Synopsis of The Immortal Secrets Chronicles, Book 1 Immortal Secrets: Secrets and Passion by Lauren Hopkins. (Book one of 4)

Lucina Blackmeadow gothic girl from early 20th century Canada who lives in Winnipeg, she lives there with her family. She enjoys a life of study into the realms of archaeology and anthropology along with her father who is a lecturer at the local university.

After a while she meets a handsome, dark and odd appearing man called Evander Darkwood. They met at a conference that she and her family attended. Later, Lucina and Evander meet up on a few dates, both feeling incredibly scared and nervous for both have secrets that the other does not want to divulge but at the same time feeling untamed passion that neither of them have ever felt before.

Death and tragedy befell Lucina, on her and Evander's wedding night Lucina's family was murdered without cause. Lucina ultimately ends up leaving Canada and moving across the world with her husband, whilst along the journey both Evander and Lucina have been experiencing hints of each others secrets. But both rejects that the other is possible.

Lucina's secret is far more mysticall than she'd like to admit to anyone after all, there's no such thing as magic right? But never the less, strange things happen when Lucina becomes very emotional things that she cannot explain, that no one can explain and people have been hurt by those abilities. Evander's secret is perhaps more darker than hers, he wears very old clothes, early 17th century, he has pale skin, long sharp nails and favours a certain kind of red liquid to saciate his hunger.

Upon arriving in the United Kingdom, Evander's home country, returning to Evander's castle and meeting Evander's cousin/brother Cyprian Darkwood many bad things happen whilst there. Lucina gets attacked by a band of mercenaries just as pale as Evander. Then Lucina gets attacked by other unearthly inhabitants of the castle. Lucina then uncovers Evander and Cyprian's plot of what was to be Lucina's destiny. It is then Lucina decides whether she lives or dies.

Sample Chapter

Book One
Immortal Secrets: Secrets and Passion
Chapter 1: 1908

Dark grey clouds covered the morning sky, the sun peered through the gaps in the clouds like a sunny beacon. The wind swished through the air like calm placid waves, a cold front lingered in the air, small specks of rain descended from the heavens like sad tormenting tears.

The weather enveloped a grand mansion just beyond the city limits of Winnipeg near the Elm park area. The mansion is old, beautiful and grand. The mansion is owned by an elite family; a family called the Cosgraves a very old and respected family. They have been in the house for centuries upon centuries. Upon the third floor of the four-story mansion is a balcony located on the right side that overlooks a vast forest. The balcony is connected to a bed chamber that encompasses dark and spooky things, the bed chamber is home to the Cosgraves second daughter, a dark and gothic girl called Lucina.

The time is 6:00 o’clock in the morning, her ornate alarm clock with a vampire bat design gave out a loud mechanical shriek signing her to wake. In response to the sound her eyes opened wide, she turned the alarm off and rose up. Her arms out stretched so far that any further they would have pulled from the socket, she pulled the black sheets off her and climbed out of bed, putting her pallid black toe nailed feet on her black slippers. Her long black nighty ends fell to her feet as she stood.

Darkness enveloped the room as though it plays a constant but welcomed feature of her bedchamber. A few seconds later the oil lamp ignited itself and illuminated the room without anyone turning it on by hand. Lucina thought and felt she wanted to turn it on and it did itself. As the light spread across the room like an angry flood, irradiating all the four corners leaving no darkness in sight, the light revealed the dark nature of that room.

The walls were decorated with purple and black flower wall paper, with black oak wood panels half way up the wall. Huge silver framed paintings hung all over the walls room displaying dark and twisted images, typically images of death, supernatural entities and gothic ideals. The ceiling had a dark floral pattern etched into it painted over in purple, with a large silver chandelier draping from the centre of the ceiling. Floor boards made of black oak woods covered the hard concrete beneath, with some black and purple rugs covering almost all the floor boards.

Lucina likes the black oak wood, all the furniture is composed of it, her book case, her wardrobe, her chest of drawers, her bed, her bedside table – all of it was made of black oak wood. The bed is a large four poster bed, it has black and purple canopy and curtains featured. She has a balcony apart of her bedroom, the doors are oak wood patio doors that have black and purple curtains draped over them, her windows also have the same curtains over them.

She approached her wardrobe and the door opened by itself, she looked at all her dresses and selected her favourite black and purple 16th century style dress, she placed it on her bed and walked to the adjoining room which was her water closet, and returned a few moments later relieved, with cleaner teeth and fresher breath. She picked her dress up again and meandered to her screen in the right-hand corner of the room, she slung her dress over the top and removed her night dress. She changed into her dress and flung her worn clothes into the washing basket next to the main door of the room. Lucina sat at her dressing table, picked up her silver with clack bristles brush and brushed her long black hair. She tied it half up and half down, she then applied her makeup: pallid skin, dreary eyeshadow, black eyeliner, black nails and sable lipstick. Lucina looked very dark and eerie.

The silver bat etched door knob began to twist, the door slowly creaked open to reveal an adolescent teenage the same age as Lucina, but who was entirely different in every way. She was a little sleepy from the early morning as well because the girl never usually gets up this early if she could help it. “Good morning Lucina how are you?” the girl greeted and asked half asleep, standing in the doorway and stretching.

Lucina arose from her dressing table chair, walked over to the bed to pick up her nap sack bag, approached her desk, picked up her books, writing pad, a draw string bag (very small to house her stationary equipment in), her sketch pad and her glasses and placed them into the bag. She did all this while the other girl was stretching, and yawning Lucina was awaiting her finish.

“Pleasant morning Lystra, did you have a amiable night?” Lucina asked while she was flinging her bag over her shoulder.

