Bloodlines

by Powell, Jaime W.

  “You’re alone,” my father says as we all find our way to Bill in the center of the graveyard. The eeriness of this place with the morning fog can’t be understated.

  “As promised,” Bill says, sitting back down on the bench as we crowd around him. He swallows hard as the three brothers file in front of him.

  “We asked you here because we need a favor,” my father continues.

  “I kind of figured that part out on my own,” he mutters, pushing his glasses further up his narrow nose. His eyes are small and beady through the lenses, and his hair looks as if he’s been pulling at it…much like my father’s.

  “My wife—” my father begins.

  “I heard,” Bill says with a hint of sadness. “I wanted to come to the funeral, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be welcome.”

  “It’s okay, Bill. My wife’s passing was tragic, but I asked you up here because I want to protect my daughter — the only family I have left. And you’re the only person who can help me do that.”

  Bill adjusts his glasses once more. “Who does she need protecting from? Not us.”

  “There’s more than the Huntsmen to fear now,” my father explains. “A demon, another Incubus, is threatening her life, as well as everyone else’s.”

  “And if he succeeds in killing us, you all will be his next targets, I assure you,” Silas explains. “So we have a common enemy.”

  Bill stirs in his seat a bit at the thought. “Well, I…what is this demon’s name?”

  “Damius,” I say.

  Bill starts immediately flipping through a book he brought. “I don’t remember hearing of a Damius,” he says, strumming through the pages.

  “No, you wouldn’t have. He is extremely sneaky…even by demon standards,” Silas says.

  “Well, what do you want from me then?” Bill asks, closing his book once more and glancing from one person to the next with curiosity.

  “We need to find other half-breeds to aid us,” my father explains.

  Bill’s head tilts to the side in question before realization crosses his face. “I can’t help you find half-breeds. Do you know what the Huntsmen would do to me?”

  “Bill—” Molly begins, but my father interrupts her.

  “No, he’s right. He has no way of knowing,” Dad says. “Bill, there’s no way I can convince you. There’s nothing I can say. But are you willing to chance my daughter’s life on your fear?

  “Are you willing to sit back and watch my whole family be killed because you’re afraid? You have a chance to save lives here. All I’m asking for is some help. I want any leads you can find for half-breeds near us. They don’t have to be Incubi. That’s not important. And I’ll want you with me. We need to search them out, and I need someone to have my back.”

  Bill laughs a nervous laugh. “I’m just a record keeper,” he says.

  “No, you’re not. That’s where Abraham stuck you because he didn’t have faith in you. But I do. I have faith that you’re the Huntsman you were born to be, and you’ll come with me and help me find these beings so we can save everyone. You’ll do this for me.”

  Bills eyes, which looked so small before, are now wide and seem to twinkle at my father’s words. My heartbeat begins to race as I can see the finish line in the distance. We’re getting somewhere with him. I can feel it.

  Silas takes my hand in his and squeezes it slightly.

  “Yes. Yes, I am. And yes, I will,” Bill finally says, standing up and comically puffing out his scrawny chest. Everyone who had been holding their breaths now breathe a sigh of relief. Except me. I know this is the easy part. The hard part is yet to come.

  Twenty-Two

  A Loss of Innocence

  Once we’re home and my father leaves, I ask Molly to give me and the brothers some privacy. This Simone thing has been eating away at me ever since I was told about it. For the life of me I can’t hold my tongue any longer. I only pray that Kutz was being friendly and it was misconstrued.

  “Are you finally going to tell us what’s going on with you this morning?” Silas asks as Molly steps outside the back door to smoke.

  “You have been acting different this morning,” Zeke agrees. “Even I noticed it.”

  I rub my face nervously. Now that we are alone, it has sunk in that this is none of my business. Or is it? He may be, after all, putting my best friend in danger.

  “Kutz, I have to ask you,” I begin, “are you leading Simone on in any way? I talked to her this morning, and she says you spend most your days flirting. Is there something going on we should all know about?”

