Secret Warrior

By Arna Moss

In a world ruled by women, the rarest Species are the Daemons. A Warrior class that the Goddess bestowed near invincibility. Over time, human came to despise and fear them. Causing a race of people, who have done nothing but protect all, recede into hiding.

Lucilla Brimstone (aka Lucy) is Princess of the Daemon Species. Hidden for almost a millennium, she doesn’t think she’ll ever come out of the shadows. The false stories and the murder of her father cause her to lock away her heart. Believing that she could never have a Fated Mate.

Detective Aiden Cross is a Grizzly Bear Shifter and Head of Homicide at the Lilyville Police Department. Become Chief of Police is the only thing he cares about. After years in the military, he moves from his Shifter hometown to the big city to pursue his dream. His mother continuously tries to set him up with every Shifter girl she knows, but he stays true to his path.

But when the body of a homeless man is found murdered. Lucy and Aiden have to team up to find the killer. As the investigation unfolds, so does new feelings that they try to deny. It’s when signs of a past long forgotten rears its ugly head, that Lucy has to come to a decision. Can she take a risk with Aiden with more than just her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arna Moss
• Release date: Jan 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005532529

Arna Moss

Arna Moss is a devoted wife and a mother of a beautiful daughter. She started writing short stories while in Middle School, but never allowed people to read them. After she graduated High School, she began her journey on a site mostly allotted for visual artists. It didn't deter her, even when no one would take the time to read them.Once Wattpad came around, Arna was excited to see if anyone would be interested in the stories she told. However, even after she started writing, she didn't have the time to constantly promote herself. It caused her to pause on her dream to be an author and shift her focus to her health.Years later, Arna got married and underwent another open heart surgery. Which allowed her to experience more that life had to offer. Including traveling to places she would only dream of and becoming the mother she's always wanted to be. Which turned out to be more difficult then she had ever imagine. To the point that she believed it was never going to happen for her.After her husband left the military, they moved from North Carolina to Virginia for his dream job. Giving Arna the ability to stay home to get back to her passion of writing. However, life threw her a curve ball of a surprise. She became pregnant after years of trying and failing. Putting her health back at the forefront and her writing on the backburner.Once her beautiful daughter joined the world, Arna slowly got back to her love of reading and writing. It couldn't have gone better. Now with published work and more on the way, Arna is looking forward to achieving the dream that she had put off for so long.Now, she has plots and plans for many more stories!

Book preview

People were traded for money, land, and power. Many battles were fought over who could own whom. After years and years of one species killing another because they were different, the Goddess of all creation cursed them.

The Goddess explained, Because you can’t come to love and respect all of my children for their respectable differences, I’m placing a curse on all of you. You will be unable to bare children unless you are with your Fated Mate. You must present you embracing hands during the witching hour on a full moon, only then will you know if the two are Fated to be. Do not only look within your own kind, for you could not know whom I deemed worthy of you. Be well and find true love.

It took a long time before people started accepting that the curse would not just go away. For that, the council was created, The First Mothers of the Goddess. They were tasked with reminding every Species that they all were on equal ground, none above another. Laws were created that all had to abide by and it was finally peaceful.

However, lurking in the shadows, was a new threat. One that wanted to bring down the curse and return to the times of war. Can the Daughters of the Goddess find their Fated Mates in time and stop the rising coup?

Prologue

"When the universe was created, our planet formed. It went through many stages before becoming capable to sustain life. Our planet grew to remarkable beauty, which required constant help. That’s when the Goddess was born. She became the embodiment of our entire planet. She wandered the globe by herself, but this did not bother her. Enjoying the company of animals and watching them gave her great pleasure. They greeted her with love, but they lived extremely short lives. As every animal lived their life cycles, the Goddess started to feel alone. She wished for children, so she created humans.

After some time, she began to fear that she might have made them too weak and too dependent on her and desired help to make them more independent. She started with the creation of Daemons and tasked them with protection. Engraining the overwhelming desire to protect into their DNA. Making them incapable of harming others without serious cause. The Goddess made them near indestructible, for there was no reason to give them a weakness because of their deep desire to protect.

Once satisfied with the safety of her humans, she looked for help in developing human’s comforts. She came across a woman who was wounded pass the point that she should have died. To save her, the Goddess gave the woman some of her blood. Thus, creating Vampires. They were smart, fast, and able to figure out the best outcomes for situations because of their long-life experiences.

