THE IMMORTAL: A Novel of the Breedline series

by Shana Congrove

  LUPA (she-wolf) – The ancestors descended from the old legend of the lycanthrope, but the moon has no power over them. The species only affects female offspring. A lupa is a dangerous creature which shapeshifts into a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature.

  Jace Chamberlain (a.k.a. the Beast) – He is a Breedline species who later discovers he was born with a curse of the Beast, inherited by the Chiang-Shih demon. His bonded mate is Tessa Fairchild. He’s an IT engineer and the lead singer and plays acoustic guitar in the band Chaos.

  Jem Chamberlain (a.k.a. the Chosen Son) – He is a Breedline species and Jace’s identical twin brother. He carries the gene of the Chiang-Shih demon, which gives him the power to create a portal and a force of electrical energy used as a weapon—and other powers he discovers later. His bonded mate is Mia Blackwood. He’s an IT engineer and the drummer in the band Chaos.

  Tessa Fairchild (a.k.a. the Breedline Queen) – She was born into the human world and later discovers she’s a Breedline. Abandoned by her parents, and raised by her aunt and uncle, Tessa has no knowledge of being born a twin. After she meets Jace, they become bonded mates. During her first change into her Breedline wolf, she shifts into the new Breedline queen. She is an inspiring artist.

  Jax and Jem Chamberlain – Jace and Tessa’s identical twin boys. Both have inherited the Breedline genes.

  Dr. John and Sarah Chamberlain – They are Jace, Jem, and Cassie’s adoptive human parents. They are physicians in a children’s unit, donating their time to the emergency center.

  Chester and Amelia Ewan – They are called Guardians—a species originated during the Middle Ages—with the purpose of protecting the Breedline from the destruction of any creation made by a dark Wiccan.

  Katlyn Gray – She is a Breedline and Jace and Jem’s biological mother.

  Jackson Gray – He is Jace and Jem’s biological uncle—Katlyn Gray’s older brother. Although he carries the gene of the Breedline, he does not shift into a wolf. He’s a medical supply pilot.

  Mia Blackwood – She is a half-breed and Jem’s bonded mate. Abandoned at birth and raised in human foster care, she later finds her identical twin sister, Eve.

  Eve – She is a half-breed, and Sebastian’s bonded mate.

  Sebastian Crow – He is a half-breed and Eve’s bonded mate. He has the power to summon a portal.

  Arius and Tidus – They are Sebastian and Eve’s identical twin boys. Both have inherited their parents’ genetics of a half-breed. Arius carries the mark of the Chiang-Shih demon with the power to create a portal and the ability to heal others.

  Alexander Crest – He is a Breedline species, Jace and Jem’s biological father. He is bonded to Dr. Helen Carrington.

  Tim Ross – He is a Breedline species and the council head of the California Covenant.

  Angel – She is a half-breed and Tim’s bonded mate.

  Natalie – She is a half-breed and Tim and Angel’s daughter.

  Kyle Jones – He is a Breedline species that resides in the California Covenant. Celina Baldolf is his bonded mate. He’s a mechanic and plays bass in the rock band Chaos.

  Casey Barton – He is a Theriomorph and lives in the California Covenant. He is a clothing model and plays backup bass and keyboards in the band Chaos.

  Dr. Helen Carrington – She is a Breedline species and a physician at the California Bates Hospital for both Breedlines and humans. She later bonds to Alexander Crest.

  Drakon Hexus – He is a Breedline species and bonded to Cassie Chamberlain.

  Cassie Chamberlain – Adopted at age two by Jace and Jem’s adoptive parents after her mother abandons her. Later, she discovers she is a Breedline species and bonds with the handsome Drakon Hexus. She is a nurse practitioner, specializing in the neonatal intensive care unit.

  Celina Baldolf – She is a Breedline species with the power of a Wiccan, but only practices white witchcraft. Her twin sister, Taliah—a dark Wicca—murdered their parents when they were twelve years old. Dr. Helen Carrington is their aunt, and Kyle Jones is Celina’s Breedline bonded mate. She is an editor for a local publishing company.

