Pathway to Devastation Trilogy: Book One: Left for Dead

By J. Marie

Alicia is a normal seventeen-year-old but do not be fooled. Despite her young age, she has endured more than her fair share of trials and tribulations above and beyond the generic teenage problems young people are faced with these days. AWOL parents will force the best of us to do anything to support ourselves, tap into our survival instincts and make us grow up sooner than we should. There is no lack of independence where Alicia is concerned, living by herself in her uptown New York apartment and feeling content with her chaotic life until the unexpected occurs. Alicia is undoubtedly thrust into the world of the supernatural when her colleague is a night-walker and she is chosen by the King of the Earth, Guanynola to save his one and only love Matuatua, the Queen of the Sky before the world is plunged into darkness for all of eternity. When the supernatural world and the mortal world are against you, where can you turn? Can she save both the worlds or will she die trying?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398421813

J. Marie

Julia is originally from New Zealand. However in March 2012, she moved to Australia where she currently resides. She has family all around the world (Tasmania, England and USA) with the majority of her immediate family remaining in New Zealand. Julia has a passion for the arts and she has been writing for over fifteen years. She has continued to branch out, broadening her horizons not only writing novels, but also dabbling in scripts, short stories, among other literary works. Pathway to Devastation Trilogy is her first published achievement which she is very proud of and hopes her readers will enjoy it as much as she did.

Book preview

About the Author

Julia is originally from New Zealand and grew up in the land of the long white cloud. She moved to Australia in her late teens where she currently resides. She has family all around the world including but not limited to Tasmania, England, USA with her immediate family remaining in New Zealand. Julia has been writing for over fifteen years and she has continued to branch out, broadening her horizons by not only writing novels, but also dabbling in scripts and short stories, among other literary works. Pathway to Devastation Trilogy is her first published achievement which she is very proud of and hopes her readers will enjoy it as much as she did.

Dedication

For the important people in my life who have supported me through the good and the bad, you know who you are and your value is immeasurable.

Copyright Information ©

J. Marie 2023

The right of J. Marie to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398421806 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398421813 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

A huge thank you to Austin Macauley Publishers for their patience, understanding, assistance and belief.

Thank you to Arie Hong for providing amazing illustrations, not only an intricate and gorgeously detailed sketch of the necklace, but the front and back covers as well.

Finally, thank you to all those who were part of this arduous process and bringing the manuscript to fruition.

Preface

Logan

It was the early 1700s and the night was a dark, quiet one. There was an eerie feel lingering in the fog which was engulfing anything and everything in its path. Southern California was predominantly a building-free, earthy and paddock-filled landscape. There was the odd exception of small buildings that had been forged in the centre of the city by the pioneers of the land, the current inhabitants’ predecessors as it were.

Henry was walking home after departing from a family friend’s birthday party. The moon’s rays reflected in his deep green eyes and his side-parted, silky, brown hair looked the same as every other man’s hairstyle in his area. His family were wealthy and his clothes weren’t in tatters as his mother would never let him leave the house anything but impressive, emphasising their status in the social hierarchy. He was well-groomed and handsome with his white shirt tucked into his long, tan trousers.

His black shoes had been shined just the day before. His braces ensured that his pants wouldn’t fall from his toned figure and he was carrying a top hat to one side. Just as he walked down a long stretch of road in the city on his lonesome, a shadow crept across a building and hid behind another. Though relatively inconspicuous, it happened to catch his attention which brought him to a temporary stand-still.

Hello? Henry asked, in his attractive silky voice.

The shadow moved stealthily behind him. Naturally, he turned in an attempt to follow it. There was no one to be seen. He felt a slight breeze as Arthur ran behind him with ease and exceptional speed. Arthur stood in front of four, burly men with fangs that were whiter than the moon itself. They were hungry and looking at Henry as if they had found what they were looking for.

Henry did not realise they were there until he turned. Unfortunately, before he could react, all five of the men attacked him at once. He was a decent-sized build and liked to keep himself fit and lean. However, there was no way that he could even attempt to out-match the five of these unusual, superhuman species simultaneously. They were too quick, too strong, fantastical beings. He was outnumbered and weak in comparison.

Once they had enough of beating him within an inch of his life, Arthur dragged Henry back to an empty house. Arthur and his friends fed on Henry before he gave Henry a lethal bite that was too painful to bear. He was left unconscious after they just left him there to die, disappearing into the night haze.

Three days later, Henry awoke unaware of what had happened. Everything seemed like a nightmare or a fuzzy and distant memory. He looked around wondering where he was, trying to get a grip on his terrifyingly new reality.

