by Karen Swart
Kasadya Hellhound Born
By
Karen Swart
Copyright © 2013 by Karen Swart
All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, locations, events and incidents (in either a contemporary and/or historical setting) are products of the author’s imagination and are being used in an imaginative manner as a part of this work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, settings, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover Design by Melody Simmons
Edited by MaryAnn Inabinet of MAI-Editing-Services
E-book editing by Janine Fourie from Eclipse Reviews
Dedications
It’s been almost a year since the first Kasadya was published. Looking back, the greater part of my journey was amazing, fun, exhilarating and just fabulous. I have learned so much in these past months that I really cherish a book when I read one now, they have been made from a lot of sacrifices and courage. But there were days when I doubted myself, wanted to curl into a ball and just lost all confidence to continue on. This happens to all authors I was informed. One author advised that I should go to my goodreads, facebook and amazon pages. On these pages I would find my reason to get up, put on my girl panties and get the hell back to work. I found so many reasons to fight for and I wanted to say a thank you to all that left a review or a message on these pages. It was because of you, that I had a few teary days, walked around with a silly grin and found my courage and confidence. This, in my opinion, is a far greater reward than a spot on the NYT best selling list. I am honor and humbled to have such great friends.
Merisha Abbott, Lori Parker, Ti Colluney, Jessica Baker-Bridgers , Carrie Fort, Heather Pfingsten, Jocelyn Sanchez, Claire Taylor, Autumn Wrought, Heather Andrews, Romina Sellars, Julia Hendrix, Alyssa Williams, Nikko Abbie, Laura Martinez, Shirley Kuechler, Nate Heinicke, Suene Bester, Ruthi Kight, Derinda Love, S Cu’Anam Policar, Jane Ann Lindsell, Lisa Millan, Ngaire Elder and her daughter and everyone else.
There can be no greater gift, than what you all gave me. Thank you!
Ps: Lori, you will not find one in Born.
A special thanks to my editor MaryAnn Inabinet and my cover designer Melody Simmons. Shir Fernandez and her team of Spanish translators who have translated Kasadya to Spanish. Janine Fourie, my sidekick, confidant and Beta Reader. Hettie Oberholzer and my mom Susan Fourie who also Beta read for me.
And last, my fans, without all of you, Kasadya would still be stuck in a computer, and tomorrow’s would have been hell to endure.
Thank you all a billion times over.
Glossary
Custos - Guardian Fallen
Apprendo - Apprentice Fallen
Amo - Love
Dominus - Master
Salve - Greetings or Hello
Vale - Farewell
Corra- Fallen Intelligence and communications centre – a moving sphere
Exsilium - Banished realm
Pactrum – Bond between mates
Chapter 1
It's funny how fate prepares you for the future. Looking back at my journey the signs where everywhere, I was just too ignorant to see it. Every step I took was to prepare me for my final journey. I was stupid to think that there would ever be a thousand years for me. There was never going to be a happily ever after for me. I am a Fallen; I am a Hellhound. Our futures don’t include a happy ever after. But I can look back knowing that I lived. I found friends and family. And I have found love. I have no regrets for my past. I have so many priceless memories to embrace at that final moment that it will soften the blow. I know my friends will continue the fight, and they will ensure victory. Just look at what we have accomplished in the last month or so. We have evolved and adapted to keep on fighting.
But my destiny could never be denied. I was born for this, prepared for this. And now I am ready for this. For my friends, family and my love; I will not fail my final moment in this world. For them, I give my heart, my life.
“Kas, I know you are scared, but you need to trust us. We shall not lead you to your destruction,” Raphael tried to encourage me.
I believed every word he said, but the truthfully is I was still scared. It’s pretty clear that I was a disaster, and now I was going to destroy someone else with me.
“I know,” I replied in a whisper.
Can my heart beat any faster?
Over and over it slammed against my ribcage, the pounding ringing in my ears. I was trying to avoid a panic attack. But, if I keep this up, I won’t be able to do anything.
“Come, we need to get this over with so we can attend to the problem arising in the underworld,” Chax pitched in, walking to the door.
Always down to business with him.
“Who.... who is my charm?” I struggled to ask, as I cleared my throat to speak.
He stopped at the door, his back still towards me. I watched him take a deep breath, trying to stay calm perhaps?
“You will find out in a moment.” He answered as he opened the door and walked out.
In front of him I could see it was morning in Exsilium and the words “it’s a new day for a new start” ranged in my ears.
A new start to what? Another damn disaster if you ask me.
I turned my eyes to the others, silently asking, no, pleading, for them to save me from this.
“Kasadya, the time has come for you to accept and embrace your destiny. Your fear is plausible, but I ensure you that what is about to take place will change your life for the best. You just need to trust us,” Michael said, walking over to me and offering his hand.
I looked at Maia and Vulcan, who nodded their agreement.
