Redemption (Dragon Core, Book 3)

By Elizabeth Maxim

Those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it. In perpetuity.

Heroes ...

Aren’t Meant to Be Immortal. Seaman Second Class Parker Edwards only wants one thing, to end an immortality he didn’t sign up for.

Fall. Jude Loriat only wanted to serve his country. When a government experiment gone wrong lands him in the land of immortals, he learns being a hero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Especially when it keeps getting him killed.

Deal with Devils. Francesca Gilotti is a woman with secrets. Dark secrets. Secrets that will either set the Scath free or doom them for eternity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Maxim
• Release date: Nov 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005926878

Elizabeth Maxim

If Elizabeth were to map her life’s journey, it would resemble the chaos of a Pac-Man game but out of this chaos came the foundation for her stories. She draws from knowledge, personal experience, and imagination in creating strong independent characters who steer their own destiny... often with a little help from love.Elizabeth studied alternative medicine with an MD for several years before earning a doctorate of philosophy in that field. She also holds a bachelor's degree in holistic childcare. Currently living in the Pacific Northwest, she is the author of multiple books, fiction and nonfiction, as well as two blog sites.You can follow Elizabeth at elizabethmaxim.com.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Assembly Chambers, Lumina 4

His life was over. Even if he survived the morning his world – a world it took centuries to build – would be gone. Reminding himself why he’d chosen this path he tuned into the proceedings.

In giving your alliance to the Black Dragon, you became Enemy of the State alongside him.

His gaze fell to the accused, to the charred skin on his chest, irrefutable proof that Cayden Vale, Shadow of the Gods, had indeed allied himself to the Black Dragon. Whether or not Lage McAskell deserved to be branded Enemy of the State was a matter of some debate among the residents of Chancery Lumina which only added to the drama before him, a drama that fed the appetites of those who followed court life and all the ingenue that went with it. Fools.

What does it feel like to have three sons declared Enemy of the State? Cayden coolly replied.

One side of his mouth slid back as gasps and shouts reverberated throughout the chamber. One thing was certain. The kid had balls. And he was no fool.

He’d always liked the raven shifter who served the Chancery as a spy, had always respected him. It was for that reason that, in spite of the order to do so, he hadn’t struck out at him as he’d made his way through the ancient tunnels running beneath the city that served as the government seat for Chancery Lumina a galactic ecosystem that consisted of five planets, only four of which were habitable. Or so the populace believed. He had it on solid authority – his own - that such was not the case.

As Shadow of the gods, Valdr, high ruler of their people and the Black Dragon’s father was saying, you are authorized to execute those declared Enemy of the State.

I know my responsibilities, Valdr, but as a wise man once told me, I am neither judge nor jury.

It was just one of many reasons he respected Cayden. The young raven shifter possessed restraint which, given the nature of his work, the need for quick action in unpredictable and dangerous situations, meant he also possessed a sharp intellect.

Cayden Vale.

Well now wasn’t this interesting? He waited to see what the leader of the High Guard – who happened to be his boss and a friend of the Shadow - would do.

Conrad, the raven shifter said differentially.

It was another reason he had respect for the Shadow of the Gods, humility.

You have made your case to the citizens of Chancery Lumina.

Yes, he thought wryly, he did and in so doing ensured the morning would end badly. For him at least. For the Shadow?

High Liege Conrad declared. You must answer for the death of Jonah Eusekis.

Cayden’s father.

You cannot rule.

It appeared the raven shifter had found his way into the coveted position of High Liege for in the unfolding of the morning’s proceedings it was revealed that the Shadow was the queen’s son. Illegitimate or not, it meant the raven shifter was - unlike his Enemy of the State half-brother - next in line for the throne.

High Liege, it is with heavy heart that I place you under arrest pending trial.

I have done nothing wrong, Valdr defended

If the Shadow lived long enough to claim it that is. Deciding to remain where he was, hidden by an ability that was both curse and salvation, he waited to see how events would unfold.

* * *

Café Luxe, Hara 4

Jude Loriat lifted a thick ceramic cup to his lips, let out a slow hiss as he did so. Damn but his shoulder burned. Two weeks. Two weeks since he was injured in the riot that broke out in the aftermath of the High Liege’s arrest, yet it felt as if it happened that morning.

You should get that looked at.

Setting the cup down he squinted up at the figure who stepped between him and the starlight beating down on the sidewalk table he’d been ruminating at for the better part of the morning. You here to kill me?

If I was, the Defender of the Gods drawled, you’d be dead. May I? he inquired politely tilting his head toward a nearby chair.

