Reluctant Storm

by P. A. Warren

  The Maji Series:

  Book 1

  By P.A. Warren

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  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2014 by Peggy Warren

  Cover Art by Renee Ericson and photo courtesy of Shutter Stock

  Edited by DeAnna Kinney

  and Brea Essex

  Formatted By Cassie Cook

  Produced by Peggy Warren at P.A Warren Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  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

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Character List

  Coming Soon in The Maji Series:

  Acknowledgments

  About The Author

  What if everything about your world was a lie?

  Claire thought her life was ordinary until the day she was kidnapped and her entire world was turned upside down. How could she have known she’s more than human? When Claire discovers there’s a vampire world out there she never knew existed, she ends up used as a pawn in someone else’s game. Two powerful men strive to use her in their devious competition.

  Racing against time, who will be the winner? Who will make it out alive? Will good overcome the evil? There are those who are righteous, those paid to kill, and even more who are proficient in torture along with those who are mere pawns in these games. When they all come together, will they be able to put aside their differences to take down the enemy who’s threatening Claire’s existence? Loyalties will be tested, ties will be broken, and love will face the ultimate test.

  A Character List has been provided at the end of the book.

  Dedicated to

  Bookworms everywhere,

  to those that get lost in the story.

  And

  To my children

  “I love you forever, my baby you'll be.”

  ― Robert Munsch, Love You Forever.

  Prologue

  Antony Benali, King of the Vampires

  Three months earlier…

  The noise of the club ceases to exist as I scrutinize my target. He’s the taller of the two fighters that are in the cage battling it out. I regard the way he knocks the shorter one to the ground and watch in fascination as the two men pummel each other. I can’t help the thrill that’s coursing through me knowing I’ve made a good decision in choosing Jason, the estranged son of my known enemy.

  Nodding sharply to the guy next to the cage, my eyes follow him as he jumps in and grabs the taller one, snapping his neck and ending the fight. I move off to the side as the booing of the crowd gets louder and wait for the man to bring the unknowing vampire to me. We walk in silence to my car and he unceremoniously dumps him in the trunk.

  “Adam, did you spread the word about Claire like we talked about?” I shift me gaze to the man next to me. I have to get the word out for Griffin, the leader of the Western Vampire Clan, he has men everywhere…one of them will pick up the snippet Adam spread to the crowd and take it back to Griffin; I’d be willing to stake my life on it, no pun intended.

  Handing him a yellow envelope, I take a small amount of pleasure knowing everything is going as planned. “Here’s the money we agreed upon.” I also slide him a small vial of royal blood that’s been poisoned, the fewer witnesses the better.

  “Enjoy.” Looking at him through the window, I get a strange feeling of excitement knowing he’s about to ingest poisoned blood.

  Leaving the Vampire fight club behind I check my watch. We have about thirty minutes until the vampire in the trunk wakes up, before having to deal with an angry vampire. I watch the city quickly turn into country as we drive towards an abandoned building at the city limits. I wonder why all this was necessary for a girl that’s just a pawn in a very large game. She’s a half breed Vampire; I was stupid and had an affair with a human during my early years as a vampire, before having royal responsibilities. That’s why I’m kidnapping an underground fighter.

  Someone to protect her in secret for the last time, it’s all part of the plan. The crux came when Anya, my other daughter was born a year later, she is full vampire and perfect. That means that Claire, my human/half vampire daughter is in the way, but if I make everyone think she is number one to me then they will go after her rather than Anya, my true vampire daughter. Claire will never have control of this Kingdom, ever.

  Stepping out of the sleek black car, I wait for the driver to shut the door and open the trunk. Staring down at the man inside, I pull my leather gloves on before grabbing the silver chains and Herbert walks up next to me.

  “Tie him up to the tree over there; I don’t want him getting away until I can plead my case.” I impatiently order.

  The trick is to make everyone think I care about my daughter, to have them think I’m father of the year. The driver, who also acts as a bodyguard, grabs the guy and chains him to a tree not even raising an eyebrow. My word is law. Looking down at my watch, I realize my little friend here is about to wake up, it’s time to put on the caring father act. As if on cue, he snarls and the chains start rattling with him trying to get away. Walking over to the young man, I stand in front of him.

  Using my best authoritative voice, “Be quiet!” I say sharply as he tries to release himself from the burning chains. “Fight all you want, but there is no way to get out of those chains.” Pacing, I lower my voice, “I know who you are, and do you have any idea who I am?” The young man shakes his head no.

