Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1) (14 page)

During school, we all pretty much remain in our separate groups. Why would we want to hang out together just because we're part of some elite group?

After school, Amanda needs to stop by her house, and then we're all going to meet up to talk about training. I'm glad that Sam's working today. He unnerves me in ways I couldn’t explain. I thought it was because he reminds me of Thomas, but just the way he looks at me makes me feel like I'm either being interrogated or ravished by him. Only one sounds intriguing to me, though I would never tell Amanda that.

"I just need to get a couple of things and then I’ll be ready." We stop in our tracks when we see Sam standing there, beer in hand. Damn it! He's not supposed to be home yet. "Oh! Hey, Sam, you’re home early!"

She looks at me and I read the fear and guilt in her eyes. We both know Sam would never willingly let her fight against vampires. If he finds out what she's up to, I have no doubt he’d try to handcuff her to her bed or something; all in the name of safety, of course. Sam's a cop, it’s in his nature to try and fight the bad guys. Unfortunately, being a cop doesn’t qualify him for this fight. There's also that little detail of how he would never believe me about the vampires. If, by some chance he did, he would never take orders from me.

"I’m home on time, Mandy. Where have you been?"

"Over at Ana’s. I’m going to stay over there tonight."

"I don’t think so."

"Um, mom and dad let me stay over there all the time."

"Well, mom and dad aren’t here and they left me in charge, so you’re not going. If you want to spend time together, she can stay here."

It’s times like these that made me both glad to be an only child, and also a little sad. Honestly, though, Sam is really annoying me with the whole ‘she’ thing. The name’s Ana, buddy.

"
She
is standing right here," I say testily. It's petty, I know, but whatever. Sam’s attitude towards me is getting old. "And,
she
would like to spend some time at her own home tonight."

"Sorry, but Amanda’s staying home tonight."

I really don’t have time for this. I'm running out of the time I need to get these Hunters–and I use that term loosely–trained. I don’t know why Sam has to be such a hard ass.

"Ugh, you are such an ass, Sam! I mean, me going over to Ana’s is so not a big deal!"

"Then it won’t be a big deal for you to stay here, either." He says it with such finality. Apparently, he thinks the discussion was over. He obviously doesn’t know me very well.

"Sam," I walk closer to him, keeping my eyes on his. I hear his heart beat faster and louder. He finds me attractive. I'm used to that from other men, but I never expected Sam to feel that way. "You’ve clearly had a couple of sleepless nights." I lower my voice, putting just a touch of power and persuasion behind it. "Wouldn’t you like to just have a night where you didn’t have to worry about two teen girls all night? We’ll be perfectly safe at my place."

I see Sam’s eyes glaze over, just a bit. He's stronger than I give him credit for, but those sleepless nights I know he's having are working in my favor.

"Fine. Just be careful." And, with that, he leaves us alone.

"How in the hell did you do that? I mean, he
never
backs down!"

"I guess he’s just overly tired and agreed with me," I shrug. "Go get your stuff and let’s get out of here before he changes his mind." I glance in the direction Sam went. I'm not sure how long my persuasion is going to last.

Amanda and I meet up with the others at Jake’s. Everyone wants to eat, and though I really want to just get started, I agree. No one speaks of what we're all together for. I imagine they were all still having a hard time believing it, even Amanda. So, I let them eat in peace. Reality was going to be a bitch for them when they realize this is actually happening. So, after an hour of awkward conversation and stuffing our faces with food, I tell everyone to follow me. It's time to get busy.

I pull up to the gate, punch in my code, and wait for the others to enter the gate before making my way up the long driveway.

"Holy crap! What is this place?" Amanda exclaims. She, as well as all the others, look around in complete awe at the estate. I had to bring them here. There's no way I'll be able to train them all in my tiny apartment.

"This is where we’re going to train. It would be helpful if everyone could come here after school every day. Maybe you guys can even stay here while we train. There's plenty of room."

"You mean spend the night?" Zac asks.

"Yes." I raise my hand, cutting off the next question. "Let’s go in and we can discuss everything." I unlock the door and push it open, ushering everyone in. Their awe continues as they walk in. These kids had money–well, their parents did at least–still I can’t imagine they’ve seen the likes of this place. I let them gawk.

"Ms. Gale, welcome home."

Bernard startles me. I wasn't expecting him to be here, and I especially wasn't expecting the 'Ms. Gale'. To my utter shock, he is dressed as a butler. Having him on my property was one thing. Having him in my house was something else all together. This time, I intend to find out how he got in.