Smirking into eyes of pale grey Jude swept out a hand, bit back a curse as stitches tugged.

Like I said, the wolf shifter repeated pointing at Jude’s shoulder, you should have that looked at. Shading his eyes, he glanced up at Lithia, the star baking the planet. Turning back, he added, It’ll take more than sweating it out to heal that. Get it looked at, he ordered.

Jude snorted. In this toilet? He shook his head. I’ll take my chances.

After giving his drink order to a server who scurried over the moment he sat down, the shifter continued. You know I’m right. Obviously, the wound was infected.

"And you know I’m right," Jude shot back. There was no way he was going to walk into some random clinic and ask a surgeon to clean out what was obviously an infected wound. Not when there was a price on his head, in exile as he was, an exile earned by siding with the wrong group. According to his family that is but since they were the ones who put the price on his thick skull, it was a position he had to respect even if he didn’t agree with it. You can’t possibly expect me to trust anyone here, he quietly added sipping bitter tea and glancing around.

The barren wasteland of a planet known as Hara 4 was more or less a way station with residents whose loyalties were as transient as the location they called home. If word got around - and it would - that there was a price on his head? Not even a medical professional would pass up the opportunity to earn money if not prestige by helping a fellow exile on his way to hell.

You can trust me, the shifter said before taking a sip of ale.

Can I?

As I told you before, Loriat, if I was here to kill you? You’d be dead.

Setting the tea on the table, Jude sat back, considered the man watching impassively, a wolf shifter known as the Defender of the Gods. His gaze moved to hands wrapped around a frosty mug, hands that could wield a blade to kill but also to heal. He was right about one thing. He could trust him. And, the wound did need to be lanced, the poison drained.

I have a place a short walk from here. We can -. He stopped speaking because the wolf shifter was shaking his head.

I checked you out of that inn this morning. Cleared the way, too, he added, finishing the ale and signaling for the check. But don’t worry, he added as he stood, I’ve got an alternate. Let’s go.

As he followed the lieutenant through the crowded streets of Hara 4’s second largest city, Jude considered just how much he was coming to be in Dragon Core’s debt.

"Cleared the way for you, too."

By officially accepting the contract to end Jude’s life, the Defender of the Gods was ensuring no one else would try. Or at least lowering the odds as only a fool would take on the wolf shifter who followed his Enemy of the State commander to Earth centuries earlier. As they made their way through a crowded alley, he couldn’t help thinking how many of his family members were fools.

* * *

Lucas Drake, wolf shifter and resident of Earth, took his time selecting the items he needed to clean and dress the wound. A Scathe, Jude Loriat was of a species that possessed the ability to vanish into thin air, and while it came in handy during battle, it presented unique challenges in recovering after that battle ended. And, he considered while watching the spice merchant weigh and wrap the selected herbs, Jude was no ordinary Scathe.

The spice merchant, Jude said as he followed the wolf shifter who made his living as a Vice Detective in the United States up a narrow stairway, he knew you.

He does, Lucas confirmed then, as they'd arrived, reached for Jude, wincing when he accidentally grazed the wound. Sorry. In here.

Jude tried to determine whether or not the shifter was sending a message. After all, he could have just yelled hey and called it a day. The more he considered, however, the less likely it seemed. As far as he was aware, the Defender of the Gods considered him a friend.

You’ve been around your family too long, the lieutenant said, preceding him into an apartment that was, thankfully, cooler than the surrounding environs. You see threat everywhere.

That may be, he replied taking a quick look to make sure they weren’t followed before shutting the door, but as reputations go, you’re about as big a threat as they come.

Lucas shook his head, set the supplies on the kitchen counter. You want to do this here or in the bedroom? Eyes of pale grey met blue. You want to lay down?

Much as it pains me to admit, since I’m likely to pass out from your tender ministrations, it’s probably best to at least lay on the couch.

Couch it is, he acknowledged then set about sorting herbs. Boil some water, he instructed sliding a pile of dried leaves toward the sink. Steep those.

Two hours later he was responding to a communique from the new leader of the Chancery High Guard, while Jude, who had indeed passed out, tossed and turned nearby.

Everything is in motion.

Has he accepted the offer?

I haven’t discussed it with him.

We do not have the luxury of time, wolf.

Smirking at Gilead’s label, he glanced at the feverish Scathe who was friend and ally, back at the device. He typed.

I suggest you learn patience, Gilead. Conrad will no doubt be trying yours endlessly in the days to come.

