Rebirth: A Thousand Hearts, #1

By Shaun Dowdall

For some, death is the end. For others, such as Michael Nolan, death is only the beginning. Reborn into a world unlike any he could have dreamed of, Michael is thrust into The Guild—an elite squadron of supernatural beings. They are the guardians of the modern world and the only thing standing between peace and chaos.

Struggling to come to terms with the loss of his previous life, and to understand his new powers, Michael is forced to adapt quickly when The Guild is betrayed and comes under attack from within.

With time against them, Michael and his allies set out to discover the identity of the traitor before The Guild is destroyed and the world is left unprotected. However, when the one person Michael loves becomes a target, he is left with a difficult decision…

Should he defend the woman he loves or stand by his allies?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shaun Dowdall
• Release date: Jun 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393746164

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

When Lights Die

Asoft mist danced in the gloom of the night as Michael Nolan walked along the pavement, his heavy footsteps echoing loudly along the empty street as he hurried forward. Why she wanted to meet tonight was beyond him, but he wasn’t about to let her down.

A thousand different scenarios danced through his mind, reality transforming into fantasy. He had always thought of himself as sensible and realistic but, at that moment, he knew that he was neither, lost in a world of dreams and desire. He was a boy following his heart instead of his head.

The night shifted, the darkness blasting him with a gust of cold air. Michael hugged his heavy, grey jacket tighter against his body, fighting to keep the cold out. It was times like these that made him regret keeping his head shaved, his vain attempt at disguising his receding hairline.

He hurried forward, ignoring the cold, eager to avoid being late. In his right hand, he clutched a single red rose, its blood red petals rustling in the wind. He could feel its thorns pressing against his skin, fighting the numbness caused by the chill night air. He knew that it was a foolish gesture but had been unable to resist as he’d passed the market stall in the town center.

He had passed the stall every day on his way into work and never stopped once to look until tonight. His phone had slipped from his numb fingers, coming to a crashing halt just in front of the stall. As he stood from retrieving it, the rose had caught his eye. It was the last item available, all other flowers having been cleared away for the evening.

I’m sorry, my love, an elderly woman had said. I’ve cleared everything away for the night. Was there anything special you were looking for?

He had stared at the rose in silence for a few moments before replying, allowing his foolishness to rule him.

The rose is perfect. Thanks, he had muttered.

The woman smiled at him, her wrinkled face lighting up at his answer. Her eyes gleamed in the soft light of the street lamps that surrounded them, as she moved to retrieve the rose.

Young love, she sighed, interrupting the silence. There is little else in this world more beautiful. Savor it, treasure it, and make it bloom like this rose.

The woman’s voice still echoed in his mind, her words repeating inside of his head. Young love was nothing but a wishful dream. He had known Sarah Rose for years. She had been his best friend since childhood. They had grown up together and faced life’s challenges side by side. However, friends were all they had ever been.

If there was anything in this world more beautiful than young love, it was Sarah. Michael smiled as his mind conjured her up. She had a careless beauty, natural and unrivaled. Her blazing red hair fell like streams of fire, framing her delicate face. Her skin was as soft as snow, her eyes such a pale blue that they shone like a morning frost in the first light of dawn.

Michael had fallen for her. Heart and soul winning out against his better judgment. He knew that to confess his feelings could prove disastrous, putting their friendship at risk, but he couldn’t stand the thought of regretting what could have been.

His heart began to thunder in his chest as he approached the entrance to the park where they had played as children. Sarah always wanted to meet there, regardless of the weather, and Michael had never had the heart to argue with her.

Tall trees stood all around, the soft light of the moon struggling to pierce through the leaves above. All around him the branches moved, caught in the soft wind, throwing shadows in all directions. Michael had to admit that the park held a certain kind of magic.

Ahead of him, he saw Sarah, sitting patiently on her favorite bench. Their eyes met, locking together over the short distance. He couldn’t find the strength to look away, lost in her gaze. He watched her stand as he neared, admiring how graceful her movements were.

Her full lips curved into a smile as he walked towards her, her beautiful eyes beaming. Suddenly she rushed towards him, throwing her arms around his waist. The warmth of her body pressed against his as he wrapped his own arms around her petite frame felt divine. He held her close, never wanting to let her go.

Hey you, she whispered into his broad chest.

Hey, he managed, kissing her lightly on her forehead.