There was a couple he didn’t recognise, a man and a woman standing in the corner of the room, watching him with cautious, pale-blue eyes. The same colour as his. The woman slowly took a seat, with movements having an air of elegance and grace as if she were a goddess in her past life. She closed the distance between them to be closer to him whereas the man ever so warily followed. The man stood behind his wife then placed a hand on her shoulder.

Young man, you are now one of us. It is a pleasure to introduce my husband to you, Joseph, Arielle said slowly placing her hand gently over Joseph’s hand.

I am Arielle, she was speaking slowly and carefully to assist Henry in coming to terms with this new way of life and enable him to take it all in.

By your puzzled expressions, I am to understand that you are still ambivalent to what we are and how it is that you were made this way. Am I correct? Joseph asked.

Yes, sir, Henry muttered, retaining his former self’s etiquette and respecting his elders.

We are creatures of the night and we do have a name for ourselves, Arielle said.

I’m sorry, son; you cannot return to your family. It would put them in imminent danger that you, for one, wouldn’t be able to foresee even with your new foreign qualities, Joseph forewarned.

With all due respect, sir and madam, I have two older brothers and two younger sisters. My mother is poorly and just begun to come right again. I was helping my father with his business that he was going to hand over to me in due course, Henry said.

Even so, you can never see them or show yourself here again for some years yet, Arielle said.

We would be happy for you to accompany us around the world and be a part of our family. In saying that you must abide by the family rules, Joseph cautioned.

The rules will change from time to time, Arielle commented.

Nevertheless, you are a vampire. You will learn that you can do a lot more than when you were human so you need to school yourself on controlling your desires. Firstly, we do not harm humans ever! We are still as strong as, if not stronger than other vampires who do bring harm upon the humans. Secondly, do not fall in love with a human. Thirdly, never tell anyone who or what you are! We must always remain as inconspicuous as possible, Joseph said and stopped abruptly.

That’s enough for the time being! Arielle commented while Joseph looked as though something had gone wrong.

It took Henry a good decade or so before he fully accepted himself and what he had become. He did not like it but regardless, he knew that there was nothing he could do about it. He truly believed that he was privileged to have mentors like Arielle and Joseph despite them not being his biological parents. He was also thankful that they had been there to tell him about what had happened even if it was in more detail than he cared for them to share; he was grateful all the same. Henry was the first child that Arielle and Joseph took under their wing. They were confident that their family would only grow in the future.

Every twenty or so years, they would move to a different town, city or country to avoid raising suspicion among humans. After moving from place to place for over one and a half centuries and loitering for eighty years in the United Kingdom, they settled in New York with their large and complete coven. Henry was now known as Logan.

Logan never came across the man who turned him into a vampire, in person. Out of pure curiosity, he kept tabs on him until one day he fell off the grid completely. It was as though he had disappeared off the face of the earth. To Logan’s knowledge, Arthur was using the name Enrique and his last known address was listed to be in Los Angeles.

Justin

It was the mid-1700s in Albuquerque, a man in his late forties was erecting a fence for his neighbour to separate their blocks of land and ascertain more privacy. The neighbour watched on in silence as the man worked hard all day in the sweltering heat, under the blaring sun. The neighbour stared at his neck the whole time unbeknownst to the man hard at work. Once the day ended, the man walked into his house feeling quite content with what he had achieved.

Out of nowhere, he was struck with something hard that made him collapse on the floor whilst being overshadowed by the monster lingering near him, clutching the man’s toolbox. The neighbour watched as the man’s blood stained the crème-coloured floor rug and licked his lips. His fangs appeared then he bit the man while his heart was still beating. He didn’t want to turn him into a vampire or have him join his never-ending quests. A lone ranger was much preferable to a clingy hang-on.

It was a heartless and soulless way to go, he simply killed him. The neighbour disappeared as the police walked into the house with the family of the man. James was the man’s only child and the man’s wife was briefly sheltered behind her son. The wife almost fell in shock when she caught sight of the horrific scene that lay before her. James quickly caught her before the floor had a chance to claim her and held her tightly.

Mother, ’tis alright, James comforted his mother as she cried into him.

The wife was speechless, words she had were knocked right out of her the moment she saw her husband’s lifeless, colourless body lying on the floor. The pool of blood had been drunk, making all evidence vanish to divert suspicion. James stared at his father thinking it odd that there was a significant head wound with no blood. After observing his father for a silent moment, he caught sight of two marks on the side of his father’s neck.

Son, take her home, the police officer instructed James after slamming a firm hand on his shoulder and squeezing.

Following the law enforcer’s instructions, James took his mother home, gently setting her onto the floor in the living room. He sat beside her.

James, your father was a good man! James’ mother said while unsuccessfully trying to smile through her tears.

I know, Mother.

