Gods & Monsters: The Gods & Monsters Trilogy Book 1

by Janie Marie

  “She’s still out there,” Jason said.

  David’s blood felt warm under his fingers when his arms were free of the little boy. He looked into Jason’s eyes and to Nathan with a sense of peace. Nathan was safe. He was with his father, and so was Natalie. Jane had her family back.

  He knew Jane would stay alive for them. He knew she wouldn’t let herself be killed out there—she was stronger than him. Not to mention, she had the Angel of Death wrapped around her little finger.

  David smiled to himself. “I love her,” he said, not caring what Jason thought. “Tell her it’s okay… Death is okay.” He could see Jason frowning and closed his eyes as he hissed from the pain still boiling inside him. “It’s okay to love him. Let her be happy.”

  “Daddy,” Natalie cried. “Help him, Daddy.”

  “Drop the shield, Jane!” someone yelled.

  She felt the wind picking up from somewhere.

  “Grab her!”

  Jane squinted from the flickering red light as she tried to focus on the monstrous figures beating against her wall.

  “Now, Jane!”

  She didn’t know what they wanted her to do… She could barely hear herself hyperventilating as she was.

  “DAMMIT!” Someone yelled over the whirring sounds all around them.

  Several sets of arms quickly wrapped around her body and pulled her to the ground, causing her to drop control of her force field.

  Blasts louder than she’d ever heard in her entire life shook the ground and bursts of blinding light lit up the airfield as several different aircrafts—at least two helicopters and one plane—unleashed hell on the horde in front of them.

  The air seemed to tremble from the cannon fire as the gunship circled above, delivering a constant assault from their cannons and Gatling guns. While the plane continued its pylon turn, two military helicopters hovered above the ground where she and the knights had been standing, massacring their attackers.

  The deafening screams and blasts had her covering her ears just as someone lifted her off the ground. Her hair whipped around her face as the person carrying her started to run to the plane, that judging by the louder whirring sound and dust kicking up, was preparing for take-off.

  The deep banging sound from the cannons shot off in rounds of ten, sending debris and body parts flying through the air. Total chaos.

  “Are they with us?” She didn’t even know why she was asking as she watched the werewolf and vampire army trying to escape.

  “They’re our human allies,” said Lamorak, who she realized was the person running with her. “Aw, shit.”

  “What?” She saw Bedivere run inside the plane, yelling out for Arthur to keep her back.

  “Where’s David?” she yelled. Lamorak sat her down and pointed across the plane. “DAVID!”

  David smiled at the sound of Natalie’s soft voice, and although he could hear the muffled sound of explosions, and the whirring of the plane’s engine, he thought he heard Jane calling him.

  David looked over and saw Nathan staring down at him through teary eyes, and then he moved his gaze over to the adorable little girl who resembled the woman he had been dreaming of for centuries.

  “Jane,” he said. “My baby.”

  “NO!”

  He swore now he could hear Jane, but he kept staring at Natalie and Nathan, seeing the features of the woman he loved staring back at him through them.

  “No, David!”

  Jane’s voice sounded closer, but everything had become so dark. He wished he could see her face one last time. So, he sighed and closed his eyes to see the beautiful, hazel eyes that blessed his dreams during so many lonely nights.

  “Look at me, David.” The voice sounded like Jane, but he couldn’t open his eyes to look. She probably wasn’t even there.

  “I love you, baby,” he said anyway.

  “I know you do.” Her voice was shaking. “Please look at me. Don’t leave me.”

  He wanted to stay with her, but he knew he couldn’t. “Stay with Death, baby.”

  “No!” Her voice was stronger.

  “He loves you. It’s okay.”

  “No, David.” Her voice was growing softer. He wanted to make sure she knew it was okay to go with Death.

  “My love.” He heard her cries for him to wake up. “Be happy.” It took everything he had left to open his mouth. “I love you.”

  He had no more control over his body, but he saw her come closer, lighting up the darkness like the moon brightens the night sky.

  His angel, his Jane… She smiled at him in the dark.

  He smiled back…

  Jane pressed down on one of David’s many wounds. His body was cold but the blood seeping through her fingers was still hot. “Please.” She cried. “Please God…. Bedivere, will he be okay?”

  Bedivere looked up but said nothing as he returned his attention to David’s wounds.

  Gawain dropped down behind her and held on to her as the plane began to move. Several of the other knights grabbed David’s body and the bolted-down benches to keep him from rolling as the plane lifted off.

  She shook back and forth while tears poured down her face. “David, wake up!” She patted his cheek once the plane leveled out.

  He didn’t respond and they all watched his color grow paler.

  Bedivere and other men she did not recognize began to work on him, but she refused to leave. She did look around to see that her family was strapped on a bench while another person applied bandages to Jason.

  They made eye contact briefly, but she looked back to David as blood poured out of his mouth.

  She cried, wiping it away. “Don’t, David. Don’t… I—” She didn’t even know what she was going to tell him.

