Nightmare Hunter_The Cursed
Page 1
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Copyright 2017
Published by Averi Hope
This work of fiction is intended for mature audience only. All characters are over the age of eighteen. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ASIN B0785D3JNB
This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.
To my husband—you are my soul mate and best friend. Every day I am amazed that I found you, because you truly are the man of my dreams. Through good times and through bad, my love for you has only grown deeper. Because of you I believe in happily-ever-after’s
Averi Hope
To my readers—I hope you enjoy this fun break from reality!
Lacey Carter Andersen
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Other Works
Author
A Note From The Author
“Alternative Futures” asks the question: what if? What if aliens worked and went to school alongside us? What if unique abilities were both a curse and a gift? What if creatures with magical abilities decided to make Earth their new home? And what if beings from space decided to invade our world? This series includes three unique worlds, which I’ll be playing in. The Cursed, The Gifted, and The Magical.
Which world will be your favorite?
Prologue
Journal Entry of Doctor Redric Kent—
Patient #436, otherwise known as Erin Stowe, has survived against all odds. However, as noted with the very few other survivors, she was left with unusual abilities. In her case, the ability to go into the dreams of others.
I can’t help but wonder if it would have been better to let her die. Even though we live in a world with species of varying unique abilities, humans were not equipped to deal with this kind of power.
I have no doubt that this “gift” of hers will ultimately become her curse. And like many of the others before her, it will somehow lead to her death.
Perhaps I was cruel to delay the inevitable.
Chapter One
Erin’s private spacecraft touched down in the shipyard with a familiar groan. She swung her booted feet off the oversize chair in front of her and pressed her palms against the window. A few people outside had turned to stare in her direction, their expressions curious.
There goes any hope of subtly arriving at the academy, and all because my dad just has to travel in style.
Yeah, the small craft moved faster and smoother than most, but just the sight of it would tell everyone that someone uncommonly wealthy and powerful traveled inside.
Which is exactly the opposite of what I want.
She leaned back in her chair and regarded her father. If I have any hope of keeping my identity a secret, I’ll have to deal with him. But how?
Taking a deep breath, she tried to keep her tone light. “It might be better if you waited in the ship.”
Her father lowered his computer interface, one brow raised in annoyance. “Do you think I traveled with you all the way here simply to—how did you put it? Wait in the ship?”
Disappointment flared. A parent would’ve understood that an adult child deserved independence. But the man who sat in front of her wasn’t a parent. Not exactly. Even on one of the most important days of her life, it was “the commander” escorting her to the academy, not her father. She should’ve known the moment he’d donned his deep blue uniform, perfectly starched and pressed as always.
You did know, her brain insisted, but the ache in her heart said she’d hoped she was wrong.
“Please?” She forced a smile.
He raised his interface once more, so only his neatly trimmed, steel-gray hair peeked over the top of it. “I pulled more strings than you can possibly imagine to allow you to attend The StarFire Academy under your mother’s maiden name. Even though I consider it an insult to my family. I will not act as your chauffeur, too.”
Erin took a deep breath, fighting the urge to explode. “There isn’t much point in all of that if we enter the school together, now, is there?” she challenged.
He glared over the top of his computer. “If I had it my way, you’d either be attending the academy with guards at your side around the clock, or I’d simply assign you a position on my ship. And before you interrupt me—yes, I do admire your desire to follow in my footsteps. After all your training already, I think it requires a certain kind of person to be willing to attend this challenging of a program, simply because your drive to never settle for less.” He paused. “That’s a Stowe family trait I might add.”
His praise, even wrapped in anger, stunned her. Perhaps he was starting to think of how much he was going to miss her when she was gone. Regardless about how much he mumbled about his “rebellious” child.
�
�But,” he added, squashing her hopes with one word. “I also think your ego is outweighing your intelligence. Being my child is dangerous. The fact that you want to pretend otherwise doesn’t make the truth of your situation any different. By going here, you are putting yourself and me at risk.”
