Blood Born (The Dark Hills Series Book 1) Page 2

  I took in a deep breath and let out a hollow chuckle, forcing myself to seem fine. “Well, it has been months. You could say I’m used to it by now.”

  Caireen giggled, letting a small uncertain smile cross her lips as she came to stand next to me.

  “So what did you need?” I asked her with a shrug, watching her countenance change.

  She twirled her hair around her finger like a tornado, chewing on her lower lip anxiously. I knew what was coming; I knew she had become restless cooped up in this cabin, but my fear of losing her always triumphed. Leaving me to denying every single request she had to go out.

  “I’m going out tonight.” Finally, she chirped out, hiding her mouth behind one hand as if it would soften the blow of her words.

  I crossed my arms tight over my chest, changing my stance to one of more dominance. “No.” I spat at her harshly.

  She usually cowered down and accepted my response, but apparently today, she was in a fighting mood. “I’m going out tonight.” She repeated herself, her eyes narrowing on mine as she mimicked my stance. For a moment, a battle of wills ensued, both of us standing our ground, both of our eyes glowing with challenge and strength.

  I swallowed hard, burning holes into her eyes with my own. “You know damn well that it isn’t safe to leave right now.” I barked at her.

  She held her defiant gaze, unyielding and stubborn.

  “Just because you are sick and are afraid to leave doesn’t mean I have to be. I am an adult now and I will not stay stuck in this damn cabin any longer!” Her words flew from her lips like knives as she took a step closer to me. Trying to show power over me, a power that she would never have.

  I was older, stronger, and I had the mere fact that I raised her to back my dominance over her. And if she thought I would bow down to her, she was sorely mistaken.

  “As long as the Alpha of this territory remains nearby, I do not allow you to leave. THAT. IS. FINAL.” My words came out low and cold, standing tall against her. She took a step forward again, her eyes level with my chin.

  “I am leaving, and if it worries you so much, I’ll wear my contacts and mask my scent, but I will go out tonight. Don’t wait up.”

  I rolled my eyes and shot her a sly grin. “Do as you wish, but when they find you and rip you to pieces, don’t you dare call for me.”

  For another agonizing moment she glared at me, arms crossed. The evil grin on my face ever-present. Finally, she turned on her heels and stormed out, her hair bouncing behind her. With a sigh, I relaxed my shoulders and looked to the floor.

  “She is more powerful than any of those other wolves, she will be fine out there.” The consciousness my wolf controlled, cooed in reassurance.

  I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance. “Physically, but not mentally,” I whispered under my breath.

  Adjusting my shoulders, I looked out the window again. Peering out into the world beyond these cabin walls. “If she is going to go out again, I will need to stock up.” I thought to myself. I grabbed my worn leather jacket from my bed and shrugged it over my shoulders before exiting the room.

  As I walked past the bathroom door on my way out, I hear Caireen singing pleasantly. Her gentle voice so pure and sweet. I placed my hand to the door, sighing in regret. I never want her to hate me, especially not for protecting her. She may be my responsibility, but she is also my little sister, my family.

  I knocked my knuckles on the wood of the door softly, “Hey, are you decent?” I asked from beyond the door. The singing stopped, and it met me with silence for a moment.

  “Yeah, come on in.”

  With that, I slowly opened the door, revealing the sight of my sister, who admittedly wasn’t as little as she used to be. A short blue dress hugged her body as she leaned towards the mirror, running a flat iron through her thick black hair slowly. I rubbed my neck and smiled at her sheepishly.

  “Look, Reena, I’m sorry.” I finally said, trying to make my voice sound softer, less intimidating. “You know I just don’t want to lose you.”

  Caireen set down the flatiron on the counter and turned to me. She crossed her arms playfully and let out a chuckle. “I wasn’t mad at you, Aine. You are only doing what a big sister is supposed to.”

  A genuine smile cracked across my face, and I let out a laugh. “Be careful. Ok?”

