With his one true love, Julian, at his side and a new son to look after, Sebastian’s grief-stricken past comes out of hiding to find him. As Julian and Nikolai struggle to understand what vampire life should be and strive to live a normal life, Sebastian fights with his demons to allow the freedoms they deserve. But with the queen’s band of chevaliers not quite under control and shadows lurking in the night, Sebastian’s fears escalate. Can Sebastian find the courage to let go and at the same time give Julian and Nikolai the protection they desperately need?
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Holding on to the Past
Copyright © Christie Gordon
ISBN: 978-1-55487-851-2
Cover art Christie Gordon
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Smashwords Edition
Holding on to the Past
In Life and Blood 2
By
Christie Gordon
Dedication
To the survivors and victims of the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Prologue
Sebastian slowed in the front courtyard of a mansion overlooking the shoreline just outside of Carmel. Made of bricks and massive, it resembled an old European castle. Tall cypress trees loomed over the estate and the scent of the ocean was heavy in the cool air. “This is my father’s home and the place where the Templars meet.” He set Julian down and proceeded to head up the walk made of cut stone to a heavily carved wood door, tapered at the top to a point. He opened it and walked inside.
Julian followed Sebastian with sweat slicking his palms. I’m meeting Sebastian’s father and the master of the Templars! As he came inside the mansion, he took in the high ceiling of an overhead turret and at the mural of clouds painted inside it. His gaze fell to a large entryway with double stairways that arced their way up to a top floor on either side of a hallway. Black and white marble tiles checkered the floor. Romanian icons and iron wall sconces hung on the walls. “I see your father has a similar taste in home decor as you.”
Sebastian’s cheeks reddened and he looked down at the black shoes on his feet. “We, um, both have a love for our homeland. He’s just a bit more eccentric than I am.” As his gaze came up to meet with Julian’s, a mischievous smile quirked his lips. He took Julian’s hand in his. “Come on, I want you to meet him.”
Julian followed Sebastian through the hallway under the sets of stairs. The ceiling arced inside it with beams of dark wood. At the other end was a round room of immense size, filled with ornate leather couches that faced each other and had furs thrown over the backs and tables with lamps gilded in gold and vases filled with fat-blooming flowers.
On one couch sat the longhaired vampire Julian had glimpsed with Nikolai, reading a newspaper. He was dressed in a dark silk shirt and slacks and wore a velvet blazer. As they approached, he looked up at them, set his paper next to him and stood with his arms open.
“Sebastian.”
Sebastian ran to his father and gave him a kiss on both cheeks followed by a firm embrace. “Tată, I am so happy to see you.”
“And I, you.” Sebastian’s father released him and focused on Julian. His hair fell nearly to his waist and his eyes had the same exotic shape as Sebastian’s and his speech a similar accent, though his height was similar to Julian’s. All in all, he was just as beautiful as his son. “Is this your One?” He looked Julian up and down.
Turning to face Julian, Sebastian held out an arm to him. “Yes. Tată, this is Julian.” His hand waved, beckoning Julian. “Julian, come meet my father and master.”
Julian gulped hard. He doesn’t look much older than Sebastian. He went to Sebastian’s side and held out his hand to Sebastian’s father. “I’m honored to meet you, Mr., um…” He gave a stern look to Sebastian.
“Oh, Anarti, our surname is Anarti.”
Continuing to hold out his hand to Sebastian’s father, he said, “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Anarti.”
Mr. Anarti came forward, kissed both of Julian’s cheeks and gave him a swift hug. “The pleasure is mine. I’m so glad Sebastian was able to free you from Nona.”
With his face flushing, Julian stepped back and looked at an ornate rug covering the marble floor.
“Yes, me, too.” As Sebastian’s father’s words made sense in his head, he looked up again.
“Nona?”
“Let us sit.” Mr. Anarti sat back down on the couch in his original position.
Sebastian sat down next to Julian on the couch opposite to his father’s.
With his interest piqued, Julian sat forward on the couch with his elbows on his thighs. “Who is Nona?”
“The one you called your queen.” Sebastian sat with his arm across the back of the couch behind Julian and his one leg resting across the other.
“Yes, that was her name. She never gave it to you, did she?” Mr. Anarti’s brows furrowed. “She was always one to believe she was better than the rest of us. Always one to be above our laws.”
“But she was older than you, older than most of the vampires, right?” Disbelief clouded Julian’s mind. To think the one he called My Queen all his life, the one who brainwashed him and so many others into serving her, had a name like Nona was inconceivable.
Mr. Anarti shifted. “Yes, she was much older than I and Sebastian. Though there are many others who are as old and even older. She was born a vampire back in ancient Rome. I’ve heard it told that she was weak of mind and sadistic even then and only became weaker and more sadistic as the centuries went on.”