The Darkest Gift

Two worlds colliding, one man, the other a vampire-who form a strong bond and eventually, bound by a blood covenant known as the dark gift, are destined to create a world of their own until their love is violently ripped apart by jealousy and rage. Love eventually triumphs over despair and misery, only in a different place and time, but are they destined to be together?! Laurent Richelieu is a 250-year-old vampire whose lover and vampire maker Fabien Levesque is murdered in front of him in a jealous fit of rage by his vampire maker Stefan, exacting revenge for Fabien's rejection of him. Laurent narrowly escapes-leaving Paris to settle in the New World and seek shelter and refuge in the newly established city of New Orleans. He is assisted by his trusted servant Barthelme sworn to Laurent's secret. Cloaked in darkness, Laurent struggles with modern times and, in deep despair, haunts the French Quarter's jazz bars-listening to beautiful music and seeking out dark tables in the back to hide his blood-soaked tears to mourn the loss of his long-lost love Fabien.

Deep isolation and loneliness consume another: Jack Devereaux, a man's man, and a self-loathing gay man. Jack recently came out as gay after a ten-year failed marriage to a woman. Jack feels estranged from connecting with his gay community-his Catholic faith forbids it. He feels as if he's unable to exist as either straight or gay. His reluctance to accept his true sexuality leads him from one disastrous sexual encounter to another. Swearing off his same-sex attraction leads Jack back into a straight jazz bar where, unknowingly-he meets a refined and elegant gentleman that entices, attracts, and, oddly, disturbs Jack. Are they destined to be together?-does Laurent honestly care for Jack? Or is there a more sinister plot involving two other vampires from Laurent's past, Stefan and Fabien? Does Queen Raphaella, a self-described Voodoo High Priestess, have the power to change Jack's fate?