THE IMMORTAL: A Novel of the Breedline series

by Shana Congrove

Just as he was about to reach for them, Frigg quickly put a hand out and said, “Stop right there, asshole.”

  “There’s no time,” Apollyon gritted out. “We’ve got to wake him before—”

  Then the strangest thing happened. It seemed as though everything went into slow motion.

  In a series of events that Frigg no doubt was going to remember for the rest of his immortal life, the center of his chest suddenly yanked forward from his spine. His torso bowed back so hard it felt as though his rib cage was about to explode. As he fought to keep his balance, his arms flailed like a pinwheel. Before he ass-planted the floor, he was levitated off his feet by an unknown force.

  Abruptly, Frigg’s head slumped forward as if the impact had taken all of his strength.

  Without making contact, Callisto used her powers and created a protective shield, praying it would protect the enormous, black-winged angel. At first, she didn’t think anything was happening, acknowledging the fact that she and her sibling’s gifts had been restricted in the heavens, but then there was a subtle sound that rose up. Taking advantage of the situation, Electra quickly extended her hand and wrapped the invisible force field that held Frigg prisoner with an electrical current. Like magic, the force that held Frigg in midair began to crack as if being subjected to some kind of pressure, even though there was nothing visibly solid surrounding him. As Electra and Callisto kept up whatever it was they were doing, the sounds of glass breaking grew more intense.

  “It’s working,” Electra said as she looked away from Frigg and focused on Apollyon. “Hurry, brother! Wake him now!”

  While Apollyon hurriedly tugged at the tubes and the wires that kept Sebastian in a deep slumber, the tight hold around his neck mysteriously vanished. Finally, to Sebastian’s relief, his lungs filled with air, creating a needy sensation in the back of his throat, his mouth opening with a string of raspy breaths. Then he opened his eyes and looked up at Apollyon. Just as he was about to say something, Lailah opened the door, stunned in disbelief at the sight before her.

  “Frigg—” Lailah called out as gravity took hold of his limp body.

  Before Frigg hit the floor, Electra was the one who caught him and carefully eased him down.

  “What happened?” Lailah asked as Electra moved away.

  Lailah knew the answer to her question as she rushed over to Frigg and dropped to her knees. It couldn’t have been the Fury’s doing. After she’d spoken to the Creator, she knew without a doubt it was Lucifer who had created all the chaos. Somehow, he’d found his way into Sebastian’s subconscious, spinning an evil web of threats to get to his son Arius.

  “Frigg?” Lailah put her hand on his shoulder and shook him. “Frigg... can you hear me?”

  When there was no response, she looked up at Callisto and Electra. “Help me,” she pleaded.

  “Let me take a look,” Callisto said as she knelt down and thumbed Frigg’s eyelids up, one by one.

  Electra crouched down. “He can’t be dead. He’s immortal.”

  Lailah briefly shut her eyes and thought, Please, God. Don’t let him die. I beg you. Help him.

  Suddenly, groans rose, and there was a rustling as if Frigg was coming to. His eyes flipped wide open and he took a deep breath. “Lailah,” he gasped.

  “I’m right here, Frigg.”

  When he turned toward her, he sagged with relief and asked hoarsely, “Bloody hell, will somebody please tell me what just happened? My body feels like it’s been ripped in half.”

  Sebastian grabbed the side of the mattress and pulled his torso upright. Then he rubbed his face, took a deep breath and blurted, “It was Lucifer.”

  Everyone, including Apollyon, turned toward Sebastian, who appeared angry.

  “He’s using me to get to my son, Arius,” Sebastian continued, his voice raspy. “I’ll die before I hand him over to that bastard.”

  “No one is going to die,” Lailah said as she rose to her feet. “And no one is going to sacrifice an innocent child.” She cleared her throat. “I promise, as God as my witness, Lucifer will never get his hands on your son.”

  Frigg directed his attention toward Apollyon. “I have a question. Why in the hell did you help us? It’s no secret that the three of you are nothing but bloodthirsty killers.”

  “Frigg,” Lailah cut in, her voice scolding.

