War Hammer

War Hammer

## Original Cover

Original cover

War Hammer is book eight in the Nate Temple Series.

## Blurb

**Two old dudes want to kill me. Oh, and one of them is my ancestor…**

And after centuries of practice, they’re pretty good at the whole murder thing. But at least they want to kill each other just as badly.

Now, I’ve taken down a Greek Goddess, worn a Horseman’s Mask, and I ride a homicidal unicorn who hates rainbows with a passion. Some might say sending two senior citizens to a permanent retirement home should be a breeze.

It ain’t.

Because that’s not my biggest concern. One of my friends is in danger, or possibly dying, and I need to get her back before her fiancé kills me. But finding her introduces me to new worlds of pain. The biggest of these being my own past—which has been a blatant lie—and a parting gift from my parents—which might have just been the coin toss for the Apocalypse Olympics.

I’m beginning to realize that none of the old Gods, Legends, or Monsters have been idle the last few centuries. They’ve been waiting, picking sides, and scheming schemes.

Of course, maybe one of those two old dudes will punch my ticket and save me the headache. A wizard can Hope, right? Because either way, I’m about to have a very bad series of days…

## Opening

*I glanced over my shoulder at the fidgety vampire. “Ready?” I used the microphone built into my helmet to speak to Alucard. My visor was up, but our helmets were connected via radio. Alucard sighed.*

*“I guess so.” His voice sounded tinny since we were so close to each other.*

*I turned back to the front door, repositioning myself slightly on the back of the idling ATV. “Yahn should be out any minute. I texted him five minutes ago. Be ready to floor it.”*

*“There are so many ways this can go wrong,” Alucard complained.*

*“It’s just a little fun. Calm down,” I scolded him, rolling my eyes.*

## Plot

With Alucard’s help, Nate sets up the “Great Leafblower Incident” to initiate Yahn as the new member of Team Temple. Instead of Yahn, he gets Gunnar and Talon, who are totally not happy.  Nate, trying to get everyone relaxed, also set up a Paint Ball game.  Which gets crazy and wild.  Even Kai participates (Nate’s beast who now resides in the White tree).  Alex wins with Kai’s help.

### Pause here a moment WARNING, Possible Spoilers Ahead

Nate speaks to Dean who gives him a couple packages.  One for Carl and one for Nate (a surprise gift from Darling and Dear's shop.   Nate goes into a meeting with his new trio of friends, Huntress, Van Helsing and Baba Yaga.  Apparently, they are investigating the mystery behind the Round Table that is in the Sanctorum.  Is it really tied to the Arthurian legend?  They have no real information for Nate.

Believing Pan took Ashley to Fae, Nate plans another trip to Fae.  As he reflects on events of late, he tries to determine who he will take this time, besides Gunnar.  He also reflects on who he truly is.  Life has gotten complicated.

Talking to Alucard, Gunnar and Carl, they give him a hard time about his package.  What is it?  Who sent it?  Carl declares it has no cooties.  Ah, it is from Callie.  A new purse.  No, a satchel!  A special one from Darling and Dear; Nate has no idea how special.

Nate sets up a meeting of the Four Horsemen, Ganesh, Asterion, and Shiva.  He spells the guests where they cannot speak.  He lays down the law; no holding back information or taking sides.

Nate takes a stroll with Conquest.  They run into Achilles and Pegasus.  Achilles tells Nate that he never changed sides.  Nate and Pegasus take jabs at each other; Pegasus informs Nate that Grimm loves breaking rainbows.  Nate and Conquest move on to the Temple Mausoleum where Nate discovers that his mother’s statue is holding a Hand of God.  He turns to his dad’s statue and finds the Hourglass.  Nate struggles with so many questions about his parents.  Conquest also talks to Nate about Alucard, that he is not well and Nate can help.  It gives Nate something to think about.

Nate meets Callie in New York for a date.  He updates her and then the restaurant is attacked.  Castor and Matthias are involved somehow.  Alucard saves the day and Nate gives him 100% credit. Callie gives Nate good advice on his relationship with Alucard.  On his relationships with all his friends.

