To Cure A Vampire (To Cure Series Book 1)

by Jade Farhill

  “I couldn’t run here—every unit between us and Scotty would be destroyed otherwise.”

  “Oh, I’m aware.”

  She picked him up and jumped back to their original location. She didn’t jump as high this time because she didn’t need a bird’s eye view of the situation. But the little hunter still gripped her shoulders tightly, and swore again as they started descending. When he was back on the ground, he exclaimed, “I feel like kissing the earth, I’m so happy to be standing on it.”

  Abby hid a smile.

  The little hunter was still covered in blood. It wouldn’t be long before they’d need to defend themselves again—even Abby was salivating over him. Her body was raging for her to take some of the blood that was still wet on his too-large shirt.

  There wouldn’t be any harm in it, it wasn’t like she’d be biting hi—

  Abby forced herself away from him. Yes, he’d offered his blood to her on a few occasions, but he’d still been near death only days ago.

  Thankfully, a distraction was incoming—vampires headed their way.

  When the fight was over, the little hunter’s breathing was laboured. He was wearing out—he needed more blood. So did Abby. Could she grab a bite from one of the former vampires as they ran past?

  No. She couldn’t.

  “You’ll need some blood,” the little hunter told her. “I know you won’t take mine, so maybe you should ask your brother-in-law.”

  Abby gritted her teeth. “If I leave you, Little Hunter, you’ll die.”

  “Then take me with you.”

  “Do you need more blood? Because now—before I drink—is the best time to take some.”

  “The others are probably tiring too. They’ve been fighting for a long time.”

  Abby nodded and grabbed him by the waist. He put his arms around her shoulders and shut his eyes. She jumped into the air and landed near Scotty. Moving fast, she stole a blade from the little hunter and opened another excruciating wound. She put it to Scotty’s mouth before he could protest and compelled him to swallow.

  After a few mouthfuls, Scotty broke away, gasping and glaring at Abby. “You didn’t have to compel me.”

  “It’s not like we have a whole lot of time for me to explain.” She offered the little hunter her arm, eyebrows raised.

  He took in a deep breath, then drank her blood. “Besides,” she told Scotty over her shoulder, “I still need to see Paddy and then hope Arthur will be generous enough to give me some of his blood.”

  “He will be,” Scotty muttered darkly. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone that willing to be food.”

  The little hunter had taken his fill. He now stood to his full height, a glimmer of strength in his eyes that made Abby want to step away from him. “Let’s hope,” he said, “that he’s willing. Otherwise she’ll have to feed on me.”

  Abby scoffed. “It’s never going to happen, Little Hunter.”

  He grinned. “Good to hear. Shall we get to Paddy?”

  She picked him up and jumped away, landing near the third hunter.

  As Paddy drank, Abby struggled to stay in control. Hunger was roaring through her. The air was full of human scent.

  And two humans were standing oh so close to her. She could grab them both and feed on them before either of them mov—

  Paddy pulled back from her, gasping and sated. “Thanks,” he muttered.

  She could feel the little hunter’s eyes on her. “Should I stay here?” he asked.

  She rubbed her forehead. “No, it’s fine.”

  He pulled out the colourful scarf—which was now stained with blood—and tied it around his waist. “Better?”

  She huffed a laugh. “Do you carry that everywhere?”

  “I listen when you speak, Vampire.”

  Abby wasn’t sure what to say to that, so she jumped them both to the cave. The little hunter went to get Arthur, who came outside and offered Abby his arm.

  She took off her gas mask and took a careful bite. His blood was so rich, she could only have three mouthfuls.

  “That’s it?” asked Arthur, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t be shy.”

  Abby shook her head. “I told you, I can’t have much. It’ll make me sick.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Thank you, Arthur. It means a lot to me.”

  Abby jumped her way back into the fray and they fought through the night, but it was a losing battle. The vampires kept coming and setting off every one of the aerial dispersal units—nothing was stopping them from getting to the new humans now.

