Claimed By Honor Read online

  CONTENTS

  Dedication

  Legal

  Series List

  Social Links

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Author Notes - Justin Sloan

  Author Notes - Michael Anderle

  The Dark Knights - Intro and Cover

  The Dark Knights - Justin Sloan

  DEDICATION

  From Justin

  To Ugulay, Verona and Brendan Sloan

  From Michael

  To Family, Friends and

  Those Who Love

  To Read.

  May We All Enjoy Grace

  To Live The Life We Are

  Called.

  Claimed By Honor

  Reclaiming Honor Team

  Production Editor

  Stephen Russell

  Editor

  Diane Newton

  Beta Editor / Readers

  Dorene Johnson (US Navy (Ret) & DD)

  Diane Velasquez (Chinchilla lady & DD)

  Kurtherian Gambit Universe Tech Asst

  Mickey Cocker

  Steven Hewgley

  Thomas Ogden

  JIT Beta Readers

  Robin Heath

  Wayne Johnson

  Kelli Orr

  If I missed anyone, please let me know!

  Editors

  Stephen Russell

  Thank you to the following Special Consultants

  for CLAIMED BY HONOR

  Jeff Morris - US Army - Asst Professor Cyber-Warfare,

  Nuclear Munitions (Active)

  W.W.D.E

  Claimed by Honor (this book) is a work of fiction.

  All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  The Kurtherian Gambit (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds)

  are Copyright (c) 2017 by Michael T. Anderle

  This Complete Book is Copyright (c) 2017 by Michael T. Anderle / Justin M. Sloan

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Michael T. Anderle.

  Version 1.0

  Stories By Justin Sloan

  CURSED NIGHT

  Hounds of God

  FALLS OF REDEMPTION (Trilogy)

  Land of Gods

  Retribution Calls

  Tears of Devotion

  RECLAIMING HONOR (A Kurtherian Gambit Series)

  Justice is Calling

  Claimed By Honor

  Judgment has Fallen (02.17)

  MODERN NECROMANCY (Trilogy)

  Death Marked

  Death Bound

  Death Crowned

  ALLIE STROM (Trilogy)

  Allie Strom and the Ring of Solomon

  Allie Strom and the Sword of the Spirit

  Allie Strom and the Tenth Worthy

  Stories By Michael Anderle

  Kurtherian Gambit Series Titles Include:

  First Arc

  Death Becomes Her (01) - Queen Bitch (02) - Love Lost (03) - Bite This (04)

  Never Forsaken (05) - Under My Heel (06) Kneel Or Die (07)

  Second Arc

  We Will Build (08) - It’s Hell To Choose (09) - Release The Dogs of War (10)

  Sued For Peace (11) - We Have Contact (12) - My Ride is a Bitch (13)

  Don’t Cross This Line (14)

  Third Arc (2017)

  Never Submit (15) - Never Surrender (16) - Forever Defend (17)

  Might Makes Right (18) - Ahead Full (19) - Capture Death (20)

  Life Goes On (21)

  **New Series**

  The Second Dark Ages

  The Dark Messiah

  Retaliation

  Revelation

  Restitution 2017

  The Boris Chronicles

  * With Paul C. Middleton *

  Evacuation

  Retaliation

  Revelation

  Restitution 2017

  Reclaiming Honor

  * With JUSTIN SLOAN *

  Justice Is Calling (01)

  Claimed By Honor (02)

  Jan 2017

  The Etheric Academy

  * With TS PAUL *

  ALPHA CLASS (01)

  ALPHA CLASS (02) (02/03 2017)

  ALPHA CLASS (03) (05/06 2017)

  Terry Henry “TH” Walton Chronicles

  * With CRAIG MARTELLE *

  Nomad Found

  Nomad Redeemed

  Nomad Unleashed (02/03 2017)

  SHORT STORIES

  Frank Kurns Stories of the Unknownworld 01 (7.5)

  You Don’t Mess with John’s Cousin

  Frank Kurns Stories of the Unknownworld 02 (9.5)

  Bitch’s Night Out

  Frank Kurns Stories of the Unknownworld 02 (13.25)

  With Natalie Grey

  BELLATRIX

  Anthologies

  Glimpse

  Honor in Death

  (Michael’s First Few Days)

  Beyond the Stars: At Galaxy's Edge

  Tabitha’s Vacation

  Justin Sloan Social

  For a chance to see ALL of Justin’s different Book Series

  Check out his website below!

