As a Vampire being hunted was nothing new. Finding out that I had to save those that were hunting us was!
Katrina,
a young royal blood vampire, chronicles her story from the 1800's when
she was seventeen forward in the series Royal Blood Chronicles
She
has received extensive training in sword play and self defense at the insistence of her father Fredrik. Now she understands why.
Katrina is
thrust into something she never could have imagined growing up in the
aristocracy of Europe. Once the fashion of the day and girlish gossip
filled Katrina and her new friends days, but their lives changed the
instant their race was threatened and they were chosen as the Five, the
protectors of not only the vampire race, but all the peaceful races of
the world!
If you are looking for a new, exciting vampire series,
you've found it in Royal Blood Chronicles. It starts here with Katrina,
The Beginning!
**********
*After you read, For Your Viewing Pleasure, Chapter One, you will find my review of Katrina and all about the great author Elizabeth Loraine*
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Chapter One
I sat
very still, staring straight ahead just as I was told. Being asked to sit for a
portrait to be displayed in the Sanctuary’s grand library was a great honor. My
name is Katrina Von Dracek, and I can’t believe how long it’s been—almost one
hundred thirty years. Now I’ve been asked to chronicle my journey from the
beginning.
From this vantage point atop the castle’s west wall I
could see the entire valley. The breeze was cool, but no longer held any threat
of winter.
What
would the rest of my life be like, I wondered? All young girls, I supposed,
want love, but I also wanted adventure, to travel the world, to make a
difference in some way. It would be a long life, I knew, for vampires live a
very long time.
I
appraised my surroundings. The night was breathtaking. With my vampire gift of
acute hearing, I heard a stag in the woods nearby. There was no moon tonight
but my enhanced vision made the darkness as clear as the day.
I
remembered from my history lessons that back in time, the earliest known
vampires could not tolerate the sun or control their lust for blood, but just
as all creatures have evolved through the centuries to survive, so have we,
although some of the clans prefer, as they call it, to stay true to their
heritage. Vampires are mostly born now, not made. Blood lust has been tamed by
the hunting of animals and the use of crimson, blood from our human watchers
mixed with an ancient elixir which vastly multiplies a small amount of blood
and enables it to stay fresh indefinitely.
Just
as I turned to leave I saw a shadow, too fast to be human, streaking across the
field toward the front gate. I had been up on the wall for hours, and although
vampires can easily move very quietly, I had neither seen or heard anyone leave
the castle.
“I
have to find Quinn,” I said to myself.
Quinn
is my Watcher and my friend, one of the seven Voss brothers who watch over us.
The Watchers are the personal human gaurd of the vampires, men who have
dedicated their lives to the well being of their vampire families, none more
loyal than the Voss.
I turned
and rushed toward the stairway leading to the entrance courtyard just as Quinn
was coming toward me.
“Oh,
there you are Quinn. What has happened?”
“A
courier has just arrived. The whole council is to meet in Salzburg, and to
bring along young royal representatives from each family. You will be joining your
father. Come with me now, for we must prepare to leave. The journey is long and
the Council is to meet in just fourteen days.”
Quinn,
always wanting what is best for the family. He and I had become so close that
my father sought to warn me. “Katrina,” he said, “Quinn is your Watcher and
must stay just that.”
I
told my father in no uncertain terms that Quinn was also my friend, just my
friend, but I found myself wondering if that was still the truth. Had I started
to feel something more? No, he was my friend, and of course I cared for him,
yes even loved him, but as a friend, only a friend. Right? I guessed that I would
need to sort this out, but that would have to wait, for tomorrow we must travel
north and east, a journey full of danger. The unknown is always both the most
frightening, and the most exciting part.
With
the clans being represented by their royal families’ most worthy young members,
the royals going to Council would number in the hundreds, all traveling with
their Watchers, servants, and numerous wagons for provisions and gifts for the
leaders, especially the High Regent.
“Katrina,
you look weak. When was the last time you fed? Did you drink anything today at
all?”
Quinn
was right; with everything that was going on I hadn’t had crimson or been out
to hunt for days. I realized I could have gone dormant in my sleep, a kind of
hibernation if you will, which saves us when we have to hide, heal, or survive when
food either is not available or is tainted. This dormant state can last hours,
days, weeks, or even years. I had no time for that, but now that Quinn brought
it up, I felt too weak to hunt. Why hadn’t I paid more attention? Suddenly my
vision started to fade, and the last thing I remembered was leaning against the
wall to steady myself from the feeling of dizziness. When I awoke, Quinn was
wrapping a cloth around his wrist.
