Bloodline

by J. J. Bonds

  Bloodline

  A Crossroads Academy Novel

  J.J. Bonds

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  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

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  About the Author

  Also by J.J. Bonds

  Credits

  Bloodline

  A Crossroads Academy Novel

  J.J. Bonds

  First edition published by J.J. Bonds January 2015.

  Copyright © 2015 by J.J. Bonds

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  For my readers, who’ve shown incredible patience and support. I hope the series finale is everything you’ve come to expect from Crossroads Academy!

  Prologue

  The rain falls without mercy, pelting Aldo’s face and drenching his clothes. His jacket has long since yielded to the elements and sticks to his body like an ill-fitting second skin. It’s a hell of a downpour, the kind that won’t be put off with a mere umbrella, but he pays it no mind. The weather is the least of his concerns on this dark night. Tonight he has bigger problems. Tonight he must protect his heir, his bloodline. It is his only purpose. Whatever it takes, he must protect the Lescinka name. It is the only thing that matters.

  “Hello, Aldo.” The woman who faces him is masked in shadows, but her words carry cool and crisp over the sounds of the storm.

  A flash of lightning illuminates her face and is quickly followed by a booming clap of thunder rolling through the night sky. His heart clenches in his chest as the sickening truth sets in. She’s aged, but it is of no consequence. She wears the same determined, defiant look she’s always worn. He’d recognize that look even after a hundred millennia.

  “So it is true then.”

  “Did you really have any doubt?” She laughs, but the sound is devoid of humor. If anything, it sounds unbalanced against the backdrop of the raging storm.

  “After all this time, how is it possible?”

  “You think your Council is all knowing? All powerful?” She tilts her head toward the sky, smiling as the rain slices across her face. “Fools. All of you! There are many things you do not know.”

  “Why are you doing this?” he demands, anger coiling low in his belly like a viper preparing to strike. His fingers twitch, seeking an outlet for the boundless aggression that has materialized so quickly. The urge to deliver justice and avenge her crimes is nearly impossible to resist. If it were anyone else, she’d be dead already. The thought gives him little satisfaction. “Why now?”

  “Because the time is right,” she says with a dangerous smile, her fangs glistening in the rain. “We’ve waited a long time for this, but our day has finally come. And I have you to thank for liberating us from our diplomacy.”

  “Me?” he asks, fearing the answer even more than the question that must be asked. “What have I done to set you on this path of destruction?”

  “Your betrayal, your hypocrisy, was the lynchpin in this revolution. You brought this on yourself, Aldo. You brought this on your people. And now there’s nothing you can do to stop us.”

  Chapter One

  “Finals are a bitch,” I announce in yet another failed attempt to drag Nik’s attention from the mammoth textbook he’s been poring over for the past hour. No such luck. Apparently he’s grown used to my disruptions and has mastered the fine art of ignoring me. Truthfully, I don’t know how he gets any studying done when we’re together. It’s not exactly my strong suit. I tend to grow bored quickly, which is probably why he’s resorted to caging me in the library.

  Normally I’d welcome a quiet afternoon surrounded by books and basking in the comforting scents of wood polish and old leather, but today? Not so much. Today the library is more like a prison: oppressive, stifling, and downright torturous. There might as well be bars on the tinted windows.

  “Why do you need to study in the library anyway?” I ask Nik, changing tactics. “Shouldn’t you be kicking ass in the gym or something? Wouldn’t that be more valuable to the Linkuri?”

  “Katia.” Nik shakes his head in mock exasperation. The movement causes a strand of hair to fall across his forehead, tempting my idle hands. Most things about Nik are hard, solid. It’s one of the things that drew me to him despite my best efforts to stay far, far away. Nik was born to be a fighter. Thick muscles line his shoulders, his chest, his abs. But his hair is a different story. It’s soft and fine, like silk. I relish running my fingers through the dark waves, twisting them in the unruly mass. The very thought sends my pulse soaring.

  Nik tends to have that effect on me. A stolen glance, a brush of the hand, a gentle kiss: they’re all the same. The heady rush that accompanies Nik’s presence is addictive. I’ve given up trying to resist. My lips burn with the desire to feel Nik’s lips crushing mine. His kisses are always passionate, toe curling, even. And I can’t get enough of them. Probably another reason he’s making us study in the library.

  “When will you learn there’s more to life than martial arts and weaponry?” he asks. “And more to the Linkuri. Not every situation calls for violence, you know.”

  “That’s debatable.” I scoff, shoving aside all thought of kisses and curled toes. Instead, I occupy myself with a hangnail that will undoubtedly earn me an unwanted manicure if Shaye sees it. I tip my chin at Nik’s poli-sci book. “Since when do politics interest you anyway?”

  “Since now,” he replies deadpan, a mischievous sparkle lighting his cobalt eyes, which just happen to be his second-best feature. “Given your status, it wouldn’t hurt you to take an interest either.”

  “Bor-ing.” I yawn for good measure. No way I’ll ever run in political circles, and he knows it. Aside from the fact that I have zero interest, there’s the issue of… polish. “Besides, Aldo’s position has nothing to do with me. I’ll be joining the Linkuri.”

