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  READERS SPEAK OUT

  “Immanuel’s Veins is a heart-wrenching journey of redemption and hope that left me sobbing, laughing and clinging to every word. An elixir of pure love to a thirsty heart. Like a blanket that covered me, drowning me in the most mind-blowing, cleansing love I ever thought I could feel. Within five days I had read Immanuel’s Veins three times, and two weeks later I was on reading number seven. You better be ready for a transformation of your very soul. This book will make you whole again in ways that you can hardly imagine.”

  — Donna McChristian, 44,

  Environmental Chemist

  “The moment I closed Immanuel’s Veins I wanted to rush the streets, find my friends, my neighbors—even my enemies—and burst of infallible truth and spectacular love. Yes, love! Inked here in blood is a story so unashamed, so emotionally charged, and so given to its Maker that redemption pulses through the pages. Ted Dekker indisputably howls at the moon between every chapter in this poignantly penned novel, painting life-altering imagery and even sprinkling thrills of Circle Series connections. For love’s sake, uphold this golden chalice and drink it, share it. Immanuel’s Veins beckons so.”

  — Caleb Jennings Breakey, 24,

  Journalist

  “In the moments after I finished Immanuel’s Veins I sat in stunned silence on my couch. So many times in this book I had to remind myself to breathe. The intense purity of the love story cut at my heart and tore at my emotions. Each time I was forced to set it down, I yearned to have it in my hands again. I will read this book again and again, and I have already told everyone I know that they, too, must learn what love truly is by escaping into another world and seeing it with their own eyes. If I am ever meant to find love, I know it will have to be a love like this--passionate, enduring, and mind blowing beyond all logical reason.”

  — Kelsey Keating, 20, Student

  “Immanuel’s Veins is a book that grabbed me by the heart and never let go. Even after I finished reading it, I could still feel it tugging at me deep inside. I couldn’t help but immerse myself into this story. It may be considered a fiction novel, but it speaks the truth. Ted uses his gift of storytelling to once again make us realize that no matter who we are no matter what lies in our past, we can find redemption and love.”

  — Brian Coultrup, 22

  “Once Immanuel’s Veins sinks it’s ‘teeth’ into you, it does not let go. The tension builds like a roller coaster, then drops you down through twists and turns. When it seems you can’t take any more, he throws more at you. Ted confronts you with a question of how far will you go to save someone close to you. The choice should be obvious in a way that only Ted can bring out in Story. You can’t read Immanuel’s Veins and remain untouched.”

  — Rick Balmer, 39

  “In Immanuel’s Veins, Dekker takes his storytelling to a whole new level, engaging the reader and taking them captive in a way that is as breathtaking and marvelous as it is gut wrenching. Few can explore Truth through fiction as well as Dekker, and among all Dekker’s forays toward Truth this just might be his best.

  In a tale of love and betrayal, Ted Dekker sets before us a story we have all experienced, but the height and depth of Immanuel’s Veins takes us to the brink of what our heart can hold. The sheer power of Story drives us to our knees, with eyes to see and weep, as Dekker peels back the layers and holds up a story as a mirror to our soul. Should you read this novel, you will not find yourself the same person as when you opened the cover.”

  — Josh Olds, 22, Student

  “I read Immanuel’s Veins in two days, which is unusually fast for me. I was captivated, longing to find out how this story of love and redemption, and betrayal would end. Dekker, unlike any other fiction author I have read, can take a theme and magnify it through story and Immanuel’s Veins only expounds upon this. I highly recommend this to any fiction lover.”

  — Travis Clarke, 25,

  George W. Truett Seminary

  Student

  “To our world that has forgotten the meaning of selflessness and unconditional love, Dekker spins a tale to remind us not only of what true love really is, but the lengths to which it will go to save a soul.

  Completely different than anything else Dekker has written, this book immersed me in a world of long ago and took me on a journey through one man’s anguish, temptation, passion and sacrifice, leaving me with a sense of overwhelming joy.

  Immanuel’s Veins holds the power of transforming minds by presenting the message of salvation in a fresh way that is rich and honest. It just might shake your world to the core.”

  — Rebecca Campbell, 30, Mother

  “Reading Immanuel’s Veins sent me on a personal journey, examining my own redemptive history. Never has a story centered around characters from centuries ago been so relevant to my own life. With such a fantastic plot and epic scope, I saw my own rebellion and restoration vividly retold. The story explored the truths of human nature and the struggle over our souls which stabbed me to the core. By the end, I found myself longing for more, but realizing that the way I live my life from this point forward will continue to flesh out this story, my story, our story for eternity.

