Shadow Realms- The Complete Series

by Kelly Carrero

  My mother’s death had ruined him, and he may have chosen the shittiest way of dealing with things, but he was still our father, and he hadn’t always been like that. Sometimes grief made people do stupid things. Hell, I almost became a vampire, so who was I to judge? And Mom wouldn’t have wanted us to give up on him—even if he was no longer in touch with life.

  I sighed as the memory of my mother morphing from the demon veil assaulted my mind, ripping through the hard exterior I tried to portray as if it were a warm knife slicing butter.

  I stood no chance.

  My subconscious had been responsible for her presence that day, eating away at my soul ever since. She wouldn’t have wanted us to give up on our father so easily.

  “Kali,” Lana said, breaking me from my thoughts, her voice only inches from me.

  I blinked away my tears as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  Nodding, I put on a smile and turned to her. “I’m fine.” When she raised a brow, I sighed. “Okay. This is torture. How much longer will this go on?”

  Lana chuckled, her warm smile a welcome to the struggle going on inside of me. “This will probably go on all night. Once they let their hair down and have a few drinks, you’ll be able to relax and come hang with us.”

  I frowned. “Really? I thought they would have to stay sober. You know, to protect the innocent.”

  She eyed my uneaten dinner. “Us, yeah. But the ones who stay behind the wards surrounding this place can afford to be a little lax on occasion.”

  “Right.” I sighed. “So, when do you think I can talk to your parents about my father and Ash?”

  Her smile dropped from her face, reminding me that I was talking to first and foremost a hunter—a legacy nonetheless, then second, my friend. “We’ve discussed this, and I thought I made it clear. You can’t bring them in. We are not a safe haven for those we care about.”

  I glared at her. “I can not just leave them to die. You allowed Finn to bring me in—and Mason as well.”

  “That was different. You were already part of this world from the moment you decided to become one of them. And Mason, he was a prospect, involved in this world through no choice of his own.”

  “And so was my father from the moment of my conception. I’m alive because of him.”

  Lana shook her head. “You’re alive because of your past—because of who you are.”

  Slouching back into my chair, I gave up on trying to change her mind. The Society was too set in their ways to change. I didn’t stand a chance of convincing them otherwise.

  It was up to me to save them.

  Lana narrowed her eyes at me, almost as if she could hear my thoughts ticking over how I was going to escape this prison they’d placed me in and do what needed to be done.

  It was the right thing. I couldn’t leave my father to die.

  That just wasn’t me.

  My mother’s image, as she begged me to help, flashed through my mind.

  I couldn’t help her. She was already dead. But my father was still very much alive.

  Lana placed her hand on my forearm and gave it a squeeze, a warm smile replacing the apprehensive one she’d worn only moments ago. “I know it seems unfair, but it is for the best.”

  Forcing a smile, I pretended I wasn’t about to plan my escape and rescue my father without their help. But I wasn’t fooling anyone. I was a terrible liar.

  She knew I didn’t accept her bid for my safety. I could see it in her eyes. But I was glad she didn’t call me out on it. Probably because she didn’t think I was foolish enough to try to break free on a night when so many hunters and guards were surrounding the compound.

  She obviously didn’t know me very well.

  Lana gave my arm another squeeze. “I’ll come rescue you when the dinner part is over and the rest of the celebrations begin.

  I hated to think what other celebrations they had in store for me and was glad I wasn’t going to be around to find out. “Thanks,” I lied.

  She gave me one last warm smile then retreated back to her table where the bromance was still in full action. Max’s gaze barely left mine.

  A shiver ran down my spine at the same time my heart skipped a beat. I had to force myself to look away from him and his never-ending pools of pain and despair, reminders of all the sinful things I’d done.

  And was about to do.

  The dinner dragged on for what felt like forever, and I soon became glad I was at a table by myself so I could come up with a plan without the distraction of having to keep up a chatty appearance.

  My plan was foolish—like all of my others, but I didn’t have many options when no one in this place would listen to my opinions and fears. And they most certainly wouldn’t take orders from me. Maybe that would change once I became the one, but until then, I was on my own, wanting to save the world in my unconventional way.

  Someone cleared their throat beside me, jolting me out of my thoughts. “Excuse me, miss. Have you finished with your meal?”

  I stared up at the suited man beside me. He, like all the others in this facility that rolled with the Society, didn’t break the perfect appearance or protocols of his job description.

  I wondered whether the Society really was in this to save the human race, or if they had an ulterior motive—even if it were just power and prestige. Then again, that didn’t make much sense, considering they were the ones who didn’t want the world to know the hunters existed.

  “Yes. Thank you,” I said, handing him my untouched plate.

  He gave me a slight bow then retreated with silent steps just like the hunters.

  The festivities continued outside under the moonlit sky, the storm clouds no longer in sight. Fairy lights hung above us, turning the garden into a magical wonderland of warmth, wonder, and lies.

  No matter how much I tried to understand this stupid tradition of celebrating the one they were holding captive, I couldn’t succumb to their ways.

