Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1) (28 page)

"He obviously failed," Jenna says, quietly, and I give her a nasty look. "I'm just saying, his own daughter died of the damn disease..."

"He did everything he could," I say, coolly. This is the part I'm afraid to talk about. I haven't even had time to process it myself. "He talks here," I point to a paragraph in the book, "about experimenting on two patients. He would administer two separate medicines and record the effects, if any. Patient one is given what he called 'Antidote A', but after a time, it was clear it did not work. When he goes to give Patient two 'Antidote B', it was too late. The window of time to work with those with the Black Death was very short," I explain.

"Without another patient ready, Henry has no choice to but administer 'Antidote B' to the first patient. The effects were…not what he intended. What he created was..."

"Cursed Ones," Amanda finishes in a whisper.

"Yes."

"Your ancestors created Cursed Ones?" Jenna asks as though it's too unbelievable to be real.

"Yes. Then created the Society."

"To try and correct their mistake," Sam announces.

"Exactly. But, he had an apprentice who wanted fame and fortune more than anything else. He tried to convince the king that Cursed Ones were a good thing."

"Did it work?" Amanda asks. They all look to me, completely taken by the legend.

"Thankfully, no. He was run out of town, humiliated." I flip further to notes about me. "When Anala got - sick - Henry sought out his apprentice for help in finding the cure." I tread carefully here.

"Why would he bring that creep back?"

"Because she was his daughter, Jenna. He would do anything to help her." Oh, yeah. Emily's confidence is certainly growing.

"He thought he had no choice," I say. "The apprentice knew how Henry worked, was talented in his own way."

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Ana," Eric says shyly. "But, does it say in the book why he thought he could find a cure for Anala when he couldn't do it before?"

To say that hearing my Hunters say Anala was disconcerting is the understatement of the year.

"He speaks of having the blood of Cursed Ones to work with. Vampires can regenerate. They do not get sick," Unless they drink putrid blood, apparently.

"Ah, I see. That makes sense."

"They did not find a cure to the Black Death, though. What Henry did find was, well, the Fountain of Youth, essentially."

I place a vial that consisted of my blood on the table.

"A drop every now and then can give eternal life."

"As a human or Cursed?" Amanda asks, curious.

I give her my attention. "Human. You do not become immortal, but ageless."

"Seriously? So, a drop of this makes you young forever?"

I grab Jenna's hand before she can touch the vial. My eyes bore into hers. "Yes." I slip the vial back into my pocket. "But, once again, Henry's apprentice sees fortune and fame." I look pointedly at Jenna for an instant before continuing.

"Henry restricted his access to everything. He had no idea how long term use would affect anyone using it, so he could not allow it to get out." I pause. The day I found my parents lying there, motionless - dead - fills my mind. "The apprentice would not be denied again," I whisper. "He had my family killed and took everything. Vials, potions...books."

"Oh my God. Bernard."

I nod, affirming Amanda's assessment.

"Bernard? He was your ancestor's apprentice?" Sam asks, incredulously.

"Yes."

"So, he took the 'youth juice' and he's here from the 1400s?" Jeremy is completely enthralled. This has to be even better than the Sci-Fi movies he watches. 'Youth juice' tickles me, even if this is the furthest thing from a laughing matter.

"I guess we know it doesn't have any adverse side-effects," Jenna says, smugly.

"Is that what you think?"

"He seemed normal to me."

"Hmm. He created more Cursed Ones."

"He's responsible for this?" Sam demands.

I close papa's notebook and reach for another.

"This is Bernard's. The first few entries were made centuries ago. He talks about his dealings with Henry, his suspicions that Henry was keeping something from him. When he discovered what Henry had created he began plotting."

I turn pages.

"He grilled Henry about the, er, 'youth juice', wanting to know the formula, with no luck. He risked everything by going to a Cursed One.
'I am astounded by their ability to speak'
," I read. "
'Once I convinced them I was there to help them, it was easy. I offer them the Leaders of the Society of Hunters in exchange for their help. Of course, they want more. I cannot make the mistake of trusting them completely. However, I will help them find what they call "The Cloaked One". It is worth it for the use of their blood'
."

My heart aches reading how he gave up my parents without even the smallest hint of remorse.

Amanda gasps. "They were searching for the Cloaked One? Why?"

"The Cloaked One was killing them off faster than any group of Hunters combined. But, Bernard was right not to trust them. They did not live up to their end of the bargain.
'They deny me their blood!'
."

"What did he do?" Zac, who has been extra quiet, asks.

"He created his own."

"How?"

"My...Henry had stashes of Cursed blood everywhere in his lab. Bernard used that."

"Does he say who he used it on?" Sam is hopeful that the books will tell us who the Maker is.

I flip to a tear in the book.

"That page is missing."

They all groan at the same time. Believe me, I know the feeling. Nothing can ever be easy.

"I think Bernard went mad."

"Why do you say that? I mean, besides him creating monsters and all."

I slant a look at Amanda. Monsters. Still hurts.

"If you look here in his notes, in the beginning, they are comprehensible. As the years go by the notes become more jumbled and deranged. They don't make sense, and then just become unreadable."

"What was he like when you spoke to him," Sam asks.

Crap.

"He - wasn't there," I lie. "I tried contacting him, but it's like he just...disappeared." Okay, so that part is actually true.