Nate makes amends.  He fixes Carl his favorite breakfast and surprises him with a pair of red high heels.  Carl is so excited as he leaves the room yelling, “MINE”.  Nate then apologizes to Gunnar for everything.  He then sets up a Nerf War for the “kids”.  Nate tells his friends how much they mean to him.  Tory and Gunnar prefer wiseass bastard Nate.

Nate talks to Alucard and admits that he hasn’t treated him very well.  He tells him that he must accept the monster in himself, that he doesn’t have to be “good” just to please Nate.  He encourages Alucard to let loose at times and be himself. Monster up!

Odin appears to Nate. They talk about the war with the Greeks.  Odin admits he bet on Nate against Athena.  Odin reminds Nate that all good intentions do not produce good results.

The party of five returns to Fae - Nate, Gunnar, Yahn, Talon, and Alucard.  They are immediately attacked by Rarawks (creatures similar to stags with massive horns).  Grimm and Pegasus arrive and join in the fight.  Gunnar turns into Wulfric.

Next, there is a call of the sirens.  Yahn goes to investigate and ends up naked, surrounded by naked women swooning over him.  Yahn turns into a sexy prismatic glass dragon.  The team gets Yahn away, Alucard turns into his fallen angel aspect, and Grimm now wants to kill Yahn, not to mention Talon going crazy over shiny things.

The team finally arrives at the cave where they find Mallory and Ashley; they are both safe.  While there, the truth about Nate being Wylde is revealed, including Talon as Wylde’s best friend as a child.  In the midst of Mallory sharing the past, Oberon shows up.  Apparently, there was an alarm when they got to Fae and it’s being investigated.  He promises to keep their presence secret.

Nate and Mallory discuss the past and the intent of Nate’s parents and the gift of the War Hammer.  Nate is flooded with memories of another life.

Another attack happens, this time from henchmen.  Wylde and his St. Louis friends go wild in their fight.  The Queens arrive and torture Nate’s friends. Wylde lets loose with Fae magic.  The War Hammer rocks Fae.

Back at home, Nate meets with Death and Odin but discovers later that it was not really Odin.  Nate examines the gifts - the Hand of God, Hourglass and the War Hammer.  What does it all mean?

Nate discovers Kai in his office in human form, naked and listening to music.  Kai gives Nate some advice.   Nate meets with his friends and goes over plans with each.  Nate walks the grounds and remembers his alternate childhood with Gunnar.  He runs into Danny, who is overseeing repairs to the estate from the battle.  He meets Leo, one of the crew.  Achilles arrives and realizes Leo is King Leonidas; they were friends back in Greece years ago!

As a result of an invitation, Nate goes to the St. Louis Arch, thinking Matthias or Castor would be there. Nate creates a diversion and candy skull-masked people arrive.  Castor Queen arrives; he received an invitation too!  He brags about killing Ichabod.  Falco backs up Nate in the confrontation, even from miles away. Nate receives help from a boy, Xander, who stands up to Castor.  Help arrives - Alucard, Yahn and the twins.  Aria slices off Castor’s hand.  Yahn joins in and Alucard goes for the win.  Castor is gone.  Matthias is not in St. Louis.  Who sent the invitations?

Nate goes to Stonehenge where he discovers that Van and Baba Yaga have been kidnapped.  He frees them, and discovers that they found one of the original knights of the Round Table, but he is comatose. Nate asks them to watch over him and returns home.

Matthias appears.  Apparently, he received an invitation too.   He says there are debts to pay, like Nate killing Ichabod.  Castor Queen appears, barely alive, and promises that he only wants revenge because of the Syndicate.  He lets them know when he is dead, his beast will be freed.

Castor finally dies and his beast, Maru, is freed.  Nate throws the War Hammer at the tree, and Kai comes to fight Maru.  Kai dies and Nate kills Maru. Falco comes to say goodbye to Kai and Nate discovers that Falco is pregnant with Kai’s baby!

Matthias discovers the truth about Ichabod.  He tells Nate that Temple shall not harm Temple. He shadow walks away.

Talon confronts Nate.  Tells him to rest. That Death’s promise to take him to Hell to talk to his parents can wait.