Blayke

by Dawn Sullivan

  “Wynters? I thought you were a Jackson?”

  “It’s a long story,” I said, resting my hands lightly on my hips. “My name is Blayke Wynters.” I hesitated before continuing, “I am the daughter of Alyiah Jackson, granddaughter of Gavin and Gwen Jackson.”

  “You are a huntress.”

  I nodded. “I am.”

  “And she is also a sorceress!” Trinity said in excitement. “She is so powerful!”

  My eyes lit with humor as I glanced over at Trinity. “I prefer the word witch,” I teased, loving the giggle that slipped free from the girl. Her eyes were haunted with all that she had been through, but she was strong. She was going to make it through this, and go on to do great things. I could feel it.

  Luke’s eyes filled with tears. Stepping forward, he knelt on one knee in front of me. “We pledge our loyalty to you, huntress. We are here to serve you, and to ask for your protection.” Please help us keep our daughter safe.

  His thoughts slipped into my mind, and I froze. They were here to follow me. Somehow, they found out I existed, and had come all of the way from Maryland to join our fight against rogue vampires, and to ask for my help in keeping their child safe.

  “You and your family are welcome in our home,” I finally said softly, knowing my grandfather was in agreement. “I will do everything in my power to keep your daughter safe.”

  When the man raised his grateful, tear-filled eyes to mine, I smiled gently. “Please, come inside and eat. Get some rest.”

  Nodding, he whispered, “Thank you, huntress. Thank you so much, for everything. We are alive today because of you and your slayers.” Rising, he slipped an arm around his wife’s waist, and they followed my grandmother up the stairs.

  I watched them go, and then glanced over to see Alyiah move out of the shadows from beside the house. Her eyes met mine, and I saw the terror in hers. It’s happening. What I feared all of these years. One of my daughters will lead the war against the vampires, the other will become their queen. There will be a fight like no other.

  She was right about one thing, I was a huntress, and I would lead many against rogue vampires. More like the Castles would come, and I would be here when they did, because I had been chosen by the Goddess above. I was born to protect the innocents. It was my destiny, one I could not fight. One I did not want to fight. I looked over at my team, my eyes landing on Asher. It was a war, but it was one I would not be fighting alone.

  Two months later

  I ran swiftly through the woods chasing the vampire in front of me, Asher and Chandler on my heels. We had managed to ash two others, and Eben and Brielle were in the middle of taking out one more, but this one managed to get away.

  “He’s fast,” Chandler gasped, jumping over a log, and just catching herself before sliding into a tree.

  “Not fast enough,” I growled, ignoring the way the mark on the back of my neck burned. I had gotten used to it over the past few months. It was uncomfortable, but now I considered it a blessing when one of the demons tried to sneak up on us when we were out hunting. I could see the vamp swerving around some low hanging limbs in front of me, slowly pulling away from us. “Not going to happen,” I snarled, putting on a burst of speed. We had lost two of them the night before, and I was not letting this one get away.

  “I’m going to try to cut him off,” Asher hollered, taking off in another direction.

  I let him go, knowing he wouldn’t be out of my line of sight for too long. We had all learned to work together, and we never strayed far from each other. It wasn’t safe.

  “Go, Blayke!” Chandler yelled, “I’m right behind you!”

  Chandler wasn’t as quick as I was, but she was fast. Keeping both her and Asher in my head, making sure I could hear their thoughts and knew exactly where they were at all times, I flew through the woods, over downed logs, and around trees. I had almost reached the vampire, when he slowed his pace, then halted.

  Skidding to a stop just a few feet behind him, I froze in shock. A huntress stood in front of the vampire, her blonde hair flowing in the breeze behind her. A sword was strapped to her back, a dagger at her side. “You haven’t been playing by the rules, Nicholas,” she said, removing the sword as a grin crossed her face, small, sharp fangs peeking out from behind her lips. “You’ve been feeding on others, and killing them for fun. You know I don’t allow that.” Before I knew what was happening, her sword sliced through the vampire’s neck, and his body slowly fell to the forest floor. Laughing, she wiped the blade free of blood, and slid it back into its scabbard on her back. Then she looked at me, her swirling green and blue eyes, eyes exactly like mine, widening in surprise.

  I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. I had waited for this moment for so long, unsure what I would do if it ever actually happened. I heard Chandler gasping for breath as she came up behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Asher rush through the trees on one side of me, his sword drawn as he paused, waiting for my lead. Another boy I did not know came from another direction, followed by two others, just as Eben and Brielle arrived. I was aware of everything that was happening around me, but I could not take my gaze from the girl who stood in front of me. Letting my sword slowly lower until it was pointing at the ground, I whispered, “Bellame.”

  I hope you have enjoyed the first book in my Chosen By Destiny series. The second one will be coming soon! To stay on top of all of my new Young Adult releases, you can find me at the following places:

  Website: http://www.dawnsullivanauthor.com

  Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/dawnsullivanyaauthor

  Young Adult Reader’s Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/DawnsDynamiteDreamersYAReaders/

  My husband- You have always supported me and encouraged me to follow my dreams. It means the world to me.

  My daughter, Ashlynne- Thank you for listening to me talk nonstop about my plans for Blayke and Bellame. This book would not be what it is without you, not only as the cover model, but also with your suggestions for names and other insight.

  Joanna- I wanted a teenager’s opinion on this book, and you gave me that. Thank you for reading as I write, and encouraging me to keep going.

  Jessica- There is no way I could do what I do without you. You are a wonderful PA, and a great friend. Thank you for sharing my writing journey with me.

  Kathy, Valerie, and Luanna- We have been friends since kindergarten, and when I started writing, you jumped right into it all with me; reading my books, sharing them with others, going to signings with me. Not everyone can say they are still close friends with the same women since elementary school, but I can. Love you all!

  Tiffany, Annelise, Stacy, Patti- You are always here for me, always willing to help me out with anything I need; writing sprints, advice, or just a friend to talk to. Thank you, it means so much to me.

  My beta readers: Charmarie, Tabitha, Jessica, Staci, Kathy, Jamie, Marie, Karrie- I don’t know what I would do without all of you. You are more than my beta readers…you are my friends. Thank you so much for being here for me.

  Michel Prince- You made my vision come to life with your beautiful photography. You were so kind and patient with my daughter, and that means a lot to me. I am beyond thankful that I met you at one of our mutual signings, and I can’t wait for more photo shoots in the future.

  Marisa-rose Shor- You are absolutely amazing. You have been so patient with me, taking the time to learn exactly what I wanted, and creating a cover that is breath-taking. Thank you! I can’t wait to work with you on the next one.

  Allyson and Marisa-rose- Thank you so much for the formatting on this series. It is such a huge relief to put it in your capable hands, and know I will be seeing something spectacular. You are both wonderful, and I am so excited to work with you!

  I have a wonderful, supportive husband and three beautiful children. I enjoy spending time with all of them, which normally involves some baseball, shooting hoops, taking walks, watching movies, and of course reading.
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br />   My passion for reading began at a very young age and only grew over time. Whether I was bringing home a book from the library, or sneaking one of my mom's romance novels and reading by the light in the hallway when we were supposed to be sleeping, I always had a book.

  I read several different genres and subgenres, but Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense have always been my favorites.

  I have always made up my own stories, and have just recently decided to start sharing them. I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

  ~~ Dawn