  “I’m just saying.”

  “Want to sneak into the stacks and make out?” I offer, effectively ending the discussion about my future political aspirations or lack thereof.

  “Very tempting,” Nik chides me, a wicked grin spreading across his face and revealing his best feature, the dimple I call kryptonite. “And if you don’t pass that chemistry final, you can always retake the class this summer.”

  I stick out my tongue and throw a pen at him. He dodges it easily and the tiny projectile bounces off the wall and drops to the floor. Unfortunately, Nik’s got a point. Aldo is forcing me to stay at Crossroads for the summer to pick up extra credits, and the last thing I want to do is add to the misery by repeating chemistry.

  It’s bad enough I’ve been strong-armed into staying at school. The Order of the Red Dawn has been active, and Aldo’s gone uberprotective. Turns out stealing the cure for otrava de sange, a fatal Vampiric blood disease, was just the start for
the Order. Their attacks have increased, and Aldo insists I’ll be safest at Crossroads, like I can’t take care of myself. Then again, maybe it’s not my ability to take care of myself so much as my decision-making ability that he doubts. I do have a tendency to lead with my temper. So much for adulthood and trust and all that happy crap.

  What can I say? I’m a work in progress.

  Aldo’s been mum on the details, but rumor has it the Order has been wreaking havoc with the covens under the protection of the Elder’s Council, and the violence is escalating with each attack. Although the end game is unclear, it’s a smart move on their part. Vamps everywhere will soon be questioning the ability of the Council to protect them, not to mention whether their allegiance is misplaced given the Linkuri seem to be making little progress on locating the nefarious group. This knowledge, combined with the fact that Nik will be joining the Linkuri in just a few short weeks, terrifies me.

  Each day that passes brings him one step closer to graduation and a future that offers little certainty. I have no idea where he’ll be sent or what he’ll be doing, but I have no doubt it will be dangerous. The very thought is like a fist closing over my heart. In the short time we’ve been together, he’s become an integral part of my life, something I never would have believed possible. Nik’s soothing presence and quick wit smooth out my rough edges and put my soul at ease in a way no one else’s can. He’s the yang to my yin, and the idea of losing him is something I refuse to even consider.

  I must be strong for Nik, I remind myself, shoving the fear aside. Whatever the future holds, we’ll face it together. Nik is extremely gifted, and I have to have faith in his ability to do the job, just as I’d expect from him if our roles were reversed, because some day they will be. I have no intention of standing on the sidelines like a spectator when my own graduation day comes.

  I sigh and pick up my chem book with renewed determination. The sooner I memorize Le Chatelier’s principle, the sooner I can put chem in my rearview mirror. Problem is, I can barely spell it, let alone explain it.

  **********

  Unable to focus on chemistry any longer and unwilling to further derail Nik’s studying, I bail on the library. It’s impossible to concentrate, and if I spend any more time trapped in my head with thoughts of Nik’s demise and the Order, I’ll go crazy. Plus I really don’t want Nik to see me upset because unlike me, he has the innate ability to read the emotions of others. Presenting myself as a clingy, emo girlfriend isn’t exactly the image I want to send him off with on graduation day. I’m definitely not one of those girls, although part of me thinks Nik might actually enjoy it if I were just once.

  Intent on a power nap, I push through the door to the room Shaye and I share to find my wholly unconventional roommate dancing around in leg warmers that have seen better days. Make that much better days. I roll my eyes as she twirls dramatically and waves in my direction. Her smile is infectious, and I can’t help but laugh at her ridiculous dance moves. To the casual observer, it might appear she’s having a seizure, but I know better. She’s having fun as only Shaye can because, seriously, the days of Flashdance are long over despite her tireless attempts to resurrect the eighties.

  Thanks to Dr. Philips, she’s as healthy as a, well, a vampire. Philips’s treatments are working, and thankfully the blood disease seems to be in remission. Shaye looks great. She’s stronger and more vibrant than I’ve ever seen her. Too bad the treatments haven’t improved her coordination.

  “Hey, Dancing Queen,” I tease, slinging my overstuffed bag across the desk where it lands with a thud. “What are you doing?”

  “Study break,” Shaye replies. She doesn’t miss a beat and tosses her dark mane over her shoulder before attempting a sloppy high kick.

  “Oh, is that what you and Keegan are calling it now?” I ask, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. The comment hits home, and Shaye turns an impressive shade of red. “I’ll have to remember that the next time Nik imprisons me in the library.”

  “Is it that obvious?” Shaye squeaks, abandoning her routine and shutting off the music.

  “That you’re hooking up every chance you get?” She’s my best friend, but it’s impossible to keep the smirk off my face. “Um, yeah.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Great. I’ll have to be more careful. The last thing I need to do is draw more attention to myself.” Shaye flings herself on her unmade bed with an Oscar-worthy sigh. “I just want to spend as much time with him as possible, you know?”

  “No worries,” I assure her. “Your secret is safe with me. Besides, you might as well get your private time while you can.”

