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37: The Scarecrow
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Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 38: No One Means More To Me Than Family
ASHTONThe whisper comes again from a different direction and then again and again. It surrounds me and I’m left dizzy and fearful as I try to pinpoint the direction it came from.“Ashes.” It sounds as if it were said just behind my left ear. The heat of his breath tickles the back of my neck, but as I swing around to confront him, no one’s there.The shuffling of leaves gets my attention and relief washes through me when I see a shoed foot step out from the stalks. But as I follow the leg up, everything fades away. It isn’t Carden’s or Brit’s foot.My body threatens to paralyze me and my attempt to flee is mediocre. My legs and arms work against me as I take off in the opposite direction. Getting snagged by broken sticks and gnarled roots, I tumble onto my hands and knees, but that doesn’t stop me. I have to get to Carden, hell, even Brit.Suddenly, I’m that supid, frail girl helplessly stumbling around running from a serial killer. Not getting anywhere, but caught. Unable to see fro
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 39.0: To Keep Her From Him, I'll Let That Secret Slip
CARDENBrit approaches me from down the hall. She wears her Order uniform tight, because she thinks it makes her look good, but it also keeps her from actually doing anything. Brit is an Order soldier just to have people look up to her, envy her. There’s a foulness to her attitude sometimes.“I heard about your little endeavor with Oliver and the nightmare girl yesterday.” Her eyebrow cocks up in speculation. She obviously doesn’t like Ashton.“She’s mine to do with as I please.” I regret my choice of words the second they come out.She struts up to me, hand shoved against my chest as she leans in. “Oh, you just love that don’t you. Innocent, naive, somewhat pretty girl with big doe eyes that look strictly at you.” She tries to replicate Ashton's wide eyes that drive me insane, but Brit’s icy blue stare doesn't come close. “You’re drowning in arrogance.”When I finally slap her hand away, Ashton marches through her door. Her eyes immediately on Brit. The disdain that Brit has for Asht
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 40: You're Quite Adorable When You're Furious
ASHTONCarden stumbles on his feet, blood seeping through his uniform and his words are mumbled to the point of being slurred. “Brit did something to the farmer. We have to find him.” He lurches forward and my hand goes to catch him, my palm instantly turns sticky with blood.“What?” My hand slips against the now slick shirt. Is he that loyal...that stupid? “No. We’ll send someone back. You need...we need to get you back...I can’t...I can’t...I’m not…” Useless words flow from my mouth, but somehow every single one isn’t enough to form a complete sentence.I can’t seem to say it out loud. I can’t help him. I can’t save him. Maybe that’s why there’s no nightmares to connect. He’s dying. I’ve never touched a dying person before. Something doesn’t feel right and I have no idea what it is, but it isn’t good. Maybe the pain he’s filled with overpowers fear.Zayne is going to kill me if I get his prized soldier killed. Carden isn’t the only one to tolerate me, but what will the ones that can
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 41: This Place Harbors Two-Timing, Grudge Holding Morons. And Maybe Even Demons
ASHTONI retreat from the room to circle the halls. Circling and circling, plotting and planning. And like the heavens open...or the gates of Hell, I spot an unguarded door. The large cutout window showcases a bright sunny day just beyond it’s threshold. “Bingo.”Lurking the halls, tip-toeing my way to it, my freedom comes slamming back into my rebellious soul. It tastes sweet. I twist the doorknob only to come to a crashing halt. Locked. The thud my head makes as it falls against the door is similar to the thump of my heart taking a heavy, slow beat. Resounding. “Lost?” I spin around to find Rafe behind me. He’s still in his uniform just like all the other times I’ve seen him. Does everyone here live in these things? “Are you lost,” he mutters. His fingers go to touch his cheek, “you have blood on your face.”I quickly swat at my cheek in the same spot his fingers grazed his own face. I have no idea if I got it off or it’s still there, staining my skin. It doesn’t help that my hands
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 42: Angels, Ashton
