Catherine (Echoes of Ossiria #1) (12 page)

About the Author

Vivian
Lane is an American author.  Born a Gemini, her interests
fall under a myriad of subjects including classical music, American and World
History; fantasy books, TV shows, and movies; travel, marine biology, and
fashion. 

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And now for a
sneak peek of
Knight Rejects
, Mike’s
story:

Ever have the
feelin’ of bein’ watched?
 
Yeah, me,
too.
 
The first month on my own had been
a bit of alright, with a decent boss for daytime work and easy kills at night,
but lately I had this sense in the back of my mind when I hunted that I was
bein’ followed.
 
Whether by good or
nasty, I didn’t know, but they better show themselves before I got cranky.

After three nights
of knowing somethin’ was
doggin
’ my shadow, a man
finally appeared.
 
And not just
appeared
, but literally
stepped out of a fucking shadow
.
 
I stood ready with my sword, the one bit of
weaponry The Agency hadn’t stripped away because it was custom-made for my
frame.

“Easy, boy,” he
said.
 
“I mean you no harm.”
 
He held up open hands.
 
A signet ring was on his left hand.

“That’s what they
all say.”

“In this case, it
is the truth. My name is Sebastian Pierce and I have a job proposition for
you.”
 
He was dressed in a black wool
coat, dark gray jumper, and black fatigues.
 
Black gloves and boots, too.
 
Spoke in an upper-crusty accent, the kind belonging to snobs that
wouldn’t give me the time of day.

“Really. Must pay
pretty well for threads like that. And you know what pays really well? Things I
don’t want on my conscience, so piss off.”

“Are you always
this hostile, Michael?”

“How the fuck do
you know my name?”

“I do my research,
and you have made quite a reputation for yourself here.”

“Should I be
flattered?”

“Indeed. Please,
hear me out. I am on your side.”

“Mate, the only
side I’m on is mine. Keeps me from bein’ stabbed in the back.”

“I meant the side
of Good, of protecting people. We can use someone with your skills.”

“’We’?”

“I am a Shadow
Knight, young paladin. My order has been protecting humanity almost as long as
demons have been on Earth, and we would like you to join us.”

“Really. How come
I’ve never heard of you?”

“Because your
organization and mine carry a…difference in opinion about the tools of the
trade. We think magic can be useful. The Agency forbids it.”

“The Agency uses
magic.”

He shook his
head.
 
“They use protection charms.
There’s a difference. What is the policy on witches?”

“That powers come
from dark places and intervention is necessary before they become a danger to
others. Humans aren’t meant to wield the forces of nature.”

“Exactly. The
Agency would bind any witch’s abilities on the assumption that their power will
inevitably corrupt them. We disagree. With free will comes the power to choose,
and we prefer to encourage gifted people to choose wisely, responsibly. The
Agency assumes witches are bad because they only hear complaints about bad
behavior. Now, back to my offer—”

“How did you hide
in that shadow like that? I see pretty damn well in the dark and you weren’t
standing against that wall.”

“What did you
see?”

“You came out of
the shadow itself, so what the fuck are you? Humans don’t do that.”

“
Mundane mortals
cannot do this. Shadow
Knights have no such limitations. I promise you, I was once as normal as anyone
on that street below. Aren’t you curious?”

“Soddin’
breathing
, so yeah. I’m curious. And
suspicious. Give me one good reason to trust you.”

“Because, Michael,
I would like you to help me kill a vampire.”

Fair bait.
 
“I’m
listenin
’.”

“Much of the
organized crime in London
actually stems from the office of a single vampire. We only have a first name,
William, but he has a hand in everything from prostitution and drugs to
protection rackets and business scams. He’s smart, evasive, and careful, which
should tell you as well as us that he is probably of considerable age.”

I nodded.
 
“The young ones are too impulsive and driven
by hunger to run that kind of racket. You’re really tellin’ me that a
vampire
has the city wired?”

“God’s honest
truth. You might be surprised at what an old vampire can accomplish.”

“Fair enough. So
why hasn’t The Agency taken ‘
im
out?”

“My guess would be
they’re either afraid of a target this sophisticated, or too blind to realize
it exists. Most likely the latter. You were taught vampires are little more
than beasts, were you not?”

“Seems true enough
in my experience.”

“And since the
youngest are the easiest to slay, it would.”

“Are you sayin’
I’m a
fuckin
’ lightweight?”

He held up his
hands.
 
“Not at all, Michael. I would not
approach you if I didn’t think you have talent. I only meant your experience
has thus far been limited.”

“Been
takin
’ care of this city for two years, mate.”

“And admirably so
for a solo hunter. But are you ready for a greater challenge?”

“Might be. What
does it pay?”

“The Knighthood
provides for our needs like your Agency did, but the true reward is the good we
do, don’t you agree?”

“Not when there’s
rent to pay and a belly to fill. No offense, Mr. Pierce, but the only person I
can rely on is me, so looking out for Number One is a priority. A man has
needs.”

He sighed.
 
Wanker.
 
I could tell he was all about nobility and honor and that kind of
shit.
 
“I’ll make you a deal. Help remove
the vampire as an independent contractor in exchange for honest consideration
to join us and broaden your horizons. Is that fair?”

“It’s a good
start. I’m gonna need it all in writing.”

He almost
smiled.
 
I caught it.
 
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“And no more
sneakin
’ around behind my back, followin’ me everywhere.
It’s creepy.”

“You have my word.
I only wanted to observe you to see if you were worthy of this conversation. I
meant no disrespect.”

“Apology accepted.
Now, it’s been a long night and I’m famished, so if you want to butter me up
some more you’re gonna have to buy me dinner.”

End of sample.

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