Black Blood

by S. D. Grimm

  Black Blood

  Also by S.D. Grimm

  Children of the Blood Moon:

  Scarlet Moon | Book One

  Amber Eyes | Book Two

  Black Blood,

  Copyright © 2019 by S.D. Grimm

  Published by Enclave, an imprint of Gilead Publishing, LLC,

  Wheaton, Illinois, USA.

  www.gileadpublishing.com

  www.enclavepublishing.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, digitally stored, or transmitted in any form without written permission from Gilead Publishing, LLC.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-68370-084-5 (printed softcover)

  ISBN: 978-1-68370-085-2 (ebook)

  Cover design by Kirk DouPonce, www.DogEaredDesign.com

  Interior design by Beth Shagene

  Ebook production by Book Genesis, Inc.

  This book is dedicated to my children.

  I love you more than you know, all the days, forever.

  And to Nemo, who is my Westwind.

  Acknowledgments

  I started this series nine years ago, with a dream that I would one day be a published author. And now I’m typing “the end” on a nine-year journey with these characters, whom I’ve grown to love (and hate in the case of some of them); this world that exists as a magical, thriving place in my mind’s eye; and this pilgrimage through which I have learned many things about myself. I am blessed to be able to share this story with you and honored that you have read it. In some ways, you have gone through this journey with me, but in other ways you have experienced something all your own through these pages. Such is the magic of a book.

  Thank you, dear reader, for making it to the end. I hope this story is a journey you will take again. To revisit old friends, to learn something new about yourself, maybe even to share something you loved with your children someday.

  There are so many people who helped make this book—this series—come to life. People who encouraged me when I needed it, who helped make this entire dream a reality, and who gave me the advice and feedback that was necessary.

  I want to thank Steve Laube for contracting Scarlet Moon a couple years ago, for believing in my story and writing and then making my publishing dreams come true. And Ramona Richards, my editor, who sees the heart of my story and reminds me to keep that intact—and not stray from it. And Julie Gwinn, my agent, who believes in me and my talent. And Kirk DouPonce, who takes my idea for a cover and makes it a masterpiece.

  The entire Gilead/Enclave team! Thank you all for doing everything you can to help make this the best book it can be. For your tireless hours helping us authors achieve our dreams. You are much appreciated.

  Thank you, my amazing family. Phil, Caleb, Jordan, Mom, Dad, Molly, Shawn, Dale, Linda, you are all amazingly supportive, and I couldn’t do this without that from the people I love so dearly. I thank my God every time I remember you.

  To my “framily,” Jamie and Keanan, Becky and Mike, Heather, and LoriAnn, I owe many thanks. You guys have listened to idea after idea, cheered me up when I needed it, and celebrated with me over every milestone. I am so thankful for our friendship. Form Voltron!

  And my team of encouragers, Molly, Cilia, Evie, Lindsay, Avily, and Nadine. Thank you for being there for me when I need it. For being friends I can count on. For sharing laughs and wisdom and memories. I love you all dearly. All the heart-shaped emojis!

  I am truly blessed to have so many people in my life who want to see my dreams succeed. Who want to see me continue to dream big. And I have my God to thank for all of that and much, much more. For giving me this talent, this story, this passion. For bringing amazing people into my life. For being the music my words dance to.

  And to you, dear reader, thank you again. Your support means the world to me.

  Until next time,

  Sarah

  Chapter 1

  So It Begins

  The metallic, sulfurous scent of ash and lava permeated the air. From the top of the hill, Logan watched the sun crest the horizon, red and hungry. Like the fire had been, like the lava had been, like the ground had been for blood.

  Cracked, broken, and barren, the black chasm from which the dragon had lifted the Mistress’s limp form marred the ground.

  “The forest smells wounded.” Westwind stood beside Logan, staring over the treetops. Trees that Quinn, their Whisperer, had moved with her thoughts. They blocked Logan and his faithful Feravolk army from whatever might come out of the chasm, but injured warriors or not, Logan wanted to get farther away from this place. Some of his army had already left for Moon Over Water, but many remained. Now that the Mistress of Shadows had been freed, she’d attempt to kill the land and all the Feravolk with it unless they could imprison her again. His people were on the battlefront. The Deliverers were their only hope.

