THE LIGHTHOUSE by Jason Daniel Kowalczyk & Liliana West

THE LIGHTHOUSE by Jason Daniel Kowalczyk and Liliana West

"Jason Daniel Kowalczyk brings in Liliana West to help stain your nightmares with The Lighthouse."

For Volume 6 of the Blood Companion, Liliana West and Jason Daniel Kowalczyk come together to tell the horrifying tale of the Lighthouse that haunted the pages of "The Blood Companion" series. From the beginning, where Jullien Froste sells his soul in order to feed his family, to the truth of the very end. Definitely not for readers who are not mature or easily offended.

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Excerpt from “The Lighthouse” By Jason Daniel Kowalczyk & Liliana West

Jullien stood at the bar, waiting for the tender to bring him the drinks he ordered. His construction company had been utterly failing for the past few months. The man that asked to meet him here said that he could turn things around for him. He was a man that stood out in this time. He had a strong, square jaw, large brown eyes, and a thin mouth that would pull in woman's gaze when he would allow a smile to show.

It was the mid 1850's, the promise of gold put this town on the map, but it was shipping that made it prosperous. Buildings were going up like weeds in the garden when Jullien founding Froste Construction. However, he did not know the right people to get to the top quickly. He was being underbid on jobs, which kept his profits low and workforce nearly nonexistent. He was a good and honest man, but if you can’t pay, you won't keep your workers.

He got his whiskey and a hot tea for the man who sat in the corner of the Saloon. He was startled by the stranger’s appearance. They shared more than a few features, which he found slightly unnerving. They could have passed for twins, if not for the hardness in the guy’s eyes. They were the same color of Jullien’s, but they lacked his warmth.

Jullien sat across from the man, setting his tea in front of him, “So you say that you can save my business, right?” Jullien was already a bit drunk. The stress of his failing business was straining his marriage.

“Yes, I can.” the man had a deep bullish voice with a hint of an English accent. “I have unconventional methods, but I can promise you that you will flourish.”

“Unconventional?”

“I can give you the world,” the stranger sighed as he pulled the tea bag out of the cup and sipped his tea. “It’s a bit cold,” he smiled for the first time. “Of course, you realize that nothing is free, Jullien.”

“I would not expect anything to be free,” Jullien chuckled cynically. He was skeptical of the man, but he was also watching his wife and two daughters starve. “What do you want of me, my first born son?”

“Precisely,” the man’s grin widened and the effect was more than a little creepy. He laughed as a grim look came over Jullien's face. The man dipped his index finger into his tea, and it immediately began to boil. The room darkened and Jullien suddenly discovered that all others were gone, and only he and this stranger remained. He knew the bar was not empty only moments ago. He suspected this was unnatural, but the man carried on the conversation without the slightest pause.

“Ships have been running aground off the coast. I want you to build me a lighthouse on the island off the coast. I will ensure that you will be rewarded handsomely, as well as ensure that you and your family will remain in the lap of luxury.”

“If I agree and sell my soul,” Jullien was afraid. The man's eyes were glowing as he stared at Jullien.

“You are not selling your soul; it will be your first son's. One soul is given up, so that your wife and daughters will never know hunger again.” The stranger sipped his tea. “You can have as many baby boys as you wish afterward, but your first will by my apprentice.”

As suddenly as they had vanished, all the patrons of the saloon reappeared and all the noisy hustle and bustle began again. Jullien's hands were shaking as he downed his glass of whiskey. “Do I have time to consider it? May I please have that much?”

“I can meet you back here in time. Do as you wish.” The man stood and looked at his pocket-watch briefly before speaking again, “I will meet you back here, at this table in 6 days, 6 hours, and 6 minutes. Be prompt.”

Jullien left the saloon with the weight of the world on his shoulders, or to put it properly, the weight of his family's souls on his shoulders. He could not see himself handing over his firstborn son to whatever that man really was. Obviously he was actually an “IT”. Demonic, that is what Jullien thought of him, but the truth was he was not sure if that made much difference. He was tired of seeing his family suffer. He knew that this was not only his decision; it would be up to Abigail too. Abby was his wife for the past 12 years, and those 12 years had been the happiest he had ever experienced. He could not promise one of their children to someone without talking to her. He also knew she would never agree to the deal if she knew Satan was involved in it. He had to leave out his suspicions. He disliked dishonesty between them, but he felt he was running out of options.

He hurried home where his daughters, Cassandra and Gabriela, were already sound asleep while Abigail was knitting in the corner by candle. He knelt by her side, she could see that there was a lot on his mind, “Jullien, you are troubled.”

“Abby, I have been made an offer that may save my business, and put us closer to the wealth I believe you deserve,” there was sadness and excitement in his voice. He had no intention of telling her about his suspicions of the evil nature of the investor, but she had to agree to give up this child too. “An English business man that I have done a little handy-work for is in the shipping business. He has lost several ships on this coast, and he wants me to build a lighthouse on the island off the coast.”

“And what does he want in return?” she was skeptical already. I do not want to be involved in anything that may have Satan's stain on it.” The strength of his wife’s faith was something that endeared her further to him. She was a rare treasure. A woman as beautiful and compassionate as she happened to be was not easy to find.

“He and his wife are unable to have children,” he nearly choked on his own lie. “I believe he will pay my company to build the lighthouse, but he also asked me if we can aid him in having a son.”
Abigail rolled her eyes and continued to knit, “Why doesn't he just find himself a wife that isn't baron?”

“In the eyes of God, isn't marriage supposed to be for life?” Her forehead wrinkled as she glared at him, a man that she has battled over church on Sunday morning for the entirety of their marriage. “I have not given him any sort of answer. I would never promise such without your approval. He resembles me quite a bit. Perhaps he thinks the child will look like his family.”

“Do you really believe that what this man offers can really save 'Froste Construction'?” She had a sympathetic look in her eye. She truly loved this man, and wanted to see his dream come true. “Are you sure that he is not scamming you somehow?”

Jullien rose to his feet and began to pace the room, “I do believe that he can save the business and put us where we have wished and prayed to be. I will even build a lavish house on that island too.” He became excited suddenly. “It could be for the caretakers, and we could be the caretakers. I could run the idea past him. IF he pays handsomely, I could keep the business, hire someone to run it for me, and we could live well.”

“Think and pray on it, Jullien,” she set her project down and walked over to him. “Let God be your guide in this decision. If you truly feel that your business can be saved, your daughters never starve again, and that your conscience will be clear, then I will have a son for your benefactor.”

Jullien smiled as he took his wife in his arms. Of all that she said, he knew the last to be impossible for him. Doubt clouded his mind. Could he really trust a creature so evil? He still had time to consider the options. He needed to be sure that the souls of his wife and daughters would be spared, as well as any future sons. He knew that his soul would be damned. He could practically feel it rotting inside him already.

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