  Lana came up behind me, linking her arm with mine, and sighed as she tilted her head back. “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”

  “Yep,” I said, trying to control my anger.

  She leaned in closer to me. “Look. I agree that all of this is completely unnecessary and what we should be doing is taking the opportunity to help you become the person you’re destined to become. But my parents are doing this regardless, and you can either go with it for a few more hours and then it’ll be over and we can get back to what’s necessary, or you can spend this time dragging out how much you despise this whole thing and still have to be here anyway.”

  “I say drag it out.” I pulled at the silk fabric of my gown. “I mean, look at me. I look ridiculous in this outfit.”

  Lana raised a brow. “That’s not what Max thinks. He’s been eyeing you all night.”

  My stomach fluttered at the mention of his name, and I had to stomp on those damn butterflies, killing them before they had a chance to fly and take over, turning me into the girl I used to be. The one who put her own needs in front of all others. The one who was responsible for Mason being taken in the first place.

  Swallowing hard, I tried to stop my gaze from darting to Max. “Yeah. He’s probably making sure I don’t go on a rampage, killing everyone here.”

  She nudged her shoulder against mine. “Yeah, right. That’s why he came to rescue you instead of letting you become the next vampire meal.”

  I slipped my arm from hers. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not as if anything’s going to happen—or can happen for that matter. In a few weeks, I’m supposed to become this divine killing machine who’s destined to spend the rest of her life eradicating the demons and vampires from this world. So yeah, no time for imaginary relationships.” Slipping, I glanced at Max, relief flowing through me when I saw him leaning against a stone pillar, talking to my brothers, not watching me like he had been during dinner.

  I sucked in a sharp breath when his gaze darte
d to me, our eyes locking as if a magnetic force were at play.

  Quickly looking away, I focused on Lana, who was staring at me with a knowing look, which quickly turned to pity. “You’re probably right. Then again, you’re uncharted waters and no one knows what you’ll become, only that you’ll lead us all.”

  I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, like that’s going to happen. No one will listen to me now, so why would they change?”

  “Because your ancestor will rise within you, morphing with your soul, fulfilling your destiny.”

  3

  My mouth fell ajar as a shiver ran down my spine and my heart stopped. “What are you saying?” I finally managed to ask.

  Lana frowned as if I were asking the facts of life. “I’m saying she will rise in you.”

  Eyes widened, I stared at her, frozen in fear, unable to understand. More so, not wanting to understand. Of course, I couldn’t leave it at that. “It sounds like you’re telling me I’m no longer going to be me, and I’m going to give my soul and shell of a body over to this ancient…whatever. I’m going to cease to exist. My body will still be here, but my soul won’t be.” My head spun, and I began to hyperventilate as I tried to wrap my head around my impending death.

  Lana placed her hands on my biceps and forced me to look at her. “Breathe.”

  A tremble ran through me as my head started to sway, my eyesight turning white. It was clear to me I was going to pass out if I didn’t get a grip on myself—fast. But no matter how much I didn’t want to make a fool of myself by collapsing in front of hundreds of Society members, it was quickly becoming a reality.

  Pain exploded across my cheek, snapping me out of my hysteria. “Did you just hit me?”

  “Slap,” Lana said. “I just slapped you. If I hit you, you would’ve been knocked out.”

  Rubbing my cheek, I stared at her in astonishment.

  “You’re welcome, by the way.”

  I blinked hard, ready to unleash a tirade against her. I mean sure, she’d saved me from making a fool of myself, but was it really necessary to hit me? A shake would’ve done just fine. I opened my mouth but quickly closed it again when it dawned on me that I now had the perfect excuse to retreat to my bedroom.

  There were only a matter of weeks until I went through the change, and if I thought I was determined to save my family before, I now had even more reason to rescue them because I couldn’t trust that my father would be safe once I was no longer alive.

  My heart pounded against my chest at the mere thought of what was going to happen, and I had to force myself to breathe. I didn’t have time to dwell on my life—or death for that matter. My father needed me—even if he didn’t know it. I couldn’t leave his life in the hands of my brothers when neither one of them was prepared to break the rules.

  Sure, our father was a drunken ass, but he was still our father and the only parent we had left.

  The apparition of my mother once again slammed into my thoughts, taking my mind hostage as her desperation consumed me, churning my stomach and leaving my heart aching for her.

  Tears pooled in my eyes, threatening to spill. I squeezed my eyes shut then opened them again and swiped the lone tear that had escaped.

  Lana frowned. “It wasn’t that hard.”

  It took me a second to remember she had slapped my face. Lifting my hand to my face again, I ran my fingertips across my cheek. “I think I need to lie down.”

  She glanced around the crowd then nodded. “I’ll take you back to your room.”

  I shook my head. “No. You stay here. I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I nodded. “I’ll be okay,” I reiterated.

  “Okay then.” Lana looked uneasily in her parents’ direction. “If anyone asks, I’ll tell them you weren’t feeling well.”

  Refraining from frowning, I wondered why she thought I was lying. After all, she had needed to slap me out of the hysteria I’d been drowning in.