Reluctantly, he finally let her go, their embrace coming to an end. Michael smiled at her as she took a step back, her cheeks growing as red as her hair as he held the rose out to her.

I saw this and thought of you, he explained.

You shouldn’t have, Sarah whispered, taking a small step towards him once again. Michael, she began. I need to tell you something.

Michael could feel his heart hammering within his chest. He knew that the rose had been too much. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms once again and hold her close.

What is it? he asked, dreading her response.

She took another small step towards him and peered up into his eyes. They stood in silence, neither one of them daring to break the moment. Sarah’s expression was troubled, as though she was struggling to find the words to say.

I… she stuttered. I don’t know how to say this so, well, here it goes.

She stepped forward again, closing the small gap between them. Her arms wrapped around Michael’s waist, pulling him close. Instantly, Michael leaned forward, his lips brushing lightly against hers. Their first kiss. His mind was chaotic, refusing to believe what was happening, convinced that he had drifted off into one of his fantasies.

Their kiss lingered, the warmth of her lips causing him to hunger for more. Michael’s strong arms held Sarah, his fingers running through her hair as the fire tore through him. He could feel the electricity flowing between them as years of desire were finally answered.

I can’t tell you how happy I am! he whispered into her ear.

He could still feel the fire burning within, building in intensity. It felt as though flames were coursing through his veins, his heart racing out of control, his eyesight blurring. His blood had turned to liquid fire, spreading agony through his limbs with each thundering boom within his chest.

He arched his head back, sucking in lungful’s of cold air as he struggled to breathe. The pain was unbearable, crushing him under an enormous weight, feeling as though his insides were melting.

Michael, what’s wrong? Sarah asked frantically, her voice heavy with concern.

He tried to answer but the words would not come, stolen from him by the blinding pain that lurked within him.

Michael stumbled backwards, fighting the urge to scream. He gritted his teeth as the pain tore him apart. He felt as though a thousand burning needles were being plunged into his skin all over his body. His eyes darted wildly as panic began to overwhelm him, finally settling on the burning rose he clutched in his hand, its petals blackening as the flames consumed it.

The beating of his heart was out of control as terror gripped him. Agony burned fiercer than the flames that now consumed the rose, flames that were impossible, yet somehow there. Tendrils of smoke danced around the ruined petals, polluting the air Michael so desperately craved, taunting him as his lungs failed.

He could hear Sarah cry out as the ground raced up to meet him, slamming into his face and knocking the wind from his useless lungs. The cold earth felt wonderful against his burning skin, but failed to relieve him of the pain for long. The fire roared within him, consuming him and dragging him into the abyss.

CHAPTER TWO

Extraction

~Jocque~

Jocque Trent tore along the gloomy street in pursuit of his target, his lungs burning from the exertion of the chase. The icy wind clawed at his face as he ran, tugging at his medium-length brown hair.

He heard Victoria squawk through his earpiece. What the hell’s going on?

I’ve got a location, he replied, struggling to keep his pace.

He was already close to exhaustion, his mission taking its toll on his considerable strength. He hadn’t expected to run into so many hurdles, each one testing his abilities and patience.

How far? He heard Victoria ask, worry heavy in her voice.

I’m literally moments away, Jocque replied, keeping his voice level. Move in on my position now and be ready to retrieve the target.

It was times like these that he was thankful for his years of experience. If he allowed his concern to show through his mask, then he knew that the mission would end in disaster. The price of failure was too costly, something that they could not afford.

His team was waiting for his signal, his authorization to move in. They followed his lead, looking to him for guidance. Their trust in him was absolute—a trust he did not feel in himself at that moment.

His bright blue eyes focused on the street ahead, the feeling of chaos unfolding, luring him forward. He was tall and well built, his long stride granting him the speed he needed. His dark clothing clung to him, his sweat soaking the fabric, despite the cold evening air.

The shadows engulfed him as he ran, his night-black clothing helping to camouflage him within the darkness. The cobbled street was mostly empty, most seeking the warmth of their homes instead of braving the chill of the night.

How this mission had gone so wrong was beyond him. It was a simple track-and-receive objective, and there was no one who surpassed his own ability. However, somehow Jocque had found it almost impossible to locate his target, losing track more often than not. These last hours were always the most critical, where any mistake could spell failure and, to Jocque’s frustration, his target had vanished. Until now.

