War Queen: The Crossover Series, #4

By Shaunna Rodriguez

The Underground 

"Werewolves, vampires, the combination of the two and outlaws live underground. Things that go bump in the night that wish to avoid prison or death by Cody's hand, dwell below there. Things are stirring below as we all prepare for war." Everly

It starts with a growl; the next thing you feel is life leaving your body as their teeth sink into your flesh..... 

News of Cammy & Loureli's escape from the tower prison, once deemed impossible, now echoed off the Palace walls. Though Guard had been sent out in mass, there was still no sign of the sorority girls a month later... it was now a question of whether they were alive or dead. Only time would tell. 

The Kings being called away on urgent business to Russia then sending for Vanessa to help Everly secure the President's daughter is about to turn her life upside down. Especially when she's lured into a war like nothing she's ever seen or read about. 

Lives hang in the balance as Vanessa is forced to fight or die in a snow covered forest where there is no escape. Wave after wave of #werewolves, #vampires and #kings exacting #revenge against her family, keeps coming. Will she ever see home again or is this the end of Queen Vanessa's reign? 

Are you ready? Only the strong will survive.... #Rush is over..... A new kind of #War is here.

#theselection #therising #kings #queens #sorority #fraternity #newyork #vegas #london #england #europe #murder #mystery #romance 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Coffee & Cakes Publishing
• Release date: May 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393330097

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Vanessa rolled to her feet, then dropped into the splits and fell forward, covering her head as a whoosh of air blew over it. Vanessa rolled and kicked up out of the snow, landing behind the king that rivaled all others of the day.

Vanessa stared up at what had to be a king of eight to nine feet tall and was not shifting. She tripped and fell backwards over several bodies comprised of vampires and werewolves.

Vanessa screeched and rolled just as the swords came at her again. She kicked the body of a solid black werewolf up and watched the king slice through it. He didn’t blink, flinch, or stop. He flipped his wrists and swung his swords out to the side as he paced her with ease, shaking the earth with every step.

Vanessa rolled backwards to her feet and ducked as he swung both swords for her head again. She slid through his legs and reached for a sword and rolled just as he planted the blade through the snow where she had just been.

What is your problem! Vanessa roared. She slid backwards on her butt through the snow. She could feel the ice-cold wetness seeping through the butt of her leather pants as the king kept coming mercilessly. He taunted her, swinging his blades out to the side, then brought them together in front of her face, clashing steal with steal. 

Vanessa rolled to her feet and decided enough of this. She was standing her ground. She didn’t flinch or move as the king charged her, roaring, followed by a war cry.

Olivia, Grace and Zoe landed with Everly and Loureli on either side of Vanessa, Chloe, Sasha and Poppie. All of them leaned forward with swords drawn.

Come get some! Vanessa roared, pitching her head back.

The daughters of kings. He pointed one large, thick blade at them. No one was backing down.

You want the daughter of a king, come get some. Here I am. Olivia stood upright and whipped her swords behind her.

And me. Zoe growled with Grace. 

You don’t want none. Vanessa, Loureli, and Everly warned with Chloe.

On the contrary. It’s you I’m after little Queen. He pointed his sword at Vanessa.

Well, here I am. Apparently I’m the daughter of kings and the wife of kings, so if I’m what your heart desires- come get some. She narrowed her eyes on him and leaned forward, sliding her foot behind her. 

He studied her for a moment and watched Nikki Belle, Whitney, Sasha, Everly and now Cassandra walking forward with their hair blowing behind them and their swords out to the side. Vanessa had a split second to contemplate where in the hell Cassandra had come from.

She hadn’t been at Natasha’s house. She hadn’t run through the woods with them. Yet here she was. The king looked at Vanessa, smiling wickedly at him.

I’m your problem. Not them. You want me, come and get me. She challenged. Everly, Loureli and Chloe stared at Vanessa, horrified.

Van. Loureli hissed.

No, no. It’s fine. He wants me, he better be prepared for what he’s going to get. Vanessa stood her ground. The other girls exchanged worried looks, then dug their swords into the ground. 

I met your great-great-great-great-grandfather on a battlefield like this. The king informed her.

Oh? Vanessa asked with a keen curiosity. This piqued her interest. She was still curious to his identity.

It was the day I watched your fathers kill my father and your husbands killed my grandfather and great grandfather and the rest of my family. It was an epic battle. Not one I have ever forgotten. Once I’m done with you, I’ll,

Exact revenge on their daughters. I know this one. I’ve heard it all day. Notice though, we’re all still standing, and their daughters aren’t here with us. Vanessa pointed out.

Be sure you wish to exact revenge today, as we are the daughters of kings and I’m the wife of them. Know what you’re getting into because clearly, we’re pretty damn good at what we do. How good are you? She asked, and was rewarded with a smirk of indignance.

I killed your great-great-great-great-grandfather. He told her proudly.

Congratulations. Was it a lucky shot? Vanessa taunted.

Ness, no. Everly moved one hand over the other.

Have you seen the size of that guy? Nikki Belle screeched like she might be blind to him.

I’ll have you know! He roared.

