“But we’re all here, eating and talking like nothing is going on. Like we’re all on vacation.” Okay, so apparently even though I failed to keep my voice light, Sara isn’t ready to back down. “Who is monitoring them?”
“Listen, Penelope Cruz,” Jenna starts, obviously as pissed as I am by Sara’s back-and-forth of trusting me. “All of this stuff is portable.” She points to the gadget in her ear, then at her phone. “We can eat and pay attention at the same time. Ana knows what she’s doing. And just for the record, so do we. So stop your whining and eat your damned pancakes.”
I am smart enough to bite back the laugh that is threatening to escape. The look on Sara’s face tells me it will not be appreciated. But I still can’t help but find Jenna’s defense of me funny. Not to mention her constant need to call people something other than their name.
“At least you chose someone from the correct country,” Sara spat. To my amazement, she then smirks. “And, she’s hot, so I’ll take the compliment.”
This time I did laugh. The indignant look Jenna gives Sara was too comical not to.
“Alright, ladies, and I use that term loosely,” Amanda says, looking pointedly at Jenna. “Let’s just finish eating and planning. Your bickering is hurting my head.”
“Who died and made you leader?” Jenna teases.
“Well,” Amanda smiles. “We don’t really know if Ana is technically alive…”
“Hey!” I feign pain, holding my hand over my ‘bleeding’ heart. “Alive or not, I still feel pain,” I pout.
“Aww, poor little vampire,” Amanda coos. “It’s okay. We still love you.”
Sam’s shoulders shake with uncontrollable, yet silent laughter.
Keep it up, pal. Centuries of living have given me many, many ideas for torture.
Sam’s laughter turns into a mischievous grin. Oh dear.
“There’s chatter.”
Eric’s words have me tearing my eyes away from Sam, and shaking off the feelings I seem to continuously have when thinking of Sam. Eric holds a finger to his ear. He has the same gadget that Jenna has, and has apparently been keeping tabs quietly as everyone else ate and bickered.
I take out my own earphone and place it in my ear. “Did they say a name?”
Eric shakes his head negatively, then after looking around to see if we were alone, he plugs his earpiece into a small speaker for everyone to hear. He keeps the volume low, so the others lean in to listen to the soft voices.
“It’s Abby. We have a pupil who may have information for the Priestess.”
There’s a silence, and I imagine she’s listening to whomever she’s talking to.
“I understand that, but… she is Malcolm’s sister. She’s heard plans… I don’t know… but… yes, Madame. I understand the rules. No, Madame, we have not spoken to anyone else. No, she wasn’t followed. Yes, of course. We will be waiting.”
There is a distinct click, and soft footsteps before we hear anything else.
“We will be escorted to the Priestess in an hour. You better have something good, Tania. The Priestess does not meet anyone unless it is important. If you have nothing to give her, she will deem you and us as unworthy. Do you understand?”
“She would throw us out? But we are Rulers!” Tania protests.
“No, she will not throw us out. If you prove unworthy, she has no use for us. She will kill us.”
“Damn. I bet you’re liking Ana as a leader right about now, huh, Sara?”
Sara’s face pales, which isn’t easy to do with her dark complexion. Her eyes drift to mine, and I see the fear. I’m betting all of my Hunters are feeling particularly scared at the moment. We’ve just found out that the Priestess is ruthless. I’m so not proud of my namesake. We are protectors, not murderers. Little Anala is about to get an earful from the true Anala.
It’s difficult not to stand out when, as a group, we are dressed in all black in the middle of the day. A sunny (yes, another sunny day in England), warm July day. My Hunters are extremely grateful for the fact that July in England is a lot milder than July in California. At least dying of heat exhaustion wouldn’t be something we’d have to worry about today. Getting anywhere without drawing unwanted attention, now that may be a problem.
I can’t wear my cloak. If I thought my tight body suit would be conspicuous, imagine what the cloak would do. Particularly in this area. The area of the Cloaked Priestess.