  “You are in the presence of royalty. I am Antony Benali. In two days I will take the throne and become the ruler of the Vampire Kingdom. I’m not going to apologize for kidnapping you, since I know you wouldn’t come willingly. Correct?” I watch him nod his head angrily.

  I snap my f
ingers and a cigar is placed into my hand, lighting it I continue, “You were winning by the way. This brings me to my next subject. I chose you for a reason, a very special reason. You are a fighter, not a just a normal fighter, but one whom I think has the talent to protect people’s lives. There’s a reason you’re here. I have a daughter, she’s half vampire and half human, only she has absolutely no idea that I’m her father or that vampires exist. I’ve watched her grow up from the time she was born until now, she is now twenty, and it’s finally time she became of use to me.”

  Staring harshly at the tree line I pause, letting my words sink in.

  “You might wonder why I’m telling you all this, now that I’m taking the throne, but I cannot watch her around the clock like I usually do. If people find out about her they will kill her thinking she is an anomaly, or worse they will want to use her for their own gain as there is also a possibility she possesses her grandmother's witchcraft skills. I’ve angered Griffin Dumont, and now Claire’s mother has left the area suddenly.”

  Taking a deep breath, I look over at the young man.

  “Your names Jason Dumont.” I throw out, blowing out smoke in his face. The man looks up startled.

  “Didn’t I tell you I know everything about you? I have studied you and watched most of your fights; you even made me some money, so thank you. I know you’re Griffin’s son and I know you both have parted ways with each other, but you still worry about your brother Riley, am I right?” Watching Jason glare at me I continue.

  “What I am trying to say is I’m appointing you to as the guardian of Claire, your duty now will be to watch out for her and do everything in your power to protect her, do you understand?” I ask giving him a superior look, lying through my teeth.

  “What happens if I say no?” he says clenching his jaw.

  “Simple, you die. It’s not that I want to kill, you but you know too much already. You can’t live if you say no. Herbert over there has a stake for your heart should you choose the wrong option.”

  “You give me no choice. Obviously I accept,” he says with his jaw clenched.

  “Oh good!” I clap my hands, “Put away the stake, Herbert.”

  “It is of the utmost importance that you keep Claire safe, and you can’t tell her what she is until she is fully ready to know, because there is no turning back once she knows she’s a vampire.”

  Jason turns his head to the man holding him prisoner, scoffing at him.

  “I don’t believe you. If she’s half vampire how has she survived for this long without drinking blood?”

  “You ask a good question,” I reply, rubbing my chin. “We assume it’s because she hasn’t bonded herself to her mate and once that happens the full transformation will take place.”

  “Jason,” I lean in close murmuring in his ear, “Keep her safe. I have kept her safe for all these years from my enemies and now that I am being crowned I cannot do it myself. I have eyes everywhere; I’ll know whether or not you’re doing the job I gave you. I am entrusting you to take care of my girl. I’d hate to kill you if something goes awry.”

  Walking to the car, I toss the cigar to the ground and nod for Herbert to let Jason go before leaning down and entering the car.

  “That went well, Herbert.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Do you think Griffin will fall for it?”

  “Sir, I think your plan is brilliant.”

  “Once he finds out that we fooled him, the joke will be on him.”

  Flipping my phone open, I call home anxiously listening to it ring before it’s finally picked up. “Anya, our little problem’s been taken care of. I’ve put a bug in someone’s ear about Claire and have someone guarding her, which will peak their interest. Griffin’s a fool, and this should whet his appetite and have him thinking she is important. She should be out of our hair soon so you’ll become the next Queen.”

  Closing my phone, I pulled my tie away from my neck and grin.

  “Home, Herbert and make it fast.”

  Chapter 1

  Claire

  Have you ever felt the universe was in on a huge joke and you were the victim? I’ve felt like that most of my life and staring at the math problems in this book trying to decipher them until my eyes are crossed to no avail isn’t helping. All that’s happening is I’m getting frustrated. I want to throw the book across the room, only I’m pretty sure it’s frowned upon in the library. Rubbing my face I look up and realize the library has cleared out. Clicking my phone and noticing it’s pretty close to closing time, I quickly shut the book. Just then my stomach lets out a huge growl and I suddenly remember I missed dinner at the quad and now it’s too late. Great. I don’t even know why I’m bothering with this book. It’s pointless trying to learn math when you haven’t the slightest idea what you’re doing.

  Standing up I grip the straps of my backpack tightly, and grab my purse. I slowly feel the weight of the bag tug down on my back, making me wince, before I can adjust it. I look out the glass doors as goose bumps cover my arms at the thought of walking in the dark alone. Glancing over at the middle aged librarian, who is now giving me the evil eye, makes it even more imperative that I leave quickly.

