Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1) (17 page)

There is no sign of Bernard today at school. To my utter relief - and maybe just a small bit of annoyance - Mr. Galloway is back to himself. The curriculum is also back to the 'boring' stuff much to the others' chagrin. I'm just glad no one questioned him about the change.

Amanda had been extra quiet the entire seven hours we were there. I had given her a journal last night to read, and she was engrossed in it every free minute she had. It was a journal that I had written, chronicling my experiences. I was smart enough to generalize some of the circumstances, of course, but other than that, I made sure it was precise, clear and informative. I told the story of my parents and of me - Anala Geil - and how I/she had died (though in this instance, I stuck with the Black Death theory so many in my time had thought). I also wrote about the other Hunters and what it was like to be a Hunter in that time. I even made a mention of the 'Cloaked One' that hunted in the shadows.

I suppose - in hindsight - my writing the journal was another instance of being safe rather than sorry, as with the training room, the holding room and the weapons I had had made. All of the steps I took in order to be prepared for the 'what if' made me question if somehow I knew this would happen. My blood was out there. Enough of it to create Cursed Ones. Hell, I'm still here. I'm a liability in and of myself. The only surprise should be that it took so long to happen. One thing I'm certain of; this is my fault. Hunter or not, it's my responsibility to clean my mess up.

"This is fascinating!" Amanda is riding with me to the house where we'll meet up with the others to start training. She had been reading the whole time. I kind of appreciated the quiet since I didn't think I'd be getting much in the days and weeks to come.

"What?"

"This journal! I mean, first of all it's, like, 600 years old!"

"598," I mumble. Ugh, I don't think I've ever in my life, as long as it has been, felt so old.

"Whatever, same difference. Have you read this? I mean, of course you've probably read it, but have you
really
read it? The life these Hunters must have lived." Her voice is filled with wonderment. Have I
really
read it. Pssh! I
wrote
it!

"Do you think you're ready for that life?" I ask her, and she frowns.

"I don't know. I mean, if what you said about me last night is true, I might have the ability. I just don't know if I have the stomach."

"You just have to have the heart."

"The heart to kill someone? Isn't that contradictory?"

"You're going to have a philosophical conversation with me now?" I smile at her annoyed face. "I'm kidding, lighten up. Look, what you're hunting, they're not human. They're not even animals. They're…" What? What am I?

"Monsters?" Amanda offers.

Well, I can't say that didn't hurt. But, I also can't say that it's not the truth, at least when talking about the others.

"I suppose," I answer, quietly.

"I think that's how I'm going to have to look at them in order to kill them."

"You read the journal, Amanda. You know the code. The rules of the Society. What will you do if one of the group is turned?"

"Don't even say that!"

"It's a possibility. What if it were Sam?"

"Ana!"

"I'm sorry, Amanda, but these are things you have to keep in the back of your mind as a Hunter."

"Well, then for right now I'd like it to stay in the back of my mind," she mutters.

I don't push her further. Poor girl has enough to deal with.

"What you did last night, telling everyone their abilities, is that your ability?" she asks, breaking the awkward silence.

"No. More just observations. I know who and what Hunters are, what makes them who they are."

"How?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how do you know about all of this stuff? It says in the journal that Cursed Ones were eliminated centuries ago. Is it because you come from the lineage of the Leaders of the Society?"

Sure. Let's go with that. "Probably," I say aloud. "Most families stopped telling the stories. They wanted to forget what happened all those years ago. Hunters became obsolete because there was nothing for them to hunt. Eventually, we became forgotten."

"Your family didn't forget. They passed this book on to you."

I glance at her as we pull into the driveway of my home. "My parents always wanted me to remember who I was. Regardless of how far removed I am from that life and that time, I still know who I am."

Everyone is waiting for us in the training room, all decked out in exercise gear as I asked. Of course, I could have done without the boob-popping sports bra Jenna was sporting, but what can you do? I just hope it doesn't distract the guys too much.

I, too, was dressed ready to train, and though I'm not showing quite as much as Jenna, I still receive appreciative looks. Even from Eric, which I find funny for some reason.

"So, where's our trainer?" Jenna asks - and, yes, she's popping gum.

I glance at Amanda. Apparently she hasn't told anyone about me. Let the fun begin.

"Right here," I say with a smile. "I'm training you."

"You're kidding, right? We're doomed. Why can't
he
train us?" Jenna gestures to Sam who is looking at me with a weird expression. He obviously doesn't think I'm qualified either.

"Okay," I begin. "Sam? Come spar with me?"

"What?"

"Jenna doesn't think I can train her. I'm sure the others feel the same way, they're just too polite to say anything. So, spar with me. Whomever wins, gets to train everyone else." I pause. "Though, I have to say, I'm not sure how you're going to do with the swords."

Sam slowly walks towards me, unsure really of what to do.

"Lunge at me," I tell him. "Don't hold back. Use all of your strength and speed."

"I'm not going to hurt you."

I smile. "I know. I'll try not to hurt you."

He half-heartedly charges me, and I sidestep his outreached hand easily.

"No, Sam. Come at me for real."

