by Cree Storm
When a body drops from the ceiling, Sabien knows that things at his old coven are worse than he thought and they need to figure out what’s going on before more people die. He doesn’t have time to deal with mating issues right now. That is until Helio decides to place himself in danger. Now Jael and Sabien must learn to work together as mates and soldiers because if they don’t Helio could die.
Against All Odds
Kaliss 3
by
Cree Storm & Maggie Walsh
MM, SHIFTERS, PARANORMAL, AND SCENES OF VIOLENCE
A Cree Storm and Maggie Walsh book
www.creestorm.weebly.com
www.maggiewalshauthor.com
CREE STORM AND MAGGIE WALSH BOOK
Against All Odds
Kaliss 3
Copyright © 2019 by Cree Storm and Maggie Walsh
Edited by Ann Attwood
First E-book Publication: February 2019
Cover design by JP Graphic Designs
All cover art and logo copyright © 2019, JP Graphic Designs and Cree Storm and Maggie Walsh
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
All characters depicted in sexual acts in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.
Dedication
This book is to all our vampire lovers out there.
Table Of Content
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Cree Storm’s Other Books
Maggie Walsh’s Other Books
Eternal Flames/Eternal Flames Maddox
About Cree Storm
About Maggie Walsh
PROLOGUE
“But what about Jewel? I can’t just up and leave with him getting further along in his pregnancy. His magic isn’t working right,” Helio said in concern.
“His magic is for crap,” Briar muttered.
“Briar, be nice,” Helio admonished and fluttered higher on the banana tree.
Briar quickly followed, saying, “I am being nice, Helio. Did I do anything when he made tulips sprout from my butt? No. Did I do anything when he changed my shower water to sewer water? No. Did I do…”
Helio giggled. “Briar, his magic will clear up when he has the baby, and until then we have a responsibility to make sure he and his child remain safe.”
Turning to his best friend and brother, Briar replied, “Helio, we have a responsibility to follow our visions and you know this. Mother gave them to us for a reason. You have to go to Heskel’s Coven.”
Shaking his head, Helio replied, “Briar, we are the protectors of the vampire. We talked about this when we were Lucinda’s prisoners. Our job is to protect the Re at all costs. The prophecy…”
“Helio, we don’t know what our purpose is other than to follow the visions we are gifted with and we share those things. That means I know what you saw, and it was you going to Heskel’s Coven. There has to be a reason. Now stop making excuses,” Briar hissed as he nibbled on the leaf under his tiny dragon feet.
Helio huffed, a tiny billow of smoke coming out of his nostrils as his tiny pink wings fluttered in annoyance. “You go. If you think it is all that important…you go.”
Shaking his long lavender hair Briar fluttered his tiny blue butterfly wings just as Helio had done. “You know the rules. The visions decide our destiny. This one is all on you. Besides, this way you know Jewel and his child will be safe.”
Giving a loud, “Harrumph.” Helio fluttered around the atrium. He loved this place so much. It almost reminded him of the gardens he and Briar had lived in for a large part of their long lives.
Briar quickly caught up to him as they circled the area, asking, “What is wrong with you, Helio? You’ve never refused a vision before… not even when we knew it would mean we would be prisoners for so long.”
“That’s because I knew we would be together and eventually find our home with Ezra and the other vampires,” Helio answered.
Briar sighed, landing next to Helio on another plant leaf. “I get it, you don’t like that we are not going there together.”
“Briar, we have never been apart on a vision quest since the day we appeared in this realm. Not one single day. Why now?” Helio asked with a shake in his voice.
Helio watched as his best friend shook his head. “I don’t know, Helio, but it has to be important. If it’s any consolation, I don’t like the idea of not seeing you for so long either. However, we can’t go against our destiny. You know this.”
“We are here to protect the prophecy, Briar. How can I do that if I’m clear across the country?” Helio asked.
“You act as though you can’t come and see me within seconds of your departure,” Briar stated with a laugh.
Sighing heavily, Helio asked, “Why is Ezra sending a group to Heskel’s Coven anyway?”
“You really have to start paying attention when we have lunch with Nelson and Jewel,” Briar said with an eye roll.
Helio shrugged. “I don’t always understand everything they talk about, Briar. Heck, I’m doing all I can not to throw up at whatever Jewel decides to eat. Did you see what he had today? Raw roast with horseradish sauce and applesauce with ketchup. It was disgusting.”
Nodding, Briar replied, “It was pretty nasty. Okay, listen up. The new police chief, Sabien something or other and his friend… I don’t remember his name…”
“Okay, who isn’t listening at the lunches again?” Helio asked with a snicker.
“Just sit there and listen. I may not remember names, but I do know why they are going,” Briar grumbled.
“Fine, just get to it already,” Helio grumbled back.
Briar pursed his lips. “Everyone thinks you’re the sweet one.”