Chuckling at the insult with which the newly appointed commander of the High Guard responded, he shot back a promise to provide an update as soon as he was able then set the communication device aside and touched Jude’s cheek with the back of his hand.

He trusted the man who’d been given leadership of the Chancery High Guard after the former became High Liege through a process known as the Grant of Succession, but he wasn’t about to tell him the warrior he selected for a rather unique mission may not live to accept the offer. Not to mention, if word of Jude’s condition got out, he’d have a hell of a time fighting off the hordes who would hasten to finish the job.

It wasn’t that the Scathe was hated, so much as the chance he represented to best the Defender of the Gods, stealing a contract fee by finishing the job in his place. Not that there were many who’d try, and it wasn’t as if he couldn’t easily take on multiple enemies at once, but he’d rather focus his energy on the feverish warrior who’d taken a poison-tipped blade meant for fellow Dragon Core lieutenant, Jake McLachlan.

The Messenger of the Gods had been there when the announcement was made that the Grant of Succession would proceed. There’d been enough pandemonium in the chamber as it was, having it revealed that Cayden Vale was the illegitimate son of the High Queen and Valdr arrested for the murder of Cayden’s father. When the announcement was made that the selection of the High Liege’s replacement would come not by blood succession but by vote total anarchy broke out. Though not unexpected the ensuing violence had been difficult to manage for the simple reason no one in Dragon Core, including the newly inducted Cayden Vale, wanted to kill anyone. They were about peace.

Unfortunately, that sentiment cost them as they were forced to go on the defensive to preserve their stance while protecting the leading candidate for succession. He and Jake were injured protecting Conrad though they were on the mend. As for the man whose skin burned hot, if not for his quick action, Jake might be dead.

It wasn’t that the Dragon Core lieutenant who, like Cayden, was a raven shifter was feeble. He was still recovering from a serious wound suffered in the process of rescuing Cayden’s fiancé some years earlier. That he’d literally just come from an intense therapy session in order to protect the leading candidate and do what he could to help usher in the new government meant he was all the more vulnerable. That his attacker wounded him in the exact location he’d been injured? An assassination attempt, pure and simple. His eyes went to the bed at a sound of distress. He had to hope the Scathe’s constitution was as strong as he believed.

Scathe.

Having made a sudden and wholly unexpected appearance centuries earlier, the species was an anathema that somehow fit with the motley crew of shape shifters populating the universe. Few in number they were easily assimilated into the Chancery. Of course, easily was a relative term but desperate times called for desperate measures. Quite simply, it was either join them or die. And it hadn’t been without its bright spots.

The ruling class of Chancery Lumina was a complex group of shape shifters driven by their passions more often than not which kept things chaotic as often as it kept them interesting. The Scathe added an entertaining edge to the volatile mix. As he used a cloth soaked in herbs to wipe sweat from Jude’s face, he considered that while not everyone would agree, he believed having Scathe in the universe had more pros than cons.

* * *

Lucas checked Jude’s wound, saw that it continued oozing black. Pursing his lips, he pondered his options. Pushing off his thighs he made his way to the window, scanned the courtyard below. Lithia was well past its zenith making visibility low. For most. A wolf shifter his vision was acute. By seeing in the dark, into the shadows, he perceived what others, including Scathe, did not. But everything looked as it should. For the moment. Deciding no one would be using the window to make an unexpected appearance he made his way to the kitchen after a quick glance assured him the man on the bed lived still.

Pouring dark liquid into two cups he grabbed up clothe soaked in antiseptic and made his way back to the bedroom. Unsurprised by the presence at the window, he set the tray on the bed, grabbed the two cups, handed one over. Gabbe.

Thank you, the teen replied crawling into the room and taking a sip of thick cool liquid. Mm, this is welcome.

Long day?

Hot, he replied then sipped again. His eyes slid to the bed. How is he?

Better now that the infection’s cleaned out.

Fever?

Slight.

Doesn’t look slight from here.

It was an astute observation for Jude’s face was flushed and he continued to toss and turn. He motioned for the teen to make an assessment.

It’s good you got him to the bedroom, the boy said then took an herb soaked clothe and set to work. My father will want another update before he closes up shop.

If you watch over him, Lucas said finishing the tea and setting the cup on the tray, I’ll deliver it myself.

Without pause the boy angled his body so the wolf shifter could see the lethal blade at his side.

And the other? Lucas asked, referring to the more sophisticated weapon he’d given him for his fifteenth birthday.