“Alright, I don’t know how possible this is, but let’s not attract attention. We get to the cars, and get to Abby’s. They’re obviously not taking the cars we put tracking devices on, which makes things difficult for us.” Of course. “Sam will be driving the Jeep. We’ll keep the teams the same as last night. Whomever is driving the Audi, stay behind Sam and follow his lead.”
“I’ll be driving,” Jeremy announces, garnering looks that could kill from Amanda and Jenna. Jeremy is the quintessential alpha male. Or at least he was before he met me. I imagine his upbringing, being a quarterback and extreme machismo has worked well for him. I don’t recall him ever having issues getting any girl he wanted. When I recruited him for the Society, I was afraid I would have problems with getting him to follow my lead. I was afraid he would be… well, like Malcolm, really. Maybe my knowledge and abilities changed his mind. Or maybe having the other girls in the Society holding their own did. Whatever it was, I’m grateful. Though he does have his moments when the alpha male comes out. Leave it to Jenna and Amanda to bring him back down a notch if need be.
“Fine,” I agree before any arguments could start. We don’t have time for that. “Just be sure to stay far enough away from us as you can. We each have trackers, so we’ll always be connected. Everyone is on the same channel on the walkies?”
They all check their equipment, and nod.
“Good. Stay in constant contact. Especially if we get separated at some point. I don’t know what we’re up against so we need to be as cautious as possible.”
“Are you still… in tune with us?” Amanda asks me, speaking of how drinking drops of their blood joins us… um, mentally. I am able to speak to my Hunters through my thoughts if I am desperate enough to project them clearly. They can’t answer in return, but as long as I can direct them to safety as best I can, it’s enough.
“Yes. If we get through to the Priestess, do not speak directly with her. Let me deal with it.”
“I think that’s the way it has to be anyway,” Emily responds. “From what we can gather between the journals, Tania and even from what we heard this morning, she will only speak with those whom she deems worthy. You are our Leader. To her, you are the only she would consider worthy.”
“They’re on the move. Black S Class Mercedes.” Sam rattles off the license plate number to those in the SUV behind us. “Three occupants other than our targets. Driver and bodyguard in front, both male. Female passenger in back.”
I grin at the authority in Sam’s voice. I’ve never been known to go for men who test my own control and authority. Perhaps that’s why I’d never fallen in love before Sam. I feel a gentle squeeze of my hand, and I give Sam a little wink.
“Roger,” Jeremy answers. “We have you in our sight. Jenna is looking over the map to see if there are any streets that run parallel. If we can follow that way for a distance, hopefully they won’t be suspicious.”
“Good plan,” I tell Jeremy, pride filling my chest. I chose well when I chose my Hunters. I could have looked deeper, further for other Hunters to train. Older Hunters. But I decided to take a chance on those I knew, or semi-knew, as the case was with Jenna, Jeremy and the twins. I’m so glad I did.
My village is not exactly huge, but the mountains and valleys left countless places to hide. I try to put myself in the ‘new’ Anala’s place. Where would I go if I wanted to hide from the world, yet still have the air of complete and total dominance over all.
“A mountain?” Sam asks softly.
“How terroristic,” I reply snidely. I can’t imagine d
oing that myself, but I can’t see any fault in Sam’s theory. It sounds like something a ‘Priestess’ would do. I pull out one of the journals I had stolen from Malcolm, and flip through the pages, reading quickly. The thing I find clear in each of the journals I read that were allegedly written by all of the ‘Anala’s’, as well as Emma, is their self-importance. Arrogance runs deep in these descendants. I’m almost offended. Almost. Truthfully, if it weren’t for my own arrogance, I wouldn’t be here.
“Or with me,” Sam reminds me gently. “Perhaps this was your destiny and not arrogance.”
“Do you believe that? That we were destined to meet?”
