The Unleashing
Page 1

CHAPTER ONE
She didnt know what woke her up.
The lightning and thunder crashing outside the bedroom window? A rare thing in the beginning of an L.A. summer; so maybe. Or the fact that she was in a strange bed? Or the fact that she was naked in a strange bed?
Or maybe it was the squeak of the bedroom door as it was eased open.
After more than a decade as a United States Marine, Kera didnt sleep deeply like she used to when she was a kid. Shed done her tours in the Middle East, and being prepared for anything had become a permanent part of her DNA. But it hadnt just been the enemy shed had to watch out for. Sometimes, sadly, shed been forced to protect herself from other Marines. Males who should have known better.
But shed stupidly left all that behind more than eighteen months ago. Now she worked in a coffeehouse. She made overpriced coffee and sold overpriced baked goods to people who didnt think they could get through the day without their caffeine fix.
So then where the hell was she?
At the moment, Kera didnt know. She couldnt remember anything past taking out the trash from the coffeehouse because none of the wannabe actors and models and singers she worked with would get off their lazy asses and do it themselves. So Kera had done it. And then . . . and then . . . ?
Someone leaned in close. Too close. It was a man. She didnt like men she didnt know being this close to her. It brought back uncomfortable memories. It made her muscles twitch and the hair on the back of her neck rise up in protest.
Kera could wait to see if he just went away, but waiting to see had never been one of her strong suits.
He didnt touch her, but he leaned in a little more. Like he was trying to see her face.
Must be a new girl, he muttered.
Snorri! someone said from out in the hall. Get moving! Were running out of time!
Running out of time for what? And who the hell named their kid Snorri? Was this some kind of home invasion? And what home was Kera in? She tried to remember . . . something. But her brain felt strangely hazy. Like a piece of cheesecloth was covering it, preventing her from seeing clearly.
That wasnt like her. She was known for her excellent memory and ability to quickly analyze and adjust accordingly.
God, how she missed the Marines. It hadnt been an easy life. Actually, it had been hard. Hard, but rewarding.
Youre dying.
No, she wasnt. Kera wasnt dying.
Youre on your last breath. So you have a choice to make.
Oh God. Thats what she had said to Kera. The veiled woman standing by that big tree. Shed been tall and covered from head to foot in a sheer veil that still managed to hide everything. Thered been something about the woman, too. Something thatradiated strength and intelligence . . . and power.
God, who was that woman? What was her name? What was her
My name is Skuld. And Im offering you a chance at a second life. Will you take it? Will you join us?
And Keras reply had been . . . Under one condition.
Under one condition? What condition? What condition had Kera insisted upon? She couldnt remember. Why couldnt she remember?
The man glanced back at the partially opened door but whoever had spoken to him was gone.
Demanding cow, he said, keeping his voice low. Always ordering me around. Ill do what I want.
He turned back to Kera and thats when they both heard it. The low growl coming from beside Kera, the big body lifting off the bed and easing over her to viciously snarl at the man so close.
Kera couldnt say she physically recognized the animal giving the man a warning growl on Keras behalf. But she still knew her. How could she not? Theyd been together since the day Kera had rescued the creature. But shed looked different then. A poor abused pit bull, missing part of her muzzle and most of her teeth. A fifty-pound female used for breeding and then left to rot tied to a truck motor near some warehouse in Keras neighborhood.
But that wasnt the same dog now looming over Kera, and yet . . . it was. It was Brodie. Keras precious dog that shed . . . that shed . . .
On one condition, shed told the veiled woman. I have to bring my dog.
Fathomless eyes had frowned at her over the veil. What?
Ill take your offer . . . but only if I can bring my dog. No dog, no deal.
Youre serious? Youre willing to give up your chance at a second life for a dog?
I wont go without Brodie.
Folding her arms over her chest, the woman had held what looked like a watering can . . . which seemed, to put it mildly, weird.
You do know, the woman asked Kera, that youre standing in front of me with a knife sticking out of your chest? Right? I send you back now, like this, and its over. No second life. No feasting at Valhalla. No Ragnarok. You do understand that, right?
Not really. I dont know what Valhalla and Ragnarok have to do with anything. What I do know is that I dont go anywhere without Brodie. Im not leaving her. She comes with me or I dont go. Its that simple.
Youd give up everything Im offering you for a dog?
She was there for me when no one else was. I wont leave her.
The woman leaned back a bit. Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.