Alonso Santori and several of his friends were gathered there as usual. They all had one thing in common they were lonely. But Raife was becoming more despondent than the others. Just what was it that had them all so bleak? A life mate, that’s what. They longed to find the other part of their soul. You see even vampires need love.

But this night would be different because Alonso hears a cry for help. Not in the normal sense, he hears her in his mind and the deepest part of his soul. This wasn’t normal even for a vampire. There had to be a strong bond to be able to link to him in such a way, he had to go to her.

Jolie believed in magic because she was a psychic and read Tarot cards for a living. She saw him as he came in the door and felt his evil. She knew he was trouble. He came straight to her table and asked to have a reading. Jolie feels him trying to take control of her mind and knew she was in danger. Frozen in place, Jolie can do nothing but scream for help with her mind.

Then a dark, sinfully sexy man stepped up and spoke to the man, Lucius, telling him he couldn't have her. With her trance broken, Jolie slowly slips away while the two men stair each other down. Alonso knew Jolie had left, but he warns Lucius to stay away from her. She was his. He didn’t know how he could be so lucky, but he knew she was his life mate. He could feel the bond between them.

Lucius was a demoni scuri and he drank humans dry. He was the vampire who sired Alonso centuries ago and they were enemies.

Jolie hears a noise at her window and checks it out. She sees Alonso standing there and she feels the heat between them. She doesn’t understand it, but she knows he’s the most important part of her life. Once inside Alonso takes Jolie in his arms and wonders if she will reject him once she finds out what he is. Or will she give him the chance to show her what life can be like in his world?

Marianne LaCroix has introduced a slightly new twist to the vampire lore by making them seem more human in their need for a companion. You can’t help but feel a tug at your heart as you read Alonso’s quest to find a mate. This was a very good story and I look forward to reading the three remaining books in this series. I do feel that Alonso’s story was a little short; it just seemed like there may have been more to this tale. But, then again, maybe that was Ms. Lacroixs intentions, because I can’t wait to read Lucius’s book. It will be the third book in the Descendants of Darkness saga. Jolie told Lucius when she read his cards that his true mate was close. And as the story closes Lucius hears something in the wind that tells him she just may be right. So be sure and check out this new series. Enjoy!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Diane T.
January 4, 2004