  “You have got be kidding me,” Zeke moans out as he turns to Kutz.

  Kutz peeks at his brothers with obvious shame in his eyes. I can see how Simone would be attracted to someone like Kutz. He’s everything she wishes she was: funny, outgoing, loud. And judging by our conversation this morning, he’s helped her come out of her shell a bit.

  “Kutz?” Silas asks.

  “I’ve grown fond of her,” Kutz admits.

  I sigh loudly, exhaling the breath I had been holding. “Kutz, I have no room to question you with things as they are between Silas and me, but I will anyway. Do you know what you’re opening up? She’s not your kind, not to mention she isn’t a Huntsman. Simone probably doesn’t even believe in demons.

  “You’re putting her at great risk. This isn’t about just us anymore. You’re endangering humans that have nothing to do with any of this.”

  “I think everyone is overreacting. Silas didn’t know you were a Huntsman when he started up with you, nor did you for that matter. But I supported you both,” Kutz says.

  “Do you care for her?” Silas asks. “I’m not asking if you’re fond of her. I want to know how you truly feel. I never hid my feelings for Emma from you two, and we deserve to know.”

  Kutz nods as he folds his hands in front of him. Zeke leans his head back to stare at the ceiling in frustration, while Silas pats Kutz on the shoulder.

  “Let’s sit down,” Silas says. “Looks like we have some things to discuss.”

  We sit in a circle in the living room — me and Silas on the couch, while Zeke and Kutz claim two chairs around us, Zeke mumbling uncontrollably under his breath. I can’t make out everything, but I hear “ridiculous” and “the death of us all.” It’s easy to guess what he’s saying.

  Zeke slouches way down in his chair as if defeated, Kutz sits straight and tall as if he has something to prove, and Silas gives me a quick look that I can’t read before we continue.

  “Zeke, we all know you’re dying to get your opinion heard. You always have one. Let’s hear it,” Silas urges.

  “You want my opinion? Well, I’ll give it to you all. I tolerated Silas’s feelings for Emma because he didn’t act on them until after we saved her, after she knew we were different. So, no, Kutz, this isn’t like Silas and Emma at all. The circumstances are different.

  “Emma was dying and we all made the decision to save her together, as brothers. This is different. You have led some teenage girl on to believe you’re the boy next door when in fact, we are the things of nightmares for her kind. That’s my opinion.”

  I wince at his words. I can’t help agreeing, though. The circumstances were in fact different. It was a life or death situation. Still, I can’t help feeling sorry for Kutz.

  I glance to Silas and see his head fall slightly at the comparison. We all knew what his opinion was, but I don’t think Silas put his situation in a different category. It probably never even occurred to him that their circumstances were different. It hadn’t occurred to me either.

  “Now, go on, Silas, and be the voice of reason for us all, as you always are,” Zeke says mockingly.

  Silas lifts his head at his brother’s words. “I think I will,” he says. “Let me start off by saying although we might have fallen in love in different ways, for different reasons, I don’t put my relationship into a nice, tidy box with a bow as Zeke just did.

  “My girlfriend is a
Huntsman. She comes of age soon and may try to kill us all.” He stifles a laugh as I cut my eyes at him. “Look, here’s the thing. We made a calculated decision to live as human among humans. You can’t do that without developing relationships of some sort. And we can’t live as mortals without developing mortal feelings such as love.”

  Silas stares at me now, taking my hand in his and kissing it. “Before Emma came along,” he continues, “I didn’t know that I could feel some of the things I do. I didn’t know that one day I would risk my own existence to save her. That I would care for her more than I do for myself.

  “But here I sit with her hand in mine, and despite the fear, and the loathing of her father, and the human versus demon aspect, I am the happiest I’ve ever been. And I wouldn’t deny that feeling to either one of my brothers.”

  Kutz grins back at Silas, and for a moment I agree with him. That is, until I remember this must end with either all or nothing. Then it sinks in again just how dangerous this is for all of us. The brothers revealing who they are, and the Huntsmen being revealed as well.