“Yes, I did as a matter of fact, I had a wonderful dream about the stable boy,” Lystra said smiley and cheery. Lucina looked at her with little surprise and smiled.

“Hahaha, I can imagine that being a good dream, poor stable boy,” Lucina said jokingly.

“Oii, charming,” Lystra said reacting but happily still.

“Hahaha I’m only jesting,” Lucina said smiling.

“I know you’re just winding me up, come on let’s go and have some breakfast” Lystra said.

“Yes, capital Idea I am starved,” Lucina responded, she turned quickly made her bed, opened the curtains and opened the doors to get some air into the room.

“You do know that’s what the maids are paid for,” Lystra said.

“I know but I do not like people waiting on me hands and foot, besides I am quite capable of doing them myself,” Lucina said in perfect spirits. Lystra agreed and they both departed the bed chamber. The rest of the house is completely different from Lucina’s bed chamber. The rest of the mansion has bright furniture and colours and depicts normal ideals such as gardens, flowers and graceful images on the walls and softer tones of the carpet, doilies and floral wallpaper.

When they came to the dining room, the whole family, and the servants were waiting for them. Lystra greeted her mum and dad and they gracefully returned her greetings. Lucina also greeted Isoline and Eustace after Lystra did, who are Lystra’s mother and father. Lucina came into their care, upon the death of her biological family in Winnipeg (no matter where Lucina was, Eustace and Isoline would have crossed the planet to ensure she was in their care). Eustace was a close friend of Larkin, Lucina’s biological father and as a result, Isoline was a close friend of Callista Lucina’s biological mother. Eustace and Isoline took Lucina in and have thought of her as their own, Lucina is immensely grateful for them caring for her and having Lystra as her legal sister.

The girls sat down at the table and began eating bacon, eggs, some toast and a cup of tea although for Lucina and Lystra they preferred coffee. Lucina loved to drink tea, it was the only drink she ever had, and she was very particular about this. Lystra was the same but towards coffee. For their differences the girls idolised each other and thought of each other as true sisters even before Eustace and Isoline adopted her.

Eustace was reading the paper as he was eating his breakfast, he was engaging with all at the table at the same time. Cora was reading a magazine while consuming breakfast and was as engaging as Eustace was. The girls ate their breakfast without reading anything but entertaining topics with their parents.

Immediately after breakfast, Lucina and Eustace departed from the dining room after saying farewells to Lystra, Cora and the staff. They made their way to the carriage that was waiting for them outside. Lucina draped her coat around her body and held it close to her as she went outside because it was bitterly cold. Though Lucina loved the coldness, she loves the wintery season better than the scorching summer season she was quite dark in that respect.

Both Lucina and Eustace climbed into the carriage, then the driver motioned for the horse to march and they made their way out of the estates grounds. As Lucina was enjoying the carriage ride, she looked out of the window at the beautiful landscape of the Victorian era Winnipeg. They drive past a neighbourhood, past beautiful ornate houses with bright floral front gardens and the predominant flowers she saw were pink, pink roses, but she does not like pink and thought it would be nicer if they were black.

In that moment the flowers all of them turned black! Lucina knews she had powers and abilities, they did scare her a little, but she tried to practice them as much as possible to better control them. But sometimes they just happened, and she would lose without her realising until it was too late. She was shocked in that instant and a bit confused, she mainly feared if Eustace saw what happened. Lucina decided not to point it out and bring attention to her, she just hoped and prayed he didn’t notice.

Lucina used her powers a little bit she doesn’t know were they came from or why she has them. Lucina wanted to know but she didn’t know where to start. She knew what tends to trigger her powers mainly in response to thoughts and feelings and acted on instinct. But she could not avoid the triggers, they were too natural. It causes her great concern on occasion, however she believed she has some degree of control and was not a specific danger if she was careful with them.

To distract her troubled and curious mind she removed a horror book from her bag to read it. The story was written by one of her closest friends and was a first edition. It was called “Desolation”, it was about a demonic creature who stalks a normal family, but the demon is triumphant in the end. She has a friend peer-review sort of arrangement with him.

The book was entirely captivating to her and did indeed distract her from all her worries. Meanwhile, Eustace was reading the papers again given the journey would take about an hour. A few moments later Eustace began to recall the conference that is coming up and felt that he was looking forward to it.

‘Lucina,’ Eustace called.

‘Yes Eustace,’ she responded after she turned her attentions to him.

‘Are you excited about the conference, meeting all the important colleagues in our field?’ he asked excited.

‘Of course, it’s going to be so joyful and it is an incredible opportunity to meet all those important people, especially for a lady trying to get an equal footing in this vast field,’ she answered very excited as well, but she tried not to show it too much as to not entice his powers any further.

‘That is it child, you have such as down to earth mindset for a lady,’ Eustace said.

‘Eustace, I abhor in-equality,’ Lucina uttered. A moment later she returned to her book and Eustace to the paper.

Lucina had been experiencing these powers for the past ten years and three months, and kind of had a lid on them, however it seemed that as she got older they became more stronger and as a result were harder to control.

It is not clear to her how her powers manifested. Were they a natural phenomenon or were they given to her deliberately with a purpose or accidental? She did not know, and she did not know who to turn to, so she coped with them herself. No one she knows had them, her family did not have them, or at least her adopted family, and given her biological mother and father had died she cannot ask them either. In this regard she was alone.

A while later they arrived at the university gates, the gate master allowed them entrance to the mammoth limestone building at least four centuries old with ornate designs, statues and wall carvings, it was very grand and elegant. The building is designed in a Gothic manner, very ornately designed and prestigious; only the elite could attend this university.

The carriage door opened and they both stepped out one at a time. Lucina braced herself before she went in, they said their “goodbyes” and departed to their different points of the day. She went to her first class and he went to his office. Her first lesson was human evolution, studying the physical and skeletal evolution of man. Her friends could see something was bothering her, but they decided not to press so much because they were not sure what it would entail and she was adamant nothing was wrong and that she was fine while keeping her pleasant demeanour. She had been thinking more carefully not to attach emotion to her thoughts in case her powers responded in a way she might not expect and not be able to control. Her teachers had noticed it too because generally she was passionate about her views and thoughts, though lately she had not been projecting her views, her teachers thinking it out of character.

At least two hours later it was 12:00 lunch time, Lucina atturned to the lunch hall. There sat at a table on her own waiting for her friends to arrive. She likes to arrange her food in an organised fashion before tucking in, she lays out a black cloth on the table, places her sandwiches on the cloth and arranged her fruit and vegetables. The fruit and vegetables she had were apples, strawberries, berries, black berries, cherries, raspberries, grapes – red and green and plums. She also had some tea in a flask with some biscuits.

The lunch hall was Victorian in style, and was very grand, very fancy and over the top in design. The teachers where somewhat old, strict and proper they did not like any messing, nor any hysterics from what little few lady students within the hall. Lucina ate all her lovely food, she drank her tea and she began to read one of her books (a different one to earlier), she found it very enjoyable.

A little while later her friends arrived, they were pleasant to see her, as was she towards them. They spent a long while chatting about many different topics all quite friendly with healthy debates among colleagues. A short time later Lucina decided she wanted something sweet, she looked over the counter and saw many luxurious cakes, she thought “mm delicious treat”, she arose and meandered over to the counter, scanned all the lovely cakes and selected the tastiest one. Then she walks over to the pay post happily and gracefully as ever while being cautious. After she paid for it she turned and began to walk a few steps forward while looking at her cake.

Suddenly a familiar form appeared before her, she immediately stopped and looked up. She saw the face of her stalker, with his friends behind him almost cornering her. Her heart began to race, her breath became fraught and heavy, the fear rising from the pit of her stomach to her throat. Now she loses control of her powers. This man always had a soft spot for her, but she wasn’t interested, and she made that clear, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He grabbed her by the arm and tried to remove her from the dinning hall to make further advances towards her, her friends tried to defend her to no avail because his friends were holding hers back. She wasn’t sure what to do, her mind began to race about clawing him near to death just to get him away from her. In the next moment it happened, and he fell to the ground.

An awkward and petrified silence befell the hall. His friends starred at Lucina with intense fear and disbelief, other girls in the hall all fainted at the sight and fell as silent as the men. There was a long pause before his friends came to his aid, Lucina’s friend rushed to her, they sat her down on a chair a little away from the scene and another of her friends went to get Eustace. She sat there in shock it hadn’t struck her yet that she did that to him.

The stalker laid there with multiple lacerations all over his body, blood oozing out from each cut agony began to fade into nothing with shallow breathing, slowly drifting away into darkness.

Chapter Two

Blood pooled around the stalker’s body, the air was thick with fear, pain, shock, despair and the lingering stench of cut exposed blood oozing flesh. Mere moments later Eustace arrived with the friend who sent for him, Eustace entered the room and instantly was hit with the stench of blood, he dwelled further into the hall and saw the horrific sight, he was slightly disgusted and shocked by what he saw. He looked around and saw Lucina, he immediately approached her.

‘What happened?’ he asked addressing the floor.

‘Sir,’ another of her friends began to say and he explained what had occurred but was completely shocked and unsure of what happened, logically there was no explanation for what he saw.

Lucina began composing herself, the more she looked to the body the more she was realised what she had done and the more she was regaining control once again. But Eustace and the others thought it as shock. Not long after the nurse and a couple of porters arrived, examined her stalker and took him to the nurse’s office to be transported to the hospital. Eustace took Lucina to his office after she got her stuff and stayed with him for a while.

The stalker, was a man called Ivorn Marrivale, was in the same class with Lucina for the first year. They began as friends and he was consorting with another girl but left her intending for Lucina to replace her, but Lucina could see what he was like and how much of a pig he was. She decided to detach herself from him. He came from an Upper-Class family, very wealthy and connected, he was used to getting what he wanted and was not accustomated to being told no. So, he became obsessed with her.

Now, a couple of hours later, his family believed she was responsible and they were adamant that she caused his injuries and were now causing a ruckus. Eustace did not believe all that waffle about a small little flower of a lady having the capacity to tear him to shreds in the middle of the dining hall with no body noticing and not a shred of blood on her. He told her not to worry and to forget about it but she was still emotional, so she wasn’t thinking rationally. She drank lots of tea while she was in his office to calm her nerves and after a while Eustace took her home and tried to comfort her to get over the shock.

The journey home was intense in light of what has happened, the air was thick with dread, angst, fear, and shock mainly on Lucina’s part, Eustace was not tense or feeling the same as her, he felt more anger towards the boy Ivorn because of his pursuing, stalking and rough handling of her. The carriage arrived at the house at about 5:00 in the afternoon, the night sky getting darker. The carriage pulled up in front of the house, the servants opened the door and assisted Lucina in stepping out of the carriage in a nervous manner, then Eustace climbed out and they both walked in through the front door. They entered the drawing room where everyone has gathered, and they handed their coats, gloves, hats and bags to the maids. They took them over to the coat stands and the maid took Lucina’s bag into her bedroom and his bag into Eustace’s office. Lucina sat upon the arm chair still in shock and controlling her powers.

‘Eustace? Lucina? What happened?’ Isoline asked walking over to her trying to comfort her.

Eustace explained to Isoline what happened at the university earlier, so both Isoline and Lystra began to comfort her and had the maids get some tea. They were both very astounded at what occurred, and they hoped some tea would help. Lucina was still upset, scared and uncertain, but after a while with her thoughts she began to calm down.

A little while later they had dinner in the dining room, they had a chicken dinner, Lucina’s favourite dish which cheered her up. She began looking forward to her evening part at the conference. She did feel a little conflicted because she wanted to tell her family but at the same time felt it was something she must deal with herself. Why would they believe her, after all it was not a normal thing that had occurred to just anyone?

Lucina and her family discuss many topics at dinner which seemed to ease Lucina even more. They mainly discussed the conference, how excited Eustace and Lucina were, but also how less excited and interested Lystra was. Feeling happier and at ease Lucina engaged in other topics such as her book, studies and general topics. After they had desert and coffee/tea it almost came time for the conference, where Lucina, Lystra and they all realised they needed to get ready, then Lucina returned to her bedchamber. She walked over to her wardrobe and selected her most favourite dress made from black satin, black lace and black fabric with purple roses- a very gothic dress. She hid behind the black and purple screen to change into her dress. A few moments later Lystra entered the room all ready and she called out for her.

‘Yes, I am behind the screen, can you assist me in doing up my dress,’ Lucina said while struggling to wrap her hands around to do her dress up.

‘Oh yes of course,’ Lystra said walking over to her and she began doing up the dress.

‘Ahh, thank you,’ Lucina said smiling. ‘Ohh you look pretty,’ Lucina added after she turned around.

‘Why thank you, so do you,’ Lystra said. She turned around and watched Lucina walk over to her dressing table.

Her dressing table was black oak wood, antique, wooden frames around the mirrors, with silver door and draw handles with a black oak wooden and a purple cushion stool to go with the table. Her beautiful dark make-up black eyeliner, eye shadow, sable lipstick and white powder. Her ornate hand mirror, ornate hair brush and ornate hair comb made of silver. And half a dozen bobbles, ribbons and clips. Also, her jewellery box where she selected only her favourite pieces. A black gothic choker with a silver cross, a skull necklace, a coffin bracelet and cross rings.

Lystra laid on Lucina’s bed while she was waiting for her to finish getting ready. Lystra was dressed entirely different to Lucina, Lystra chose her white dress with dashes of pink, quite modern for the time and very colourful and girly. With all her hair done up in Gibson bun, girly and bright make-up and pearl necklace and bracelet.

Meanwhile, Lucina decided to put her hair up in a half up half down bun, with her curly hair flowing beyond her shoulders. She applied raven eyeliner, silver eye shadow, pale skin and sombre lipstick. She smiled at her reflection, then she arose up, over to her wardrobe and removed her black lace on one side and on the other fabric shawl and grabbed her black and purple beaded bag.

After the girls got ready, both Lucina and Lystra returned to the drawing room to wait for Eustace and Isoline. Lucina sat gracefully and patiently in the right-hand side arm chair, she was reading her book from earlier. Lystra didn’t fix her hair in the bun properly so it fell out and she was struggling to get it back into place. Lucina looked up and saw her struggling, so she approached her after she put the book down. Then she assisted in retying the bun back into place with Lystra grateful for the assistance. A few moments pass, Eustace and Isoline adjoined Lucina and Lystra in the drawing room both properly attired for the evening soiree.

The servants informed Eustace that the coach drivers had arrived, Eustace thanked them and they all entered the carriages. The carriages were two-seater so Eustace and Isoline travelled in the first carriage and the girls in the second. As soon as they were comfy the drivers pressed on and they went on their way. Lucina and Lystra mainly discussed boys as well as assorted topics however more centred on the boys that they might meet. Lucina smiled at Lystra drowning on but keeping a check on her powers. Lystra could tell that her sister and best friend was harbouring a huge secret that needed divulging but didn’t want to press the issue because she knew that person had to want to tell the other, so she let her on her own accord. They all continued talking to pass the time more pleasantly.

The journey was long and a little treacherous due to the country roads. The journey time took approximately two hours, so by the time they arrived at their destination they were on time. Excitement of the highest magnitude enveloped them as they pulled up to the venue, mainly in the girl’s hearts. The doors opened by the hands at the entrance and all dismounted the carriages. The girls linked arms, took a deep breath and confidently waltzed in through the doors beaming with excitement with Eustace and Isoline attending behind.

Lystra and Lucina stood together mainly because most of Lucina’s university comrades were there, so she knew quite a few individuals there either through personal means or by knowledge, however, Lystra knew nobody aside from her family so she stuck by her sister. Yet they all got along pleasantly.

The venue of the conference was a grand old-fashioned hall, with golden and white walls, white borders and lavishly designed ceilings, and with bright oak wood flooring shining beautifully in the candle light. The walls had beautiful, expertly designed carvings on the walls of angels, birds and flowers, with large Roman style pillars gracing the middle of the hall. There were illustrious large, paintings on all the walls depicting forests, landscapes and sea lands very beautiful. The oak wooden floor was pounded by the many posh and fancy heeled shoes worn by the all the noblest ladies and smart men’s shoes that graced the room. Beautiful soiree music was being played by an expert orchestra in the background but was almost barely heard over the pleasant chatter of the attendees. Waiters and waitresses made their rounds with champagne and caviar party foods. The atmosphere while pleasant and mannerly was very academic. There were quite a few healthy debates echoing their way through the pleasantries of social order.

Lucina spent most of the evening talking to her friends after they arrived and including Lystra in their discussions. But Eustace wanted her to socialize with her peers as well as her friends. Eustace and Isoline approached her and called out her name. Lucina turned to her friends, said “excuse me”, then turned her attention to her adoptive parents. Lystra walked with her, and both Eustace and Lucina left Isoline and Lystra to chat together. Eustace wanted to introduce Lucina to many of his famous colleagues in their fields to gain a rapour with them.

The people Lucina mainly spoke to were male, but were not discriminating towards her because she is Eustace’s adoptive daughter which made her more favourable to set aside her gender. A well-known anthropologist was one of those males, Kilton Clavering, he was a very stuffy man, very prim and proper, his grey hair gelled and combed back, his round spectacles sat gracefully upon his face with his dark blue eyes peering through. He wore a smart, expensive and beautifully tailored suit. He was very strict but mannerful and respectful and did not let Lucina’s gender influence his perception of her.

Mr Clavering’s impression of Lucina was one of a favourable one. Through engaging in conversation with her he found her very intelligent, rational and a considerate young lady much unlike some young ladies he had seen before. The other people she was talking to also had favourable impressions of her, they agreed whole heartedly with Mr Clavering. But there were a few old archaeologists and scientists who were adamant that a woman couldn’t handle the duties of an anthropologist.

Almost all the ladies at the conference wore beautiful, brightly coloured gowns with colourful feathers in their hair and beautiful white gold jewellery; the complete opposite of Lucina’s gowns. As she was canvasing the area, Lucina noticed an incredibly handsome man in old fashioned 18th century clothes and gorgeous long black hair. The man wore a beautifully tailored, old suit with ruffles and lace, and florals which was very dark in colour.

Lucina wanted to talk to him, but she was too nervous to approach him, and he was talking to a few other ladies, so she was not sure if he’d want to talk to her. The girl that the dark old-fashioned man was talking to and the other ladies, he didn’t find them pretty and not very interesting. But in the corner of his eye he saw black, a pure black dress in a room full of brightness and white. He turned to look at her and when his eyes clapped on her a wave of emotions came over him, they overwhelmed him in a way that he never felt before.

“She is even more beautiful in person” he said to him self in a whisper as his eyes were fixed on her. He felt his heart race with passion, lust surged through his body, butterflies swarmed in his stomach and a longing to know and feel more befell him.

As the evening progressed Lucina continued talking to her friends and peers, though still gazing upon the handsome man from out of time, as he did to her. While Lystra was standing with her mother and father. Lucina discussed diverse topics with her peers, mainly about their works, her interests, her current research projects and her aspirations for the future. There was not that many female archaeologists, anthropologists or historians at the conference (this was because the era is very male dominated do not harbour equality to the sexes) so this made it hard to gage a woman’s opinion. However, with Lucina the colleagues she conversed with, whom were all male were certain that she’d be a force to be reckoned wit when she is established and would do anything in which to assist. Eustace was also impressed with her mingling with the others on her own.

The presence of all those bodies clustered together generated an insatiable amount of heat, thus raised the humidity to elevated levels, even with the windows open. Lucina began to feel the effects of the increased heat, so she turned to her sister Lystra and informed her she is stepping out onto the balcony for fresh air. Lystra agreed and she stepped out. While she was out there her mind was swimming with the dark handsome spectre, her mind was enthralled, her heart fluttering and her breath impeding through attempting to resume control of powers. The balcony overlooked the teeming streets of Winnipeg’s city in the midnight sky. The view was completely breath taking and a beautiful place to observe. Later the gentlemen who Lucina found utterly handsome noticed her on balcony, he gathered two glasses of wine and seemed to breath in to muster some courage and moved discretely to the balcony and stood beside her.

‘Beautiful evening is it not?’ He asked in a pleasant but slightly dark and very masculine voice, his heart fluttering and nerves etching their way in.

Her eyes turns in response and gazes at him completely surprised that he has approached her and has taken an interest in her. Yet she regained composure quickly as to not embarrass herself. ‘Yes it is such idyllic surroundings,’ she responded in kind.

‘Milady, may I ask your name?’ he asked pleasantly.

‘Yes milord, my name is Miss Blackmeadow, though you may call me Lucina,’ she responded in kind with a smile and a little curtesy. He placed the glasses on the balcony.

‘Miss Lucina Blackmeadow, what a beautifully elegantly enchanting name; my name is Lord Evander Darkwood at your humble service,’ he said in response bowing and raising out his arms.

‘Sir Evander, a lord, such idyllic manners,’ she responded smiling. ‘Also, your name is very beautiful artistic like,’ she added still smiling and all pleasant.

‘Why grammacy dear lady,’ he said back smiling. He took hold of the glasses and handed one to her “for you dear lady,’ he added.

‘Why thank you, kind sir,’ she said still pleasant firmly grasping the glass but not snapping it out of his hand and realising the word “grammacy” is from an older dialect of English which means thank you.

They began to talk more in greater depth about each other about their interests with their fondness for each other growing exponentially. They were so enthralled in their conversing that two hours passed, and the conference end was commencing. Lucina knew it was not custom for a young lady to be so open with a mysterious gentleman, but she couldn’t help it, he was so enthralling, and she didn’t want to resist it.

‘Lucina it is time to atturn home, pardon the intrusion sir,’ Lystra said just as politely.

‘Very well, ohh forgive me, Lord Evander Darkwood this is my sister Mrs Lystra Cosgrave,’ Lucina introduced.

‘A pleasure Miss Cosgrave,’ he said bowing in the same manner as before, he was slightly confused however by Lystra being Lucina sister but alternate surnames.

‘Likewise, Sir, Lucina we will await by the entrance,’ Lystra stated.

‘Thank you Lystra,’ she said.

Lystra was not too impressed with Evander and was not sure of his intentions and thought him little odd, however, she respected Lucina’s judgement.

‘Lucina forgive my pry, if she is your sister, why are your surnames diverse?’ he asked.

‘My parents were killed many years ago, Lystra is the daughter of the people who adopted me, friends of my family for many years but I think of them as my biological family,’ Lucina explained not losing her pleasant demeanour.

‘Oh, my condolences and apologies dear lady,’ he responded.

‘Please do not be kind sir,’ she said.

‘Hmm, it seems I must take my leave,’ she said.

‘Yes milady, here is my card, I am staying at the Halpine Hotel, I would be honoured if I could see you again, tomorrow perhaps,’ he said hoping she would agree.

‘Why, yes sir that will be lovely, I quite look forward to it Mr Darkwood,’ she responded.

‘Magnificent,’ he said happily.

Lucina gave a little curtsey as she was saying farewell, and he bowed as he did earlier while saying farewell also. Lucina departed the balcony and over to her family.

Evander stood there for a few moments taking in his encounter with Lucina, he was so besotted with her, so enchanted by her dark beauty. He felt for the first time in a very long time pure love. Likewise, with Lucina she was completely attracted and smitten with him.

As soon as she met with her family, they all departed and headed home. In the carriage Lucina was enthralled with Evander, he was all she could think of. He had the most beautiful brown eyes, long black hair, ghostly pallor, black old clothes, masterful voice and the most chivalrous manners and heart. She was trying to control her powers but it was difficult with her love for him blossoming, everywhere they drove passed beautiful red roses sprung from the ground and appeared out of thin air. They began to symbolise her growing love for Evander and in her deep enthralled thoughts she didn’t even notice the flowers around her.

‘Good heavens where did all these roses come from?’ Lystra asked a little confused by what is happening. A few moments later she snapped out of it a little and regained her composure, ‘Did you say something?’ Lucina asked thinking that she said something but was not sure if she actually did.

‘Yes, where did all the roses come from?’ Lystra responded.

‘Ohh,’ Lucina said in response, ‘What roses?’ she added, because she didn’t realise there was any roses about.

‘Back there red roses everywhere,’ Lystra said.

‘Ohh, I do not know, very pretty though,’ Lucina said.

‘Very true,’ Lystra responded. ‘So, Lucina, who was that mysterious Mr Darkwood?’ Lystra enquired very intrigued.

‘He is an English nobleman, a Lord no less, and a handsome man both inside and out,’ Lucina began to explain. Lystra smiled in response at the sheer captivity that Lucina held for this mysterious stranger.

‘How is he handsome on the inside?’ she said.

‘He thinks of the terribly ill and suffering, he discovered this chemical compound that is used for healing the most severe of illnesses, he has come over here to promote it,’ she responded.

‘Oh wow, do you believe him though? I mean he is not a charlatan or anything? What do your instincts say?’ Lystra asked being protective and concerned for her dear sister.

‘My instincts say he is pure hearted, and there is more than meets the eye with him, my instincts say he will be a proper gentleman and he would protect me,’ Lucina responded very dreamily.

‘Well that is good enough for me, your instincts are never wrong,’ Lucina said.

‘That is true they are very finely tuned,’ Lucina stated back.

Lystra was not one hundred percent sure of Evander, she was not fond of anything about him, his appearance, his manner, his mannerisms. But she respected Lucina’s instincts as they have never led her stray before but Lystra still couldn’t shake the feeling.

Eustace and Isoline did not give much thought about Evander because they thought he was just someone who she cavalierly spoke to and he was no one of immense importance. Lucina took her book out of her bag and began reading for the duration of the journey home, she also took out a magazine for Lystra to read as well.

‘Oh thank you Lucina,’ Lystra said pleasantly surprised. She didn’t expect Lucina to bring something for her, yet Lucina always brought something for Lystra to do.

Once they returned home, they dismounted the carriage, gracefully entered the house, and into the foyer. They removed their hats, coats, gloves and umbrellas and placed them onto the stands and cabinet. They all said their goodnights because it was about 2:00am. They all went to bed almost immediately. Lucina read one of her books to get her off to sleep, while Lystra read a magazine and Eustace and Isoline went straight to sleep.

Chapter Three

Dark clouds enveloped the morning sky, the light dim and grey illuminated the view, the morning air brisk and a sharp cold that could pierce through flesh. A low thin eerie fog wafted through the air enticing fearful thoughts by all who lay eyes upon it. The time was early in the morning, about nine o’clock when Lucina awoke.

Lucina arose out of her dark, black bedding sheets, she looked at the chandelier that was candled not gas powered (she preferred candles) and thought ‘ignite’, which they did. But they were dimly lit, she climbed out of bed as cheery and happy as ever. Lucina walked out to her wardrobe and selected her favourite black casual dress. A knock pounded on the black oakwood door, at the sound of the first knock Lucina turned her head to the door.

‘Yes,’ she shouted gracefully and happily.

The knocker entered the room and to Lucina’s surprise it was the maid a girl called Rosena she said good morning greetings to Lucina and Lucina returned the greetings, ’a letter arrived for you milady,’ Rosena said.

‘Thank you Rosena,’ Lucina said happily and gracefully. Rosena presented dismissed herself and closed the door behind her. Lucina opened the letter with her mini sword letter opener; it had a distinct gothic pattern upon the handle and blade. She unfolded the letter and began to read its contents. It read:

“My dear Lady, Lucina, I was hoping you would care to meet me at Black Raven’s park today at 12:30pm to have a picnic in the dreary cloud and winter like views. Awaiting patiently and faithfully.

Evander”.

Lucina was most captivated by his old-fashioned handwriting, it was so beautiful and sophisticated unlike anything she has seen in a normal person’s hand, who is not trying to emulate the old scripts. She concealed the letter in her diary for safe keeping.

‘Hmm, what a lovely way to spend the afternoon a lovely picnic in one of the spookiest places in the city,’ she thought to herself smiling.

Lucina walked downstairs to the dining room and entered, sat at her usual seat, second on the right, she had her book with her to await for her family to attend. Eventually they did, Lystra up from bed, Eustace from the study, and Isoline from the drawing room. They said they’re early morning greetings, hugs and delights.

‘Lucina are you going to be alright here?’ Eustace asked.

‘Yes of course I have some studying I can attend to and an assignment. I can also work on my story and draw,’ Lucina replied.

‘Very good, I shall inform your other lecturers you cannot attend for a few weeks to let this all calm down,’ Eustace responded.

‘Eustace, Isoline, a gentleman I met last evening, a man called Lord Evander Darkwood has invited me to attend a picnic at Black Raven’s park, is it alright if I attend?’ Lucina asked.

‘Who is this man?’ Eustace asked rather demandingly.

‘He is an English nobleman, who lives in England somewhere, he is a discoverer of a important and beneficial compound that can heal all manner of ailments he has come over here to promote it,’ Lystra stated.

‘Is he a pleasant, gentleman, well mannered type man?’ Eustace asked.

‘He seemed like a prince charming,’ Lystra answered.

‘Very well, yes of course you can go with him,’ Isoline responded.

‘Isoline,’ Eustace called.

‘Eustace please, we trust her judgement, also she will be in the park she is quite capable of running to any neighbouring buildings, she will be quite safe,’ Isoline demanded.

‘Yes, yes very well, and we do trust you implicitly,’ Eustace said a bit more calm and contented.

The maids and butlers entered the dining room with breakfast, toast, eggs, bacon, cereals, porridge and fruit. Lucina ate eggs, bacon, the cereals and porridge, she has a healthy appetite. Lucina enjoyed her breakfast and enjoyed her tea.

Lucina spend the remainder of the day attending to her studies, her assignment, and getting ready for her engagement with Evander. She studied hard on her topic, though shifted her attention to her story, also as she was working she drew concept art for her story. She drew the characters in different guises, the castle, creatures and other essential elements. She found it easier to describe these elements when she sketches them first it helps her to describe it if she can see it.

At about 11:00 Lucina ensured she looked pretty and presentable for her engagement. Lucina re packed her bag and went downstairs to await for the carriage driver to arrive. She drank a cup of tea as she awaited. Approximately, 11:45am a knock pounded on the front door, a moment later one of the butlers a young man called Pius opened the door.

Meanwhile, in the drawing room, Lucina paused from reading her book and began to think about Evander and how fond she felt towards him, and suddenly the room was filled with red roses. She began to panic because she cannot allow the family or house staff to see her abilities. She heard Isoline greet the visitor and gestured for him to enter the house; she could hear their footsteps come towards her. Still panicking she thought roses disappear and in the nick of time they did. With Isoline and the visitor entering the room they were none the wiser.

‘Mr Darkwood! Evander!’ she said a little surprised, she didn’t realise he was coming to the house.

‘Why Lucina, are you alright, you look as though you have seen a ghost,’ Isoline stated.

‘No no I am fine, a surprising passage in the book I am reading,’ Lucina responded.

‘My goodness, horrors untold?’ Evander asked.

‘Oh no I do not find those scary, no no, girly girls with no brains frighten me among other things,’ Lucina responded quite innocently.

‘Gracious I like you’re thinking,’ Evander said.

‘Yes, the wisest 22-year-old I have ever known,’ Isoline stated, ‘we are so proud she is a great role model for her sister, my other daughter Lystra,’ Isoline added.

‘I dare say she aspires us all,’ Evander said back in complete awe of Lucina.

‘Well, thank you, kind sir,’ Lucina stated happily and calmed down immensely after the incident.

‘Right, Mr Darkwood, do look after our ear Lucina and please display her the respect she is due, I do not appreciate any lady informing me they had to fend off an animal, enjoy your picnic,’ Isoline warned.

‘Have no fear dear lady I will be chivalry incarnate, I assure you I will be none other than a gentleman to the fair maiden,’ Evander responded, he was taken a back at first and felt a sense of panic and it showed in his choice of words. He had never felt such unease, nerves and almost speechless demeanour, as though he was truly in love and meeting their sweet hearts family for the first time and was overcome with love. A series of emotions he had never felt or considered before in his long life.

‘I am very pleased to hear it, my husband will be very displeased to be informed of any manner other than a kind, considerate, chivalrous, honourable, discrete and gentleman like behaviour. I can assure you if those demands are not met then he can be quite unpleasant,’ Isoline stated.

Evander grew even more nervous, but Lucina piped in before Isoline could say anymore. ‘Isoline I think he has been warned enough, I assure you he is not that way inclined,’ Lucina said.

‘Yes of course dear, I apologise if I am over standing, Lucina has had enough heartache she does not need anymore,’ Isoline said.

‘Please think nothing of it we are very protective of family and are willing to do anything to protect them,’ Evander said.

‘Yes, well do enjoy yourselves, see you later,’ Isoline said smiling and she left the room.

‘I apologise, Eustace and Isoline can be quite over protective, especially when it comes to me, after my parents died they feel that I should be wrapped in cloth and put me in a cave,’ she said happily and gracefully.

‘It is so lovely that your family cares, and that friends of the family care for you,’ Evander said.

‘It sounds like you have heartache from the past as well,’ Lucina said.

‘Yes, many horrors…… anyway I believe we have a picnic at the park to attend to,’ Evander said smiling.

‘That we do, permit me a moment to get my coat,’ Lucina said as she was walking over to the coat stand, she selected her favourite coat, long black button up with fur on the wrists and collar and hood. She selected her hat a beautiful black feather, black acorns and black lace pattern upon the top. She picked out her black lace gloves and her black fabric and laced umbrella.

‘Forgive me, I do not have servants where I come from but are they not supposed to bring such things to you?’ Evander enquired.

‘Yes, however, I am not that lazy, I do not ask them to do it because I can get them myself,’’ Lucina explained.

‘Ah I see, that’s a very modern way of looking at it,’ Evander said.

‘Savour it I do not display modern ideals often,’ Lucina said smiling.

They both left the mansion quite promptly and without nerves, they climbed into the carriage Evander had arrived in and instructed the carriage driver to set off to the park. A short while later they arrived. They dismounted the carriage, Evander payed the fair and the carriage drove away. Evander turned to Lucina, he outstretched his elbow for her to link arms with him as she did. And they began to stroll through the park, talking and getting to know each other as they walked. The weather was quite warm with a little cool breeze in the air. There were dreary clouds high in the heavens with the sun attempting to shine through but to no avail. There was no rain or an un-comfy atmosphere, so a perfect day for Lucina.

As they were walking Lucina was feeling very captivated by Evander, by his voice, by his manner, by his words and by the nervous tone to his voice at times it made Lucina believe it was genuine (which it was). Lucina feels her attraction and emotions begin to grow and prosper, though she does not let them get a hold over her and keeps her judgement. Evander begins to think more and more about her and his feelings do the same for her as well. He looks to her as though he is concealing a secret, but then through the laughter, the conversations, the awe and love he forgets about that secret so he only recalls it when something reminds him. And when he recalls it he begins to feel bad, but Lucina interprets it as being scared. Lucina also felt scared because of her powers that she’d might hurt him but knows when they’re together she knows she cannot.

They spent all the afternoon together in the park. They had their picnic lunch in the usual picnic area which was in the centre of the clearing. Lucina placed down a blanket that was in the picnic basket that Evander brought and carried. The blanket was pure black which was to Lucina’s liking with tassels design on the edge all around. The basket was grey wicca all over with beautiful and illustrious food contained within.

After their luncheon they began to walk more around the park talking, engaging and getting to know each other better. Evander was enjoying this engagement so much, he never felt this way before with anyone else, and he felt as though he was a different person but a better person. He forgot about all the negative and things that was happening around them and what his plans were beyond Lucina. He felt the way he was from times past, he felt more honest, happier and healthier.

As they were in a secluded area of the park, near some trees and bushes, they stood there just talking at first but their emotions began to spark. So much so Evander reverts to his old self but with absent nerves and more at ease. Lucina observed his behaviour, she thought he was just nervous about their date as though he had butterflies and they are now released. Given that they are feeling more at ease while talking, they shuffled closer together as they were talking and a moment later they’re lips met in a passionate peck kiss, for mere moments at first. They withdrew a few seconds later but leaned in closer and their lips met longer this time with Evander’s hands smoothing all over the top of his clothes. Lucina relishing in their pleasures smoothed her hands all over him. Then they decided to go no further but what they did was enough to solidify their consorting to be each other’s sweethearts.

Such activities were never engaged by either of them with anyone else, Evander had kissed girls before but never like this and never with this amount of passion, he felt true love, lust and passion towards her and was attempting with all his power to control himself. Lucina felt the same for Evander, she never kissed other boys in the same way in her whole life and she felt the same amount of love, lust and passion for him. She felt it hard to contain her passions for him as well.

Later on, they had stopped passionately kissing and frolicking, they sat on a beautiful silver bench near a little waterfall in the park surrounded by the beautiful dark flowers and shrubs. With no one around they were completely alone. They spent the remainder of the afternoon talking about various things; they talked about the future, about each other, about their families and a whole host of different things.

Not long later Evander took Lucina home.

The perception that Lucina’s family had of Evander was that he was quite odd, and something was a little off about him because of his manner, his speech, clothes and presence as though he was out of time. But more importantly the vibes he gave of are off were as though he emanated something that Lucina could not see. The type of vibes normal, moral, sane people did not possess. Lucina had a dark ora about her that her powers tended to mask, and she could see his dark ora which was one of the things that attracts her to him, but she didn’t realise oras existed or why they existed or what they meant.

As the carriage came towards Lucina’s family mansion, as they came closer to the front stairs, Evander opened the carriage door and stepped out first. Then he assisted Lucina in getting out of the carriage, Lucina moved with such grace and darkness the like Evander has never seen before, she appeared with such mysteriousness that it intrigued him intently. ‘Milady Lucina, I bid you goodnight,’ Evander said smiling and charmingly with such captivation to Lucina.

‘Why, Milord, I wish you goodnight in addition,’ Lucina responded with such intrigue due to Evander’s archaic speech, it really resonates lovely in her ears. ‘Pleasant nightmares Milord,’ she added.

‘Nightmares? Why that is different and mysterious, Milady Lucina you are one within a million, sweet nightmares dear lady,’ he said feeling all loved up and very enthralled by her.

‘Thank you Milord,’ she said back and giggled, he leaned in and kissed her upon the check and then gave her a hug embrace goodbye. As they withdrew, they slowly relieved each other’s hands, and he mounted inside the carriage, whilst inside he waved goodbye to her and she waved goodbye back to him. The carriage driver began to motion forward and leave the property. Lucina and Evander waved to each other as the carriage left.