Touching my chest reminds me that I am naked, and I hear Sam snoring softly beside me. The sound makes me smile. I have no idea how we ended up here, but I do know that I enjoyed it immensely. I lay back down, facing Sam. Without much thought, I bring my thumb to my mouth, opening the skin with my tooth. I touch my blood where I bit him. The wound promptly closes, and Sam stirs awake.
"Hmm, hi," he smiles, sleepily.
I grin back at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Lightheaded. And, amazing."
"You need to eat something."
"Mmhmm." He leans in to me and kisses me.
"I'm going to go make you a sandwich," I tell him between his sweet kisses. He holds on when I try to get up.
"Don't go."
"You need to eat, Sam."
"Later."
"Hey, I did what you asked. Now it's your turn."
He sighs, but gives me a crooked grin. "Fine." Sam narrows his eyes and studies me. "You look different."
I feel different.
"You're lightheaded," I quip. "I'll be right back." I kiss him quickly and get up. I wrap my robe around me, well aware that Sam is watching me. I look back and wink at him before heading off to the kitchen. I haven't forgotten what he did to me, but I can try to forgive. How would I have reacted had the tables been turned?
I scour the refrigerator for anything I can piece together in a sandwich. Turkey looks good. I pile condiments and vegetables in my arms, then grab the bread.
"Would you like a sandwich, Zac?"
He has been standing there watching me since I came in, but saying nothing.
"How do you do that?"
I turn to face him, laying my contents on the kitchen island. "I'm a vampire," I smirk.
He doesn't return my smile. "You look different."
"Because you know what I am now."
"No, that's not it." He shakes his head, changing the subject. "Why Sam, Ana? Why not me?"
"Zac, please don't do this."
"I need to know. Why did you stop that night in your apartment?"
Sigh. I don't want to be having this conversation with Zac when Sam is waiting for me. Hell, I just don't want to have this conversation! Especially now that I'm aware we're being listened in on.
"I wasn't myself that night, Zac. I'm sorry if I led you on, it wasn't my intention."
"You weren't yourself? Meaning you really didn't want to kiss me?"
"What I wanted was to hurt you," I tell him honestly. "I almost did."
"I would have let you. I love you."
Well, crap. "You don't love me, Zac. You barely know me."
"I know how I feel. And, I've known you a lot longer than Sam."
This can't be good. These feelings Zac thinks he has for me could be a major distraction for him while hunting. He inches closer to the island. To me.
"Maybe now, after what he did to you, you'll give me a chance."
I lower my gaze, unable to look him in the eye. How do I tell him that I'm still with Sam?
"That sandwich is for Sam, isn't it?" he asks, reading my thoughts.
"Yes."
"Really, Ana? After everything he did?"
"Really, Zac? Can you stand there and tell me you wouldn't have done the same thing if you were in his shoes?"
He opened his mouth to answer, but had none. I round the island and walk to him.
"Zac, you don't love me." I know it may not be right, taking someone's feelings away from them, but it's for his own good.
His brows furrow. It's like he's fighting me. "Yes, I do."
I try again, putting more power behind the suggestion.
"You don't love me. You're a friend. A good friend, and a great Hunter. You won't let feelings distract you from that. Do you understand?"
His eyes glaze over, and I know my compulsion is working.
"Yes."
"Good. You need to get some rest." I walk back around the island and begin making Sam's sandwich. "Goodnight, Zac."
"Goodnight, Ana."
"It was necessary," I say to Amanda as Zac leaves.
"I wasn't going to argue. That's freaky by the way. How you know people are here. How do you do it?"
The discussion has me thinking back centuries ago when I explained to mum the different scents people have. I tell Amanda the same thing.
"Wow. I mean, that has to be pretty cool being able to do that."
"It has it's perks."
"You look different," she says, cocking her head, scrutinizing me.
"Why do people keep saying that?"
"Um, because it's true. Come here."