  Steven Pasquale (a.k.a. Steven Craven) – He inherited the genes of a Breedline and an Adalwolf. He is Tessa Fairchild’s fraternal twin and is Abigail Winthrop’s bonded mate.

  Abbey (a.k.a. Abigail Winthrop) – She inherited the genetics of a Lupa from her mother and is bonded with Steven Craven.

  Dr. Kenneth Craven – He is a Breedline and an orthopedic surgeon at the San Francisco General Hospital. He is Steven Craven and Tessa Fairchild’s father.

  Lisa Wellington (a.k.a. Lilith) – She is a Breedline with the gift to heal. She is Steven Craven and Tessa Fairchild’s biological mother.

  Lila Demont – She is a Breedline, born into a wealthy, prestigious family. She is a lab technician and assists Dr. Helen Carrington with the cure to the Breedline aging process. She later bonds with Casey Barton.

  Victor Demont – He is a Breedline and Lila’s father. He is a retired council member of the Pennsylvania Breedline Covenant.

  Raphael (a.k.a. Buddy the cat) - He is the Angel of healing who secretly disguises himself as a black cat who resides in the Breedline Covenant as their pet. He guards the children in the Covenant.

  Nathan Gage (a.k.a. Nate) – He is a Breedline and the owner of several upscale night clubs in the largest metropolitan areas of Northern California.

  Zeke Rizzo – He is a Breedline, born with a curse of a sin-eater, and the owner of the Cat Club. He is bonded with Anna Saeni.

  Yelena Smirnov – A full-blooded succubus from Russia. She is bonded with Apollyon.

  Anna Saeni – She was born with the genetics of a Breedline from her father’s side, who died when Anna was a baby, but she does not shift into a wolf. She is like a sister to Sebastian Crow and bonded with Zeke Rizzo.

  Roman Kincaid – He is an Adalwolf trained in military tactics, hired as a special breed of warriors from Brazil. Hired as a bodyguard for Valkin Steele—a billionaire funding a group of unethical scientist’s research—he later learns of Steele’s underground sex-trafficking and illegal drug and weapons trade and informs the Breedline Covenant. He also forms a team of Breedline soldiers who work for a private Special Ops group contracted by the military for missions that no one else can or will do to help put an end to Valkin Steele’s corrupt organization. He resides in the California Breedline Covenant along with team members, Lawrence, Bull, Justice, and Lena.

  Lawrence Colbert – A Breedline council member of the New Jersey Covenant, trained in military tactics and as a medic who worked alongside Roman Kincaid, the Special Ops team, and the Breedline Covenant to help take down Valkin Steele.

  Lena – She is a Breedline, highly trained in survival skills, martial arts, and anything dealing with weapons, hand-to-hand combat, and hired by Roman Kincaid to help take down Valkin Steele. She oddly resembles the character Xena the Warrior Princess from the ’80s television series. She is also Bull’s little sister and is bonded to Justice.

  Bull (a.k.a. Benjamin Allen Calvero) - He is a Breedline, highly trained and an expert in a variety of military tactics, who is part of Roman Kincaid’s team. He gets his nickname because of his size.

  Justice – He is a Breedline who is part of Roman Kincaid’s team. He’s highly trained in military tactics, an expert with explosives, hand-to-hand combat, sniper training and is a pilot. He is bonded to Lena.

  Detective Manuel Sanchez – He is a homicide detective at the San Francisco Police Department who late discovers he carries the Breedline genetics. His partner is Detective Frank Perkins. His sister is Lailah.

  Detective Frank Perkins - He is Manuel Sanchez’s partner and discovers the secret world of the Breedline. Born as a human, Frank pledges his loyalty to the Breedline. Fighting alongside his partner, they take an oath to help the Breedline protect the world from corruption and unknown creatures that prey on the innocent.

  Captain James Hodge – Unaware of the Breedline species, he is D
etective Manuel Sanchez’s and Detective Frank Perkins’ superior at the San Francisco, California Police Department.

  The Fury – Three fraternal twins—Apollyon, Electra, and Callisto—created by an evil German scientist named Dr. Hans Autenburg. Using his own DNA, he mixed it with the genetics of a Breedline, an Adalwolf, and a powerful Wiccan.