His target had reappeared not far from where he had been waiting, burning with an intensity he had never felt before. He knew instantly that he was out of time, that at any moment there would be nothing left of his objective but ruin and destruction.

He drew nearer now, passing into a nearby park. The moonlit trees swayed from side to side as a powerful wind tore at their branches. Jocque was shocked by the gale as he struggled to fight his way forward; too aware that time was running out.

Ahead, he heard a girl’s scream, behind the sirens that signaled his team’s approach. He pushed forward, seeking out the source of the scream, fighting against the wind. Icy fingers clawed at his clothing like an unseen being pulling him back.

He saw the girl first, crouched over a fallen figure. Her red hair streamed all around her, as though it had taken on a life of its own. She looked up at him as he approached, her blue eyes desperate and glistening with tears.

Move! Jocque demanded, more forcefully than he had intended.

The girl looked as though she would argue, but she soon saw sense. She moved aside, allowing Jocque to assess the situation.

Help is on the way, he told the girl. I’ll do what I can for him.

He stared down at the fallen man, his body convulsing as he fought for control. Jocque could feel the inferno that was tearing through the man, threatening to spill over and consume them all.

What’s his name? Jocque asked, crouching down over the fallen man.

It’s Michael, she replied, her voice shaken and choked with tears. Please, you have to help him, she begged.

Jocque opened his senses to Michael, almost destroyed by what he felt. He flinched back as though he had been physically struck.

Once again, he attempted to open his senses to the man, this time with more caution. Slowly, he reached out with his power, scanning the man who lay before him.

Jocque was in awe of the torrent that flowed through Michael. He had felt nothing like it before. In all his years, he had never come face to face with such raw energy. His own strength threatened to collapse as he used his abilities to calm the storm raging within Michael. He continued fighting for control, directing the flows of power in order to subdue the man.

He worked slowly, cautiously, knowing that any wrong move would spell disaster. He was a master of his craft, hard at work, chiseling away at something delicate, something volatile.

Jocque! He heard Victoria call from behind.

He looked over his shoulder and saw Victoria and the team approaching, dressed as paramedics, blue lights flashing behind them. Victoria’s concern showed clear as day as she fell to her knees beside him. She looked from Jocque to Michael, gasping as she felt the fire burning within the fallen man.

Get the girl out of here! Victoria ordered. We need space to work.

Two of the team led the sobbing girl towards the ambulance, giving both Jocque and Victoria the privacy and space they needed to work.

What do we do? Victoria asked.

Join your power to mine, Jocque replied calmly, seeking to keep the situation under control. We can do this, Victoria, but I cannot calm this storm without your strength.

Victoria nodded. Closing her hazel eyes, she opened herself up to him, allowing Jocque to grasp her strength. Their combined power raced through his body, as he worked to contain the torrent that was threatening to erupt from Michael.

His senses were enhanced as the power coursed through him. He could hear and feel everything around him. The currents of the wind, the chill of the evening—it was all enhanced beyond natural perception.

Brace yourself, he growled at Victoria.

Jocque summoned all the strength he could from himself and Victoria, coming close to overwhelming them both as he tackled Michael. He could hear her groan beside him as her strength began to fail.

He was conscious of how tired he felt, of how close to exhaustion he was. If he didn’t overcome Michael soon, he risked burning himself out and dragging Victoria with him.

In a final, desperate attempt to subdue Michael’s power, Jocque slammed his own against the fallen man’s with all the force he could muster. The resistance was incredible, almost consuming Jocque in its defiance. He clung onto life, fighting with every fiber of his being to come out alive. His body felt as though it were on fire, consumed by molten lava.

Finally, the tide turned. Michael’s power began to withdraw, the torrent settling to nothing more than a stream. Jocque’s vision swam, his lungs gulping down air. Beside him, he could hear Victoria panting, sucking in oxygen.

We did it, Jocque gasped, turning to look at Victoria.

She slumped forward, her eyes shadowed from exhaustion. Her short, brown hair was plastered to her forehead by sweat, her tiny frame even more fragile than usual due to her fatigue.

He turned his gaze to rest on the unconscious man, who had caused so much trouble. He was tall and broad shouldered, with thick arms, nothing out of the ordinary. However, from what Jocque had seen, he knew that this man was anything but ordinary. Even compared to himself, he could already tell that this man was special, something beyond the power of the Guild.

