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  HOLDING HOPE

  Paloma Beck

  Erotic Romance

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

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  A Secret Cravings Publishing Book

  Erotic Romance

  Holding Hope

  Copyright © 2013 Paloma Beck

  First E-book Publication: May 2013

  Cover design by Dawné Dominique

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Secret Cravings Publishing

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

  Dedication

  For my Editors who have worked with me on the Seven Sin Sisters series. Elysia and Kyle have made my stories better, my characters stronger and my words smoother. I definitely couldn’t have done this without you.

  The Cravings e-book Club

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  *Hunting Jaguar, paranormal erotic romance:

  Rachel Hayes' father set out to prove the existence of the Miloni temple and the Jaguar people. Tumi is a descendant of the Miloni race and is sworn to protect their secret with his life. Will he be forced to uphold his vow at the cost of his heart and Rachel's life?

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  HOLDING HOPE

  Paloma Beck

  Copyright © 2013

  Prologue

  During the Italian Wars in the early 1500s, the Duchy of Milan and the Kingdom of Naples fought for power and territory. Citizens living in the Italian peninsula then didn’t know where to turn for alliances. Betrayals belied life. They were so divided that in the mid-1500s when King Henry of France declared war against King Charles of Italy, the Italians stood no chance of victory. Among them were scientists developing amazing –albeit unethical– chemicals to enhance men and create ultimate soldiers.

  These soldiers became more than the scientists anticipated. To protect them, the soldiers his much of their strength and concealed their unanticipated need for blood as sustenance as best they could by utilizing the blood of those they killed in battle. The breeds served until finally near the 1600s when, with much thanks to Spanish and English aid, King Henry was forced to accept the Peace of Cateau-Cambresis and renounce any further claims to Italy.

  But that did not end the power of these warriors, now known as the Valendite Breed, named for the war in which they were created. Empowered with the role of preserving peace for their country, the Valendite breed warriors stayed inconspicuous, fearful of those who might be frightened or threatened by their gifts. They learned to drink from one another, a blood exchange that left them unfulfilled and empty. Their accomplishments in the war hidden, buried to protect their identity, they lived as simple men. Until over the years, and despite their propensity to live elongated lives, these men and their families were able to hide once again among the average men.

  After the Valendite breeds assimilated back into life on the hillsides of Italy, very few of their wives were able to conceive. The breeds were not thriving. The men assembled and brought their women to the steps of Rome, to the place most known for prayer and sanctity, to ask for God’s intervention in their lives. Pleading, one woman by the name of Magdalena offered any sacrifice that might be asked of them in exchange for fertility.

  Her plea was granted. Though reports of the event were never accurately transcribed, breed historians agree on a few basic events. Each woman present that day – seven in total – were filled by one of the seven deadly sins, this act in exchange for the honor of bearing breed children, continuing the race and nourishing their breed mates.

  All was well for the breeds then. Their race flourished until the time of another generation in the late 1800s. The women became unhappy in their role, seeking independence from the bonds that held them to the breeds. For without their mates, the women could survive; it was only the bre
ed mate who suffered from separation. Some began leaving, traveling to other countries.

  A terrible storm struck over their lands on the day of Samhain 1804. Terribly superstitious, the women converged in the town’s large cathedral to pray. The strongest winds ever seen before or since tore down the stone structure, killing those women trapped inside. After the storm ended, though, very few women –only those not making it to the cathedral- remained alive.

  An apparition appeared outside the cathedral ruins. The majestic angel stood before the women who bowed down on their knees in her presence. “You shall call me Magdalena. You shall pray to me as Goddess. For you are those I saved this day. You are true to the promise made so long ago and granted to us through the grace of God. Your honor lies in claiming your breed mate. It is as it should be.”

  The women dared not move as they heard the men approach, remaining on their knees in respect for their Goddess with whom there was a connection. The soil warm beneath their legs, the air crisp and cool against their hands. Every sensation, every movement and sound, was heightened. Their change not subtle, the men present that day at the cathedral witnessed the transformation.

  “You are no longer as you once were. Manifested in you now are the elements. While others broke their promise, you held steadfast and are rewarded with powers in your own right. No longer shall you exist only to sustain your mate but to also sustain the earth. My blessings be upon you and your children after you. It is as it should be.”

  Those gathered saw the apparition spiral in a colorful rainbow that seemed to draw every eye, a comforting scent and warmth flooded the courtyard where now only seven women remained alongside the breed men. A new beginning was upon them.

  Chapter One

  Lucas held the most precious thing in his arms, something he thought he’d never have in his many years. Once, just once before, had he allowed himself to hope but it hadn’t been meant to be. Martha had died before he could claim her but he’d been certain at the time that she was his mate. Could it be he was wrong? He’d lived years believing he’d lost his only chance at love, his one true mate. Now, holding Ella in his arms, Lucas understood Martha hadn’t been his mate after all. You couldn’t have two mates –two people perfect for you- and with all certainty, every fiber of his being assured him that he was holding his mate in his arms at this very moment.

  He looked down at Ella. She appeared so young; he wondered how old she was. He knew nothing about her and still his heart beat only for her now. Her pale skin was soft under his calloused fingers. He longed to stroke his fingers through her short blond hair but didn’t want to disturb her. She remained limp and still but he took solace in knowing she was calmer now. Her cinnamon brown eyes were closed again. He’d nearly broken down when those precious eyes looked up at him, first afraid and then hopeful. They’d been filled with hope, with such faith and a trust he didn’t deserve.

  His gut clenched with the knowledge that he’d claimed this magnificent woman without her consent. Would she understand he had no choice? She was so weak and seemed so vulnerable. He’d held her the entire flight back to the United States, hadn’t let anyone so much as touch her. When Donovan, the TEU’s medic, tried to help, Lucas fought back his growls while he refused his help.

