The Shields, Book 5

New Concepts Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60394-091-7
Genre: Historical/Dark Fantasy

Order at New Concepts
Order at Fictionwise

Regards Reader -

There are those who would love to rid themselves of painful memories, to forget nasty pasts and mistakes. They say its hell to live with those memories. I say its hell to live without them. I have no memories of my past, my friends or family.

I owe my life to the Fae who discovered me bleeding and nearly dead at their doorway. They saved me and offered me a new life, regardless of my past. So I’ve served the Fae and the Shields since that day. My special knowledge of herbs and healing has been needed to save the Shields countless times. They are my brethren, my family, yet I am alone.

No matter where I search or what questions I ask, I discover nothing to open a doorway in my mind of locked memories. Until I catch a glimpse of a woman who seems as familiar to me as breathing.

Danielle.

Though she claims to not know me, our bodies know each other. Yet, I agonize over what she keeps hidden in the depths of her haunted hazel eyes. I fear the dark thoughts that lurk in my heart, and wonder at any black deeds in my past. If what I dread comes to pass, death will not come swift enough.

Above all, I must keep Danielle safe. She is the only one that has quieted my soul and shown me what serenity was.

Gabriel the Hollow

REVIEWS

4 Hearts! "I highly recommend this as a great read and I'm sure I'll be going back to it again, a keeper in my bookshelf!" - Samantha Ann, Night Owl Romance

EXCERPT

Gabriel splayed his hands against the cold stones of the battlements and looked out over the valley of the land. The merriment inside the great hall reached him even outside, and though he hadn’t wanted to hurt Hugh or Mina’s feelings but he hadn’t been able to celebrate.

Too much had happened in Scotland. In the back of his mind he had always known he didn’t wish to discover his memories. He had feared they would be as tarnished as the nightmares that plagued him, nightmares he had never told anyone about.

When the Fae had found him, Gabriel had been all but dead. Yet, with their healing abilities, the Fae had healed him, but they hadn’t been able to help him with his memory loss. For a long time he craved to know of his past, who he was, if he had a family or a wife. He wanted to know details.

Yet always, there was this underlying fear that someone was coming after him. The Fae had assured him it was only due to his extensive injuries and for awhile Gabriel had believed them. Until recently.

Discovering he was immortal should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, it had only made him realize his past was deep and dark. A place he wanted no part of. He would like nothing better than to say he was the man he had become, but only fools discounted their pasts. He had sinned. He knew it in the marrow of his bones.

He didn’t know how he had sinned, but he had a sneaking suspicion he would find out very soon.

“There you are,” Cole said as he sauntered up, a big smile on his face and a mug of ale in his hand. “Mina demanded I find you and give you your ale.”

Gabriel tried to smile as he accepted the mug. “I wouldn’t wish to upset the lady of the castle. However, I would imagine it was more likely Hugh that sent you to find me rather than Mina.”

“All right,” Cole said with a loud sigh as he leaned his back against the stones and looked at Gabriel. “We all know something is bothering you, what we don’t know is why you aren’t coming to us for help. We are your family, your brothers.”

“I’m fine,” he lied. “I’m just worried that the Great Evil isn’t done with us. Now that all four of the Chosen have been found, he can be defeated.”

Cole raised his brows at Gabriel’s words. “We’re all worried about the evil, and if you expect me to believe the words you just spoke, you don’t know me as well as you should.”

Gabriel sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “Cole, sometimes things are better left alone.”

“Like your past.”

“By the gods,” Gabriel bellowed and pushed away from the wall. “Leave it alone. I beg you.”

“Nay. As I said earlier, we are your family and family look out for one another.”

Gabriel shook his head as he realized the futility of arguing with Cole.

“Have you remembered your past?”

Gabriel cringed and turned his back to Cole. “Nay.”

“The only thing you know is that you’re immortal. That shouldn’t be something for you to fear.”

“What I fear is my past,” Gabriel said softly.

Cole moved until he stood in front of him. “You’re past is exactly that, my brother. It doesn’t matter what you did or who you were. We know what you are now and that’s what counts.”

Gabriel felt something touch his hand and looked down at the mug of ale. He took it and looked up to see Cole smile before he walked off.

The ale was just what Gabriel needed. He leaned his head back and took a long drink. He glanced out over the land again and could have sworn he saw something moving near the forest. With a step closer to the wall, he stared at the spot and waited, but nothing moved.