Gods and Mortals: Fourteen Free Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Novels Featuring Thor, Loki, Greek Gods, Native American Spirits, Vampires, Werewolves, & More (210 page)

“Dad, we’re just fooling around. I’m not going to try and hurt you,” I argued. Whether it was fighting, shooting, or wilderness survival, I loved that my dad wanted to spend time with me and teach me what he knew. Lately, though, he had been getting more and more intense about the lessons. Today was worse than usual.

“Someone attacking you isn’t going to let you get away with just defending. If you don’t attack, you give them the edge and you lose. Let’s go again.” Squaring up, my dad settled into his stance and waited for me to do the same.

I shook my head and stepped up. My fists were barely raised before my dad’s attack began. Throwing up my elbow at the right time sent his blow glancing to the side. He came again from the other side, faster than usual. I barely got a block up in time to stop him. Next came his foot, trying to sweep my legs out from under me. He’d taught me too well for that to work. My wide stance kept me grounded.

It was a heavy round of attack for him. Expecting him to ease off and give me a few pointers like he usually did, I relaxed and waited to hear what I could have done better. That was a big mistake. Off my guard, my dad’s fist barreled right into my chin. It was nowhere near as hard as he could hit, but it still knocked me back. I shook my head and looked up to ask him what he was doing only to see another punch coming straight at me.

My honed reflexes kept him at bay, but he just pushed harder, yelling at me to attack. I had never seen him act like this before. I knocked away blow after blow. Why was he acting like this? Confusion clouded my ability to think. Eventually the blows started making it through, scoring on me hard enough to leave bruises. Another hit connected with my jaw. This time it was at his full strength. I stumbled to my backside, looking into my dad’s fiery eyes as I scrambled back up.

Anger started roiling around inside of me. He never fought this hard. It was a lesson, for crying out loud, not a barroom brawl. What was he thinking? If he wanted me to punch him, then he would get it. Stalking across the patchy grass, I was intent on my dad. Taller and more built than him, he should have reconsidered what he was asking. He just grinned fiercely and waved me on.

I went on the attack, just like he wanted me to, landing hits to his gut and shoulder in the first few seconds. He managed to block a few before I caught him again. He grunted with the pain I caused him, even though I had reigned in my anger enough to keep from really hurting him. Back and forth we went. Every time I went back on the defensive my dad kicked his attack up, forcing me to push harder, as well.

His breathing was heavy and his movements slower than normal. He still wouldn’t give up. I realized he wanted me to beat him. This wouldn’t end in a relative draw with insightful pointers. For once there would be a clear winner to our fight. Ready to put this ridiculousness to an end, I kicked my leg out as I turned and knocked him to the ground. He landed in a puff of dust, and the air blasted out of his lungs.

For a moment I stood there watching him. What was next? Would he explain himself? Apologize for getting out of control? He reached a hand out to me and I pulled him up. I wanted my explanation now. Clapping his hand against my shoulder, my dad nodded.

“You did good, even if you were pulling your punches some,” Dad said. He started to walk away, but I grabbed his arm and held him back.

“Aren’t you going to explain what that was all about?” I asked. “I could have really hurt you, Dad.”

Taking a moment to dust himself off, my dad didn’t answer right away. Satisfied that he was clean enough, he regarded me seriously. “Yes, you could have, Uriah, and it’s about time you realized that. You have power inside you. I know you think these lessons are just fun and games, but one day you’ll have to use what I’m teaching you. And when that day comes, you better be ready to put all your effort into it or you won’t be the one walking away at the end of the fight.”

What was he talking about? He was acting like people were getting attacked in San Juan every day. “Dad, this is stupid. Even if I did have to fend somebody off, all I would need to do was get one good punch in and they’d be out. I would never try to really hurt someone, let alone kill them.”

“You don’t know what the future holds,” he said quietly.

“This isn’t one of your stories, Dad. People don’t go around saving whole towns or battling gods in real life. I wouldn’t want to be that person, anyway. I want to be here on the ranch with you guys and Claire. I have no desire to be some kind of hero,” I said. “I hope I never have to use any of what you’ve taught me. Nothing would make me happier than to live on the ranch for the rest of my life never having to shoot or punch anyone, so drop this, okay?”