  Taking a deep breath I hesitantly push the doors open, looking out into the night. The metal is cool on my hands as I push it open and exit the library. I’m not sure when my fear of the dark began, but for my entire life I’ve felt like I’m being watched only there is never anyone there. I went to my mom with these fears and she said I was being foolish. I can hear her now, ‘God’s sake, don’t ask anymore stupid questions’. I kept pushing her about it and when she threatened to send me to a psychologist I quit telling her about it.

  Heading out into the windy night, my hair flies into my face getting all tangled and covering my eyes so I can’t see. Groaning, I push my hair out of my face and watch my steps as I walk down the stairs. Noticing the ground is wet makes me realize I missed a rain storm while I was in the library. Glancing around. I inhale the rain scented air deeply. One of my favorite things is the luxury of smelling the air after the rain. A branch cracking from somewhere close behind me causes me to jump and quickly turn around. I expect to see someone behind me only there’s no one there. Conscious of the darkness I reach into my bag and grab my cell phone again, switching on the flashlight app that I downloaded to my phone. As usual my mom still hasn’t called. It doesn’t bother me though, as we don’t have the best relationship and I think once I left for college she washed her hands of me. She’s never shown me the love a mother should show her daughter, only disdain over my presence in her life.

  The night is silent except for the soft brushing of leaves from the trees. I walk quickly down the path towards what I consider the safe area, mainly because it’s lit and closer to the dorms than I am now. Crossing my arms, I look around me. I feel extremely off kilter and unsafe, only I’m not sure why. It feels as though someone is watching me and following my every move. Clutching my keycard, I start to walk even faster, feeling the need to get to the safety of my room. I walk as fast as I can without taking my eyes off the doorway. Finally reaching the lit doorway I slide my card through breathing a sigh of relief as the red light turns green. It’s not until the door shuts with a soft click that I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

  Walking quickly up the stairs, I turn the corner and run straight into a human brick wall knocking myself to the ground and causing all my books to scatter in different directions, looking up the person moves and holds a hand out.

  “Whoa there,” the brick wall sputters, “You okay?”

  I brush the hair out of my eyes and stand up with a jerk, then I turn and find myself eye level with the one guy whose presence I’ve never been in but his reputation precedes him, Jason Dumont. His crystal blue eyes stare into my green ones and I find it hard to pull myself out of his stare. It’s like my only focus is staring into his eyes, memorizing them. Blinking, he looks away befuddled and I know what he’s thinking; quie
t mousy girl who ran him down is keeping him from something important. He’s built like a brick wall, I know this as I’ve felt the impact of it and I’ve watched him hit on other girls and the entire time, wishing it was me. He has the body of a Greek God that practically lives in the gym. Licking my lips I scrutinize the dark shirt that’s hugging his chest in all the right places and his hair is this dark blonde color with highlights that girls would pay good money for. It’s cut into a short messy style on his head, which looks pretty amazing to say the least. He has a skull tattoo on his right arm and there is just something about him that says ’I can kick your ass’.I come back down to earth, his fingers in my face snapping, “Did you hit your head on the fall?”

  Immediately blushing, which annoys me, I shake my head and grab my books whispering a quick “thank you” before running to my room without a backward glance. Slamming my door I stumble to my bed and sit down trying to calm my racing heart staring at the soothing blank wall, I never covered in pictures when I moved in like everyone else does. I didn’t want memories of home or my mom and frankly my roommates side of the room looks like Pepto Bismol exploded so my blankness is soothing to me after waking up to the ugly pink walls. Why do I always somehow make a fool out of myself? Just for once in my life I want to be one of those kick ass women, instead I get run over by one of the hottest guys in school.

  Jerking my head away from those thoughts I lift the comforter that’s hanging down over the side of my bed and pull out a clear plastic container holding some of my most prized possessions. Sitting back I open it up setting the cover to the side and pull a very old and much worn leather book my grandmother gave me a very long time ago. I only met her one time, it was she who actually found me one day five years ago when my mom was at work, I was fifteen. I pull the book to my chest, hugging it and thinking back to that day…

  ***

  When I heard the knock, I was really surprised since I had no friends and mom rarely had visitors. I slowly opened the door to find a regal lady with upswept brown hair, dressed in a fancy pantsuit like you would see on the runway, standing there with a boy about my age. She didn’t even wait for me to invite her in, just walked in like she owned the place with the boy following her. I studied the boy; he was dressed in a plaid blue and red shirt and jeans, with his hands in his pockets. He looked around the room nervously until his eyes met mine and I couldn’t help the shiver that went through me.