ASHTONThe knock thunders through my chest. His voice sounds like it’s right behind my ear. “Ashton, open the door...” A heavy pause, “...after you get dressed, of course. We need to talk. I need to explain.”There it is. Admission. But admission to what? Being a demon? Fluke explanation be damned. I’m cursed and he’s not human. Or is it an admission that his on the verge of death kiss was a mistake? It was a mistake, I repeat to myself. I have to get out of here. In a panic, I throw anything on. I don’t care if it matches or fits, I just need clothes on…now.With a deep breath before opening the door, I gather my wits before facing what’s outside. I can handle this. I’ve faced down many demons. And I can absolutely face the only person who has ever kissed me even with it being a mistake…and the fact that he’s a demon.At first sight, he looks like an average man. But there’s a monster lurking underneath. The pieces don’t fit, but I don’t care. Details don’t have to fit into place, lo
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 43.0: She's An Objective, Carden. Remember That
CARDENGetting to the complex and the moment that Ashton leaves my side is blurry. I remember her telling me she’s never driven a car before, threatening to run some kids over, calling her adorable which she took with a grain of salt, and kissing her. I didn’t know what I was thinking, besides the tug drawing me closer to her. She was there, so close, so flustered and worried and I couldn’t help it.But she recoiled.My inflicted wounds don’t hurt as badly as her shock. Is she appalled? Just taken by surprise? Nothing cuts deeper than her narrowed golden eyes staring at me horrified. From what I’m not sure. My sudden closeness or the fact that she had her hands all over me and no nightmares were present.The doc hops to his feet startled when we barge into his room. There’s no questions, no surprise to see a bleeding soldier being carried in. I’m guided to the couch by the two men that brought me here. With a wave of the doctor’s hand, they leave.“Shirt off.” He demands and I oblige
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 44: Unreliable Traits
ASHTONStepping in front of the old dilapidated manor has my heart racing and the threat of tears stings my eyes. It feels so good to be back even if it is short lived.I walk in as if I still live here. I’m face to face with a few familiar faces, luckily Phoebe isn’t one of them. Dani...or Lux sits at the window seat again, Abigail sits on the couch with an array of silverware laid out in front of her on the coffee table and Samantha, who I haven’t seen leave her room for months, sits in one of the chairs rocking back and forth.They’re eyes follow me as I give them a small, cautious smile before retreating to the steps. Lively bunch. Addison must be in her room, she has to be in her room. I would think that Seraphina would tell me if she’d died. Voices slow my steps. I creep up the hall, eyes locked on my old room. The voices get louder.I reach my room first before Addison’s, but I’m stuck in place, hovering in the open doorway. There’s no time to reminisce about the old squeaky be
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 45: Straightforward And Demanding
ASHTONAt the sound of the door, Carden springs to his feet. His lips are pushed into a tight line. He’s like a parent ready to scold their child for missing curfew. Why is he here? Does he enjoy conflict? Superiority? My regret of coming back here, my disappointment and anger of him being here, in my room, come out as a heavy sigh.It takes a couple of moments before I can find my words. “I’m tired and I just want to go to sleep, okay,” I hiss into the room before heading to the bedroom. “And sending Oliver to follow me was uncalled for.” Even though it’s easier to talk to Oliver than him.“Wanting to go prance around after attacking an upper level demon is what’s uncalled for.” He snaps back. His next words physically trip me, “but you aren’t afraid of him, are you? Tell me, what does Draven want with you?” The sound of his shoes thud against the floor as he approaches me.My chest tightens at the mention of my brother. Just thinking it makes me sick. “No idea,” I lie. A nausea atta
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Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 54: Let's Go Home
ASHTONThe walk out of the demon house is a blur. It isn’t until we’re on the sidewalk that I realize how bad things were. The dark red blood shines like a tragic beacon in the sunlight. Cuts, scrapes, gashes batter Carden’s, Oliver’s, Rafe’s and Theo’s bodies along with those guarding the outside.“Where’s Jen?” I question on a shaky breath. I vaguely remember a scream, a blood curdling scream. “No.” The single word tumbles through my lips.“We didn’t see it coming. It was so dark, it came out of nowhere.” Rafe and Theo are more covered in blood than Carden or Oliver. They took the brunt of the fight and Jen didn’t make it out alive.“Jordan didn’t make either.” One of the outside soldiers adds. The three remaining soldiers are beaten and dirty. Did the earth itself attack them?A flash of number six’s dead body flickers before my eyes. Did the dead attack them?A tear slowly trickles down my cheek for Jordan, for Jen. I didn’t know either of them well, but they didn’t deserve to be
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 53: Can You Do A Better Job At Saving People?
