Dark Temptation Part I: Fall From Grace

By Marilyn Lamb

Can a redeemed vampire resist the lure of human blood?

Jonathan Cravers is a rarity among vampires. He has been forgiven by God Himself and left with the mission to lead others to redemption. He confines his blood drinking to that of animals, though human blood remains his greatest temptation.

That forbidden fruit arrives in Rebekka Ambroscht, a young Amish woman who becomes infatuated with him as a result of an accidental psychic link created in her childhood and reactivated when she’s grown. Despite Jonathan’s efforts to discourage her, she pursues him with unshakable determination, defying her family and her faith. Trapped together in his home during a blizzard, Jonathan struggles to control his hunger in the face of her unexpected sensuality. Even when Rebekka witnesses him feeding on animal blood, her horror is tempered by curiosity.

When Jonathan returns her home, she is banished from the Amish community. Jonathan must make a difficult choice. Rebekka knows too much to turn her away. Should he make her his thrall? It would solve the problem of her divulging the truth about him. Or will a sudden, deadly illness do that?

Unknown to Jonathan, Guardians and fallen angels with their accompanying demons fight behind the scenes for control of his life—and the corruption of his redemption. But no matter how much the Guardians believe in Jonathan’s strength of will, temptation has never been so close—or in such a delectable form.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marilyn Lamb
• Release date: Nov 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9780978461997

Marilyn Lamb

Marilyn’s fascination with vampires began in her early teens, when she wrote the first draft of Blood Covenant. Many years after that original draft, and after becoming a born-again Christian, Marilyn rewrote the story from a Christian perspective. Curiosity and speculation blended to create a novel that ended in a way even she found surprising.After five rewrites, many submissions, almost as many rejections (who can visualize vampires in a Christianity-based story, anyway?), some positive and encouraging feedback, she decided to self-publish.An avid reader from an early age, the love of putting words together, of creating worlds, intriguing characters and compelling plots, seemed a natural next step. Marilyn spends her days traveling in her mind to times and places she has never known, putting those adventures onto the page.A wife, mother and grandmother, Marilyn enjoys time with her family. She lives in Central Ontario with her husband and two cats.

Book preview

Dark Temptation

Part I

Fall From Grace

Marilyn Lamb

Free Spirit Press — Barrie, Ontario — Canada

Praise for Blood Covenant

Rated #5 on Besthorror.com top 10 Christian Horror reads of 2009!

The writing pulsates with excitement...story lends itself well to the vampire/horror genre. The cross-cutting of scenes and shifting between viewpoints is cinematic in nature...entertaining plot could easily appeal to a wide audience...characters are, individually and collectively, strong enough to command center stage throughout the novel...and engage the reader’s interest in wanting to know what will happen next.

Judge, 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Dark Temptation - Part I - Fall From Grace

Digital Edition ISBN 978-0-9784619-9-7

Copyright © 2020 by Marilyn Lamb

Excerpt from Part II - Return to Eden Copyright © 2020

Cover Art Design: Katie Sweet

Book Design: Marilyn Lamb/Free Spirit Press

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known hereafter or invented, including photocopying, and recording or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without express written permission of the publisher, Free Spirit Press, or the author.

First edition: 2020

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Contents

Praise for Blood Covenant

Dedication

Quote

Prologue - Missions

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Excerpt from Dark Temptation Part II - Return to Eden

Author’s Note & Acknowledgements

About the Author

Other Books

Where to Purchase

Author Contact Info

Dedication

To my critique partners, Katie, Luba and Linda, who contributed so much to make this book as engaging as it is. You ladies are the best!

"There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

I Corinthians 10:13

PROLOGUE — MISSIONS

Sweet Haven Farm, Ohio — July, 1868

Stars twinkled in a dusk-darkened sky to the east, while a line of gold-edged indigo clung to the western horizon. Crickets chirped and frogs uttered throaty punctuation to the twilight song. A distant cow lowed, and a dog barked across a field of pale grain.

From the blackening heavens, two streaks of silver light descended, like comets falling to earth. They alighted in silence, folding iridescent wings to invisibility at their backs.

Hovering at the edge of a small maple grove, they remained concealed by a cluster of wild primrose bushes. They practiced caution on the Earthly plane, though no human eyes could detect their presence. Nor did humans prompt such prudence.

Raphael wore a robe of dazzling white threaded with colors embracing every hue imaginable and a few never discerned by mortal eyes. Shining bronze curls brushed broad shoulders, and amethyst eyes glittered in a lustrous face.

