Unleashed

By Amber Kirkpatrick

In an event that shakes the foundations of the world, thousands find themselves with new powers. Initially thought to be miracles of science, prejudice and fear soon bring danger from the darkness.

Fenris Trygg lost everything he loved when the Changing came. Cynical and bitt

• Language: English
• Publisher: Quill & Flame Publishing House
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781957899350

Book preview

Acclaim for Unleashed

"Discovering who you are requires courage, and taking a chance on love risks more than just your heart. In Unleashed, Amber Kirkpatrick has crafted a superhero novel with romance, humor, tears, and (of course) Fen's ever-present coffee. More Fen and Sara, please?"

—CATHY MCCRUMB, bestselling author of The Children of the Consortium series

"Unleashed is a powerful novel penned with memorable prose and witty banter. With scenes of humor and heartbreak, Kirkpatrick delivers a story with relatable characters you’ll want to remember for years to come."

—V. ROMAS BURTON, award-winning, bestselling author of the Heartmaker Trilogy

"I laughed so hard I snorted in parts. Then I nearly sobbed in others. For readers who love all the swoon, the super-human element, the heartbreak, the high stakes, the coffee, and echoes of heroism from a lost age, Unleashed delivers."

—AJ SKELLY, bestselling author of The Wolves of Rock Falls series and Magik Prep Academy series

"Unleashed is a fun, action-packed adventure story, about love lost and rekindled, hackers, killers, hidden powers, and discovering the power of true love to change even the coldest of hearts. Unleashed will have you fall in love with Sara and Fenris and rooting for them every step of the way, and Kirkpatrick's delightful cast of characters will stay with you long after you close the book!"

—CANDACE KADE, bestselling author of Enhanced

With the perfect blend of snark and swoon, Kirkpatrick’s take on the superhuman genre is refreshingly funny with a whopping shot of save-the-world and my goodness, never have sparks between characters been so seriously real. The off-the-charts romantic chemistry is beyond perfect, while realistic stakes in a near-future world seriously imagine the daunting impact of mutant abilities and how those with powers carve out their lives and protect each other. With a dose of dark roast sarcasm and signature notes of love that defies all the odds, Fen & Co. deserve their own coffee company and need to give desperate readers like me a sequel, like yesterday.

—BRITTANY EDEN, bestselling author of Wishes and Hearts

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Writing by Amber Kirkpatrick

The Aquila Chronicles

Until the Rising

Short Stories in Anthologies

Wither and Bloom

A Sky of Tragic Moons

Magic and Mistletoe

Crowns

Poetry in Anthologies

Tide & Scale

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To AJ,

Thank you for taking a chance on this new, inexperienced writer and loving Fen as much as I do.

Thank you for the constant encouragement and typos.

But most of all, thank you for being a wonderful friend.

Unleashed

Copyright © 2023 by Amber Kirkpatrick

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Published by Quill & Flame Publishing House, an imprint of Book Bash Media, LLC.

www.quillandflame.com

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, digitally, stored, or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used ficticiously. Any similarity to actual people, living or dead, organizations, business establishments, and/or events is purely coincidental.

Cover design by Emilie Haney, www.EAHCreative.com

Contents

1.Prologue

2.Not Dangerous Enough

3.Coffee Woes

4.Red and the Wolf

5.Shenanigans

6.La Campanella

7.Anniversary Day

8.Aftermath

9.The Politics of Men

10.Heart and Soul

11.The Seeker

12.Rumors

13.The Wolf and the Seer

14.Feliz Año Nuevo

15.The Politics of Flowers

16.Let Go

17.Josephine

18.Interlude

19.La Familia

20.My Coffee!

21.Faithful

22.Ragnarök

23.The Taming of Fenris

24.Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Quill & Flame

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S how me one of your magic tricks, Fen.

It isn't magic … it's science, the lanky boy mumbled. He pushed back a heavy lock of dark hair from the girl's neck so he could kiss her just below the ear.

Nothing more was said for several sweet minutes as the two kissed in an old, beat-up car. She came from a large, bombastic family, while he was the only child of a protective, widowed father. For both of them, the car was their sole source of privacy.

The windows were just beginning to steam when the boy pulled back with a sigh. We better stop.

Aw, Fen.

I know. Set a date already so we don't have to worry about this anymore, he said with a laugh and a playful nudge.

The girl twisted the tiny diamond on her left hand. He watched her fiddle with it and took her hand in his own. A shadow crossed his otherwise happy face. I'm sorry it's so small.

You know that doesn't matter to me.

Then what is it, Teresa?

Mom wants us to wait a little longer. We're only nineteen, she said.

