Nightingale Read online

  Table of Contents

  The World of the Awakening

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Dear Reader

  Midnight Ink excerpt

  Nightingale

  Keri Armstrong

  Highland Publishing, LLC

  Sign up for Keri’s newsletter at https://keriarmstrong.com/contact/ to receive notice of new releases, exclusive content, and free books.

  Copyright  2018 Keri Armstrong

  Highland Publishing, LLC

  Cover: Rebecca Sterling, Sterling Design Studios

  Editing: Hannah Sullivan, Hannah Sullivan Editing

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  For permission requests, email: [email protected]

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Nightingale/ Keri Armstrong. -- 1st ed.

  The World of the Awakening

  Series Order:

  1: Mutts Like Me – Available now

  2: Reluctant Gods – Available now

  3: Nightingale – Available now

  4: Midnight Ink – Fall 2018

  Groups:

  Awakened/Sleepers – An ancient race of highly advanced, gifted humans, dating back hundreds of thousands of years and spread over many continents. They were technologically advanced beyond our modern world and were the originators of genetic experimentation.

  Their philosophies split between those who believed genetic manipulation and enslavement of lower species—including less developed humans—was justified, and those who disagreed.

  In advance of a world-wide catastrophe many millennia ago, they put themselves into stasis and appointed a few trusted Watchers to protect their sleeping forms. It was the Watchers’ duty to awaken them when the earth would be habitable again.

  Some were awakened earlier than others. During those time periods, they caused great advancements in civilization and technology, such as during the Renaissance.

  The greatest awakening began in 1900, with ever more numbers growing from the 1930’s, and caused the most advancements in technology to take place within only a few years, after millennia of human history.

  Those still in stasis are called Sleepers.

  Watchers – Genetically or technologically enhanced creatures or humans who protect the Sleepers and awaken them at the appropriate time.

  Mutts – The hybrid offspring of the genetic experiments the Awakened created and humans, or Awakened and their own creations.

  Resistance – Mutts, and those among the Watchers, Sleepers, and Awakened who oppose the others’ plan to rule the earth and enslave humankind and hybrids.

  Individual Characters, Books 1 and 2:

  Alejandro – Mutt. Alpha werewolf, father of Marti; introduced in Mutts Like Me. Helps train and lead a gang of Mutt resisters who are fighting the Awakened.

  Alex – Mutt. Vampire/Kitsune trickster hybrid, cousin of Toshio. Introduced in Mutts Like Me.

  Allison (Allie) – Classification undetermined. Friend of Phoebe, Sara, and Caleb; introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Ammon – Son of an Awakened and a human slave; a Watcher who loved Izzara, an ancient princess. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Azkuran – A powerful member among the Awakened; was considered by humans to be a giant at over 7 feet tall. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Caleb – Mutt. Witch/werewolf hybrid, twin to Cassandra, mother is Nia, a witch. Father unknown. Is a talented and powerful witch but has trouble shifting.

  Cassandra – Mutt. Witch/werewolf hybrid, twin to Caleb, mother is Nia, a Witch. Father unknown. Is a strong shifter but has trouble casting spells.

  Cian – A giant member of the Awakened. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Gabriel Lara – Classification undetermined. Business owner and business partner of Laurent (Jean Marc Laurent). Introduced in Mutts Like Me.

  Jean Marc Laurent – Classification undetermined. Business owner and business partner of Gabriel Lara. Introduced in Mutts Like Me.

  Kiya – A giant member of the Awakened. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Liang – A giant member of the Awakened. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Marti – Mutt. Daughter of werewolf father, Alex, and human mother. Introduced in Mutts Like Me.

  Nadia - Mutt/almost pure shifter. Blind sister of Nathan. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Nathan – Mutt/almost pure shifter. Friend of Phoebe, brother to Nadia. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Nia – Mutt. Powerful witch. Mother of Cass and Caleb, and close friend of Marti’s father, Alejandro. Introduced in Mutts Like Me.

  Phoebe – Cousin of Sara, heir to ancient artifacts, studies Witchcraft. Phoebe’s story is told in Reluctant Gods.

  Sara – Cousin of Phoebe, joint heir to ancient artifacts, studies Witchcraft. Introduced in Reluctant Gods.

  Sunjoo – Dragon shifter. Introduced in Mutts Like Me.

  Toshio – Mutt. Fox shifter, cousin of Alex, friend of Marti, Cass, and Caleb. Introduced in Mutts Like Me.

  Acknowledgements

  A big “thank you” to Hannah and J-Ro (you know who you are!).

  Your advice made this so much better than it would have been, otherwise.

  Any mistakes left are my own and, for those, I apologize.

  Hugs and kisses to you both!

