We Shall Rise

By J.E. Hopkins

War surrounds him, yet for vampire Kaden Gaspard, there is no greater battle than the one his mind has waged against his heart. He knows he should stay away from her. Reysa. The half-breed vampire warrior who had risked her life to prove his innocence for the seven murders for which he was accused, but had not committed. This stubbornly loyal woman who dedicated her life to her family of misfits - immortals shunned and abandoned by their clans for their impurity of blood and genetic mutations. This courageous and valiant African warrior who Kaden fears could never love the monster that he is destined to be.

As Kaden and Reysa struggle to accept the undeniable bond between them, they must come together to stop the emerging terror that threatens to destroy all immortals. The lesser immortals – witches, sages, shifters, demons, hybrids, charmers and foreseers – have declared war against the pureblood vampires and lycans who have used their purity of blood and greater strength to enslave the weaker races. No immortal is safe. This is a fight for freedom and a fight against genocide. There can be no true victor as death looms for them all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.E. Hopkins
• Release date: Oct 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466170032

J.E. Hopkins

I have been writing ever since I can remember. It has always been a passion of mine. It's the perfect way to express whatever emotions I'm feeling for which I cannot vocalize. Writing is my true voice. It's also an avenue to let loose the creative juices that are constantly flowing but that have no place in my primary profession.I am a full-time practicing attorney in New York. My original plan when I began college at New York University was to become a sports reporter. That dream eventually passed (although my interest has not waned) and I went to law school immediately after completing my undergraduate degree. Ever since then I have been practicing law and enjoying every moment of the profession. Although I loved the law, I missed the excitement of creative writing—telling stories and evoking emotions with words. That inspired me to finally realize my dream of writing a novel.In 2007 I published my first novel, The Broken. It's an emotional story of a young woman's journey to overcome the devastation of years of horrid child abuse at the hands of her uncle. At the time, I had not intended on writing another story, but reawakening my love of writing led me to create Lover's Betrayal. As long as that desire is there, I will continue to write stories I hope others enjoy as much as I enjoy creating them.

Book preview

We Shall Rise

Misfits of the Lore Series

By J.E. Hopkins

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 J.E. Hopkins

All rights reserved. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Prologue

We Shall Rise

For years we have suffered at their hands while they demeaned us, abused us, and threw us away like worthless trash. We weren’t pure enough, strong enough, or brave enough to stand by their sides. We were not worthy.

For years we have sat idly by, watching them take what was ours and leave us with meager scraps they deemed good enough for the mucks of society they made us believe we were. We have been stripped of all pride, beaten of all self-worth, and left in poverty while the purity continues to rise off the backs of our labor and our abilities. Our abilities that were not good enough to deems us worthy of a place by their side but sufficient for them to use and manipulate for their own gain.

For years we have allowed the purists to weaken us to the point we have no belief in ourselves, our gifts, or our value. Rather than fight our oppressors, we wage war against our fellow marginalized kin, as if to defeat those weaker than ourselves would give us the respect that the purists continue to deny. We have nearly destroyed each other in a feeble effort to restore the pride the purists have stolen from us.

For years we have been complicit in the purist abuse of our kinds by not defending ourselves and allowing them to scare us into obedience. We’ve been silent when we should have made ourselves be heard. We surrendered while never fighting for our rights. We allowed ourselves to be the victims of our own fear and the purists used that fear to control us. We gave them the power over us. We shall now take this power back.

It is time, my brothers and sisters, that we unite and rise against the tyranny of the purists. It is time they learn to fear us. It is time they learn that we are not the instruments for their success. It is time we demand that our voices be heard. It is our time, my brothers and sisters.

We will no longer be their slaves. The reign of terror caused by the bloodsuckers and beasts shall come to an end. Death to the vampires and werewolves and glory to us all.

We shall rise and the purists shall fall.

Chapter 1

Another dead end! Reysa growled as she kicked a chair in the wall leaving a pile of dust in its wake. Kaden watched as the sexy warrior goddess paced back and forth cursing their failure to find any answers.