  Caireen giggled and lifted a finger before turning back to the mirror, grabbing a small box from the counter. Quickly she ripped it open and popped a pair of contacts into her eyes, then looked back to me.

  “Do I look normal enough now?” sass dripped from her voice as she held her hands to her hips.

  Her eyes now a faint hazel color, with the smallest red ring around them. She looked normal. Somehow though, seeing her eyes concealed by the hazel color was disheartening. The red of our eyes made us who we were, and I always felt that hiding it was disrespectful to the ones who created us. That was why I never did.

  I cleared my throat and smiled at her. “You look wonderful, Reena. I’ll be back though, enjoy your night.”

  She tapped her chin inquisitively. “Where are you going?” She asked, still tapping her chin slowly.

  I let out a chuckle. “Well, if you will be going out again, I will need to replenish our stocks,” I said pointing to her playfully. “Be careful tonight,” I said with a wave as I exited the room, closing the door behind me.

  I made my way to the front door, snagging my keys off the hook in a hurry.

  Stepping out onto the front porch, I took a moment to bask in the open air. Crisp and fresh. I choked back another burning sensation that hit my throat and pulled a pack of cigarettes from my pocket. Raising the pack to my mouth, I pulled a cigarette from it with my lips. I tucked the pack back into my pocket and reached for my lighter. With a metallic ting, I flicked it open and lit the cigarette that carelessly hung from my lips, the filter now covered with a deep red color from the lipstick I was wearing.

  With a slow drag, I let the smoke fill my lungs, hoping it could kill the aching that built in my chest. It didn’t, but it was worth a shot. With long strides I walked over to the dark grey Charger parked there in front of the cabin, smiling to myself. I sure missed going out and driving her.

  I climbed in, turning the key in the ignition. The radio clicked on at full volume, my car quivering from the sound waves. My ears felt as though they were bleeding. Quickly I adjusted the sound and pulled out onto the dirt path away from home, kicking leaves and rocks behind my tires. It wasn’t a far drive to where I was going, but even that small gaunt was enough for me to get some enjoyment out of the speed. Something that I always enjoyed, probably more than I should have.

  After maybe five minutes of driving, I pulled up onto a field where a house sat all alone. A small stone structure, covered in ivy, tucked back closer to the edge of the trees. “Why couldn’t she get a place in town? Fewer people would be wary of her and what she does if she did.” I muttered to myself as I climbed out of the car, throwing the door closed behind me. I stuck to the overgrown flagstone path to her door, where I let myself in as if I owned the place.

  Closing the door behind me, I heard Aster’s sweet as a honey voice call out. “Aine! Is that you?”

  “It’s me,” I called back to her with a chuckle. Finding the fact that she always could sense that it was me before she ever saw my face endearing.

  In a flurry of green and purple fabric, she dashed from the other room, her long dark braids bouncing wildly around her. She wrapped her arms around me tight, making me lose my balance. I teetered a little before wrapping my arms around her.

  “It’s so good to see you!” She cried out as she backed away. A beautiful smile crossing her slightly aged ebony face. Her plum colored lips parted, showing off a set of perfectly white teeth. “So what brings you here to see me?” Aster asked with a playfully sarcastic tone.

  “Do I need a reason to come visit my friendly local Alchemist?” I replied with a giggle.

  She loo
ked at me skeptically, then smiled. “No, but there is usually a reason, is there not?”

  I shrugged playfully. “I need more cloaking oil, do you have some?”

  Aster took a minute to ponder, rubbing her chin with one hand and fidgeting with the fabric of her skirt with the other. “No. But I can make some. However, you will have to help me.”

  I nodded eagerly. “I can do that.”

  She beamed at me again. “Since you are so tall, well, taller than me at least, I need you to go grab the jar of powdered Anise from the herb room. Can you do that?”

  “Sure thing,” I said with a shrug.