  “Tell me about it.” Shaye grumbles, rolling onto her back and pulling a stuffed pink bunny to her chest. She’s got the thing in a choke hold. It’s a wonder the head doesn’t pop off, and I give silent thanks her animal obsession is limited to the stuffed variety.

  “Keegan’s been gone a lot lately, huh?” I ask quietly. I don’t want to push. Shaye will open up if she wants to talk about it, but it seems unusual, and I can’t help but wonder what’s up.

  “Yeah,” she agrees, sounding defeated. “School business, I guess.”

  “You don’t know where he’s been going?” I don’t bother to hide my surprise. Despite having to keep their relationship on the DL, the two are practically attached at the hip. “I thought you two talked about everything.”

  “We do,” Shaye admits, not quite meeting my eyes. “Everything except his work. He hates it here. He only stays…”

  “For you.” It’s no secret Keegan despises the headmaster. Hell, we all do. Pratt is an insufferable douche bag. Keegan just suffers in silence because that’s the only choice he has if he wants to stay at Crossroads, if he wants to stay close to Shaye. Keegan’s status as a mixed-blood keeps him relegated to menial jobs around the campus. Mostly he works in the stables, caring for and training the horses. I know he loves the work, but I doubt it’s worth the political BS of the school.

  “We’re so close,” Shaye whispers, staring at the ceiling wistfully. “I only have one more year of school, and then we can leave Crossroads and go someplace where it doesn’t matter that I’m pure and he’s not.”

  I doubt any such place exists, at least not within the ranks of a Vampiric coven, but don’t voice it. The last thing Shaye needs to hear right now is the truth. “You’d take that chance?” I ask instead. “You’d risk your family and everything you’ve ever known to be with him?”

  “Yes.” She agrees without hesitation, her voice firm and sure and full of hope.

  “Wow.” I drop to the end of my own bed, suddenly depressed. As I study my best friend, I realize she’s got a heart of gold and sees the world through eyes that are impervious to shades of gray. Must be nice. My world is shades of gray all day long, a fact I’ve come to accept after being force to kill my own sire and living a life of lies. “I must be seriously damaged. I don’t know if I could ever love that deeply.”

  Shaye rolls over and gives me a knowing smile that lights her face and reaches all the way up to her pale gray eyes. Thankfully, the smile is void of pity. “Give yourself a chance. You might be capable of more than you think. Which reminds me, you got a package today.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “From Saks!”

  She points to the tiny loveseat we’ve wedged in our room. On it sits a large brown box, the kind that’s used to ship dresses and fancy gowns. I groan. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “Open it and find out!” She jumps up from her bed and meets me at the loveseat. “It’s from Lissette.”

  Of course it is. We both know what’s in the box, which is why Shaye’s so excited. After graduation, there’s a ball hosted by the graduating class. Nik’s asked me to be his date, and that means I need a gown. Problem is, I hate to shop. Lucky for me, Aldo’s wife, Lissette, doesn’t.

  “Hurry up!” Shaye nudges me. I give her a dirty look that only encourages her. “Lissette has such good taste. I’ll bet it’s amazing. Better than anything Jade
will be wearing!” She gives me a playful wink.

  Please, please let this dress be understated. I grab the edge of the packing tape and peel it back. Lissette knows my taste well, but every now and then she pushes the envelope, trying to get me out of my comfort zone of jeans and hoodies. Slowly I pull back the flaps of the shipping box and remove the inner dress box. I stare at it, praying for something simple and elegant.

  “You’re killing me!” Apparently I’m taking too long because Shaye grabs the dress box from my hands and gives it a little shake to remove the lid. We push the tissue paper aside to reveal a swath of ivory lace and satin material.

  “Oh!” Shaye cries, caressing the fabric lovingly. “Hold it up. Let’s see it!”

  I do as instructed, pulling the gown out of the box and holding it up in front of my body. A sleeveless fit-and-flare, mermaid-style gown, it’s not too bulky and will show off my slender body perfectly. It’s breathtaking. And classic. And totally me. I try to ignore the fact that it probably cost a fortune judging by the yards of delicate lace. Knowing Lissette, I can expect more packages. A dress this amazing wouldn’t be complete without the perfect shoes and handbag, which will probably show up in the next day or two. I make a mental note to call her later and say thank you.

  “So what do you think?” I ask Shaye, smoothing the dress over my midsection.

  “I think Nik is going to want to rip that dress right off you!”

  Chapter Two

  Sitting across from Anya for my last counseling session of the year, I feel free. Not that I don’t enjoy Anya’s company. Quite the opposite, actually. The feeling of lightness stems more from the realization that she’s become one of my closest confidantes. Her office is practically the only place on campus that’s judgment-free. I can tell her anything. Well, almost anything, I think, eyeing the gold, peep-toe wedges that bounce beneath her desk as she taps her foot on the hardwood floor. Nik is pretty much off limits. My choice, not hers. He is her brother, after all. It would just be too freaking weird to talk about my relationship with Nik and how hot his kisses are with Anya. Actually, I’m pretty sure what she’d want us to discuss is my feelings for him, but that’s out of the question too. Half the time I don’t even know how to express what I’m feeling, so I doubt I could explain it to her anyway.