Earth and Water: MM Paranormal Romance by J.L. Gribble

Author:J.L. Gribble [Gribble, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Limani Press
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

All three of them peered out the window as the train traveled through the outskirts of Parisii. Though forming a less impressive skyline than New Angouleme, the shores of an island did not limit the boundaries of the much, much older city. Two thousand years guided its sprawl, with fewer modern buildings that scraped the sky and more historical edifices borne from various points in history. On the plus side, Parisii oozed less of the urban miasma that affected Kane in New Angouleme. Significantly more green space dotted the passing view, which lessened the mental burden. More akin to a tickle in his throat than a wracking cough. No need for combat-level shielding, only a firm grip on his standard level of mental protection.

Once they departed the train, they made their way through Roman customs and entered the station’s main hall. Toria aimed for the giant city map displayed on one wall. While she studied it, presumably to orient the station with the address they memorized for Parisii’s Mercenary Guildhall, Kane surveyed the passing travelers with Archer.

Archer spotted the man first, pointing him out with a resigned chuckle. A group of hired drivers loitered at the station exit, clutching signs indicating who they waited to collect. An unassuming man in a black suit held one simply listing Connor-Nalamas-Sophin. “I told Ellie not to worry about us, but she must have called ahead to arrange a car.” He hoisted his pack higher and marched across the open space, leaving Kane to trail behind with Toria.

But when they approached, the man ignored Archer. Instead, he offered Toria a shallow bow. “Welcome to Parisii, Master Connor,” he said through his bushy mustache. “The Lady Natalia Della Zanna sent me to escort you to her townhouse. She will meet you there after sunset tonight.”

Toria glanced at Kane, but he had no explanation and likely mirrored her mystified expression. Victory had promised not to keep tabs on them during their journeyman contracts, but perhaps she’d learned of their overseas trip and sent word to a local contact? Though how had she known they’d arrive in Parisii, and on this day in particular? When she turned to the driver, Toria said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know of a Lady Della Zanna. There must be some mistake.”

“She thought that might be the case, miss. She mentioned you were probably more familiar with the name Serena.”

Kane’s stomach hit the floor. Toria’s shock-fear-caution barreled through their link, forcing a gasp from him.

“What? Who?” Archer asked, unaware of the name’s weight.

Toria locked her eyes on Kane as if needing her partner’s strength. “Serena was one of the first vampires to make my father a daywalker. I guess that makes her my grandmother.”

Serena made Mikelos a daywalker with her progeny Connor, but such a simple explanation did not encompass the story’s complicated scope. Especially the ending, when Serena also murdered Connor without apparent cause almost two centuries later. Toria’s adoptive father fled Europa for Limani.

Kane took a deep breath. “Doesn’t Mikelos think she’s dead?”

With a nod, Toria said, “Yep.

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