The Assassin's Daughter (The Hybrid Chronicles Book 1)

by Shana Vernon

  “Ekon told me about your family. I’m so sorry, though I'm sure you hear that all the time.”

  He chuckled. “I do hear that all the time, but it's okay. There isn't really anything else to say.”

  I had a sudden desire to learn more about him, which prompted my next question. “Can you tell me about them?”

  His eyes widened. “You want to hear about my family?”

  “Yeah, if you want to tell me.”

  “Usually people just want to hear about the fire. I think the morbidity of death is more interesting to people than you would expect.”

  “Eh.., fire is fire. People are intriguing to me. Each person has their own strengths and shortcomings and I find that beautiful.”

  Cade looked at me with a strange expression. “There is a lot more to you than meets the eye, Lenna Bishop.”

  I cringed inwardly at the fake name, hating that I had to hide myself from him, while I simultaneously lit up inside at his declaration.

  “Thanks, I think,” I mumbled, heat rising to my cheeks.

  “It’s definitely a good thing,” he said, brushing his hair out of his face. “Emma, my sister, played the violin like nobody's business. She had early acceptance to Julliard and would have been the best player in the country if it hadn't been for the fire, I have no doubt about it.” He finished with a proud, but mournful note to his voice.

  I touched his hand lightly. “If she played even half as well as you do, I’m sure that would have been the case.”

  Cade squeezed my hand and gifted me with a second smile. “I appreciate that, Lenna.” He curled a flyaway strand of hair behind my ear, brushing his fingers along my jaw. He lowered his fingers and moved them down my neck, leaving a trail of tingles following his movements.

  I closed my eyes and breathed him in, jolting as his lips touched mine softly. It was nothing like his previous kisses. There was no sense of urgency as he moved against my mouth, as if he wanted to take his time. It was way more intimate and I melted against him, getting lost in the moment.

  His strong arms wrapped around my waist as he deepened the kiss, pulling me closer and closer into his body. I tasted his minty breath as his tongue swirled around mine, his spicy scent reaching my nose. He continued for a few minutes before smoothly separating from me and returning to his earlier position.

  “There is something so familiar about you, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

  My heart thudded in my chest.

  Don't say it.

  I didn't think I could kill him if he figured me out. I had begun to care about him too much.

  He paused for a moment, lost in thought.

  I remained mute.

  “I want to explain what happened the other day. I know it might not make sense with what just transpired between us, but I meant it when I said we can't be together.” He took my hands in his own. “Ever since what happened with my family, I haven't been whole. I don't think I could give myself entirely to anyone with how damaged I am inside. I promise that it doesn't have anything to do with you, please believe that.”

  Did he just use the ‘it's not you, it’s me’ garbage on me? I pulled my hands back from his.

  “It isn’t as if I forced you to kiss me,” I said sharply. “Not now, and not before.”

  “I know that, I just don’t have anything to offer emotionally. I haven’t in a long time.”

  I stood up. “I’m going to go try and get some sleep now.”

  Cade looked up at me with a melancholic expression. “Alright, goodnight Lenna.”

  “Night.”

  I walked to the door and could have sworn I heard him whisper, “I’m sorry.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  I slipped silently back into bed and had a sleepless night, tossing and turning. My growling stomach begged me to get up at a quarter to seven and head to the cafeteria for breakfast since they had stopped bringing us food to our room. The cafeteria was mostly empty, but a familiar face stood out among the people eating.

  Quinn waved to me and after loading my plate, I headed over to him and plopped down. He squeezed my hand and gave me a warm smile.

  “What are you doing up so early, Quinn?” I asked as I assembled a tower of pancakes.

  He sniggered while he watched me pour an exorbitant portion of maple syrup, fruits, and bacon on top before digging in. “Fruit with bacon?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “No judging my food choices, Mr.”

  His shoulders shook as he laughed. “I wouldn't dream of it.” he said, his hands in the air. “To answer your earlier question, I do yoga most mornings; I prefer the peace and quiet of the early hours.”

  “That actually sounds really nice. Let me guess, you are a Kundalini Yogi, aren't you?” I asked.

  He gave me a lopsided grin. “You know it, love. I'm all about that spiritual life, kinda hard not to be with my gift. You’re welcome to join me next time,” he said, eying my food again.

  I shoved my plate forward. “Just try it. You'll see.”

  He grabbed a bite and then grimaced as he chewed. “Not for me.”

  “Your loss, my gain,” I said and dug back into my food with gusto.

  Quinn leaned forward across the table. “So Lenna, how’s training going for you?”

  I thought for a moment before replying. “I'm not really sure what I expected when I signed up for this, but I guess it's going as well as can be expected.”

  He nodded as if he understood what I meant. “You are a natural, so don't doubt yourself.”

  “Are you going to be joining any of our classes today?” I asked as I finished the last bite on my plate.

  “Not today, love, I have a mission today. You guys have poisons with Master Doku and combat with Master Wilde, though Cade will likely be around to help out in combat.”

  His comment caught me off guard. “A mission? Second-year initiates can go on missions?”

