Fatal Call (New Breed Novels Book 4) Read online

  FATAL CALL

  Martha Bourke

  A New Breed Novel

  Fatal Call

  Copyright © 2015 Martha Bourke

  All rights reserved

  Cover Art by Natasha Brown

  Edited by Debra Hartmann

  Book design by Rachelle Ayala Publishing

  www.marthabourke.com

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

  Printed in the United States of America

  This one’s a shout out to my readers. In the end, it all really comes down to you. Thank you for taking this wild ride with me, for giving the series your dime, and for loving the characters as much as I do. You’re the best!

  Glossary of Terms

  aj k’o’ol (n.) One who attacks a shifter’s nagual to use its power for evil

  camzah (n.) Mayan term for teacher; mentor

  den (n.) Where a group of hellions live together as a clan, often in abandoned buildings.

  gleam (v.) The ability to open and pass through portals at will in order to move any distance. Only New Breeds possess this power. To the naked eye, it appears as though the shifter has simply vanished into, or appeared out of, nowhere.

  the Goddess Akina(pr. n.) Maya Goddess of Love and the Moon who was destroyed by her fellow gods for aiding an enemy soldier during a celestial war. Still exists in spirit form. Created the New Breed shifters to battle Toltec.

  hellions (n.) Genetically altered shifters created and controlled by Toltec. Hellions are physically stronger than common shapeshifters, although the change in their genes leaves them with almost no remaining k’ul. This unnatural balance leaves them seeking to possess the k’ul of other shifters, even though it is only temporary. If they take all of another shifter’s k’ul, that shifter will die. They are considered abominations.

  in lak'ech ala k'in (n.) Mayan term used in formal greeting between shifters and often as words of endearment with loved ones. Loosely translates to, “I am you, you are me.” Often accompanied by placing the fist over the heart.

  the Initiative (pr. n.) Program started by Victrixa Mata to kill shifters and steal their naguals.

  k’ul (n.) Supernatural energy that resides in the earth and all living beings. Vital life force in nature. Different beings hold different amounts of this energy. Humans in general have very modest amounts, whereas shifters have much higher levels. New Breeds have by far the most k’ul. All shifters are able to identify other beings by sensing how much of this life energy they carry. K’ul is also connected to the lifespan of shifters, with shifter civilians living well over a hundred years. The lifespan of the New Breed shifters is unknown.

  mark (n.) Tattoo-like symbol that all shapeshifters have on the back of their neck in the form of their nagual. Appears when a shifter phases for the first time, usually at the age of eighteen.

  mating call (n.) An important part of shifter nature, this phenomenon may happen any time after a shifter first phases. Once this instinct is awakened between a male and a female shifter, they generally give in to it very quickly. Most shifters have very little, if any, sexual experience before they feel the call. The bond between mated shifters comes above all things, and all shifters mate for life. If the call is not heeded, the male will experience intense physical pain and mental confusion. It is possible for a shifter to experience a new mating call after the death of a mate, but this does not always occur. Although a ceremony is often held to make the pairing legal in the eyes of the government, especially when offspring are involved, shapeshifters generally do not have a religious ceremony per se. However, it is not uncommon for the male to offer the female a ring or other token of affection.

  nagual (n.) Guiding spirit and animal counterpart that exists in the Otherworld. All shifters have an animal nagual. The Maya, who believed that their naguals offered protection, often held rituals to contact these personal guides. Shifters have two souls, one human, the other of their nagual. This second soul guides them through instinct.

  New Breed (pr. n.) New Breed shifters collected so much k’ul shortly after the Transition at Chichen Itzá that they are physically changed into a new species of shapeshifter that is closer to immortal than mortal. In their human forms, they are much larger, stronger, and faster. Their hearing, vision, and instincts are heightened. Their eyes will glow around the pupil when experiencing a strong instinct, such as in battle or with a mate. They are also able to gleam. Certain New Breeds are gifted with special abilities. In addition to the marks on the backs of their necks, they also have a Maya tribal mark on their right shoulder. At this time, there are eight known New Breeds. They were chosen by the Goddess Akina to fight against Toltec.

  the Order (pr. n.) A group comprising the eight New Breed shifters. Its members are deadly warriors who swear an oath to protect both the human and shifter populations from Toltec. They are chosen through divine means and join the Order when they receive the call to serve.

  the Otherworld (pr. n.) The celestial realm inhabited by naguals and other supernatural beings.

  permaphase (v.) Phasing into and remaining in one’s second form permanently. This is incredibly dangerous for shifters, as they can forget their first form completely and thus lose their humanity forever. It is found most commonly in shifters after the death of a mate, as they rely on instinct while in their second form. This blocks out the psychological and emotional pain of the loss.

  phase (v.) Act of physically taking on the form of one’s nagual. All shifters are able to do this. It is not painful and is instantaneous. Shifters often refer to their animal form as their second form.

