Odyssey (The Vampire Destiny Series Companion Book 1)
Read Odyssey (The Vampire Destiny Series Companion Book 1) Online
Authors: Alexandra Anthony
ODYSSEY
The Vampire Destiny Series Companion Book One
By Alexandra Anthony
Copyright 2013 Alexandra Anthony
Discover other titles by Alexandra Anthony at
alexandra-anthony.com
Editing by
B&R Publishing
Cover Art by
Cora Graphics
SMASHWORDS Edition
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.
In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use any material from the book, prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the author at
[email protected]
. Thank you for your support and respect of the author’s rights.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
ADULT CONTENT
Alexandra Anthony’s books are for adults only. They contain sexy vampires, graphic language, graphic romantic/erotic content and situations that aren't for the faint of heart. Consider yourself warned.
Table of Contents
Chapter One-Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold
Chapter Two-Betrayal And Rebirth
Chapter Five-Revelations And Expectations
Chapter Seven-Love And Other Complications
Chapter Eight- Where Do We Go From Here?
Chapter Nine-Everything Changes
Chapter Eleven-Secrets, Lies And Acceptance
Chapter Thirteen-Suitably Wooed
Chapter Seventeen-You’ve Lost Your Mind
Chapter Eighteen-A Bond is Forged
Excerpt From Tempted: The Dark Hart Chronicles Book One
Dedication
To the lovers and the hopeless romantics. May you never stop searching and dreaming.
Acknowledgments
To My Family – You are my rock and foundation. Without you, I’d never accomplish my goals and this…this would be an empty page.
To My Readers and Fans – Your enthusiasm and support is amazing. Thank you for being there for me through thick and thin.
To Sue – Thank you for listening to me, making me laugh on the days I want to cry, your beta reading skills and most importantly, your wonderful friendship. You are my sister from another mother.
To Ally- You helped steer me along the path and then watched as I spread my wings. Thank you for your friendship and support.
“We have still not reached the end of our trials. One more labor lies in store - boundless, laden with danger, great and long, and I must brave it out from start to finish.” Homer
Note from the Author
This book is a Companion to The Vampire Destiny Series Book 1 and 2 (Fated and Illusion). While not imperative you read both books, it will explain many of the missing parts not covered in the book since this Companion Piece is from Stefan Lifsten’s point of view.
Introduction
1070 AD
Face to face with my foe, the blade buried itself deep within my abdomen. It was not until the sword had been pulled from my stomach, feeling the hot warmth of my blood seep through my tunic that I realized everything had changed in the blink of an eye. As I staggered backwards in a stupor, my eyes connected with those of my adversary. I glimpsed the thrill of victory flash across his face. My quaking hand grabbed at the gaping wound, the sticky wetness spilling through my fingers and staining my skin crimson.
My life on this earth was over.
I never concerned myself with thoughts about my mortality until I lay dying on a pyre on that bitterly cold spring night. Angered at my inabilities and failures, I begged out to Freya or Hel; whichever would bring mercy and relieve me of my agony. Careless, now I would die a hero’s death; little consolation to my recklessness and arrogance. I thought myself invincible. Now in silent retrospect, on this pyre I was forced to bare my soul; expose my sins. I would die with the blood of others on my hands and soul.
With every labored breath that escaped from between my lips, I felt death approach like a dark shadow, taking my life away inch by inch. I knew the end was imminent; my fellow comrades had left to begin the journey home to give the news of my death to my sister and my brothers. Only a small group lingered until my final passing. Upon my death, I would be burned and buried in a thrall to insure I would join the afterlife and not linger to haunt those who remained. My family would likely mourn for me, however my death to protect their safety and the security of my village would be celebrated. Foolishly, I had thought myself to be safe. My ability to see the future had been worthless. One miscalculated move had put me here, my blood spilling into the earth beneath me.
At the age of 33, I had lived to be much older than others in my village. Life was difficult, the winters long and brutal. Even though my family was considered wealthy at the time, my father a Jarl in the settlement, life was never easy. Constant battles and power struggles by neighboring tribes kept us on constant alert.
Bitter tears of defeat fell from my eyes and streaked down my temples, dampening my filthy, bloody hair. I was losing more than my life tonight; I was leaving behind the love of my existence. She was more than human, that much I knew. She had been a part of my life as long as I could recall, my first memory of her as a young man of 16. As of late, I had grown restless. I no longer wanted to walk this earth without her at my side. She had invaded my every waking thought, bewitching me with her presence. Was this my penance for my impatience? For my insolence?
My warm exhale blew out into plumes, spreading into the dark night. The haze from my breath was testament to the bitter chill of the night. Slipping in and out of consciousness, I did not have much time left.
It was time for me to let go of this life and everything I cherished.
“Steafedn.”
Her voice pulled me from the abyss and surrounded me like a lover’s embrace. It took a moment for her face to come into focus, my vision clouded and blurry. Brilliant eyes like emeralds stared back at me. Even in my weakened state I could see the sadness and desolation that had taken residence there. She reached for my hand, her skin warm against my cold, dying flesh.
"I cannot lose you." My words sounded empty and weak. I refused to beg for my life; even it was possible for her to grant me a second chance at living. Attempting to reach for her, I found that I no longer had the strength to move. She stared down at my failing, mortal body and tears rimmed her vibrant irises.
"Steafedn," she sobbed desperately. Her free hand rose to stroke my dirty, blood soaked hair with trembling fingers. "There is nothing I can do, my love. Not now. It is too late. I failed you."
My breath rattled in my chest as I stared into her eyes. She was flawlessly beautiful, ethereal with her pale skin and long hair that framed her face in wild, copper waves. Her hand clutched mine tightly, her skin like the finest silk.
I inhaled in a deep breath, the frigid air filling my lungs. It was a struggle to keep my eyes open and focus on her. "There was nothing you could have done to prevent this end for me. Shoulder no blame for my recklessness. If this is to be our farewell…our final goodbye, I offer thanks to Freya that she granted me this final reward. Know that I will love you for an eternity, min gudinna."
She lowered her lips against mine, offering me a gentle kiss of farewell. She did not move and spoke to me softy. "There will always be a part of me with you, though you may not remember. I will be the wind in your hair, the whisper in your ear, the love you will bury deep in your soul. And one day when our fates align, we will be together again. You will lose your way; however when the moment is right you will see me. You will find me, Steafedn."
Her cryptic words confused me. Did she not comprehend what was happening? I was dying a mortal death, yet she was speaking as if I would live. She was speaking in circles, her words perplexing. "Isophina?"
“You will not understand now. There is no time to explain.” She sighed and glanced up at the moon that hung high in the night sky. Her fingers drifted over my grime-covered face, her eyes tracing the contours of my skin as if committing it to memory. “I wanted this to happen another way, yet I was given no choice. This was the only way to save you, my love. Please forgive me.”
She paused for a moment. Her mouth pressed to mine with surprising force and her hands gripped both sides of my face. Our eyes met and she lowered her chin to her chest. Her voice was a whisper as she spoke again, “Remember me, Steafedn. I ask for nothing more than that.”
She disappeared into the darkness, leaving me alone in my final moments. My eyes closed and I cried out a final request, surprised at the hoarseness and desperation in my voice. "Let me die. Release me from this suffering."