  “Not all of us, but Cade and I have both been sent on missions since we finished the first season.”

  Wow, after only four months of training.

  He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Don't tell anyone you heard it from me, but Master Abbott let slip that you guys will be taken along on missions at the end of this season, so you'll get your chance earlier than expected.”

  It had already been about a week since I arrived, and I hadn’t yet found out one piece of information to even hint at Papa’s location. I really hoped that I would be able to find out where he was before I finished training. I didn't want to go on any missions and risk killing innocents.

  The anxiety must have been written on my face because Quinn reached out a hand and sent soothing energy into my upper arm. “Don't worry, love. They won't send you out if you aren't ready.”

  I grabbed my empty plate and stood up. “I'm going to get washed up before my poisons lesson.” I was about to leave when I remembered where Quinn was about to go and swiveled back to the table. “Good luck, Quinn. Be safe.”

  “Don’t worry about me, love. I’m very hard to kill,” he said with a wink.

  “Humble too.”

  “I call it confidence,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

  I shook my head. “See you later.”

  I arrived back to the room in time to see everyone else getting up for the day. I grabbed my toiletries and a new jumpsuit and hurried into the bathroom, hoping to get some alone time to think in the shower.

  I stepped onto the tile floor and turned the knob to the right side, hoping to find some hot water only to be disappointed when icy drops trickled down my body.

  Even lukewarm water would be better than this torture.

  Taking hot showers had always been a way for me to calm my mind and let my inner thoughts out.

  I gave up on the idea of a relaxing shower and covered my hair and body with soap, hurrying to get out of the freezing water. I finished as quickly as possible and jumped out of the stall and snatched my towel off the rack, wrapping it around my body. My
teeth chattered in my mouth as I rubbed the water off my body in hurried movements. As soon as I was dressed, I ran to the sink to brush my teeth.

  I exited the bathroom just as Brielle and Hailey entered with their clothes. Brielle sent a small smile in my direction while Hailey glowered at me.

  Ignoring Hailey, I walked back into the room and went over to sit with Ekon and Sofia.

  “Girl, you are always disappearing on us,” Sofia said with a quick snap of her wrist band.

  “Yeah, sorry. I couldn't sleep and went for an early breakfast.”

  Ekon leaned forward and stretched out his hand to me. “Would you grab my arm, so I can tell my friends I’ve been touched by an angel?”

  Sofia groaned as I rolled my eyes.

  “Come on guys, I’ll come with you to breakfast before poisons.”

  “Good morning, initiates, please take your assigned seats as indicated by the name cards on each table,” Master Doku instructed, her jet-black, silky hair tied in a low ponytail down her back, swishing as she sashayed through the room.

  I walked past the tables, checking the name tags until I came across my own, which was right next to Ryder’s.

  You have got to be kidding me, universe.

  Sofia snickered at the name card and found her seat alongside Hailey, her face scrunching in disgust.

  I smirked at her and plunked down in my seat and waited for Ryder to figure it out. I was surprised at the genuine smile he aimed at me before lowering himself into the chair.

  There were two plants on each table which were covered by large, transparent glass domes. Next to each dome was a pair of gloves and eye goggles. I looked to the dome in front of me and saw a bright green rose covered with white speckles inside.

  Another glance reminded me that it was the same plant from the vampire book I had read the other day. I wracked my brain trying to remember the name of it.

  Master Doku returned to the front of the classroom and cleared her throat to get our attention. “As you can see in front of you, there is a poisonous plant under each dome. Unless you plan to end your training today, it will be prudent for you to keep the gloves and goggles on for the duration of this lesson.”

  Everyone hastened to slip on said gloves and goggles.

  “Once you are ready, uncover the plant underneath each dome and identify the name and its purposes. Once everyone has successfully identified each poison and purpose, you will be dismissed. If you need any assistance with this exercise, you will find the necessary books on the shelf in the back of the classroom. Please begin.”

  I was somewhat knowledgeable in the names and purposes of most poisons, but could not, for the life of me, remember the name of the poison for vampires that sat in front of me.

  I got up and made my way to the bookshelf in the back of the classroom and arrived at the same time as Ryder. There was only one book left. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet and pulled at the hem of his shirtsleeve before picking up the book and offering it to me. “You can have it if you want,” he said, his eyes firmly planted on the floor.

  I sighed and accepted it. “There is only one book left, Ryder. We can share.”

  His gaze flew up to meet mine and a large grin spread over his features. I couldn't help noticing how pleasing he could look when he wasn't scowling.

  “Thanks, Lenna.”

  I grunted and walked back to our table, setting the book in between us.

  “Do you know what poison you have?” Ryder asked, glancing over at the green and white rose in front of me.

  “I don't remember the name of it, but I know what it does.”

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “From what I've read, this plant is the only known plant that kills vampires.”

  “Holy shit! We need to start growing those.”

  I glowered at him. “I guess you are one of those idiots who believe that all vamps are bad?”