  Apollyon held up his hand. “It’s fine.” He let out a heavy sigh. “He’s right. Our father created us for a sole purpose: to be used as a weapon. Our lust for human blood was uncontrollable. When he could no longer contain us, he locked us away. We were to be forgotten forever, but our mother, who was kept from us since birth, set us free.”

  “What happened to your father?” Lailah queried.

  “He was killed by one of his experiments, a young woman he’d tortured since she was a child for his own scientific greed,” Apollyon continued. “As she grew up, the she-wolf within her became far greater than he bargained for.”

  “How did you regain your powers?” Frigg pressed further. “It’s impossible for you to be able to use them here.”

  “Your Creator gave them back to us,” Electra chimed in.

  Frigg narrowed his eyes. “Why the hell would he do that?”

  “To save Sebastian from Lucifer,” Electra replied.

  “We are forever indebted to your Creator,” Apollyon said. “He took away our suffering. We no longer lust for the blood of humans.”

  “Our Creator is forgiving,” Lailah said softly. “All of you have been granted a second chance. He only asks for one favor in return.”

  Then Lailah proceeded to tell them of the Creator’s plan that involved the Fury and Sebastian. After she explained the dangerous task they were about to face on earth, she volunteered her winged, comrade in arms to go with them.

  Frigg was the first one to open his big mouth. “Oh hell no,” he barked. He groaned as he slowly maneuvered himself upright. “I’m not going back to that dreadful place.”

  Lailah wanted to slap him. “I think it’s a good time to have that talk,” she told him. “Your attitude needs an adjustment, Frigg.” Her tone took on a serious note. “Our purpose is to sacrifice for the sake of others, especially the weak and innocent. You think more about yourself instead of others. Are you truly that selfish?”

  He stared up at Lailah, and the look in his eyes seemed to be miles away. This time, Frigg wasn’t thinking of himself. No, in fact, he was thinking of what Lailah had said to him. Maybe she was right. Deep down, Frigg knew he’d always been a selfish bastard, even in his human life. He was well aware of what kind of hell had transpired and was transpiring down below—a century-old creature had come back to wreak havoc on the innocent, and nothing could stop it, not even his kind. He figured that’s why the Creator wanted the Fury. Their allegiance hopefully wasn’t a front. After all, the Creator did allow them to live, and they saved his life.

  Beneath Frigg’s calm mask, he was on the verge of breaking down, and the energy to keep his emotions at bay created a pain at both his temples. Damn, the truth really does hurt, he admitted. Now, though, he felt connected to his feelings on an entirely new level.

  “You’re right,” he finally said and struggled to his feet. “I am selfish, but I am not heartless.” He lowered his head and exhaled a curse. “I will go with you, Lailah.”

  Lailah smiled. Frigg’s words were like a cool glass of water on a hot day in the driest desert.

  She walked over and embraced him. “Thank you, Frigg.”

  When she pulled back, his eyes, those intense blue eyes, roamed around her face as if checking to see if there was a show of fear. But no, he did not pick up on fear. No, Frigg sensed something else... someone else. She was in love with a man back on earth. The Adalwolf. Her infatuated sentiments caused a repulsive reaction deep in his gut. He rolled his eyes but kept his smug comments to himself.

  Meanwhile, Apollyon stared out of the open door, wishing that the visit to earth would eventually lead him back to his
beloved, Yelena.

  “Are you all ready to risk your lives for others?” Lailah asked, shifting Apollyon’s thoughts back to their task ahead.

  He was suddenly compelled to say, “I am ready.”

  Lailah looked at Apollyon and then to Electra and Callisto. “I know that you would never let personal enmity stand in the way of what the Creator has asked of you. If you promise to help us destroy the creature, which will involve the Breedline, and dedicate your life back on earth to protect and serve others, he will grant all of you a full pardon.”

  Apollyon’s jaw ground hard, but he didn’t disagree. “You have our word.”

  Chapter Eight

  As Lawrence and Roman stood outside Melanie’s front door, patiently waiting for her to open it, Roman turned to Lawrence and said, “You don’t think I’m crazy for chasing after an angel, do you?”