  I crossed through the house swiftly until I hit the back room. A room much like a greenhouse, with many windows and a glass ceiling. The entire room, packed top to bottom with antique wooden cabinetry and every single plant you could imagine. I looked around slowly, taking in the beautiful colors of the plants and the various smells that they produced. I envied Aster. Her way with the plants, and her ability to make them grow anywhere, and the talent to use them for everything was incredible. I had spent many hours here trying to learn from her, but what she did required a patient and gentle nature that I did not possess. Still, I enjoyed watching her work her magic.

  “All right, if I were a jar of Anise, where would I be?” I pondered.

  I approached the large cabinets on the wall and opened them. Thousands of glass jars, both amber and clear, lined the shelves, all labeled and organized perfectly. I raised my hand, using my finger as a guide as I read each label quickly. “There you are,” I muttered to myself as I rose onto my toes, plucking the jar from the shelf.

  With the jar in hand, I entered the kitchen again where Aster was already busying herself. With a mortar and pestle, she ground many ingredients together.

  “You found it?” She asked, keeping her eyes on the concoction that she was brewing. I nodded and placed the jar next to her.

  I cleared my throat and started coughing, the burning, suffocating feeling coming back. I huffed into my hands, feeling like a dragon without its fire. I clutched my throat desperately, and the burning feeling spread further, causing my heart to beat erratically. “Shit.” I spat out angrily.

  “I take it you are still feeling that pain.”

  I rolled my eyes and choked back the blood that threatened to spill again.

  “I know you don’t want to hear it Aine, but I think you need to follow that pain, that may be the only way to stop it.” She said doubtfully.

  Rolling my eyes again, I turned to her, wiping the bit of red liquid spilled from my mouth.

  “It will not convince me that such torture could be from a stupid fucking soul bond. What? Is some euphoria supposed to come from this pain, I think not.” I scoffed at her. “This is just some stress-related bullshit from being cooped up at home, that’s all.”

  I swallowed hard again and Aster rolled her eyes at me with a knowing smile. She poured the liquid that she had finished making into a few vials, labeled them and handed them to me gently.

  “Remember Aine, everything will be harder for you. You were born of power and exceptional strength, but things of the magical or spiritual aspect will always affect you differently. If I am right, your mate may very well be suffering alongside you. Try to follow the pain, I’m sure you won’t regret it if you finally found them.”

  I smiled softly. “Thank you, Aster.”

  She shot me a sweet wink as I turned from her, making my way to the door.

  The sky was already getting dark as I got back into my car. I wondered if Caireen was ok. Knowing her; she had probably taken her fake ID with her and was at a bar making a fool of herself. I mean, why wouldn’t she? She had no responsibilities or cares, she’s young and vibrant. Unlike me.

  At her age, I was struggling to raise her, fighting to keep us alive on our own. I never had the chance to go out and live until I was older. When she had grown some. I pulled up to the cabin with a screech, the golden leaves on the ground wafting around. Stepping out, I looked around.

  “How could she hate it here so much?” I shook my head in response to my wolf’s question.

  Then it struck me. A sharp pain shooting through my body. Feeling as though I was hit by lightning. I fell to my knees, unable to withstand the pain. My body heaved and jerked as I struggled against the pain growing in my chest. Violently I vomited blood into my hands, spraying it all over myself and the ground. It was uncontrollable. I clutched my throat tight, hoping I could squeeze the pain away. My claws extending, tearing into my flesh. I cried out! Throwing my head back as waves of fire scorched me from the inside.

  It was getting worse. Rapidly worse. Much more powerful than it had been before. “FUCKING STOP!” I growled into the sky, desperately ripping at my throat and arms, fighting back the agonizing pressure that was filling me. Like a ton of bricks, crushing me slowly like a witch on trial.

  “Aine! Can you hear me!” Caireen’s voice trembled in fear through the back of my mind,

  I struggled to get to my feet, my legs wobbly.

  “Aine! I’m heading into the forest, they are following me! PLEASE AINE!”

  Her desperation made me sick. I had to get to her! But I couldn’t move.

  “AINE! PLEASE!”

