Darkest Communion — Michele E. Gwynn

Marku Anghelescu has lived eight-hundred lonely years wondering exactly what happened to the woman he loved. Mihaela disappeared on the night they were to run away together and be married, defying his father's will and walking away from the arranged marriage between himself and the daughter of his father, Dragos', dearest friend. Marku knew of only one person who would stand in the way of his happiness - Petre Petrescu, the ex-fiance of Mihaela. She fears him, and with good reason. Petrescu is petty, domineering, and cruel. But as the son of a noble landowner of the very place the gypsies called home, Marku was the law. He made the rules. He decided their fates, and he chose Mihaela as his own just as surely as she chose him. Denied his prize, Petrescu seeks help from the village shaman, an old gypsy witch with undeniable power. Everything changes that night. Mihaela disappears, as does Petrescu as tragedy strikes Marku. He awakens confused, broken-hearted, and filled with an insatiable thirst! After spending eternity trying to solve the mystery, and resigning himself to never holding her in his arms again, Mihaela reappears in his life. Meghan Hartley arrives in Bucharest, Romania, excited to begin her year as a college exchange student. When a creepy sociology professor begins pursuing her, she seeks the help of her new friend, Dana Veleru, a mathematics instructor, and to Meghan's delight, an honest to God gypsy! While the new friends bond over good food and better wine, another suitor makes his presence known. Dana grew up on stories about the Strigoi as told by her gypsy grandmother, but never truly believed them...until that night. As handsome as an angel, the man sets his sights on Meghan, and offers a warning to Dana! His message comes through loud and clear; Do not get in my way...gypsy! Loyal to a fault, Dana ignores his warning and seeks the help of her family to protect her new friend. As the situation escalates, Mark makes a surprising discovery -- Petrescu is alive, and he still wants Meghan!