  — Andrew Asdell, 22

  “If you are a Dekker fan, this book is the very next Dekker book you must read. If you have never read a Dekker book, this is the very first Dekker book you need to read. Not since The Great Romance itself has a greater love story ever been told from Dekker’s mind. I simply cannot recommend this book enough. If this is the only book you have time to read this year, this is the book you need to read.”

  — Gregg Hart, 42, Information

  Technician

  “Even when Dekker writes something that’s considered ‘inside the box’, it seems that he likes to take that box, smash it into bits and then warm his hands by the fire built from the parts. He’s a modern day master of the written word. The story flows so smoothly through your mind that it feels as if the words have flown directly from the Technicolor depths of his mind to the page with little effort. His style submerges you in the story and even if it feels like you may be drowning in it at times, there’s still few other places you’d rather be.

  If you have even a passing interest in Dekker’s work, don’t miss this book. If you’ve never read Dekker, this is a brilliant place to start. If you ever were a Dekker fan and got lost somewhere along the way, this is the book that will bring you back.”

  — Lori Twichell, 38, Business

  Owner

  “Read Immanuel’s Veins and you will quickly become lost in a chronicle so intense that you have to gather yourself together and remind yourself where you are when you put it down - if you can put it down. I have been gripped by Ted Dekker novels before, but this one had my eyes wide open in constant expectance to the very end. No other storyteller tells tales of such all encompassing love, celebrating the light and all that is good. It is this fearlessness and the purity of purpose that draws me so strongly to Ted’s books. This is a love story and we should all read it, let go of fear and dive deep into beautiful, all encompassing, redemptive love.”

  — Tris Bolstridge, 34, Mother

  “This book moved me in such a personal way, I had a difficult time forming the words of how I feel. As an avid Ted Dekker fan for the past decade, I look forward to each of his novels with the eagerness of a bride awaiting her wedding day. Immanuel’s Veins not only doesn’t disappoint, it goes beyond my wildest expectations. From the first page, I was held captive by each word. The seductive story grabbed me, pulled me in close, and didn’t let go even when I reached the end. I didn’t realize tears of both joy and sorrow had been streaming down my cheeks until several moments after I read the final word. Ted Dekker’s tale of sacrificial love left m
e gasping for more and longing for redemption. Be prepared to dive deep into the unplumbed depths of immeasurable love in Immanuel’s Veins.”

  — Lisa Campbell, 39, Mother

  “Immanuel’s Veins reached down into the depths of my being and tore out my heart in order to lay it bare before me for careful study and examination. What I experienced was an exhilarating, eye-opening journey of discovery of the constant seen and unseen battle over my heart. I was washed over and over again by the intense and unending love portrayed in the pages of this book. The revelation of my love being such a cherished and coveted prize still leaves me with chills and makes my head spin. I have finished reading this book and put it on a book shelf along with my other treasures, but the message contained in this book will continue to haunt my dreams and thoughts. It has set my heart aflame with a fire that no one can extinguish. I know that for the rest of my life, I will feel the effects of this story as it continues to consume me and wash me from head to toe in its boundless waves of love.”

  — Amber McCallister, 32,

  Computer Technician

  “With Immanuel’s Veins Dekker has clearly outdone himself. This is a story unlike any of his I’ve ever read. I was surprised, I had no idea the author had something like this inside of him. Nor was I prepared to have my heart ache, pound, and be renewed with a story that runs thicker than blood. Transporting me to a time where chivalry and romance are at its highest, Dekker again reveals a depth of his skill that utterly amazes. Veins is a journey that evokes pure passion and morality from the most wicked and dispirited. The characters and settings entice and entrance making it hard to close the book after the final pages.”

  — Cory Clubb, 28, Illustrator

  “One of the most unique and powerful stories Dekker has ever penned. Fantastic characters, gripping storylines, breathtaking imagery. Dekker leaves us with a story that will resonate in our hearts long after reading. Immanuel’s Veins will spark much discussion amongst readers.”

  — Jake Chism, 33, Minister

  Immanuel’s Veins

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  Immanuel’s Veins

  TED DEKKER

  © 2010 by Ted Dekker

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

  Published in association with Thomas Nelson and Creative Trust Inc., 5141 Virginia Way, Suite 320, Brentwoood, TN 37027.

  Thomas Nelson, Inc., titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  ISBN 978-1-59554-762-0 (IE)

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Dekker, Ted, 1962–

  Immanuel’s veins / Ted Dekker.

  p. cm.