  “I’m in agreement with Silas,” I say. “You can’t help who you love. You’re not supposed to. Life is messy for everyone. But guys, in this situation we have to be all in or fold.

  “Kutz, if you insist on being with Simone, she has to eventually find out what you are and that means exposing both our worlds to her. This is something that needs to be addressed. The sooner the better so we can protect her if things get rough. Before Damius learns you have a love interest and attacks my friend.”

  As if no one thought that far ahead, they all lean up in their seats and peer at one another for a few moments in silence. I peer at them as well. This would be a fine time for Kutz to say he changes his mind and doesn’t want to be with Simone. But I know that would be too easy. We all have a habit of making things harder on ourselves.

  “Can she be trusted?” Zeke finally asks as he stares me down. How does he expect me to know? How do you know if your friend is okay with dating a half-breed? I mean, seriously?

  “This will either go one of three ways: either she won’t believe us, she will believe us and be terrified, or she will believe us and think it’s cool for whatever reason. Simone is somewhat näive. One of the few teenagers in this town that I can say is innocent to her core.”

  “What do you want to do, Kutz?” Silas asks.

  Kutz takes a deep breath as my eyes burn holes in him. “I want her in my life. So, she deserves to know.”

  “And you, Emma?” Silas asks. “This means exposing you, too. Do you want to do this?” I can’t help but meet Kutz eyes. They aren’t pleading, they aren’t mad, they are blank, as if he is purposely trying not to sway me either way.

  I look to Silas. “Kutz would do it for me. I’ll do it for him.”

  “It’s settled,” Zeke says. “When should we tell her?”

  “Like I said, the sooner the better,” I instruct.

  * * *

  “I’m so glad you’re all here!” Simone exclaims as the four of us file into her small apartment. Despite the fact it’s not in the best part of town, nor in the best condition, she has managed to fix it up nicely.

  This is all so surprising to me. First her parents didn’t want her to work, and now she has a job and her own place despite having one year left of school. I suppose some eighteen-year-olds can’t wait to leave home. Silas, Zeke, and I all pile onto the small plush couch and stare at the olive walls filled with pictures of inspirational quotes. Half are from the Bible. Perfect.

  I can’t help but stir a bit in my seat as Silas, Kutz, and Simone engage in small talk. I glance at Zeke and he returns it. It appears we are the only ones who are uncomfortable. Never thought I’d have something in common with him, but it’s obvious by our silence we are both concerned.

  “There’s a reason we asked to speak with you so late,” Silas says. “Kutz.” Silas gives him a nod to continue.

  “Oh.. Am I being fired?” she asks, clutching her chest rather dramatically. I roll my eyes so far back I almost see my brain. If only that were the real reason we were all here.

  “No, babe. You’re not fired,” Kutz says with a soft voice. “It’s something much more important. It’s about us.”

  “Well, what about us?”

  It’s at this moment I wonder if we should have given them more privacy for the first part of this conversation. Instead I glance away in a sad attempt to shield them from my stare.

  “I care for you and I think you care for me,” he says.

  “I do,” she agrees, scooting closer to him from the edge of her seat. I glance back at Kutz and he meets my eyes. I offer a nod to continue.

  “There’s something you should know about me. My brothers and I.”

  Simone’s brows pull together in concern. “Okay?”

  “Have you ever heard of an Incubus?” he asks as he winces at the name himself. I remember this same conversation all too well. They had it with me not long ago.

  Simone’s head snaps back a bit. “You mean the demon? Don’t they bed sleeping women or something?” Kutz’s head falls and he finally loses the battle. He can’t bring himself to say anymore. He peeks at Silas — the voice of reason — to help him. I nudge him with my elbow to speak.

  “Simone,” Silas says, “the three of us are sons of Incubus. We’re called campions, living here posing as humans. We aren’t a danger to you or anyone else, I assure you. In fact, we saved Emma’s life the day of the shooting.”