Cowyn was no less impressive. Golden hair encompassed features as mild as the other’s were strong. Vivid blue eyes gleamed below gilded brows. A robe the white of sun bathed clouds in a summer sky enfolded Cowyn.

I am still confounded by this mission, Cowyn remarked. That God would assign me as Guardian to a blood drinker—

The choice was not made rashly. Raphael’s voice vibrated with rebuke. Jonathan Cravers has earned special favor in the eyes of God.

The thump of a distant closing door shifted their attention to the other side of the dirt road.

At the end of a long elm-lined lane stood a two storied white clapboard house, its windows framed by dark green shutters. A covered veranda stretched along the front and one side. Lower windows glowed with light.

From the side entrance, a man descended the steps and strode toward a cluster of outbuildings. Tall and lean, his curling dark hair contrasted with his pallid face. A loose fitting white linen shirt fluttered in the evening breeze, and polished riding boots reflected beams of the rising three-quarter moon. He disappeared into one of the barns.

Your task is to keep him mindful of his Heavenly heritage, but in such a way that he never knows an angel is safeguarding and advising him. Soft sympathy edged Raphael’s words.

Cowyn turned a frowning gaze on Raphael. Not to know? How am I to achieve that?

You must assume the guise of human, become a helper and friend. He need never be aware you know what he is. Raphael smiled. You were chosen for your ability to mingle with God’s children on this plane.

Cowyn’s smooth features puckered in distaste. But a blood drinker? It will gall me beyond endurance to pretend fealty to such a creature.

Once you come to know him, there will be no need of pretense. Raphael shifted with a satiny rustle, his gaze trained on the outlying barn the man had entered.

He emerged, a bucket suspended from his hand, and turned to close and latch the door. His strong, angular features creased in grim lines as he started for the house in brisk strides. He bore no resemblance to a farmer—in fact, his bearing suggested something of the aristocrat. But he displayed no arrogance in dark eyes that scanned the star-sprinkled sky. Deep set and intense, they seemed haunted, creating disparity with the hardness of his expression. Caught in the moonlight, they shimmered an eerie red.

A blood drinker. Cowyn shuddered.

He lives in reclusive solitude save for a single manservant of simple intellect. He believes it in the best interest of humankind to keep himself distant. And he is correct—to a degree. Raphael’s shimmering brows lowered. He subsists on the blood of animals, but it is for the human life force that his craving is most fierce. He prays for forbearance and the strength to resist, and in that, God is merciful with him.

Resigned, Cowyn turned to Raphael. How am I to serve him, then?

In the town not far hence is a general store where hangs a poster advertising for a housekeeper and a property overseer. Because he cannot be abroad in the light of day, he must depend on others to mind the farm’s daily operations. I believe you will find him a fair and amiable employer in whichever role you choose. Raphael set a hand to Cowyn’s shoulder. Go clad in the armor of truth, righteousness, and salvation. Speak the gospel of peace and carry the shield of faith.

What of the Sword of the Spirit?

He keeps that ever at his side. When he is tested, you are to remind him of its truths.

The Sword of the Spirit. A book the devout revered and the unbeliever scoffed. The Word of God as presented to mankind.

Before Cowyn could question further, Raphael spread his wings and ascended into the sky, trailing a streak of diffusing fire.

Reconciled to his assignment, Cowyn returned reluctant attention to Jonathan Cravers as he disappeared inside the back stoop of the house.

Guardian to a vampire, indeed.

But there must be no disputing God’s authority and wisdom. Cowyn debated the choices for a moment then came to a decision with a nod. The transformation posed no difficulty, but preliminaries must be observed.

Spiritual armor was as necessary to angels assuming human form as to the inconstant mortals. Cowyn prayed for sagacity, strength and courage on this phenomenal mission, attributes necessary to endure whatever unwholesome duties the blood drinker might allocate.

As the night deepened and the moon crested high above, the soft glow emanating from the primrose bush dwindled and vanished. A form emerged from the rustling leaves, one so purely human in appearance as to be inconspicuous. For a moment the disguised angel stood on the road, gaze fixed in contemplation on the house then, with a squaring of care laden shoulders, started up the lane.

* * *

I will not be thwarted by Heaven’s meddling. The strident cry rang through the cavernous halls of Hell amid the hiss of sulphuric flames.

Ashara-Maal emerged from the inferno, a vision of womanly allure in gossamer black. Her loose mane of fiery hair wafted about her in an anomalous breeze, while her brilliant green eyes flickered in rage. Behind her, hideous archfiends as vaporous as swamp mist slunk. Smaller demons hovered in the air like malignant bats.