  Without warning him, Abby grabbed the little hunter mid-fight and leapt him to the cave entrance.

  “What?” he asked when they were on the ground. “Do you need more blood?”

  Abby shook her head and pointed to the horde of vampires leaping into the sky and rushing towards them. “This is our last stand, Little Hunter.”

  He peered, wide-eyed, into the darkness. “Paddy, Scotty,” he whispered.

  “If she leaves to get them then everyone inside is dead,” Arthur said, appearing at the cave entrance. “Besides, hunters have an annoying knack for staying alive—they’ll be fine.”

  The little hunter didn’t have time to argue this point. The trees shook from the oncoming horde of vampires.

  “Get ready!” the little hunter shouted into the cave. “The vampires have breached our defences!”

  “Do you have a spare dagger, Hunter?” Arthur asked.

  The little hunter unsheathed a blade and handed it over.

  “Go in the cave,” Abby ordered the little hunter. “Stop them from progressing.”

  He nodded, gave Arthur his second dagger and went into the tunnel, where he pulled out his chain and started whipping it around his head.

  “We’re bottlenecking them?” Arthur asked her.

  Abby shrugged. “Have any better ideas?”

  But Arthur was already fighting, his daggers flashing in the moonlight as he attacked the incoming vampires head on.

  Abby felt conflicted about killing vampires. Then one bit viciously into Arthur’s neck.

  That decided her. She ripped the vampire off him and threw the offending creature into those running up the ramp.

  Then she leapt on them. The vampires converged on her, but she held her own, having the advantage and strength of blood rage.

  When they’d dealt with the first wave of attackers, the little hunter emerged from the cave, covered in sweat and green dust.

  “Some got past us?” Abby asked in horror.

  He nodded. “But the dispersal units stopped them where I couldn’t.”

  “How many do we have left?”

  He grimaced. “None.”

  “Okay—well there’s another wave approaching,” Abby said, pointing towards the forest.

  “Sounds about right,” the little hunter said.

  “I’d rather die by the lower ranked vampires than by the queen’s hands,” Arthur added.

  Chills went down Abby’s spine and she shared an alarmed look with the little hunter.

  “They’re coming,” Arthur said. “Get into position.”

  “Do you need me out here?” the little hunter asked.

  Abby took in the narrow ramp leading to the cave. There was barely enough room for her and Arthur. “No, stay inside.”

  A screech sounded in the night.

  An eerie silence fell over the area.

  Vampires stopped their attack, eyes travelling to the forest.

  No one moved—not even Abby.

  Something was happening out there, something that had every vampire’s attention—even Arthur’s.

  And if Abby didn’t know better, she’d swear they were all showing fear.

  The vampires retreated.

  “Arthur,” she whispered, “do you know what’s happening?”

  Arthur wiped his hands on his pants. “She’s here—the queen.”

  Abby straightened. In the distance, flocks of birds took flight, a
nd animals small and large escaped the edges of the forest.

  A cold feeling of dread crept into Abby’s stomach. Paddy and Scotty were still out there! “I have to get the others,” she whispered.

  Arthur grabbed her arm; his grip would have bruised her if she’d been human. “Don’t. Leave them—they’re already dead.”

  But Abby could hear their slow heart beats.

  “Don’t sacrifice yourself for them, Abster.”

  The little hunter appeared at the mouth of the cave.

  “I can’t just leave them. They’re my responsi—”

  Arthur bent down and grabbed some mud, then smeared it across her face and hair.

  Before she could even respond, he said, “She won’t recognise you now.”

  Abby inclined her head—he was thinking of Sharon’s safety. Good.

  She jumped away from him.

  Inside the forest, Scotty was frozen to the spot, terrified gaze aimed at a thicket of trees.

  Abby was about to move towards him when she felt it too.

  Predator.

  Power radiated from the trees to their left. If Abby took a single step, she knew she’d be attracting the creature’s attention.