  portal (n.) A sacred space between earth and the Otherworld that allows New Breeds to pass between the worlds when they gleam. Portals are also used by shifters for rituals and communication with their naguals.

  protective instinct(n.) The intense urge male and female shifters feel to protect both mate and offspring. This instinct can become particularly intense in times of danger or when a female is pregnant. As with all other instincts, this impulse is heightened in a New Breed.

  shapeshifter/shifter (n.) Although they are members of the species Homo sapiens, shapeshifters contain much more k’ul, and are therefore able to take on the animal form of their nagual. There are shapeshifters all over the world, in every country and every culture. They are often not well accepted by humans. Some live openly, while others hide their marks. The first shapeshifters were the Maya. Even today, shapeshifters use some Mayan expressions, and follow some Maya rituals and traditions.

  silver nitrate (n.) All shifters have an intense allergy to silver nitrate when ingested in any form.

  Toltec (pr. n.) Organization of shifters whose core belief is shifter supremacy over all other living things, including humankind. They believe that the elevated level of k’ul carried by shifters gives them the divine right to rule the world’s governments, control the banking system, etc. They work toward these goals through both violence and more insidious means.

  the Transition (pr. n.) Refers to the tremendous release of k’ul from the earth at Chichen Itzá at the end of the Maya Calendar on December 21, 2012. When this occurred, the balance of k’ul on earth changed dramatically.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER T
EN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  About the Author

  CHAPTER ONE

  Xavier secured his nine in its holster and closed the door to his weapons cabinet. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t meet the enemy where he was headed, but you could never be too careful. None of the members of the Order left the mansion unarmed, as a rule. He pulled on his leather coat and newsboy cap. Then he took the red long stemmed rose from his desk with care and dematerialized. Seconds later he was out in the cold night air. He paused behind a mausoleum and cast out his senses. Satisfied no one unexpected was in the cemetery, X started the short trek up the hillside. Snow began to fall lightly as he walked past one headstone after another.

  Now that he was in the Order, it was too dangerous to make the pilgrimage to his mother’s grave more than once a year. All past connections were severed when a brother took the oath. They couldn’t risk giving Toltec any clue as to their identities. But the tenth of May was his mother’s birthday. It was sacred. Not even Troy knew about his annual visit and he was his partner. No big thing. If anyone found out and took issue with it, he’d be more than happy to explain it all gentlemanlike and shit.

  The wind picked up and he quickened his pace. He’d never liked cemeteries. Something about them always seemed kind of wack. Shifters cremated their dead. They had learned long before Toltec that human science couldn’t be trusted. The whole ashes to ashes deal was fine by him. There was dignity to the body rejoining the earth, just as the spirit returned to the web of k’ul that was in all living things. He hadn’t been much of a believer before joining the Order, but seeing as their Goddess was back at the mansion this very minute helping everyone prepare for James’s Initiation, there wasn’t much left to argue about.

  X came to the top of the incline and stopped in front of the upright granite headstone marking his mother’s grave. Originally, all he could afford was a small, flat marker that cost a grand total of ninety-five bucks. Shit, he could barely afford that at the time. He was just fresh out of MIT. He’d paid for the gravestone currently in front of him in cash, thanks to the money he earned from the Order. Of course, he hadn’t been able to give her a funeral. Not that it mattered much. By then there weren’t many left from the hood to pay their respects after prison, drugs, and drive-by. All they’d ever had was each other.

  And then the unthinkable.

  In his junior year, his mother was diagnosed with leukemia.

  When the cancer began to spread his mother told her doctors all she wanted was one thing—enough time to see her son graduate from MIT. It was only right. She was the only reason he’d been able to attend at all. She worked three jobs for years so he didn’t have to grow up twenty-five stories from the ground. They lived together in a tiny bungalow. It even had a yard. He shook his head and smiled. Maybe that wasn’t exactly the right word for the ten blades of grass which grew out back, but she was so damn proud of that. Two weeks after the ceremony, her body gave in.

  He carefully brushed the snow off the granite gravestone and laid the rose down gently along the top. Then he bent down and cleared the snow from her name. Gloria. It suited her so well. She was a force of nature. He’d thought about putting his underneath, but in the end decided against it. He was a New Breed warrior. Who the fuck knew if there’d be anything to left bury?

  Viktor watched as his younger brother slept soundly in the surgical ward. He hadn’t awakened since the nightmare and that was good. He needed the rest to recover. Viktor rubbed his eyes. This was all his fault. Man, he’d really reached a new level of douchebaggery. Dimitri wouldn’t have been anywhere near that car downtown if he hadn’t taken off like he did. He’d figured Dimka would be too pissed to bother going after him and everything would go back to the way it was. He hadn’t counted on the Seer.