Show me! Vanessa roared, growing impatient with his monologuing of past victories. It was the one he gained here, and now that counted. 

Are you in a hurry to die, young queen? He sneered.

I didn’t come here to die. I came, I saw, I conquered. I will walk away from here in one piece, living to tell the tale. Vanessa tipped her chin up defiantly.

He roared and swung his swords out to the side, kicking up a gust of snow, and charged Vanessa. She stood very still, watching and memorizing everything he was doing.

Vanessa! Loureli screamed and reached for her. Vanessa moved so fast they barely saw what she did. One minute she was standing in front of him and the next she had one foot extended out to the side, her elbow drawn up in front of her chin and a sword the size of her body sticking out from her hands, dripping with blood.

Vanessa turned her face just as the king dropped to his knees and choked, then gurgled and splattered the white snow in front of him with blood red. 

Vanessa dropped the sword into the snow and spun to stand in front of him.

The name is Vanessa. Say it. She ordered. He choked on blood pouring from his puffy blue lips and gasped her name. Vanessa reached down and picked up his swords with ease, then examined them. 

I didn’t come here to die today. I came here to save a girl who died unnecessarily. This is personal. For my family and my husbands. Vanessa roared and swung her hands out to the side wielding his swords and tipped her head back, slicing through his neck, passing the blades over one another and taking his head. 

Everyone heard the thud as it hit the cold ground. It laid on the snow next to his massive body. Vanessa drove both swords through his broad shoulders, then walked around him, surveying the damage of what she’d just taken down.

She looked up at Everly, then kicked her foot backwards and planted her boot through his chest, then yanked it back out. Everly stared at the still beating heart on the snow next to Vanessa’s foot, then her and dropped to her knees.

You are no queen. You are an embarrassment to your fathers and those before them. You are an embarrassment to the Crown and Kings you once served. You are no heir. You are the ruler of none. The only reason you’re still alive is you’re halfway decent with a sword and I don’t want to be here all day. Vanessa snarled.

Get your ass up and get the hell out of my sight. The girl’s blood is on your hands, Everly. I am sure you are behind what transpired here today. You’ll live with it for the rest of your life. I only hope you don’t walk around bragging about her death like these guys did. Everly blinked rapidly at Vanessa, processing her bitter words.

They get to take all their victories to the grave because they picked a fight with the wrong girl. That girl is me. Now, what do you think I’m going to do to you? Vanessa sneered.

CHAPTER ONE

Vanessa pulled her hair into a ponytail, then slipped on her pink Chuck Taylor’s. She stepped out of the bedroom, running into Loureli.

Hey there. I was just coming to find you. Loureli held up an original copy of Beauty and the Beast and bounced in place. Vanessa bit her bottom lip and grinning knowing Loureli would find what she’d left her.

That is so exciting. I see you found it. Vanessa winked then linked her arm through Loureli’s.

I did. Thank you so much. Loureli kissed the top of Vanessa’s head.

Ah definitely thank Cody, Josh, and Dean. I had them turn the library upside down on all three floors until we found it. Vanessa pointed at the book Loureli clutched tightly to her chest.

Well I am thrilled. She giggled and bounced.

I got the book I wanted from Cody. I knew you wanted this one and asked them for it for you. Anyway, I figured you’d be curled up in the library reading.

I was. Then I wanted some coffee and Vanessa time.

And here we are. Vanessa giggled and looked up at Sawyer and Noah coming towards them, carrying coffee in each hand.

Ooh you, I love. Vanessa skipped into Sawyer’s arms, then leaned over and kissed Noah. He caught the back of her head and flicked the tip of her tongue with his.

I want to show you something later. Noah turned his mouth to her ear and talked softly.

Now that sounds like a risky proposition. Vanessa giggled and waved to Caleb and Caden, running towards her with Micah on their heels. They were followed by Jared, Jeremy, J.P. and Jayden, as well as Shane and Nate. Vanessa was certain that completed the sets, but she kept hearing them referencing other brothers she just hadn’t met yet. The more the merrier, she thought quietly.

And what are the two loves of my life up to this morning? Jared wrapped his arms around Vanessa’s waist and kissed the side of her head. She laughed when Caleb scooped her up and spun, then hugged her tight.

We’re just getting started. What are you up to? Vanessa tipped her coffee cup towards the grinning guys, then winked at Sawyer who beamed.

We came to see what you two had planned for the day. Micah joined in. He looked scarily identical to Cody. From what she understood, he was his baby of the sons. Micah grinned and winked at Vanessa who brightened. He was just electric.

Where’s Cody and the others? Vanessa frowned and glanced around.

Ah, they’re in an emergency meeting. Noah gave her a knowing look. Vanessa reached out and swiped several of their coffees and listened to the chuckles as she skipped down to the conference room. She looked back and pointed at the closed door.

All you baby girl. Sawyer nodded and held his hands out to her with the others. Loureli stood back and looked on curiously. She knew better than to barge in on the Kings, but she wasn’t the Queen and Heir. Vanessa was. Vanessa opened the door slowly and peered in at Cody, nodding his head up and down as someone on the first floor talked.