The Cravers family will not escape my vengeance. No matter what He says. Her delicate features twisted, shattering the illusion of beauty. I will torment them beyond the limits of human endurance! Daevar-Taith, attend me.

From the conflagration another figure materialized, glossy black hair gleaming in the glaring light. Eyes of eerie yellow green glimmered from a face as pale and dispassionate as marble.

What is your wish, sister? The low, grating voice was also reminiscent of stone.

Jonathan becomes too complacent in his salvation. Ashara-Maal ground out the last word. His soul may not be mine, but I can make his existence the purest torment. He must never be free of temptation. She faced the other demonic beauty. Work with me to debase his redemption until he is forced to renounce it.

How? Daevar-Taith’s brows lowered.

That I have yet to determine. Ashara-Maal folded her arms, scowling. Nor must I neglect his sanctimonious blood bride in my reprisal. Had it not been for her self righteous interference, Jonathan would still be mine. Her mouth curled in a sneer. She already carries the thorn that will contaminate their entire house. That alone may be punishment aplenty. But not for my darling Jonathan. He must be made to agonize as never before.

What of the Guardians watching over them? Daevar-Taith’s narrowed eyes took on a bilious hue.

That accursed Krikor and his officious sycophants? The air about Ashara-Maal pulsated with the intensity of her fury. They will doubtless intervene to have me banished from the Earthly plane once more. She shuddered at the memory of her previous humiliating defeat. That is why you must act in my stead. You would never be suspected as my emissary.

Daevar-Taith frowned. Then she smiled, her features splitting like the crack caused by a devastating earthquake. I will help you. A low, grinding laugh erupted from her throat. It will give me great pleasure to bring suffering to those pathetic creatures—and to harass those of the celestial realm who cast us from our rightful place before the beginning of time.

PART I — Fall From Grace

Chapter 1

Ohio—October 1868

Two days after Angela and Nathaniel Cravers’ wedding, they paid Jonathan a visit to bid him farewell before returning to Massachusetts.

Please come and visit us soon. Tenderness reverberated in the softness of Angela’s words.

Everything is as you left it. Nathaniel hoisted eleven-month-old Adrian onto his shoulders. The little boy giggled and clutched at Nathaniel’s hair.

Thank you, but I daren’t return too soon. Jonathan remained grave as he studied Nathaniel’s face, a tanned mirror image of his own. Let Craverston’s citizenry think I disappeared. Or better yet, died.

Angela touched his arm. Ben knows the truth. He hasn’t been inclined to tell.

The good doctor knows when to keep his own counsel. Jonathan’s quick smile revealed his long upper canines in the lamplight. Give it time. I’ll return to Tall Pines someday, rest assured. He reached to lift Adrian, and the baby laughed as Jonathan hugged him. You behave for Angela and Nathaniel, and don’t forget your Papa Jon.

Papa…Jon? Adrian’s hesitant repeat of the nickname made Jonathan laugh.

Every bit as quick as his father.

Angela sighed, and Jonathan looked up, sensing her nostalgic memories through their psychic bond. She blinked, as though fighting tears, her thoughts harkening back over their mutual losses.

Stepping closer, he touched her shoulder with his free hand. We’ll tell him someday, when he’s old enough to understand what I am and why things transpired as they did. He handed the toddler back to Nathaniel and shook the younger man’s hand.

He held out open arms to Angela. She went to him, and he embraced her, one hand running over her golden hair in a plaited coronet about her head. She raised on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

She looked past Jonathan to the burly man standing in the doorway, his smooth, childlike face framed by shaggy black hair. Take care of him, Michael.

You don’t worry, Mrs. Angela. I not let anyone hurt master.

One corner of Jonathan’s mouth lifted. I simply cannot convince him that ‘master’ is no longer the appropriate term. He moved to place an arm about Michael’s broad shoulders. Michael, you must understand that I wish you to call me Mr. Cravers. We have secrets to keep, lad.

Yes, mast…Mr. Cravers. Though appearing bewildered, Michael seemed to grasp what Jonathan said.

Much better. He clapped a hand on Michael’s shoulder before turning back to his guests. I wish I could see you off on the train tomorrow…

Of course you can’t. Angela took his hands in hers. This is better, anyway. No audience to see us cry.

Jonathan straightened to his full height, brows lowering. "Speak for yourself, little woman. Vampires do