Where I can reach it, he murmured, not bothering to look up or stop what he was doing.

I’ll return shortly, Lucas promised before shifting into his wolf form and diving through the window to the courtyard below.

CHAPTER TWO

Finishing the tea, Gabbe took the cups to the kitchen returning with an ointment that would help the medicine-soaked bandage he was about to apply adhere to the warrior’s skin. His father would insist on checking the wound himself before allowing it to be covered for the night but Gabbe was confident everything was progressing as it should. The Scathe was young, healthy. There was every reason to believe he’d make a full recovery. Provided he lived through the night.

* * *

Devi’s Diner, New York

The bell over the door jangled as Homicide Detective Mike Gilotti stepped through. Nodding to the cook he glanced around, noted that, as hoped, the place was relatively empty. A mom and her two kids sat at a booth close to the door while a regular by the name of Jackson nursed a beer at the counter near the kitchen. Two seats down a guy who would have been at home in the NFL was eating a burger. Waiving off the waiter who’d been on break, he made his way toward a booth in the far corner.

Hey Detective. Your usual?

I have a usual? he fired back; his New York accent thick.

Kyle smirked. You have two, actually. Black or bitter.

It’s bitter tonight, he came back referring to beer instead of java. I’m off for the next two days.

Anything to eat?

Nah.

You cheatin’ on us, Detective? the waiter teased. Eating drive-thru?

I was on a stake-out junior.

I knew it. Drive-thru. He shook his head. You know we do doggie bags. He tapped the table. Be right back with your beer.

Keeping his back to the wall, Mike used the window as a mirror and scanned the place, reaching with his senses as he did so. The mom looked tense but no more than a woman trying to keep two toddlers up past their bedtime in line would. At the counter Jackson, eighty if a day, looked as he always did, grumpy, his shoulders hunched as if he was protecting his beer from those who might steal it. The other one – the football player – seemed – not tense so much as alert. Watchful. His eyes met those of the cook in the window’s reflection. When the man smiled, he relaxed. If the big guy was a threat, Tony would know, would give him a signal. Still, there was something...

Normally he’d dismiss it as an overactive sense of duty brought on by fatigue. He’d been on a stake-out for the past several days so sleep had been in short supply. But he couldn’t dismiss it for the simple fact he was a detective and not dismissing what he noticed went with the job. Not to mention that coda saved his life more times than he could count. Still, unless and until the guy did something odd or suspicious, he remained a potential rather than a likely threat. That was, until the bells over the door jangled.

Now that was tension, he muttered taking a long pull of ale. The guy was either waiting for or hiding from someone. Or it was his first time eating with his back to the door.

Sorry I’m late, a familiar voice said as he slid across from him.

Hey, Jake. He shook the Dragon Core lieutenant’s hand, pointed. Mica see you like that? he asked referring to his niece who was a healer who specialized in shape shifter physiology. She was helping Jake recover from a previous injury and wouldn’t be happy to see he’d been hurt again. Pretty badly by the looks of it.

When the West Coast raven shifter sneered, he laughed. Yeah, I wouldn’t be showin’ her that wing in a sling neither. He shook his head. After all that work,

Shut up.

He laughed. So, other than the obvious, how’s it going? I ask because it’s not like you to sit in on an introduction.

Since learning his soon-to-be-nephew Cayden Vale was a raven shifter, he’d been introduced – from time-to-time – to a number of shape shifters and the allies who helped them live in plain sight without being discovered. Though the initial introductions were made by either Cayden or Jake, it eventually got to the point where, being a trusted member of Cayden’s personal Dragon Core Network, he met them on his own, usually at a location such as the diner. If Jake was there? Either the guy was a big wig or trouble was on the horizon. As he signaled for a second beer, he considered he wasn’t sure which he preferred. I’m gettin’ old, he muttered setting the empty bottle at the edge of the table. He glanced across at his companion. So?

Jake McLachlan, Messenger of the Gods and Dragon Core lieutenant returned the homicide detective’s penetrating gaze with one of his own. So, you’re smart, he admitted, amused when the detective only snorted. It was one of the things he appreciated about the man. Outside the fact he lived life with a passion Jake identified with; the homicide detective chose to laugh at life’s vagaries as often as he swore at them. He sobered. Cayden’s in danger.

He nodded. Kind of figured that.

How? he asked, intrigued. As far as he was aware there were very few who knew and as most of those who did lived in another galaxy, it was unlikely the detective had been made aware.