  “Roman, for the hundredth time I don’t think you’re crazy. I would be a hypocrite to think that, considering my own sister claims she was an angel in another life. So it certainly doesn’t sound like an insane thing to have bonded with one. We cannot control who we fall in love with. It’s as simple as that.” He reached out and clapped a hand over Roman’s shoulder. “Except it for what it is, buddy.”

  When the door opened, Roman immediately squared his shoulders and forced a smile.

  “Roman, you looked scared to death,” Melanie said, looking at him with caring, brown eyes. Roman had known Lawrence’s sister since they were teenagers, and she reminded him of the beautiful movie star Halle Berry. Her athletic, petite frame and pixie haircut gave her a youthful appearance. Dressed in a pair of torn jeans and a T-shirt with the Metallica album cover on the front made her look even younger.

  “Don’t worry, honey,” she told Roman. “You can trust me. I promise I’m going to do everything I can to help you.”

  He sighed at her soothing words. “Thank you, Mel.”

  “Yeah, thanks, sis,” Lawrence said, peeping his head inside. “Is that pie I smell?”

  She moved aside and gestured them in. “Come on in.” She chuckled. “I’ve got a pumpkin pie with your name on it, brother.”

  As Lawrence walked in behind Roman, he tugged Melanie into a tight embrace and whispered close to her ear, “Thanks for doing this, sis.”

  She pulled back and lightly patted Lawrence’s cheek. “You’re welcome.”

  When Melanie sat down in the chair that faced the couch Roman and Lawrence were sitting on, she lifted her gaze to Roman’s to see he was staring intently at her. He looked tense and ill at ease.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Roman?” Melanie asked in a quiet tone.

  Roman went stiff in response to her question. Not even a breath escaped him.

  “Yes... no...” He trailed off and then expelled a long breath. “Okay, yes, damn it.”

  Melanie sat forward, her expression earnest. “I need you to have faith in me, Roman.” She reached out and placed her hand over his. Instantly, warmth traveled up his arm, filling him with undeniable heat. Roman snatched his hand back, shocked by what he’d felt.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Roman,” Melanie said, moving her hand back to her lap. “But you may feel a bit uncomfortable.”

  Roman glanced helplessly at Lawrence, almost as if he was pleading for some kind of guidance.

  Lawrence nodded reassuringly. “Remember, you’ve known my sister for a long time. You can trust her, but you have to let her inside your head. Mel needs to see what you’ve experienced in order to find the angel you’re looking for.”

  Without further hesitation, Roman moved from the couch and knelt down in front of Melanie so they were eye level. Regardless of the fact that he felt uneasy, nothing about Mel’s odd gifts contradicted his assessment of her character. Besides, if she was truly a guardian angel in another life, how could he not trust her?

  Then he simply placed his hand over hers and whispered, “I trust you, Mel.”

  She locked gazes with him and then laced her fingers through his. She could feel how terrified Roman was that something would go wrong and that she would not be able to connect with the angel he was desperate to find.

  “Clear your mind, Roman, and think of her,” Melanie told him, squeezing his hand in an effort to give him some encouragement.

  It was like an electric shock to Melanie’s system as she meshed with Roman’s mind. She was assailed by desire, lust, love, and all things he’d felt when he first saw the beautiful, redheaded angel. She was one of God’s battle angels, and her name was Lailah. It was almost too overwhelming for Melanie as images of the angel flooded her mind. One thing she knew for sure, the bond Roman experienced was real, and definitely not one-sided. Lailah had indeed bonded with him too. Then more images, more like messages, came rushing into Melanie’s subconscious as clear as if written down for her to read.

  Her mouth rounded in shock. “Lailah... is coming back.”

  Roman’s brows shot up. “Wh-what—” he stammered. “When?”

  “Very soon,” Melanie replied. “And there’s more.”

  Lawrence got to his feet and moved next to Roman. “What do you mean there’s more?”

  “She has been tasked by God to help destroy a creature.”

  Roman shrugged. “What creature, Mel?”

  “An age-old creature similar to the legend of the Lycanthropy curse,” she explained. “It’s not just a savage killer like the lycanthrope. It stalks its victims with tactics and cunning skills. The creature stays dormant for years, buried underground in a comatose state until it’s time for it to feed again on humans.”