“Don’t you?” Sam returns, knowing the answer. “Your ‘arrogance’, as you call it, was not that you could rule all, but these women? This arrogance that they portray is that they are better than all.”
“I thought that as well,” I tell him with guilt.
“I don’t believe that. You only thought you were good, perhaps even the best Hunter. But even you knew you had more to learn from your parents. More to learn about being a Leader. I fear this Priestess believes she knows all there is to know, and anything that goes against her is punishable by death.”
“I think you’re right,” Emily chimes in from the backseat.
The twins are so incredibly quiet that I sometimes forget they are there. Of course, I can sense them. Their scent is all around, but when I’m focused on Sam it seems other things tend to fall to the background. I should really work on that.
“From what we’ve read,” Emily continues when we all wait for her to elaborate, “there have been many deaths ordered by the Priestess because they’ve chosen not to follow her ways. It started with Emma. Those who did not agree with her vision of the how things should progress, didn’t make it far enough to warn others.”
“I can’t believe that’s what Emma turned out to be. She was so sweet when I knew her.”
“Perhaps losing you and her brother is what changed her,” Eric suggests.
I could see how that could happen when she lost Thomas. They were close. But me? How could I have not known that Emma looked up to me? So much so that she is keeping me ‘alive’ by giving my name to her own daughter, to be passed on for centuries.
“That would mean she lost her humanity as a human,” I say quietly, almost to myself. “I lost my parents. The only ones that I had in my whole world, and I was Cursed. Yet, I held on to my humanity. How is it so easy for some to lose their compassion?”
No one says anything. I doubt they know what to say. We remain quiet as we follow the black sedan through the rolling hills I knew so well. When they turn onto a narrow dirt road, we pass by at our normal speed as to not draw attention.
“They turned onto a dirt road on the left,” I tell Amanda and the others. They’re far enough behind us that the twins can’t see them, and they can’t see us, but Sam and I know exactly where they are. “It’s the only turn off on this road. Wait for a couple of minutes, then turn down it. Sam is going to drive a little further up and then turn around. Do not approach anyone until I get there.”
“Got it,” Amanda answers.
“If you see anyone…”
“Stop and hide,” Jenna finishes. “I think we…”
“Wait!” I shout. “Don’t go down the road at all!” Sam gives me a look, as do the twins. I can hear the others begin to protest, but I stop them. “Something doesn’t feel right to me, guys. Pass the road, meet us.”
“But, Ana…”
“Amanda, do as Anala says. Please,” Sam pleads as he keys his mic on to enter the conversation. “You know her instincts are always spot on. If she is worried, I’m worried.”
A part of me is irritated that Amanda agrees with Sam, but the less arrogant part - the part I’m working on - is grateful to have help.
“Stop right up here,” I direct Sam.
“What are you feeling?” he asks as he complies.
“I don’t know yet. I just… having them go down that road without me or you just felt like certain death.”
“Jesus,” Sam mutters.
I don’t know if I’m feeling this way because we were just talking about how ruthless the Priestess is, or if these feelings are pure instinct. Either way, I’m not about to put it to the test.
We’re leaning against the car as the others drive up and pull over. I can feel a presence around us, but keep my thoughts to myself for the time being while I think of how to deal with the situation. I don’t think Sam detects others around us, and I wonder why that is. But before I get a chance to ponder that further, Amanda and the others are walking up to us full of questions.
“What’s going on?”
I frown. Not at Amanda, but at the presence. It’s getting closer, and it’s not alone.
“Ana?”
I don’t mean to ignore Amanda, or anyone else that’s trying to get my attention, but…
I walk to the edge of the road, looking out into the surrounding trees and meadow.
“I know you’re there,” I speak to the emptiness before me. I don’t raise my voice for I know our company can hear me just fine. “Show yourself.”
“Who are you?”
The voice is male. Rough enough for me to know - even without their scent - that I’m dealing with Cursed Ones. I quickly glance at my Hunters, noting their confusion. All except Sam. The voice is not perceptible to any who are not Cursed.