Should you find a lovely girl, treat her well as your father did me. Promise me!

I promise.

That’s my beautiful son! He raised you well, my boy!

James was trying very hard to comfort his mother however he could. There was a knock at the door and the same policeman from the scene of the murder walked in.

Ma’am! the policeman said, gesturing politely to James’ mother. Son! he said, looking at James. I am here to inform you that your father and husband’s death was overall an unfortunate accident.

And you’re quite sure? James asked before he grabbed the policeman’s arm to turn him around.

James! James’ mother cautioned as the policeman stared at him, his eyes turned a pale blue and a low growl emanated from under his breath.

Ma’am, it’s not a problem. I understand what you both must be going through, the policeman sympathised, his eyes returning to their natural brown colour.

The policeman calmly excused himself. James turned to his mother before getting his grey coat and black hat to accompany his black shoes and tie with white shirt and black pants.

Where are you off to? James’ mother asked.

I shall not be long! James said kissing his mother on the cheek before hurriedly departing.

It had started to rain and the sky was gradually darkening with every second that passed. James was very suspicious about the death of his father. He knew that the policeman would put it down to bereavement of a loved one, but James knew better. There was something going on, an unexplainable unease that gripped him and he wanted to know what it was.

He understood that the head wound would, without a doubt, have caused an excessive amount of blood. Where was the blood? How was the death ruled an accident so quickly? Weren’t they going to investigate properly or at least pretend they were upholding their duty to their citizens? Why did the policeman’s smile at his mother not reach his eyes? Why did he exude fake sympathy?

Clearly, it was murder. Something stranger than that was when he caught sight of some holes in his father’s neck. He had no idea what to think. Nothing made sense. As James walked, he thought about what he had seen trying to piece it all together. The dots just weren’t connecting.

James went into the local saloon alone and it was deserted. He knew the moment he walked in that something was wrong. Despite being human, he could feel an evil presence. A great sense of uneasiness surged through him once again. The bar was never deserted not even on a rainy day.

His family were fairly wealthy and his father was in negotiations with the owner of the bar to buy it from him as is. The plans were many to improve the bar which was welcomed by the owner to avoid being demolished. James felt himself being flung across the long bench. A man in his thirties had grabbed him throwing him over to the other side of the room.

The man grabbed James’ skull gorging himself on James’ neck. When the vampire had his fill, he released James letting him carelessly hit the floor with a loud thud. The man disappeared soundlessly into the night. The pitter patter of the rain kept falling on the roof of the saloon. James was left lying there to die alone.

Arielle, Joseph and Henry saw this one coming. They sat at James’ side until he awoke days later. Arielle and Joseph explained everything to him exactly as they had to Henry. This time, Henry was able to assist with the explanation and shared his story. James did not like what he had been turned into, not one iota and had a harder time accepting.

For a brief period, he wondered how his mother would cope after losing a husband then a son, all in the same day. When you’re unwillingly cursed to live forever, you learn not to dwell on these little things and sometimes forget human emotions.

After a century, James accepted what became of him. Just because you can accept something doesn’t mean it can necessarily be forgiven, forgotten or make things any better. James travelled around with Logan, Arielle and Joseph wherever they went in their travels because they were his only family now.

Once they had been in England, he settled down in New York with his siblings. Joseph and Arielle kept travelling while their adopted sons and their daughters made a new life for themselves. James had to change his name and identity. The name Justin stuck with him and suited him very well.

The vampire who had turned James was named George. More recently, he had been going by the name of Brett and he had been living in Canada.

Alicia

When Alicia was very young, her father Kieran walked out on her and her mother, Andrea. They didn’t know he was going to leave, nor did they hear from him again. Alicia was stuck with Andrea at the tender age of ten, she started being abused by her mother’s various partners. It began with emotional bullying quickly turning into physical abuse, followed by that one horrible, disgusting and brutal night.

Alicia came home from school that day. She had just had her thirteenth birthday a week ago. Christina was staying for a few weeks, visiting from Canada. Christina was Andrea’s best friend and this fateful evening, Christina didn’t appear to be at home when Alicia walked through the front door and Andrea wasn’t home either. Alicia knew that she wouldn’t be until later, if at all.

Andrea was never around unless she had to be and even then, it was more of a chore than motherly love. François, on the other hand, was watching her every move pushing a chair over in the dining room. Alicia looked in the dining room for the cause of the noise. There was no sign of anyone.

Hello? Alicia asked with no response.

Alicia walked upstairs then heard two numpties barrel through the front door. She rolled her eyes, throwing her bag on her bed. The front door was slammed and the two were greeted by François who gestured for them to be quiet. The two men knowingly smirked at him.

