Pure Blood (The Pure Blood Series Book 1)

by Katie Dunn

  "And it doesn't bug you at all that they are killing the people of your town?" I ask.

  He shakes his head. "As long as they don't wipe out all of Brighton, I don't mind."

  I lean forward and narrow my eyes. "You're sick. You don't care about anyone but yourself, do you?"

  Anton tilts his head. "I don't." He stands and walks over to me. He smiles down at me. "You are going to die, while I will go on living. It's simple survival."

  I wish I could wipe that smug smile off of his face. Sadly, I can't. I am nowhere near close to getting these ropes off.

  Something in Anton's pocket shines. It takes a minute for me to realize what. A knife. It's not much, but if I can get my hands on it, I can use it to cut the ropes. I need to get Anton to come closer. "Simple survival, huh? How do you know Nikolai won't kill you after this?"

  He takes a step toward me. "Nikolai wouldn't kill me. I'm a big help to him and his pack."

  I raise an eyebrow. "You sure about that? Nikolai seems like the kind of guy, who stabs people in the back."

  My plan works. Anton takes another step toward me and leans in. I pull back from him, drawing him in even closer. "As much as Nikolai would hate to hear it, he is very much like his father. His father was always loyal to his people," he says.

  I stretch out my left arm and slide the knife free without Anton noticing. I hide it under my wrist. "When you are dealing with skinwalkers, you can never be too sure, right?"

  Anton glares at me. He turns and heads for the door. "You will be dead within the hour," he says over his shoulder as he leaves the room.

  After the door closes, I shift my grip on the knife and mash the button on the side. The blade springs out. I adjust my grip on the knife once more, and turn it, so I can cut the rope with it. I saw through the rope as quickly as I can.

  Left hand free, I begin sawing on the rope restraining my right hand. By the time I finish cutting through the rope, my arm feels like it's going to fall off. I cut the rope off my legs and jump up from the chair—I almost fall over because my legs have fallen asleep. I fold the knife and put it in my pocket in case I need it later.

  I stumble over to the window and open it. I stick my head out to see what kind of a fall I'm in for. Solid ground is below. Because it is dark out, I have a difficult time searching for something to soften my landing. Finally, I am barely able to make out the bushes directly beneath the window. And since I am on the second story, if I land right, I should be okay. I'll survive anyway.

  I try to figure out the best way to do this. Which method will result in the least amount of injuries. I pull my head back inside and swing one of my legs over the window sill.

  Across from me, the door swings open. Nikolai stands in the doorway.

  If he hasn't come up to kill me, then he certainly has plans for it now. Anger radiates off him, and his hands are balled into fists. I don't know if he intends to take my head clean off, or if he plans to kill me slowly. I don't stick around to find out. I swing my other leg over the side and jump out the window.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  "OW!" THANKFULLY, I'd managed to mostly land on the thicker part of the bushes, but my leg still hit a stump. I guarantee I'm going to have some bruises in the morning—especially my leg—but I'm alive. I don't waste any time. I get up from the bushes and stumble off into the woods as fast as I can. Luckily, I remember the path Troy led us to get back into town. I just pray I will live long enough to make it to town.

  I dodge and weave in between trees, desperately trying to escape the woods and the D'yavol pack. I don't look over my shoulder. I just run. I push my body to its limit, forcing myself to move at a quicker pace.

  As I hurry through the woods, I fiddle with the band on my wrist. I need to get it off. If I am going to survive this, I'm gonna need my magic. Nikolai said no one could remove it, but him. We'll see.

  Once I'm sure I'm a great distance away from the skinwalkers' headquarters, I stop and try to remove this stupid band. The band is metallic, so I can't cut it with my new knife. I need something hard. Something like a rock.

  I drop to the ground and start digging in the earth in search for a rock. At this point, almost any size will do. I can make it work. I scoop up dirt, until my fingertips find a fair-sized rock. I lay my wrist on the ground and instantly begin beating the band with the rock.

  The contact makes a clink sound, so I rush to break this doggone thing. I hit the band where to two ends meet, hoping it will come apart soon.

