Scent and Shadow: an Aether Vitalis novel

Mercy Loomis presents Scent and Shadow, a novel set in Madison, Wisconsin, during 1999. The narrative follows Gabriel Chapel, a vampire who selects Amanda Bairns as his fledgling. This choice initiates a descent into a hidden supernatural layer of the city where mages influence local government and shapeshifting faeries manage infrastructure. Aether-rich ley lines draw various creatures to the area, creating a volatile environment for the newly turned vampire. Amanda faces a brutal biological reality: new vampires must kill at least one person nightly for their first decade. Gabriel forces her to drink his blood, accelerating her transformation and pulling her toward murder. She has four weeks to decide between retaining her humanity or accepting the power he offers. Neither character realizes she is a pawn in a larger contest that threatens lethal consequences for the entire city. This work suits readers seeking urban fantasy with explicit content and violence. It avoids common romance tropes such as soulmates, love triangles, or sparkles. The story focuses on the psychological and physical toll of immortality rather than romantic entanglement. Loomis constructs a world where supernatural elements are integrated into civic structures. The narrative does not offer easy resolutions for its protagonist.