  Battle angels – Their one purpose for existence is to serve the Creator in the war against demons and evil havoc on earth. The battle angels are unlike any of the Creator’s angels. The indigenous battle angels, on average, stand ten feet tall, although a few tower to the height of twelve feet with a more muscular build. Tattooed with unique warrior markings, the black-winged warriors are suited with armor typical of ancient heroes, and they wield a type of sword associated with a long-gone empire. They are the bravest of angels, who consider only the importance of their mission, and are perfectly willing to give their life in the service of righteousness. Gifted with special powers, they fight against the dark side. They are particularly fond of the human race and consider themselves humanity’s special protectors.

  Cronus – He is a loyal and devoted warrior in charge of God’s battle angels. He wields the power of the sword of truth and has the ability to use his body as a shield. His mission is to protect the heavens and all God’s creations.

  Lailah – She is a battle angel gifted with holy fire used to trap or immobilize demons and other evil supernatural beings, rather than killing them outright. Forty-one years ago, in her human life at age seventeen, she was savagely murdered. Although her killer got away with the crime, her younger brother, Detective Manuel Sanchez, promises to dedicate his life trying to solve the murder.

  Helios – He is a battle angel and a descendant of an African king. When God brought him into the group, he converted Helios’ body into a lethal weapon. The tips of his feathers are sharp as knives, and he has talons capable of shredding through skin and bone. Although he was born without vocal cords, he can communicate using his mind.

  Icarus – He is a gorgeous battle angel gifted with the power of telekinesis. He can influence, manipulate, and move matter using his mind.

  Frigg – He is one of God’s originals, serving as a battle angel for more than a century. With a personality bigger than life, a bit of an attitude, and a love for rock-n-roll, cheeseburgers, and classic black-and-white movies, he oddly resembles the singer, Billy Idol of the ’80s punk rock band, sporting the same trademark bleached spiked hair and English accent. He has the unique power of shapeshifting. He can transform and reshape himself into any living thing.

  About the Author

  Shana Congrove has always had a passion for fantasy, romance, and the supernatural world, and her idea of heaven is creating new adventures for her Breedline characters. In 2019, Shana ranked the second novelist in FanStory.com, where she enjoys sharing her stories and receiving helpful feedback from readers and other talented authors. She also loves to interact with new readers on Instagram and Facebook/A Novel of the Breedline Series.

  Take a sneak peek into the sixth Novel of the Breedline series, THE CURSE… coming soon!

  Chapter One

  While he sipped on his brandy, he looked around the bar, taking in all the half-naked bodies gyrating on the dance floor to Marilyn Manson. The Cat Club was packed tonight, full of freaks and wannabes, dressed in a ghastly fashion between gothic black leather, tight mini-skirts and ripped jeans. To him, they all appeared as rejects or outcasts who did not fit in with normal society.

  But then, he wondered, what was considered normal? If indeed, there were a checklist, he definitely would not fit into those categories. No, he was something else. Something dark, sinister… cruel. Going by the diagnosis of his childhood psychologist, he suffered from a chronic mental disorder with violent tendencies, an inability to love, and a lack of remorse or guilt. At age thirteen, he showed all the traits of a psychopath. Dismembering stray cats was the beginning of his vile and sadistic behavior.

  Although, it wasn’t like he had the best upbringing. His father was an abusive drunk, and his mother felt trapped, fearing if she left him, he would track her down and kill her. He’d witnessed firsthand all the threats and abuse his mother endured. As he dredged up those painful memories, his body responded to the remembered horror of his mother’s battered and bruised body. His heart ached just thinking about it. He brought his hand up and touched the center of his chest. He would never forget that one horrific day. The worst day of his life. It was a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon. He was only five years old at the time, but he remembered that tragic incident like it was yesterday. His mother was late coming home after a run to the liquor store to appease his father’s addiction. By the time she arrived, he was already in a drunken stupor. In a fit of rage, he repeatedly kicked and beat her. No matter how much he pleaded and begged his father to stop, the bastard continued his brutality. Before his father beat his mother unconscious, she dragged herself over to him and reached out. She could barely open her swollen eyes. She said one last thing before he watched the light in her eyes dim and then go out.

