Bound by Blood by R.L. Perez

Author:R.L. Perez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: R.L. Perez

CHAPTER 20

“Desi, we just want you to be prepared.”

I stared wide-eyed at my parents’ grim expressions. Even my Dad’s usually warm, humorous eyes were taut. Afraid.

I clutched my teddy bear closer to my chest. Kismet ruffled her wings, bowing her feathery head.

“Prepared for what?” I asked in a hushed voice.

“This demon we’ve been hunting.” Mom glanced briefly at Dad. “He’s planning something terrible. And if he succeeds, our lives will change forever. If he succeeds, things will get bad. Really bad. We need you to promise that if that happens, you’ll listen to us. No matter what. If we tell you to run, hide, or flee, you have to do it. Even if we tell you to flee with Kismet and leave us behind, you do it. Do you understand?”

My heart throbbed with fear, and my eyes burned at the thought of running from my parents. Weren’t they supposed to keep me safe? Without them, what would I do? How would I protect myself? Kismet was only a human for one hour every day. I couldn’t depend on her.

“Desi, it’s important that you understand this,” Dad said, leaning closer to me and tucking a stray curl behind my ear. “We don’t know if this will happen. We hate to frighten you, but we want you to be ready.”

I swallowed, my lower lip trembling. “This demon—can you stop him?”

Mom and Dad shared another glance. Even Kismet grew still as if waiting for their response.

“We hope so,” Mom said at last. “He’s strong, but we’ve faced demons like him before.”

I took Mom’s hand. “I believe in you. I know you can do this.”

Mom’s eyes warmed, shining with tears. “Thank you, sweetie.”

“We feel stronger knowing you believe in us.” Dad gathered both of us into his chest, pressing us together in a warm embrace.

Smoke tickled my nose. My head throbbed. I was so tired. So foggy. I didn’t want to open my eyes.

More smoke poured into my face, choking me and suffocating me. Coughing, I shifted, but an explosion of pain darkened my vision. I lifted my hand to my head, and it came back moist with blood.

I couldn’t see anything. The air around me was filled with . . . snow?

Snow in September?

I coughed again, tasting charcoal on my tongue.

Not snow. Ash.

Puffs of ash surrounded me like a dust storm. The air was so thick I could barely see my hand in front of my face. I spread my hands around me, trying to feel for something to indicate where I was. I couldn’t remember what had happened. Teddy charging forward, the members of the Council ready for our attack, and then—

Something exploded. Something struck the building.

I waved a hand in front of my face, trying to clear the air. “Hello?” I croaked, my throat scratchy. “Can anyone hear me?”

A low moan resonated from a few feet away. Oliver? Oh please, don’t let him be dead. Please be alive!

I tried to rise, but my leg buckled. Slices of fire rippled along my leg, nearly blinding me with anguish.

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