  But Scotty’s heartbeat would be attractive regardless. If they stayed here, they may live a few minutes longer. But if she got him out, the predator would chase them.

  Either way, they were doomed.

  Abby closed her eyes for a moment. How did she want to die? Beside a terrified hunter or beside her brother-in-law?

  She knew the answer.

  Abby snapped her eyes open, rushed to the human and flung him over her shoulder.

  A snarl came from the bushes behind them.

  The predator leapt out of the shadows.

  “Go!” screamed Scotty, and Abby jumped into the air, aiming for Paddy.

  The hunter gripped her shirt in his fists. “She’s right behind us!”

  And Abby could feel it. The power. The evil.

  They fell to the earth.

  Paddy was staring up at them with his jaw hanging open. “The queen,” he whispered, and reached for his dagger.

  Abby grabbed him by the waist at lightning speed and sprang towards the cave, where Arthur and the little hunter stared, ashen-faced, at what was behind her.

  Abby pushed all four humans into the cave, grabbed a silver dagger off one of them and turned to face the queen.

  CHAPTER 30

  The queen landed on Abby and they both flew into the cliff wall. Rocks crunched around them and tumbled to the ground.

  Abby aimed her dagger at the queen’s chest and thrust as hard as she could.

  The queen hissed and turned the dagger back on Abby. The blade slowly inched towards Abby’s chest.

  Abby kicked at her, but the queen just laughed.

  And that laugh took Abby back to that night on the beach. And how Abby knew then, as she knew now, that the crazy lady—the queen—would kill her.

  “Pathetic attempt,” the queen said silkily, her blue eyes sparkling with wicked delight, her red hair bound in a tight bun.

  Then she lashed out at Abby’s gas mask with her teeth.

  Abby pulled her face away to protect her mask. It and the mud were the only things stopping the queen from recognising her.

  But she shouldn’t have worried about being recognised—the silver blade pierced Abby’s skin.

  Abby screamed—acid corroded away at her skin, feeling like fire.

  The little hunter rushed out of the cave and whacked his chain whip across the queen’s back. She roared and dropped her hold on the dagger, turning to face him.

  Abby ripped the blade from her skin and tried to stab the queen again.

  But the queen had pushed the little hunter to the ground and was drinking his blood.

  Abby rushed at them and tackled the queen away from him. He stayed on the ramp as Abby and the queen went over the edge.

  They landed, and the queen was up almost instantly. She snatched the dagger from Abby’s hand and slashed Abby across the chest.

  Pain seared over her torso.

  The queen laughed. “I’m going to enjoy this,” she said.

  She raised the dagger up to the sky and then plunged it deep into Abby’s left leg, pinning her to the spot.

  Abby had never known such agony, like molten lava tearing through her flesh.

  The queen stepped back. “Stay there, kitten,” she said, then turned and bent to jump back up to the cave.

  She’s going to kill Arthur and the others! Adrenaline rushed through Abby, forcing the pain into the background. She grabbed a rock from the ground and pegged it at the queen. Her aim was true—the rock smashed into the queen’s head.

  The older vampire turned and released a guttural roar at Abby.

  Cold sweat trickled down Abby’s back and she felt around for something—anything!—else to throw.

  But there was nothing around her.

  The queen sauntered over. “Don’t worry, kitten, you’ll have all my attention soon.”

  But as she turned to jump once more, the sky began to lighten. The queen hissed, covering her face. “This will have to wait,” she said, and vanished into the trees.

  Abby breathed a choked sigh. Now that the humans were no longer in immediate danger, the searing agony of her injuries came rushing back, paralysing her.

  “Abby?” came Arthur’s shout above her.

  She drew in a trembling breath. “Here!” Her voice cracked.

  “I hear her!” the little hunter said. “She’s down there.”

  “Lead the way,” Arthur replied.

  As she waited, she felt the wounds on her chest slowly knitting together—but the dagger in her leg was a different story.

