Fury: The Dream Slayer Series

By Jill Cooper

he 2nd part in the epic finale starts here. 

Once Charles Buckle believed in her and now, one last time, Natalie will put everything to the test to bring him back. 

But with half of Natalie’s team in critical condition, the fight won’t be easy. WOMP’s order to shoot Charles Buckle on sight to protect their vast empire of secrets will pit Natalie against the organization she’s been faithful to since she first heard the word paladin. 

Now that relationship will be put to the test. 

Natalie will find a way to restore his soul, no matter the risks. No matter the stakes. Even if it means revealing her identity and location to her mortal enemy. And the end? 

Well, it might just prove to be the very beginning. 

In the tradition of young adult vampire fiction such as Twilight and Buffy the Vampire slayer, comes The Dream Slayer. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jill Cooper
• Release date: Mar 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781519962423

Book preview

Fury

Once Charles Buckle believed in her and now, one last time, Natalie will put everything to the test to bring him back. 

But with half of Natalie’s team in a critical condition, the fight won’t be easy. WOMP’s order to shoot Charles Buckle on sight to protect their vast empire of secrets will pit Natalie against the organization she’s been faithful to since she first heard the word paladin. 

Now that relationship will be put to the test.

Natalie will find a way to restore his soul, no matter the risks. No matter the stakes. Even if it means revealing her identity and location to her mortal enemy. And the end? 

Well, it might just prove to be the very beginning.

Chapter One: Natalie Johnson

Charles Buckle was gone.

Lost. Destroyed? Maybe he never existed at

all.

His books were a mess, half on the floor, and his window was shattered from his escape. The blinds were wrecked and rain blew in thanks to the fierce wind. 

Natalie Johnson hugged her arms around herself, her face streaked with tears. Nothing could quell the sobs inside her and there was no one left to try. Michelle was injured and being rushed to the hospital. And Andre? The near perfect WOMP agent had been shot, and most likely killed.

And everyone said the same thing. It was him. Natalie Johnson’s friend and guide. The first man she ever had a crush on. The one she once depended on like a father.

Charles Buckle was the enemy.

It felt so wrong, right down to her very soul. Natalie’s heart froze over and her limbs shook with tears of rage. Nothing was right, and it was possible they might never be right again.

What would she make of the last phone call he made to her, his voice so strained like something was in the room torturing him? Her friend called, his voice said her name like he knew her intimately, but how would that man ever do this?

She would never forget those words, his voice, Natalie thought while she cried so hard, her fingers trembling against her eyes, she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her.

Natalie... Help me.

Through the glass, Natalie saw someone coming up behind her. With her arm high, Natalie spun to catch her assailant, but instead the slayer caught Natalie’s hand. 

Both girls’ eyes flashed with pain. Grief.

The slayer had looked better. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, but it was still wild and her eyes had never looked so unstable or confused. 

Natalie took a deep breath and lowered her arm. Talk about being on edge. Mr. Buckle—

—I know, the slayer said with deep power, but with an aching longing to her voice. As it was happening to you, I just knew. Like our brains are tethered together now or something. I just couldn’t believe it so I came to see for myself.

Natalie swallowed hard and followed the slayer’s line of sight toward the floor where they suspected Michelle was first stabbed. Then her eyes trained up to the blood splatter on the elevator door where Andre was shot.

None of this smells like Charles Buckle. The slayer sucked on her bottom lip, her eyes zoned out somewhere, thinking thoughts that Natalie could understand. Thoughts that would lead to some sort of explanation on why he would do this?

Why, after all this time, he would start going on a murderous rampage?

The slayer glanced up at her. Something else is going on here, you know that, right? Mr. Buckle would never just turn evil.

Maybe yours wouldn’t. I don’t know about mine anymore. Natalie shook her head and felt so defeated.

The slayer’s jaw was tense and vibes of anger flew from her. Whatever you’re thinking—

You didn’t find Michelle. You didn’t see the state she was in. Natalie gave her a pointed look. She didn’t want to fight, but didn’t see a way around it.

I might as well have. The slayer’s fists clenched. "I saw it through your eyes. I  felt your pain as though it was mine, because, guess what, it is mine."

Natalie sighed. If we’re going to find him, we need to stop fighting. We need to work together.

The slayer smirked. At least   that’s something we can agree upon. Where do we start?

Natalie gestured to Charles’s office. He’s been working on something. Let’s start in here. Then we’ll need to head to the hospital to question Michelle when she’s out of surgery. But first, pit stop. She stepped inside his office and leafed through the books on the desk.

Pit stop? the slayer asked and followed in after her.

Weapon locker. Tranquilizer darts, so you can stop accusing me with your brain, Natalie said.