  Contents

  The World of the Awakening

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Dear Reader

  Midnight Ink excerpt

  One

  ALLIE

  The air mattress squeaked against the wooden floor as I flopped onto it in despair. I’d calculated what I would need to earn to pay my rent on time and the answer wasn’t good. Dread clenched my stomach as my landlady’s sour face crossed my mind. She hadn’t been too happy the last time I’d paid late.

  Probably because I’d been late three months in a row.

  Damn.

  My dickhead boss Eric didn’t like me much on a good day. Odds weren’t good that he’d agree to let me work more hours at th
e cheap seafood restaurant he managed. And having to replace the fuel pump in The Deadly Dodge hadn’t helped this month, either.

  I drummed a hollow beat with my fingers on the mattress, considering my options. Phoebe had offered to let me move in with her when Sara left for Arizona last fall. Maybe it was time to rethink that.

  A familiar rumble in my stomach had me sitting up to grab my purse off the floor and pull it onto the bed with me. I thanked the powers that be for Jeff, busboy and neighborhood friend extraordinaire, who’d slipped me some breadsticks. I lifted out the contraband carbs and tossed aside the napkin he’d used to wrap them in. At least I wouldn’t starve. Now, if I could just get Eric to give me more hours….

  I brushed the breadcrumbs off my lap and sighed. No sense making myself crazy over this tonight. I stood and stretched, knowing I’d do whatever I had to in order to get by, just like I always did.

  Just like I had since I’d been sixteen, pregnant, and living on the run.

  * * * * *

  My resolve to do whatever it took to get by was tested a few hours later when my least favorite customer sat in my section: Artie Carmichael, along with his bleached blond of the night.

  He gestured toward the lobster tank. “Are the lobsters fresh?”

  I took a moment to relish the mental image of jabbing my pen into his head before answering. “Since they’re still alive, I’m guessing yes.”

  He drew back, but I was spared whatever he was about to say when his date piped up.

  “Oh, Artie, are we having lobster? I’ve always wanted to try it.”

  His bloated chest puffed even more. “Of course, Doll. Artie can afford to treat you right.”

  He raised one of his chins at me. “How are they prepared?”

  “We tell them they have only minutes to live and ask for any last words.”

  His expression went blank for a moment before his mouth opened and his florid face mottled. Eric must have sensed trouble because he was at my side in a flash.

  Shit.

  “Is there a problem, sir?” Eric asked.

  I flinched away from the warning hand he put on my shoulder.

  Artie’s beady little eyes gleamed at me in triumph. “Yes, as a matter of fact. I want another waitress.” He jabbed a beefy finger in my direction. “This one’s rude.”

  “I’m so sorry, sir. I’ll take care of you.” Eric turned to me, his eyes chips of ice. “Go to the kitchen and wait for me.”

  I tossed one last glare back at them both before banging through the double doors into the kitchen.

  “Everybody, run! Angry Allie-cat coming through,” Jeff called out to the staff.

  I gave him the finger. “Real cute, asshole.”

  “Ooh, how’d you know? Did my boyfriend tell you?” Jeff blew kisses at me and I had to laugh.

  The laughter died when Eric barged in.

  “What the hell did you do?” His face was thunderous, but it usually was whenever he spoke to me. Especially after I’d refused to go out with him.

  I shrugged. “What did he say I did? Because that’s all that matters, isn’t it? Customer’s always right, yada, yada.”

  As soon as the words left my lips, I knew I’d blown it. When would I ever learn to keep my big mouth shut? I couldn’t ask for more hours now.

  Eric’s face could have frozen lava. “Yes, that is right. And maybe you need a couple of unpaid days off the schedule to let that sink into your thick skull.”

  “That’s not fair!”

  “And,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken, “You’ll be paying for that table’s dinner tonight. It’s coming out of your next paycheck.”

  “You can’t do that!”

  “I can and I will. Now get back there and take care of your other table.”

  He stormed out of the room leaving behind only the sound of food cooking and uncomfortable shuffling.

  Spinning around, I muttered “asshat” before shoving my way back into the dining area. A quick glance around my station, with a short stop to glare at Artie and friend, let me know a new customer had arrived. I jerked the pad and pencil from my apron pocket with a death grip in an attempt to keep my hands from shaking.

  I bitterly swallowed the last of my pride and pasted on a smile. The guy was cute, and I needed tips tonight. Especially if Eric was serious about making me take unpaid leave.

  The customer put down the menu as I came up to the table and, for a heartbeat, my breath stopped. A young Brad Pitt could have been this guy’s less-attractive brother.