  She looked at the man closest to her. “Draw my blood for him.”

  “Jane you’re too weak,” Bedivere said without looking up.

  “Take my blood now!”

  Tristan came up behind her and ripped her sleeve to prep her arm.

  She looked back at David and held her arm out for Tristan. Silver liquid like she’d never seen before seeped from each bloody hole on David’s back. There was no way to remove it like Bedivere had done to her.

  Jane looked down at David’s white face in sorrow. This couldn’t be happening. He was her warrior—always strong, unbreakable. “My David,” she whispered.

  She held his hand in hers tightly. They propped him on his side, ripping his shirt and exposing his back. It revealed numerous bullet holes across his beautiful skin. He had been Nathan’s shield.

  Jane stopped paying attention to what they did to him and looked down at her tears dripping onto their joined hands.

  She couldn’t lose him.

  “Jane,” said Bedivere.

  She looked up and saw defeat in his eyes. Shaking her head, she tore her eyes away to stare at Arthur. His pale-blue gaze held nothing but despair.

  Her lips trembled and she screamed. “No, fix him! He’s strong… I can’t lose him. Arthur!” She sobbed, shaking as she lifted his hand to her face. “He’s my David… He’s my David.”

  Gawain tried to pull her away. “Come away, Jane.”

  She pushed him back with a growl. “NO! I won’t lose him!”

  “Jane, there is nothing else to be done,” Bedivere said. “His wounds are too great and the silver is in his system. He’s practically human. I’m sorry.”

  Again they tried to pull her away, but she screamed. “DON’T TOUCH ME!”

  She breathed heavily and held herself in front of him as if it would protect David somehow.

  The knights, some with tears in their eyes, nodded and moved away.

  After they left her, she turned back to David. She squeezed his cold hand tightly and kissed his bloody knuckles. It was the first time she knowingly kissed a part of him. “I won’t lose you,” she repeated over and over, kissing his fingers, touching his cold cheek with her trembling hands. “You said you’d always be here—that you wouldn�
��t leave me. You said I didn’t have to be alone…. Don’t leave me here. If you die—” She stopped talking and kissed his fingers again.

  An hour passed. No more tears fell from Jane’s eyes, but the pain inside her heart continued to grow.

  David suddenly coughed and began to make choking noises as blood lined his lips. His body shook, and she sobbed because no one even came closer. Some of them held their heads in their hands while others watched with tears in their eyes. It was too late.

  “Please, no.” She cried, wiping the blood and holding him still. “Don’t leave me.”

  David’s body went rigid, and more blood spilled out of his mouth.

  “Please, God!” She cried, squeezing her eyes shut because a blinding, white light filled the cabin of the plane.

  She tried to open her eyes, but a second burst of light forced her to keep them shut while two sets of footsteps walked closer.

  The words were not spoken aloud, but she heard them clearly in her mind: You’re not alone, Jane...

  THE GODS & MONSTERS TRILOGY

  CONTINUES

  Gods & Monsters Book Two:

  THE FALLEN QUEEN

  FALL 2017

  Even immortality can have its tragedies.

  Jane’s impressive powers allowed her to secure her family’s safety but at a terrible cost. Now, with a message from two mysterious beings, a new series of trials begins on Jane’s heart, mind, and soul.

  The plague was just the beginning. Thrust among the most wicked creatures, she will learn more truths about the myths and monsters of her world, and the extent of the power she holds. However, it is the source of her power that is her most evil rival, and this time, Death will not be there to save her. She will have to face her inner demon and new enemies all on her own.

  Death’s absence gives Lucifer a greater opportunity to acquire Jane than ever before. His interest in her is unclear but one thing is certain, he desires to see her fall. Perhaps, though, that has been Jane’s destiny all along.

  How else can darkness end if she, the most evil monster of them all, remains?

  ✧

  Gods & Monsters Book Three:

  THE LIGHT BRINGER

  SPRING 2018

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  Visit www.janiemariebooks.com or sign up for her MAILING LIST to receive publishing updates & exclusive bonus chapters.

  Acknowledgments

  I had never given any thought about writing a story before. It was my best friend who planted the seed. Tifani passed away in March 2010 from cervical cancer. But she is the reason I took the broken pieces of my heart and soul and turned them into something magical.

  Tifani, you are not here for me to hand you this book, and I cannot see you smile because I managed to bring all of our favorite fantasies to life on the page, but I know your star will shine a little brighter every time this story is read. I love you, always.

  ✧

  I have been blessed to meet some wonderful people as a writer. One of those amazing people happens to be author Ashley Claudy. We became friends shortly after becoming fans of each other, and I cannot thank God enough that our friendship blossomed into what it is today.

  Honestly, and I know you always tell me I would have eventually gotten here, but I know this book is in my hands because of you. Thank you for being such an incredible friend. Thank you for listening to me, pushing me, encouraging me, for drawing stick Janie’s on the laps of sexy men. Haha. I cherish you and our friendship so very much. I’m so thankful I had you throughout this process, and I’m so happy you’re a daily part of my life. I love you.

