Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1) (6 page)

"Well done, Anala." Papa wipes sweat off his brow and smiles. "I think you have finally learned to concentrate on the fight and put everything else aside."

That is the best compliment papa could give me. My skills, as papa has told me, were almost unparalleled. It was my mind that was not ready. Until now. With everything that has happened, everything that I am putting my parents through, I have vowed never to make the same mistake that got me into this mess. I am focused. I am ready.

That is, until I had to hunt with papa for food. If training made me feel normal, that made me feel like the abnormality I am. What an odd feeling it is to have your father watch as you hunt for animals with your bare hands, and then let instinct take over when you catch it. I am not sure whether I should be embarrassed or if papa is embarrassed enough for the both of us. These times together were often spent in complete silence. Neither of us know what to say, so we say nothing. But, papa would always act if nothing is out of the ordinary when we get home to mum and she asks how everything went. Eventually, even hunting for food became somewhat normal.

"Someone is here, papa." I stop short of our home, returning from our last day of training when I smell the different scent. "I do not know their smell."

"You are sure? We are not expecting anyone."

"I am sure. I can hear mum talking to him." I tilt my head and listen. "She does not sound as though she likes him."

"That must be Bernard," papa says, a hint of a smile touching his words.

"Will you ever tell me what happened with him?"

"One day, child," he answers. There is something in his voice. An anger, but also - guilt? That does not make sense, but I do not question him now. "Now, we must get you inside undetected."

"That is not a problem, papa. Go ahead. I will make it to my room unnoticed."

Papa only hesitates for a moment, then shrugs and walks away. Obviously he trusts that I can do what I say. It is a fine day. My first spar win and the trust of my father. A fine day indeed.

When I do slip into my room - undetected, of course - I hear angry whispers coming from the other room.

"You bring me here when your daughter may have the black death?"

"She does not have the black death, Bernard," papa retorts.

"That is not what I heard. No one has seen your child for months. How am I to know she is even still alive?"

"My daughter is none of your concern. I asked you here to help me. I am experimenting on Cursed Ones. I intend to find a cure."

"A cure! For Cursed Ones? Are you mad? There is no such thing! You should know that better than anyone."

"You do not know that! If they can be turned, they can be cured!" Mum whispers, heatedly. "You know how talented Henry is. I told you this was a mistake, Henry."

"Are you dabbling in magic again, Henry?" I did not miss the fact that Bernard ignored mum's interjection. I cannot say I like the man much.

"Magic is only a small part of it, Bernard," papa answers. "Do not get any ideas. We do nothing but work on a cure."

"Do you realize what we could do with a cure for Cursed Ones! We would be rich!"

"This is not for the money, Bernard!" Papa snaps. "This is to save my - village. To save those poor souls who are Cursed. You would do well to remember that. If you expect something more from this, you can leave and never return."

"Fine, fine. We do it for the village. I think you are missing a tremendous opportunity here. But, I will do as you ask and help."

Perhaps it was the Hunter in me, or maybe the Cursed One in me, but something did not feel right to me where Bernard was concerned. There was something in his voice that was - off.

Papa finally thinks I am ready to go out hunting - real Hunter's hunting - by myself. It is absurd for me to be nervous, but it is true nonetheless. I dress carefully in the garments mum made. They are certainly form fitting, but surprisingly easy to maneuver in. I tuck stakes into the belt at either side of my torso, making sure they were easily accessible. I place my dagger in my belt, as well, and use the sheaths on my thighs to hold the special swords papa made. He trained me to use both at one time. It was difficult to get used to at first, but now, I almost feel unarmed without both.

I pick up the cloak and slip it on. Behind this cloak, I will be a Hunter, not the hunted. As long as I have this, I feel safe and protected - even a bit powerful.

"Anala, oh!" Mum's hand flutters to her mouth, and her breath caught on a small cry.

"Do not cry, mum. Everything will be fine." I smile sweetly at her, as I did when I was younger.

She comes to me and fiddles with the cloak. "I know, honey. It is just - I have never seen you look so grown up. And formidable." She touches my cheek. "You must remember to keep this on, with the hood. Do not let anyone see your face. And, please, come home to us."