Yeah, and wasn’t she eighteen when she got married? Typical. We shouldn’t have let Frances beat you to the altar. If she hadn't dragged Marcel down the aisle last year, your mom would be more willing to let you go.

I know, but really, why does it matter? We’re engaged, can't we just— she finished her sentence with a kiss and a touch that sent the boy's head spinning. But he shook his head vehemently.

No, not going there. For one thing, your dad might shoot me. I'm serious. He scares me. And if your dad didn't manage it, mine would. At her pout, he laughed and winked. Okay. Time for some magic. Watch closely now.

Teresa smiled and leaned back in her seat.

When I say three, you blink. Ready? One, two … three!

With the slightest breath of wind, a red rose appeared in her lap. She stared down at it and then gazed at the boy with adoration. How did you do that?

Magic.

"I thought you said it was science."

Same thing. You know how the Gifts work.

Mine isn't nearly as exciting.

Perhaps, but … He leaned in for a kiss. You more than make up for it in other ways.

Despite his previous resistance, their impassioned kissing resumed. He might have eventually caved to her whispered encouragements, but the quiet crunch of tires on the gravel road put him on alert. Flushed and breathing heavy, Fen tried looking out the windows.

We steamed them up good this time. He laughed nervously as he rubbed away a bit of the condensation. I can't see a thing out there.

They both screamed as the back window of the car exploded behind them. A man with a heavy iron pipe took another swipe, clearing the glass. Without Fen putting a hand to the keys, the car started on its own. The boy gripped the steering wheel, skidding the tires in his hurry.

Call my dad, Teresa! Hunters—he needs to tell Durgan!

She fumbled with her phone, trying to locate the number with a shaking hand as the boy drove blindly, although the windows were beginning to clear. Fen found the road and sped away several miles. He could hear Teresa crying into the phone, trying to give directions. A tense moment or two passed and all was quiet before Fen slammed the brakes. The vehicle slid across the rocks to avoid colliding into the car parked crossways on the road.

No, no, no … he muttered, trying to back up and turn, but another car appeared behind them. They were boxed in. Fen’s mouth went dry, and he swallowed.

Come on out, freaks! a rough voice yelled.

Teresa. Listen. I'm going to get out—

No! Don't do it.

Be quiet! Let me go and try to distract them. If you see an opportunity, run. Don't stop, just run.

Fen … she whimpered.

He tried to reassure her with a smile, but it wobbled a bit. "I'm not completely helpless, remember? Surely, I can do something. But I need to know you are safe."

Taking a deep breath, the boy got out of the car. Before he could get his bearings, three burly men tackled him to the ground. With a flash of light and a blast of strange energy, he sent them flying into the trees.

Now, Teresa!

Gravel scattered from under her feet as she jumped out of the car. Crying, Teresa crashed into the woods. The men had regained their footing, and one ran after her. Fen groaned—she was making far too much noise tearing through the brush. Of the two remaining men, one circled around him, like a tiger ready to spring. The other leaned against the car, swinging the metal pipe around in wide arcs and laughing.

She's really going to wish she hadn't run back there, snickered the pipe-wielding man.

Fen waved his hand through the air, and the pipe jerked itself from the man’s hands. With a twist of his wrist, the chunk of metal swung around to strike its previous master. The momentum was far too weak. The man regained possession of the pipe before it did any damage.

Nice try, kid, he guffawed. Got any more tricks?

Fen struggled to think. All his power was locked within his brain, requiring immense concentration to pull off in any sustained way. And every burst of energy left him weaker.

A female scream ripped into the night, and he bolted toward the sound, only to be thrown onto the road by the circling stranger. Fen scrabbled his fingers into the gravel, kicking the man off and leaping to his feet. He shook his head, swaying, weary with his efforts to focus his energy and frantic to get to Teresa. The squeal of tires came from a distance, and the two men looked askance at one another.

Ricky, get back here!

But I have her. Look, what a prize, Ricky yelled back. He came into the car lights, dragging Teresa by an upturned arm and her long hair. Her dress was torn and tears streaked her face.

Fen, she sobbed.

Teresa, be still, okay? Fen swallowed down the tears in his own throat.

The rumble of approaching cars on gravel came closer.

We need to get out of here now! said the pipe man.

What about these two? Ricky snapped.

Car headlights came into view.

I didn't come all the way out here to the boonies to leave these mutants alive! screamed Ricky, pulling out a gun and aiming it at Fen. The other two looked at each other and scurried away.

