The Immaculate
by Kate Hill
Series: Ancient Blood
Format(s): Ebook
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing(s): M/F
Genre/Themes: Paranormal, Vampires
Length: Novel
Cover art created at Canva.com
Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK2MCDF8
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-immaculate-kate-hill/1005704391
UBL: https://books2read.com/u/bzywNL
Scarred in mind and body after a brutal attack, Mara travels to Spain in pursuit of an explanation for flashbacks that hint at supernatural evil. There she meets Adam, a gorgeous vampire fighting demons of his own. Bound by mutual attraction and suffering, it seems they can heal each other, until their romantic relationship turns potentially deadly for one of them.
Note: The Immaculate was previously published. This re-edited version contains additional scenes. The Immaculate contains scenes with sex and violence. The story refers to past rape, past child abuse, and a past suicide attempt.
Excerpt:
“Miss, are you all right?” Gentle hands shook Mara’s shoulder. Snapping awake, she grasped the librarian’s wrists and stopped just short of striking the woman in the face.
“Wow, I’m sorry,” Mara breathed, releasing her terrified captive.
The librarian rubbed her wrists as she backed away. “We’re closing, miss, and I’ll ask you not to come back again.”
“I’m sorry about grabbing you, Mara spoke with genuine regret. “I…I was attacked about a year ago, and I get horrible dreams.”
Mara rarely spoke of the rape that had left her scarred both physically and emotionally. The terrible attack had nearly killed her. In spite of visits with counselors and psychiatrists, she was still unable to remember all the details, only the pain. Though Mara avoided discussing it, she felt she owed the librarian some explanation. Guilty feelings aside, this particular Spanish library contained the most complete selection of books about her obsession.
“All right. I suppose I shouldn’t have shaken you, anyway. You’d fallen asleep and were very disturbed, but it better not happen again.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Mara drew a trembling breath and pressed her hands to her temples as the librarian left the study room for the front desk.
Standing, Mara knocked several leather-bound volumes onto the carpet. “Damn. I’m so clumsy.”
She stooped to gather the books when a large hand picked up an especially heavy volume by her toe. Startled, she jumped.
She glanced at the man beside her. He had broad shoulders, a strong neck, and a face that compelled Mara to stare. Though not handsome, his features were endearing. He was smooth-shaven, his cheekbones high and broad. His straight nose was slightly snubbed and his lower lip full. Before her attack she might have called his mouth kissable, but lately romance was the last thing on her mind. Her heartbeat fluttered when she looked into his eyes. Fringed with thick lashes, they were the darkest blue she’d ever seen.
“Let me help you.” His deep voice resounded in the empty room. Like her, he was American.
“Thank you. I fell asleep and I guess I’m still a little groggy.”
He glanced at the books. “Whispers of the Damned. The Book of Eternal Curses. Death Kisses. Just a little bit of light reading? No wonder you have nightmares.”
She quickly gathered the books into a pile. As they stood, she noticed he was tall enough to be intimidating. “I have strange taste. Thanks for your help.”
“You forgot one.” He caught up to her. “Lords of the Moon.”
Mara stared at him. “You can read that?”
“It’s an odd dialect, but not quite lost.”
“At first I thought it was Latin. Not that my Latin’s great. I should have paid more attention in class.”
“It is Latin. A form of it, anyway.”
“Can you…” Mara shook her head.
“Can I what?”
“Nothing. There’s no time. The library is closing. I just really wish I knew what was in that book. These others are all the same. Just a lot of folklore.”
His lips curved in the slightest smile. “Sure it’s folklore. You don’t really believe in vampires and werewolves, do you?”
“Of course not. I’m just interested in…true crime. You know, people who think they’re vampires and werewolves. Lycanthropy and such.” She nodded to the pile of books in her hands. “You can just toss it on top. I have to take these to the desk. They don’t let anyone check them out. I guess they’re rare.”
He took the books from her and brushed through the glass doors to the desk.
Mara trotted to keep up with his long strides. “Listen, sir, you really don’t have to—”
“Adam.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll be here around six tomorrow to translate for you.”
Mara paused beside him at the desk. Her hands trembled and her heart pounded. What a fool she must sound like.
“You really don’t have to do that.”
“You want to know what’s in the book?”
“Yes, but I hope you don’t think this is some kind of crazy come-on.”
Those dark blue eyes fixed on hers. Heat rose in her face. What had made her say that?
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He walked down the marble steps to the exit door. One hand on the glass, he turned. “And that’s not a crazy come-on, either.”
Mara watched as he disappeared into the dark streets of Seville.
About Time (Ancient Blood 3.5)
Want a taste of the Ancient Blood series? Read about Brett and Mercedes from the Immaculate in their free short story About Time (Ancient Blood 3.5). https://kate-hill.com/about-time/
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