He didn’t agree, but he didn’t push it either. Shaking his head sadly, he walked back into the house. I watched him go, wondering what on earth had prompted all of that.

A
flood
of images slammed into my mind with such force that I nearly lost control of my bike. It was a warning. The tumbling pictures were difficult to understand, but one thing was definite. The creature was coming for us. Fast. It had to be getting desperate to prevent Daniel and Claire from meeting each other by now. The images flowed from multiple minds, screaming of danger, confirming my worst suspicions.

“Cole, it’s coming!” Immediately, his bike sped up. I had a feeling that speed wouldn’t save us. Images from a pack of coyotes confirmed that the creature was increasing its pace as well. Speaking to the coyotes, I begged them for help. Much smaller than the grey wolves who had rescued us that morning, coyotes were still formidable hunters. Hatred for the creature assaulted my mind.

I didn’t doubt they would fight the beast, but I couldn’t see them winning against the massive creature. I called out frantically, searching for mountain lions, wolves, anything that would heed my call. Sensing my needs, the animals relayed my message further out than I was able to on my own. Only a few seconds passed before answering calls sounded vocally as well as through my thoughts.

Glancing up at Daniel, I realized he had picked up on the increased level of anxiety enveloping us. His head whipped from side to side as he clutched Cole tightly. An image sprang into my thoughts, showing me a small stand of piñon trees at the base of a small hill. Surrounding the trees were the animals that had answered my call. Pushing the images and feelings away, I scanned the horizon for the grove.

About half a mile ahead, a dirt road peeled away from the highway and wound past a clump of piñons. “Go right on the dirt road,” I ordered Cole. “Head for those trees. The animals will stand with us there.”

There was no need to spend time talking. Cole kicked the motorcycle up to a more dangerous speed, weaving through the slower traffic. Drivers blared their horns as we darted between two trucks. The yellow dividing lines ticked by so quickly they blurred into a solid strip. Riding the line past several more cars, we swung across the right lane with barely enough shoulder left to slow down.

I was able to handle the turn with ease, but Cole was forced to drag his foot through the dirt just to keep the bike from toppling over. Dirt and gravel flew behind the bikes. I sped up to Cole’s side to avoid the spray. Focused on the stand of scrubby trees, Cole barely noticed my presence. Daniel, however, stared at me, his eyes wild with fear. His excitement had finally disappeared.

“Cole,” I said, turning my head so Daniel couldn’t see my mouth, “keep Daniel close. He may run if he gets the chance.”

The tight bob of Cole’s helmet was barely noticeable through the jarring ride along the dirt path. The stand of trees drew closer. Slowing down just enough to keep from smashing into a tree, I swerved to the right and darted to the back of the grove. Leaping from the bike, I realized we weren’t alone. Three coyotes stood at the base of the hill, flanked by a large pack of grey wolves. Daniel’s frightened scream drew my attention. The tawny mountain lion brushed past his leg, which sent him scurrying behind Cole.

The familiar calm that spread over me as the mountain lion approached brought a sigh of relief. My old friend. We had only met the day before, but that seemed like a lifetime ago. I welcomed the great cat and thanked him for coming. Bounding over to me in two short leaps, the mountain lion rubbed his head against my leg. The connection with the animal still amazed me. His presence felt so natural. I trusted the mountain lion with my life, though I had no idea where the confidence came from. I had no time to contemplate the connection. My hand automatically reached down to scratch his head, while my eyes searched the scene before me.

Cole tossed me one of the guns from his pack and kept the other for himself. Daniel’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“What the hell is going on here?” Daniel demanded.

“Just stay behind Cole. There’s no time to explain,” I said. Images flashed through my mind. The creature was approaching slowly, gauging his chances. Sending my thoughts to our allies, I pictured Daniel, forming the animals around him. Confusion tinged their responses. They were drawn to my aid, not to the others. They were bound to protect me.

I considered their messages, equally confused. Earlier, I thought the animals were warning me that the creature was coming for Daniel, not me. Why would it be coming after me? A patient explanation formed in the animals’ minds. The animals only said the creature was coming. They never said it was coming after Daniel. The reason they were there had nothing to do with him. I was more confused than ever.