  He shook his head. It didn’t matter. This wasn’t the Order’s fight and he knew it was wrong to stay. The members had a whole war on their hands. As soon as Dimka had all the facts, he needed to go. Viktor laid his head down on the edge of his brother’s hospital bed and closed his eyes. Jesus, he was tired.

  He felt a hand touch his shoulder and looked up into his brother’s wide open, ice blue eyes. “You’re awake.”

  Dimitri sat up and stretched. “How long have I been out?”

  “Twelve hours, give or take. How do you feel?”

  “I’ve been worse. Just a little sore. Headache’s gone.”

  “You should take it easy, Dimka. There’s no rush.”

  “Look, big brother, whatever I saw in that dream isn’t going to wait. Who is she? The female in the Catwoman suit?”

  “Her name is Ekaterina Spanov.”

  “She’s from the Motherland?”

  “Da.”

  Dimitri rubbed his face with his hands. “You’d better find me a decent cup of coffee. Then you’re going to start from the beginning.”

  Dimitri’s headache was back and he was pretty sure it wasn’t from being roadkill the night before. “So you’re telling me that Elena’s family was part of a Russian crime syndicate? But then how were they able to socialize in the same circles as we did? They were obviously new money. And dirty money, at that. They never would’ve been accepted.”

  Viktor sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “That’s what I wondered, so while I was on the run I checked out their paper trail. Forgeries. All of it. But they were good. The kind of falsified documents only thousands of rubles could buy. They were pretty fucking convincing.”

  “They were using us.”

  His brother nodded. “We gave them legitimacy. And, although they couldn’t have planned our mating, I have no doubt they were pleased when Elena and I shared the news. At least at first.”

  Dimitri groaned. “So, more than likely it was an enemy of their own family who cut the brakes before your accident.”

  “Yeah, had to be.”

  “Then why the hell did they go after you?”

  “The only plausible reason I can come up with is they thought I’d peeped their game. They sent a couple of their low level cronies after me. Cousins of the family. Then, a few months ago, they disappeared and the female took over.”

  Dimitri lay back against the pillows. The female from his dream. “Huh. Maybe they’ve finally figured out that you had no part in it.”

  “Somehow I don’t think so.”

  “Why not?”

  “Ekaterina Spanov is an assassin.”

  Evy passed by the early breakfast table, grabbed a bagel, and started to cover it with Nutella.

  Ana wrinkled her nose. “Isn’t that stuff made of like mold or something?”

  Evy giggled. “That’s Vegemite and it’s yeast. It’s gross. This is chocolate and hazelnut.”

  “I’ll pass.”

  She smiled and started to pour herself some coffee before deciding to have some juice instead.

  Ana went back to her eggs. “You’re awfully chipper this morning.

  Evy shoved part of her bagel into her mouth. “I’m on my way down to the shelter.”

  “Oh, right. The kids. What are their names again?”

  “Christian and Rory.”

  Her mate walked in through the side door followed by Pax. They each set down a plate loaded with food.

  “Morning.” Pax hung a leather bag on the back of his chair.

  Troy sat down next to her and nodded toward the bag. “What the fuck is that?”

  “It’s a briefcase, dumbass.”

  “You don’t say. Next
you’ll be buyin’ a Yorkie or some shit.”

  Pax started in on his food. “Bite me.”

  “Not even in my second form.”

  Ana rolled her eyes. “Are they shifters, Evy?”

  “Christian’s eighteen. He phased for the first time just recently. His sister Rory’s only thirteen. So it’s a waiting game. But the odds are in our favor.” She looked up at the clock. It was just before nine. Shit. “I gotta go. You can have the rest of my bagel, my male.”

  “Thanks, babe. Nutella?”

  “Yep.”

  “Nice.” He grinned.

  She kissed him on the temple and tore out of the room.

  Troy was finishing Evy’s bagel when X clambered in. A burst of cold air came off his huge coat as he poured himself some hot coffee.

  “Where ya been, hoss?”

  X took a long swig. “Out looking for the paint you wanted for the Vette.”

  “In the middle of the night?”

  “I couldn’t sleep. I finally found it in storage. There’s enough if you decide to use it. Shall we head out and take a look?”

  “Hell, yes.” He finished what little was left on his plate and followed his partner to the hidden elevator in the billiards room. “So, what’s the 411? You been out with Professor Hottie all night or what?”

  His boy sighed. “She has a name and no, I haven’t. We haven’t gone out at all.”

  “You’re kiddin’ me.”

  X shook his head. “Nope.”

  “You never even asked her? After I gave you that sweet pickup line?”

  “I asked if she was interested in a coffee break, but she had a class back on campus.”

  Troy shoved his hands in his pockets as he followed X up the ramp to the back of the garage. They rounded the corner and there she was. Man, he loved that car. She just made his little heart go pitter patter. Shit, he should put an adapter on the waffle maker so he and Ev could just live in the Vette full time. “I feel you. You get a rain check? Assumin’ she really had a class.”