  Not giving her a chance to change her mind, I gave her a weak smile and retreated inside, subtly glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was following me.

  When the coast was clear, I quickened my pace, making my way up to my room. Once inside, I stripped out of the ridiculous gown and slipped into something more comfortable. Something that would allow me free movement to run my ass off, which was pretty much every item of clothing I had in this place. The hunters didn’t believe in fashion, and I had no idea where they’d gotten tonight’s gown from.

  Making a quick mental list, I tried to figure out what I would need. A bottle of vampire blood would’ve been ideal, but of course, none of the hunters thought that was a good idea. They probably figured I was easier to detain if I weren’t at my full strength, because I was pretty sure I could’ve taken any of them down when I was pumped up on the demonic essence.

  I would have to take the bus because stealing one of the hunter’s cars on a night like tonight would be impossible. The place was like Fort Knox. Getting out would most likely prove a challenge. Especially when almost every single person in this facility was stronger and faster than I was. I would also have to leave my phone at home because I was damn sure they would’ve put a tracker on it by now.

  Yeah, they trusted me big time.

  I entered the walk-in closet, put my foot onto the lower shelf to hoist myself up, and searched blindly on the top shelf for my secret weapon.

  A grin crept across my face when my fingers touched the cold metal of the daggers. I grabbed them and hopped off the shelf, my eyes lighting up with morbid fascination the moment I laid eyes on the daggers. I may not have had the strength I’d had when we rescued Mason, but I still had the desire to see those demonic monsters’ lives end by my hand.

  With a bounce in my step, I made my way back into my room and froze.

  “Mason,” I said, my voice coming out raspy.

  4

  Wearing a cocky smile, Mason sat casually on the edge of my desk. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  For a moment, I was happy to see him back to his old ways when I’d feared he would’ve been ruined after what he’d been through. Then I remembered I had daggers in my hands, I was no longer wearing the evening gown, and I was preparing to bust out of this place. “Nowhere.” I moved the daggers behind me, as if he would forget they were there if he couldn’t see them.

  Mason raised a brow. “Really? Then would you care to explain why you’re holding those weapons?”

  I frowned. “Care to explain why you’re not outside with Finn?”

  He glared at me then pushed off the desk and strode toward me. “I want in.”

  I scrunched up my face in confusion, my heart hammering against my chest. “In what?”

  “Don’t treat me like I’m stupid. I know what you’re planning, and I want to help.”

  I barked out a laugh. “I’m not planning to do anything.”

  “You’re a shitty liar,” he said, calling me out. “We don’t have much time to argue before someone notices I’ve been gone for too long and comes looking for me. I’m pretty sure you don’t want them finding me in here.”

  Glaring at him, I tried to figure out what I should do. The last thing I needed was to waist more time trying to deny my intentions. Mason was as stubborn as they came, and he was used to getting his own way. I’d thought his time with the vamps may have changed that particular attribute, but it appeared it was still as strong. “All I’m doing with this thing is getting a little practice in because if you couldn’t tell, I was having a pretty lousy time at the party when I really should be spending my time training.”

  Mason held my stare. “I’m going with you.”

  I raised a brow. “You want to train with me? That’s Finn’s job, not mine.” Moving the daggers into one hand, I headed over to the door and opened it. “Now, if you don’t mind…”

  Mason sauntered over to the window. “So how are we doing this?” He peered outside. “Do we make our escape this way, or do
we brave the halls?”

  “There is no we.”

  He spun around to face me. “He’s my father, too.”

  My mouth fell ajar, and I quickly closed the door, careful not to make too much noise. “This isn’t your fight.”

  He shook his head. “Nope. You don’t get to make that call.”

  “Oh, don’t I?” I holstered my blade. “Because I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to listen to me.”

  “I never listened to you before, so why do you think anything’s changed?”

  Breathing out harshly, I tried to refrain from tying him up so I could make my get away. The only problem with that plan was Mason was now stronger than me.

  Damn the hunters and their reluctance to keep feeding me vampire blood.

  “Look, Kali. I’m going with you or without, but I think we’d have better luck working together. There is no way that I am going to stay here while people I care about are out there without any idea that they’ve got a target on their heads. As soon as the vampires figure out what you are, they’re going to come for everyone you care about. Everyone I care about. And there’s no way I’m going to let them die when I have a chance to save them.”

  My thoughts exactly.

  Mason and I hadn’t had much of a chance to talk since we rescued him because he’d spent most of his time attached to Finn’s side, trying to learn everything he could about the hunters and the Shadow Realms. But by the sounds of it, he had the same viewpoint I did about not hanging people out to die because heavens forbid that anyone should find out hunters exist.

  Under different circumstances, I would’ve loved to find out where he truly stood on the matter. But I didn’t have time, and there was a good chance Finn was using Mason to spy on me. After all, that was Finn’s style. Overprotective bastard who was trying to retain control over me while he still could.

  Of course, that didn’t happen until the vampire blood was out of my system and my abilities had returned to that of a normal human teenager.

  “Look, Kali, isn’t it safer for us to work together to save them?”