Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles
In Praise of The Chosen Chronicles
“A dark and gripping tale by a true mistress of supernatural fiction. Karen Dales brings fresh blood to the vampire genre.”
—
Michelle Rowen, National Bestselling Author
“For readers who adore textured layers in their literary tapestries, rich in colorful emotions, Karen Dales is one writer of vampire fiction they’ll want to read.”
—
Nancy Kilpatrick, Author
: The Power of the Blood,
Editor
: Evolve: Vampire Stories of the New Undead
“A fresh and intriguing new look at the vampire mythos.”
-
Violet Malan, author of
The Novels of Dhulyn and Parno
“...is a must-read for any fans of
Twilight
or other books in the popular Vampire genre.”
-
Oakville Today.
“This is a mature book...that makes it easy to enjoy...a story that has multiple layers and depth to it...the book reads fast because Karen never lets it slow down.” -
Ruth Ann Nordin, Author
.
“...one of the best stories by a new and upcoming writer that I have read...This tale was wonderfully written. Every character has a complete and utterly unique personality...The Angel of Death will make you smile, and it will cause your heart to break. Very few stories are the equal to this tale. When you read this story, have a box of tissues handy. Ms. Dales I am trying to await the next instalment patiently and it is not working out so well.” -
Siren Book Reviews (5 out of 5
)
"...a poignant and epic tale... a brilliant example of good overcoming and prevailing against evil and prejudice... an emotional ride of literary genius, both heart-warming and heartbreaking at the same time..."
- Bitten By Books (5 out of 5)
"a grand tale of eternal life and its many challenges... I greatly enjoyed Angel of Death by Karen Dales and ... recommend it..."
- Two Lips Reviews (5 out of 5)
"I would definitely recommend this book to vampire fans.. a good solid read for both Changeling and Angel of Death... I’m definitely looking forward to where Dales goes with this in the future."
-
Once Upon A Bookshelf
“I was hooked...a good book to read on a cold and stormy day.”
- Night Owl Reviews (4 out of 5)
Also by Karen Dales
THE CHOSEN CHRONICLES
Changeling
Angel of Death
Shadow of Death
Thanatos
(forthcoming)
SHADOW OF DEATH
Book Two of The Chosen Chronicles
Dark Dragon Publishing
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Shadow Of Death:
Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles
Copyright © 2011 by Karen Dales
ISBN:
978-0-9867633-2-8
eISBN: 978-0-9867633-3-5
Cover Art, Design and Author Photo
© 2010 by Evan Dales
WAV Design Studios
www.wavstudios.ca
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of
Dark Dragon Publishing and Karen Dales, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews
.
Dark Dragon Publishing
313 Mutual Street
Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 1X6
CANADA
www.darkdragonpublishing.com
For more information on the Author,
Karen Dales and The Chosen Chronicles
www.karendales.com
www.thechosenchronicles.com
There are always many people to thank and if I named them all it would fill a book unto itself. If I did not mention you it is not because you have been forgotten, it is because there is not enough ink in the world to express my gratitude.
First and foremost I must express my profound love for my husband, Evan, who has always been a support to me, sacrificing so that I can follow my dreams.
Mike Winkler, thank you for helping me with the German and lending me
Subtle Persuasion
, you and your wonderful wife, Stephanie, do prove that Vampires can love.
Adam, if it were not for you my French would be a mess!
In my journey as an author I have made some wonderful friends, none more so than Violette Malan and her husband, Paul.
To my fans I have made, thank you! It is because of you that this book was finished.
Karsha Pearce won the right to have a character named after her. I hope you enjoy!
PROLOGUEFor my son...
M
ultitudes of snowflakes stuck together in the cold, damp night. Filtering down from silver laden clouds they formed misshapen globules that impacted silently upon their fallen, earthbound brethren. No sound existed in the forest. Any animal daring to venture forth would find itself a-swarm with sticky snow. Instead the smart ones stayed huddled in their warrens and holes waiting for the brunt of the gentle snow storm to abate, leaving the forest as quiet as a grave.
Fernando de Sagres, the last heir to the title Fidalgio de Sagres and now Master of the Chosen of the British Isles, did not count himself as one of the smart ones. Standing on the side of the cart track, he ignored the puff of vapour his annoyed huff left to gradually dissipate before his face.
“
Are you sure this is the place?
”
he asked his companion.
“
This is where the man from the livery said they delivered their things.
”
Bridget, Mistress of the Chosen of the British Isles, turned up the fox fur collar of her ermine coat in an effort to keep the chunky snow from finding its way down the back of her neck. Hindsight proved that she should have left her golden tresses to flow naturally, rather than bind them tightly in a matron's bun. She peered into the dark forest, trying to find any sign of where they next had to go.
“
This doesn't make any sense,
”
fumed the Master.
“
Are you sure you got the correct information? I couldn't make heads or tails of what he was saying.
”
Fernando placed his hands in his coat pockets. The cold did not bother him. It was standing out in the middle of nowhere on a godforsaken night, obviously at another dead end in their search. He could not count how many times they had sensed their quarry only to realize they were well off their mark.
The Mistress scowled at her Chosen and took a step closer to the edge of the track.
The livery manager had succumbed to her charms easily enough without having to Push him for the information
, but finding the path through the snow laden trees in the middle of a snowfall would not be easy. Ignoring Fernando
’
s irritation, Bridget stepped onto the edge of the track and then took a step towards the trees. It was supposed to be on this side, right here, if the livery manager was correct. She grimaced as a clump of snow slipping from a bent branch made its way down the back of her neck.
Despite the discomfort she stepped further under the skeletal umbrella of trees.
Through the dark Bridget watched the silver and white mix with the blacks and greys that painted a haunting picture. What she found strange was that there seemed to be equidistant space between what appeared as two rows of trees. Bridget
’
s pulse quickened.
Hearing his Chooser
’
s intake of breath and sensing her sudden excitement, Fernando took the crunching steps through the ankle deep snow to stand beside her.
“
What do you see?
”
He gazed into the woods, trying to discern what Bridget had discovered and failed.