Happy so far with her progress, the Goddess knew she wanted them to know the fun and relaxing side of life. As she traveled, she came across a group of people who enjoyed wines, smokes, and delicious fruits. The Goddess blessed their fruit groves turning them into the Fae. The Fae showed they loved life and taught humans to, as well.

The Goddess was becoming quite ecstatic with all of her different children she had created. One day, she came across a group of wolves and watched them hunt. That gave the Goddess the idea to create Shifters from different types of animals. Giving the humans several ways of how to track animals and grow crops. It also taught humans compassion to animals and other creatures that couldn’t communicate with them.

Lastly, she came across the perfect group of humans for the task of the health and well-being of all her children. They had knowledge of herbs and the power to best use them for the good of all. Those humans became known as Witches.

At the end of her journey, the Goddess became hopeful that all of her children would become more dependent on each other, allowing her to quietly watch them from the sidelines. Happy and her heart full of love, she pulled away slowly over time. Finally, she wasn’t alone anymore.

However, the humans felt cheated and came to hate all of the Goddess’s other children. When nothing changed, most of them came to hate the Goddess herself. By that time, the Goddess had been out of her children’s lives for quite some time. That’s the origin story of the Goddess and all of her children."

Why do they hate us, mommy? A little girl with short dark gray hair and crystal blue eyes was cozy in her bed, wrapped up in her mother’s arms.

The Goddess never gave humans their own abilities like the rest of us have. Out of fear and jealousy, they started seeing everyone but humans as monsters. They did everything they could to eradicate us. Her mother answered.

The little girl gasped and hid her eyes under her blanket. Her mother just chuckled and pulled the blanket back down.

Her mother, stroking her hair to soothe her, whispered. It’s okay little one. It was before you were born.

What happened next? The little girl asked with big eyes.

The Goddess, sadden by how her humans were treating her other children, wept. She only ever wanted to protect them, not make them feel inadequate. She decided to help, so she cursed us. Her mother continued.

Curse? That sound terrible. The little girl looked sad.

Oh, but it wasn’t little one. The curse made it so that each one of her children would have the perfect mate for them. A Fated Mate. Her mother soothed her sorrows.

Like you and Daddy? The little girl smiled brightly up at her mother, when her bedroom door opened.

In walks a man with black hair and a large black beard. He looked rugged even while dressed in expensive clothing. Atop his head was a beautiful crown he wore proudly. He smiled at his ladies on the large bed. The mother smiled back at the man who was her husband but the little girl bounced out of her mother’s arm, in anticipation for something.

Yes, just like your Father and I. Speak of the Devil. The mother winked at her Fated Mate that was leaning on the door jam.

Daddy’s not a Devil! He’s human, Mommy. She jumped out of bed and into her father’s arms, catching her with ease.

Telling her about the curse again, I see. The little girl’s Father walked his precious daughter back to her bed.

The little girl’s father sits down on the other side of the bed, placing her back under her covers. Smiling up at both of her parents, she gets comfortable in her large down comforter. She has always enjoyed it when both of them tuck her in.

She bounced a little bit waiting for her mother to finish her story. She heard it every night, but it didn’t diminish the beauty of it.

It’s her favorite story. Her Mother stretched over the little girl and kissed her Mate.

Oh…? Her Father faked surprise.

Now, where was I? The mother asked the little girl.

Fated Mates, Mommy. Little girl snuggled down, and laid her head on her pillow.

Of course, how silly of me. Her mother smiled at her Father.

Very silly. Her Father joked and the little girl giggled.

Like I said, each one of her children will have that one person who is perfect for them. Someone who will love them no matter who or what they are. You can’t stay in your own species because you’ll never know. Your Fated Mate might be someone you’d never expect. Her mother smiled softly.

Just like you and Daddy. Your Daemon and he’s Human, but your Fated Mates. You love and respect one another even though your different. The little girl smiled.

Exactly. The Goddess cursed us to keep the peace between the species. To allow us to love how she had always wanted. Her mother smiled at a memory the little girl didn’t know.

You forgot something. The father chimed in.

What did I forget? The mother looked from her Fated to her little girl.

The How, mommy. The little girl smiled so wide she closed her eyes.

The mother pretended like she didn’t know what her daughter was talking about. How? How, how?

MOMMY! the little girl played.

