Supernatural Taskforce Academy: Mission One Scorpion Blood Read online

  Contents

  Copyrights

  Written by Stephany Wallace

  Written by J.L. Weil

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  A note from the Authors

  Next in the STA World

  About J.L. Weil

  About Stephany Wallace

  Glossary

  Trademarks

  COPYRIGHTS

  Reproducing this book without permission from the author or the publisher is an infringement of its copyright. This book is a work of fiction. The characters names, names of places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real or used without the author’s authorization. Any resemblance to any actual events or persons, living or dead, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 J.L. Weil & Stephany Wallace

  All rights reserved.

  Edited by Stephany Wallace.

  Proofread by Andie Ryder

  Cover Design by J.L Weil & Stephany Wallace. All Rights Reserved.

  Interior Design and Formatting By Stephany Wallace. All Rights Reserved.

  * * *

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  A Dark Magick Publishing, LLC publication:

  October 15th, 2019

  www.jlweil.com

  www.stephanywallace.com

  WRITTEN BY STEPHANY WALLACE

  * * *

  Paranormal Romance & Fantasy

  Ancient Magic Series

  *A Celtic Adventure & Paranormal Romance.*

  Hidden Magic, book 1.

  Renewed Magic, book 2.

  Unwanted Magic, Eisha’s story, book 3.

  Worthy of Magic, Art’s story, book 4.

  Absolute Magic, book 5.

  * * *

  The Winter Court Chronicles

  *An Epic Fantasy Romance .*

  Forgotten Kingdom, book 1.

  Broken Kingdom, book 2.

  Everlasting Kingdom, book 3.

  Dragons of the Temple. Avra’s Story, book 4.

  Secret Kingdom. Theo’s Story

  and the series conclusion, book 5.

  * * *

  The Curse of the Lycan Shifter Universe

  *A Fairytale Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.*

  Beast of Shadow & Light, book 1.

  Slayer of Hope & Sorrow, book 2.

  Knight of Iron & Stone, book 3.

  Queen of War & Peace, book 4.

  Gustav & Zelin’s Story

  *An Urban Fantasy Romance*

  Wolf Prince, Book 5.

  Dark Wolf, Book 6.

  * * *

  Dynasty of Blood Saga

  *A Paranormal Vampire Adventure & Romance.*

  Cursed by Darkness, Book 1.

  Claimed by Darkness, Book 2.

  Consumed by Darkness, Book 3.

  Countess of Darkness, Book 4. (Coming November 29th)

  * * *

  Supernatural Taskforce Academy

  *An Academy Series, Paranormal Romance Adventure From Authors J.L Weil & Stephany Wallace.*

  Scorpion Blood, Mission 1.

  Mystique Blaze, Mission 2. (Coming soon…)

  To check out Steph’s other books feel free to visit her Author Page:

  Paranormal Romance: Website | Amazon

  WRITTEN AS S.C. WALLACE

  Adult Contemporary Romance

  A Love Through Time Series:

  Chasing Time, book 1.

  Destined Time, book 2.

  Somewhere Inside Series

  Somewhere Inside My Mind, book 1.

  Somewhere Inside My Past, book 2.

  To check out Steph’s other books feel free to visit her Author Page:

  Contemporary Romance: Website | Amazon

  WRITTEN BY J.L. WEIL

  The Raven Series

  White Raven, book1

  Black Crow, book2

  Soul Symmetry, book3

  * * *

  The Divisa Series

  Saving Angel, book1.

  Hunting Angel, book2.

  Chasing Angel, book3.

  Loving Angel, book4.

  Redeeming Angel, book5.

  Losing Emma, A Divisa Novella

  Breaking Emma, A Divisa Novella

  * * *

  Luminescence Trilogy

  Luminescence, book1

  Amethyst Tears, book2

  Moondust, book3

  Darkmist, A Luminescenece Novella, book4

  * * *

  Beauty Never Dies Chronicles

  Slumber, book1

  Entangled, book2

  Forsaken, book3

  * * *

  Nine Tails Series

  First Shift, book 1

  StormShift, book 2

  FlameShift, book 3

  TimeShift, book 4

  * * *

  Dragon Descendants, A Reverse Harem Series

  Stealing Tranquility, book 1

  Absorbing Poison, book 2

  Taming Fire, book 3

  Thawing Frost, book 4

  * * *

  Supernatural Taskforce Academy

  *An Academy Series, Paranormal Romance Adventure From Authors J.L Weil & Stephany Wallace.*

  Scorpion Blood, Mission 1.