She drags me to a mirror, and my reflection makes me gasp. I do look different! My hair is shinier, my eyes brighter, my skin as smooth as alabaster. There's a red tint to my lips, a soft blush to my cheeks, without the help of makeup. And, though it's barely noticeable, I can see the faded red circle surrounding my iris. When I change, I can only imagine how bright it will be. This is a far cry from how I felt after...Bernard.
"Is this what it's like after you've had live blood?"
I inhale sharply and look at Amanda. Shit. How am I going to explain what Sam and I have done? "I..."
"It's fine. I had a feeling Sam would come to you."
"You're not mad?"
"Is he okay?"
I smile. "Yes. He just needs some food, which I'm bringing him. If I ever get this sandwich made." I return to the task, slapping mayonnaise, tomatoes, turkey and lettuce onto the wheat bread I chose for Sam.
"Then, I'm not mad. What made you say yes to him?"
I pause, thinking about the answer. "I don't know. At first I said no. He told me he loved me, trusted me, and I just - gave in. The answer to your first question, by the way, is no. This isn't what happens when I drink live. Although I've never drank from a Hunter before."
"Have you fed from someone you're in love with?"
I frown. Hmm. Could it be that? "No."
"How do you feel inside?"
"Different," I tell her after a moment of considering.
"Tell me."
"It's hard to explain. But, I feel...stronger. Everything inside me is hyper-sensitive." I grab a plate for the sandwich, some chips and a can of soda. "Come with me. I want to try something."
I lead Amanda to the training room, and into the holding room. "Here, hold this." Handing her Sam's food, I walk to the silver chair. "Silver greatly diminishes our strength. I'm not sure why."
"What does it feel like when you touch it?"
I pick up a silver chain and try to describe it. "It feels as though your strength is literally seeping out of your body. I can feel the pull, like a magnet. It's almost like being considerably fatigued, and the energy just keeps draining out."
"Do you feel that now?"
I test the chain, rolling it around my hands. "A little," I divulge. "But, not like it was before." I don't want to think about the last time I was in here, so I move on with my experiment. "It depletes our energy so much that we cannot break through silver chains or cuffs. That's why they are used."
I take the chain in both of my hands, and pull. It takes a substantial amount of strength, but the chain breaks in two. Well...that's interesting. Bernard's blood left me ill. Sam's gives me a greater strength than I've ever had.
"You broke it! Sam's blood did this to you?" Amanda asks, echoing my thoughts.
"I guess so," I answer, distracted by the two silver chains in my hands. I still feel the pull of it trying to drain my power, but just barely. Is this what happens when you feed from a Hunter? I shudder to think of what would happen if other Cursed Ones found this out.
I take the food from Amanda. "I should get this to Sam. Will you do me a favor and tell everyone that I would like to meet with them in the dining room tomorrow morning?"
"Sure." She's confused by my abrupt need for departure, but doesn't question me.
"Amanda? Thank you. For everything."
I'm nervous. I have no idea if anyone is
going to show up this morning - except Sam and Amanda, of course. But, the others? Will they accept me? Trust me?
At least some of my fears are laid to rest when I open the double, ornate doors and find all of my Hunters waiting for me. I breathe a sigh of relief, and smile at them.
"First, I would like to thank you all for still being here," I begin, standing at the head of the table. Amanda is to my right with Jeremy and Jenna next to her. Zac is on my left, followed by Emily and Eric, and Sam sits at the other end. "I know this may be difficult for you to come to terms with, but I am the same person I was before you knew…what I am."
Eric rises from his seat and addresses me. "I think I can speak for us all when I say we would like to apologize for our behavior yesterday."
"There's no need..."
"Please," he holds his hand up to stop my protest. "The way we just left was shameful, and Amanda was right, pathetic. We have no reason not to trust you. I hope you can forgive us."
No one argues. They simply sit there, quietly.
"Eric, I lied to you about who I am. I can only imagine the shock you must have felt. I do not hold any grudges against you. Please do not apologize, or feel shame. How about we just agree to forgive each other?" I smile sweetly at him, and he returns a shy smile.