OH YES! I almost forgot. The mother bonked her head with her hand.

See, your mother remembered. The father combed the little girl’s hair with his fingers.

There is only one way of truly knowing who your Fated Mate is. The Goddess gave us a test that will tell us if the person we were holding is the one. The how, we will know if they are the one. Her mother reached out to her Fated and rubbed his shoulder.

What’s the test? The little girl yawned.

It’s called the Full Moon Test. It’s when you hold the person who you hope is your Fated Mate in the full moon light at midnight… The mother told.

THE WITCHING HOUR! The little girl yelled.

That’s right, the witching hour. If the Goddess whispers to you that you two are Fated Mates during the test, then you will be blessed by her. Only then will you know. The mother turned to her Human Fated, and smiled.

I can’t wait until I find my Fated Mate. The little girl wiggled.

Oh, I think you can wait a little while. I’m not anywhere near ready to share you with someone else. Her Father shook his head and tucked her blanket around her little body.

Were you happy when you met mommy? the little girl asked her father.

More than you know. I never had a problem with the species being with other species, even though I am human. I had always wanted children and when I met your mother, I knew it was my time. The father answered her, but smiled to her mother.

Like me? the little girl smiled wide.

Exactly. Only Fated Mated blessed by the Goddess can have children. The father informed his little girl.

Anything else? The mother asked.

Nope. I really like hearing about Fated Mates. The little girl pulled her covers up.

Then it’s time for little ones to go off to dream land. The mother touched the little girl’s nose.

Okay. Night Daddy, Night Mommy. Little girl yawned for the second time.

Night Lucilla. Remember, never run away from who you are. The father told her.

Both of her parent gave her a kiss on either side of her cheeks. She smiled at them before closing her eyes. Every night was the same and she looked forward to it. They made their way to the door, turned off her light, and closed her bedroom door behind them.

She lied in bed trying to picture what her Fated Mate would look like and every night the only thing that came to her mind was how happy her parents are. So, she wished to the Goddess that she could be as happy and loved by someone as much as her parents love each other.

Chapter 1

1200 Years Later…

A loud ringing noise was filling the silence in Lucy room, which was causing her to stir from a deep sleep. She unrolled herself from her black down comforter and reached for her phone on her ash wood night stand. Rubbing her eyes, she tried focusing on the bright screen to see who would be calling her so early in the morning. Of course, it was just her mother.

Morning Mother. Do you have any idea what the time is over here? Lucy groggily answered her phone, perching herself on the edge of her king size bed.

Oh, sorry little one. I was just letting you know that the Council will be heading to Lilyville early next week and I was hoping you’d be up to have dinner? Of course, you can bring a date. That is, if you have a man in your life. Her Mother was always hoping.

Lucy Brimstone was the only daughter of Lilith and Viktor Brimstone. Lilith was the first Daemon of the Goddess of creation, as well as the first of her children to find their Fated Mate. When Lucy was young, she couldn’t wait to find her Fated, but when her Father was murdered, she had stopped dreaming of the day when she would meet him. She couldn’t see anyone falling in love with a Daemon.

She had become ashamed of who she was and kept the fact that she was not only a Daemon, but the Princess of the whole species secret from everyone. It was her father who loved her and no one could ever replace that love, not even her Fated Mate.

Mother, I told you I’m not interest in finding a man. How could I ask someone I love to love me for who I am? Lucy looked at the clock and groaned that it was 5 am.

Everyone deserves to find the right one to love, little one. Just because her mother lost her own Fated Mate, she never told her daughter to stop looking.

Anyways, I would love to have dinner with you. When, Where and what time? Lucy sighed, she had three hours before she had to be at work.

I’m not quite sure yet, but we should be there Monday. I will call you when we land and set up when to have dinner. I have to go, love and miss you. Bye little one. Her mother didn’t even allow her to answer before she hung up the phone.

Lucy groaned while rubbing her face with both hands. She turns on the lamp that was on the same side table that held her phone just moments before. She looked around her large Master Bedroom trying to wake up. She saw her large television that sat on top of her dresser that was the same ash wood as both side tables. To the left of the dresser was the bedroom door. The dresser, television, and door were on the wall opposite her king size bed. Sitting on the side edge of her bed, the wall in front of her held two doors, one to a large walk-in closet and the other to the master bath. The opposite wall from the bathroom was wall to ceiling windows that held two large dog beds.

