Free Blood of the Ancient Gods: The Beginning by Shakuita Johnson Page A

appearance. It was easy to mistake him for one of the wolves he loved so much. Anyone looking at him would be hard pressed not to fall to their knees and submit to his every command. Centuries ago he held the command of legions. Now, only the wolves followed him, but there were no battles to be fought. He was graying every year that his worshippers died. He wasn't as young and vibrant as he once was but he was still just as handsome. It would only take new prayers reaching his ears to bring him back to his old self again.
    "I believe I may have an idea. It will not only supply us with more worshippers but it will help us to defeat those gods who wish harm upon us," Hecate said.
    "Are you to tell us this plan, witch?" Oberon asked.
    Hecate could see the smoke trails streaming from his nose when he spoke. Just like a dragon. He was constantly growling or roaring one thing or another. He was spending too much time in his human form, but it was getting harder and harder to change with all the technological advances of the modern world they now lived in. He could no longer fly high above the skies without notice or care. A few decades ago he'd tried and was nearly shot out of the sky. Now he was some odd mix between a dragon and a man, with his black tipped claws on human hands, and fangs longer than even Fenrir's, his reptilian green eyes sometimes glittered gold on his stunning human face.
    "We will build up an army of supernaturals that will also serve as our worshippers. We can infuse them with the blood of two paranormal beings as well as our own to bond them to us. We will use human vessels to build up our ranks. They will give their gift to others they deem worthy of it by a simple transfer of their blood to the mortal. I will mix the blood of elves and fairies with mine and call my creation the Nymphacris," Hecate stated.
    Hecate watched the faces of Fenrir and Oberon as they thought over what she'd just told them. She could see the wheels turning in their heads and hoped they saw the genius behind her suggestions. It was the only way to guarantee they would have the strength to fight alongside their creations, by also ensuring they were worshipped by those sharing their blood.
    "Interesting concept. I believe I can mix my blood with those of vampire and werewolf to create the Sucolupus," Fenrir said.
    "And if I mix my blood with witches and dragons, I can create the Pristis-Incantatrix. And before you object about the witches, you didn't pick them and not much can be mixed with the blood of a dragon. Also the dragons won't be able to shift to full dragons but smaller variations of them and the witch blood will help. Lastly, the human vessels we use will have to be very strong to handle such powers in their mortal bodies," Oberon said.
    "I wasn't going to object to the witches, as I will still get power from them regardless. Now, it’s decided then. Eris should be arriving shortly with Loki so we can let him know what we’ll need him to be on the lookout for in our vessels. We will only get one shot at this. Our powers are but a fraction of what they used to be and not a very big fraction at that. It will take just about all our strength to pull off this feat and it must go smoothly. There can be no mistakes," Hecate said.
    Their meeting was interrupted by a light knock on the door and the entrance of Eris and Loki.
    "Good, we were just talking about you two," Fenrir said.
    "Yes, do come in. We don't have much time and we need to get this done as quickly as possible," Oberon said.
    "What do you know so far of our plans, Loki?" Hecate asked.
    "Just that you want to create some sort of super soldiers but I'm confused on how it will benefit all of us gods and not just you three," Loki said.
    "I don't know why you're worried. There is always someone spreading mischief and chaos around," Hecate said.
    "True, but they aren't praying and worshipping Eris or me," Loki said.
    "We will ensure your survival for your assistance in