“You
must be more responsible.” he chided me. “I can’t be in charge of your feedings
too!”
He
was angry, so angry his face was turning red, and though I had never bitten a
human, the vein bulging on his neck was making me feel something I had never
felt before, blood lust. It didn’t help that he was so handsome, and as he kept
ranting about how I was ignoring my training, my studies, and everything else,
I couldn’t help admiring the ruggedness of his jaw and the way his dark brown
hair flopped onto his face, his beautiful face.
“Katrina,
Katrina! Are you even listening to me
at all?”
Snapping
out of my trance was almost painful; I would have liked to remain in that reverie
just a little longer.
“Katrina,”
he said as he walked toward me.
It
took all the strength I had to stop myself from throwing my arms around his
neck, his very inviting neck, and kissing him passionately.
“What
is wrong with you Katrina? We have no
time for this!”
I
had to turn away just so I could gather myself, and then suddenly, out of
nowhere, tears filled my eyes.What was wrong
with me? Quinn placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me towards him. When
he saw the tears in my eyes, he froze for a moment; then his face softened and I
thought I saw something new there, but then he hardened again and said, “You must
be more careful.”
He
turned and strode away, leaving me feeling empty and alone.
I
walked to my room in a daze, suddenly tired again.
Pulling
the door open even seemed difficult. Once inside, I was so pleased to see the
bed turned down and sweet bread, butter, and a glass of wine on the table. Thank
goodness for Sarah, my handmaiden and confidant.
I
ate the bread quickly and savored the wine. Then, too exhausted to put on the
dressing gown left out for me, I lay down on the bed and the last thing I
remember was picturing the look in Quinn’s eyes and wondering what it meant. Though
it had been fleeting, it had been there, hadn’t it? And with that thought I
slept.
Quinn:
My
mind was racing and my heart was pounding so loud I was sure everyone in my compound
could hear it.
What
had just happened? I had seen something different in the way she looked at me. I
was sure it wasn’t just because I had yelled at her. I had never had to hand-feed
her before; was that it? Was it the fact that I had cut myself and let her feed
directly from my wrist? But she hadn’t woken up until afterwards, so she didn’t
know I had given her blood from my arm or that she had actively engaged in direct
feeding.
I knew
of course that it was strictly forbidden for a Watcher to give blood directly,
but when she fainted it was clear that she was about to go into a dormant state.
So I acted, thinking only of getting fresh blood into her to revive her quickly.
As my knife opened the vein on my wrist, the scent made her nostrils flare and
the same instincts that had kept vampires alive for centuries kicked in. She
grabbed my arm and began to feed like a newborn baby at her mother’s breast The
movement was so swift and powerful I wasn’t sure I could have stopped her even if
I’d wanted to.
The
feeling I’d had while she was feeding was pure euphoria and only the sound of my
brother coming up the stairs made me break the bond. Then I carried her to a
side room to recover. “Break the bond.”
Why had I thought of it that way? Was that it? Had that short feeding changed
everything?
Entering
the courtyard of the Watcher compound, I found three of my brothers, Thomas,
Simon, and Avery, seated around the roaring fire. The smell of venison and red
cedar firewood made my mouth water. Only then did I realize I hadn’t eaten
since yesterday. I needed to take my own advice, especially when I and my brothers
were also giving and storing blood for our charges. Baron Von Dracek would
surely also hunt along the way, but there might not be game in the high country,
and added strength would definitely be needed. Extra blood to mix must be
stored; nothing gives strength to vampires like human blood.
As
I sat by the fire to eat, I heard my oldest brother, Gunter, approaching.
“We
missed you at training today,” Gunter told me. “Don’t let it become a habit. None
of us can be the weak link.”
I
was the youngest of seven brothers, something the other six never let me forget.
It was exciting to think I would now have a chance to prove myself on this
journey. I was bound to protect Katrina no matter what might happen, even if
that meant giving my life for hers, as many of my family had done for
generations.
“Quinn,”
said Gunter, “we have decided that four of us must accompany the Baron and
Katrina on this trip, and we feel you may be too young and untried in battle to
be one of the four.”
I
jumped to my feet, pulled my sword, and with anger I didn’t know I possessed,
looked Gunter straight in the eye and said through clenched teeth, “I dare any
of you to try to keep me from my duty. Nothing is going to stop me, including
you, Gunter. If you have any doubts, let us settle them here and now.”
