The Ancient Breed

The end of mankind . . . FBI Orion Sector agents, Nick Bellamy, Neo Doss, and Crow, realize the dire consequences of failure as they investigate two chilling, international schemes that threaten man's existence. The first entails a bloodcurdling plot to seize control of the world's governments. The second involves the theft of the recently discovered Fountain of Youth that not only unleashes its invincible demon guardian, but also invokes the Curse of the Ancient Breed. Battling the dark forces that threaten mankind leads the Orion Sector agents to a single web of uncharted terror. Nick Bellamy is unaware that only he possesses the unique powers necessary to destroy his four thousand year old enemies and defeat the savage ancient breed. When Nick finally unravels the secret of his extraordinary physical abilities, it leads to a horrifying revelation . . . one that could doom the world - or save it.Editorial Review for The Ancient Breed:"FBI agent Nick Bellamy is back in a second novel that picks up just after "Mortal Eclipse". This time Bellamy must tie up the connection between the fountain of youth and a monster that is preying on people in Florida. The story is tense with numerous conflicts that steer the tale along, while the writing is sharper and gives the feel of a Stephen King or Dean Koontz. Both books would make a great movie series." - Midwest Book Review (September, 2005)

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Jamille sat gasping in the muggy Florida air. There was a slight breeze, but not enough to keep the black mosquitoes from swarming. He swatted the vicious insects as he approached the final mechanical shovel. Suddenly, he stopped. He heard a noise from the east where there shouldn t be any noises. He stood absolutely still, listened, and stared into the vast blackness. It sounded like someone digging. He listened for a few more minutes, but heard nothing but the wind and the murmuring trees.Stupid chump, he thought, and scaled the last shovel s arm up to the massive hydraulic joint. He quickly set the radio-activated charge, and then paused again to listen. He heard the same digging noises as before, but this time it was louder and accompanied by heavy grunts."That ain t like no man I ever heard," he whispered to himself, and slid down the thick steel as fast as he could go without toppling into the muck. When his feet hit the cab roof, he froze. Ground-pounding footsteps splashed and sucked through the muck, and they were getting closer!Jamille s eyes widened as he strained to capture even a glimmer of the approaching person. Person, hell! It had to be a big animal. Maybe a bear. He swung down through the cab and scampered down onto the wood walkway. The splashing and sucking were very close now too close. Jamille s hands trembled as he quietly laid the supply box on the plywood and slipped his 9mm automatic from his belt."Get back, ya motha!" he shouted at the advancing animal. "I gotta a gun here."But the footsteps didn t slow. Jamille fired blindly into the blackness to scare off the animal, and then sprinted toward the van. His terrorist partner, Sirjo, ran from the construction trailer. "Jamille, what you shootin at?" Before he could reply, Jamille slipped on a patch of slick mud and pitched forward, landing flat on his stomach with his arms and legs spread like a facedown Vitruvian Man. His gun clattered on the plywood before sliding over the edge into the muck.The footsteps ceased, and Jamille gradually raised his head and gazed up into a pair of enormous soulless eyes, blood-red pupils afloat in a sea of glowing green. They stared down at him from a height of nearly twelve feet. Its breaths were prolonged and raspy, with rumbling growls rising in its throat. The prone teenager remained glued to the plywood, too frightened to respond to the desperate screams inside his head urging him to make a run for it. A brilliant light beam distracted his attention from the unseen beast. It was Sirjo swiveling the van spotlight until its dazzling shaft of light fell on his young partner. Jamille wished he hadn t.The powerfully built creature that bent over Jamille was gargantuan. Its leathery gray skull sloped down from a sharp crown, with two brief spikes above its large eyes. The mouth and jaw extended like a long muzzle with a single row of jagged fangs dripping thick saliva. Its ears were finely sculpted to a point, and its nostrils were two flat holes atop the muzzle. The flesh was smooth and pale gray, and tightly stretched over the brawny frame. Its arms were knotted with twisted muscles, and its hands were webbed with three keen rubicund claws, curved slightly at the tips. A savage roar split the stillness as the monster hovered above Jamille. Slowly, it raised its left arm.A weak whimper escaped Jamille s lips as its arm descended, and the razor tips of its three claws tore through his back, puncturing his heart, lungs, and liver. Before the boy realized what had happened to him, his life force faded away.

About the Author

David Brookover is the author of the critically acclaimed novel, Mortal Eclipse. He lives with his wife and border collie outside Orlando, Florida.

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