King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(106)

Other abilities I adapted from the mythology of various vampires but also, in particular, the famous Dracula are: the ability to shapeshift into an animal or a mist. You see these parallels in a few ways throughout the book. First, Dracula was said to be able to turn into a wolf (among other creatures). I did not feel like Adrian could shapeshift, so I used the wolf as a symbol for his crest. You also see shapeshifting with Sorin, who could turn into a falcon. (Other vampires were noted as being able to turn into vultures or bats). The mist reference comes in the form of the crimson mist which, at one point, Isolde thought a vampire was responsible for.

I also decided to maintain that the sun was deadly to vampires, but I had always seen Revekka with a red sky. Adrian, of course, was the first vampire and much stronger, so he, like Dracula, was still able to move in fading sunlight, and it was not fatal to him.

Outside of vampires, every monster in this book is also some kind of vampire. You will recognize many of them because you’ve heard them across various stories, including Lamia, who fed on children (if you have read A Touch of Malice, I referenced this myth).

I also must make a note that while I know many make connections between Vlad the Impaler and Dracula by Bram Stoker, I highly encourage you to read about the real Vlad III. There are many atrocities attributed to him, though I feel like it’s always taken out of the context of the time and his motivations for conquering are never mentioned.

Thank you so much to my readers. I appreciate you all—without you, my dreams would not have come true. I hope you loved the story of Adrian and Isolde. I hope you loved their friends and their world. I cannot wait to share the next book with you!

—Scarlett





About the Author


   Scarlett St. Clair lives in Oklahoma with her excellent dog. She has a master’s degree in library science and information studies. She is obsessed with Greek mythology, murder mysteries, love, and the afterlife. For information on books, tour dates, and content, please visit scarlettstclair.com.