  He wasn’t sure where the black dragon had taken the Mistress, but it had headed south, the direction of the palace. It wouldn’t surprise him if the Mistress tried to sink her claws in there first. Control of the palace and its surrounding city of Filgrum would give the Mistress a central stronghold.

  “It’s dying.” Aurora’s voice was soft as a mournful howl.

  Logan sensed it, too. The Forest of Woes felt sick. Decaying. Unnatural. As if there were no longer memory of animals living here, of trees thriving, of life.

  The Mistress’s power had done that. To defeat her, he needed Quinn to lead him to the final Deliverer. He already had two of the four—Jayden and his daughter, Serena—but to stop the Mistress and imprison her, he needed all four. First he had to find the third Deliverer and then head to the palace to rescue his son—the fourth Deliverer. A son who had already been in his presence once. His throat tightened.

  Logan scanned the camp as his people began to stir in the morning light. Melanie, Gavin, and Ethan—Logan’s team of faithful Protectors—slept near Serena, Jayden, and Quinn. His heart throbbed under the weight of knowing that these kids would have to face more evil than he’d seen in his lifetime if they were to save his people—their people.

  Westwind’s eyes gleamed brilliant yellow against the rust-orange sky. “Do you think Quinn knows where our Deliverer is? She seems like a young pup.”

  “Time to find out.” Logan headed toward his army, who were spread out across the hill, the scarlet-red sun lighting his way.

  Feravolk who had fought with him—Morgan and her Dissenters as well as those who remained from Island in the Swamp, whom Melanie and her husband, Gavin, had brought—awaited his orders. Those he’d sent ahead to his home camp of Moon Over Water would tell his leader, Alistair, what had happened so they could prepare for the inevitable war with the Mistress. As soon as she regained her strength, he wagered the Mistress would strike with more force than they’d seen even during the Blood Moon wars.

  Quinn was asleep, huddled near Ethan, her bedroll pushed aside like a foreign object she’d never been taught to need. She wouldn’t leave Ethan’s presence. Made sense. He’d rescued her. Ethan didn’t seem to mind. His oath to protect the Deliverers extended to Quinn, and he had good instincts. Logan would protect her as well.

  Serena and Jayden woke and stretched as Logan approached. Ethan stood, already wearing his sword belt and an expectant expression.

  Logan walked over to Quinn. She sat up, and as soon as she saw the wolves, she clutched a handful of her tattered clothes, eyes wide. She tried to hide behind Ethan, who touched Quinn’s shoulder and crouched down to her eye level, which seemed slightly higher than the previous night. “Hey, it’s okay
. They’re friends.” He nodded to Logan. “What’s wrong?”

  Logan approached carefully, so as not to scare her. “Quinn, I have something for you. The last Whisperer gave it to me to give to you.” He pulled the map book from his bag and held it out to her.

  She stared at the book and reached for it, slowly. “Enya told me about this.”

  “Enya?” Serena knelt near her.

  “My phoenix.” Quinn’s fingers closed around the book, and Logan thought he saw a faint purple flame spark in her eyes. “Yes. This was meant for me.” She grinned. It made her look older and younger at the same time. Her eyes met his. “You knew the other Whisperer?”

  Logan smiled as he nodded.

  She opened the book and flipped through what appeared to be blank pages. “Some of it’s locked. The Deliverers will need to touch it for me to open those parts. But these pages are not all—” She shrieked and dropped the book.

  “What is it?” Jayden gripped her dagger’s hilt.

  Quinn trembled. She scooped the book up, and a breeze whispered through it, turning the pages. Then the wind stilled, and Quinn looked at the empty book. “The pages are made from leaves. Dried. Pressed. Their memories are here. New and old. They search to find the ones I need. Look.”

  Ethan gently touched her shoulder. “I don’t think we see what you see, Quinn.”