I gesture for Eric to take a seat as I sit.
"Before we begin, can I ask something," Amanda raises her hand as if she's in school.
"Of course."
"What do we call you now?"
What an unexpected question.
"Um...I'm not sure. I have hidden my true identity for so long. The only people who have ever known what I am are my parents, and now the people in this room. I would love to be Anala again, if you're comfortable with that." I think momentarily of how it felt when Sam called me Anala last night, and it makes my heart jump.
"Anala it is, then," Amanda interrupts my flashback, bringing me to the present. I can't help but grin.
"Now, there are two issues that we need to discuss today," I say, getting down to business. "Beginning with the Maker. I don't know how much Sam told you…" I pause, looking to Sam who shakes his head. I guess he hasn't said much to them. "The number of full blood Cursed Ones surrounding their maker is overwhelming. More than I expected."
"What are you going to do?" Emily inquires.
"We," I correct. "I realized with Sam that I was completely underestimating you. I will need you all if I'm going to defeat Thomas." I stumble ever so slightly on his name. I wish there was some other way...but, there's not. I am a Hunter, and I must carry out his fate, as much as it may hurt me to do so. And, no, the irony is not lost on me. "You will train with me, with what I am, so that you can get the feel of what it will be like to fight against a full blood. They are also trained to use swords." Gasps fill the room. Exactly how I felt when I found out. "We don't have long, so training will have be quick. Is everyone okay with that?"
I get agreements from everyone, and I hope I am doing the right thing.
"Once I am convinced you know what you're up against, we will head out. You must pay attention and keep your head in the game at all times. These are not Hybrids. They're stronger and faster and can kill you or turn you with a single bite."
Their courage falters slightly, but not enough to make them back down. They're up for the challenge. I hope I am, too.
"On to the next order of business. Once Thomas and the others are defeated," I hesitate, taking a deep breath. I'm assuming we're going to win. My confidence in my Hunters supersedes the abilities of the Cursed Ones. "I need one of you to finish the job."
"Ana..."
"Sam, there's no way around this. All of this happened because of me. My parents kept me alive, and look what it has done."
"It's brought you to me," he whispers. No one at the table acknowledges that he said anything. The words were for me only.
I hold his gaze for a moment before continuing.
"It is the code. You may not like it, and to be honest, I'm scared as hell, but it's what must be done."
"You want one of us to kill you," Jenna's tone is full of objection.
"Yes," I answer simply. "I have asked Amanda and Sam to do it, but - well, Amanda is my best friend. And, Sam?" I look Sam in the eye, making sure he's paying attention. "It is unfair of me to ask someone I'm in love with to kill me."
Sam inhales sharply.
"Whoa. You guys are that serious? I thought you were just, you know, screwing."
"Nice, Jeremy."
He shrugs at Jenna's chastise. "I'm just saying. It's sad."
"You're not helping."
I clear my throat, cutting off Jenna and Jeremy's totally awkward conversation. I take my sword and place it on the table in front of me.
"My father made this. It is the first of its kind. And, it is what I would like used."
"Anala, we can't do this! You're asking us the impossible," Emily cries.
"I can."
Everyone turns their attention to Zac. I didn't notice before now how quiet he has been.
"Zac!" Amanda practically shouts at him, but his eyes don't leave me.
"Let's get it over with now."
Zac grabs my sword before I can comprehend what his saying, and releases the blade. The others are up, going after him in seconds.
"Leave him!" I yell, ducking the blade that barely misses me. I leap up, and do a back flip to escape his next attempt.
"Zac, what are you doing!" Sam brings out his own sword, ready to fight.
"Sam, don't! He's compelled!"
I can see the vacant look in his eyes, and I know this isn't my work. How did they get to him? Whatever happened, I'm grateful that all they did was compel him and not change him. His eyes may be dazed, but they are still Zac's golden eyes. He lunges at me, and I block his attempt, pushing him away. I don't have my other sword to aid me, which may be a blessing. I don't want to hurt him.