  Mystique Blaze, Mission 2. (Coming soon…)

  * * *

  Stand Alone Novels & Novellas

  Starbound

  Ancient Tides, Division 14:

  The Berkano Vampire Collection

  Falling Deep, A Havenwood Falls High Novella

  Ascending Darkness, A Havenwood Falls High Novella

  DEDICATION

  J.L. Weil:

  To Stephany,

  for deciding to take on this adventure with me.

  Stephany Wallace:

  To Jennifer,

  and the beautiful friendship we share.

  Love you, girlie.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  From J.L. Weil:

  * * *

  The most important thank you always, always is to my readers who motivate me every single day. Thank you for allowing me to do something I absolutely love!

  * * *

  And to the mods who literally run my fan group, you guys are rock stars! I am beyond grateful to have such amazing and wonderful people in my corner. Kisses and hugs.

  * * *

  A HUGE thank you to Stephany Wallace who thought it would be a good idea to co-author a book with me. What were you thinking? I had so much fun writing this book with you. Bless you for putting up with my moody and stubborn character. It was an experience that challenged me in all the best ways and I can’t wait to see what happens next. THANK YOU!

  * * *

  From Stephany Wallace:

  * * *

  To my amazing friends and Beta Readers who supported Jen and me on this journey: Jaime Lingerfelt Rodriguez, and Hollian Rickman, thank you for jumping into the crazy train, and loving every minute of it. We truly appreciate your input.
To our Proofreader: Andie Ryder. Thank you for helping us with the stubborn typos through such a crazy deadline.

  * * *

  Thank you to my awesome readers who love my crazy worlds as much I do. I do this for you all. 💜

  * * *

  Thank you Jennifer for being in this crazy journey with me… against all reason, for the late-night chats that make me laugh, and for putting up with my OCD. #TheStruggleisReal #LoveFest 😘

  * * *

  I also want to thank my mods: Chanell Renea, Kallie Kennon, Jaime Lingerfelt Rodriguez, Shawn Wood, and Andie Ryder, for helping me manage my page and entertain the fans. You are the best!

  * * *

  And last but not least, I want to thank my family for believing in me. I love you!

  COMMANDER, ETHAN JAMES.

  Ex-Delta Force. AKA, Scorpion.

  * * *

  My worn-out leather boots slammed onto the wet concrete, and the splashing of water resounded in the night. The smell of rain was still fresh in the air as I stepped out of the limo, and into the cool weather outside.

  “Diamond has arrived. Shadow Panther unit, report,” I ordered, speaking into the invisible micro com in my ear. My keen eyes traveled over the multitude of waiting fans, neighboring streets, and the alley behind us while I did a slow 360, taking in every detail.

  “In position, Scorpion. Back and side entrances covered.”

  “Vulture Flight, report.”

  “All clear from above, Commander.”

  “Serpent Strike, status…”

  “Everyone vetted inside. The club has been swept clean. We are a go.”

  My gaze connected with the two special agents exiting the other side of the limo, and with a firm nod, I motioned them ahead of me. Reaching for the handle, I opened the car door for her. The crowd went wild the moment she stepped out, their frantic voices drowning the loud music that slipped outside from the club’s entrance.

  Haley’s smile dazzled the college boys in line, who probably dreamt about Little Miss Sparkles in their dorms. I placed a firm hand on her back and began to guide her along the red carpet, while the two agents made way for us ahead, keeping the screeching fans back.

  She waved, blowing kisses, and stopping for pictures as though she were a pop star instead of the teenage daughter of the president, and the muscles of my jaw strained in frustration. Every girl present wanted to be her, and every guy wanted to… well, you get the point.

  “What part of I need you to keep a low profile tonight, and enter the club fast, didn’t you understand?” I barked at her in a low voice, but as usual, she ignored me.

  Her sequined mini dress gleamed with the neon lights above while we moved to the door, and girls squealed her name as she walked by them. Fine, so she was turning eighteen tonight, but my job was to keep her safe, and instead of helping, she dressed herself as a sexy disco ball and posted where she would be celebrating on her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  Dandy. Just fucking dandy.

  “Smile for the picture, Ethan!” she sang, gingerly pressing her lips to my cheek, and snapping a selfie of us in the middle of the path.

  “Scorpion,” I all but growled. I hated being called by my first name. “And I’m the head of your security detail, not your monkey.”

