Exiled - 01

by M. R. Merrick

  The Protector - Book 1 - Exiled

  By M.R.Merrick

  © 2011 M.R. Merrick

  Kindle Edition

  All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2011 – M.R. Merrick

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, without the express written permission of the author. For further information please visit http://www.matthew-merrick.blogspot.com or contact the author at mailto:MRMerrick@live.ca

  Cover design by M.R. Merrick

  Cover artwork by Julija Lichman © 2011

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, locations, and events herein are used fictitiously as an article of the author’s imagination. Any names or references to locations, events or persons, either living or deceased, are purely coincidental.

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank everyone who played a part in making this happen. First to my wife, Cherry, this book would not be what it is today without you. You read the story in its roughest form, and a dozen times after that. I drove you crazy with my constant revisions and late night talks of how to improve the story. You were there to help me break down the road blocks as the story progressed, and Exiled has become something so much more because of your love and support. My daughter Peyton, telling you bedtime stories started this entire process and I have you to thank for all of this. Without you, I never could have realized my passion for storytelling. Thanks to Jason Pitt at http://www.critical-film.com for his support and for writing the back cover copy for this book. Thomas Amo, you’re a fabulous writer and you’ve been so incredible this entire process. You read my book, you supported me, and you referred me to a wonderful artist. Thank you for all your kindness. Julija Lichman, you were the one who gave my book a face. Your wonderful artwork inspired me to write better, and deliver a story worthy of such art, and for that, I am grateful.

  To all of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

  - Matthew. R. Merrick – June 2nd, 2011

  DEDICATION

  For my wife,

  You and me, always.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  I dodged the razor sharp claws coming towards me and turned to face the demon. I’d hurt him enough to force him to shift, but now I had to fight a bear, literally.

  He stood on his hind legs with his back to me and I took the opportunity presented, unsure if I’d get another. I leapt onto his back and stuck one silver dagger into each shoulder. He roared in pain and anger as the blades pierced his furry flesh, and reacted with a flurry of quick movements that threw me from his back. I fought to keep hold of one dagger as I hit the pavement, while the other remained stuck in his shoulder.

  The pitted asphalt burned and tore at my skin as I slid across it. The ground rumbled as the black bear stormed towards me. I jumped to my feet, but not in time to get out of the way. Its head collided with my stomach at full speed and smashed me into the crumbling brick building behind me.

  Black dots filled my vision as the wall broke at my impact, showering me with loose bricks and pieces of mortar. I shook my head to clear my vision and wrapped my scarred fingers around the blade jutting from his shoulder. As I twisted my wrist, there came a bone-chilling screech from his toothy snout. Roaring in agony, the demon stood and hauled my body from the ground, leaving me flailing over his head as I struggled to hold on to the dagger.

  I wrapped my legs around its neck while it shook from side to side with an unnatural speed, trying to dislodge me. The world blurred around me, but from behind his head, I forced the blade to his throat and pulled. The demon grunted as the blade split skin. Hot blood pumped over my hand but I didn’t hesitate. The violent movements slowed and a deep gurgling sound escaped from the bear’s throat. The smell of burning meat started to fill the air, and I pulled until I hit the spine. I’d sliced through the flesh; next came the hard part.

  I planted both feet against the bear’s back and pushed hard to help pull the blade through its spine. The bone gave under the pressure and I tumbled to the pavement as the dagger went all the way through. The creature stumbled forward, the grotesque head rolling off the shoulders. Its body started falling, and soon both it and the head were engulfed in flames and burned to ash.

  I stayed on the ground as the air my lungs craved rushed into them in waves. This had been the third attempt on my life in two weeks, and I couldn’t count how many there had been in the last three years. No matter how many times I survived, there was always another danger around the corner, and I still wasn’t used to being the victim. I was Chase Williams, a demon hunter. I wasn’t supposed to be the one looking over my shoulder; I was supposed to be stalking the prey.

  I winced in pain as I lifted myself from the pavement, and brushed ash off my clothes and skin. I had to find a new way home; the demons had gotten all too familiar with this one.

  The usual disappointment filled me as I approached my apartment. Broken windows and trash-littered patios were a sad sight to come home to. The broken hand rail shook and the stairs squeaked with each step. Fresh graffiti decorated the landing and I had to use my finger to open the door, which lacked a knob. All that aside, I was relieved to have made it home in one piece. Even if it required standing in the discolored, low pressure water from my shower for an hour, this blood would wash off, and I’d live to see another day.

  I stood in the shower until the water turned cold before I gave in to my body’s demand for rest and went to my bedroom. I took in the mattress on the floor, the scratched and faded dresser, and the wobbly lamp with a sigh. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.

  I fell onto the bed and relief washed over me. My body was consumed by pain that for anyone else would be even worse the next day, but not for me. I knew the scratches would fade, the scabs would heal, and the throbbing ache of having been thrown into a brick wall would be gone. By tomorrow I’d be good as new: one of the few perks to being a hunter.