Alicia slipped out of her school blazer then hung it up in her wardrobe. François suddenly appeared standing out of the wardrobe with the intention of scaring her. He was successful as she fell backwards, looking up at him.

What are you doing? Mum left you! Alicia said slowly crawling back to her bed.

Alicia pulled herself up then stood staring at him. He hadn’t moved from the spot that he had claimed after coming out of the wardrobe.

Mum! Alicia yelled.

She’s not here! François whispered, smirking at Alicia.

Christina!

We’re alone! François smirked as he slowly stalked towards her like a predator that was hunting his prey and would stop at nothing to savour her flavour.

No! Alicia muttered and she ran out of the room.

Being in fight or flight mode and choosing the latter of the two, she almost flew down the stairs at the speed she was going. She was not fully aware of what François was capable of, she had some theories and didn’t want to stick around to confirm her suspicions. When she reached the front door, she was greeted by the two numpties who were blocking her. They had big grins on their faces and both grabbed an arm each of hers.

François suddenly graced them with his presence. She took a massive blow to the stomach which stole all the wind out of her and she couldn’t clutch it in an attempt to make the throbbing pain stop. The two men had her pinned to the point where bruises were already forming on her delicate skin. The first man grabbed her and he pushed her into the second man before François gave her a swift backhand across the face. The backhand made her fall back into the first man then they both grabbed her arms tightly again.

How old is she now? the first man asked.

Ten? the second man guessed.

I don’t know, Alicia, how old are you? François asked while Alicia was looking at the floor trying to avoid his gaze but François roughly grabbed her chin, lifting her head and forcing her to look at him.

Alicia? he asked and she knew that if she didn’t answer she would be worse off, more so than if she answered.

Thirteen! Alicia whispered.

The two men were about to let her go then they stopped and François took another shot at her. She could feel her ribs throb with pain the moment his fist connected, followed by a snap so now she had a different, more constant ache from that of the first blow. He was not mucking around, his actions meant business. Alicia was in so much pain she didn’t know how much more she could take. There had been many beatings endured by her in the past that unfortunately made her stronger and less susceptible to pain, giving her a very high tolerance and threshold but this time it took on a new level.

Alright, let her go! François ordered and the two men threw her on the ground so hard that she barely had time to protect catch herself.

Help! Alicia tried to scream, it barely passed her lips as a faint mumble.

François had pinned her to the floor with her hands above her head. He licked his lips and ripped her now crinkled, buttoned-up school shirt. She could feel his body squash her under him. Alicia could guess as to what would come next, you hear about these darned awful things in the news or in a romance novel where the hero saves the heroine from a tragic past and protects her but she wasn’t stupid or naïve enough to believe that. She tried to disassociate herself from the reality of the situation because she didn’t want to think about it. She didn’t want to be here nor did she want to stay.

Alicia just wanted it to be over. All of it. All of them. Everything. She questioned herself then wondered why? Why it had to be her that was put through this? And where? Where was her mother? Where was Christina? Where was anybody to help her? Why couldn’t she be strong enough to save herself? How was she supposed to be self-sufficient to defend herself at such a young age with no means?

She tried so hard to be independent, she was only thirteen and no one listened to a teen or a pre-teen. What else did they want from her? Would she have anything else to give? Would they leave her alone now after going so far? She lay still, silent, unmoving while there were the occasional shouts or Whoops chanted from the living room. François and the two men were watching a live stream football match between Liverpool Football Club and Manchester United. That was the last thing on Alicia’s mind as she lay there, silent tears streaking her delicate features.

Christina opened the front door and François had disappeared without a trace. The TV was no longer background or forefront noise. Alicia couldn’t understand what was happening, everything was blurred from her fresh tears at the sound of someone familiar. The two men entered the hallway from the living room where Christina covered Alicia with a throw blanket from the washing pile at the bottom of the stairs.

Christina glared at them then after a long, silent minute they backed away slowly. Once the men were gone, Christina helped Alicia upstairs to run the water in the shower. Alicia let it run over her for what seemed like forever then Andrea broke the nice silence and walked into the bathroom. She stood next to Christina.

Are you okay? Andrea asked as Christina cleaned Alicia up.

What a stupid fucking question! Christina said and looked at Alicia.

Excuse my language, sweetheart!

Alicia nodded dazedly, her eyes flickering to a small moon outline similar to that of a monotone tattoo on the inside of her left wrist which was not there before. Christina pushed Andrea out then slammed the bathroom door in her face, returning her focus to helping Alicia. Instinctively, Christina extended her stay with them due to it being obvious Andrea could not be a fit mother, judging from the partners she chose to bring home and what she had put Alicia through.

Izaro from Path of Exile said,