The slayer’s posture relaxed. I’m sorry, Nat. I don’t mean to... I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Her eyebrows furrowed. Long day, I guess. Bad day. Hey, it’s not Monday, is it?

Natalie didn’t even know what day it was anymore. She swiped away a pile of papers off of Charles’s desk and beneath them was the old metal book with the giant clasp. It was the same one that she used to banish Myria from the body of Evelyn Drake, but why was it on his desk now? What did it mean?

I remember that book. The slayer traced the scroll work with her finger. You don’t think he opened it do you? Because it’s like Pandora’s box of demon evil.

Natalie didn’t know, but either way the book had to come with them. She tucked the book beneath her arm. Let’s head out. We have no idea how big a head start he has or what his first step will be.

My first step? the slayer asked as she followed Natalie out of the room. Get the heck out of dodge.

That was a good point and Natalie couldn’t leave Meadow’s Creek, which meant they had to find him before that happened. They rode the elevator down to the second floor to grab some weapons and Natalie came face to face with Detective Franks. Nearly as flabbergasted as she was, he was talking to WOMP agents and nursing a cup of coffee.

He looked like he had just rolled out of bed in his wrinkled trench coat, but he always looked like that. Paladin Commander, he broke away with a gruff tone in his voice and extended his hand. To say this is the most unexpected call I’ve gotten in some time would be an understatement.

I don’t know what to say, Detective, Natalie said softly. I simply don’t. Agent Buckle is resourceful, your men are going to need to button Meadow’s Creek up as tight as you can.

As tight as a nun’s panties. Can I have some help from your Alliance security guys here? They are stone walling me. I want to see the tapes.

Natalie and the slayer exchanged glances. They’re used to handling their own messes, Natalie said and she felt the wave of surprise coming from the slayer. Maybe she expected Natalie to welcome the police’s help, but the paladin didn’t stop to ask.

Two attempted murders, maybe three? Some of which may be upgraded to murder later, depending how things go. Franks shook his head. You gotta work with me, kid. You scratch mine... Must be something you want.

Until WOMP officials got there and locked down the town and pulled the police off, it might be a good idea, Natalie conceded with a shaking sigh. Security footage of the area when we think he escaped. I want to see where he went and if he was alone. Maybe, if they got lucky, Charles was under duress.

Just maybe. What a horrible thing to wish for, but at least that would mean he wasn’t the enemy. It would mean Natalie hadn’t lost him.

As soon as I get the footage, it’s yours.

Natalie signaled to the WOMP Agents and gave her instructions to treat Detective Franks as one of their own. With that done, she charged down the hall and headed into a weapons locker that the squad leaders used before going out on missions. It was, in fact, this very room they stood in only a few days ago to catch her ‘assassin’. 

Everything felt so different then, like just another mission. Sure, there was the nostalgia of it just being the group again, but Natalie had held Charles’s hand. She felt that connection, that love and mutual respect. So what the hell happened?

Natalie... Help me.

Natalie slid the drawers open and pushed down every horrible feeling she was having. Fear, betrayal, the urge to cry uncontrollably. She collected the tranquilizer gun she thought she might need, some extra ammo. She slid them into a bag and slipped it over her shoulder. If you check on that side you should find everything you need. Nat? Natalie looked up when she didn’t get a response or hear any movement. All she felt was an icy chill coming from her counterpart.

What’s the matter? Natalie asked.

The slayer’s arms were crossed and she was giving Natalie the ten yard creepy stare. How can you ask me that? the slayer whispered. What isn’t the matter right now would be the better question.

Natalie sighed and checked her pocket for her phone. They’ll be taking Michelle into surgery soon...

Stop. The slayer grabbed her wrists. "Can’t you just stop? You’re just working the case, issuing orders, meanwhile... This is Mr. Buckle. Mister Buckle! I feel like I’m going to fall apart if we find him and he’s ... murdering people? Conspiring against us? The slayer shook her head. This can’t be happening."

But it is happening. Natalie took the slayer by the elbows and gave her a squeeze. "It is happening and until we find him, we won’t know the truth. And if I stop, if I stop for one minute and give you what you want ... what you need ... I

won’t be able to pull myself back together." 

Natalie gritted her teeth and begged the tears not to come. She begged, but she could feel them, so desperate they were to form. Natalie took a deep, shaking breath.

So I’m going to give orders. I’m going to check on supplies and I won’t rest until we know what’s going on, because if I stop... I might never get back up again.

The slayer’s blue eyes softened and she hugged Natalie. At first she was rigid, but slowly Natalie relaxed in the slayer’s embrace. I’m sorry. The slayer whispered. I know how much he means to you. Because he is the exact same thing to me.

