half human twins— her mother Daireanne and her Aunt Sabia—so knew that growing up among the Fae was a life peppered with mystery and magic.

We’re not exactly sure about Aine’s light yet, but it is usually a sign of Fae influence or protection. Your father had two lights above his shoulders when I first met him, and your grandmother told me it was a spell to help him find his ideal mate.

"How did it do that?

Galian stepped back behind his desk as he offered his story. My mother told me that I was blessed by the Fae with two faerie lights, and I would know my ideal mate because she would see them. When that happened, your grandmother Briget told me that I should pursue her with my best negotiating skill. As it happened, your mother was that woman. Galian washed a lustful look over Delbeth. And the faeries were right, he continued, keeping his fangs in check. "Your mother is my amen cara—my ideal soulmate."

Colin had no reason to doubt his father. Someday, he hoped that he would meet a woman like his mother. He decided right then that if he did, he would also use all his best communication skills to make her his. Maybe, he reasoned, he would meet his amen cara while he was a bodyguard for the twins. With that thought in mind, he went to write in his journal about his ideal mate.

* * *

Journal writing was a habit now for Colin. Before the Final Battle between the Tribunal forces and the Thule, which had lasted much of his childhood, Colin recorded the strange, prophetic dreams Violet had about spy and enemy movements in Chile. As Delbeth and Galian suspected, the dreams began to foretell events that hadn’t occurred, so the Tribunal used the information from the dreams to defeat the Thule.

Violet thought that her dreams were Fae messages, but no one knew for sure. Even though the dreams stopped after the Thule laboratory was destroyed, and the Thule were either killed or escaped, Colin continued to write. Both of his parents encouraged him, and it seemed that he might be given the post of Tribunal Historian if the Council approved. It was not unusual for their third son to write for quite a while before retiring, which was what he did that night.

* * *

It was Finn who heard Colin shouting later that night and rushed to his room. When he found his brother sleeping, he shook him vigorously.

Wake up, Colin, wake up! You’re dreaming.

Startled, Colin sat up. What?

You were dreaming. It must have been quite a fight. Look at your bed. The bed linens were proof of some violent struggle. Betty is going to kill you!

Betty was a vampire who had always been their nursemaid, cook, housekeeper, and protector. Something had happened to both Betty and her husband Cedric during their turning into vampires, so the McDermot family took them in and protected them from the forces that distrusted differences and would destroy them. They fit well into the current McDermot family—no one questioned their peculiar, unvampire qualities because they were ideal caretakers and playmates as the children grew.

What a horrible dream! I was fighting off someone who was trying to hurt Mam. Then I looked down at her—and her face disintegrated. Colin exhaled heavily. I sure hope I’m not having Violet’s prophetic visions. I don’t ever want to live that dream.

C’mon downstairs. I’ll make us an early breakfast. Finn was always ready to eat, which seemed to accelerate just before one of his many growth spurts.

Naw, I’m all right. Go back to bed. Morning will come soon enough.

All right—if you’re sure . . . Mam dead . . . I sure hope that was some aberration. Goodnight, Colin.

Finn closed the door behind him, so his brother took a few deep breaths to relax and returned to the blackness of sleep without further disturbance. Finn was now the only one left awake to ponder whether dreams were again connecting them to the unseen world of the Fae.

Chapter 3

Although the human world believed that Carson was Colin’s identical twin, he was actually his clone. Before the war, the Thule had been experimenting with cloning, and they created Carson from the DNA model they had of Colin. Then they sent the clone to assassinate Colin, but Galian saved them both. The father identified in Carson a kindness that the two boys shared. Neither one was a warrior by nature—an absent Viking quality that caused the other brothers to sometimes ridicule them— but the teasing that they endured only solidified the twins’ friendship.

No one could tell the two boys apart as they grew up, which Colin and Carson used to their advantage at home and school. Both were a smaller version of their father, having his blue eyes and blond hair. They also both had a penchant for writing, so it was not unusual for them to share their journals, as they did now. After the clone finished reading about Colin’s ideal woman he had several questions.

Do you think I will ever find a mate, Colin? I know I’m not immortal like you, so I can’t marry another Blend. But I’ll probably live a very long time, so a human woman would grow old long before I will.

Colin sympathized with his clone. He knew that his mother thought cloning was an abomination to the Creator because a clone didn’t have the same chance for a soul. Her son didn’t agree, however—he thought that the fabric of the Creator was there genetically in all creatures, but he was glad that the destruction of the cloning laboratories in Chile would end the speculation for now.

Maybe you could wed a young woman when you’re older. You won’t look your age, and you could grow old together.