"I promise. Is papa coming to see me off?"

"He and Bernard are working in the lab. He wants to make sure Bernard stays busy while you go out."

"I see." It hurts a bit that papa is not saying goodbye to me on my first night hunting. I promised mum I would return, but truth is, that is not guaranteed.

"He loves you, Anala. He has taught you everything you need to know to survive. Do not devastate him by not coming home."

"Yes, ma'am." With a quick hug, I pull the hood over my head, concealing my identity, and hurry out.

Papa had secured a horse for me that was not my own. He said we could not take chances that someone would recognize my personal horse. The stallion I ride now is solid. I do not spend much time getting acquainted with him, but he does not seem to mind.

I ride up the mountain and stop at a ledge overlooking the village. It is a good vantage point for me, and out of the way enough that other Hunters would be scarce here.

It is quiet. Too quiet. This stillness could put me in much danger if I allow it to. I must not let my mind linger. Stay alert, Anala. I scan the village and its surroundings. I can see Hunters patrolling, even some fighting Cursed Ones. I contemplate going down to help, but they seem to have everything in control. Using my knowledge of my own abilities, especially the stealth, I concentrate harder on my surroundings. Listening so intently that I can hear the beating of my stallions heart. If I am not mistaken, I believe I can even hear the rustling of small insects roaming the ground.

Being Cursed, I hear the subtle whisper of sound, but it is the Hunter in me that feel my visitors are Cursed Ones. That they were still a distance away, and in no hurry, means they have not sensed me, yet. In a deft move, I bounce to my feet on my steed's back and leap to the tree branch above me. I click my tongue and my horse trots off. No need to lose a perfectly good horse to those things. I crouch on the branch - and wait.

The wait is not long. In moments, a group of Cursed Ones - six that I can see - saunter up under my branch. There are no words between them, only occasional sniffs in the air. How they did not detect me above them is beyond me, but I use it to my advantage. Silently, I grasp both swords, and in a single movement I jump out - doing a pretty impressive flip mid-air - while the blades of my swords slid gracefully from their hilts. On the way down, I take out two of the Cursed Ones with a quick slice across their necks. Then - as they say - all hell breaks loose. The others turn on me with their agile speed. But, I am faster. In a flurry of ducks, spins, jumps and expertly placed lunges, twists and strokes of my blade, Cursed Ones fall at my feet. One grabs me from behind, and I feel it going for my neck as the another runs towards us. I flick my sword towards the running one and it finds its target, piercing right through the heart. He goes down, paralyzed. I grab the one currently fighting for my neck by the head and flip her over my body. She fights like a brute warrior, hitting me and snapping at me with her long teeth. I cannot get my sword around fast enough to end her, so I fight back with everything I have.

She kicks me in the stomach - lucky shot - and I soar in the air. With a swift jerk, I manage to land on my feet about one hundred feet away from her. She is on me in less than a second and I have to duck to avoid the swing of her arm aimed at my head. Kneeling, I turn my sword around and thrust it behind me, into her chest. When she falls, I take a second to catch my breath.

"Bloody fierce aren't you?" I say to her still figure. I wipe blood from my mouth and roll my shoulders. Placing a foot on her stomach, I grab the hilt of my sword. I draw it back out of her chest and force it across her neck. Doing the same with the other, I wipe the blades, retract them and place them back beneath my cloak. A quick scan finds my horse not far down below me, but as I am about to descend I smell that familiar smell.

"That was amazing."

I freeze at the sound of his Irish brogue. Say nothing, I warn myself. Do not turn around, do nothing that would expose you.

"Six. I counted. And, you took them all out by yourself." His voice held an awe that I should have been delighted by. Instead, I am annoyed that he just watched rather than jump in and help me. As mum said, I am alone out here.

"I should have helped," he says, mimicking my thoughts. "But, I was...mesmerized. That is the only word I can think of as to why I did not act." He comes closer and I ready myself to flee if I need to.

"Who are you?"

Slowly, he steps even closer. That is enough for me. I jump from my spot, landing smoothly on my stallions back. I only hesitate for an instant before I ride off in the opposite direction of home.