Nudging my leg, the mountain lion brought my attention solely to him. I blocked out everyone else and listened. The creature was after Daniel, he explained, but only for the moment. I was his true enemy. Daniel was only a momentary distraction. When the creature was done with Daniel, he would come after me. I tried to ask the cougar what the creature wanted with me, but he was finished talking and refocused on the creature’s approach. Time was running out.

I reinforced the image of the animals protecting Daniel, stressing that this was the best way to protect me right now. A murmur ran through their thoughts, but the mountain lion silenced them immediately. My own plea was sent back to me, a promise that I would be obeyed. Slowly the others animals agreed. Man and animal tensed as a sweeping fear filled the area.

I glanced at Cole, wondering how he would react to the creature’s presence. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he was withstanding the creature’s lure. For now. Daniel was faring much worse. He was pulling against Cole’s strong grip, his hands reaching out to his death bringer. Terror and adoration fought for control of his face. Realizing Cole and I still wore our motorcycle helmets I said, “Knock him out if he gets out of control.”

“No problem,” Cole said through clenched teeth. Removing the helmet, I tossed it aside.

Growling erupted throughout our protective circle. A dark form walked on two legs through the first line of trees and stopped. He was no longer Darren Johnson, but his new human appearance seemed vaguely familiar to me, as if I should know him no matter what form he took.

“Uriah, Cole, how nice to see you again.” His voice was silky and alluring. Neither I, nor the animals were affected, which made me curious, but Cole seemed to be barely holding against his urge to run to the man with open arms. Daniel flailed wildly against Cole’s restraining hands. The struggle to control his charge was likely the only thing keeping Cole in check.

I may have to punch them both.

“Daniel,” the creature oozed. Daniel stopped struggling and watched the man adoringly. “What a pleasant surprise to come across you. I had thought at first that Uriah’s harried flight was to reach his own Twin Soul, but then I found out you were his target instead. That has made this much easier than I expected.” Taking a confident step forward, the creature smiled. My mountain lion friend snarled, edging closer to Daniel.

“Really, Uriah, our fight can wait. There’s no reason for you to come against me yet. Tell your friends to back off and turn the boy over to me. Then we can simply go our separate ways, for now,” the creature said. “I would much prefer to postpone our battle until I have finished my business with Daniel.”

For some reason, the confusing fight with my dad came to my mind. I felt similar to what I had felt then, confused, angry, scared even. It made no sense that my dad would have been preparing me for this day, but he had done his job well. If the creature wanted me, he would take me. My guess was that he was still feeling the wolves’ claws from earlier today. The smile forming on my face was nothing close to friendly. Taking a step forward, I studied the man’s face, trying to gauge just how hurt he still was. His sneering mask gave away no clues.

I was sure he was hurt by the way he was trying to talk me out of facing him, but that didn’t mean I was eager to test my strength against his. Maybe I could get a little information out of him first. “Why are you trying to hurt Claire?” I asked him. “And why do you want Daniel?”

A strange look of annoyance and confusion screwed the man’s face into a grimace. “Claire? Daniel’s Twin Soul? I am not concerned about what happens to Claire in the least now that I have Daniel. As for Daniel, I just want to kill him. Let me have him and you can go for now, Uriah. Our time to battle will come soon enough.”

It was my turn to be confused. He wanted Daniel, but he acted like that was just something he had to do. His main interest really did seem to be focused on me. Why was he really here? I must have been projecting my thoughts, because the mountain lion answered them. Images of Claire, Daniel, and myself standing in a row. Claire began to fade, as Daniel fell dead.

I grew larger and brighter, my light overpowering everything else. The creature stood in the shadows, fearful of me but hungry for my blood. Whatever small fascination Claire and Daniel held for this being, it wanted me more than anything else. A lifetime of my parents’, Quaile’s, and Thomas’s cryptic hints and warnings flooded my mind. As much as I wanted the quiet life of a rancher, the world around me seemed to be trying to tell me that there was something more in store for me.

“You want to kill Daniel, but once he’s dead you’ll come after me? Why?” I asked.

The creature smiled wickedly, baring razor sharp teeth more animal than human. “Now that is the question, isn’t it?”