Aside from the fact I’m good at deductive reasoning? he answered moving a finger back and forth between them. I just saw him at Thanksgiving. I saw right off something was up and before you go saying anything, I saw that mark on his chest. Or what was left of it anyhow. The charred skin – apparently the mark of the Black Dragon’s favor - was healing quickly from what he could tell. Still. Jesus, Jake.

Hey -.

No, I get it – Black Dragon and all that but Jesus. He let out a gusty sigh. Aside from the fact the poor bastard was in a hell of a lotta pain? I could see something was worrying him.

You didn’t ask?

He shook his head, took a long drink. Yo, Kyle. Onion rings, okay?

First you steal our Donna then you order me around like I’m your personal servant, the man shot back with a long-suffering sigh as he made for the kitchen.

I didn’t take your Donna! he snapped back. She’s comin’ in for her morning shift as usual.

Yeah, he responded setting a beer in front of the West Coast raven shifter, "but we can’t tease her anymore because her husband will haul our ass to jail." Blowing him a kiss he went to put a check in front of the frazzled mom.

When Mike saw raised eyebrows, he shook his head. He’s just puttin’ it on in front of company. Guy’s as straight as an arrow. He was also dating his wife’s baby sister who, like his wife, worked at Dev’s. So, Cayden."

Jake made to answer, stopped as someone approached. Conrad.

Mike looked up. Figured it was you, he said coming to stand.

That right? the man asked, his eyes going to the West Coast raven shifter before accepting the detective’s outstretched hand. Conrad Asket."

Mike Gilotti. Have a seat and tell me who you are and why Cayden’s in danger.

Jake wondered what the detective would do if he knew he’d just ordered the High Liege of Chancery Lumina as if he was one of his nephews. He smirked. Probably act the same. Mike Gilotti didn’t care about titles and had no use for pretention. Of course, neither did Conrad which meant the months and years to come would be vastly entertaining.

I’m a leader of men, Conrad said simply then nodded when Kyle held up a bottle.

And the danger?

Ooh, cop talk, Kyle said dropping the beer and the onion rings on the table. I feel so safe now.

Mike rolled his eyes. Go ahead. These guys are harmless enough.

Conrad nodded. He’d been given a full briefing and so was well aware that Dev’s was under twenty-four-hour watch by the Network. If things continued as they’d been, it would be added to the official safe list. He hoped so. They had good burgers.

There’s been an abrupt change in government in Chancery Lumina, he began.

Uh-huh, Mike answered. He’d been given a full briefing so he was aware – theoretically – what that meant. Not that he had any desire to but as far as he was concerned, until and unless he saw the place, it remained on par with Atlantis.

Conrad detected the skepticism, was unfazed by it. A healthy dose of skepticism and the courage to question were excellent traits in a soldier and anyone fighting against darkness was, in his esteemed opinion, a soldier, regardless of their day job.

Though the next in line has been selected -.

What happened to the last guy? Mike asked dragging an onion ring through ketchup before shoving it in his mouth.

He was put under arrest, Jake answered wondering where the guy put it since he was incredibly fit.

For?

Treason, Conrad completed. And murder.

Cayden’s father, Jake added.

Seriously? Cayden’s father was murdered by the king? That’s what you call that position, right?

High Liege, Conrad clarified, but yes, it is what you consider a monarchy.

And Cayden is next in line, Jake put in.

How? If his father -.

His mother is High Queen, Conrad supplied.

Mike sat back, an expression that conveyed his surprise at that bit of news on his face. She -. He shook his head. No wonder the guy offed him. He held up a hand. Not that I’m sayin’ it was right, just something I understand. Crimes of passion – killing – I get it. You shouldn’t do it, he grumbled then reached for an onion ring, but it happens. Okay, so what, they want to kill Cayden to make sure he doesn’t – wait. Would Mica have to go there? Forget it, he ain’t rulin’. I’m not losin’ my Mica.

Conrad was aware how close the homicide detective was to his niece who would be marrying the Shadow of the Gods once she graduated medical school. He shook his head. You do not have to worry. The Shadow of the Gods has refused the position and the new High Liege has been chosen.

If that’s the case, why’s he in danger?

Those loyal to the new man worry he will change his mind, Conrad explained.

There’s another piece of this, Jake put in. There are those who aren’t happy that the new leader was chosen by the Grant of Succession. A vote, he clarified at the detective’s look. Instead of by blood succession.

Sounds like fight to the death kind of stuff. Hey wait, he said nodding his thanks at the waiter who set waters on the table. Isn’t – Lage and Cayden are half-brothers, right?

"The Black Dragon is