  At first, Simone’s eyes grow wide as Silas speaks, but they settle quickly. I’m not sure she is truly understanding the gravity of the situation, or if she’s like me and just loves Kutz so much that it doesn’t matter to her.

  “We decided it was only fair to tell you about all of this if you plan on spending more time with Kutz. It could put you in danger. A lot is going on right now and we had no other option than to inform you.”

  “What’s he talking about, Kutz?” she asks him with reserved eyes.

  Kutz meets her gaze. “It’s true, Simone. Every word.”

  We spend the remainder of the night explaining everything to Simone. Well, about the brothers. I didn’t want to overload her with information about myself, too. I’ll let her sleep on this tonight and if she’s still a part of this group by morning, I’ll trust her enough to tell her my secret as well.

  Twenty-Three

  Limits to Love

  Simone giggles. “Well, I can’t lie, I thought you all were crazy. Then, when I realized it was true, I was scared out of my mind. And after you all left, I cried myself to sleep. But no matter what, I care for Kutz, and the other guys, too, honestly.

  “They’ve all helped me so much at the restaurant. And knowing you are in the same dilemma gives me hope. You didn’t run scared obviously. So I won’t either.”

  There’s that näivety again. It seems despite our best efforts she remains the same little red-headed, innocent girl she started out as. I suppose it’s time to tell her that she and I are not in the same predicament at all.

  “Simone, I need to talk to you. This may come as a shock to you, but I, too, am not who I seem to be, or at least not who I was.

  Her brows pull together. “What do you mean? You’re not one too, are you?”

  I stifle a laugh at her face which is now twisted into slight fear. “No, I’m not a Cambion.”

  “Good. That would have been too much,” she says brushing crumbs off her jeans. She’s been nibbling the same cookie for the last ten minutes. I chalk it up to be nervousness.

  “Simone, listen.” I take an uneasy breath as she turns to meet my eyes. “There was more than just your and Kutz’s love as the reason for our visit last night. There’s more you should know. And honestly, I don’t begin to know how to tell you it all without scaring you.”

  “I’m going to be crying again tonight, aren’t I?” she asks, dropping her arms, and the cookie in her lap as we sit on the couch. Molly and Silas have given
us our privacy for this moment, and I haven’t a clue where to start.

  “I hope not, Simone. I wish I could promise you that everything would be okay, but I can’t,” I admit.

  “Just tell me,” she says.

  “Okay. What you don’t know is there are real-life demon hunters afoot in our own backyard of Jefferson. And I suspect almost any city you were to travel to.”

  “Demon hunters? Like priests or something?” she asks, her eyes now piercing my own.

  “No. Not like priests. People like me. Just like me, in fact. The society members call themselves God’s Huntsmen. They only take in blood relatives as members because when a member turns eighteen he or she will inherit the ability to see and extinguish demons. It’s in their bloodlines.”

  “You’re one of these people?” she asks, her eyes the size of saucers, the cookie now dropped to the floor. “And do the brothers know?”

  I nod. “They know.”

  “You turn eighteen soon, though. Don’t you?”

  “Yes, soon. But I’m not going to hurt anyone who isn’t a threat to us. The brothers are safe…I think. The thing is, I won’t have much control over myself the day I come of age. But I’m going to fight it best I can.”

  “Wow, Emma. What kind of world are we living in? There are demons. Do you think that means there are angels?”

  I smile, but it fades quickly. I haven’t seen Micah in weeks. I regret telling him I never wanted to see him again. I wish I could see him now. “Yes, there are angels. In fact, I met one, when I was dying. Before the brothers saved me.”

  Her face lights up in excitement. “That’s insane! I can’t believe—”

  “Simone. Please. There’s more,” I say with a grimace. Her expression falls and she awaits my new information. “Silas’s father has been lurking around.”

  “The Incubus?”

  “Yes. He attacked my mother one night before she died and also myself. We’re afraid if you spend too much time here or with the brothers you might become vulnerable to an attack yourself. Whatever you do, always keep your windows and doors locked.”