  “It’s me. When those two women caught me and tied me to the tree.”

  A picture melted onto the pages. A young girl. A shiver spread through Logan’s core. They were burning her.

  Westwind growled. “No wonder she’s as skittish as a snared deer.”

  Quinn stared at Westwind with her eyes wide and backed away from him. Jayden reached out to touch Westwind’s shoulder. Her calming touch soothed the wolf. Logan felt it across the bond.

  Jayden turned to Quinn. “There’s no need to fear Westwind. He’s on our side.”

  “I’m sorry.” She dipped her head and held the book close. “He scares me. The creature that hunted me was wolf-like.”

  Westwind chuffed then let out a low whine.

  “Sorry,” she said to him with as little eye contact as possible.

  Logan inched closer. “Quinn, to stop the Mistress, we need—”

  “To put her back into her prison. I know.”

  “We can’t do that without the Deliverers.”

  She looked into Logan’s eyes. “And our Wielder.”

  Another puzzle piece entirely. “Can you help us find them?”

  Quinn drew up to her full height, which seemed taller than even a moment ago—she was growing before his eyes. The other Whisperer had told him this might happen, but Quinn looked older, too. “I will go ask the trees where the Deliverer is.” She even sounded older. Without waiting for a response, she wandered off into a cluster of trees and sat on the ground among them.

  “We should get her some new clothes,” Serena said. “Those are already too small for her.”

  “She has grown, hasn’t she?” Ethan glanced at Serena. “I thought it was my imagination.”

  Soft footfalls sounded behind Logan and he turned. Just as he spotted Kara, Westwind growled.

  Kara shrugged at the wolf then looked at Logan, her eyes hard as he imagined any assassin’s would be. “You think she’ll be able to find your missing Deliverer?”

  He didn’t respond.

  “Oh. Cold shoulder?”

  “You did try to have us killed.” Jayden shot her a frosty stare.

  “No. Not killed. When will you see my intention—?”

  “Is only for your personal gain. Always has been.” Ethan positioned himself in front of Serena and Jayden, between them and Kara. “I don’t think we have use for you.”

  “You do if you’re going back to the palace.”

  Logan held out his hand to dissuade the situation. “I think you’ve done enough, Kara.”

  “I’ve lived in the palace for three years. I know it in and out. You need me on your little extrication mission. Trust me. Or don’t. When you go for your son, I’m coming.”

  “We can’t risk her infiltrating your camp, Logan.” Ethan glared at Kara as he spoke. “If I remember correctly, that was her heart’s desire back at the palace.”

  “Oh, soldier. I’m touched.”

  “Don’t be. I keep my enemies close. Easier to kill that way.”

  “Okay.” Serena placed her hand against Ethan’s arm to keep him from encroaching on Kara even more. “What did she do to you?”

  Logan made eye contact with his daughter. Did Serena see something in Kara’s heart that made her tell Ethan to stand down? Was the woman trustworthy? Ethan didn’t lessen his glare as Jayden promised to fill Serena in. Still, Logan wanted to trust his daughter’s judgment, or at least find out what she saw. He shifted his focus to Kara. “Perhaps it’s best if we keep an eye on her.”

  The assassin scoffed and crossed her arms.

  “Is there trouble?” Melanie approached them, followed closely by Gavin. Kara pulled out a dagger and pretended to cut her fingernails. Melanie had been the one to bring Kara here, not knowing she was an assassin.

  Gavin leaned close to Logan and motioned toward Quinn. She knelt in the copse, her eyes closed. A breeze that touched no one else fluttered her hair around her. “What is she doing?”

  “Talking to the trees. It’ll help her figure out where the final Deliverer and our Wielder are.”

  He narrowed his eyes and nodded. “How long will she be . . . like that?”

  Logan shrugged. “I don’t know, but my hope is that she finds out where the third Deliverer is soon.”

  Gavin glanced at Logan askance. “What’s your plan?”