Gunter
gave a surprised look to Thomas and slowly rose from the seat he had just taken
by the fire. Looking around at the others seated, he shrugged and said, “All
right, little brother, let’s see what you’ve learned.”
As
I backed into the open part of the courtyard, Gunter drew his sword. The fire
reflecting off the blades made them seem alive. We circled first right and then
left. Gunter lunged, his sword held high. Though moments before I had felt
tired and weak, I was now invigorated by anger and the thought that my brothers
would try to leave me behind.
I
countered Gunter’s move, our swords clanking in the night. Out of the corner of
my eye I could see servants and the other brothers gathering. Guards were
yelling encouragement from above.
“That’s
it, lad, don’t let Gunter push you about!”
Gunter
was strong, but my speed easily made up for his extra years of training. I had
always been a fast learner. Although Gunter had trained all of us brothers, I
could see surprise in his eyes, for there was something in me he hadn’t seen
before: pure rage. With the rage, I felt stronger, quicker, and more alert.
When Gunter made a mistake, I seized my chance. As he lunged, I easily jumped
aside. As my brother went by me, I whacked him on the back of his head with the
hilt of my sword.
Gunter
turned and swung for my head, but I ducked and hit him in the gut with my fist,
using all the power I could muster. He bent over in pain and shock, and as I
backed away the crowded courtyard erupted in cheers and laughter.
“I guess your little brother showed you
a thing or two, Gunter,” a guard said from above.
Gunter
raised his head, his hands still on his knees, and yelled, “Don’t you all have
work to do? Be gone, for tomorrow comes quickly!”
Still
breathing hard, I remained in an attacking stance, ready to continue if I must
and capable of taking on all of my brothers, if need be. I would not be denied.
This was my destiny, now more than ever.
Gunter
slowly stood and put his sword back in his scabbard.
“Well,
little brother, you’ve learned well and I have obviously misjudged your skill. You
have just earned the right to join us. So it will be the two of us plus Thomas
and Simon. Be ready, we leave before dawn.”
Katrina:
I
rose with a start, not even sure what day it was. My head throbbed, and just as
I was about to ring for Sarah, into the room she rushed, a full breakfast tray
in her hands.
She
dragged me out of bed, peeled me out of my rumpled dress, and helped me wash, all
the while bemoaning the state of my beautiful hair. While I ate, Sarah told me
about a fight the night before between Quinn and Gunter. What started it she
didn’t know, only that Quinn had seemed to win and that everyone had survived
intact.
By
the time I had finished my huge breakfast, surprisingly eating every last crumb,
plus a large goblet of very fresh crimson, Sarah had finished braiding my hair
back away from my face.
I
rose and dressed myself in a simple but tasteful traveling outfit of the
softest lambskin leggings, riding boots, and a beautifully embroidered emerald
green over tunic. Sarah then pushed me in front the mirror, a gift from my
father on my seventeenth birthday. Had it been so long since I looked at
myself? I hardly recognized the girl in the mirror. The tall young woman
looking back at me looked surprised too!
I
had to admit, as Sarah often told me, I was pretty. My golden brown hair shone in the candlelight, and my green eyes full
of wonder complemented my outfit perfectly. I felt strong and ready for
whatever I would face.
Because
of the changes in our lifestyle over the past centuries, starting in our seventeenth
year we begin to age very slowly. For the next hundred or so years only subtle
changes would take place, leaving me looking more mature but essentially the
same, unless of course I kept forgetting to feed properly. I would have to
apologize to Quinn. I also wanted to ask him about the fight. Maybe I should
let him bring it up, I decided.
It
was May in Germany, and the mornings were still cool, but the wind was sweet
with hints of jasmine in the soft mountain breeze. The birds were already awake,
singing and going about their business. The beginnings of sunrise made the
eastern sky glow with soft bands of pink and orange.
I
closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. In my mind I could still hear my
father’s voice asking, “What do you ‘see’ daughter?” When I was small I didn’t understand what he meant, but soon it
became so clear. With my sense of smell I found I could “see” almost everything—humans,
vampires, and animals alike—and was able to discern their numbers.
Later
I could identify individuals, as each being has a unique scent (not always
pleasant). I could tell if there were horses, dogs, sheep, goats, and the like.