  A burst of protective rage finally hit me, overpowering whatever was causing the pain, forcing me to my feet. I felt her presence around me, and I knew she couldn’t be far away. I took off running in her direction, straining against the feeling of crushing bones and ripping skin. Fighting back the urge to change. Depending on what was threatening her, showing my authentic form could be the nail in both of our coffins.

  I felt her presence getting stronger around me, and the smell hit me. Other wolves. Many of them. All of them being male. I let a ragged breath escape my nose as I clenched my jaw. I saw them. A group of men standing amongst the trees, menacingly gathered before my sister who stood paralyzed, still calling out to me through our link.

  I watched as one of them stepped to her. A very tall man with long strides. My only guess. He was their alpha. I quietly inched closer, concealing myself behind a tree. Feeling blessed that my naturally inky colors kept me hidden in the dim surroundings. They created me to hide, to be silent as the grave and unseen, unless by choice.

  I got close enough to hear them talk, and another wave of pain struck me, leaving me breathless. Even more debilitating as before. I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to remain silent in my agony. A sickening smell of tobacco, leather and fresh rain filled my nose, leaving me dizzy, I narrowed my eyes, fighting to keep a close look on Caireen as they blurred.

  “A blood born.”

  A rough voice boomed out, bouncing off my ears with such volume I couldn’t explain. I darted my gaze around me, but there was no one close enough to have sounded that clear. I looked back to the man in front of my sister, blood pouring from my lips like a rabid dog. It was him.

  It was his voice. I choked on the liquid, desperately wiping it from my face. My mind grew foggy, angry.

  “A what?” I heard my sister’s terrified voice squeak out. She didn’t know what he meant. I never told her, I never explained what we were, all I had ever told her was we differed from the others, that we had a secret that was most dear and had to be protected.

  “Search for others.” The commanding, rough voice called out again.

  The other men scattered in various directions, some of them shifting in a strange, painful-looking way. The man took yet another step closer to Caireen, growling in her direction. The sound of it shook my core, sending my mind into blindness that I couldn’t control. Quickly I fought it back, forcing my body to move. I darted from tree to tree, making my position behind the man that slowly inched closer to Caireen. Avoiding the sight of the others who were searching the area.

  “You! Fucking blood born.” He growled to her hauntingly, before clutching at his chest. Wounded somehow.

  “A blood what? I don’t know what you are talking about.”
She stuttered.

  In a swift motion, his fist was around her throat and I watched her claw at his hand. I wiped my face again and let out a blood-curdling howl into the sky, translating into a wretched scream coming from my human form as I lunged into view behind him.

  “A blood born.” I snarled. Approaching them slowly, every bone in my body feeling like it was simultaneously being broken. All of my senses feeling as though they were being assaulted by the rancid smell that resonated off the man. He released his grip on my sister, and she ran around us to position herself behind me.

  “Run!” I barked at her.

  She nodded and took off into the trees, heading straight for home. The man clenched his fists and jaw, turning to face me. Staring at me with murderous eyes.

  Ice blue and soulless looking.

  Three

  Dominic

  Dominic ~

  *Earlier that day*

  * * *

  “It’s just fucking stress alright?” I growled out to Ethan from underneath the large SUV.

  He stood there above me, laughing sarcastically. The sound booming throughout the empty garage. Bouncing off the walls with a boisterous echo. His taunting laughter was finally cut off by the sound of heels striking the concrete floor. I cringed as I heard them. Allea approached her mate, placing a small kiss on his shoulder.

  “There you are!” She exclaimed in a sickeningly loving tone.

  Ethan wrapped one arm around her, pulling her in to kiss her forehead gently before she turned to face the vehicle I was working on. A gesture, nauseating to watch. Such love and closeness.

  “And how are you today, Alpha? Still struggling with that mate bond?” She asked with a laugh, knowing it would get a rise out of me. My condition, as of late, quickly became a running joke. Well, my apparent inability to admit what it was at least.