It took her a second to answer. And when she did, her words came out dangerously calm. “One day I’m going to be the captain of a Level 10 ship, and there is nothing in the world anyone can do to stop me.”
His gaze caught and held hers. “As long as you fulfill your other responsibilities.”
Just breathe. It was probably nerves, but the night before her dreams had been plagued by nightmares. Not nightmares. Memories. Of what I’ve had to do.
By what those bastards have done to me.
“I remember.” The two words came out softer and sadder than she expected.
Her father didn’t respond. His gaze was already back on his screen.
Can’t he ever just focus on our damn conversation? She pushed all thoughts of the leash she could never break free from. Thinking too much about it would distract her from her current goal. Something I can do something about.
Frustrated, she tapped her fingers on her leg, feeling precious seconds ticking away. She needed to change his mind before it was too late. She was twenty-one goddamn years old. She didn’t need her daddy to drop her off, and she certainly didn’t need the Fleet Admiral ruining any chance she had at a normal academy experience.
“We both know why I don’t want to be connected to you here.” The idea of living in her father’s shadow forever made her feel as if the walls were closing in around her. “But you’ve got to admit, the fewer people who know I’m your daughter, the safer I’ll be.”
There was a moment of silence. “This topic is closed.” Then, after a moment, he added. “We both know how gravely you want to be free of me, but remember, your people still need you. Whenever I call, your service to us will come above all else.”
As if he would ever let me forget.
She touched the small scar just below her hairline. “I remember.”
Looking back out her window, she stared at the crowded dock. Spaceships of all shapes and sizes had come from many worlds to drop off the next class of students at the prestigious academy. She wanted to be anonymous among them. To create a new life, a new reputation for herself based upon her own merit.
At the same time, it wasn’t smart to push her father. She’d learned a long time ago that if she did, he would simply say no, and there wasn’t enough begging, pleading, or threatening in the world that would change his mind. But that left her few options in a situation like this.
A lot of people said his decisiveness was one of the many reasons he made such a great commander of the Earth fleet. But it made a lousy quality in a father. He simply didn’t bend. Ever.
“I hope William is here.” Her best friend was the one person who understood her complicated relationship with her father, and she’d missed him fiercely over the past few weeks.
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
She stiffened at her father’s response, not realizing she’d spoken her thoughts aloud.
“It’d take a miracle for him to reach Turonga. Without a private ship, he’d need a great deal of money and a whole lot of luck to find someone able to fly him this far,” he stated, not looking up from whatever he was reading on his computer. “The academy strives to accept its recruits from families of good standing. A gardener’s son is hardly—”
“You mean families with money.” Heat rushed over her as anger built.
“Contrary to what you think of me, it isn’t his lack of money that concerns me as much as his race. Chamyions are gutless weasels. His father was a gardener. His father before him was a gardener, and if I was going to make a bet, I’d say this boy will be a gardener, as well. Working on a ship requires a certain…strength of spirit and will that his genetics simply don’t lend themselves to.”
She clenched the plush handles on her seat and leaned forward. “You don’t know him at all. He’ll be here.” She paused only a second, not long enough to stop her words before they came. “Although we could’ve guaranteed it if we’d only allowed him to use our ship.”
He lowered his computer and met her unwavering gaze. “If he can’t make it here on his own, he’ll never pass the test to get in. It would’ve been a waste of all our time.”
She stood. “You just wait—”
“Sit down,” he commanded, his tone no longer that of a father, but a captain. “This isn’t the time for female hysterics.”
Every muscle begged her to do exactly the opposite. Her heart urged her to shatter his computer console against the window. But her mind knew how all of this would end, which was quite badly. He’d probably march her right up to the front door and announce her identity to the entire academy.
With effort, she forced herself to sit.
Her heart pounded. William had to be here! And he had to pass the test! That would show her father he was wrong.
The door to their ship opened and Father set his computer down. Rising to his feet, he smoothed the deep blue fabric of his uniform and strode out the door and down the carpeted steps. “Dean Sufters, Professor Walters, how good of you both to meet me here.”
