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Vlad by Stacey Rourke - Book Tour + Giveaway

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Vlad
Stacey Rourke
(Veiled, #2)
Publication date: November 25th 2018
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
History believes me to be a merciless savage. A terror upon the Earth known as The Impaler. Archaic lore whispers I am the first of the vampire lineage.
These claims … are all painted in bloody truth.
Now, while the world watches in fear, a war is brewing. Humans are targeting vampires in merciless attacks to force us back into the shadows.
They woke me to be their weapon.

They know not my loathing for my own kind.

Even I cannot say for certain whose side I’m on.
I have bowed before the alter of darkness rooted in the Nosferatu bloodline. Been forced to drink of its bitter sacrament. They refer to me as The Son of The Dragon, and I laugh. For I, alone, know that malevolent essence is one no man could ever tame.

Excerpt
I came to with my sword buried in the throat of a Hungarian soldier. Blood gurgled from beneath my blade, bubbling from the lips of my paling victim. Catching his slack weight, I lowered his body to the ground.
“Tis just a matter of bad luck, friend.” Easing his head to the blood-soaked earth, I forced the words through my teeth. “Fate cast us on opposite sides of this war. Go with God, fellow brother in arms.”
A final breath rattling from his lungs, the soldier’s eyes rolled back.
Eight years.
That is how long it had been since The Dragon snaked its way into my soul.
Whenever it took hold, I was forced down, buried within my own mind. Only when its pull lessened would I awake in the midst of some gruesome assault inflicted at my hand. Every encounter was unique, each more grisly than the last. One element could be counted on; The Dragon always granted me a glimpse of our latest atrocity. I was its puppet, yet the beast never missed the chance to remind me I could become so much more.
On the heels of every blackout, that unholy hiss would echo through my mind, its devilish intent sending a shiver down my spine. I am the demon Drákon, born in the depths of hell by my father, Lucifer. Drink of the blood of your victim in sacrament to me. Only then will I bestow the unlimited gift of true immortality. Power you cannot imagine. Strength no man can match. No longer will you fade into the darkness, but rule over it. Drink, my child. Drink, and live … forever.
I wish I could say that the thought repulsed me.
That my stomach churned at the loathsome idea.
Such words would taste a lie on my tongue.
In spite of myself and my every belief, my gaze tugged to the trail of crimson pooled around the cooling corpse. Smelling its coppery aroma wafting through the air, I dragged my tongue over parched lips. Every cell in my body sang out for a simple taste. Just a nip. Surely all couldn’t be lost if I indulged in a sampling of the nectar of life.
Yes, yes, The Dragon purred, sensing my weakening resolve. Bond yourself to me … until the very end of days.
T’was my hatred for that repulsive curse that granted me the strength required to step away. Sheathing my sword, I kept my gaze fixed on the dirt beneath my boots in my march to the edge of the camp where my steed was tied. While I had moved in under the shadow of night, the cresting light of dawn now revealed all that transpired. Bodies impaled on their own swords. Charred remains stalled in frantic crawls from burning tents. Not one that stood against me remained. They never did. The only thing that made this bout different from the last was the stitch in my right side. Gingerly touching the tender spot, I found a gouge sliced through my armor to the flesh beneath. Someone got a lucky swipe in. No doubt The Dragon made them pay for it in torturous fashion. Poor bastard.
Garreg, my gray Shire stallion, snorted and tossed his head as I neared. Flipping his platinum mane, he protested the noisy clang of my armor. I clucked my tongue against the roof of my mouth, steadying him with a comforting hand to his muzzle. All I hath wrought, and he didn’t shy from my touch. What other being on Earth could be so understanding? Gathering my reins in one hand, I slid a boot into the stir-up and heaved myself into the saddle. Settling onto the supple leather, I clicked to Garreg and tugged him to the north, back in the direction or Murad’s dominion. A nudge to his sides with the heels of my boots, and he launched into a smooth canter that never bounced me from my seat. A mercy I was thankful for with my oozing wound. Wind lashing against my cheeks, I cast my stare to the looming horizon and pleaded to God for forgiveness … once again.
 


Author Bio:
RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013
Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Crane 2015
Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Reel Romance Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.

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2 Comments

Please try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.