"I imagine it will be easier to explain me as your servant, than what I truly am," he whispers to me as the others wander around.

"How did you get in?"

"I've been around awhile, Anala. You learn a thing or two."

"I don't appreciate you using those skills on my home." One of my first projects, change the locks and amp the security. "You’re not my servant, Bernard, and I don't think you should be here."

"I do not mind acting as such to aid you. I would like to help."

"Bernard, training is not a spectator sport. It is customary that only other Hunters be present when training is in session." I cut him off before he can argue. "You are the one who brought the rules of the Society up when you made me do this. Deal with it."

"Right. Well, I have set up the dining room to serve as a sort of conference room. I thought it would be a good place to teach the young Hunters or speak of plans. I also have refreshments."

I sigh. He thought of everything. Yet, I still don't feel comfortable having him here. "We’ve already eaten."

"Well, perhaps just drinks."

I almost groan. I really need a drink, I'm starving. And, it's a hunger no burger could satisfy.

"Thank you for setting everything up, but you still have to go," I tell him. "I'm sorry. Rules are rules."

Whatever else he was going to say was cut off when Amanda came running in.

"Ana! This place is uh-mazing! I mean, totally…just amazing! Seriously, whose place is it?" Everyone else follows her back into the foyer where Bernard and I were having our conversation. They were all murmuring about the place.

"It’s mine."

Amanda’s jaw drops. I’m not sure if it was shock or anger, though. Knowing her, I can imagine she would be pissed at me for keeping something like this from her.

"It’s been in my family for years," I say by way of explanation.

"I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this!"

"I’m sorry, Amanda. I’ve just never had a use for it, until now. It’s only me; it would’ve been silly to live here by myself."

"Could you imagine the parties we could have in this place?" This nugget of brilliance is from Jeremy, the ‘genius’ quarterback. Thank God he was good at football, because academics are not his strong suit. His brawn and athleticism will be his biggest assets as a Hunter.

"We’re not here to party," I snap irritably, and sigh, again. "Look, I know everyone has a lot of questions. And, I want to be able to answer them for you. But for now, I think it’s best to show you where you’ll be spending most of your time." I push Bernard towards the door. "Goodbye. I'll be in touch."

After the grand tour, I take some time as the others roam around to fix a ‘drink’ for myself. God, I hate that it tastes so good and satisfies me like nothing else can. It doesn’t energize me like I know taking blood from a live human would, but it's good enough.

I check the clock above the mantle. It's a school night, so it's too late to start training tonight after all the 'oohing' and 'ahhing' that's been going on. Truth be told, I just don’t feel motivated to start training. This group isn’t anything like the Hunters from years ago. They're undisciplined and unruly. Of course, there's also the fact that they have had absolutely no hunting training whatsoever in their lives, no sword training–except for the kids that fenced–no real knowledge of Cursed Ones at all. It's like taking infants and teaching them to walk and talk. I don’t know if I have the patience for this. Even after all of the years I’ve lived, the one thing I never learned was patience.

I take my drink outside onto the terrace and look out over the expansive yard. The yellow, full moon was slowly rising in the sky and looks huge. I wish I could just lose myself in the vastness that surrounded me and not have to deal with the death and sadness that was sure to come.

"How am I supposed to do this again?" I ask the emptiness around me.

"Ana?" Amanda strolled out onto the terrace. I should’ve known she was there, but I didn’t. Damn it! My keen sense of awareness eludes me sometimes when I’m stressed. That worries me. I'm going to need time to myself at some point to practice everything my parents taught me. My body is strong, that I don’t doubt. What I doubt, is my ability to be strong in my mind and soul. Quickly I drop my glass into the bushes below and smile.

"Hey. Did everyone get settled in?"

"Yeah, but, I mean, are you sure it’s a good idea for them to stay here? I can just see the fights now. Well, after the orgies, that is."

I can’t help but chuckle at the prudish ‘eww’ she let out.

"Once we start training, no one is going to have the energy to do much of anything but sleep. Don’t worry so much, Amanda."

"Don’t worry? Ana, you come to me and tell me that vampires are real and that I’m one of the ‘chosen’ ones to fight them. I mean, how am I not supposed to worry? What if I can’t do it?"

"Amanda, I know this is hard for you to understand, or even believe. I get that." I look her straight in the eyes, needing her to know that I believe in her. "But, you’re a Hunter. The ability is in you. All you need is the confidence."