“Because I am. Now get on with it,” Helio said firmly.
Briar got more comfortable on the leaf, saying, “It seems that Heskel hasn’t been the best of Scions. He’s been outright bad. According to this Sabien guy, Heskel has a room he starves some of his people in if they tick him off. He is forcing the people of his coven to pay taxes much higher than their normal five percent.”
“That’s horrible,” Helio gasped.
Nodding Briar continued, “Yeah he forces them to dole out twenty percent and not only that, he forces his coven to steal from human blood banks, so he doesn’t have to purchase as much blood from the Re’s blood supply. Also, the man refuses to allow male to male matings.”
“What? How is that even possible? I thought the laws say to interfere in a mating is punishable by death?” Helio asked.
“They do, but that doesn’t stop him from beating the heck out of anyone he catches fornicating with the same sex,” Briar said in disgust.
“Dang,” Helio rasped.
“Not only that, but Sabien’s friend told them something that makes them think that Heskel was in on the plan to kill Ezra’s father.”
“No!” Helio gasped
Briar looked at Helio. “Our very existence on this planet is to protect the vampires even if it is from one of their own. Ezra can’t just
remove Scion Heskel from his position without some type of proof. Orion and Nelson are taking Jael and his Imperial Guard team to Heskel’s Coven to get that proof. Sabien and his friend are going to show them the starvation cells and they are going to go over the office with a fine-tooth comb. It seems the other guy is like some kind of computer guru. Ezra is keeping Heskel and the other Scions here in a fíor-rúnda,”
Helio looked at Briar in confusion. “Ezra will be locked in a room with no one but the Scions. There are no phones, no outside communications, no guards, other than one private guard chosen by the Re, for the Re.”
“Oh no, he can’t do that. He can’t be alone in a room of men he can’t trust. If one is corrupt then maybe others are as well,” Helio said.
“It’s the only way to give Orion and the others time to get anything they can on Heskel. Jewel said that Ezra thinks Heskel might also be in on the murder of that guy Nelson and Jewel found during the ceremony. Ezra also thinks that Heskel might be trying to take over as Re,” Briar said.
Helio looked away. He knew what Briar was getting ready to say and he didn’t want to hear it. He knew Briar had seen the same vision as he had.
Helio had been asleep when the vision came. He and Briar knew the exact location they were in from the moment a vision started and this time was no different. The problem was in this vision, Helio was without Briar. He was in an office sitting next to a very handsome man with short black hair. They were looking through some papers together… then the next thing Helio had seen was blood dripping on the papers next to him and when he looked at the handsome man, his eyes were red, his fangs had dropped, and blood covered his bottom lip and teeth. “What if the reason you are not coming with me is because this is where I die?”
“Helio, that isn’t going to happen. Nelson and Orion wouldn’t allow it, besides as powerful as you and I are, it can’t happen,” Briar insisted.
Looking at his best friend Helio whispered, “Not if it was a surprise attack, Briar.”
Shaking his head, Briar insisted, “I don’t know what that dream was all about, but it wasn’t your death. I know that in my heart.”
“I hope you’re right. If not, I am going to find a way to come back to this world and smack the crap out of you,” Helio mumbled.
“I don’t get it. How can everyone think you’re the sweet and nice one?” Briar asked in confusion.
“Because I am,” Helio said, then disappeared to his destiny whatever that might be.
CHAPTER 1
“We’re here,” Jael stated as he stopped the SUV in front of the gates of Heskel Coven.
Orion turned around, looking at Sabien and Strife. “We can’t take the defensiveness and anxiety level of those within there as all wrongdoing. Just the fact that many of the Re’s Imperial Guard walking through the doors is going to do that.”
“Not to mention the new Regal to the Re,” Jael stated with a smirk.
Orion turned to Jael, replying, “True.”
Turning back to Sabien, Orion said, “I don’t want you or Strife to say a word. I will do all the talking.”
Nodding, Sabien replied, “I understand.”
“Good. Oh, and mate of mine, that includes you,” Orion said with a laugh.
Jael laughed at the pure innocent look on the smaller man’s face as he said, “Why, sexy man, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I will be like a little church mouse.”
The laughter grew, and Jael was powerless to hold it back. Orion and a couple of the guards inside the SUV seemed to have the same issue.
Nelson crossed his arms and pushed out his bottom lip in a pout. “You guys are just mean.”
Orion turned back to face front, saying, “We are realistic, but I love you all the same.”
Jael pressed the code into the gate security system that Ezra had given him before they had left Kaliss. The Re was required access to all coven houses, so when the code didn’t work, Jael turned to Orion. “We have a problem.”
“What is it?” Orion asked.
“The gate won’t open,” Jael stated.
Orion raised a brow, asking, “Are you sure you put in the right access code?”
Nodding, Jael replied, “I did it twice and it still won’t open.”