Kaden could not keep his eyes off those statuesque, delectable milk chocolate legs that he knew led to secrets his body craved to discover. If only that tight leather skirt would rise a little further and give him that glimpse of heaven in which he would regrettably never be able to indulge.

Reysa’s frustration emanated from her skin with every step she took. High-heeled black leather boots clicking as they stomped the ground in disgust. Her movements hypnotized him, yet she seemed completely unaware of her power. Too much anger to see the passion she stirred—the passion only she could awaken in him.

Kaden knew words of comfort would be appropriate, but his body was too busy reacting to the desire he could not suppress for this half-breed vampire. The evidence of that desire was becoming more difficult to hide as he shifted his pants for the umpteenth time, hoping Reysa would not notice the obvious sign of his desperate ache for her. Of course she would notice. Vampires could smell arousal and Kaden’s need was an overwhelming fragrance—the intensity of which shocked him.

Kaden shook his head, trying to erase the burgeoning lust his mind fought to suppress. He hated the fact that this woman turned him into a horny teenager, pining for the unattainable. He needed to focus on the reason they were standing in this dump of a warehouse somewhere in the backwoods of Danville, Virginia—the search for Yasmine.

Yasmine was the younger sister of his murdered best friend, Maddie, for which he still blamed himself, since the killer had been his ex. Helena, his psychopathic succubus stalker had killed seven innocent women whose only crime had been to share Kaden’s bed. None of these women deserved the brutal fate they endured, but Maddie most of all should not have suffered such a cruel fate. She was the first person who understood Kaden. She accepted him including the dark side of his soul he struggled to control. Maddie was his light when the rest of his world remained black and now she was gone. Her light was extinguished way too soon. The only gift he could give her was to find her sister before it was too late.

This was the fourteenth place they had searched for the missing witch Yasmine. It had been three weeks of searching, yet they were no closer to answers as to where Yasmine was or how she disappeared. The frustration was getting to them all. He owed it to Maddie to find her sister. Although he couldn’t save Maddie from his past mistakes, he would not allow her sister to be harmed. He would look for her no matter how long it took. Yasmine would be found. Alive, he prayed.

Reysa would not give up either. Kaden watched as she stood in the middle of this decrepit warehouse, planning her next move. Her eyes emanated fierce concentration as she internally debated the next best strategy. Defeat was not an option. She was too stubborn to surrender. She would never give up the search for her friend. Loyalty. Another one of her many desirable traits Kaden could not help but admire over the last few weeks. She truly was remarkable. Even a stubborn, jaded vampire like Kaden could not deny that fact.

Reysa was barely eighty years old, a vampire teenager, yet she had managed to unite hundreds of abandoned hybrid immortals—the Misfits of the Lore. She led the Misfits, giving them a home, a family, a place to be accepted despite their flaws. She was both loyal and lethal. She was perfection. No wonder his body responded in such an embarrassing manner every time she was in his presence. It was impossible not to want her, although he knew he could never have her. How he wished his body would understand that Reysa could never be his. He hated his body’s weakness, but understood the hunger as well. If only he could mask his desire so his body reflected the disinterest his face readily faked.

No such luck. Reysa must have noticed his increasing desire as she turned to him replacing that enticing view of her backside with a familiar look of ire on her face. No mask there. Those emerald eyes bore into his skin as if debating whether to rip him to shreds or to seek the relief they both needed. For as much as she pretended to despise him, Kaden could smell her desire as well. Unlike words, the body never lied.

Another intense stare down ensued. Both too stubborn to back away from the other as their bodies beseeched them to join together and relieve this torment. The intensity was too strong. Kaden could feel his skin radiating heat as those green eyes darkened. He was born with the gift of fire—a gift no one could ignite like Reysa.

