All Chapters of Daughter of Blood and Nightmares: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

ASHTONI march up the stairs. Several other girls whisper as I pass them, but I ignore their school girl gossip. Do they realize I’m putting my life in danger, yet again, for them? Ungrateful bitches. Gina on the other hand looks ashamed while Addison follows me to my room hellbent on finding out what’s happening, but I slam the door in her face with mutters of ‘I have to change’ on my lips.In a rush, I shimmy out of my pajamas and slip on the nicest dress I own. I came here with a small duffle bag and I’m leaving with the same bag. Not a single item more but several less.I open the door to have a rush of cold air blow past me, Addison waiting. Apparently, Seraphina told her to give me space. In my head, I thank the dead girl.“What’s happening?” She notices my change of clothes, my packed bag. “Where are you going? How long will you be gone?”I shrug my shoulders with no answer to her question. “No idea, but it’ll be fine.” I stand in front of her, silent for a few seconds letting

CARDENIt’s been three days since finding her and Zayne’s been unavailable. Business to attend to. Privileged and much more important than anything Order related. But is it more important than the nightmare girl?When he’s finally ready to speak he calls for Oliver and I. My mission is his mission and I’m fine sharing the responsibility of the nightmare girl with him. He’s more laid back and playful in stressful times. The opposite to my hard strung, strictness. Rules are meant to be followed. To Oliver, rules are meant to be broken.“She didn’t seem that harmful. If anything, she seemed terrified.” Oliver nudges me with his elbow as we make our way to Zayne’s office, “and your charm didn’t work as well as we thought.” His cocky smile breaks into laughter.I roll my eyes in frustration. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe charming the monster isn’t the way to go. Maybe a more aggressive approach, a way she has to be familiar with, is the way to go. All I know is that once Zayne gives the okay the

The door slowly creaks open to reveal a lone man sitting at a table, an empty chair across for him. I’m positive that’s meant for me.“What is this about?” My lips have a hard time forming the words that race through my head. An interrogation? Another show?By the twitch in Carden’s feet, he knows that I’m more than willing to wait them out or attack. You put a cat in a corner and the claws are bound to come out. We stare off against each other, but all I achieve is giving myself a panic attack from all the crazy ideas on what the hell these idiots are going to do to me. Are they going to haze me like I’m in some stupid fraternity? Are my chances of surviving significantly reduced if I don’t cooperate?“Sit.” Zayne requests.“No.” I snap back. I’m not sure if I can speak to him like I talk to Winston, but I do. I square off against him, daring him to do something.“First lesson on being an Order soldier. Listen to commands. Now sit.” His voice is stern and unlike Winston he seems like

CARDENIt’s initiation day. A huge milestone for every wanna be Order soldier. Except she isn’t a wanna be Order soldier. She’s a teenage girl that hates being here, hates being told what to do and probably hates doing the right thing.“Do you think this is the best route? Marking her...permanently? What if-”Zayne interrupts my doubt, “there is no other choice. She will appease The Order.” She is an obstacle to him, a pit stop before the finish line. Without her there is no finish. Without her we may lose. “Go retrieve her.” He orders.Oliver bumps into me on my way to her room. He knows. “Good luck. She’s gonna be pissed.” He slaps my back before dashing away. He’s more than pleased to be playing the good guy. The guy that doesn’t sneak up on her. The guy that doesn’t give her orders.I linger outside her door. Debating about knocking, not knocking. I’ve grown to enjoy the shock and anger on her face when I barge into her room as if it were my own. Except I don’t see her horrified f

ASHTONThere’s a twinge of loathing as I look upon the mansion-like house. Clearly this man isn’t a sore loser and he’s not paying because he doesn’t have it. He’s not paying because he doesn’t want to.Carden hops out first and opens my door, he lingers next to it waiting for me to exit. I don’t budge. He wastes no time with making demands, showing me who’s in charge. “Let's go.” It isn’t me.My feet drag as the three of us walk up to the front door. Oliver is the one who knocks once we reach the door. Each crack vibrates through my body. Carden steps closer to me sensing my twitchy behavior. Does he think I’m going to run? It’s not that I don’t want to, but I won’t make it far.It takes several long moments before this so-called criminal answers the door. I’m just about ready to suggest that they may not be home when the door creaks open. Idiot.There’s a tangible change in Carden as his stare shifts from me to the stranger. His voice is monotone and emotionless as he becomes a sold