  Website: http://JustinSloanAuthor.com

  Email List: http://JustinSloanAuthor.com/Newsletter

  Facebook Here: https://www.facebook.com/JustinSloanAuthor

  Michael Anderle Social

  Website: http://kurtherianbooks.com/

  Email List: http://kurtherianbooks.com/email-list/

  Facebook Here: https://www.facebook.com/TheKurtherianGambitBooks/

  CHAPTER ONE

  Enforcer HQ

  Valerie lingered at the edge of the roof, watching the sunlight flood the city below her. After so many years, her eyes watered as the day brightened around her. She couldn’t stop—it had been so long since she had last felt the sun kiss her face.

  The rising sun chased the darkness, where it hid behind buildings, deep shadows that moved across the city of Old Manhattan. It was an almost forgotten simple pleasure.

  To watch the morning unfold from up here.

  Taking over Enforcer Headquarters had provided the unexpected luxury of a superb view from the rooftop. She and her allies had deposed the former inhabitants, stripped them of the Enforcer title and retooled it for herself.

  She had defeated Donovan and been judged by Michael—the Dark Messiah. He appointed her as his Justice Enforcer. She was to be his representative in America. She was to be in charge of putting a stop to the hunting and draining of vampires and a mandate to cleanse injustice. To return it to a place that could offer aid and be available should Michael request her assistance.

  She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sun warming her skin. If not for Michael’s blood, which she received as part of her fealty, she’d still be a creature of the night. But now, she was only one of four other vampires alive, that she was aware of, who could walk in the sunlight. Her, Akio and Yuko and the legendary Michael, a
nd even after meeting him, she was still having a hard time believing he actually existed.

  The not screaming in pain as her flesh seared from her body wasn't the only change she was noticing. In fact, breaths felt cleaner, movements smoother, more precise. And, she wasn't sure, but her shirt felt tighter in the chest--were her breasts growing? She giggled at the thought, pretty sure it was wishful thinking or she was just imagining it.

  Maybe.

  Putting her vanity aside, she looked around the empty rooftop. Her friends were inside, briefing the new Weres and vampires. Those people she had adopted into her army.

  It was their time now.

  Unlike when she'd charged up the stairs in the heat of battle, she walked back in and took the elevator down. She didn’t stop at the thirtieth floor where she knew Cammie and the others would be discussing how the UnknownWorld and police would work together to ensure their existence stayed a secret. No, she went all the way to the lobby and walked right past several gawking freshmen. A term she’d decided she would apply to the cops who had just learned about the UnknownWorld.

  Pushing through the doors, she thought she heard someone calling her name, but this time she didn’t stop to find out.

  Right now, she wanted some peace and quiet, and she was damn sure going to indulge in some. The others would need sleep, but not her—not yet.

  After feeding from Michael, she felt as if she had rested for a year. Her mind was clear, her muscles strong. Everything in synch.

  So, she was going to take a walk along the water, damn it!

  And that’s what she did. The walk over to the shore was her first walk in her new life. A blur of anti-gravity powered pods zoomed toward Headquarters, likely reporting in to be briefed. The city’s metro cars shot past in their yellow anti-grav tubes as people went about their day, reporting to perform whatever menial labors the big corporations had them doing.

  She chewed on her lip at the thought of the big three. This wasn’t the time to focus on the CEOs. Nor how they were using the former Enforcer Commander, Richard Strake, to hunt vampires for their blood. At this particular time, she was simply going to enjoy herself. Content in the knowledge that, at least in the case of her brother, justice had been served.

  And Michael was on his way to Europe to see that justice knew no borders.

  Valerie’s arrival at the waterfront scattered some gulls, who squawked their protests at her as they flew off. She made her way to the water’s edge and stood, watching the water lap against the cement.

  Once, twice, three times, the waves continued rhythmically, almost lulling her into a sense of peace.

  How many bodies had her Weres and vampires had to dump into the waters far offshore last night to try and keep the UnknownWorld secret? All of the dead Nosferatu, the humans the Nosferatu had killed, and of course, Donovan.

  And as for people who had been up all night missing family members and wanting help finding them, unfortunately there would be no help. Chances were very good those missing from families across the city had also been consigned to the depths. In a lot of cases there had been no way to identify or determine friend from foe. Other citizens would wake up just wanting general information about what had happened, questioning and desperately hoping that they were safe.

  For now, no answers would be forthcoming.