  A howl sounds in the distance. I jerk my head in its direction. Nothing appears in my sight. I have a few seconds at the most. I have to get this thing off now. I bash it harder and faster. My hands shake in panic. Come on, come on, come on.

  The band breaks apart, releasing my wrist. I let out a small sigh of relief. I rise to my feet and race off in my primary direction.

  "I won't hurt you, Britt," Nikolai calls to me.

  I keep running. I can't stop until I reach town. I won't be safe until I do.

  Leaves crunch beneath my feet, as I sprint across the forest floor. The night's darkness is more eerie than it would normally be. Any other night, I wouldn't be too frightened. But tonight, I worry death will leap out from a shadow and take me.

  "I don't want to hurt you, Britt!" Nikolai's voice rings again into the night. He is too close. Too close to escape without being seen. "Come to me and I will make your death quick and painless!"

  I'm tired. I'm not sure how much further I can carry on. I can't keep running. I have to slow down, but at the same time, I can't. Or maybe I can keep going, but at a slower pace. The cloaking spell.

  Can I do it alone? I have to. Troy's not here to hold my hand and help me.

  I stop running and try to make myself invisible to the world. When I hear the crunching of leaves, I panic. I have to hurry. I imagine my pursuer being unable to spot me and I even say a small prayer to give me extra hope of escaping. Nikolai appears from the trees. His eyes sweep over everything, as he strolls up to me.

  Thankfully, he must not be able to see me or hear me. I freeze. I don't so much as move. Nikolai comes up to me and stares as if he can see right through the spell. I take a step back, and he follows. He peers straight at me, like he can sense my presence.

  He leans in. Too scared to move my feet, I simply lean back. He leans toward me, until his face is an inch from mine. I don't dare to breathe. Nikolai could feel my breath, just as easily as my touch. He stares through me or at me, unsure if I am really standing here or not.

  "Nikolai!"

  Nikolai doesn't turn away. His attention remains on what is in front of him.

  "Nikolai," the voice calls again. I recognize it as one of the pack members. "Where are you, Nikolai?"

  Nikolai leans back. He turns in the direction of the skinwalker's voice. "Coming." He glances at me one last time, before reluctantly walking away. It's not until he is out of sight that I begin breathing again.

  I take two steps back and turn around. I walk quickly in the direction of town, allowing my body a little rest. Even though the spell should mask any noise I make, I try to stay as silent as possible.

  "Britt?"

  I don't have to look over my shoulder to know who calls to me. I drop the spell and turn around. Troy breathes a sigh of relief when he sees me. I hurry to him and throw myself into his arms. "Are you all right?" he asks.

  "I'm fine." I pull away from him. "Where's my dad?"

  "Over here."

  My dad steps out from behind a tree. I run to him and pull him into an embrace. My dad, my loving, caring dad, who was going to die for me. He was going to give up his life, so his child could live.

  Tears prick my eyes. "I love you, Daddy."

  "I love you, too." He pulls back and starts checking me for any wounds.

  I place my hands on his shoulders. "Dad, I'm fine."

  He meets my gaze. "Just making sure, baby girl."

  "We better get moving," Troy says.

  Dad holds m
y hand as we bolt off through the forest. "How did you escape the house," he asks.

  "I jumped out a window," I reply.

  Dad almost stops. "You did what?"

  I wave it off. "It's a long story. I'll tell you later."

  "She's alive," Troy says. "That's the most important thing."

  Dad nods. "It is. And thanks for that, by the way." My eyebrows furrow and I glance at Troy. Troy notices and chuckles. "Back there when Nikolai was on to you, I made out like I was one of his pansies, to get him away from you."

  I glance questioningly at my dad. He manages a shrug as we run. "You did a pretty darn good job," I say to Troy.

  "Skinwalkers can mimic noises and voices," he explains. "I don't really like to do it, but I had to."

  I nod. "So where is everyone else?"

  "Home," Dad says. "They are safest there."

  "That's where we're going now," Troy explains. "And from there, we'll come up with a plan to rid Brighton of the D'yavol pack, once and for all."

