by Honor James
Beyond the Veil 5
Azure’s Warriors
Being given an assignment to assist royalty hadn’t been high on Drake or Volos’s list of things to do. Finding out the royalty they are protecting happens to be their mate makes the assignment a lot more interesting. Azure Bloom isn’t anything like they’d expected, she’s a whole lot more in every way.
Her race has stayed hidden for centuries. Azure Bloom knows that now is the time to change that. Her abilities are needed to protect the Races from a threat no one knows exists. It won’t be easy, it takes so much out of her each time, but it has to be done in order to protect everyone.
Nerves will be tested, patience worn thin, and a love between mates forged as they do what they must. Azure must rely upon her mates, her warriors, if they are all to survive the coming days. A storm is brewing on the horizon, one that will push all their limits in the days to come.
Genre: Furturistic, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Science Fiction
Length: 65,216 words
AZURE'S WARRIORS
Beyond the Veil 5
Honor James
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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AZURE'S WARRIORS
Copyright © 2015 by Honor James
E-book ISBN: 978-1-63258-277-5
First E-book Publication: January 2015
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2015 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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DEDICATION
To my readers, I love you all. Please keep reading and keep letting me know what you think of my books.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
About the Author
AZURE'S WARRIORS
Beyond the Veil 5
HONOR JAMES
Copyright © 2015
Prologue
July 6, 2014
“Good evening, people of Earth,” Jonathan said into the camera. Unlike previous months, he and Casey both looked a little more harried. “Welcome to our show this evening of July sixth, 2014. We are afraid that tonight’s news will be less than pleasant, as it has been in previous months.”
Casey, at his side, nodded solemnly and turned a sad look to the camera. “An attack upon an envoy of representatives from the other side of the Veil has reignited war on our world. Not that it apparently ever stopped, from what we’ve discovered.”
“Very true, Casey,” Jonathan said softly. “Certain factions of our very government have been working to infiltrate the Veil and attack the Races. Last evening, they succeeded and quite nearly killed a Vhampire Regent as he was meeting with men on the front line on his side of the Veil, men who were there to help protect the innocents of their realm from attacks from our side. Three are confirmed dead, with another six in serious but stable condition as of this news broadcast. The Regent suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries as well as a dozen others at the site.”
“Because of the temporary treaty that had been signed between Earth and the various realms, this means that we are now fully embroiled in war again.” Casey looked away from the camera to take a shaky breath.
Jonathan reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it as he stared into the camera with a serious expression. “All civilians are to get to their nearest designated bunker as quickly as possible. If you are not able to safely make your way to a bunker, you are to tack a white cloth, towel, shirt, anything white, in your window. Soldiers will come to you and escort you to safety. No civilians are permitted to remain in their homes. Only bunkers are being considered off-limits by those of the realms. If you are in your home, you are within the designated fire zones and your safety is considered a non-issue.”
Swallowing visibly, he let his hand fall to the desk. “I will repeat that. Everyone that is a civilian must get to a bunker. Your homes will not protect you in this coming war. A white piece of cloth must be placed in your window if you cannot get to safety on your own, and soldiers will come to escort you. We are at war.” He shook his head slowly and sighed. “And this time, we may not survive it.”
* * * *
August 14, 2014
“Good evening, citizens of Earth,” Casey said into the camera. “Jonathan and I are reporting to you live from a bunker deep within old New York. Today, the city, as well as Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami, were taken over by those of the realm and declared non-human zones. Any humans within these zones will now be considered combatants. If you are a civilian and are found by any of those from the rea
lm, please surrender immediately. Raise your hands over your head and kneel immediately upon discovery. They are not going to give you more than one chance to surrender.”
“That’s right, Casey,” Jonathan said, visibly upset. “The Council of the Races has released a statement that you can find posted in every bunker in multiple places.” He held up a sheet before turning it to face him. “In essence, they state that they tried to be peaceful with us and give us a chance to prove we were above treachery and such heinous acts. We failed. While they recognize that the acts of the few cannot be held over the many, they will not take any chances with the safety of their people. If anyone resists capture by their forces, they will be marked a combatant and appropriate measures to disable you will result. If you continue to resist, you will be terminated, should all other measures prove ineffective.”
“They are not kidding, people,” Casey said, her voice slightly desperate. “We did this to them, our government just couldn’t accept things as they were and started this war up again. Don’t fight them, they will not harm you if you don’t resist. We have been given information on a daily basis about the prisoners that the Races of the realms have captured. They are being tended for with a compassion I seriously doubt any of you would give in a similar situation.”
“Casey,” Jonathan squeezed her arm lightly. “She’s right, folks. Our government betrayed us all and brought this war to us again. Do the right thing and don’t prolong it. Surrender peacefully and let’s get back to our lives.”
* * * *
November 18, 2014
“We’ve just gotten word,” Jonathan said quietly. “We regret to inform all the people of Earth that the French Prime Minister and his family were killed recently. While reports coming from the American government state that those of the realms made the kills, we have proof, video as well as statements freely given, that in fact, they were killed by a group of humans. At this time, we don’t know what this newest faction is calling themselves, though various reports state they are going by Human Freedom.”
“We can’t yet confirm if this is, in fact, the name of this latest faction,” Casey said into the camera. “But we will bring you more information as it becomes available. Our thoughts tonight are with the slain and we all pray that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice.”