It was getting harder and harder to resist this temptation, but he would not allow his body to indulge in this pleasure. Too many women suffered because they made the fateful mistake of caring for him. He was damned. He was cursed. He was a blight on this world who destroyed everything he touched. The first victim was his beloved mother Olivia who had been imprisoned for 175 years in a turbulent marriage of hell because of his conception. A marriage that cost her centuries of happiness with her mate Lucian—a marriage that nearly cost her her life. He would never forgive himself for causing her so much pain. Seeing her nearly succumb to a drug she took to escape the nightmare of a life he inadvertently created for her was too much to bear. Olivia may have found happiness now with Lucian, as the mates reunited several weeks ago, but the years of torture would haunt Olivia forever and no one knew how long her body would take to fully heal from the drug that nearly destroyed her. Seeing him was no doubt a dreaded reminder of the past. Olivia would never admit such a thing, her love for him was too great to acknowledge that he alone ruined her life. But for him, she could have had the perfect family with the man she was born to love.

Olivia was not his only victim. He could not deny that Helena’s crimes were partly his fault. She may have used her demonic succubus powers to seduce him, but it was his initial, intentional flirting with her that likely led her to target him. He should have stayed away, respecting that Helena belonged to his brother, Julian, but he couldn’t sit by and let his brother just be happy. He had to ruin that for him as well. He never intended things to go so far, but it was he who got the ball rolling and things magnified beyond his control. Before he knew it, he was having sex with Julian’s fiancée in his brother’s bed. Things continued to spiral down an unrecognizable path where he was one day living with Helena, hating her for making him want her and hating himself for being too weak to resist. Despite his disdain, she loved him to madness.

Suddenly, her obsession led to an impulsive decision to attempt a transformation to turn her into a vampire. She wanted to be like Kaden in every way and she was convinced that being a vampire with him was the only way for them to be one. Kaden had never performed one before and was not quite sure how to do it. He wanted to appease Helena just to end the barrage of nagging and begging she inflicted on him every day. For his own piece of mind, he acquiesced, but the transformation went horribly wrong. Kaden thought Helena had died during the process, but somehow she resurrected into a vile, crazed creature hell bent on destruction. Because of her lunacy, seven women were dead, including his Maddie.

Kaden could never forget the sight of those dead bodies—Maddie’s slain body. These haunting memories were a constant reminder of the toxicity that enveloped him and spread to everything he touched.

That was only the beginning of his crimes. Now this woman stood before him, wanting him as much as he wanted her, but he would not allow her to be another victim. Regardless of how hard he fought his feelings for her, he could not deny that she mattered too much. He could not risk her safety to satisfy his need for her. He would protect her from him, even if she hated him for it. He would rather have her hate than have her death on his hands. Although the former would crush his heart, the latter would destroy him.

Another waste of time, Kaden bitterly acknowledged. Three weeks of nothing. I don’t know where you get your leads from, baby, but you need to find a source that actually has a clue.

Reysa’s lust turned to malice. Look, my folks are doing the best they can to help track down Yas. It’s not like you’ve produced any useful information, yet you have the audacity to complain. Don’t forget, you invited yourself on this mission. I didn’t ask you and frankly, I wish you would just go away. All you do is whine like a two-year-old when you’re not otherwise staring at me like you’re imagining me naked. That’s a bit distracting and repulsive.

She had definitely noticed his attraction for her, Kaden thought. Well, he couldn’t let her believe it was anything other than sexual, but that repulsive comment stung. Before she could blink, he used his supernatural speed to move in front of her. He pressed his body into hers, intensifying the fireworks between them, his strikingly handsome face a mere inch away from hers. The slightest lean forward and he would once again taste the sweetness of her lips. He remembered that one kiss they shared. It may have been a ploy on her part to lure Helena out from hiding, but for him it was the gas that ignited the flame of his buried heart. So often he dreamt of that moment—her taste was so sweet and uniquely Reysa. She was the only elixir that could quench his interminable thirst.

He leaned to the side, burying his face in her neck, breathing in her jasmine scent. Although he was well over six feet, with those heeled boots, Reysa was only a couple of inches shorter.

