Beguiled by Night and Citizens of Shadow
A queer gothic romance series by Nicole Eigener
Can an immortal ever truly learn the hidden costs of tampering with fate?
Vauquelin, an ancient, queer vampire living in present-day Los Angeles, finds his time unwinding like a spool of dirty thread, depositing him back into his origins in 17th century France. He seizes the chance for redemption: to recreate the life he once loved.
As time moves forward again, he grapples with the grim realisation that his blood-soaked past is a delicate filigree — impossible to replicate without flaws. He conjures a plan to stabilise his timeline, but a random encounter with a mortal persuades Vauquelin to do something he’s never done before: throw caution to the winds.
Beguiled by Night: A Vampire Tale was my first full-length novel. It’s the story of Vauquelin, an ancient vampire and accidental time-traveler, created in 17th-century France, The story chronicles his life up until 21st-century Los Angeles, California: when his time begins unwinding like a spool of dirty thread, slowly and painfully, until he finds himself returned to his origins as vampire… he’s gifted one cathartic day to — perhaps — alter his wretched fate.
But history demands its pound of flesh: reckoning will be had, no matter the cost. Can he find redemption, or must his past mistakes devour all his hope for the modern, comfortable life he has built?
The vampire Vauquelin’s story continues in Citizens of Shadow. He continues to be bounced to-and-fro through his murky timelines, for his price has not yet been paid… he needs to understand. He has a long way to go.
A tragic misjudgement sends his world spinning once more, and he believes he has finally found the solution to his problems: until a chance meeting sends it all spiraling into hell once more.
Maybe happiness isn’t in the cards for a monster.
But what if… this time… things might be different?
Hope is a dangerous thing for a vampire: especially a vampire who reveres Fate as a goddess. But he worships her with every fibre of his being. How could one not?
Photos by Debra Gillis (@dlgillis20)