Morning Titania, Morning Oberon. She greeted both of her Great Danes.

In an instant they both got up and jumped onto the bed. Every morning, trying to get another five minutes of sleep. They enjoyed the warmth of a freshly slept in bed. She would get up in the morning to get ready and they would rest on her bed until she went downstairs.

Now come on. She patted them on their butts.

It didn’t even stir them. So much of the bed was taken up by dogs that it forced Lucy to stand. She stretched, reaching her hands as high as they could go. Yawning, she finally relaxed her arms.

I’ll let you run around without your collars on if you get up! She cooed at them.

That got them up quickly in anticipation. They loved it when they got to play without their collars. The collars didn’t hurt nor were they uncomfortable, but it did stop them from being free to be themselves. What the collars essentially did was help hide them from the world. Like Lucy was doing.

Lucy reached over and removed the collars. Oberon was first. Once his collar was off, he transformed into the Hellhound he really was and jumped off the bed. He phased through the floor and was gone. Titania followed after him.

Lucy fixed her bed, lazily throwing the comforter up and over the pillows. She changes out of her shorts and tank top to don a pair of sweat pants and a shirt she uses for working on her 1922 Triumph Model H motorbike. It’s such an old bike she has to custom make almost every part. Since she had time to work on it, thanks in kind to her mother.

When she made it to the base of the stairs both dogs were standing at the French doors that led out to the backyard. Tails wagging a mile a minute. She nodded before they phased through and rushed to play with one another. It was still early enough that it was still dark outside, so, no one would see them.

Lucy made herself a cup of tea like every morning. She walked out the door to her porch and got comfortable on a chair, leaving the door open. It was a cool morning, but it would get warmer throughout the day. She smiled into the hot cup and enjoyed the soothing feeling of her tea.

Watching her Hellhounds play was always enjoyable. They look like black charred skeletons with skin stretched over their bones, barely holding them together. Their eyes glow a bluish color from their souls that leak out of their mouths as flames. They look evil and their bite could burn like hellfire, but it’s only used to track anyone around the world. They are incapable of killing. Their true propose is to protect the Daemon to which they are bound. Nothing more.

People are afraid of Hellhounds just like they are afraid of Daemons. Years of false stories and make believe did that. That’s why they hide themselves with the collars. However, Hellhounds are the biggest babies when they trust you.

Lucy looked down at her empty cup and debated if she wanted to make another. Her decision was chosen for her when her neighbor’s bedroom light turn on. She owns several acres so her neighbors weren’t on top of her, but if they looked out their window, they would see the glow of her hellhounds.

She whistled. Both her dogs rush right into the house without a second to waste. It was time to have some breakfast, then start work on her Triumph before she had to go to work. She sighed, hoping the day would get better than it had started.

*****

Detective Aiden Cross pulled up behind several patrol cars. He was called here by his lieutenant and was told he needed to be here ASAP. He put his car in park and got out. He buttoned his suit jacket and made his way towards all the noise. An Officer rushed over to him, and he just rolled his eyes, groaning at having to deal with anyone this early.

He was trying to listen to the cop who was explaining the situation that was happening around him. It was hard to concentrate since he had gotten home, around 1am, and only had a few hours of sleep before being drag out to this underpass. Where he knew a collection of homeless had made their home. There were so many it looked like a small village. The blue lights of several patrol cars were lighting up the early morning sky, as Aiden ducked under the yellow tape.

Good morning, Detective. Couldn’t stay away? Officer Julie Brown was a rookie trying to prove herself to the detective in more ways than just being promoted.

Apparently, I’m not allotted sleep. Aiden kept his distance.

The body was found only an hour ago by one of the homeless that reside here. Officer Brown kept up the best she could with Aiden’s long strides.

Aiden Cross stood 6’6 with dark brown hair that is cut longer on top then on the sides with a matching dark brown trimmed bread. His green eyes searched the ground as he walked to the dead body and his muscles flexed under his suit. Tattoos, that he had acquired over the long time in the military, peaked out from under his cuff. Only, when he stretches his right arm.

Have you talked to the witness? Gotten his statement? Aiden asked, clutching his coffee mug.

I have tried, sir, but he doesn’t want to talk to me. Officer Brown whined.

Aiden rolled his eyes, not the least bit interested in her antics. Then I’ll give it a try.