  Laughing at what she considered my cuteness, she “booped” my nose with the tip of her finger, and turned to walk toward a drooling idiot asking for a picture.

  FML.

  I had no patience for this crap.

  Haley’s squeal echoed around us when I threw her over my shoulder. She squirmed and shrieked, calling me every name in the book and threatening to tell her father as I dragged her inside the club—the flashes of paparazzi cameras capturing every second of the unintentional peep show.

  Whatever. She was inside. Safe.

  Mission accomplished.

  * * *

  You’d think that after growing up in a military family, born from a line of the most decorated soldiers in this country, I’d be somewhere more dignified right about now. Guess again.

  Normally, you had to be eighteen to even think about becoming a soldier. Not in my family. We were army royalty, and the U.S. Army was ecstatic to know that I was following in my name sakes’ footsteps. After four Ethan James with more than outstanding service to our country, they were all too happy to get me at fourteen.

  And I did not disappoint.

  I was the youngest soldier in the history of the U.S. Army ever to graduate—with honors. Recruited directly into a specialized, advanced training program that did not “officially exist” and became Delta Force at barely eighteen years old. I worked hard and beat every record, surpassed every expectation—and trust me, my father and grandfather made sure they were insurmountable, but I prevailed.

  At nineteen, I was given my own special unit to command. I served four years, leading innumerable successful missions, creating an impeccable record, and working toward what was sure to be my path to glory.

  Except, now I was nothing more than a glorified babysitter to the president’s daughter, and to be honest, I couldn’t care less how many considered this to be the highest honor ever received, including my father and grandfather. Presidential detail was not my goal when I dreamed about the force—even if the president had requested me himself.

  I was only twenty-three, for God’s sake. There was still fight left in me. There was still a destiny to fulfill. There had to be more to my life than just this, right? Every fiber in my being said yes.

  There was this fire inside me, it screamed that I was meant for something more… something important. But what?

  Standing by the bar with a prime view of the club, my gaze swept the dance floor yet again. Haley and eighty of her “closest” friends pumped their fists, jumping, and screaming the lyrics to We Will Rock You. I snorted, trying not to roll my eyes when she stopped to sign an autograph, to one of the five fans who had won her internet contest to attend the private party.

  Sigh.

  Arms crossed over my leather jacket, feet spread to balance my weight, I pressed my back against the counter, feeling the pressure of my service weapon tucked neatly in the waistband on my jeans. Haley preferred that we not wear suits like her father’s detail, and we had learned to compromise. Frankly, it was the only good request she’d ever made. I hated suits, so I was more than happy to obey.

  I glanced at the agents strategically placed around the space, receiving their answering nods to my silent request for status.

  Everything was clear of threats. Just the way I liked it. This might not be my dream job, but I was going to do my damn best, or I was changing my name.

  Movement from my right caught my attention, and I glanced over to find a waiter retrieving the empty glasses from a table and wiping it clean. His spiky, lime green hair made me take a double look. I didn’t remember seeing him from before, where had he come from?

  “Serpent Strike, alert at my 3 o’clock. Did any of you vet that waiter?” My voice traveled through the com as I stepped away from the bar, straightening, and my eyes zoomed on Haley—she was dancing straight across from him.

  “No, Scorpion. He wasn’t here before.”

  “Shadow Panther, did a waiter with lime green hair come through your doors?” I asked, slowly advancing toward Haley while my eyes returned to the waiter who was now cleaning a new table of left-over drinks. “Shadow Panther, do you copy? Did you allow a man with green hair inside the club. Answer me.”

  Nothing. There was no response from the three guys stationed outside.

  “Vulture Flight, what is Shadow Panther’s status?”

  “Shit! They are unconscious on the street.”

  Time seemed to slow as I fully faced the waiter, and the colored lights from above gleamed over the silver Glock he was pulling out from under his apron. “He’s got a gun,” I growled into my com. “Everybody down!” I roared, running full force toward the man.

  He fired as I slammed into hi
m, pushing his arm upward and tackling him to the ground. The bullet pierced one of the spotlights above, the glass shattering on contact and raining down along with electrical sparks. Screams of panic rose in the air.

  “I need emergency extraction for Diamond. I repeat, retrieve Diamond, now!” I ordered, struggling to hold down the attacker.

  The gun slipped out of his grasp with the fall, and my fist connected with the waiter’s jaw when he began to fight me, trying to escape. The Serpent Strike team rushed toward Haley at the same time and pulled her out, rushing up the stairs to the helipad on the building’s roof.