"Anala, you have to help him! He wouldn't want to do this!" Amanda's voice resonates.
"If I undo it, I undo it all, Amanda," I tell her in between jumps, ducks and blocks.
"Then undo it all!"
Sighing, I force Zac to retreat back towards the table. "You will have to restrain him."
Jeremy and Sam quickly round the table, grabbing Zac and avoiding the blade of the sword. He fights as though his life depends on it. I'm curious if they made him think it does.
"I will kill you!" Zac snarls.
Sam pushes him down in the chair, perhaps a little too harshly.
"Careful. I must have made him more susceptible," I say, mostly to myself. I pull up my own chair and sit in front of Zac. Whoever did this to him laid it on thick. The poor boy is out of his mind. "Zac?" I lean in, turning up the heat in my stare. "You don't want to kill me."
"Yes, I do!" He struggles against Sam and Jeremy's hold.
Well, this is going to be tougher than I thought. It's going to require...sigh.
"Don't be afraid of me," I tell the group, before closing my eyes and ordering myself to change.
When I open my eyes, my Hunters see the eerie white and blood red ring. When I open my mouth to speak, they see the fangs. To their credit, they don't recoil.
"Zac, enough. Calm down." In my Cursed form, my power of persuasion is intense, and Zac ceases his struggle. "You don't want to kill me. Do you understand?"
His brows knit together as if he's trying to fathom what I'm telling him.
"I release you. Of all coercion."
Zac's eyes begin to clear, but he's still confused.
"What's going on?" He notices my appearance. "Ana? What's happening?"
Deliberately, I change back. I don't want to make Zac any more uncomfortable than he probably already is.
"Did you go out last night?" I ask him.
"What?" He tries lifting his hand, but he's still being held down by the guys. I nod to both of them, and they reluctantly let go. Zac's head is throbbing so much I can hear it. He rubs his temples whe
re the veins are pulsing.
"Zac? Did you leave the manor last night after we spoke?"
Sam eyes me curiously. I failed to mention last night when I got back to him that I had talked to Zac. I imagine he's not happy about that.
"I - I can't think."
"Try."
"Yes. I went for a walk, I think."
"Where? Did you see anyone?"
"Nowhere in particular." He squints as though he's trying to recall what happened. "I don't remember seeing anyone."
"They told him to forget," I state.
"Who? What is going on?"
"Zac, you just tried to kill Anala," Sam snaps.
"I did not! And, you should talk!" Zac stands up, a bit too quickly and wobbles. I grab his arm to steady him, but he jerks it away. "Don't! This asshole stakes you and you're still sleeping with him!"
"Careful, Zac," Sam warns.
"Screw you! Oh, wait, Ana's already doing that."
Sam punches him, hard. I can't say that I blame him, or that I would have stopped him if I had the chance. Hell, I wanted to punch him myself.
Zac curses vehemently, wiping blood from his nose and mouth. "I see how it is. Sam gets away with anything because he's sleeping with the leader."
"That's enough, Zac." My voice is quiet, but holds authority and more than a touch of anger. He turns to me, ready to argue with me until he sees the look in my eyes. "Your anger and inability to control yourself is making you a liability to this Society."
"You're kicking me out?" He backs away as if I bit him. "A Society of Hunters that is lead by a Cursed One, and you're kicking me out?"
"Your attitude and lack of respect for me and your fellow Hunters make you dangerous."
"Anala?" Emily's soft voice takes my attention away from Zac. "Perhaps he just needs some time to calm down."
"I agree," Eric chimes in. "Zac's feelings for you have made him forget what he is meant to do here."
They know how Zac feels about me?
"I don't have any feelings for her," Zac mumbles. His lie is extremely unconvincing. "You should be kicking him out!" He jerks his thumb towards Sam.
Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1) Page 21
