Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1)
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Authors: Jourdyn Kelly
Tags: #Paranormal
Copyright © 2013 by Jourdyn Kelly
Published by Jourdyn Kelly
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
ISBN Number - 978-1-4675-7513-3
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover Art by: Jourdyn Kelly
Interior Design by Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats
Other books by Jourdyn Kelly
Something About Eve
Flawed Perfection - Coming Soon
Hunters were born out of necessity, revered for their protection, and loyal beyond all else. They are bound by the rules of the Society. The rules are few, but they are strong. First, your fundamental duty is to protect innocents at all cost - even if it means your own death. Second, you
must
kill any Cursed Ones you come across. It does not matter if the Cursed One is your family. If someone you know is bitten, you must make sure they are dead by either beheading them or setting them on fire. Third, never, under any circumstances, kill an innocent. And, finally, never break any of the rules. What would you do if circumstances had you needing to break all of them?
"
Anala!"
I clap my hand over my mouth and giggle quietly when I hear my father yelling for me. I know how much he hates when I take his frogs from his laboratory. But, they are too cute to let him keep doing experiments on them!
"Anala! Bring me those frogs!"
I quickly let them go and shoo them away with my hand before tucking the jar I carried them in back into my pack. I am not afraid of getting in trouble. Papa would always pretend to be upset with me, but I know he loves me too much to stay mad.
"It is your own fault, you know." I hear mum telling him as I sneak back into the house undetected. "You taught her to be headstrong."
"Ha! You dare blame that on me, woman! She is
your
daughter for sure!" He retorts, playfully.
"I say it is both of you," I laugh and skip by both of them to grab a biscuit from the plate mum held.
"Anala, do not ruin your appetite."
"I am starving, mum. Do not worry, I will eat more. Besides, your biscuits are the best." I smile sweetly at her and the stern look on her face wavered into a small smile.
"Did you take my frogs, young lady?"
"No sir," I lie, knowing he knew full well I was lying.
"Anala, what have I told you about taking my frogs. I need them."
"But, I did not take them," I insist. "They must have...hopped away."
This got laughter from mum and even a little amusement from papa.
"Headstrong." I hear him mutter as he shook his head and gave up. Aloud he said, "Eat your breakfast. We will train once you have finished."
I am a Hunter. I enjoy everything about being a Hunter. I never complain or argue when it came to training. I love training with papa. It was a time for us to connect with one another, and it was fun. Learning how to wield a sword, fight hand to hand combat, ride horses, and, also be quick on my feet was something I looked forward to every day. Mum never complained about my training either. She, too, was a Hunter and knew what it took day in and day out to stay alive. There were times when she would join us. Those were my favorite times of all.
Hunters are a necessity during these times. Our village is in danger. I am only ten years old, but I can hear what the elders are saying, even if I do not understand it all. My parents try to explain "The Cursed Ones" to me. How they're evil and kill people because they cannot help it. That part, I do not understand. How can someone not help hurting another human? But, my parents tell me that something happened to the Cursed Ones that made them that way. They are stronger and faster than regular people and have bigger teeth. I have yet to see one, but I have been training with my parents since I was five. I bet I could beat them.
Papa tells me that my arrogance will one day get me killed. I know he says it to scare me (and sometimes it does), but I wish he knew how strong I really was. I can almost beat
him
when we spar! He says he is proud of me and that I have learned more in my young years than most Hunters do their whole lives, but that I have no idea what we are really up against.
Of course, I focus on the positive - Mum says that is one of my best qualities - and only hear how proud papa is of me. It means a great deal coming from him. Henry and Eleanor Geil were the Hunter elders. Their abilities with swords and hand to hand were unparalleled. Considered the leaders of the Hunters, my parents were revered and other Hunters from all over the land sought my parents out for the honor to be trained by them.
I thought of that as my sword clanged against father's. I know it is wrong to think of anything except what is happening at this moment, but I cannot help it. I
am
honored to be able to train with the best - even if they embarrass me sometimes.
"Anala!"
Father had my sword in his hand and his blade at my throat before I could even think to counter the move.
"What have I told you! Always be present!"
"I am sorry, papa! I was just..."
"You were just about to get killed is what you were!" He grumbles.
"Yes, sir. I will do better." I know better than to pout, so I hold in the tears that I want to let flow for disappointing him.
"Henry, she is just a child. Perhaps you should be less harsh with her."
"No, mum, he is right to push me. I want to be like you, and you, papa," I say, turning to him. "I promise, I will do better. I will not let anything distract me again."