I don’t know if I should be trying to save him, Natalie whispered into the slayer’s hair. Or if we should... I can’t even say it, Nat-One.

Then don’t. The slayer held strong, gritting her jaw together. Now that the paladin was weak, the slayer had become strong. Let’s just go find him.

****

The lobby was filled with WOMP agents when the two Johnson girls arrived.  Eric was by the front desk and Natalie had never seen him look so harrowed. His hair was disheveled and his tie was crooked—not even done all the way up to his collar. 

He had been partners with Andre for a decade, Natalie couldn’t begin to imagine what he was feeling, but he was someone she needed to have on her side. Whatever he was feeling, Natalie had to rein him in and get his thoughts organized. He was the best agent WOMP had, as far as she was concerned, and in a hunt for Charles Buckle, he was going to be important.

He stretched his hands out on the front desk and leaned down to talk to someone. Natalie signaled the slayer that she’d just be a second and she strolled over. Eric?

Eric turned his head and surprise laced his face. Commander. He straightened up and adjusted his tie until it was proper. I’m sorry, ma’am for my appearance. I didn’t know you were called to the scene yet, he stammered, a pair of sunglasses in his hands.

It’s okay. Natalie touched his shoulder with light pressure. Relax, no one is under inspection tonight. Do we know anything yet?

Eric shook his head. No, ma’am. Not really. We’re reviewing camera footage so far to figure out what happened, but by all accounts we know who the assailant is. He held his breath and his eyes flashed with more anger than Natalie had ever seen in them.

That Natalie did. How’s Andre doing?

A strange laugh escaped his mouth and the lines around his eyes crinkled. Uh, he’s dead, ma’am. Tears filled Eric’s eyes and he slammed the sunglasses down on the counter. One lens was cracked. They must have been Andre’s sunglasses.

Natalie’s mouth fell open and the grief took hold. She needed to keep it at bay a while longer, but it was hard to push down. It was hard to ignore, but Natalie did the best she could to bottle it up. She glanced over at the slayer who looked near frozen into place as their conversation continued.

I’m sorry, Eric. I am. I know there’s nothing I can say.

His lips were pushed together   with stubbornness and resolve. Just help me catch the bastard. That’s all anyone can do now. He turned toward the desk again to point something out to another agent.

Natalie’s stomach rolled. Maybe you should go home, see your wife and daughter—

Eric just snorted. Don’t sideline me, ma’am. Please. I have my directive straight from the Boss herself tonight. I’m doing everything I can to just follow through with my orders once we get enough intel to do it.

The Boss? What are her orders? Natalie asked with growing dread, with a growing fear in the pit of her stomach. From the darkened look in Eric’s eye, Natalie was afraid of what he was going to say, afraid of what his agenda would be.

To apprehend Agent Buckle. And if he can’t be apprehended...

No. The slayer reached out. He can’t mean kill him, can he?

Lethal force? Natalie asked, trying to squelch back her own fears and the slayer’s at the same time.

Ma’am. Your relationship with   Agent Buckle, I know, makes this difficult. Don’t make me remove you from the situation, Eric said.

Remove me? Natalie’s voice rose. "This is my operation. I’m the paladin commander here. No one will be removing me." Her cheeks flamed hot to the point she was almost humiliated. It wasn’t like she was a child here. She was a paladin. 

Natalie was in charge. She had always been in charge since this madness started. Only now did she really appreciate it and only now was she afraid of losing it.

With all due respect to you and your position, ma’am, this is not a paladin mission. WOMP’s directive is that WOMP home office will be conducting the search for Agent Buckle. They’ve put me in charge on site and I am under strict orders to watch you.

Me? Natalie’s eyebrow twitched. Damnit, she could really go for a cookie.

You and I both, sister.

The Boss fears your relationship with him will impede your judgment. If that happens I’m to quarantine you until the situation is resolved. Eric sighed. Ma’am, I don’t want to do that. Can you work with me?

To kill Charles Buckle? Natalie asked, her mouth dropped open. Have you stopped to consider for one moment that maybe he’s under duress? Maybe something else is happening? The man I know...

Would do none of this? Eric’s temper flared and his cheeks flushed. Of course I have. He killed Andre. He locked Vanessa in a damn box and nearly suffocated her. So, yeah, none of this is the actions of the great agent I once knew. But it’s still happening. He’s still doing it. And if we stay around here and keep debating it, who knows what is going to happen next.

Vanessa? Locked in a box? Natalie and the slayer exchanged a glance and the slayer was holding on to the wall, like if she took her hand off she might fall and crash onto the floor. 

