Broken Souls

By Shelly Small

What good, if any, can come from two broken souls

whose paths cross time and time again? Will lives be lost

or saved?

Can two become one and heal what once was broken or

will they destroy what little is left?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shelly Small
• Release date: Jan 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215309933

Book preview

Part One

Janos

Chapter

One

Unsure why I was summoned to the palace, I knew there was no getting out of it. The servants were told to pack for a few weeks, as I was never certain how long I would be away. If I’m there longer than planned, I have a closet full of clothes in my bedroom.

On top of the military duties, I have for the crown, I’ve been searching for my beloved. I see a few of my servants and friends who have found theirs, and I have this longing in me.

I’m not jealous of what they have; I just want to feel complete. My friends have told me when I meet my beloved, nothing else will exist around me. I would lose time because all my thoughts would be consumed by her or him. Being a vampire doesn’t mean that my beloved will be a female.

I have entertained both male and female lovers in my one hundred and fifty years. Sometimes, both at the same time. I haven’t been with anyone in the last fifty years because I lost interest in something that I knew wouldn’t last.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had both men and women throw themselves at me. I’m not perfect, but some say I am. I’m tall at six feet three inches in height. I’ve got piercing blue eyes and black hair that is short on the sides but longer on top. Instead of the normal pale skin most think vampires have, my skin has a light tan to it.

I believe the reason I enamor others is for my title. You see, I’m the next in line to be the vampire king. My father is the current king. For me, that is the reason why people throw themselves at me. I don’t like the attention and stay away from the palace life as much as possible.

When I was younger, I didn’t realize why people did what they did until my mother stepped in and had a talk with me. I always wondered why people were trying to get me to agree for them to be my beloved. I never would. Some would get hurt, and others acted like I didn’t tell them no.

Now, I am closed off when it comes to people I don’t know. More cautious around others and only the people I trust with my life are the ones I keep close. The older I get, though, the lonelier life seems to be.

A knock at my door brought my attention back to the present. Come in, I said. The door opened, and one of my best friends and one of my servants walked in. The servant bowed and said, Your luggage has been packed and already placed in the waiting car for you.

Thank you. Let everyone know that I will be away, so it will be light duty until I return.

With another bow, he left my office. Mark, my best friend, sat down in front of my desk with a look in his eye. What do you want now? I asked.

Well, do you know what the summons is about? he asked.

I shook my head no. I gathered more documents I would need while I was away to show to my father while I was at the palace.

I’m not sure, but I don’t have a good feeling about it either. Are you coming with me now or arriving later?

Mark is not only my best friend, he’s my right hand. We’ve worked together well for over a century now. He’s a general in the army and one of my more loyal friends. There have been a few that wanted to see me fail just to take over, but Mark was there to uncover a lot of their plans before they got too far.

I’m coming with you. Bree will follow in a few days, Mark said.

I made sure everything was in my briefcase before I closed it, grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair, and walked out of the room with Mark at my side. We walked along the hallway toward the front of the house. Waiting there was Bree along with the butler.

Mark picked Bree up and kissed her while I gave my orders for my staff while I was away. I left the love birds and walked to the car waiting for us. The chauffeur stood there with the door open for me.

As soon as the door was shut, Mark made it to the other side of the car and got in. We set off toward the palace. It will take a few hours from my house, so I thought I’d close my eyes and relax.

Once we arrived at the palace, people were running around getting things set up. Mark and I glanced at one another with questioning looks. We both headed toward the office of the king. I tried to ask one of the servants what was going on, but they didn’t stop, just went on their way.

Before we knocked on the door, I took a deep breath, and slowly let it out. Mark noticed me and waited to knock until I gave him a quick nod. A loud Come in could be heard in the dining room.

Mark opened the door, and I sauntered into the room before him. I glanced around and noticed that the King had his trusted advisors and a few of his guards with him. This wasn’t a good sign.

Janos and Mark…what took you so long to get here? the King asked.

My apologies, my king, as I didn’t receive the summons as soon as it arrived. I’m sorry for any problems this may have caused, I said as I bowed my head slightly.

Mark bowed formally to the king. The other men in the room bowed their heads toward me as I’m the prince. My father’s face held a small smile as we sat in the chairs in front of us.

We have a slight problem, and it was only brought to my attention earlier today. Some hunters have infiltrated us. We don’t know how many, but we know they are in the palace, the King said.

Mark gasped next to me at the news. I was already trying to figure out how this could have happened. How did you find out?

One of the servants found some documents of the palace in a guest bedroom that hasn’t been occupied yet. We don’t know who put them in there or who will be in that particular room.

So, why are the palace servants bustling about? What’s going on?

The Queen’s Ball. I don’t want to disrupt our lives, but we must figure out how and why they are here. Hence the summons for both of you. I need you to help figure out what they want and who they are. Unfortunately, with the help and caterers, it will be difficult for the next few days. I think they are using this as a way in.

Someone has to be helping them. Do you have any ideas?

"A few,