  ✧

  To my babies: Tristan, Keira, and Evangeline—you three are my heart. Thank you for understanding when Mommy was stressing out. Thank you for listening when I talked about my story and characters, and for not being too concerned when Mommy repeatedly admitted Death was her soul mate. It’s okay—Daddy knows all about him.

  Siah… Babe, I love you. You are my rock. I would not be able to make my characters so lovely if I didn’t experience the love you gift me with. Thank you for pushing me when I wanted to give up, and every ten minutes I doubted myself. Thank you for sticking up for me when I was laughed at, for being a wonderful father—for buying me Dr. Pepper and fries when I’d forget to eat while I was writing. Thank you for reading even though you don’t like to read… I could go on and on, so I will just say one more time, thank you and I love you.

  ✧

  I’d like to say a huge thank you to my two beta teams: The Fearsome 14 and The Captain Queen’s Dreaded Beta Team. Ashley Claudy, Shawn Gunnin, Kristi Faehse, Zeyba Haider, Kaitlyn Zantello, Elaine Stipe, Sheila Krieger, Dinah Jellema, Desiree Grana Feliu, Kelly Mahmud, Kat Walker, Emily Vaughan(always went the extra mile and helped catch so many more mistakes that would have made me seem like a fool. I know you will be an amazing editor one day.), Katie Foley, Laura Rincon, Leah Blundell, Jéssica Reis, Fabia Ali, Uness Denniston, Sadhbh Ni Fhlaithbheartaigh, Aisha GK, Zahlé Eloff, Emily Croft, Éabha Puirséil, Maria Reyes, Shane Rana, Ailen Mondejar, Amanda Brandow, Zatunia DC, I love each and every one of you. You are so much more than my betas—you are my friends, and I will never forget your hard work, kindness, and encouragement. You have all been such an incredible support. You ladies are my warriors. Thank you for being on this journey with me.

  ✧

  A special thanks to author Katarina Tonks. When I was in a very dark place, your stories breathed life back into me. Thank you for making me smile in the dark, for making me laugh when I had no one else, and for helping me see that it really was okay to believe Death was beautiful.

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  To my mom and dad, thank you for everything. Both of you always do whatever you can to help me, and I hope, if I can be successful as an author, you can be at peace knowing I became something great enough to stand on my own. I do not always say it, but I love you.

  ✧

  I’d also like to thank my old co-workers who became my friends. We drifted apart after I left, but I cannot thank you enough for the support you guys gave when I was falling apart. Thank you for listening me go on and on about my stories, for those who read my horrible first drafts and said, one day, you’ll be a published author, and I shrugged, not believing I could do it. Thank you for being there when I reach out to you. Love you.

  ✧

  Finally, thank you to my wonderful readers. You guys are my cheer section. I never expected support and to have had it from so many people all across the world has been an incredible experience. Thank you.

  I do want to say an extra thank you to the readers who’ve read G&M over and over—every version—and you still send me praise that makes me truly feel like your Captain Queen. You guys are incredible.

  Kisses from your Captain Queen,

  Janie Marie

  About the Author

  Janie Marie is a wife and mother of three. She devotes her time to her family, her characters, and her fans. She enjoys entertaining her readers by giving them glimpses of their favorite characters outside of the worlds she brought them to life in. She’s often questioned if she is indeed their creator, or if the men her readers adore are truly behind the keyboard. She’ll never tell.

  Janie’s decision to allow readers to know she’s placed so much of herself in her characters has often been met with harsh criticism, but she refuses to change them or herself. They are her, and she is them. She wrote to grieve, and she cannot abandon her saviors.

  She prefers readers think for themselves when they are in her worlds. She’ll leave bread crumbs, but she’ll only let readers put the pieces together when she’s ready for them to see. You will find Janie likes to bring certain character souls, as she calls them, to life in the other worlds she makes. She does this for many reasons, and she hopes it enhances the reading experience for those who follow her on every adventure she’s prepared to share.

  Her wish is simply that readers who manage to make it to the end of her stories take something away
, and keep it with them always.

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  Janie is most active with her fans inside her private Facebook group and Instagram. You can also sign up for her mailing list to receive important book news and exclusive bonus chapters.

  Follow Janie’s Amazon profile to be alerted as soon as future books go live!

  Follow Janie

  @janiemarie1617

  JanieMarie.author

  www.janiemariebooks.com

  Coming Soon

  WHO’S AFRAID OF THE

  BIG BAD WOLF?

  A Novel

  Highly anticipated Dark Teen-Fiction inspired by various fairy tales.

  www.janiemariebooks.com/waotbbw

  ✧

  THE WOLF PRINCE

  A Gods & Monsters Novel

  (prequel/spinoff)

  www.janiemariebooks.com/thewolfprince

  ✧

  Thank you for reading.

  Please consider posting a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

  It’s the greatest sign of appreciation an author can receive.