  I stared up at the cracked ceiling as muffled angry voices leaked through the wall. The sound of breaking glass and swearing followed as the neighbors started their nightly routine, which had become my lullaby. Their screaming pushed my body towards sleep, and as sleep approached the screaming faded. Darkness tugged at my eyes and I couldn’t fight it. I gave into my body’s urge for rest and fell into the dreamscape.

  ~~~~~~

  Chapter 2

  “Happy birthday Chase! Ready for your big day?” my mom said.

  “Of course I’m ready,” I replied, the excited smile fixed on my face. This was the day I’d been awaiting for so many years. All the training, books and lectures were done. Today I was going to become one of them: a hunter.

  “I’m so proud of you. No matter what happens today, I want you to know that.” My mom’s eyes were welling up with tears; she was always emotional with me.

  “I know.”

  “Chase, the ceremony starts in a few hours. Why aren’t you training?” my da
d said. I hadn’t heard him walk into the room. “Dammit, Tessa stop babying him! He needs to concentrate. It’s an important day.”

  My mom held back the tears that wanted to fall. “Of course, Riley. You’re right,” she said and slipped out of the room.

  My stomach clenched as my father came closer. “You should be training Chase. Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you can be slacking off. I don’t want you embarrassing me out there.”

  “Yeah, Dad, I know.”

  “Excuse me?” He glared at me with the severe expression that dominated his face so often.

  I cleared my throat and stood up straight. “I mean, yes sir,” I said. His pale blue eyes regarded me and he nodded. He left the room and I released the breath I was holding.

  Everything around me faded, and I was standing at the entryway of the ceremony hall. The room looked bigger than I remembered. I entered slowly and my steps echoed around me. Six whitewashed stone pillars held up the ceiling and matched the walls, making them seem to fade in and out of view.

  I moved past the faces I’d trained with for years, getting closer to the altar. The muscles in my abdomen tightened with nervousness and the sweat on my palms threatened to drip. At first I feared I’d trip on the first step and embarrass myself, but as I conquered it, the fear changed its focus to the ceremony. What if I don’t get a good power? If I don’t get the fire element like my father, will he be disappointed? I swallowed these thoughts and ascended the last steps.

  The elder members were dressed in long white robes with golden sashes. Each of their faces displayed only a neutral expression. I stepped into the center of the altar and dipped my hands into the large stone bowl. The still-warm viscous liquid coated my fingers and palms. The blood looked black sitting in the bowl, but became bright red as I pulled my hands from it.

  The elders chanted in the ancient language nobody else was permitted to understand. I moved around the altar and placed a bloody handprint on each of the six pillars. Drops of blood slid down the white stone; the blood came from the demon I had killed earlier, and it was the blood I needed to spark the birth of my elemental power.

  After leaving my mark on the pillars, I returned to the center. The chief elder moved towards me and dipped his fingers into the bowl. He used the blood to draw a symbol on my forehead. I couldn’t see it, but I knew what it meant. “Chase Williams, you have completed the prerequisites for the ceremony. You have been anointed with the blood of your enemy. Now is the time you discover your place among us,” he intoned.

  Each elder brought a stone into the center and set them in a circle around me. Each stone was engraved with a glyph to represent one of the elements. I moved to the first stone and reached my bloodstained hand over it. I called to my magic and recited the phrase I’d been taught. “The blood of my enemy shall be the birth of my power. The birth of my power cements my soul to the Circle.” I spoke with intensity and confidence. I waited, eyes closed, reaching deep inside myself to pull magic from within.

  I repeated the phrase as I moved over each stone, letting a drop of blood stain it. One should react and reveal my element, but nothing happened each time I repeated the words.

  Muffled voices reached me from the pews where other Circle members watched, but I wasn’t worried. I moved my hand over the final stone, the one I’d saved for last: the stone representing the fire element. I recited the words a final time, expecting the stone to burst into flames. But there wasn’t even a spark.

  The voices got louder and I opened my eyes. The elders’ neutral expressions had changed, some to surprise, others to disgust. I recited the phrase again but the chief elder interrupted me.

  “Enough. Take him to the containment room,” he commanded.

  “Wait, what?” I sputtered as two hunters grabbed my arms and dragged me from the altar. “Dad, what’s going on?” I shouted. My pulse jumped into my throat and panic filled my voice. “Dad?” I shrieked, before everything disappeared around me.

  The containment room was bright with fluorescent lights, but the sight I wanted to avoid was my father’s eyes. “I can’t believe you. You’re disgusting,” he said. He slammed his hand on the table between us.

  “Riley, that’s enough,” Mom said.

  “You stay out of this,” he replied, not turning to look at her. His gaze was locked on me, but he seemed to see me like an object. “This is impossible. My own son has no powers!” He kicked the table onto its side so there was nothing between us.

  “Dad, I did everything you told me,” I said. He took the final step and closed the distance. He pushed his nose against mine and his magic pulsed against my skin in a burning wave.