  A plan to destroy the D'yavol pack, is a plan for a better Brighton.

  TWENTY-SIX

  I AM SMOTHERED with hugs and kisses. When I return home, my family act as if I had died and come back or something. My mom is almost in tears, Derek is extra nice to me, and the others just hug me and try to put away their worry.

  When I go up to my bedroom, I find Troy sitting out on the roof outside my window. He doesn't bother anyone. He just sits there, like he did the morning he told me he was a skinwalker.

  I climb out the window and join him. The sky is still dark, but slightly illuminated by the full moon and stars. Only an hour has passed since my grand escape.

  Troy glances up at me. "Hey. What are you doing out here?"

  I sit down beside him. "I just wanted to sit out here with you."

  He smiles. "Oh."

  He puts his arm around me, and I snuggle closer. He kisses the top of my head. "I was so worried about you," he breathes in my ear.

  I clench his shirt in my hand. "I'm sorry."

  "Why are you sorry?"

  I shift in his arms. "Because Nikolai has repeatedly said he was going to kill you, and I didn't even think about worrying about you. I was worried about my dad. All I thought about was protecting him."

  Troy manages to move enough to meet my gaze, but continues to hold me in his arms. "Britt Thompson, I love you. And I will spend the rest of my life, showing you just how much. Don't be sorry. Be happy. We escaped the D'yavol pack's clutches yet another time, and lived to see day." He glances up at the night sky. "Metaphorically speaking."

  I smile and giggle. "I love you too, Troy," I tell him.

  He smiles and presses his lips to mine. It's a small, simple kiss, but to me, it's more than enough. I enjoy just spending time with Troy. We don't have to go to movies or dinner, I just like being in his company. I know that he feels the same way. To him, my presence is plenty.

  "All right, everybody!" Dad hollers. "I need you all in the living room, now!"

  Troy and I unwillingly pull away from each other and climb through the window back into the house. We descend the stairs and meet everyone in the living room. Dad stands in front of the fireplace, watching the fire.

  "We have delayed this long enough. We have to do something about the D'yavol pack, tonight."

  Dad turns and faces the family. He closes his eyes and sighs. "Your mother and I have talked, and we both hate to ask you, Derek, and you, Lenny, to help. But we're the only people in Brighton who would stand a chance against the D'yavol pack."

  Derek and Lenny exchange glances. "Whatever you need us to do, Dad," Derek says.

  Dad nods. "It kills me, boys. But we have to." He turns to me. "And, Britt. After what you just went through, I don't want to send you back out into danger. But like I said, we have to."

  I nod. "I know I have a job to do, Dad."

  Dad smiles. "I'm proud of you, baby girl. I'm proud of all of you."

  My mom glances between Troy, Lenny, and Riley. "And whatever happens, Liam and I want you three to know, that you've become like our own children these past few months."

  The three of them smile, while exchanging glances. "Thanks, Mum," Lenny says. He turns to Dad. "And you too, Dad." My mom and dad smile.

  Riley gazes at Dad. "So what's the plan?"

  Dad glances from face to face. "Well…"

  ͠

  I hold the phone to my ear as the other end rings. I wait patiently for the intended person to pick up. The call almost goes to voicemail before Nikolai answers. "Hello?"

  I am unable to keep the smug grin off my face. "Hello, Nikolai."

  I don't have to see Nikolai to know a smirk plays over his lips. "Britt. How nice of you to call. Are you ready to give yourself up?"

  I glance down at my nails, like I just got them done. "Actually, I'm calling to see if we can meet somewhere and strike a deal."

  "What kind of deal?" Nikolai asks.

  I gaze at my dad. He nods. "A deal that could benefit us both," I reply. "So will you meet with me or not?"

  Nikolai would never give up the opportunity. "Yes, I will meet with you. Just tell me when and where."

  I stand and walk over to the fireplace. I give Nikolai the time and place I want to meet and end the call. I hand my dad his phone and sit on the floor with the twins. "Did he buy it?" Derek asks.

  I nod. "I think so."

  "Does everyone remember what they are supposed to do?" Dad asks.

