All Chapters of Daughter of Blood and Nightmares: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

ASHTONThe peeling pepto bismol pink paint that reveals a hideous wallpaper underneath and the disheveled furniture can’t mask the desperation within the crumbling walls of Mysteria Manor. Even the high vaulted ceilings of the Victorian mansion can’t close its eyes to the death that lurks inside. In fact, it showcases our torment. Today it's a small, dainty body that sways from one of its supporting beams.This place should be swarming with cops, hell a priest to put shame on us, but why should the town of Fallen Oaks care about an operating safe house full of neglected and forgotten teenage girls when those who should’ve loved us unconditionally don’t.Curiosity urges my feet to shuffle forward along with the others, gathering, gawking at the scene either in pity or intrigue. Virgil, the grounds keeper, crawls along the framework to reach the dead girl. He isn’t the spryest of the bunch that’s for sure. His old wrinkled body seems more fragile than fit as he wipes his brow already sw

ASHTONThe storm howls through the evening and gets stronger the later it gets. Scraping branches against the window, pelting rain ticks against the glass. I’m surprised that Winston isn’t stepping in. The last time Sadie got worked up she flooded the town in a freak hurricane like storm. We’re in the midwest...there are no hurricanes here.The hushed lull would soothe me to sleep, but the familiar sound of a clicking lock wakes me right up. My vision decides to take several seconds to adjust to the pitch black room. Several seconds for me to rely on only my ears. I can’t quite see the door opening, but the room fills with an audible creak. Images of ghosts flash through my mind. Addison’s nightmare quickly becomes reality.My name is said in a hushed whisper, “Ashton?” The floorboards give a creak as the unnamed intruder steps forward. “Ashton? Are you sleeping?”As my fear dies down when the voice becomes familiar. “Addison?”A chilly breeze passes by me and seconds later my curtain

CARDENBeing summoned to Zayne’s office is a mixture of many things. Anticipation is the most prominent… or at least it was. Lately it’s been predictable and boring. I’m expecting a weekly update or news on an attack, but with only myself, Oliver and Greggory present, I know exactly what the subject is about.Why are we here again? Why is he here again? The girl, now just over nineteen slipped from our grasp, my grasp years ago. I never gave up, but no matter how long or how hard I tried to track her down, it was like trying to catch a ghost.Their disappearance hasn’t made a dent in the demon activity. Now it’s just stupid people doing evil things without having to be cohorced by a woman and her daughter.Today though, Greggory oversteps his boundaries once again. I don’t why, but it bothers me. It shouldn’t, she’s a monster, but it feels as if she's my responsibility. Maybe I’ve been reading Reedus’s journals too much. Greggory’s words echo throughout the room, cutting my thoughts

ASHTONShops and boutiques line the streets, people crowd the paths with several bags hanging off their arms, flaunting their money in each other's faces. All holding the impression of safety and security. Good for them.A few give us sideways glances which has words rumble off in my head. ‘Don’t mind us, just some orphaned girls making a trip to the market.’“Come on, let’s get this over with.” Addison says as she grabs Gina by the arm nearly dragging her down the sidewalk.I hear Gina’s intake of breath as we enter the square, which is pretty much a field jam packed with vendor tables and food trucks. It attacks all your senses at once. So many colors, so many different things at so many tables. The chatting of dozens upon dozens of people creates an annoying hum that makes it hard for my brain to concentrate. The aroma from several different food trucks disgustingly blending together causes my stomach to toss.And touch...let’s hope that sense is left out. Indefinitely.“Let’s get

CARDENMy door swings open bright and early, Oliver comes strutting in. “Today’s the day.” He waits out my silence as long as he can tolerate it. “Greggory will be there, no doubt terrifying the girl if he gets close enough. So get dressed, we have a girl to find.”It took several weeks for us to figure out where this Mysteria manor was located. It was surveillance from a city bus that caught a glimpse of a few girls that seemed out of place. Young and alone. Old lady baskets and hand me down clothes. None of them looked like her, but Oliver got his hands on previous videos and sure enough, a glimpse of her was caught. A girl that looks very similar to the photos we have of her.That was months ago. And we’ll stalk that bus stop until she shows her face again. If only the angle of the camera gave us a hint at what direction they came from we wouldn’t have to chase after her.It doesn’t take long to get ready. Unlike Oliver, I dress to blend in. She’s hid from demons and us for years.