  “Don’t blame me for your failure.” He poked his finger into my chest.

  “Get your hands off of him,” Mom said, pulling at his arm.

  My father let my mother pull him back and smoke rose from the hole he’d created in my shirt, but the anger in his eyes was what burned a permanent scar. He turned in an instant and a stream of flame exploded from his hand. The flame coursed and crackled over the table, which ignited as my father stormed from the room. I winced as the door slammed and glowing embers showered from the table.

  My mother stepped towards it, shaking her head. I felt her magic come to life around me as a small ball of light grew in her hands. The light disappeared and a burst of water appeared, dousing the flames. The room grew hazy as it filled with smoke and steam, and I struggled not to cough.

  Her water smothered the flames and I watched as her magic faded. She approached me, not speaking, with smoke billowing around her. She wrapped her arms around me and her magic swelled again, not as a wave of water, but as a rush of calming energy that coursed through me. Maybe she could do this because she was a water elemental, but I think it was mostly because she was a mother.

  “What’s going to happen?” I asked.

  She pulled back and cupped my face, forcing me to meet her bright hazel eyes.

  “I don’t know, but whatever it is, we will get through it together. You and me, always,” she said.

  I tried to smile but failed. Darkness engulfed me and the room also faded, but the taste of smoke was still thick and burned in my throat.

  I stood before the council and the elders stared down at me from their high oak benches. Their faces were again composed with blank but somewhat disapproving expressions.

  “We’ve taken into consideration today’s events, and given your father’s exceptional history within the Circle, we can only agree with his proposal,” the chief elder said.

  The fear and the weight I felt on my shoulders vanished. As angry as he was, he still fought for me.

  “The council has discussed the situation and we are unanimous in our decision. You will be given a small amount of funds, as well as fifteen minutes at the completion of this hearing to pack your belongings. Any books or weapons in your possession will be confiscated and you will be escorted off the property. You are not to return, nor are you to have contact with anyone within this association. From this point forward, you are not to be counted among the Circle. Instead, you will continue your life outside the Circle as a mortal. Should you fail to comply with this decision, you will be dealt with accordingly.” The elder’s voice swirled around me and my shoulders bent as all the fear crashed back over me.

  “Dad?” I said. My knees gave out and I collapsed to the floor.

  He wore his proud, arrogant smirk now. “You are no son of mine,” he said.

  “Riley Williams,” Mom demanded, firmly but with a hint of desperation. “You can’t do this.”

  Riley shook his head. “It has been done Tessa. It’s for the good of the Circle.”

  “Tessa Williams...” the elder continued.

  “I will not stand for this!” Mom said, ignoring him.

  “This is not your decision, it is the decision of the Circle and our word is final.” The elder finally gave way to anger.

  “Well, the Circle is making a terrib
le decision. How can you send him away like this? He’s just a boy.”

  “We are not sending him alone. You, Tessa Williams, are also found guilty,” the elder pronounced.

  “Guilty? Guilty of what?”

  “There is only one way a hunter births a child who has no powers. That is if the child has only one gifted parent, and…”

  “How dare you!” Mom interrupted, but the elder raised his hand.

  “You have committed the ultimate crime. You have risked exposing the Circle to the mortals and disrespected your husband in an unbecoming manner. This ruling is the will of the council, and so shall it be. This meeting is adjourned.”

  A film came over my vision and I couldn’t see the expression on my mother’s face. The tap of shoes on the marble floor moved towards me and her small hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me to my feet.

  I shot up in my bed, beads of sweat falling from my face and covering my chest. I couldn’t see anything until my eyes adjusted to the darkness.

  The room was silent, except for my own heavy breathing. My pulse pounded in my throat as if trying to escape while I tried to shake the remnants of the dream from my mind.

  The scenes were the same every time, just flashes of that day. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape it. Going back to sleep wasn’t an option; I knew I would fall back into the nightmare. I peeled the sweat-covered sheets off my body and headed for the shower to try to wash the dream away.

  ~~~~~~

  Chapter 3

  I wiped a streak through the grime on the mirror. Wet blond hair stuck to my forehead and the dark blue eyes that stared back at me were different than those I remembered from my youth. It’d been almost three years since we’d been exiled from the Circle, and I wasn’t sure I recognized the person in the mirror now.

  I shook that thought away and pushed away from the sink. It was five in the morning; going back to bed was pointless, and I was hungry. My mom was already awake. She was a vision of beauty sitting at the kitchen table with a book in her hand. She didn’t have to try to draw people to her, with those warm hazel eyes that could engulf you and somehow assure you that everything would be alright. She was petite with a slender build, but I knew the strength she carried. Her dark brown hair was shoulder length and always falling in her eyes, but there were no hints of gray yet, which was impressive given the stress of the past three years.