  As soon as Arthur saw her, he ripped off her gas mask and fed her his blood while Scotty pulled the dagger out of her leg.

  She groaned, but Arthur’s blood helped. As her leg began to heal, Abby sat up.

  “Seriously?” Arthur asked. “Only four sips? You had silver in your leg. You must need more than that!”

  “Stop encouraging her to feed off you,” Scotty said.

  “Don’t tell me how to live my life!” Arthur replied dramatically.

  Abby stood up gingerly. Arthur took her right arm, the little hunter her left; Paddy was at her back and the little hunter held her shoulders.

  The four humans pulsated with life. Life that might not have been there had Abby not distracted the queen. “Is everyone okay?” she whispered.

  “Yeah,” Arthur said gently. “We’re fine.”

  Abby took in a long, shuddering breath. “Good.”

  “I’ve never been so happy to see the sun,” Arthur muttered.

  “I love the sun,” Scotty said, smiling wistfully. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Thank you, sun! We’re alive because of you!”

  Paddy chuckled and hugged Scotty. The little hunter joined in on the hug and they all jumped up and down together, celebrating being alive.

  Abby beamed and called up to the sky, “We survived!”

  Whoops of joy and cheers came from the cave above them.

  Arthur wrapped his arm around her shoulders and messed up her hair. “We did it!”

  The little hunter ran up to her, a grin on his face, arms wide.

  Abby stepped forward to meet him.

  Then it hit her—it looked like he was about to hug her and she was about to return the hug. Was her joy in surviving making her forget the situation?

  The little hunter stopped awkwardly and shifted on his feet. “Um, high five of victory?”

  She snorted and obliged him.

  Suddenly, it became extremely awkward as Paddy and Scotty scrutinised the interaction, then looked at Arthur, as if wondering how he’d react if they offered him a ‘high five of victory’ too.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Arthur said sternly.

  Paddy and Scotty averted their eyes, then gave Abby the same specul
ative look.

  But Abby had had enough of this awkwardness. High-fiving one hunter was her limit.

  ***

  “How’s your arm?” the little hunter asked later that morning, after she’d returned from hunting for food.

  Abby had forgotten about her wounds, which had now fully healed.

  “Oh, it seems fine.”

  Arthur frowned. “Your arm?” he asked, looking pointedly at the little hunter.

  “The little hunter lost a lot of blood last night, and the others started tiring. I needed them alive, so I gave them the only thing I could.”

  “Um … thanks for that, by the way,” Scotty said.

  “Yeah, thanks,” added Paddy. “And for coming to get us when the queen showed up.”

  “Yeah, that too,” Scotty said quickly. “Thanks. I really should have started off with that.”

  “We wouldn’t have survived without you,” the little hunter said. “Thanks.”

  “Right back at you,” Abby replied awkwardly. “Team effort. If you hadn’t been here to fight the last two nights, none of us would be here.”

  The hunters exchanged a look.

  “It’s usually a team effort,” Paddy said, and the others agreed.

  “Hold on,” Arthur said, “let’s go back to you giving them your blood. How? And did any of them hurt you?” There was an edge to his voice.

  “No, I did it to myself. There wasn’t another option.”

  “You intentionally cut yourself with a silver blade?” Arthur sounded incredulous.

  “We all used silver last night for our own purposes.” She tried not to sound too defensive. “Besides, what other choice did I have? I couldn’t exactly wait for a vampire to open a wound, and I sure as hell wasn’t about to take off my gas mask.”

  “Cut by your own hand, then by the queen” Arthur shook his head. “My poor little sister-in-law.”

  Abby decided to change the subject. “How’s your arm? I didn’t bite too deeply, did I?”

  Arthur grinned and showed her his four puncture wounds. “It’s fine. You missed the artery. Although, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d gone for it, especially after being stabbed with silver.”

  “Don’t encourage her,” groaned Scotty.

  Arthur sent Abby a mischievous smile and Abby shook her head.