When outside the grounds, I could add my acute hearing to my sensing, to tell not
only the kinds of animals or people, human or vampire, but also how far away
and in what direction. If I was patient and practiced, Father said, “it would
become a very useful gift.” I quickly learned that once I “find” and identify a
scent I will never forget it.
“Katrina,”
I now heard my father call as he walked towards me. Tall and regal, he looked
handsome in his all-black attire, which included a hat and a cape. His slightly
greying hair fell to his shoulders.
“Yes
Father?” I replied as I hastened to meet him.
“Are
you ready? Did you have gifts packed for everyone?”
It
was customary to give gifts of friendship to his Lordship the High Regent and
his wife the Lady Margarite. But I had also ordered Sarah to pack extra
trinkets and sundries in case we needed them along the way.
“Yes
Father, everything is in order.”
It
must have taken all night to complete all the preparations, I thought.
“Then
let us be on our way. The journey is long and we know not what awaits us. Why
his Lordship chooses such secrecy I don’t know, and I’m anxious to arrive early
and have some time to seek council with others before everyone else arrives.”
“Yes,
Father.” I felt as if I were rushing behind him like a young puppy, but I
couldn’t keep up with his long stride.
Then
I spotted Quinn and my heart started to pound. He was standing by the horses,
my beautiful bay mare and his dark grey gelding, their manes fluttering in the
early morning breeze. He was talking to Thomas and hadn’t noticed me yet. Why
was I reacting to him this way? He’d been my Watcher for a year now, and after
all, we had grown up together. It was just Quinn, my Quinn. My Quinn? Where had that come from? He’d
always been just Quinn. I was drawing
closer now and just as I stepped within a few feet of him, Thomas stopped
talking and looked over. Quinn then turned and our eyes met for a moment before
he looked away.
“My
Lady,” they both said at the same time, and made a slight bow of their heads. My
Lady? Not, “Good morning, Katrina,” or “Why are you late?” This was all too
strange and I was determined to get to the bottom of it soon, but just as I was
about to remark on their new attitude the castle guard yelled out.
“Caravan
approaching!”
Count
Philepe Bistodeau, his son Gerhardt, and their entourage cantered through the
west gate.
“Oh,
good, Fredrik. I was afraid you would already be gone,” said the Count.
“We
were just about to depart, Philepe,” Father said.
“Excellent,
we can travel together. There’s safety in numbers, and we can talk along the
way.”
Then
Philepe turned his eyes to me.
“Ah,
is this Katrina? How beautiful you have become. You remember my son Gerhardt
don’t you?”
I
did. A pompous, spoiled, self-absorbed peacock, as I remembered; but I said, “Yes,
of course. How are you, Gerhardt?”
“I’m
getting better all the time. I look forward to a long journey together.”
Oh
how marvelous. The thought of listening to him for days on end talk about how
great he was made me nauseous.
Quinn
brought over my horse, Nulla, and helped me mount. After I was safely in place
he gazed up at me and said in a low voice so only I could hear, “Don’t worry
Kat; I’ll always be here to save you.”
Then
he winked at me and went over to his horse.
I
smiled and turned Nulla toward the east gate, Quinn on one side and Simon on
the other, so Gerhardt had to ride with someone else.
I
turned to Quinn to say thanks, but he was looking straight ahead, a wry smile
on his face, I wished I could hear his thoughts.
I
was relieved when finally Gerhardt rode by us and joined our fathers. I had
endured hours of his trying to engage me in conversation. It was a small
victory but a very satisfying one.
For
the next three days there was no privacy and no chance to speak with Quinn
alone. We would arrive in Salzburg the day after tomorrow, about which I felt both
excited and fearful. To have all the young royal vampires together had never
happened before. We had met only briefly with the other European clans to
discuss rogue vampire killings or other clan business. Most of the other clans
I’d never seen. Of course Father had visited all of them, helping whenever help
was needed, and knew well those members who had been sent to Council. Along the
way I had heard my father speaking to Philepe about how on edge all the clans
have been. The council is keeping the peace for now, but rivals are arguing
amongst themselves over a new territory across the sea in the New World. Such
things I cared nothing about usually, but the thought of younger vampires from
several of our clans starting a new coven in this New World, was exciting. I
knew I wanted to go. Now all I had to do was convince my father.
Where
will all this lead, I wondered. Was it true they intended to send us off to
that New World they talked about? The Viking vampires had been going there for
hundreds of years and had sent an expedition two years ago. I hoped they would
be telling us all about what they saw.