  “She needs more blood,” Donovan explained. “I can hear her heartbeat fading again.”

  Lucas heard his brother-in-arms but couldn’t reconcile himself to what needed to be done.

  “Lucas, listen to me,” Donovan raised his voice as he touched Lucas’s shoulder. “Since she’s a woman of the Magdalena Circle, our blood can sustain her through her injuries. I gave her a few drops of my blood while we were being held. Let me give her a few more.”

  “No,” Lucas raised his voice to match Donovan and showed his sharp teeth, two actions he’d never before taken against one of his brothers-in-arms. Shame immediately rushed through him. “I apologize, Van, but no more. She will take from me alone.” Lucas knew the few drops Van had given her wouldn’t do any harm. Since he wasn’t her natural mate, it had no effect aside from sustaining her health during her healing but he still couldn’t allow it.

  Understanding swept over Donovan as he backed away and nodded. “You’ll need to at least give her a few drops until she’s well enough to feed fully.” Donovan pulled the curtain and left them alone.

  Silence reigned over them as Lucas sat holding his mate, holding his hope in the future.

  “I’m so very sorry, my precious, I can’t bear to see you like this. I must feed you and make you well.” Lucas’s voice broke as he pulled Ella closer against him. He fought to control his emotions, anger and frustration raging through him. He’d given up searching for a mate because he’d believed she had died. Had he not been so foolish, Ella may not have ended up held captive by Nassir and his men. What hell had she gone through?

  Picking up his phone, Lucas called Anton.

  “Lucas, what can I do for you?” Anton sounded surprised to hear from him. Lucas could hardly blame him. His usual MO was to fly under the radar and bother no one.

  “Anton, I need the cabin prepared for me. I’ll be going immediately there once we land.”

  Silence followed. It was clear Anton was holding back his questions. “Ah. Okay. I’ll send a car to the airstrip for you and in the meantime, I’ll send the caretaker to freshen the cabin.”

  “Good. I’ll be staying at least a few weeks.”

  “I’ll have some of your clothes and necessities packed in the car for you.”

  “Thank you. And Anton,” Lucas paused, “There’ll be someone joining me.”

  “Very well. Should the caretaker prepare a second bedroom?”

  “No. One will suffice.” Uncomfortable silence followed Lucas’s admission. “That’s all. Thank you again.”

  After disconnecting from the call, Lucas rested his head back on the seat and let out a sigh. Truth be told, he was exhausted. In a single moment –inside that dark, dank cell- his center realigned. Nothing was more important than the woman he now held in his arms. Lucas suspected he’d have a lot of explaining to do once she healed. He really had no idea what his beautiful mate would think about everything that had happened since he rescued her from captivity.

  * * * *

  Ella blinked her eyes open. The room was dark but she was lying on a soft bed and the smell, the heavenly scent of lavender, embraced her like angel’s wings, a fragrance that once surrounded her. It was her mother’s scent. Goddess, could it be she was no longer in that awful cell? She fought to keep her eyes open, to focus so she could take stock of her surroundings.

  Reaching out with her hands, Ella ran her fingers over the softest cotton. She moaned at the decadence of something as simple as a bed. She’d been caged for so long, she had no memory of the last time she’d touched something soft. Ella glanced down and admired the soft blue colors. Everywhere she looked were shades of blue. She should be concerned with where she was but she wasn’t. Something inside her felt safe. She knew she was safe. Her captors had never brought her anywhere like this.

  Ella sat up and confirmed what her senses had already told her. She was alone. The shades were closed but it appeared to be light outside. Soft sounds came from another part of the home. She could sense just one more person nearby but felt no malice coming from them. In relief or from sheer exhaustion, Ella allowed herself to sink back down into the soft mattress. This bedroom was a haven and she was safe.

  It had been far too long since she’d felt safe. From that dreadful day when she’d discovered her mother’s secret, her life had irrevocably changed. Reading through the old books her mother had hidden in a locked trunk at the foot of her bed, Ella learned she’d been adopted by her mother’s friend. Rosemary had taken her in when her parents died at a young age. Rosemary, the woman she believed to be her mother, hadn’t been her mother at all and the secrets the woman kept left Ella cut off from those like her. She was a part of a society of women called the Magdalena Circle.
It explained so much about just why she never fit in. What she didn’t understand was why they’d kept it a secret from her.

  For days, she poured through the history of the Magdalena Circle, learning there was a brotherhood of men from which it was started. Ella also learned her destiny included a mating to one of these near Immortal men, a Valendite Breed. Torn between being terrified and hopeful, she traveled to her native homeland of Italy for answers. That’s where the men who kidnapped her had found her. She was simply sitting at a café in Pontedra, Italy when her life was thrown into turmoil.

  Refusing to stir the memories of her captivity, Ella closed her eyes again and allowed sleep to claim her.

  * * * *

  Lucas heard Ella wake. He stood in the hallway, his hand on the closed door to her room, to feel for any disturbance in her peaceful energy. He waited long enough to hear her breathing level out once again as she fell into sleep.

  They’d been at the cabin for two days already. He was no closer to discovering who she was or where she’d come from. Chiara Sinster, Layla’s mother, couldn’t even track Ella through her connections with the innermost workings of the Magdalena Circle. Patience. Everybody continued to remind him to have patience but Lucas was a man who sought answers. Sitting idly by was not working well for him.

  Without knowing the status of Nassir’s operation, Madden recommended Lucas keep off radar. This meant staying off any traceable devices and limited what Lucas could do himself to investigate. He had to leave it to the others to stop Nassir.