Carson nodded. That might work. I could go away when I’m old and meet someone who doesn’t know how old I really am.

Right! She would never suspect because you would still look young.

The clone pondered Colin’s suggestion and seemed to accept it. Sensing a friendly guide, Carson asked a different question.

Do you think I have a soul? Mam says if I didn’t have one when I was created, I have earned one by now, but she didn’t sound very convincing.

Colin smiled. That sounds like Mam. She worries about everyone’s soul.

It’s difficult to know about them, his clone concluded. When I came here, I came with two other clones—one of Finn and one of your dad. When Finn killed his clone and Galian killed his, all that was left was some grey residue. I always wondered if anything survived—like a soul—something.

"Well, Carson, if Violet has a soul, you definitely do. He paused and put away his journal. I can’t believe Galian wants me to be the twins’ manager while they’re on tour—knowing how I feel about her."

Oh, buggers! What will you do?

What can I do—tell Dad no?

I’m sorry, Colin. I wish I could help you, but the Tribunal’s Council still has me under watch.

We can’t risk violating the Tribunal’s edict. Besides, I’ve had more experience handling Violet.

You haven’t been very good at it, the clone reminded him.

I know, but I doubt if anyone has been able manage Violet besides Dad—and Brian.

Lily told me that Brian visioned that he and Violet would wed someday. Is that true?

Probably not—as least I hope not. I don’t think Brian has that kind of feeling for Violet. He just helps Dad keep her out of trouble.

Are you sure? Lily said that Brian seems more than a little protective of Violet.

You can be sure that Violet hates his second sight. She likes her freedom, and she always wants to be in charge—I don’t know how Lily stands it—and I know Brian wouldn’t.

Doesn’t Violet try to boss Brian?

No way! She isn’t the same around Brian. She flirts with him like all the other girls do, and he teases her. Colin thought for a moment. I wish I understood why what he does is so different.

I think I’ll stay in town until she leaves, Carson decided.

I don’t suppose you would want to change places? Colin tried.

Under no circumstances do I want to try to manage Violet. Besides, you don’t get injured as easily as I do, and you may need to ward off her anger.

Colin’s head drooped as he accepted his mission and realized that it would take more than journal writing to face the task his father had given him. Carson sensed that his twin was in need of cheering up.

Let’s take a ride before dark, he suggested. Colin perked up, anticipating the relief that the motorcycles offered to relieve his dread, and followed Carson out the door. They started their engines with a familiar roar and returned them to an idle rumble.

The faeries and I leave tomorrow for Dublin, so this may be my last night of freedom, lamented Colin. I wish Brian were here, the third McDermot son sighed.

Carson snorted at the melodrama that was Colin, but he was also happy to stay at home for the summer. Both brothers soon had the spring breeze blowing against them as they raced away from the castle up toward Snaeful Mountain.

Little did Colin know that as he spoke to Carson, Brian’s thoughts were similarly aligned. The second son had spent three years recovering from his first war, trying to understand why some lived and some died. Now, he was tired of uselessly designating a reason to fate’s fickleness; he wanted his life back, and he wanted his family. So as Colin wished to see his brother, Brian was preparing to make his way home to see him.

Chapter 4

By August the island had absorbed two months of summer. There were the famous TT motorcycle races in June, which always attracted a crowd from Great Britain and Ireland on either side of the Isle. A few gawkers rode past the long road leading to McDermot Castle, but not many stopped except for a brief survey of the grounds. Tales about the strange lights, magical fruit trees, and mythic battles within the compound raised curiosity, but most tourists just laughed at the stories told in popular taverns around the capital of Douglas.

Fishing, swimming, and sailing dominated in July. Some residents tempted the currents long into fall, but most began to tie up their rigs by late August. When fall arrived, Delbeth, with her bodyguard/housekeepers, would harvest the apples and cherries from the trees she had brought from her home in Wisconsin, and they would have barrels of cider and fruit to enjoy through the winter. Early in the morning, those residents who were unable to grow such culinary variety would find an abundance of food and coin left on their doorstep, and they knew that the faeries had seen to their needs. With his midnight deliveries, Galian probably did more to promote the legend of the good Fae on the Isle than the Fae ever did in the past.

During the first full moon in September, Aine awakened crying, and Delbeth carried her toddler downstairs to the kitchen for a warm drink. When she turned on the light, however, she was startled by the sight of Brian sitting in front of the fireplace in the family area. She almost dropped her precocious child on the floor beside her as she rushed to embrace her only dark-haired son.

Aine watched curiously before realizing that her needs had been abandoned. Then the toddler began to wail her displeasure. Brian released his mother and