Brazen in his confidence, the creature began writhing, although his face remained pleased. The rearrangement of his bones was stomach churning. I could hear Daniel gagging behind me. Even the animals were disturbed by his display.

“Get ready,” I said and thought. The grey wolves strode to the front of the motley pack. The animals tightened around me and I reminded them of Daniel.

When the creature’s shifting finally ceased, an enormous wolf stood before us. Stretching to its full, towering height, the creature snarled. It watched me, waiting, though it surely needed no provocation. Its eyes flitted to Daniel, then back to me. It was weighing its chances of getting to Daniel before the animals, or I, would be able to beat it back. It was going to be a tough fight no matter what, and he knew it.

“Why are you trying to stop me!” the creature snarled angrily.

I was only faintly surprised it could still speak while in its animal form.

“I am only fulfilling my purpose. Do not stand in my way!”

I wasn’t sure what to make of that announcement. It hardly mattered at the moment. Its purpose or not, I wouldn’t let him take Daniel. Without speaking, I launched our attack. The gun in my hand rose even with the creature’s head. The shot was soundless next to the growling cacophony of my strange army. Speeding through the desert, it took a fraction of a second. I watched the bullet carve its path straight to the creature’s skull, then ricochet into a tree.

The wolves and coyotes pushed forward, oblivious of my actions, but the mountain lion had watched as carefully as I had. Certainly, I hadn’t expected the shot to really harm the creature, but it had simply bounced off. I’d felt the creature’s body in human form, and through the wolves’ thoughts, seen the damage done to his animal form, but I couldn’t explain what had happened. The bullet should have pierced the animal’s hide. The mountain lion replayed the scene in my head over and over in rapid succession, telling me that the results would be the same each time. Human weapons would not harm the creature.

I pulled my attention back to the fight, fearing for my companions, and was surprised to find them holding their own. Hurriedly, I posed a question to the mountain lion, showing myself fighting the creature then replaying the scene with the bullet. Answering immediately, the mountain lion allayed my fears. Without claws or razor sharp teeth I didn’t understand how I could harm the creature, but the coyotes and wolves were beginning to lose ground.

As I moved forward, I saw the mountain lion step back to protect Daniel and Cole. A coyote was swept off its feet and slammed into the trunk of a tree. Its whimper cut off quickly and the young animal’s thoughts faded from my mind. Anger rose in my throat, tearing a feral scream from me as I leapt at my enemy. I swung my well trained fist and connected with its shoulder, missing its head only because it was pulled to the side by one of the gray wolf’s terrible jaws.

Fire roared through my arm, but it was gone almost instantly. Stumbling, the creature backed away from me, its leg unable to support any weight. Somehow I had crushed its shoulder. I stared at my fist. Completely unharmed, I couldn’t feel even a flicker of pain. A vengeful smile crept across my face. This would end here. Glancing up, I saw that the creature was writhing again, changing its shape to accommodate its disabled arm.

The matted fur smoothed into shimmering scales as the arms melded with the rest of the mass. Its winding serpent body ended in two dripping fangs. I wasted no time. Jumping low to avoid his head, I wrapped my arms around the snake’s body and let my body’s momentum carry me and the snake further away from the pack. Landing hard, I held my grip on the smooth body, squeezing relentlessly. Searing pain raced up and down my body. I shifted my hands to keep my bare skin from touching the creature’s skin and the agonizing pain diminished slightly.

Its writhing tried desperately to escape my grasp, but only succeeded in shifting me further down on its body. The serpent’s head swung back at me. I couldn’t block his attack without letting go. Acting in an instant, I released the snake and swung my fist, backing it with every ounce of fury in my body. Its head snapped around at my touch, twisting until the serpent’s whole body had to follow. The burning pain rushed away, a small relief.

Lurching up from the sand, I leapt on the creature’s back, prepared for the pain I knew would come. Punching from every angle, my short blows were definitely doing damage, but not enough. I grabbed just below the creature’s head, snarling as the skin to skin contact begged me to let go. I pulled back and attempted to tear the muscles. The creature continued to squirm. Frustration that I couldn’t inflict any real damage made my focus slip, only for a split second, but it was enough.