ASHTONTheir words of a chaos filled West River and overrun Parker St. don’t hold up as we arrive there. We park the car on the edge of the cursed street. All is calm. Too calm. Something doesn’t feel right.Carden speaks my fear into the car as if I’m not here. “They know she’s here.” I guess the whole sitting in the front seat argument was pointless. They caught a glimpse of me the moment we crossed the town border. All activity ceased and here we are with no idea where to go. Cautiously, we all exit. The other occupants of the car quickly join us. Oliver sticks so close to my side that I can feel the heat radiate off his body.My eyes land on his chest before raising to his eyes. “Anxious much?” I guess I brought this on myself, but still. “A little space, maybe.”“Very funny.” He replies before placing his arm behind my back to shuffle me forward. He wedges me between him and Carden. Of course. “Where would Draven be?” He quickly asks.“Are you asking me or in general? Because I
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 52: Declaration Of Admiration
ASHTONUgh, my head. My body twitches insteads of moving how I want it to. The sudden jerk of my arms stops me in my tracks. With my eyes still closed, I give a louder groan. I really thought I would feel better in death. I give my body another jerk, another groan.He didn’t. A creak to my left stiffens my joints. I don’t need to open my eyes to know who it is. “You selfish as-” My throat is dry and rough and those few words come out as a squawk. The rest of the sentence falls away.I feel like crap. It feels as if I was hit by a truck. But the throbbing mostly resides in my chest rather than my arms. I’m sore, but it’s not as painful as it should be. The lump in my chest however, weighs heavily on me. It nearly suffocates me.I push through the ache and swing my legs out of bed. Carden is right there, hands ready to catch me, but I swat him away. It isn’t until the blanket falls away that I realize I’m in nothing but my undergarments. “Where are my clothes? Again. Please tell me you
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 51: No One Ever Said Ending Things Would Be Pretty
ASHTONI’m a creature of habit. And I’m always bound to revert back to old habits. Stomping across the room, I drag out my shitty duffle bag and rummage for the demon blade. I knew right away that someone rummaged through my things, but only I know that in one of these corners is a small slit.It takes a minute for me to find it with shaky fingers, but I snag some torn material and I know I finally found it. Not being nice about it and keeping the bag intact, I tear it open. The demon blade is hidden perfectly inside. Thank you Addison. If she wasn’t in the shop with Rossi, I'd have returned this to her.As I mold my fingers around the handle and stare into the slick metal, fear and anticipation etches into my bones. I’ve done this before, so I don’t know why I’m nervous. Maybe I wasn’t as desperate as I am now.I have an unwavering determination unlike all those other times. It doesn’t mean that I didn’t wish for it each and every time, but this time failure is not an option. Time is
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 50.0: Ashton's Dead Friend
CARDENConversation is nonexistent on the way back to the complex. We both know what we’re facing. But he’s not going to win and he’s definitely not getting his hands on her.Zayne’s face lightens up when we barge into his office. “What the hell is going on out there?” Did he hear of the chaos that has been unleashed?“West River is under siege. Seven soldiers are supposedly captive.”His concern is warranted. “Seven soldiers? Captive by who? We’ll send out more to retrieve them.”I’m left to be the one to reply to him, because Oliver stands next to me with his eyes on the ground. “Draven. He’s made his move and a threat is made. It’s us or her.”“What are you saying?” Zayne finally speaks into the room, a repulsed curl to his lips.Oliver finally finds his words, replying as I can’t say it. “They want to trade.” The words being said out into the room have a sharp ache stab through my chest.“That’s a reasonable conclusion.” Zayne admits. His eyes remain on his desk refusing to look a