  “Are you saying this creature is here, in California, roaming the streets, and killing innocent people?” Roman asked. His expression appeared worried and grim.

  Melanie nodded. “And it’s bitten someone.”

  “It’s not capable of infecting others is it?” Lawrence queried.

  “I’m sorry, brother, but yes. The creature’s venom is very contagious. Once it has spread the virus, the victim becomes cursed. They have one hundred and one days to resist the urge to feed. If they are successful, then the curse will no longer exist. But if not...”

  Tension radiated from Roman in waves. His mind was a jumbled mass of chaotic thoughts and fears. He rose to his feet and said, “Can Lailah destroy this creature?”

  Melanie shook her head. “She can only use her powers to trap the creature with her gift of holy fire. She’s bringing three supernatural beings with her called the Fury, a half-breed, and another male angel. With their combined powers, they might be able to destroy this creature.”

  “What the hell?” Roman’s voice raised, echoing through Melanie’s small apartment. “Why would God trust the Fury after what they did? They’re savage killers!”

  Lawrence lifted a restraining hand. “Calm down, Roman. Let her explain.”

  Roman exhaled a heavy sigh, and an apology reflected in his eyes. “Sorry, Mel.”

  “It’s okay, Roman. I know what the Fury has done. But you have to understand. God gives everyone a second chance when asked for forgiveness. The bloodlust they were born with is gone. The Fury will no longer kill the innocent. It’s like...” she paused as if she was thinking of the best way to explain, “...they’ve been reborn.”

  “We need to contact the Covenant,” Lawrence said. “They need to be notified ASAP.”

  Roman shifted his gaze from Melanie and narrowed his eyes at Lawrence. “Shit never ends does it?”

  “Unfortunately, no,” he said to Roman and then looked to his sister. “Thanks for all your help, sis.” He wrapped his arm around her. “Is it possible to get a piece of that pie to go?”

  She leaned into his embrace and murmured, “Anything for you, big brother.”

  Roman’s expression softened, his eyes losing some of the harsh glint. “Don’t forget about me, Mel.”

  She laughed a little. “Don’t worry, Roman. I’m sending the whole pie home with both of you.”

 
; As Melanie turned to go into the kitchen, Roman cleared his throat and called out, “Hey, Mel.”

  When she whirled around, he said, “You helping me is not going to get you in trouble with the big guy upstairs, is it? I mean, didn’t God tell you to keep the angel thing a secret?”

  “Technically, I’m only supposed to keep it from humans,” she told him, cocking a brow. “Considering you’re an Adalwolf and my brother is a Breedline, you would agree that I’m not breaking the rules.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “So, Mel...” Roman hesitated, wondering if he should ask. “I’ve always wondered. What does God look like?”

  “I don’t know,” Melanie replied, shrugging. “I’ve never seen him. Very few angels get the opportunity to witness his glory. But I’ve heard his voice.”

  “What does it sound like?”

  “It’s hard to put it into words,” she said. Then Melanie closed her eyes and smiled. When she opened them, a few tears slowly trickled down her cheeks. “Imagine you’re listening to a beautiful symphony, but the instruments are vocal cords.”

  Roman was speechless. After a few moments of silence, he said, “Thank you, Mel.”

  * * *

  Now that the unexpected had happened, deciding to curse Jena instead of killing her outright, he would stand and claim what was rightfully his. And she was to blame for it all, her carelessness and desperation to connect with the spirits of the dead that lay forever rotting in their graves.

  He closed his eyes and his mind shifted immediately to the attack in the cemetery. He reveled in his savage brutality. If only Jena had the gift to see how much worse, how much darker and sinister, the tragedies that lay just ahead of her.

  Guilt and regret are your weaknesses, Jena.

  He sighed and opened his eyes again, his glance going at once to the Breedline guards outside Jena’s room. As he hovered above in silent menace, like a thin fog barely visible to the eye, he felt more restless by the minute. It was time to feed again. Before he floated through the vents to hunt for his next meal, he paused, consumed with an ache so deep it clawed at the pit of his stomach. Something had changed since he laid eyes upon her. Despite her weaknesses, Jena made him feel a human emotion he hadn’t felt in ages.