Valmonts Trinity

Prologue

From the daily journal of Darelle Mimieux, Priestess of the Coeurs Éternels, Headquarters in the old underground Roman catacombs, Paris

I have just returned this early morning with Gareth and Kane from the château of Valmont Lascaux, my sire, who suffered imprisonment at the hands of the Soldiers for nearly seven centuries. He endured this imprisonment for my sake, bravely accepting every sort of pain and humiliation to keep me safe from the torturous death the Soldiers had planned for both of us.

Lascaux’s prolonged suffering for love’s sake rendered him mortal, and ironically, I, the object of his love, am the one who brought him back across to immortality.

I refuse, however, to consider the possibility that I am now his sire. I feel completely unworthy of such an honor. I can only hope that my love for Gareth and Kane, my lovers and guardians since Lascaux brought me across during the Black Death, will be as strong as my sire’s love for me.

Since the Soldiers—those rabid vampire slayers, left Lascaux’s magnificent estate in a shambles—much help is required to bring it back to its former glory. I have already dispatched thirty of us from headquarters, waiting as they were down in Colette’s club for their next assignment. I know that this assignment is a radical departure from the usual mercy feeding routes we make of hospitals, war zones and disaster areas, however, Lascaux needs people to help rebuild, to cultivate his grape arbors, to clean and provide moral support until his protégés—those whom the Soldiers did not manage to slay—may be found and come to his aid.

Although Serge Aranov, Valmont’s most devoted protégé and lover, is there at his side, the two have been estranged. I feel guilty knowing that much of their estrangement is a result of my sire’s fervent pursuit of me. However, before I left this morning, I saw the looks of tenderness pass between them and wanted only to help them become lovers again, if such help should be needed.

In that vein, I’ve made certain to include Philippe Mareau in the group of “missionaries”. His physical beauty, those tumbling golden curls, mischievous blue-green eyes, lithe muscles and easy manner, will I believe, serve to help “reunite” Serge, who remained faithful to Lascaux during his entire imprisonment—the way Lascaux remained to me—and Lascaux. Although I can make no claim to being an expert at love, when I explained to Colette the situation I observed between the former lovers, she winked at me and told me that our golden dancer would be the “perfect” matchmaker. “Philippe has a hands-on approach among his other ’unique’ talents,” were her exact words.

I believe she’s referring to the fact that Philippe is the world’s only immortal-vampire mix. How this came to be no one has been able to discover, least of all Philippe. But the fact that he can feed and also be fed upon without any harm to his being, will I pray, serve as an asset in his matchmaking quest. Having known Philippe for several centuries, since he was sired and discovered his heart still beating in his chest, I can vouch for his beauty and grace. Once that beautiful vampire-immortal dances for them in the after supper entertainment, and whatever other strategies he employs, Lascaux and Serge will not be able to stay out of each others arms and beds.

Believe me, it is a pittance of gratitude, sending some help for Lascaux in this time of need. After what he’s done for me, even though I have eternity to show my thanks, it will never be enough time.