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 49.0: Church Of Depraved
CARDENOliver still clutches the scrap of cloth. Who the hell was that girl and how did she get her hands on that? She obviously knew Ashton, but am I surprised when we run into people that know her, hate her. Conversation is quiet between the three of us. Oliver and I have plenty of say, but we don’t want to alert Ashton. She, on the other hand, stares out the window tormented by whatever she saw from Father Dominic’s touch or our encounter in the alley. Of course Greyson is back.As soon as we reach the complex Oliver and I set out to speak with Zayne…without her. The moment his office door closes, I intended to speak freely into the room, the words nearly rushing from my mouth, but Zayne puts a halt to them.“What of Father Dominic?” Zayne asks.I’m slightly annoyed at having to talk about the father when there are more pressing matters. I didn’t want to leave Ashton with Greggory, but this is serious. This is war and even though this is exactly what we were waiting for, I don’t w
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 48: I've Heard Deals With The Devil Are Binding
ASHTONWhen we get back to the complex the whispering doesn’t stop. If anything it gets worse. What am I missing? What are they not telling me? They’re so desperate to get to Zayne that they pawn me off to Greggory. I’ve gone how long without seeing his smug face? I’m reminded that it hasn’t been long enough and it never will be. He marches me to my room like the prisoner he believes me to be.Carden and Oliver slip behind Zayne’s door without a word or glance back. I try to tell him that maybe I should be present too. That I have information, but Greggory doesn’t budge. He has the audacity to whip his baton out when I linger too long. He slaps it against his palm in a silent threat for me to start walking or else.I bite my tongue as I proceed down the hall. My mind races with ideas on how to drown him. There are several, but not a single one to put into action before we reach my room. He jabs the nub of the bat into my back, pushing me inside. The snap of the lock is just as absolut
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 47: Father Dominic
ASHTONChurch?My feet follow them out the door while my mouth is cemented shut. What in the world are we going to a church for? Can demons even enter a church? Can I enter a church?I block out most of the ride...all of the ride. I block out getting into the car, driving through town, the conversation between Carden and Oliver, even the biscuit I still hold. I hear my name a couple of times, but it’s not enough to snap me out of my fog.Why am I so nervous? My palms are sweaty. Get ahold of yourself, Ashton.The rush of air as the car door swings open has me involuntarily jumping in my seat. Oliver pops his head into view, “coming?” He chimes.No. But I scoot to the edge of the seat and swing my feet out anyways. The shining sun only blinds me for a moment before the massive building shadows us. Dazed and horrified, I stare at the historical gothic style church with tall bell towers with pointed roofs, balconies made of stone, and creepy gargoyles perched on eaves.I become stuck in
Daughter of Blood and Nightmares 46.0: He Was Everywhere She Was
CARDENMy trust and patience only go so far with her and even less with others. Brit is dead, but Draven is still out there. Pissed and vengeful. Then there’s others that are out looking for her, ready to collect whatever bounty is on her head. Who’s the one that set it?There’s only one other person I trust with her. She doesn’t want to see me right now, but she can’t be left alone. Oliver opens his door on the second knock. “Look at you. I was gonna go look for you if you didn’t show up soon. Doc patched you up, I see.”“You heard.” I groan.He steps aside letting me in, “I think everyone in the building has by now. Brit that two timing bitch. I’m not sure I’m surprised though. She hated you and we already knew she wasn’t Ashton’s biggest fan. Last time you two are allowed to go on any missions without me.”“Speaking of you being Ashton’s second babysitter, I need your help.”“I never said-”“She left.” The words get stuck in my throat. “She’s heading back to Mysteria to speak to Wi
