All Chapters of Daughter of Blood and Nightmares: Chapter 21 - Chapter 29

ASHTONCarden and Oliver block me in between them. Always present, always aware. But they’re not the only ones. These streets demand your full attention.The last time I walked these sidewalks, I was scoping out potential clients. People desperate enough to summon a demon, stupid enough more like it. West River was never the wealthiest and not all crime here is supernaturally induced. Some of these people are just cruel.I’ve had my run ins and I would prefer not to have more. My mother had me set up these people for failure and then she conned them out of nearly everything they had. Am I the reason there are so many demons here? Or was my mother drawn here because it was already infested?Carden guides us down the streets and I trust his judgment as best I can, but when we reach the seven hundred block of Parker St. the line is drawn. My feet come to a halt. Are they trying to kill me the first time out? Oliver notices my indiscretion first. “Tired already?” He asks.“I’m not going

CARDENAt Zayne’s request, I bring her to the seven hundred block of Parker St. Her old stomping ground. This was the block that gave us our first lead. The basement that was full of dead bodies is only four houses down. Three blocks over is where the lady was distraught over her dead husband.When she comes to a halt, refusing to step onto this block in particular, I too come to a stop. Oliver plays the good guy, joking with her, taking her feelings into consideration. Maybe because he’s still crushing on her friend? Or Oliver has always been more approachable.I’m seconds away from ignoring Zayne’s demand of bringing her here when a shrill scream fills the streets. There’s no thought for either Oliver or myself as we take off in the direction of trouble. It’s what we do, what we’re here for. Almost instantly people flock to the corner, but no one steps onto the cursed block. All eager to see the horrors of Parker St. What mayhem is brewing next? But not a single one brave enough to

ASHTONIt doesn’t take long for the two of them to catch up to me. I hear them behind me talking to someone. Each other? Zayne? I can’t quite seem to get my brain to work, my feet to walk in a straight line.“Here.” Carden approaches my side and throws something at me that I barely manage to catch. “You’re leaving a trail of blood.”I bite my tongue, but it’s useless. The words flow freely from my mouth. “Thanks for noticing Captain Obvious. Yet no one seems to be running to my rescue.” My words are a bit spiteful, but I can’t help it.He stumbles over words that never exit his mouth. Ignoring his narrowed gaze, I knot the fabric he tossed in my face around my thigh. It quickly soaks up the blood. This may be a stitches kinda moment.We’re all a mess and no doubt hurting by the time we reach the car...or at least I am. That’s more action I’ve had in years and I would prefer not to have such an eventful day ever again.“Did I tell you I told you so?” I mutter as I slide into the backse

ASHTONHours go by, days, I can’t be sure how long I was out, but what I do know is that I’m feeling much better...like I knew I would. That cocky attitude quickly dissolves when I catch bright white gauze wrapping my arm again. So...I had a little help, but I’m not bound to say thank you to anyone.I’m torn between being thankful and disappointed in not seeing the doctor again. There’s so many questions to ask that he’ll refuse to answer. As I swing my legs out of bed, a sharp sting shoots through my injured limb. The twist of my abdomen has my ribs searing. It doesn’t take much to know that I probably have bruises all over me. I might have the opportunity to see the doctor again.It takes a great amount of effort, more effort than I’m willing to give to stand up on my own two feet and slip something on. After several agonizing minutes, fully clothed, I flop down on the bed exhausted and ready to sleep another day away.Perfect timing isn’t something I believe in. The door creaking o

ASHTONI bolt from the room. Carden’s giving me permission and unlike other times, I hang on his words. You don’t need to tell me twice.I barge through the door of the mausoleum to come to an abrupt stop. My feet kick up loose stones as I skid to a halt. Three humans...I think they’re humans, stalk up the stairs.I backtrack and re-enter the building with small shuffling backward steps. “We have a problem.” I whisper as I bump against the tomb once again. I crawl up on top of it just as the three strangers come inside. The crypt seems to get ten times smaller from so many bodies in it.“I think this is the most visitors the old man ever got.” One of them hisses, a girl in all black. From head to toe. From her hair to her fishnets. Black. I get it. Point proven. You’re gothic and like the company of demons.“This one’s cuter than the last.” A boy in dark skinny jeans and a band tee says, leering at me. Band t-shirt. Really? It’s like the universe is mocking me. “Can I keep this one fo