Orion stated, “Press in the numbers 8652828.”
Jael did as he was ordered and was surprised when the gate opened.
“I was in charge of all the new security systems for all our covens when they were installed. I made sure there was an override to every locking mechanism in case of an invasion to the coven houses. I knew we would need a way inside,” Orion explained.
“Damn that was smart.,” Strife said, sounding impressed.
Nelson quickly said, “My mate is a very smart man.”
They were a half mile from the coven house when Orion said, “Stop here.”
Jael followed his orders, glancing in his rear-view mirror at Sabien. The man had not said a word since they had got on the plane and Jael was confused. He had to know. Sabien had to know what he himself had figured out within moments of walking into Sabien’s meeting with Ezra for the first time. Yet, he refused to look at Jael, let alone acknowledge the fact that they were mates.
Sabien hadn’t even flinched when Jael made a point of getting close to him. It was confusing and if Jael was honest, a bit hurtful.
“Jael!” Orion said pulling the man from his thoughts.
Jael turned and could see the baffled look on Orion’s face. “Sorry, Orion. I was thinking about why the Scion would change his code to the gate and not inform the Re.”
“It could be because he just forgot, or it could be because he was trying to keep us out for nefarious reasons. That’s what we are here to figure out,” Orion stated, stepping out of the SUV. “We walk from here.”
“What? Why?” Strife asked getting out of the vehicle.
Orion turned to Strife. “Because I want these people to know we are here on official business and feel intimidated by our presence. It will put people on notice that they better not fuck with us and also many of your weaker men, possibly working with Heskel, will say things, because of the fear and power our Imperial Guards brings with their appearance.”
“And again, having the Regal to the Re present will do that all in itself,” Jael muttered once more.
The other SUVs stopped behind their vehicle and the men gathered and went into military formation. Jael turned to his men. “Attention!”
Every member stood tall, bringing their feet together and weapons out in front.
“Right shoulder… arms!” Jael shouted out.
Every member snapped their weapon with both hands and moved them to their right shoulders. Orion stepped forward, inspecting the Imperial Guards, then nodded to Jael who called out. “Parade rest!”
All the guards brought their left legs up to hip height then brought them down exactly twelve inches apart on the inside of their heels. To watch something like this was beautiful… to be in charge of all these men was humbling, and Jael felt a sense of pride rush through him, as he always did when commanding his army.
Orion walked left, then right, saying, “As you all know we are here by order of the Re. Our job is to ensure the safety of every resident of this coven. Each of you has already been given your orders on what is expected of you and how to conduct yourselves during this process. It is going to be a shock to every member of this coven when we walk in there. Some will be scared, some will be confused, and many may be angry. Do not… I repeat, do not allow your emotions to rule your actions. Yes, some people in there may be trying to kill our Re and take his place, but we are here to make sure that doesn’t happen. We have no real proof… yet. Therefore, every man, woman and child in this coven is considered innocent until proven guilty. Do you understand what it is I’m telling you?”
“Yes sir!” The guards shouted in unison.
Nodding, Orion said, “Good.” Turning to Jael, Orion asked, “Who is going to guard the Cov
en Regal?”
“I have six guards for his detainment, sir,” Jael answered.
“Good, and what about the Dires?” Orion asked.
Jael stated, “Two guards inside and two guards outside.”
“I don’t want any of these men kept together for any reason. I want them in separate rooms and not their own. Each man’s personal quarters will be inspected, and I don’t want them having any chance of destroying any possible evidence of being a traitor to our Re,” Orion explained.
“Yes sir,” Jael formally answered.
Orion turned to the men behind him. “Strife, you and Nelson are to go directly to the Scion’s office and then to the Dires’ offices. I want anything and everything you can find on what might be going on here. Sabien, I want you and Jael to go to those starvation cells you spoke of. If you find any coven members in there, I want them brought up, given food and/or blood. I want the coven doctor to look them over and see if there is any other assistance they may need.”
Orion turned and started for the main coven house. “Let’s do this.”
Jael gave his orders once more and they all marched forward. The sun had just gone down and the coven members were only now making their way outside. Every member stopped in their tracks as Jael led his army forward, Orion in the lead. He knew the sight they made was confusing at first, then he saw shock start to settle into the coven members eyes, followed by intense fear. The smell of that fear was almost acrid, the closer they got to the coven house. No one moved, and no one made a sound. Like Orion, Jael and his men continued to look straight ahead. What Jael found fascinating was that Sabien did the same. Whenever Strife went to turn his head, Sabien would redirect him forward.
Sabien was a conundrum. He was supposed to be almost of peasant status and yet, he held himself almost as if he was royalty. Jael had heard the man say he was brought up in foster care within his coven, but he spoke like a nobleman, and right now, he walked as if he had been within the Imperial Guard himself, and Jael knew that not to be true.