Do not speak my true name. We do not know who these Cursed Ones are or if they are working for the Priestess. Stay alert.
I see Sam give a slight nod, and turn to the others who huddle together as he whispers to them.
“Come out,” I say aloud.
“You are Cursed. Are you one of Anala’s?”
The question almost makes me laugh as much as it makes me cringe.
“No.”
“Then why are you here?” The voice asks, and even with the roughness I hear the curiosity.
“If you want to speak with me, show yourself,” I demand.
I hear a discernible pause, then rustling of leaves before he steps out of the trees. My first thought is how impeccably dressed he is. It strikes me as extremely odd in this setting, and I can’t help but wonder why he’s hiding in the woods dressed in a three piece suit.
“I am here. Now it is your turn,” he rasps.
“All of you,” I answer.
He stares at me for a moment before raising his hand. With a flick of his wrist, the others he is with show themselves. I do a quick head count and compare it to the different scents I can detect. Shaking my head, I raise my eyebrow and cross my arms, waiting.
“You are an Elder,” he whispers, his eyes wide with surprise. “Come out.”
Finally, all of his group stands before us. They keep their distance, warily watching my Hunters. Could they really be that frightened of us? Just what in the hell does this Priestess do?
“We have done as you asked,” he announces, breaking me out of my inner thoughts. “Now it is your turn.”
“What did you mean by Elder?” I ask, ignoring his request. Of course, being called an elder is not something I particularly enjoy, but his astonishment at finding that I am one has me curious.
“You are not new. Like him,” he responds, gesturing to Sam with an irritated flick of his wrist. His obvious indifference towards Sam automatically makes me bristle.
“Careful,” I warn. “How old are you?”
He hesitates. I wonder if it was because of the clear warning my voice held, or because he’s contemplating what to tell me.
“I have been this way for four-hundred and fifty years. I am the eldest. The rest of my group ranges from one to three centuries. We are all that’s left of the Elders.”
“You are it?” I’m surprised. I don’t know why because in actuality I thought I was the last to survive. But after finding out what is going on over here, I didn’t anticipate this.
“Yes. Anala has eradicated the rest of the Elders
in hopes of building an army of Cursed Ones she can control. She has turned Hybrids and Full Bloods against their Makers. She promises protection from the Hunters if they follow her.”
How in the hell can she turn the Cursed against their Makers? My bond with Sam is so strong that I couldn’t imagine him turning against me. Of course, I know our situation is different, but even the thought of him…
Never going to happen.
Sam’s words in my head are like balm to my soul. And, now I feel like a mush ball. My lips quirk when Sam laughs softly, but immediately become serious again as I regard the group in front of me.
“You obviously know this is where she resides. Surely she has her… ‘army’ here. Why would you come here?”
He hesitates and frowns again. It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to answer me, but feels he must.
“We do not want to live like this anymore. We have tried to fit in with humans, we try to imitate them as you obviously have,” he explains and I instinctively know he means trying to lose the roughness of their voices. Perhaps even trying to find their humanity. “And not… hunt them. We have found humans that are sensitive to our situation.”
My eyes narrow. “Sensitive to your situation?”
“They feed us when needed,” he states firmly, almost challenging me to criticize him. I can’t really. Although I don’t feed from my Hunters, they do supply me with drops of their blood. And I did feed from Sam even before I changed him.
“That doesn’t answer as to why you’re here now,” I say, deliberately skirting over the human feeder issue.
“We are trying to find a way to rid ourselves of this problem.”
“You want to kill the Priestess?”
His lips thin and eyes narrow as he studies me and my Hunters. “You have yet to disclose who you are. I have been more than accommodating in answering your questions. I would be appreciative if you would return the favor.” He sounds like a lawyer. I wonder briefly if that is the profession he has chosen in his life.
Destined to Meet: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 3) Page 9