There was of course the incident with Normandy. The man went on. Vanessa frowned. That sounded familiar. Where did she know Normandy? Not just the place, but she’d heard it referenced for something else.

Ah, my love. Cody smiled and motioned her inside. Vanessa slipped in and closed the door behind her, then carried the several coffees she’d swiped up to them. The boys chuckled and winked as they took the coffee gratefully.

She made herself comfortable in Cody’s lap, turning them and propping her feet in Dean’s. Vanessa took a sip of coffee, almost forgetting she was in the conference room and had interrupted a meeting of some sort.

And what are you up to, beautiful? Nick took a drink of coffee, then smiled at her.

Not a lot, but I did want to venture. Vanessa paused and pointed up, indicating the tower where Cammy and Leigha were being held for their crimes against the Crown and that was just the beginning of the charges. Cody glanced at Dean, who nodded.

I don’t see why not, my love. Who knows what else they’ll confess to, to get out of shackles? Cody teased and nuzzled her nose with his.

I can take Noah and the others if you feel better. Vanessa grinned knowingly and slid her arms around Cody’s neck.

I would feel better if they went with you. Cody kissed the side of her head, then her.

Is there something on your mind? Vanessa leaned sideways, keeping her arms around his neck, and searched his eyes.

A lot but nothing for you to worry about my love. Cody kissed her forehead, then the side of her head. Vanessa nodded and gazed at him, then cocked her head to the side. Something she’d heard after her shower, when she was on the way to get coffee from the kitchen that morning, crossed her mind.

And what’s on your mind, my love? Jason propped his elbow on the top of the table and gazed at her warmly. She held her finger up to Jason and turned her attention on Cody.

Did I understand or am I just crazy or did you say that you were King both above and,

Below. Everyone in the room filled in for her and nodded that she’d understood correctly.

Is there a reason you ask, my love? Seth pushed off the wall behind the boys and stepped forward. She wondered why he rarely sat. Seth winked at her and waited.

I think I overheard some men chatting in the Throne Room when I went to the kitchen for coffee. Vanessa hooked her thumb at the door.

Fascinating, and what did you hear? Rogan asked curiously.

The voices were kind of low and I wasn’t really paying attention, but I distinctly remember hearing the words; werewolves, vampires, war, and interim king and underground.

And were these referenced in any way? Someone from the first floor spoke. Vanessa glanced at Cody. He nodded and winked at her.

It was rather vague, but it amounted to Cody being in an awkward position only having an interim king below ground as his outlet to the underground or underworld, rather. One of the men called it the underground and the other the underworld. Vanessa shrugged as heads bobbed up and down, showing they were listening.

And was there anything else? Seth asked.

It was the weakness they were looking for. By removing the king Cody had in place at one time who was his trusted advisor, it put Cody in the awkward position of having to find another he trusted.

Mmm go on my love. Cody kissed the side of her head.

The interim king is thought to be your weakest link. As in, you haven’t given him the same power of delegation nor sources or contacts that the other king had. Vanessa summized. Cody leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of his mouth.

Vanessa, did anyone know you were nearby overhearing this? Cameron asked, giving her a worried look.

Not to my knowledge. It was sort of like an echo over my head. I looked up and there’s this vent that’s directly over the King's thrones. Vanessa explained. She watched several men on the front row tapping their lips as they rocked in their chair.

So, was there a good source verses a bad source? One of the men on the front asked.

Or a plot of some sort? Another asked.

It sounded sort of like a debate to me. The man who referred to it as the underground assured the man who referred to it as the underworld, that it was secure with the interim king in place. That Cody knew all, no matter who he had positioned everywhere. Apparently, Cody has spies everywhere. Vanessa nodded, bringing the room down with laughing and clapping. Cody tipped his head back and laughed. Vanessa shrugged at Dean, laughing and propping his elbow on the table and his head on his fist.

I had no idea but you know, while I’m listening to the man from the underworld version of this talking about, now is the time to strike. Something about some irons in the fire. Vanessa shrugged as the laughter ceased.

Uh, huh. Everyone nodded and held their hands out to her.

The man from the underground side of things told the other man he was wrong. That he was reading things incorrectly as usual and this is way he was cast out. Vanessa shrugged and waited as everyone looked around, exchanging glances. Vanessa recognized Lord’s Grey and Doyle. Both stood and waved. She giggled and almost fell out of Cody’s lap, waving.

Awe. Everyone chuckled and looked from her to them.  

And you never saw these men? Grey asked.

No sir. Just heard their echoes. She pointed above her head.

Did they decide whether they would attack? Doyle asked.

I’m actually not sure. The underground said now is not the time for this. Cody is not to be taken lightly or betrayed. The other one called Cody a fool and claimed he’d gotten lax in his judgment and ruling. That his focus was on finding and now managing the lost Queen and Heir. Vanessa bit her lip, not sure if she wanted to talk about this anymore.

My love? Grey nodded and held his hands out to her. She wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

My love, if there is more, we should know. This is a very big issue if the underground is attempting a mutiny and overthrow of powers. It will start a war that will spill above. One of