Fen would always remember the next few seconds like a macabre dance in slow motion. He threw his hand up, and a bubble of light pushed forward. It blocked the bullet Ricky fired at Fen as he rolled to the ground. Other men swarmed onto the road with guns of their own, telling Ricky to back down. With an insane scream of rage, Ricky pointed his weapon at Teresa's head and forced the girl to her knees. Fen made a run for Teresa, but two strong arms grabbed at him, holding him back. He could see her eyes locked on his own. They were wide with terror. Exhausted with his efforts, Fen dug deep and expelled one last burst of power at Ricky.

He was too late.

In rapid succession, two gunshots went off. Both found their mark.

Ricky fell dead with a thud, his gun hitting the ground with one less bullet in the chamber. Teresa remained kneeling as though stunned before slumping down in a graceful arc.

Fen cried out and broke free of the arms restraining him, running to Teresa. He stumbled to the ground and reached for her, calling her name and weeping.

But she was already gone.

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There was only a sliver of moon shining, but Fenris Trygg didn’t mind. The dark of night would help keep him hidden. He pulled over at a local gas station, and a large Black man slipped into the passenger’s side.

Thanks, the man muttered. Sorry you had to pick me up.

No problem. I’m glad you could be here, said Fenris, maneuvering the car back onto the road. I’ll need the best tonight.

The passenger said nothing but puffed up with the compliment.

They drove on for ten more minutes in silence, each immersed in their own thoughts about the job that awaited them. With a crunch, Fenris drove the car onto an old gravel road and grimaced. He hated the sound of gravel and the memories it triggered.

Fenris flicked off the headlights and drove unerringly through the dark in the rural neighborhood. A modest trailer home came into view. Slowing to a stop, he glanced at the man in the next seat while fidgeting with the steering wheel.

You hear from Raven yet?

Yeah. She’ll be here in a minute. You want to wait?

Fenris jittered a moment but nodded. Not long though.

Where are they?

Nate said the Hunters have been lurking about for the last hour, hiding in that wooded lot.

"Great. Now I know why you wanted me. Here I thought you said I was the best."

I did. I needed the best for this particular job, Hugo. And you have that weird affinity for seeing the non-Gifted even in the dark.

I suppose I should be happy there’s something I can do which you can’t, Hugo said with a rueful chuckle.

What is it exactly? How does it work?

Hugo shrugged, holding his hands up. Heat based, but I don’t know if I can explain it.

Or you don’t want to give up your secret.

That too. You have an uncanny way of mimicking Gifts, Fen.

Not this one. How often have we worked together, and I still can’t manage it?

Let’s keep it that way, or you’ll put me out of a job.

Silence fell between them for several minutes before Fenris huffed his impatience. Where’s Raven?

I have no idea. Do you know many we are dealing with here?

Nate said he thought there were three. So, let’s say four to be safe.

We can handle that, Fen. Easy.

Fenris grunted and gazed out the car’s window into the darkness.

Getting skittish with age? Hugo chuckled. Fenris stiffened, showing Hugo his words had hit home, so he pressed on with his taunts. Poor Fenris, losing his nerve at the ripe, old age of twenty-four.

Fine. Let’s do it.

Both men slid out of the car, closing their doors with cautious clicks. Though younger, Fenris was the taller of the two, topping Hugo’s six feet by two more inches. While he was lithe and graceful, Hugo had the muscular bulk to match his height. But physical size mattered less in their world.

Hugo took the lead into the wooded lot, making Fenris uneasy.

I wish you would stay behind me. I can protect you better from up front.

And have me whispering directions to you the whole way? Settle down kid, this ain’t my first rodeo, even if you are my boss out here.

Fenris smiled at this and let Hugo continue to lead but remained on high alert for any threat. They walked deeper into the woods, with the occasional pause as Hugo took time to reassess the location of their quarry.

They worked together well and understood each other’s methods, so when Hugo flashed a set of hand signals, Fenris nodded. He fell back, watching Hugo take a few steps forward until he was out of sight. Fenris leaned against a tree and closed his eyes, letting his mind reach out to follow Hugo far beyond his eyesight. It was like fishing, he mused, casting out into the water and feeling the tug of a fish while carefully fingering the line. He could mentally cast out to Hugo and watch his movements from a short distance. The fact that Hugo could do the same with the non-Gifted irritated Fenris far more than he would ever admit. He was not used to being blocked from a Gift. There was a way to do it. He just had to figure out how.

Hugo was no Telepath, but Fenris reached into his mind out of curiosity, instantly feeling a repelling force. Fenris chuckled, realizing Hugo was deliberately blocking him out. Now that was interesting.

With Hugo’s dark skin, Fenris knew he would sense his colleague making his way back long before he caught sight of him. He straightened and waited, aware that Hugo was coming up behind him.

Stop trying to get into my head, Fen, Hugo whispered out of the darkness.

And you stop sneaking around me, you might regret it someday. Anyway, what’s happening?

Bad news. There are five.