CHAPTER THREE

Time Of Death

~Victoria~

Victoria stared at the young man, who lay motionless on the operating table. He had caused so much trouble this evening without even knowing it. It had taken hours for the team to get his power under control after bringing him into the hospital, leaving them all exhausted.

The girl, Sarah, hadn’t stopped for breath during the journey to the hospital. She had hundreds of questions, none of which Victoria answered. How could she tell the girl that the man she so deeply cared about was transforming into something new? That cruel fate was snatching him away from her to embark upon a destiny that she could not be a part of?

This was what Victoria struggled with the most. She could deal with everything else, but lying to the families and the loved ones was so hard. She longed to be honest with them, to tell them the truth, but she knew they would never understand. She hardly understood herself. Even after so many years of service to the Guild, she could hardly believe the truth.

She looked up to where Jocque leaned against the wall. He was beyond exhaustion. He was tall and well built, normally filled with strength and determination, but tonight his body sagged, his strength melted away. His brown hair was a wild mess, untamed after the evening’s events.

He would never admit it, but she knew that he would blame himself for their near disaster. He had been her mentor for as long as she could remember, and she knew that this was eating him up inside. The man was wise beyond his years but a deep-rooted insecurity tore at him from the inside out, tearing him up and refusing to let him move forward with his life.

Something had happened to him in his years before joining the Guild, something he never spoke of. She knew whatever it was still haunted him, even years after.

It’s not your fault, you know? she said, breaking the silence.

He looked up to face her, his eyes bloodshot and sunken, his face void of emotion. Others found Jocque impossible to read at times, his years granting him an impressive ability to mask his feelings. Something he had learned from his own teacher.

I almost got us all killed, he whispered.

No, you did not! Victoria scolded, mustering up the remainder of her strength. No one could have expected this. One moment his power was there, as clear as day, and then he was gone. You can’t blame yourself.

Jocque nodded, listening but not truly hearing, as he often did when she lectured him.

I’m being serious, Jocque. You can’t keep blaming yourself whenever something goes wrong, she added, determined not to back down.

Before he could answer, the rest of their team arrived, ready to collect Michael, leaving it up to Jocque and herself to break the news to the family.

Time of death, 9:17 PM, she called out, glancing at the clock on the wall.

She left the team without a word, exiting the operating theater, closely followed by Jocque. She nodded to one of the guards on the door as she passed, signaling that it was time for them to depart. She knew within moments that their team would be gone, vanished without a trace.

Their team was experts at what they did; their cover story and contacts within the medical industry allowed them to come and go as they pleased without any questions being asked. It shocked her how well connected the Guild was, considering what they really were, something she could never quite wrap her head around.

I hate this part, Victoria sighed.

Still? Jocque asked, sounding almost amused.

Yes, of course I do! she growled. I’m not a stone like you are. We are about to go out there, lie to this poor girl, and break her heart.

What choice do we have? he asked. Would you rather tell her the truth and see how well she handles that?

Victoria shook her head in frustration. She never had an answer for him. She knew that the truth was too dangerous for the ones left behind, but that still didn’t make it any easier.

Once upon a time, she had believed that with every lie she told she would grow used to telling them but, instead, she had only found it harder. Her lies were like mountains, building up and tormenting her with every new one she told.

Let’s just get this over with, she replied, walking into the hospital waiting room.

She instantly saw Sarah sitting beside an older woman that Victoria assumed was her mother, due to the strong resemblance between them. She observed the woman as she approached, so young and filled with hopes and dreams for the future. She couldn’t have been any older than twenty-two. The couple was so young, Michael being only twenty-five. Fate was truly cruel.

Sarah spotted Victoria and Jocque as they approached, recognizing them immediately. She was on her feet in moments, questions on the tip of her tongue.

Miss Rose, Victoria began, cutting the girl off before she could begin. If you could follow us so we can talk some place more private.

No, just tell me. Is he ok? she demanded.

Victoria had to admit that the girl had spirit. It pained her that what she was about to do would break that spirit, shattering the girl beyond repair.

Unfortunately, there were complications, Victoria explained.

No, Sarah interrupted, her eyes growing wet with tears. No! No! she howled, falling to her knees. Please, not Michael!

Victoria watched on helplessly as the girl’s heart broke into pieces before her. Sarah’s mother took the girl into her arms, her