"I can't. I'm going to hurt you if I do."

I shake my head and face the others. "I can't show you my skills if Sam is too scared to spar with me. Any other takers? Maybe you, Jeremy?"

I barely got Jeremy's name out when I saw Sam coming at me, full-force, in my peripheral vision. I bent back at the same time Sam's fist came towards my face. I push his outstretched arm forward with speed and strength (which even when I held back had him whirling around). As I did with the Hybrid, I have his arm pinned behind him with one hand. With the other, I grab his hair and tug his head to one side, exposing his neck.

"You've just been bitten," I whisper, my breath caressing his bare neck. I briefly saw goose bumps form and felt him shiver before I let him go.

Sam rubs his neck where my lips had been so close. Close enough that I could hear the blood pumping through his veins. I wonder, had I not had so much training, if I would have bitten him just then. Lord knows I wanted to.

I turn to Eric and Emily. "Your turn," I say. I need to get my mind off of Sam's neck and back where it belongs. I go over to the weapons locker and open it. The others, who were stunned into silence before, gasped. The cabinet is full of stakes, swords and daggers.

I take two retractable swords, fashioned after the ones papa had developed, and hand them to the twins. They just stood there, looking at the hilts, then me with confusion.

I take my own blades, the originals, and hold them at my sides, waiting for them to do the same. I press the button and my blades slide out.

"Go ahead," I say, and nod to the swords. They press the buttons and smile broadly when the blades glide out. "They're a bit different than what you're used to. Do you think you can handle them?"

"Yes," they say in unison.

"Good. Then come after me."

"Ana, those are real swords!"

"It's okay, Amanda. I know what I'm doing." I nod to the twins. "Don't hold back."

The look they gave each other then fascinated me. I had a split second to take it in before they encroach me, coming at me from either side. With both of my swords, I'm able to deflect the blows coming from each of them. They are good. Very good. I see that look between them again before they attack once more.

I duck Emily's sword coming at my head, but their plan is to come at me from the bottom, too. They are hoping to catch me off guard and sweep me off my feet. Good plan, but I am ready. As I duck Emily's swing, I do a front hand spring, leaving my feet just as Eric's sword filled the space they were in. When I land, I spin around quickly bringing my blades slicing towards them. I stop just inches away from their necks.

"Amazing," I say.

"Yes, you are," Eric responds, a little dejected. He's not used to losing.

"No. I mean you two. You told each other what to do."

"We…we just know each other well enough…" Emily stammers.

"You spoke to each other without actually saying anything," I interrupt. "It's okay," I say, answering their shocked glance at one another. "Actually, it's fantastic! I've heard about people like you, but I've never seen it."

"You don't think we're weird?"

I laugh. "We're training to fight vampires. What could be weirder than that?"

They visibly relax, and I turn my attention back to the rest in the room. Oh, to have a camera at that moment. The looks of complete and utter confusion and awe were hysterical.

"Are you kidding me?" Amanda was the first to break the silence. "I mean, really? With the acrobats and swords and stuff? How in the hell do you know how to do that?"

"I've trained most of my life," I answer honestly. "Did I pass the test?" I ask, directing my question mostly to Jenna, but I'm interested in Sam's response, as well.

Jenna just gives a unenthusiastic shrug and a 'whatever'. Sam says nothing, but watches me closely. As always.

"Fine," I sigh. "Let's pair up..."

"I pick you!" Jeremy blurts out immediately.

"I thought you and Jenna would work well together," I smile.

"Are you on drugs? He's, like, twice my size!"

"Size won't matter out there, Jenna. These things, no matter how big or small, will have strength and speed that, even as a Hunter, will supersede yours. You will have to use your head." I turn away from her and move on. "Eric and Emily, I think it's best that you stick together. With what you two can do, it's a great advantage for you, as well as anyone you're hunting with. Besides, I willing to bet you train together already in fencing."

I pause to consider my options. Training with Sam would not be exactly fun for me. Then again, kicking his ass could be quite exhilarating.

"Amanda, you and Zac pair up."

"Wait, why can't I work with my sister?"

"Yeah, Ana, no offense to Amanda, but I'd rather work with you," Zac announces.

"And, that's why it's better that we switch it up," I counter. "Sam, you will be too afraid of hurting Amanda if you spar with her. You'll never go full out. Zac, you'll be the same way with me."

Sam and Zac eye each other curiously. What I wouldn't give to be able to read minds at that moment.

"Fine," Sam says finally, and walks away.

With everyone paired, it is time to start training. I almost don't even know where to begin. I was five when papa started training me with simple kicks and punches. We don't have time for simple now. We have to go full force from the beginning. This is not going to be easy.

"Has anyone here had any kind of training? Martial arts, kickboxing...anything?"

"I've done kickboxing a couple of times," Amanda says, quietly. "And, Sam used to try to teach me self-defense."

"Good. That's good. Anyone else?" When no one spoke up, I kept my groan to myself as to not discourage them. "That's fine. What we're going to have to do is just rely on what we were born with. Clear your mind of everything except what is happening right now, and do what comes naturally."