"That’s not too bad," said Fenris.

I’m not done. Some of them have guns. Maybe all of them, I’m not sure.

Fenris swore to himself. His left hand inched down to where his holster used to be, back before their state had forbidden the Gifted to arm themselves.

Please give me some good news.

Hugo’s silence told him more than words.

Fenris banged the back of his head against the tree a few times in frustration, his anxiety building. I wish we had Raven, but it’s too late to turn back now. How do you feel about this?

You’re the boss.

Fenris growled.

Fine, said Hugo. I say we go forward. Blast the armed men first, use your stuff to get the guns, and I’ll tackle them afterwards. Brain and brawn, same as usual.

Okay. But I’m on lead now. Bullets and all that.

I’m all for embracing your martyr complex when guns are involved.

Which way am I going?

Southwest.

Fenris glared at his colleague.

How a man of your intelligence can’t manage simple directions … go straight about ten paces, then hook to the left at a diagonal.

Got it.

They glided through the woods. Fenris was as silent as a wild creature, but he admired how well Hugo managed to stay quiet given his size. He recalled Hugo used to be a professional linebacker before he was kicked out of the sport. Fenris wondered if his colleague missed playing football as much as he missed baseball. He turned left but lurched back when Hugo grabbed his shoulder, redirecting him a few inches.

Five minutes more and his ears picked up the low rumble of men's voices. He slowed to a crawling pace, his eyes straining in the darkness.

Stay close.

I know, I know.

Fenris was about to step forward when Hugo caught hold of his arm. Wait. There are only four now. One left the group.

A soft swish of leaves made them both freeze.

You didn’t see him coming? Fenris muttered.

Sorry.

A voice floated to them from behind. Well, well, well. If it isn’t the Guildlings come to play. Turn around boys, so I can get a good look at you.

And turn my back on the rest of your gang? Fenris snapped. I don’t think so.

Hugo nudged him, already turning. He has a gun, Fen.

Okay. Turning. Slowly.

Fenris raised his eyebrows at the sight of a gun pointed directly at him. It was far closer than he had expected, but he was not overly concerned about it. The gun owner’s face hid in the shadows. He wasn’t a big man and his size had nothing on Hugo, but now their enemy was split, making Fenris's job more difficult. He heaved an exasperated sigh. Why can’t things ever be easy?

"Ragnarök?" Hugo murmured, using their special code. Fenris nodded wearily.

Unleashed.

What the— said the man before them, right as Fenris acted. A blast of red-gold light blew the man back into a tree, toppling it.

Oops, Fenris whispered, mildly surprised at the force of his powers. Hugo chuckled low. But they had no time to waste in amusement. Hugo made a dash for the gun while Fenris ducked into the forest toward the other Hunters. Their cover was blown now, for the blast had been loud, and the others would be on high alert. Still, Fenris felt good. His powers were thrumming through him, taut and ready. He slithered forward and rolled his eyes at the sound of Hugo crashing behind him. Giving up stealth, he opted for speed and picked up his pace to stay ahead. They were getting close to the Hunters now—he could hear them yelling—but even still, the sound of a gunshot startled him with its proximity. Hugo swore and Fenris dodged behind a tree.

Were you hit? he called out anxiously.

Hugo was silent a moment before groaning. Yeah. Not bad though.

Laughter and catcalls came from the trees nearby.

Fen, I don’t think … Hugo’s voice trailed off. Fenris winced at the sound of his strangled breathing.

Are they still bunched up?

After a long pause, Hugo gasped. I think they’re spreading out.

Talk to me, Hugo.

I’m—there’s a lot of blood.

Stay here. Watch your back.

Hugo’s answer was a moan.

Fenris bounced on the balls of his feet, gritting his teeth. He wanted to check on Hugo, but if he didn’t act now, and they dispersed too much, he would be hard pressed to manage four armed men on his own. Assuming the other one even stayed unconscious. He took a deep breath, honed his focus, and jumped from the safety of the trees.

Several guns fired at once, but Fenris was ready for them, rolling into a cluster of ferns with a basic Shield already in place. It wouldn’t last long under a steady barrage of gunfire, but it gave him enough time to pinpoint where the shots were coming from. Three men were straight ahead. He wasn’t sure about the fourth. Veering to his left, it seemed. Fenris wondered if he could yank the guns from their hands using his powers but decided they were still too far away.

Crawling on all fours, the muted rustle of damp leaves told him someone was creeping closer. He didn’t want to go after the single Hunter coming at him—it might give the other three a chance to spread out even more. But when a bullet lodged itself into the tree trunk inches from his head, Fenris changed his mind. With a flick of one hand and the outward thrust of the other, the gun wrenched itself