STOLEN PORTRAIT STOLEN SOUL (PAPERBACK)

Celine’s heart thudded in her chest as she stared at the figure looming outside the locked cell’s door. She approached the door’s small window, grasping the bars as she peered out. She searched the darkness. The figure came closer. Realization dawned on her, and she stumbled back a step, gasping. 

“Hello, Celine. I cannot tell you how thrilling it is to see you again,” the figure said.

Celine recognized the voice of Duke Marcus Northcott. A tear rolled onto her cheek, and she fought to steady her chattering jaw and weak knees. 

“Once again, I’ve left you speechless, Celine.”

Celeste pushed in front of Duke Northcott. Tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry, Celine. I had no choice.”

“How touching,” Marcus said. “Although she is telling the truth, Celine. She had very little choice, given her new limitations. Oh, you were clumsy in saving her, weren’t you? If only you would have remained under my tutelage, you could have saved your sister without reducing her to the foul creature she has become.”

Anger replaced panic inside of Celine. She set her jaw, firing another fireball at the door. She unleashed two more before trying a continual assault against the lock. It was to no avail. She dropped her arm, breathless from the effort.

“Tsk, tsk,” Marcus chided. “That won’t work here, Celine. I’ve enchanted that lock. I doubt you’ll figure a way out of it. I learned some new tricks while I was away.”

“How have you come back?” Celine questioned.

“Oh, I made a compelling case to Bazios. I can be quite persuasive. Turns out, after a bit of clarification on some points you exaggerated to him, he saw things my way. So, here I am!”

“What do you want, Marcus?”

“What do you expect I want, Celine?” he growled at her.

“We’ve been down this road before, Marcus. It doesn’t end well for us.”

“This time, my dear, it will be different. We’re starting fresh, Celine. And this time, you will join me.”

“I wouldn’t hold your breath,” Celine argued.

“Don’t be stubborn, Celine. We were preordained to be together. Your heart and mind call out to me whenever I am near.” 

Celine pondered the statement. “My heart…” she murmured. 

Realization set in, and her gaze lifted to his eyes. “You… you are the danger I sensed. The painful memories, the physical reactions… it was all because you were near. The memories weren’t centered on Celeste, they were centered on you!”

He smirked at her. “Yes, my darling Celine. Oh, how I enjoyed watching you in those moments. So delicate and beautiful, yet so fierce and passionate. Your encounter with the adjudicator was magnifique! How you defended that vulnerable, defenseless human you consider family. A waste of your talents, but still, such passion! How is dear Damien, by the way?”

“Do not even speak his name,” she said with a clenched jaw.

“There’s no need to be so dramatic, my dear. I will not harm him. I suspect he isn’t here to be harmed anyway. You opened a time portal earlier this evening, didn’t you, my dear?” 

Celine did not answer. 

“Where are the intrepid time-travelers off to this time?”

Celine remained silent. 

“Nothing to say, my darling?” 

Celine turned her back to him, crossing her arms. She stalked to the small opening that offered a view of the night sky, staring up at the cloudless sky. The full moon bathed the landscape in white light. 

“A Hunter’s Moon,” Marcus continued.

“How appropriate,” Celine remarked as she stalked back toward the door. “Enjoy your moment, Marcus. It will not last. Gray will search for me. They all will.”

“You give that imbecile far too much credit, Celine. They will not find you. I’ll make sure of that. In the meantime, you’ll have plenty of quiet time to reflect on your circumstances and my offer.”

“Your offer?” Celine barked a laugh. “I want nothing you offer!”

“Oh, Celine, stop being stubborn and consider the possibilities!” He paused for a moment. “Now, I shall leave you, Celine, to contemplate your future. Will you live it trapped in this basement or will you join me? The choice is yours. I bid you adieu, mon chérie. Until we meet again!” He spun on his heel and stalked across the room.

1. Shadows of the Past
2. Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul
3. Gone
4. Trouble
5. Darkness Rising
6. Hellscape