  Large gray-green eyes surrounded by a wealth of dark lashes drew me in. He winked one of those beautiful eyes and gave a slight nod toward Artie’s table. “Glad to hear you let the lobsters die with dignity,” he said in a conspiratorial whisper. “I was feeling guilty about wanting the spicy crab cakes. Do you do anything special for them?”

  I blinked, blinded by his wink and perfect smile. To my dismay, my old friend sarcasm ran off, leaving me lost for words. Standing like a wooden dummy, I watched as his expression turned compassionate. Horrified, I started blinking again; this time to hold back the tears that came from nowhere.

  “I’m sorry,” he blurted. “I’m guessing the crabs were friends of yours?”

  He smiled gently, and the bad attempt at humor finally kicked my mouth back into gear although not my brain.

  “Nah. They’re so crabby, we’re glad to see them go.”

  Seriously, Allie?

  Shoot me now.

  He laughed anyway, and I swear it sounded genuine. Looked it, too. The smile carved appealing lines around his eyes and deep dimples next to his full lips.

  Despite my craptastic night, I smiled back. He read the tacky nametag pinned above my right breast, his gaze lingering a second too long and I had to bite the inside of my lip to keep my smile from spreading. Either he was a slow reader, or he was checking me out.

  “So, Allison, what would you recommend for a lonely out-of-towner?”

  My wishful thinking probably made it seem like there was more to the question than just dinner. Once more my mouth got ahead of my brain. I smiled and said, “Just about anything I’d give you would be good. Except for the food here.”

  He laughed again. The husky, rich sound of it tingled across my skin, intensifying as he leaned in closer. “What do you say we blow this fish stand and go eat somewhere else?”

  I barely kept from agreeing. I was ready to rip off my apron—or any other clothing he wanted removed—and run away with him. What was wrong with me?

  It’s a miracle my pen didn’t break from the death grip I gave it, trying to control myself. “Afraid I’ll have to take a rain check on that.”

  “Well, you’re in luck,” he said, pulling out his mobile phone. “I happen to have a rain check app on my phone, and if punch in your number, it will send you a voucher within the next 24 hours.”

  Blame it on his smile or temporary insanity on my part, but I took that phone, and for the first time in over five years, gave a cute guy my number.

  He didn’t give me time for buyer’s remorse either. He snapped it back up and put it away with flair. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

  Would I?

  It’s just one date, I told myself.

  Date?

  I never dated. And I didn’t even know his name, yet I’d given him my number.

  He might not even call. And I didn’t have to pick up if he did.

  Near to hyperventilating, my mind went through a list of reasons why I should be okay with this situation, whether or not he called. Somehow, none of them were satisfying.

  By the time his surf and turf arrived—crab cakes substituted for shrimp, next to the microwaved, sorry piece of meat that Eric called steak—I was still wondering what had gotten into me. I wondered it even more when I accidentally cut myself placing the steak knife on the table. He’d reached out as I was laying the flatware and, in my haste to avoid his hand, I’d sliced my own. The hottie grabbed a napkin and use
d it to soak up the blood pooling in my palm.

  In the midst of the action, Eric slimed his way over to us.

  “Allie, are you hitting on the customers again? I’ve warned you about that before.” His little piggy eyes glittered with malice.

  My face flamed. Again? “I’ve never—”

  The chair scraped against the tile floor as the customer stood, towering over Eric and me by several inches. “She’s perfect.” His voice was ice. “The same cannot be said for this establishment, however. I’m certain that if I went to the back, I’d find a number of health and safety violations I’d be happy to report to my manager at CDPH.”

  Eric paled at the mention of the Chicago Department of Public Health. He couldn’t afford any more violations. “My mistake,” he said tightly. His departing glare at me swore retribution.

  “I’m sorry, Allie,” said our customer. “I’m going to leave, but I’d like to see you again. And don’t take what that jerk said to heart. He’s an asshole.”

  I couldn’t speak. Nodding, I took off toward the women’s room before the tears spilled over.

  Not long after, one of the other servers came to the stall where I was hiding and said Eric wanted to see me in the kitchen.

  “Tell him to go fuck himself. Although it will be nothing new since I’m sure nobody else would do him.”

  She snorted. “I’d love to, but I’ve got kids to feed.”

  A straight shot to the heart.

  “Fine. I’m coming.”

  Her worried face greeted me as I came out of the stall. “It’ll be all right,” I said to myself as much as to her. Hesitating, I asked, “Is the guy at table five gone?”

  She smiled. “You mean the movie star, slash model, slash god that you were talking to?”

  I had to laugh a little. “Yeah, that one.”

  “He left a few minutes ago. If it helps, he seemed sad to go.”

  “Thanks.” Taking a deep breath, I followed her out.

  Eric was there waiting for me as soon as I walked into the kitchen.

  “You’re fired.”