Breathing in deeply, Kaden responded, You don’t smell repulsed. He pulled back, but remained close, staring intently into Reysa’s darkening eyes. You don’t look repulsed either. You just look hungry.

Kaden knew he was treading dangerous ground here. The goal was to push Reysa far away from the darkness that surrounded him, yet his body screamed for her. What he wouldn’t give for another taste. Maybe one more chance to savor her unique flavor would free him from this dreadful need, but he feared once would never be enough. He would fight this temptation. He would never be a slave to lust again. He barely survived Helena and Reysa already duped him once, using his attraction to get him to comply with her plan. He would not fall victim to his passions again. He would stay in control.

Get away from me, Reysa warned in a calm but lethal voice that signaled Kaden was about to cross a line that would lead to severe pain and not the pleasurable kind.

Kaden wanted her to back down first. He wanted her to be the one to walk away, but Reysa never responded the way he planned. Goading her was the only option.

Too intense for you, Rey? Can’t fight your longing for me? You’re not the first woman who had a hard time resisting and you won’t be the last. I just have that effect on the opposite sex. Don’t be too hard on yourself, babe. Would you like me to kiss you and make your ache go away? Please say yes, Kaden hoped, even though his mind cursed him for asking the dangerous question.

Don’t touch me, Kaden, Reysa warned again.

A smart man might have taken a few steps back and put an end to this tension, but Kaden reveled in the challenge. He enjoyed pushing Reysa to her limits. He wanted to see this beauty explode. She was so close to an eruption. Too close for Kaden to back down now.

Kaden bent his head forward to brush his lips against hers, but before he could savor the taste, Reysa was gone. The next thing he felt was a heel in his ass, launching him through the wall of the warehouse. He dug himself out of the debris and crawled to safety before another portion of the wall collapsed on him. The motion caused a searing pain in his arm. His collarbone was dislocated, but no serious damage. He closed his eyes and quickly tugged his bone back into place as he spat out a mouthful of plaster. The pain was intense, but it would pass. He opened his eyes and saw his favorite pair of legs standing in front of him. He gradually looked up and his eyes met a long, silver sword pointing a little too close to his head.

Those blades were never far from their owner. They were a constant companion to Reysa that she used to protect herself, as well as her fellow Misfits. Her skill was undeniable.

I’m not apologizing for this, Reysa explained shifting the sword to point to Kaden’s neck. I told you to back off, but you wouldn’t listen. You kept pushing and pushing until I had no choice but to push back. It’s not my fault that I pushed a little harder. Next time, when a girl says ‘no,’ you’ll hear her.

Kaden should have been warier of the sword so close to his jugular, but seeing Reysa ready to go all warrior on him left him hard as a rock. His need even more desperate. How pathetic he felt wanting some so deeply and not having the will to resist. His neck was about to get severed by a goddess and all he could think about was tasting her. At least he wasn’t alone feeling this frustrating desire. She wanted him just as much despite her words to the contrary. Her body craved his.

Reysa turned to walk away, but stopped when she heard Kaden’s laughter.

Oh I’ve been listening, darling, Kaden taunted. You’ve never said ‘no’. You can’t say ‘no’. Not your words, not your body, not your scent. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t say it either. That’s ok though as long as neither of us says ‘yes’. Kaden walked over to Reysa, but kept a comfortable distance between them. I could only hurt you Reysa. I could only ruin you. Don’t ever say ‘yes’ to me because I won’t have the strength to say ‘no’ and that will destroy us both.

Kaden walked back to what was left of the warehouse while Reysa watched him disappear into the building. Her body begging her to follow and end this desperate, stifling need for him that consumed her every thought. She couldn’t focus when he was around leering at her with those intense, desire filled eyes wanting her as much as she wanted him. Her body ached for him and the release that only he could provide.

Reysa cursed herself for this weakness. She should be focusing on her missing friend. Somehow her usually muted hormones were roused thanks to that annoying vampire who she wanted to kill as much as she wanted to bed. Kaden was trouble in so many ways and yet that realization ignited her need even more.