* * * *
December 25, 2014
“It is Christmas Day here on Earth,” Casey said. “Unfortunately, it will be one without many gifts, joy or revelry as war continues to rage across the globe. Human Freedom has hit us again, hard, by striking at the English Prime Minister and his family. We are happy to report, though, that the attack was thwarted by a military group from the other side of the Veil. The group, who wishes to remain anonymous for good reason, were able to get to the Prime Minister and his family prior to the strike being launched. They got them out of harm’s way and have gotten them to a bunker in London.”
“Because the Prime Minister and his family were targets of our own people, the group didn’t consider them appropriate prisoners of war. According to a statement sent to us from the Council of the Races, the group has the right to make such calls in the field, and the Council supports them for their decision. The Council also states that those of Human Freedom will be found and put on trial before all of the races, humans included, for their treasonous acts against their own people.”
“Nothing less than they deserve,” Casey said. “To those of you safe and sound in bunkers, this is Casey and Jonathan wishing you a safe Christmas Day.”
* * * *
March 4, 2015
“An explosion rocked Shanghai last night as several buildings were destroyed. The group known as Human Freedom is claiming the acts under their banner. Due to the location of these buildings, two bunkers in Shanghai have been compromised. The Council of the Races sent in troops to escort all humans within to safety at other bunkers. We are happy to report that, beyond a few scrapes and bruises, as well as a few concussions, no human lives were taken by this act of terrorism.”
“That’s right, Jonathan,” Casey said. “We’re happy to hear that everyone is safe and secure in new locations tonight and we thank those of the races for doing what they could to assist our people. The Council has also put a reward out on the heads of each and every member of this terrorist faction, Human Freedom. If anyone has any information about the members or their locations, they are to report it to the heads of each bunker, who will then pass the information through the channels needed. No word on what the reward is yet, but given how generous the races are, we can only imagine.”
Jonathan nodded and smiled tightly at her. “They are quite generous,” he agreed. “In other news, the entire European governmental structure has collapsed. This includes England, Wales, France, Spain, Germany, the Ukraine, as well as several other countries. Greece and Italy still have governments in place, but have moved all officials to undisclosed locations in an effort to ensure their safety from the group Human Freedom. Human Freedom has claimed responsibility for all acts against the foreign governments and state that they will continue to destroy them and the people supporting them until someone stands up and does what is necessary to remove the infestation infecting our realm.”
“Disgusting,” Casey muttered. “The Council hasn’t responded to these threats and, from sources inside, we understand they don’t plan on any verbal exchange. The only response that will be given will be the death of each member of Human Freedom.”
* * * *
June 24, 2015
“Human Freedom has come into possession of nuclear weapons,” Jonathan reported to the world. “We are unclear just where they got these, and if they found them, or if they were supplied to them. All we know at this time is that if you are not yet in a bunker, you must, must get to one as quickly as you can. We don’t know when or where they may choose to use these devices. We are also unsure just what sorts of weapons they have gotten their hands on.”
Casey was frowning to someone off screen and took a sheet of paper. Reading it, her entire face went white. “Oh God,” she whispered passing it over to Jonathan.
“Son of a—” he cut himself off and looked into the camera. “We’ve just gotten word that a nuclear detonation has occurred just outside of Moscow. The bunker there has been destroyed. Human Freedom has just claimed the lives of five hundred and twenty-two men, women and children as well as untold numbers of soldiers in the area. The Council of the Races has been notified and send their condolences to all the people of Earth for this loss. They are also sending more troops through, many of whom are trained to hunt. The sole targets of these hunters are the monsters known as Human Freedom.”
Chapter One
August 14, 2035
Knowing a person, and truly realizing the person that they are, are not always the same things. To truly know a person, you have to know what they like, don’t like, and the things that make them tick. No, to truly know someone, you have to know not only what a person is to all others, AKA the face of a person, but you also have to learn that deep and true person that they really are. That terrifying and scary person that they hide from one and all. That being that can be so dark, so dangerous and so horrifying that you find that you never really knew them at all.
Azure Bloom looked at the paper target before her and wanted to rip it down just so that she could destroy it all the more. She wanted to turn it into confetti, or burn it. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her anger away. She refused to allow it to control her, because for her people to allow anger in was a death toll on their very core being.
Calming herself once more, she looked to her guard and rolled her eyes. “I am not going to be harmed here. I am at Council Headquarters, for mercy’s sakes. One would think that I would be safe here.”
“Pardon, Princess. However, we can never be too careful with your safety,” the guard with the ice-white hair and muscles upon muscles told her, a glimmer of amusement in his silver eyes showing that he
was teasing her, mostly.
“The threats are still coming in?” she whispered as she placed the weapon on the box for her other guard.
“Yes, Majesty. Unfortunately.” There was honest sadness in his voice. “That is why we cannot be too careful with your safety.”
“One would think that the humans would be used to meeting the Races from the other side of the Veil by now,” she replied.
“Yes, Majesty. However, this is the first time that they will be meeting one of our race. It is also unusual that the leader of a world, the ruler of our people, would be the one to make first contact with these Humans.”
“I am tired of hiding. I am tired of our race, our world, remaining hidden. We are part of the Planetary Consortium, so of course it’s time for us to come forth. We lost people in the war as well.”
“Yes, but no one truly knows that because you ensured they were all brought home and not left waiting or wondering. You ensured that the bodies were never left to rot on this miserable world.”
“No, that was Father.” She spoke quickly, her tone rushed.
“Majesty, your father was a great and amazing man, but we both know the truth for what it is. He was a great man, but he was not the one that ensured that no man or woman was left unaccounted for. He never had that power.”