If everyone is so sure, why on earth do I feel like the next few moments in my stupid life would make everything even worse?
With a shaky hand I accepted Michael’s and lifted myself up. The archangels exited first, followed by the Dominus Custose, Maia and I were left watching them walk towards Chax.
“Kas, let them save your life so you can save others,” Maia said from behind me.
I turned to look at her, her words burning into my very core.
Yes, she was right. If not for myself, I will do this for others, for those who need to be protected, and for those I love. I nodded and turned around, reaching for my hellhound inside of me.
She greeted me immediately, clearly excited about the whole thing.
Damn, my hellhound has gone insane! Just what I need.
New strength flowed through my body, giving it the energy and resources necessary for my next battle. I walked out the door and felt the morning sun enveloped me, as if it wanted to comfort me in some way. Closing my eyes, I held on to that and breathed deeply to gather more courage and strength to do what needed to be done. Everyone spread out into a huge circle, watching me intently, as I made my way to the center where Chax was waiting for me. His eyes were intense, watching my every step. My nerves were on a short lease, stretched to the breaking point. I looked beyond him.
Should I run? No. I made this mess; it's up to me to fix it.
Those green eyes, always there to haunt me. Funny, they scared the crap out of me today. I knew Chax's presence in this was non-negotiable, but still I would have preferred another pair of eyes watching me. Someone else to wait for me to mess up, to lose control and become unreachable. I have seen those green eyes without mercy, as he sliced the head off another
hellhound. There will be no mercy for me either. I can only hope that my charm can reach me. I hoped to live another day.
About three paces from him I stopped and braced myself for it.
You have never run from a battle, you’re not going to start now. No, I am strong enough for this.
“You will have to lose control in order to become born.” Chax stated, his eyes so serious my nerves started to spike.
I nodded, understanding that our emotions are the trigger to become hellhound born. He stepped back into the circle and I couldn’t help but look around at all of them. Familiar faces were watching me, but not a new one.
Where is this charm?
I looked beyond them, still nothing.
Hell, is he late or something?
Well there went his first impressions; he couldn’t even be on time for my turning. Now, there was a way to impress a girl. Clearly we were off to a very bad start.
“Where is-” I wanted to ask, but Chax cut me off.
“Because of you, your friend died yesterday.” He casually reminded me.
I was about to tell him it was impossible to forget when Raphael pitched in.
“Because of you, thousands are about to die.”
A tear slipped from my left eye.
Now that’s a low blow.
“Because of you, every child in this world is in danger.” Michael continued.
A few more tears slipped down my cheek, a small sob escaping.
They are really going for the kill aren’t they?
“You have failed us Kasadya.” Vulcan said, a shot went through my heart causing my body to shake.
“I'-” I tried to explain, but was cut off by Ariel.
“You have not only disgraced yourself and your team, but also your mate,” her eyes bored into mine and then slowly traveled off to her left.
My eyes followed hers and my breath caught in my throat. Green emerald eyes were watching me, waiting for me. Those eyes that showed no mercy to kill. Eyes that invoked fear in me. Hell, my day just got even worse. Not Chax! Why? How? Impossible!
“You?” I asked him, a thousand questions running in my mind.
How could I not have seen this coming?
I mean sure why not Chax, we hated each other. And yet my subconscious cried liar. OK, I may not hate him, but I sure as hell didn’t think of him in any lovable way. Liar! My subconscious cried again. Oh, this was not good, this really was not good. He stood there, not answering my question. And then a very valid question came to mind.
“For how long have you known?” I asked, my tears having stopped the moment my eyes landed on him, but my anger was there to take the place of my sorrow.
Intense green eyes never left mine.
“From the moment I looked into your eyes.” He replied, while every damn training session slammed into my brain.
If he knew, why would he have treated me that way?
“And still you hurt me over and over again?” I asked with a voice I had never heard before. It was a mixture of anger and hurt, yet edged with something else.
“How would you have survived if not for what I did? I am your Custos, and it was my responsibility to ensure that you were prepared for battle.” He replied, his eyes reflected no remorse or anything.
He thinks it’s still alright, that I would understand. How dare he!
“You knew all this time! So why the hell did you tuck tail and run away when I kissed you?!” I yelled at him, anger taking over, fueling my strength.
I didn’t give a damn about the others around us.
I mean, come on; he is supposed to be the macho guy around here. Where the hell did his bravery go when I kissed him?
I saw the impact my words had on him; he regretted that at least. And then, like a switch, they went back to business.
“Apparently you liked to mess around with demons, so why would I stay?” He casually said.
And the nail to the coffin was slammed straight down without even a chance of stopping.
It was like coming home and smelling the flowers of my mother, familiar and welcoming. I grew in size, taller and taller. I felt the horns on my head as they throbbed in pain. I felt more throbbing in my wings and bones. I heard the ripping of material, but didn’t feel any cool air on my flesh. Finally, as my vision went to red, I felt the roar fully develop in my lungs and released it. It was the last thing I heard, the sound of a monster being born.