He’s right, Reysa. Reysa spun around and saw Julian behind her. She had been so focused on Kaden that she hadn’t sense his younger brother’s presence. Don’t be one of my brother’s victims. You deserve better.

That unnerving protectiveness she felt for Kaden resurfaced. She started feeling that intense desire to defend him weeks ago and it had just grown stronger. Even though she and Kaden regularly traded insults, she could not stand to see anyone else mock him. You shouldn’t be eavesdropping on our conversations. What goes on between me and your brother is none of your business.

Unperturbed, Julian approached her and reached for her hand. It is my business. I won’t let him hurt you. I couldn’t protect Helena from him, but I won’t let him destroy you. You may not want my help, but I’m going to give it to you regardless. Reysa eyes narrowed. Her irritation evident on her face, but Julian would not relent. Look Reysa, I don’t have many friends–or rather any friends–so that leaves you as my best friend. As such, it’s my duty to protect you. I will not let you become another misguided victim of my brother’s dangerous games. He is a selfish bastard. He won’t hesitate to rip your heart to shreds after he’s had his pleasure first.

Reysa bristled at that comment. She could not understand how two brothers could be filled with so much hate for each other, although she suspected that Julian was the one drowning in hatred for Kaden. Kaden cared for Julian more than he would ever admit. She could see it in the way he watched out for his younger brother without him knowing.

Julian, look at me. I’m not some wilting flower. I am fully capable of protecting myself. I appreciate your wish to rescue me, but I’m not that girl who needs a knight-in-shining-armor to come rescue her from a fire-breathing dragon. I don’t need to be saved. I’m more likely to kick someone’s ass, as I just did to your brother, than to have my ass kicked. I’ve been protecting myself since I was a child. I don’t need you or anyone else to come into my life and play hero. I’m not the damsel in distress. I’m my own savior.

You have a point, Julian begrudgingly acknowledged eliciting a smile from Reysa, but please understand that I don’t want to lose anyone else who matters to me. If I can help you stay safe, I have to try. I beg you not to fall for my brother’s charms. He will use your emotions against you. No good comes from loving Kaden. Once you are stuck in his web of destruction, there’s no escape. I’ve been trapped my whole miserable life. Don’t become a prisoner of his darkness.

A frustrated Reysa released Julian’s hand and sat on the pile of debris. For the past few weeks, all any of her friends told her was to stay away from Kaden, Kaden is evil, Kaden will only hurt her. Even her internal buzzer rang repeatedly every time her body stirred at the sight of Kaden’s jade eyes, broad chest and devastating smile. She was tired of all the warnings. She knew there was more to him than the bad seed everyone else saw, but Kaden made it so hard to see the good in him. Some days, she struggled to remember that there was more to Kaden than the bad boy façade he presented. No matter how hard she tried, she could not force Kaden to step out from behind the shadows and welcome the light. It was ultimately his choice, but he always seemed to make the wrong ones.

Jules, I wish I could help him, but I can’t if he won’t help himself. I just think it’s a waste. He has so much to offer, but he refuses to see it and I can’t make him see. If he chooses willful blindness, then I have to choose to let go. I can’t get caught up in his destructiveness. I have too many people who depend on me including a very impressionable daughter. I can’t devote everything to him at the expense of everything and everyone else. Not if he’s not willing to try. I just wish you could help him, Jules. You’re brothers. Blood brothers. I would give my life, my soul, my world for my sister, Lina. We do not share blood, but we share a bond of love no blood relation could exceed. I know he’s hurt you, but I also see how much he regrets it and wants to make amends with you if you would allow it.

Julian’s flustered blue eyes focused on Reysa’s. Amends? Are you serious? As soon as I let him in, he will just destroy the little life I have left. He’s spent a lifetime trying to ruin me. I’m not going to make it easy for him to strip me of everything. Kaden is a disease that spreads and continues to gnaw at you year after year until all you have left is the incurable disease and no desire to survive anymore. The disease won’t kill you, but it will make you want to die just to escape it. I’ve been infected for 164 years and I’m not sure how much longer I can survive my brother’s poison.