  “I spoke with Reuben this morning. He and Beck are taking the rest of our Feravolk army as well as those from Island in the Swamp to Moon Over Water with a message for Alistair: We are going for the third Deliverer and then for my son.” Logan closed his eyes as he thought of how long his son, the fourth Deliverer, had been trapped in the palace. “Alistair needs to be ready to declare war on the Mistress, because when I go for my son, it’ll spur her into action no matter how much strength she’s regained.”

  Gavin nodded. “So we move before she has a chance to gather her forces any more than she’s already done?”

  “Yes.”

  “And what of the Dissenters and their army?”

  “I’ll speak to Morgan and see if she wants to stay with us or go with the other Feravolk.” He made eye contact with Melanie and then Ethan. “We go for the last Deliverers as soon as Quinn has word.”

  Kara sat down on a stone to sharpen her knife.

  Logan leaned close to Ethan. “If you sense any threats from her—”

  “I’ll kill her.”

  Kara eyed Ethan askance, and her lips curled. “I’m hurt, soldier. After all we’ve been through together?”

  “After all you’ve done to us.”

  She stood, sauntered closer to him, and traced a finger along his stomach. “After I stitched you up.”

  He grabbed her wrist and pushed her hand away, but didn’t let go. “Kara. I had no idea I had such an effect on your pulse.”

  She pulled her hand back and smiled. “You have no idea about a lot of things, Ethan.”

  Gavin cocked his eyebrow and said for Logan’s ears alone, “If I hadn’t met Kara in Meese, I would think she knew I was bringing her right back to you three.”

  Logan led him and Melanie back down toward the Feravolk, who were packing up camp. “Who’s to say she didn’t?” Kara was up to something. The sooner he figured it out, the better. But he knew Ethan would be trying to pry that secret loose from her as well.

  Morgan approached. Logan patted Gavin’s shoulder and paused as Gavin and Melanie kept walking. Morgan’s green eyes made her look old beyond her years. “I wanted to talk to you,” she said meekly.

  Due to her talent of clairvoyance, he guessed why. “You’ve seen something.”

  She opened her mouth
slightly, then closed it and looked at the ground. “My sister is in the palace. I want to go with you when you go.”

  “You’ve seen me going?”

  Her head jerked up and she wore a look of determination. “Yes. And you’ll need my help.”

  “All the Dissenters?”

  “Yes, my whole army.” Her features softened.

  Westwind bristled. “The look of pity she gives you, Logan. I don’t like it.”

  “She’s burdened, friend. She sees things I wouldn’t wish on anyone that young to see.”

  Westwind chuckled. “Human emotion looks good on you, when you choose to be heartfelt.”

  Logan playfully pushed the wolf’s face, then he looked at Morgan’s sad eyes. “There’s something more.”

  “Much more, but it’s still formulating. I can’t trust what isn’t nailed down yet, so I don’t dwell on it.”

  His stomach squeezed. “Is it something I can prevent?”

  She looked deep into his eyes. “You’ll do what’s necessary if the time comes.”

  A pang pulsed over the bond from Westwind. Logan swallowed. “And what is it you have to do besides save your sister?”

  “I have to lead the Dissenters to follow you.” She smiled. “We will do whatever it takes to save the Feravolk, Logan. We are with you until the end.”

  The wind picked up. Whispers filtered through the breeze. Words Logan couldn’t make out chanted over and over. He knew the sound. He’d heard it before. The trees were talking. Their voices thundered louder. Louder.

  Then they hushed and Quinn screamed.

  Chapter 2

  Eyes Like Fire

  Ethan raced into the copse of trees where Quinn still knelt, his hand clutching the hilt of his borrowed sword. The grooves in the worn leather didn’t match up to his fingers. Unfamiliar. Uncomfortable. Like being this close to the erupted volcano—the broken prison of the Mistress of Shadows.

  “Quinn?”

  She didn’t move. Well, she didn’t acknowledge him, but she rocked back and forth. Knees to toes. Her eyes remained closed. Like someone who hadn’t just screamed. Words escaped her lips, but he couldn’t make them out.