  ISBN 978-1-59554-009-6 (hardcover : alk. paper)

  1. Soldiers—Russia—Fiction. 2. Kantemir family—Fiction. 3. Dimitrie Cantemir, Voivode of Moldavia, 1673-1723—Family—Fiction. 4. Nobility—Moldavia—Fiction. 5. Triangles (Interpersonal relations)—Fiction. 6. Moldavia—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3554.E43I53 2010

  813'.54—dc22

  2010016894

  Printed in the United States of America

  10 11 12 13 14 LBM 5 4 3 2 1

  For King Solomon

  CONTENTS

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  TWENTY-NINE

  THIRTY

  THIRTY-ONE

  THIRTY-TWO

  THIRTY-THREE

  THIRTY-FOUR

  THIRTY-FIVE

  THIRTY-SIX

  To all who have ears to hear:

  I am dead. But perhaps you are as well, if you can read this account penned by a dead man.

  I, Saint Thomas of Moldavia, make known this report of all that transpired so that any who seek the truth will know what happened.

  Some called me a heretic. They said that my dealing with the matters herein could only mean that I was touched by the devil himself. Some said that I was a creature of the night, a dragon, a beast turned into man. Some said that I was mad, and I will attest that I myself once would have believed that this tale could only come from the mind of a raving lunatic.

  But I swear by my very own blood that I am neither devil nor beast and that this is not the tale of a lunatic—unless by love I have been driven hopelessly mad, a reasoning that tempts me more often than I dare admit. Judge it for yourself.

  I implore you to open your hearts and your minds to this account. Then, when you have turned the last page, if you still do not believe that what you have read is true, you may say that I deserved my death.

  ONE

  My name is Toma Nicolescu and I was a warrior, a servant of Her Majesty, the empress of Russia, Catherine the Great, who by her own hand and tender heart sent me on that mission at the urging of her most trusted adviser, Grigory Potyomkin, in the year of our Lord 1772.

  It was a year of war, this one the Russo-Turkish War, one of so many with the Ottoman Empire. I had slain the enemy with more ambition than most in the humble service of the empress, or so it has been said, and having earned Her Majesty’s complete trust in my loyalty and skill, I was dispatched by her to the south and east, through Ukraine to the principality of Moldavia, just north of the Black Sea and west of Transylvania, to the country estate of the Cantemir family nestled up against the base of the Carpathian Mountains.

  To my understanding, the family descendants of Dimitrie Cantemir, the late prince of Moldavia, were owed a debt for his loyalty to Russia. Indeed, it was said that the path to the heart of Mol
davia ran through the Cantemir crest, but that was all politics— none of my business.

  On that day my business was to travel to this remote, lush green valley in western Moldavia and give protection to this most important family who retreated to the estate every summer.

  Russia had occupied Moldavia. Enemies were about with sharp knives and blunt intentions. The black plague had mercilessly taken the lives of many in the cities. A ruler loyal to Catherine the Great would soon be selected to take the reins of this important principality, and the Cantemir family would play a critical role in that decision as they held such a lofty position of respect among all Moldavians.

  My charge was simple: No harm could come to this family. These Cantemirs.

  The sun was sinking over the Carpathian peaks to our left as my friend in arms, Alek Cardei, and I sat atop our mounts and stared down at the valley. The great white castle with its twin spires stood on emerald grasses an hour’s ride down the twisted path. A tall stone wall ran the length of the southern side where the road ran into the property. Green lawns and gardens surrounded the estate, encompassing ten times the ground as the house itself. The estate had been commissioned by Dimitrie Cantemir in 1711, when he was prince of Moldavia for a brief time before retreating to Turkey.

  “I see the twin peaks, but I see no gowns,” Alek said, squinting down the valley. His gloved hand was on his gold-busted sword. Leather armor wrapped his chest and thighs, same as mine. A goatee cupped his chin and joined his mustache but he’d shaved the rest of his face in the creek earlier, anticipating his ride into the estate, the arriving hero from abroad.

  Alek, the lover.

  Toma, the warrior.

  I looked down at the golden ring on my finger, which bore the empress’s insignia, and I chuckled. Alek’s wit and charm were always good friends on a long journey, and he wielded both with the same ease and precision with which I swung my sword.

  I nodded at my fair-headed friend as he turned his pale blue eyes toward me. “We’re here to protect the sisters and their family, not wed them.”

  “So then you cannot deny it: the sisters are on your mind. Not the mother, not the father, not the family, but the sisters. These two female frolickers who are the talk of Ukraine.” Alek turned his mirth-twisted face back to the valley. “Heat has come to the dog at last.”