I ... didn’t know about Vanessa. Natalie’s eyes trained on the floor and she tried to control her shock, but there was no way to pretend it wasn’t there. Her emotions were spiraling like a tornado and she could barely keep her grip.

Charles loved Vanessa more than his own life so what was happening?

"Sorry... Ma’am. Eric was barely in control of his voice. For decades she was my job. And look what happened. I trusted him to take care of her. I trusted him to watch over her so I could watch over you. So if you can’t help us catch him, then stay out of my way."

He turned with his back to her and Natalie knew that was a signal the conversation was over. Her temper raged as she checked the other agents’ faces. The disbelief on them was enough to get her to move again.

Can I speak with you in private, agent? Natalie asked and when he didn’t answer, she asked it again with more power behind her voice. Agent!

Eric finally nodded with a sigh. Yes, ma’am.

Natalie threw a glance back at the slayer. I’ll be right back.

Kick his ass, Nat-Two. Kick his ass.

Natalie opened the door to the security office off to the side and waited for Eric to step inside.

Once he did, she closed the blinds so the other agents couldn’t see what she was about to do or say. They still needed to hold on to a level of professionalism. There was a town still to protect, after all, and that town was hers.

Natalie crossed her arms. "We need to have a

little talk."

Eric sighed. Natalie...

Natalie’s eyes narrowed. It’s ma’am. Don’t you dare drop protocol with me, agent. We are here in the Alliance and I understand you have a mission, and some of those men out there will follow you. But we also have a town to protect and secure. We have a town that’s nearly torn itself apart, thanks to the undead, so I’m not going to let you disrespect my authority in front of agents who have been under my control. Do you understand? I can’t be undermined in their eyes, if after this I’m still going to do my job.

Eric blinked and then he stammered. I... That’s not what I meant to do.

Her arms relaxed. Well you did and if you weren’t so angry, you would have seen the looks on their faces when you did it.

Eric took a deep breath and his chest puffed up. His cheeks went red and it was the closest to emotion Natalie had ever seen in him. I’ll ... try harder, ma’am. You have my deepest apologies. I never... If you find me unfit, I’ll resign.

No, you’re not unfit. And I don’t want you to resign. You’re one of the best agents here. I know that. Natalie’s voice was soft. I just wanted to get through to you. We both have to do our jobs and I want us on the same side.

Agreed. I’m with you, ma’am.

Are you? Natalie’s tone challenged him.

Eric took a solid, rigid stance. Yes, ma’am!

Natalie relaxed. Can you accept the fact that I won’t take on face value that Agent Buckle has simply gone crazy? That I will, as paladin, need to investigate what’s happened here, as I always do? I’m good at my job, let me do it.

Then you’re going to have to act fast because WOMP wants this tied up as quickly as possible. Charles knows things that make him a danger to WOMP and to the other paladins. He has locations, passwords, codes. He knows where the child paladins are kept and trained. If he were to leak or sell that intel—

—And you think he would? Natalie asked. Eric was one of Charles’ closest friends. How could he be so ready to turn on him, just like that?

"As far as I’m concerned none of this is possible, but since it clearly is happening, that means it’s all possible."

That was clear WOMP logic for you and something Natalie could appreciate. And the possibility that it’s something else? Something paranormal? Something supernatural? Natalie asked.

Ma’am, the Boss doesn’t care. She just wants him stopped. Eric said it void of emotion, but maybe he didn’t have a choice. Natalie didn’t have one either. She couldn’t let her feelings get in the way, but how could she go after Mr. Buckle like he was just another threat?

How?

A knock at the door stopped her from launching into another argument. Come in, she said. It was Agent Bruce.

"Commander, we had some tapes you need

to review."

Natalie nodded. Be right there. To Eric,

Coming?

Wouldn’t miss it, ma’am, Eric said.

Natalie headed outside and went over to the slayer who was sitting on the armrest of the chair. She looked small and unsure of herself, but when she saw Natalie she perked up.

Everything better? the slayer asked.

Getting there. Natalie slid the metal book from her hand into the slayer’s. I’m going to be a while I’m afraid. Head to the hospital and see if Vanessa is awake. We need to start to piece this together as soon as possible if we’re going to have any chance at all.

The slayer looked relieved to be able to go somewhere, do something. You got it. I’ll check in as soon as I can.

Ma’am? Eric asked.

Natalie turned her attention back to him and smiled as she sent a message to the slayer. We need to get to him before WOMP. Hurry and don’t come back here until I call. Just in case, stay clear of this place.

I’m on it. You can count on me.

Natalie knew that. Thank God, Natalie still knew that.

Chapter Two: Charles Buckle

The doorbell wouldn’t stop ringing. Regina wrapped herself in her green bathrobe and threw a glance