His pained words horrified a shaken Reysa. Her eyes were fighting back tears she was too proud to let escape. Don’t feel sorry for me Reysa. I’ve spent years pitying myself and I’ve hurt myself in the process. Just do me the favor of saving yourself from Kaden. Stay strong and fight whatever feelings you think you may have for him. Please don’t allow him to infect you with this disease. Don’t end up a miserable mess like me. Do that for me.

It felt like a tug of war for her heart, and with every passing moment, it splintered further as she struggled to balance her new, but cherished friendship with Julian and her unstoppable yearning for Kaden. She would have to fight this unwelcomed need for Kaden for the sake of all she loved and herself. She leaned into Julian resting her head on his shoulder. I wish things could have been different for you and him. My heart breaks for you two. I will try to do as you ask, but I’m asking you to do something for me as well. Forgive him. Not for him, but for you. That’s the only way your soul will find peace. Kaden is not the disease you’re trying to survive. It’s the bitterness and resentment you feel that’s hurting you. Trust me I know this. Those negative emotions eat away at you until there’s nothing left and you can’t even see happiness when it’s staring you right in the face. The only cure for this is forgiveness. You’ll never forget what he’s done nor do you have to pretend like the past never happened, but you can’t continue to allow those past memories to destroy your present and future. Kaden can’t hurt you Jules. Only you can hurt yourself.

Reysa expected Julian to push her away, but he didn’t move. She continued to rest her head on his shoulder as they sat in silence. The only sounds were the crickets chirping and the other creatures of the night stirring.

After several minutes of quiet, Julian broke the silence, I don’t know how to let go. Will you help me?

Reysa sighed in relief. He was not angry as she feared he would react. His voice was so heartbreakingly saddened. He was like a lost child waiting to be found but no one ever stopped to help him. Reysa vowed to be the one to help him find his way. She gently touched Julian’s face. We’ll help each other, she promised as she kissed him on the cheek.

Reysa noticed the sweat beading on Julian’s forehead before she felt her own body begin to swelter. Although it was in the mid-nineties, vampires were not typically affected by the weather.

Suddenly Reysa was overwhelmed by a sudden intense stifling heat that made it difficult to breathe. She looked at Julian who didn’t seem to be the least surprised by the abrupt heat wave. Before she could ask, she felt him. She could feel the heat of his eyes on her. She slowly turned to face those jade eyes she normally loved to see, but now glimmered a violent shade as flames surrounded his pupils.

The temperature started to decrease again which seemed to annoy Kaden further. Those furious eyes were now focused on Julian who no longer seemed to be bothered by the heat. He was countering the intense heat with an arctic blast that sent chills down Reysa’s right side, while her left still sweltered from the inferno Kaden had unleashed.

Fire and ice—Kaden and Julian. Vampire brothers who were so opposite that it was hard to believe the same blood flowed through their veins.

They were two predators ready to attack waiting for the slightest provocation. Reysa had witnessed such a scene before. The fire and ice show nearly resulted in Helena’s escape, but fortunately, her incubus brother Liam killed her before she could hurt anyone else. Another nice set of siblings, Reysa thought. Was she the only one who actually liked her sibling?

Reysa snapped back into focus as she watched Kaden swirl a ball of fire which seemed to grow larger and larger with every spin of his hand. Julian responded in kind creating what looked like an ultra-sharp ice blade. The volcano was about to erupt in a blaze of fire and ice.

Enough with the testosterone display! Reysa demanded. Both brothers looked at her curiously. "Seriously guys, are you compensating for something? This is a childish game of my balls are bigger than yours. Both of you are trying to outdo the other with your powers. It’s silly and immature. Now that you’ve both showed off your special powers, can you stop now? You’re killing me here. Part of me needs to defrost and the other part is melting. Thank God vampires don’t catch