Aiden had made it to the body. He’s seen many dead bodies in many different positions over the 100 years that he had gone from Military to Police force, but this body made him grimace. The gentleman, or at least he believes it was a man, had all of his organs removed and set on fire around him. His face look like it took a shot gun round at close range and then he was beheaded.

My Goddess, it looks like overkill. Aiden bent down while he put on his crime scene gloves, passing his coffee to one of the officers outside the yellow tape.

The body had its own yellow tape surrounding it. He looked over the site and saw the piles of ash. The head was detached but it was still close to where it would have rested. The body laid in a large pool of blood. He went to pick up a metallic ball from the shot gun shell.

Careful sir. It’s silver. Officer Brown warned.

Shifter are not immortal, but do live several thousands of years. They’re also strong, fast healers, and have increased senses. Normal weapons like knives and guns can cause damage, but they are able to heal themselves. Even a lead bullet to the heart or brain will be fine to them. However, silver is another matter. Silver is the only way you can kill a shifter before old age does. Silver on the skin will burn and silver in the body will eat away at their flesh. Silver to the brain or heart is fatal.

Thanks. Aiden stood up and took a look around the makeshift village.

All of the homeless looked on in horror. He removed his gloves and tossed them on the ground. The CSI clean-up crew will get to it, just in case he touched something. He brushed off his hand on his slacks.

Show me where the witness is. Aiden asked the female officer who stuck annoyingly close to his side.

Officer Brown pointed to a man in the back of an ambulance. Without delay, he made his way towards the witness with Officer Brown following too close on his heels. The other officer passes Aiden’s coffee back to him when he cleared the yellow tape, downing the rest in two gulps. Even with the amount of coffee he’s consumed, he didn’t feel as rejuvenated as he hoped. The only thing he could hope for was that the dirty man wrapped in a blanket saw whoever did this.

Aiden passed his empty cup to the female officer trailing behind him and told her to get rid of it. It should give him a few moments alone with the witness, without her hovering.

Hello, my name is Detective Cross. I’m the Head of Homicide and the lead detective on this case with the Lilyville Police Department. I would like to talk to you about the body you found. Aiden flashed his badge before reaching out and placing a warm hand on the shoulder of the shaken man.

The man just shook his head and grunted. He brushed off Aiden’s hand and started looking around, as if searching for someone. Aiden looked around with him, hoping he would see what or who this man was looking for. When no one was making eye contact he turned back to see he was looking down at his hands.

Are you looking for someone? Aiden looked around again.

That’s what I was trying to tell you sir. Officer Brown had disposed of his empty cup and returned.

Tell me what? Aiden was tired and she was started to weigh heavy on his nerves.

People here don’t talk to strangers. They will only talk to one person. Officer Brown flipped through her little notepad that all officer carry.

Who do I have to find so I can talk to these people? Aiden didn’t even want to look at Julie.

Someone they call, Lu-Lu. Officer Brown smiled but when she caught the evil stare from the Detective she faltered.

How the hell am I supposed to find someone by the name of Lu-Lu in the large city of Lilyville and its surrounding burros? Did you get a last name? Maybe a description? Is she Social Services? Did you get any information that will help us besides her name? Aiden started moving towards his car.

Um, no one knows Lu-Lu’s last name, but they say that she comes every couple of days to bring food and clean water to everyone. Officer Brown was flipping quickly through her note pad for anything that can help her get back on Aiden’s good side.

That’s not very helpful. Aiden stopped and turned abruptly towards her.

They wouldn’t talk to me. What else was I supposed to do? Officer Julie whined.

Don’t whine. You are an Officer of the law. You have to figure out different ways to get your information. If you want to move up, you will have to put in the extra effort. Aiden scolded her.

Sorry, sir. Officer Julie looked remorseful.

I’ll coordinate with dispatch to place a patrol car here to wait for this Lu-Lu girl. Aiden told her, wondering why he had to babysit this officer.

I’ll contact dispatch for you, since I messed up. Officer Julie wrote on her notepad.

Look, learn, and get better. That’s all anyone can do when we make a mistake. Aiden turned away and went off to his car.

Officer Julie smiled to his back. She ran off towards her cruiser to call dispatch. Aiden wasn’t awake enough to deal with her level of excitement. Grimacing, he knew he was going to have an awful day.

Before getting to his car, he deviated to search