Night's Gift: Book One of the Night's Vampire Series

After Virginia's heart is torn apart, she moves to a small city and tries to build a new life. One night, she decides to investigate a mysterious old mansion that she passes each day. Petrified by what she witnesses as she peers through a window, Virginia attempts to flee...Awakening inside the mansion, Virginia comes face to face with its secrets -- Teresa, a mysterious beauty; Max, a seemingly sinister old man; and HIM, the Count Basarab Musat, a Transylvanian vampire who manipulates and controls everything, and everyone, who crosses his path. When Virginia realizes she is the count's prisoner, she is forced into playing a dangerous game -- her very survival depends on the outcome. Virginia prays every day to be free from the evil world she has stumbled upon -- where the undead are so alive!"Night's Gift" is the beginning of Virginia's story...IntroductionI am relating this story to you through my eyes ... for it is only my eyes that are capable of seeing into hearts that did not exist; my eyes that can weep for that which was lost; my eyes that are capable of showing any emotion beyond nothingness. It is only my pen that would dare to tell such a story -- for those I resided with for a time would not want such secrets to be known.This is a story that must be told. It is a story that, as you read it, you might believe was written as a Hollywood movie script. It is a story that you'd never dream you would actually ever live. It is my story -- a part of my life that can never be erased from my memory --- which will live on for eternity. For eternity itself has sealed it within its pages.Despite all that he could not do for me, I shall be forever grateful to Max for the scraps of paper he provided me with during my sojourn at the house. I have gathered together the scattering of scribbles I was able to write, and I have managed to decipher the majority of my words. However, many of my pages were written beneath a torrent of tears, smearing a great many of the letters into unintelligible scratching. As a result, some of my story has been recreated, a little at a time, from whatever memories I have managed not to suffocate.I believe it is all here -- the love, the hate, the lies, the deceptions, the pain, and the sorrow. There was no hearty laughter where I have just come from, for there were none truly alive save I. And even though there were moments when I laughed with 'him' as we talked and bantered issues past and present, his laughter was never truly authentic. Mine was, but at this moment I cannot bring genuine laughter to surface after what happened to me inside that house.Are you one who loves to take a risk? Are you willing to turn the pages and discover the truths about my life? Then read on. I will share my moments with you in the hope that I might save at least one person from becoming immersed in such evil as I was. Before becoming overly curious about what appears to be an abandoned building, you might think twice. Before you risk a look beyond 'any' window sill, read my story!-- Virginia

From the Inside Flap

I began running down the stairs, taking some of them two at a time. I stumbled several times in my haste, but the railing saved me from tumbling to the bottom. I prayed that wherever these steps led, it would be better than where I had just been. I could smell the moisture from the walls. I could hear dripping water up ahead. All of a sudden, I felt a rush of fresh air. I could not believe my good fortune; I had actually managed to stumble on a way out! I wanted to shout for joy but did not dare for fear they would hear me.The stairs exited into a small couryard. Rain poured down, drenching my body. Cool, cleansing rain it was, washing this place from my skin and my clothes. I lifted my face up to the night sky. I was free! The smell of freedom was so sensuous to my quivery nostrils that I...Something flew past my face and landed on the wall in front of me. I imagined I could see two tiny, bright red lights emanating from whatever it was. Could it be? No ... I did not wat to believe my eyes. I started to shake. It could not be! How was it possible? I had to find a way out of here...Now, dear reader, I am relating this story to you through my eyes ... for it is only my eyes that are capable of seeing into hearts that did not exist; my eyes that can weep for that which was lost; my eyes that are capable of showing any emotion beyond nothingness. It is only my pen that would dare to tell such a story, for those I resided with for a time would not want such secrets to be known.This is a story that must be told. It is a story that, as you read it, you might believe was written as a Hollywood movie script. It is a story you'd never dream you would actually ever live. It is my story - a part of my life that can never be erased from my memory - which will live on for eternity. For eternity itself has sealed it within its pages.I believe it is all here - the love, the hate, the lies, the deceptions, the pain, and the sorrow. There was no hearty laughter where I have just come from, for there were none truly alive, save I. And even though there were moments when I laughed with him as we talked and bantered issues past and present, his laughter was never truly authentic. Mine was, but at this moment I cannot bring genuine laughter to surface after what happened to me inside that house.Are you one who loves to take a risk? Are you willing to turn the pages and discover the truths about my life? Then read on. I will share my moments with you in the hope that I might save at least one person from becoming immersed in such evil as I was. Before becoming overly curious about what appears to be an abandoned building, you might think twice. Before you risk a look beyond any window sill, read my story!Virginia

About the Author

Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour lives in Brantford, ON, Canada with her husband, Ed. In March 2006, Mary completed a freelance journalism course at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, after which she wrote freelance articles and a fictional short story column for the "Brantford Expositor." Cushnie-Mansour has published poetry and short story collections, a biography, youth novels, children's books and adult novels, including the Night's Vampire Series and the Detective Toby Mysteries. For more information on Mary and her books, visit her website - writerontherun.ca While you are there, take a moment and sign up for her newsletter to keep apprised of her writing journey.

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