  Yet, for all of that, they were peaceful waters. Valerie stared out at them in awe at the way the sun sparkled across the tiny rivulets that came and went with each small wave. She’d forgotten how the sun could look, reflecting off the water—like a million sparkling diamonds. A gust of salty wind brought the scent of fish and seaweed to her nostrils, but instead of pulling back from it, she closed her eyes and smiled. Even that pungent smell seemed better in the light of day.

  The only sound was the waves and the continued complaints of the seagulls. Even they weren’t around in the same numbers anymore, not since the great fall of civilization. She’d hoped that America would have survived the fall in better shape than France, but no such luck.

  The whir of an approaching pod invaded her tranquility and Valerie turned to see a police pod coming to land nearby.

  "Valerie, for the love of God!" Sandra exclaimed as she jumped out of the pod, apparently driven by Sergeant Wallace. He nodded to her respectfully, but stayed in the vehicle. "We’ve been looking everywhere for you."

  Valerie blinked a couple of times, "Do you ever stop to smell the ocean?" she asked, still lost in her bliss.

  Sandra scrunched up her face, but sniffed and then twitched her nose. "Smells like dead fish."

  Valerie shrugged, her bliss powering a smile that no one was going to take from her in that moment. "And yet, it’s grand."

  "You know what’s grand?" Sandra gestured back to Enforcer building standing tall over the city, silver with its blue line up the side. "The fact that we won! But that won’t mean jack to these people if we’re out here smelling the shitty air and—"

  "Excuse me?" Valerie turned on her, brow furrowing. Okay, maybe the smile wasn't so permanent. This woman had been her servant for years, and in the last couple of days had she become more than that. Well, they always had been close, but recently Valerie had begun insisting they behave more as friends and equals.

  Still, that didn’t mean Valerie was okay with being talked to in this manner.

  For a moment Sandra seemed like she’d back down, but then she put her hands on her hips and returned the stare. "Do you want me to speak my mind and help out here, or sit in the corner like a good little girl?"

  Valerie raised an eyebrow, "Did Diego tell you to be more assertive with me or something?"

  "What? No!" A flustered red came into Sandra’s cheeks, confirming her guess. "A woman can’t stand up on her own without a man telling her to? If that’s how you see the world, you have a lot to learn."

  "A human woman standing up to perhaps the fourth most powerful vampire alive? Now that I don’t see you doing. Not without some prodding, man, Were or whatnot." Valerie smiled knowingly. "Sandra, it’s me. You think I don’t see through this?"

  "Whatever." Sandra rolled her eyes and looked down the shoreline before looking back at Valerie. "Are you coming?"

  "All I wanted was some fresh air." Valerie folded her arms, waiting to see how her friend would react.

  "And, are you done?" Sandra's irritation was barely hidden behind a fake smile.

  "I was giving you a hard time," Valerie said with a laugh. "Wow, I give you a little power, and it goes straight to your head."

  "You’re saying that? You?"

  "Good point." Valerie wrapped an arm around her friend and started walking to the waiting pod. "So what is it that has you all worked up?"

  "The new Weres, Rico and the former Bloodhounds." Sandra glanced over, trepidation causing her to choose the next words very carefully. "They’re saying they don’t know if you should lead. Saying that just because you can fight doesn’t mean you know the first thing about this city or how this place works."

  "That little skid mark!" Valerie dropped her arm and pulled away. She began to pace in frustration. She wasn’t sure if she was more pissed that he’d said it, or because she’d had her own doubts about it. Regardless, Michael had given her a mission, a mandate, and she was going to see it through.

  She stopped, turned from Sandra and the pod and started walking.

  "Where’re you going?" Sandra shouted after her.

  "To tear Rico a new asshole," Valerie called over her shoulder.

  "Wallace will pilot us!"

  "I’m too pissed off to sit still right now!" Valerie snarled, and took off at a run. She could beat the pod anyway, if she ran at vampiric speed—but since it was daylight and she was trying to keep the UnknownWorld, well unknown, she’d have to stay at a normal speed, for now. She'd just add a slight kick to it.

  One thing she wasn’t going to do was stand by and let any people, or Weres in this case, step on her toes or get in her way.

  After al
l, she was Michael’s Justice Enforcer.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Enforcer HQ

  The entrance to Enforcer HQ was swarming with civilians, worried citizens asking questions about the night before. One woman shouted out questions in a strident voice, wanting information about the noise and explosions. A man was claiming that his neighbor swore he observed someone running around with red, glowing eyes.

  "What in the world is happening?" An elderly man, carrying what must have been his granddaughter on his shoulders, asked. "We want to know what’s going on in our city!"