The dean’s voice was grave as she answered back. “Of course. The new recruits will be amazed to see Fleet Admiral Stowe here to greet them.”
Their voices grew quieter. Glancing back through the window, she saw them walking across the spaceship dock. The dean raised her bony arms in one direction, and then the other, pointing out things around the docking yard.
Now is my chance.
Grabbing her duffel bag, she sprang out of her seat and down the steps. Instantly, the commotion of the dock sent her pulse jumping in excitement. Engines roared as spaceships both landed and took off. Airspace Marshals in flashing yellow clothes directed traffic. Chattering students walked the path leading into the academy, causing their own sort of chaos.
It hit her that she’d never felt more at home anywhere in her life.
Darting toward the wide pedestrian path, she effortlessly avoided baggage cars all while keeping her eyes on the skies. Just in case. She didn’t want to be the woman nearly squashed by a spaceship. Not on her first day.
An Airspace Marshal glared at her, blocking her way. “Where’s your escort? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to be running through the dock unaccompanied—”
“Apologies!” she shouted, ignoring his warning.
She didn’t slow until she stepped onto the glowing blue surface of the path. Glancing back at her father, she saw his attention was completely consumed by whatever conversation he was having. Good. But it wasn’t until she was out of his sight that she finally took a deep breath and eased into a walk.
Her father would be angry when he discovered she’d left, but he wouldn’t do anything about it. Because if he did, everyone would know that the great Fleet Admiral Stowe might be able to effortlessly control the skies, but not his daughter. Never her.
She was free for the first time in her life! Or at least as free as she could ever be. Her father would have eyes everywhere, watching her. But this was not like being back at their mansion, or on board her father’s ship the Allure. She’d finally get to interact with people whose jobs and lives didn’t depend on her father.
And there would be lots of other people around her age. What would that even be like?
Stopping, she looked up at the towering school building. Made from pristine white stone, it was both beautiful and extremely strong. It had endured five attacks over its three hundred years. Although she knew a few sections had been rebuilt, the rest showed no signs of any of it. At twelve stories tall, with glittering windows, it was everything she’d always dreamed of. And more.
This is what she’d been working her entire life for. One year from today, she’d be graduating from the best flight academy in the universe. After that
, she wouldn’t be given a Level 10 ship right off the bat, but eventually, she’d be the third woman in history to ever command such a large vessel.
She smiled. That was the plan. All she had to do was stay focused.
A ship flew overhead, but the sound it made was a soft hum, unlike anything she’d heard before. It landed lightly, like a bird settling upon a branch, rather than a giant mechanism touching down.
Her jaw dropped. It was a living ship.
Bright green and the size of a small building, twisting vines made up its hull. There were windows and weapons woven into the outside, a seamless combination of technology and nature. Tiny white flowers sprang up in intricate patterns, giving it a beauty lacking in the ships around it.
She took a step toward it. Only Keltairs could fly a living ship. They were given to a child when they reached puberty and grew with the child, if given enough care. She’d studied them extensively, since peace with the Keltairs never seemed to last for long. And her father had taught her- it was important to always know one’s enemy.
But what was a Keltair doing at the academy?
“Erin!”
She turned instantly at the familiar voice, all thoughts of the unique ship gone with her excitement. “William!”
He grinned and started to jog toward her down the path. His thin body moved almost awkwardly as he ran. He slowed a bit, raising one hand to push back his dark glasses as they slid down his nose. His pale green skin looked paler beneath the harsh sunlight of Turonga. For an instant, she wondered why he wasn’t wearing his floppy hat over his bald head to help protect his sensitive skin. But as he drew closer, his widening smile pushed away her concerns.
“You’re here! I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”
She embraced him. “I’m so glad you made it.”
Tears choked her throat as they clung to each other for a long moment before she pulled back.
His face was flushed. “I told you nothing would stop me.”
“And, you’re officially in?”