***
The moment had come. In front of me I watched, yet again in silence, a beautiful creature being born. And I knew that she would be the most perfect born. With a last look at the others to ensure that they were prepared and ready for what needed to be done, I returned my eyes to her. She grew in size, past any other born I had ever seen. Raphael explained that everything would be new and more powerful with her. Her first shift to divinity had been completed. She would be the first of a new breed of Fallen.
My mate. How long have I watched her from afar, wishing I could show her how much she meant to me? But I knew that she didn’t feel the same, and that she needed time to adjust in this world. Her roar echoed through the quite morning. Birds scattered from the trees with fear of the born she had become. I watched as her bones pierced through the skin of her wings. She didn’t even flinch with pain.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the roar ended and in front of me stood the biggest Hellhound born I have ever engaged. This was going to be difficult. With her added strength she would be ten times more lethal than any who had come before her. I now understood why Michael and the others wanted to assist with her born. This was going to be messy.
“Is she supposed to be that big?” Maia asked from the back stepping backwards as Kasadya turned to look at her.
“Yes, with her divinity the first phase is completed, the transformation of her body. The next few phases will only focus on strength and abilities. What you see here, dear Maia, is a new Arch Fallen.” Michael explained to her.
I withdrew my swords and steadied myself on my feet. She would move fast, just like my Kasadya, and attack swiftly.
“Get ready,” I signaled the others and we prepared for her first move.
Her eyes scanned the circle and surroundings. Finally she stopped, her eyes fixed on me. This was it. She stormed forward with immense speed, which matched that of vampires. With mere inches to spare, I stepped away as she moved past me.
“I need to bring her down. I need her attention,” I instructed the others.
Michael was the first to attack. The Archangel of War, he was created just for this. A step from her, he leaped into the air and slammed a fist into her side. The impact was a success and she bent forward with it. I moved fast and swiped at her feet, but she was faster and with an effortless blow, I was flying through the air. I landed hard and had to recompose myself. She was powerful, that I would not deny.
Getting up, I saw that the Archangels had engaged her all at the same time. Arch against Arch was a magnificent sight to see. Each blow echoed into the trees. The ground shook with force as some of them were punched and brought back to it. Kasadya was magnificent. With her first shift at Maia's, I was captured by her beauty, and today was no different. I watched as she grabbed Raphael’s wing and almost ripped it off completely. Unlike the other born’s, I could see so much intelligence in her eyes. Transfixed with her effortless fighting, I stood and watched my mate.
I remembered the day I looked into her eyes, and was shocked with the feelings coursing through me. For centuries, I had kept them in control and hidden. Just meeting her eyes, almost undid me in that moment. And she insured that on many occasions my control were pushed to the limit. Our Sire had gifted me well. She was the only one that would meet my strength, and at the same time, challenge it. I moved again but instead of harming her further, I dropped my swords and jumped for her head. With great effort, I wrapped my arms around her throat and held on for dear life. Her size was a great challenge.
“Bring her down!
” I yelled to the others, as I tried to move to her ears to start the process of reaching my Kasadya inside the beast.
“Kasadya come back!” I yelled at her.
For a brief second she stopped, that was all that we needed. Vulcan and Ariel both went for her left leg, tackling her to disrupt her balance and bring her down, Michael and Raphael jumped on her to add more weight. Finally, Thonyn and Jophiel took out her other leg and we all crashed to the ground.
“Hold her!” I instructed again.
Quickly, I moved from behind her to her front and wrapped my legs around her huge neck. She roared with frustration and tried to bite me. Finding it amusing, I smiled as I grabbed her horns and slammed her face to the ground, now she was trapped. Blood red eyes fixed on mine and I saw the anger inside the beast. And with it I still saw my Kasadya, there at the back watching, as of yet unable to control this side of her.
“Will you do it already?!” Thonyn yelled from somewhere.
“Indeed.” I replied smiling.
I knew they were struggling with her. Focusing, I poured my feelings into her. It was still strange and foreign, all of these feelings around her, and I was not sure how she would receive them. I opened up to her; I wanted her to feel what I could not tell her. That I admired her. That I am proud of her, regardless of her flaws. That she was magnificent in my eyes. But most of all, and I feared for this, I wanted her to feel my love for her. The moment I had her in my arms and felt her mouth against mine, I knew that I loved this stubborn girl with everything inside me. For her I, would slay all evil, and would travel to hell to ensure her safety.
When I saw her with those demons, I was enraged with her. When her eyes met mine, I thought that she would run to me and let me save her. Instead, she walked on as if I was nothing to her. But I stood there and watched her leave; I would never force her to be with me. That was the day Kasadya Levourne brought me to my knees. Never had I felt such heartache. I informed the council of my finding and shifted home, broken. And that was how my brother found me, on my knees unable to form a single word.