  “What? No, of course not, but everyone knows how hard it is to kill them. We’re going to be receiving contracts on vampires too, not just humans, so we need the resources to kill them.”

  Well, now I feel like the idiot.

  “Oh, sorry. I guess I’m still a bit triggered by you.”

  “It isn't like you don't have a good reason, but I’m trying to make it up to you. I prejudged you for no reason. I really am sorry, Lenna.” He offered me his gloved hand. “Friends?”

  I guess it was about time I got over our initial interactions. I slipped my hand into his. “Friends.”

  His green eyes twinkled at me.

  I looked over at his plant and saw the striking pink flower of the Nerium oleander. I swiped the book off the table and shuffled through the pages until I landed on the correct one. I placed the book next to Ryder with the poison displayed on the open page.

  “Here you go.”

  He studied the page and then glanced at his plant, then back at my face. He clapped his hands and whooped.

  “Amazing. Thanks, Lenna.”

  I watched as he wrote down the information on the Nerium oleander, his jaw locked as he focused on the paper in front of him. He had to keep looking back at the book with each line he wrote down, his sandy hair falling on to his face. He noticed me paying attention to him and looked back sheepishly.

  “I’m not great with the learning part. Point me in a direction and I can punch my way through most situations, but this part is harder for me.”

  “I was homeschooled, so this part comes naturally to me. Let me know and I can help you whenever you need it,” I said.

  “That must have been lonely,” he said, placing the glass dome back on his plant and closing his notebook.

  I squirmed in my seat. “Yeah, I guess it was kind of lonely. How did you end up here, Ryder?”

  “I joined the Navy right after high school. I broke a few combat records and was contacted by the Guild. Turns out, they had invited my mother when she was in the army as well. My whole family went through the military, so they’re pretty big on showing strength. I guess I get that from them.”

  “Who has identified their poison and its purposes?” asked Master Doku.

  Ryder scooted closer to me and started going through the pages, looking for my plant while the other students began discussing their poisons. After a few moments we found the green and white flower and its name. Rosa Mortis with a description underneath.

  The Rosa Mortis is the deadliest of all plants and has the ability to kill any being, including Vampires, in any form. It can be swallowed, injected, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. These methods will all yield death.

  Intense.

  “Mr. Edge, what have you found?” my head flew up at Master Doku’s question to Ryder.

  He glanced down at his paper before speaking. “My plant is called Nerium oleander and the best way to use it as a poison is through eating it. Some people will also die by touching it, but not all people, so that isn't a reliable method.” He cleared his throat and looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

  I gave him an encouraging smile and he continued. “The plant is bitter, so most people aren't likely to eat the plant in its natural form. The best option would be to make it into a serum to add to someone’s food, or to put it on a weapon.”

  “Precisely, now what about you, Ms. Bishop?”

  I lifted the rose in my gloved hand so everyone could see it. “The Rosa Mortis is the only known poison that can kill vampires. It can be used in any form as the entire plant is deadly through touch and taste. You can eat it, touch it, inhale it, or have it injected into you with equal results.”

  I heard a few people gasp as I placed the rose back down and covered it. It was clearly not common knowledge even to people recruited to the Guild.

  I wonder why they keep this secret so well hidden if their agenda is to kill innocent vampires anyway.

  The rest of the initiates finished discussing their plants and poisons and we were dismissed as promised.

  Ryder walked
next to me as I made my way out of the room, standing straight and glancing around like he expected trouble. If he was going to suddenly start acting like an over eager bodyguard, we were going to have issues. I wouldn’t be able to sneak around if I had someone constantly watching me.

  Sofia caught up and gave a pointed look in Ryder’s direction before falling into step beside us.

  I shrugged and kept going.

  “So, what’s next?” Sofia asked.

  “I have my shift at the infirmary now and then I have the rest of the evening off,” I said, actually looking forward to my healing shift.

  Growing up, I hadn’t had the chance to heal anyone aside from myself and Papa. Working in the infirmary would provide valuable experience for me.

  As we passed by the initiates’ quarters, Ryder stopped and motioned toward the door.

  “I’m going to head inside now. It was good working with you, Lenna.”

  It would take a while before I got used to this new, nice Ryder.

  “Yeah, you too, Ryder,” I said as a bewildered expression crossed Sofia’s face.

  Instead of going with Ryder into our rooms, she continued with me toward the infirmary. “Are you going to tell me what the fuck that was about? Did you hit him on the head or something?”

  I laughed. “Apparently, he wants to be friends.”

  Sofia narrowed her eyes. “Do you think he’s trying to fuck with you?”

  I shook my head. “I don't think so. He seemed genuine.”

  Sofia shrugged and stopped as we approached the entrance to the infirmary. “Go save the little people.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Who knows?” she replied as she disappeared down the hallway.

  Definitely a quirky one.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  I finished healing a self-inflicted bullet wound and dropped the now useless bandages in the garbage. “There you go,” I said and patted one of the newer members on his healed knee. “You’re good to go.”

  “Thanks a lot,” he said sheepishly, sweeping brown locks of hair out of his face as he stood up.