"Fantastic. Now we have some maniac on the loose. Maybe I should call the station and put out a BOLO."

"I don't think that will be necessary. He fulfilled his purpose and exposed the Cloaked One. I don't think Bernard was useful to the Cursed Ones anymore."

"You think a Cursed One killed him?"

I hold Sam's gaze. "Yes."

"What do we do now?" Amanda asks.

"We continue to hunt."

"And, now that you know how old the Maker is, will you let us hunt for him with you?"

I know this is what Sam wants, thinking he can keep me safe. Even Zac perks up at the question.

"No. Absolutely not."

"Ana..."

"No, Sam. Given how old this Cursed One is, none of you are qualified to hunt for it."

"But, you are?" Zac snaps.

"More than you," I snap back. "Just as Cursed Ones get stronger and faster with age, so do Hunters."

"Ana, you're talking about a centuries old vampire versus an eighteen year old Hunter," Sam adds.

Of course, that's all they know. That I'm just some kid that happens to have trained my whole life. All eighteen years of it.

"This discussion is over. You will hunt with your regular groups in your regular shifts."

"You're being unreasonable, Ana."

"Enough, Zac!" I can't stop the power in my voice. I should learn to control my anger, or I'm going to regret it one day. I can already see the confusion and - is that fear - on my Hunters faces. "Please. Just do as your told and let me do what I need to do." I take a deep breath, calming myself. "Who is going out with the second group tonight?"

The group ends up being Zac, Emily, Eric and Jeremy. It's a strong group, though I worry about Zac. My trust in him is wavering, which is never good. If I can't trust him to go out hunting and follow the rules, or keep his group safe, what am I supposed to do with him?

As with the first group, I follow them, dressed in my full hunting gear. I'm hoping that the night goes smoothly, and honestly, be rather quiet. Judging by Zac's mood, I'm not sure he would hesitate to break the rules.

Humans flock the area, looking to get drunk or laid - or both. Friday night in LA. I'm curious as to how my Hunters will handle being surrounded by innocents while trying to remain inconspicuous. Not an easy task when your dressed similar and in all black. But, they seem to be doing a good job at not drawing attention to themselves when it's necessary for them to be among the crowds.

I keep my distance when I have to be on the ground, waiting for my chances to get to higher turf. When they turn down an alley, I silently leap up, scaling the wall until I get to the roof. I sense the Hybrids - four that I can distinctly identify - immediately.

I'm surprised by the fact that they don't have a victim. They just seem to be...waiting.

"Well, this can't mean anything good," I whisper to myself. Yet, I keep my distance, ready to see how my Hunters react.

"
There they are,
" Zac whispers to the others.

"
What are they doing?
" Jeremy mutters.

"
They're waiting for us,
" Eric answers, then looks at Emily who nods subtly. He then points at Zac, directing him to one side, and Jeremy to the other.

Hmm. I don't think I would've guessed that Eric would take charge, or that the other boys would let him, but they follow his unspoken instructions.

They fan out, with Zac watching their backs, as they approach the Hybrids.

I scan the perimeter, sharpening my senses to everything around me. I can hear the faintest of sounds, smell the most imperceptive smell. I relax - somewhat - when I don't sense a full blood.

To my utter shock, Emily enters the area alone. The Hybrids turn to her, curiously, then show their fangs. It's a move that was meant to frighten her, but she stands her ground, without even a flinch.

I, on the other hand, can't help but be fascinated - not to mention baffled - by the Hybrids' behavior. They never hesitated before. Never used scare tactics, just went for the prey. Yet, here they are, taunting my Hunter.

They begin to spread out, just as the Hunters did, looking to surround Emily. Without a word, Emily sprints towards the Hybrid that's farthest away from her, and literally runs up his body, jumping off his shoulders. In mid-air, she releases her blade, twists her body and kicks him towards Eric who slices his sword through the Hybrid's neck. She lands, gracefully, and they are on to the next Hybrid.

Very impressive.

Zac and Jeremy fight their own battles with formidable foes, with strength and agility. They make quick work of the Hybrids, and move on.

Their rhythm with each other is remarkable. Even Zac is oddly cooperative and efficient. Overall, I'm completely impressed with them.

A movement catches my eye, and the scent strikes me a split second later. A full blood. He is on the roof opposite of me, perched and waiting. For what? I ready myself for any attack it plans for my Hunters, but there is none. He just watches. He doesn't sense me, which is as curious to me as his indifference to my group. When he leaves, I follow him.

It's quite easy following him as he has no idea I'm even there. Cursed Ones, obviously, have a keen sense of smell and awareness, but he could be human with his total obliviousness to me. Or, I could be walking into the best trap ever.

I stay on full alert as he enters an area through a rusted, chain-linked fence. Deciding not to take any unnecessary risks of making noise, I leap over the fence, landing silently beside an old, broken column. I touch it, inquisitively. It's not real. What the hell is this place?

I catch up with the full blood, still puzzled as to why he has not detected me. Don't look a gift horse - and all that stuff - I think. Keeping my distance, I survey my surroundings. It looks to be an old Roman coliseum. Wait, it's
the
Roman Colosseum! I have a moment of confusion, as I have seen the Colosseum myself and this does not have its grandeur.