Finally,
we were in sight of Salzburg, which was stunning. I had no idea a place could
be so grand, so beautiful. We were headed through the city to the Regent’s palace,
not too far outside the city gates. We had no time to linger now, but passing
the shops, seeing the lovely outfits adorning the women and the couples having
lunch, made me wish I had time to stroll the streets and explore all the
wonders that abounded there.
“Daydreaming
again?”
Quinn’s
voice jerked me back to reality.
“Yes,
and I wish.…” Then I realized these were the first words he had said to me for
days, and I wondered where Thomas and Simon were.
He
said, as if reading my mind, “Thomas and Simon are consulting with Gunter about
how best to guard you and his Lordship while in the Palace. What were you about
to say?”
I
paused. “Nothing.”
My
heart sank. I hadn’t been alone with him all this time, and now that I did have
a chance, I couldn’t think of anything to say. What a fool I was!
Quinn
turned to me, and the look on his face showed me that he couldn’t think of
anything either.
“You’d
be coming with me? That is, if they really are sending us to start a New World
coven, I mean.”
“Nothing
is sure, Katrina. What we’ve all been hearing is just speculation. The High
Regent may have called the Council together to tell us something completely
different. He may even forbid anyone to go to this ‘New World’ as you put it. But
I will say this: whereever you are, that’s where I’ll be until I am no longer.”
Then
he looked ahead, as did I, to see that Thomas was returning.
He
did love me. I was sure of it now.
**********
My Review
Katrina
by
Elizabeth Loraine
I am again fortunate enough to read and review a work by Elizabeth Loraine, and as with Phantom Lives- Collier, she did not disappoint me. And Katrina is the first in a series, so I am thrilled to death! As if that was not great already, this follows in the path of my favorite character, the vampire.
Katrina is set in a different time period which is refreshing. In this era, Elizabeth has created a world with drama, action, romance and enough thrill to keep you turning those pages. This made this book a fast read for me, and left me wanting more!
I invite you into the world and love of Katrina and Quinn but be forewarned, there are twists in this love scenario and a third party pops his head up. I do not know if this pleases me or not because by Quinn's description, he is a hottie!
Elizabeth handles it all with great care, creativity and imagination that pulls the reader in. I felt as a reader, I was a part of that world and experienced the things the character feels. There were times I felt very frustrated at the pace or the direction the book was going, but I hung in there. I am confident with the next ones in the series will help bring it all together. =)
I recommend this book to all who love the vampire/paranormal, but who also just want a terrific read! Give Elizabeth Loraine a chance, you will not be disappointed!!
I give Katrina by Elizabeth Loraine five stars *****
Reviewed by
Nora Chipley Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/
**********
About Elizabeth * As told herself from her web site
Hmmm. I've always been creative, art, music, decorating; all life long
passions. I married my high school sweetheart a talented General
Building Contractor and raised a son and a daughter who are very
creative in their own rights. I've worked in the business
world, became a decorative painter and longed for
an outlet for my
other artistic talents.
I have been a lifelong fiction fan,
and for years I knew I was supposed to write a book; I just
didn't know about what. I did, however,
envision characters that were strong , independent young women as
heroines.
Since I was very young I have been
fascinated by vampires from Dracula to the present day. Although
I love all the books where the settings are high schools and
the characters are young, I always wanted to
know more. What had they done in the centuries before? Where
had they been? What had they seen
and lived? I wanted to
fill in their time line, their history. From that curiosity, those
questions, is where
these books come from. These long
lived vampires have hundreds of years of history and I plan
to
chronicle that. So, start here with Katrina,
enjoy the vampire past and look forward to the vampire future.
I write fantasy books for YA and
their moms. Every time my sister and I were looking for books in that
isle of the book store others our age were right there with us.
My
first series is a vampire series called Royal Blood Chronicles
chronicling the journey of Katrina, a young royal blooded vampire and
the chosen leader of the Five, the protectors of the races. Evil is all
around them and she is called upon to save us all. Join us.
I
write these chronicles (Now five} because I love vampires and their
magical and powerful friends and enemies. I can go with them around the
world and through time to places both in my imagination like the Elf
sanctuary of Sangustae or to the catacombs underneath Paris and now you
can follow Katrina, a young Royal blooded vampire from a very old
vampire family on her journeys to fight the evil in the world joined by
wizards, witches, warlocks and magical races of elves and fairies.
There is romance, intrigue, betrayal and tears. Join us to help protect
the peaceful races of both worlds.
**********
Royal Blood Chronicles:
