About
the Ancients of Light series
Chosen
is the first in the thirteen books of the Ancients of Light series
and is only the beginning of a young Witch’s journey toward
developing both the strength of character and magic that will be
required to fulfill her prophesied role as leader of the Light
faction.
Revelations
of nuances in the Prophecy - facets that were never fully
comprehended by the Ancients - will continue in successive stories.
The culmination of its true meaning in the destiny of the
supernatural world of the Realm will only be revealed when Kaitriana
is adequately prepared to lead the Warriors now being called together
to champion the Light’s purpose.
Familiar
characters return for each storyline as the focus turns to a new key
couple in every book - a pair that significantly factors into the
purpose of Light – however, the story of the Chosen does not end
with Book #1. Kaitriana and Lorcan, their growth together as
partners in leadership and in love as a couple, will thread through
the series as Kaitriana assumes the role that was destined as hers
since the beginning.
Chosen
(Ancients of Light, #1) by Heather Fleener
She
is Chosen
Kaitriana’s
gift of magic is unrivaled. A descendant of the most powerful Ancient
in existence, her birth was foretold ages before her time. Destined
to lead the Witch faction, she is betrayed by her own kind,
destroying her birthright and all hope of delivering the Realm from
the sinister shadow of the Ancient Dark.
He
is the Key
Lorcan
is a mighty warlord in the Vampire species. His animosity towards the
magical immortals is personal – his mother was their Queen. Having
long since severed all ties with his former kin, his existence
remains plagued by the repercussions of her treachery and a secret
that threatens to be his downfall.
They
are the Prophecy
An
arcane prophecy from the time of the Ancients proclaims that only two
in all of creation can bring peace to the Realm. When Kaitriana
miraculously appears seeking his protection, Lorcan must forsake his
duty and disregard the dictates of his breed to shelter the female.
Together they must combat the Ancient Dark and surmount the forces
within their own factions that would oppose the Prophecy. Their fates
have always been entwined and only when joined can they triumph over
a blood feud that has shadowed the Light for millennia.
Interview:
What would you consider a perfect day for you as an author?
My author-perfect days are any day that I get to spend the bulk of the day writing and a lot of time interacting with readers on the Facebook page. Writing is my stress-relief, it energizes me and the more time I get to spend in the Realm, the better. In addition to that, I have made a lot of good friends in the readers that I have met over the past year on Facebook. Having the opportunity to talk about these books and the characters with others that enjoy them is the most rewarding part of writing.
What sort of research (if any) did you do for this novel?
I research all sorts of things in connection with the series. I did a ton of research in finding the names for every character in the series – the meaning behind the names, the era in which they were first used, etc. I have researched ancient languages – to help develop the various “Ancient” words I use in the books. I research fashion trends in connection with the different characters’ styles. Every dress or pair of shoes that I have described in Chosen or Forsaken is actually in existence somewhere in the real world – and usually been made by some high-end designer that I could never afford to buy. The list of crazy things that I research is endless – and that is the reason I adore Google.
What was your inspiration for this story?
I have always been fond of Vampires, Witches…anything paranormal, and I have been reading romance novels since I was a teen. Combining the two was a natural progression for me. Chosen actually developed over the course of about six months as a kind of mini-movie in my head, to pass the time while I was running on the treadmill. The other 12 stories in the series followed the same way.
Is there any character in particular that you enjoyed writing about the most?
I love Kaitriana – she is quirky and outlandish – and flawed…and brave and strong and has a ton of heart. I love that I get to keep writing about her throughout the series and that we all get to see her grow and develop into this awesome figure she is destined to be.
Were any of your characters or events from the book based of real life people or experiences you have had?
No, not yet, but I made my first trip to Europe last fall, so expect to see some Switzerland references soon.
My husband also claims that the dynamic between Kat and Lorcan – particularly when her crazy antics drive him mad – is like a day in his life. To know that, he would have to admit to having read Paranormal Romance though, right? And that would likely cost him his man-card, so he cannot make such claims…not really.
Are there any other projects you are working on that you would like to tell us about?
All of my spare time has been consumed with writing the 4th book in the series – Mistaken. It goes back into the time of the first Ancients, so readers will get to meet the first Witch and Vampire in creation, and learn all sorts of new secrets about the Ancients that are still in existence…like Myrrdyn.
Did any of your characters give you a difficult time while writing this book?
I have not struggled with any character until I wrote Broken (Ancients of Light #3). Kylie has a fascinating story and a great history, but I struggled to write her in a way that would show her vulnerability without making her appear weak. Weakness would definitely not work for the character she was meant to play. Midway into the book, I ended up going back and rewriting every one of her scenes for that reason. I was very pleased with the end result.
Coffee or Hot Chocolate?
Coffee, with lots of cream, on a regular basis. Hot chocolate when I need comfort.
What do you like to do in your down time?
I have a full-time career and my spare time is spent writing, so down time is precious. We have 11-year old twins that keep us hopping as well, so relaxation is a high priority when time is available. I enjoy time with my husband watching movies and sampling new adult beverages. I also like to run and I love to read.
Do you relate to any of your characters?
I relate to all my female characters in some way and each has some tiny part of me worked in. I think it is somewhat natural to write about what you know, and I know me, and all my quirks and flaws, some more serious than others. For instance, Ella’s fear of the dark – that is totally me.
Forsaken
(Ancients of Light, #2) by Heather Fleener
Fire
is her Destiny…
Ella
long ago determined she would not live a life where magic defined
her. Feeling no kinship with her Caste, she walked away from the
Realm and its conflicts. She found acceptance and fulfillment in her
life amongst the mortals and is on the brink of achieving her dreams.
Darkness
is His Curse…
Nicholas
is the most revered warrior in the Darks’ army. His personal
animosity towards the Light drives his existence and draws him to the
one Witch he is set on controlling. Nicholas knows the reasons that
Ella never found acceptance within the Fire Caste of Witch and he
will use that knowledge to pursue his Dark agenda.
Broken
(Ancients
of Light, #3) by Heather Fleener
Darkness
Claimed Her Soul
The
adversity of Kylie’s youth forged an indomitable spirit. A vibrant
and strong woman determined to plot the course of her life with room
for nothing beyond the next measure of success, Kylie believed in
only herself, and most certainly neither destiny nor love. All those
tenants were derailed with a single encounter, but the same man that
tempted her to live again drew her into the middle of an aged war,
the consequence being her own destruction, plummeting her into a
hellish existence.
A
Warrior Haunted by His Failure
Sayer’s
mission was only to foil the latest plan of the Darks in the Outer
Realm and return a few Vampire to Hell. Finding a perfect mortal that
tempted him beyond all reason was unforeseen complication. Just when
Sayer realizes that his eternity is meant for one alone, Kylie is
destroyed by the Darks, and the loss drives him to the pits of
despair, revealing events of the past that would best be long
forgotten.
Excerpt
Though the scene was being witnessed by hundreds of warriors, at this moment none existed but the two before the gates. Lorcan’s tone was icy, “What know you of my mother?”
“Apparently more truth than you….Lorcan.” Her inability to locate Myrrdyn had caused her to seek the Vampire warrior; she instinctively trusted him and she needed his protection. Kaitriana had not intended to insult him nor broach the subject of his Witch mother, but the pain, fatigue and hunger plaguing her now made her testy. She was not in the mood to argue vampires and the falseness of their beliefs.
Anger rising, apparently she knew her enemy by name while he had no inkling of her origin or purpose, Lorcan still managed to check himself and he stepped no closer in response to her taunt. She had kept her head down, the curtain of her hair continued to hide her face from him. His ears and all those within the yards of the keep were keen enough to hear her sharp intake of breath, accompanied by an ever so slight moan of pain. The girl’s hands extended shakily from the skirts of her gown, still tightened in a claw-like grip as though in reaction to immense suffering. Her fingertips scraped over the snow, raising dirt as she hunched slightly forward.
He witnessed it at the same time a faint trace reached his senses; a smattering of blood was on the bodice of her gown, much more of it smeared over her arms. Anger abated slightly for the moment with the realization that the creature was suffering. Lorcan released his hand from the sword and in direct opposition to his cautionary nature he squatted closer to her level. He scooped up a handful of the powdery snowfall, patiently sifting it through his fingers. He provided her a minute, attempting to allow her to regain some composure before he pressed, “You are injured?”
Her head remained lowered and Kaitriana eased back as the wave of pain slowly subsided. She refolded her hands demurely in her lap and followed with a short, rueful laugh. “I have been tending my injuries for nearly half a millennium, Milord. At this moment I am in pain, yes… but this blood is not mine, nor have I been injured during all the bloodletting that has left me in such a state.”
Lorcan was appreciative of the response she gave though her words were a bit odd. ‘Milord’…her language was dated. Damn, if the creature would just push those curls back so that he could see her eyes and ascertain her intentions. Lorcan did not lie to himself; he was curious and cared to see if she was as pretty as he was imagining. How he could feel such intrigue towards a supposed threat he could not gather, but there was something about her that pulled at him on an instinctive level.
He could not garner a clear scent of her either, which perplexed him further. She did not reek of any of the Witch Castes. Her scent might be masked somewhat by the blood that marred her skin and gown, but to be undetectable to one with his senses was odd indeed. In order to be responsible for the death of the magnitude described by Jortha, the little thing must be Ancient and of one of the stronger Castes.
Those delicate shoulders raised, just enough to send snow cascading from them as he watched, “I am not an Ancient…nor nearly so old as you…”
Lorcan stiffened; was she probing his thoughts?
As if to confirm, Kaitriana slowly lifted her head, raising her face to his view. The effort cost her. The splitting in her head amplified immensely with the slight movement and her body felt as though it were being torn apart on the inside. Her nails began shredding the fabric of her skirts in earnest again as she attempted to control of the shrieks of agony that wanted to escape her.
Lorcan took in the pain etched in her face, the tears gathered at the corners of her eyes and the pallor of her skin. He understood immediately her issue, noting the tips of tiny white fangs and the marks they had had left on the bottom of her lower lip. Those observations registered with him simultaneously through the impact of a shock that nearly knocked him back physically. Lorcan’s gaze locked on her. Those eyes swimming behind the pools of tears appeared as shards of ice. There was no sparkle within them at this very moment but those eyes had haunted him for centuries. He knew them well and only one in the Realm had ever possessed that amazing look.
Lorcan’s entire body weakened in a rush, requiring all his brute strength to keep himself steadfast. The air expelled rapidly from his lungs as he began counting; Lorcan realized he was crazed even as he did it. Eighteen…eighteen little freckles smattered across the beauty’s face. The creature at his feet was the very image of the beautiful witch that had been burned to memory nearly five hundred years before when she had fled at the Festival of the Moon. Kaitriana. Did he whisper it aloud?
Maybe he did, he thought a smile was taking her lips before she gasped in pain again. The fang on the right side pierced her lower lip as she arched back in agony. There was a rumbling among the men behind him. They were aware too that she was near the end of transitioning. The pain of the process that changed one into the Vampire form could cause a strong warrior to beg for death. Blood traced from the corner of her mouth and this time he could scent her. Lorcan reacted, his fangs extending sharply.
He closed the distance between them in less than a blink. The streaks of light in the sky were nearly unceasing now and Lorcan thought it may be connected somehow to the pain she suffered. Heedless of the female’s current state, he knelt down in front of her; his hands tightened around her arms and he gave her body a hard shake. He was uncaring when she responded with a tortured cry. Lorcan was greatly tormented now too, the brief feeling of relief and hope that had risen in him had been extinguished just as quickly. The despair he had felt earlier this night increased tenfold as he gazed down at the being.
Lorcan dragged her writhing form flush against the metal plating on his chest, demanding through gritted teeth, “What treachery is this? The witch is dead!” His mind was not making sense of her appearance and fury ensued. Lorcan shook her again, harder, before tossing her bodily ten feet from him to the snowy ground. A bolt of sizzling light flew from the sky and pierced the ground but a few feet from him, accompanying her shriek of pain. He was oblivious to the threat but his men began to shift uneasily as Lorcan ground out “Answer me!”
She moved not from where she landed but only drew her knees towards her chest. Kaitriana was panting through the pain, tears freely flowing down her cheeks. She lifted those watery eyes to him, hearing the crunch of his boots over snow as he approached, and extended a trembling hand in his direction.
Was she attempting to ward him off or reach for him? Having seen enough transitions to know that she was in the final stages, he also knew that in such state, no matter how powerful, she would be in no condition to fight him. He crouched on a single knee next to her, using her extended hand to jerk her roughly to him. Supporting her torso on that bended knee, he encased her upper body in the steel bands of his arms. Lorcan’s fangs extended further, his eyes blackening with his rage. He leaned to put his face in hers, his voice deadly cold, “Tell me, you deceitful bitch, why I do not tear your throat wide and end you now?”
Her lids lowered slowly, she thought the pain must have made her daft. The blackness of his eyes, induced by his Vampiric traits when his emotions were heightened, was ringed in vivid blue. She experienced a rush of cool breath from his mouth as his fangs touched the vein of her neck in warning. She would not give him the pleasure of witnessing her fear, just as she had not with those evil vampires of the Dark that fateful night long ago. In the throes of her misery she was too beleaguered by it to spend energy imagining her death at his hands. Death would be a welcome escape from the relentless agony that had arrived so suddenly. Overwhelmed by it, she had possessed barely the strength to take leave of the last of Rhydach’s manors that she had destroyed.
In her quest for the death of a killer she had destroyed any and all of Rhydach’s possessions and people that stood in her way. She had found the other bastard responsible for her parents’ murder and had exalted in his torment and the horror of his allies before she had ended them all. The pain that had come upon her immediately afterwards was crippling; although she had called desperately for Myrrdyn, he had not come to her rescue. Her memories had pushed her here and God had answered her prayers. Lorcan was in residence this night.
Another series of knifing pains shot through her entire being and the moan of misery escaped despite her best efforts. In response she rolled her body tighter against Lorcan, as if seeking comfort in the fold of his arms, rather than away from the threat he currently presented. Buried under that pain, in the recesses of her mind, she still had a tenuous grip on the deep-rooted belief that he would protect her. Her action exposed the slim column of her neck to him only more fully.
He found it odd that she offered no defense. Was there no fight in her? To him her silence was an admission of guilt, treachery. Lorcan tucked her up higher against him as he readied her neck for his bite; he wanted her tormented and he wanted her fear. Her blood stained hands splayed across his chest, but she did not push, she did not resist. Damn it, he wanted her to fight and he wanted to relish in the victory of her death. Lorcan grazed his lips over her ear and paused there to whisper as she shivered, “I will have you begging for my mercy.”
His mouth slipped downward and his fangs found the top of her throat, under the jaw line. He pressed only hard enough to drag sharp tips roughly down the entire length, leaving two thin trails of blood glistening against her pale skin. This evil would cower to him. By all that was Ancient, the creature would be begging for the end when he decided to deliver it.
About the Author
Heather Fleener lives in Indiana with
her husband, D.A. and their twins, Thomas and Alexandra.
Professionally she has spent her career working in the area of
Intellectual Property law.
Reading has been a passion of hers
since she was young and she has adored romance novels her entire
life. The romantic styles of Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood are
her inspiration, though she has read and loved the stories of
countless other authors. Her fascination with the paranormal began to
form at the young age of six, watching late-night ghost and vampire
movies with her Grandpa. Unfortunately, as a result, she also remains
afraid of the dark to this day.
Combining her love of epic romances and
the supernatural was a natural progression for her overactive
imagination. When the idea for the Ancients of Light series began, it
was an abstract story line rambling around in her head to help kill a
few miles on the treadmill. As the stories and plotlines continued to
grow, it finally became necessary to put the words to paper and build
the characters that had been living in the Realm and having
conversations in her head for months.
The series is a testament to many miles
on the treadmill and lots of characters that insist on having their
stories told.
Website:
http://www.ancientsoflight.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AncientsOfLight
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/HeatherFleener
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/hfleener/boards/
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