  Troy, Lenny, Derek, and I nod. "Yes, sir," Troy says.

  Dad turns to Mom. "Priscilla, no matter what happens, do not leave this house. I don't want you or the twins to get hurt."

  Tears well up in her eyes. "I won't."

  Dad looks at Riley. "Riley, I want you to stay here, too. Don't leave this house." He kneels in front of the couch. "I promise, I'll make them pay for what they did to your parents."

  Riley gives him a grateful smile. "Thank you."

  Derek stands. "Are we ready to get going?"

  I stand as well. "Yep."

  Kendall jumps up and throws his arms around me. "No," he groans. "Don't go."

  Casey grabs Derek's hand. "Please?"

  "We have to go, guys," Lenny tries to reason. "We'll come back."

  Kendall turns his head while still holding on to me. "Are you sure?"

  Lenny gazes at me. I take Kendall's hands. "Hey, I promise you, we will come back." I kneel down. "Just say your prayers and hope for the best, okay?"

  Tears run down his face. He wraps his little arms around me. "Be careful, Britt."

  We all exchange hugs and say our goodbyes. Of course, my parents share the most emotional goodbye. Seeing them worry they may never see each other again almost breaks my heart. I hope I can fulfill my promise to Kendall. That we all come home safe and sound.

  We are a strong family. We stick together through thick and thin. We look after each other no matter what. We comfort each other in times of need. We are there for each other always. Related by blood or not related at all, we are the true definition of family.

  Troy takes my hand. "Can we talk?"

  I nod. "Of course." Troy leads me outside onto the front porch. We stare out at the midnight sky. Neither of us say anything. We just watch the sky, holding hands. After a minute, I start giggling.

  Troy gazes at me with a smile. "What? What are you laughing at?"

  "I thought you wanted to talk?" I ask.

  Troy nods. "In case something happens, I wanted to say goodbye."

  I meet his gaze. "Okay."

  Troy takes hold of my waist and pulls me closer. "Britt, I loved you long before you found out about me." He shakes his head. "I don't regret anything. I'm glad that you got to know the real me. And I'm sorry for bringing all of this horrible stuff into your life."

  I rest my hands on Troy's chest. "Don't be sorry, Troy. Our problems with the D'yavol pack are not your fault. That is just life. Troy, you've brought excitement and animation into my life. Without you,
I would be stuck living the same old boring life day after day. I love you, Troy."

  I can see the love and adoration in Troy's eyes. He rests his hand on my cheek. "Britt, I want you to know just how much happiness and joy you have brought me. My life before you was sad and pathetic, but you gave my life meaning. You gave me something to live for. I love you."

  Tears prick my eyes. Instead of refusing, I let them fall. Saying goodbye to Troy, is like saying goodbye to a part of me. I don't want to think about dying. I don't want to think about any of my loved ones dying. All I want for them is to live long happy lives. But currently, I can only hope and pray.

  Troy wraps his arms around me, attempting to comfort me. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

  I shake my head. "You didn't."

  The front door opens, and Lenny sticks his head out. He notices my tears. "Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt anything, but Dad is ready to pray."

  Troy nods. "We're coming."

  Lenny offers a small sad smile to me before Troy and I pull away from each other. We join the others inside and have a word of prayer before setting off to a war we may not win.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  MY DAD, DEREK, Lenny, Troy, and I set off into the woods to meet with the D'yavol pack. We hike for almost an hour before reaching our destination. We decide it would be best to pick a place we know well. We can use it to our advantage—and we need as much of the upper hand as we can get.

  We get into position. Derek and Lenny climb the trees, concealing themselves for a better ambush. My dad, Troy, and I wait on the ground. We don't attempt to hide ourselves. Nikolai might expect an ambush. But if he sees the three of us in plain sight, he'll be less likely to anticipate Derek and Lenny.

  I pace around nervously. This is it. Do or die. Now or never. This is going to be a bloodbath that no one can walk away from and just forget it. Whoever comes out of this alive will have to live with the awful remembrance of this horrifying night. I'm sorry, Nikolai. But I have a lot more to live for.