  “Don’t ever forget... Mommy will always love you.”

  He could still hear himself calling out to her over and over again.

  That was the day his life changed forever, and when he shot his father. As he thought back on that day, he was surprised at that young age he was capable of firing his father’s 9mm semiautomatic pistol. Although it didn’t kill him, he had meant for it to.

  When the neighbors heard the blast from the gun, they called the police. As they arrived, he still had it in his hand and aimed at his father. He would never forget the female officer that arrived at the scene. She had dark skin, braided hair, and big brown, caring eyes. He kept her face and the sound of her voice embedded in his memory.

  “Put the gun down, honey.” Her voice had been soft and comforting like his mother’s. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt anyone. We’re here to help you.”

  “He hurt my mommy,” I remember hearing myself tell the officer. “I won’t let him hurt her no more.”

  “I know,” the officer soothed, her expression softening with understanding. “What’s your name, honey?”

  “Joseph,” I answered, looking at the officer with troubled blue eyes that seemed to carry a lifetime of violence and pain behind them.

  “Okay, listen to me, Joseph. My name is Officer Katie, and I’m here to help you. Do you understand?”

  When I nodded an understanding, she continued to say, “I promise I won’t let anyone hurt your mother, but I need you to do something for me.” She knelt down and held out her hand. “Please, Joseph. Please give me the gun.”

  “I can’t,” I told her. “He’ll kill her.”

  Back then, he wasn’t the cold and calculating person he was today. He was just a scared little boy trying to protect his mother. It took almost thirty minutes, but finally, Officer Katie coaxed him into giving her the gun. Then, he remembered watching as the paramedics loaded his mother into the ambulance and drove away.

  The next day, she suffered from an aneurysm, caused by all the blunt force and died in the hospital. Immediately following her death, the police arrested his father. Charged with aggravated assault in the first degree, the judge sentenced him to twenty years in prison. During his father’s trial and with no other living relatives, he’d been placed in foster care. Spending most of his childhood in the system wasn’t exactly any better than what he had at home. He’d gone through ten foster families before he was carted off in a straitjacket—due to his psychopathic behavior—and put into a mental institution where he spent most of his adolescent years.

  Twenty-one years later, here he was, rehabilitated and back in the real world. During the years he’d spent in the mental hospital, he quickly mastered the skills of manipulation. He said all the right words and all the things his therapists wanted to hear. For good behavior and therapeutic reasons, they allowed him to take online college courses of which were fund
ed by the government. The day the institute finally discharged him, believing he’d been cured, it wasn’t long before he landed a job as a freelance journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle. For the first year, despite the fact that he’d been released, it was mandatory to check in with his therapist on a weekly basis.

  Soon after, he discovered his father’s whereabouts. A year prior, after doing his time, dear ol’ dad was now living as a civilian. His father should have killed him when he had the chance, or better yet, made his mother abort him before he was ever born. No amount of therapy, drugs, or shock treatment could cure what he was. If you were unlucky enough to be one of his victims, the monsters in your worst nightmares would be nothing compared to what his father had created. At least in a dream, you always woke up.

  Growing up in an abusive household was just something he learned to cope with. No matter how hard he wished it, he couldn’t change the hand that had been dealt. He couldn’t stop himself from wishing things were different, though. That maybe he could have been born into a normal family.

  His mind took him back to that day, to the memories of when his father took his last gurgling breath. He’d sliced his throat so deep, it nearly severed his head. There was so much blood. He was gratified to watch his father’s life drain in a pool of crimson red. He had been planning to kill him the day a social worker delivered the dreadful news of his mother’s death. At that moment, it was as if something evil—a dark, soulless entity—clawed its way inside of him and inhabited his body. It was the day he heard the voice whisper in his head. It introduced itself as the Shadow and spoke to him in a way that was both soothing and malicious. Although he was just a child, the Shadow gave him courage, taught him things, helped him survive, and kept his mind focused for all those years. Focused on one thing. To kill.

  While he reminisced of the past, and before his imagination got the best of him, someone caught his eye. Across the crowded dance floor, a young girl with long blonde hair, dressed in a pink strapless top and a pair of tight jeans stood by the bar observing all the social misfits.