Chapter 9 ∣Your Life Is Mine

-Evicka

I step out of the entrance door, scanning the gravel driveway...though, I don't see anything.

"Evie, RUN!"

That's Killian's voice.

I glance to my right, noticing cloaked figures standing on the open grassy field. The rain falls hard, but I can still make out Killian and Zak...on their knees before what appears to be their leader.

As Killian yells out his warning, the figure's attention is immediately drawn to me.

Apparently, they hadn't even known I was here.

His white irises lock onto me. He wears dark cargo pants and a black trench coat. His dark blue cowl blocks most of his face from my view.

I'm frozen...

Killian...

"I told you to RUN!" Killian yells once more before he's backhanded across the face by their leader.

He's stronger than them...

Why doesn't he fight back?

Anger gradually builds within me as I push off the ground, dashing straight toward the group...ignoring my better judgment.

I will not leave my friends to die.

"Evicka, no!" Zak's voice carries out in the rain. He struggles against the hunter that holds him in place.

I breathe in sharply, dive rolling onto the grass in front of me just as two hunters rush up to my sides. It takes them only seconds to adjust their paths and continue chasing me as I set my sights on their leader.

It's then that I realize how many hunters are in their group. There are at least thirty-five, all emerging from their hiding places.

How are there so many?

I growl, taking hold of the hunter's wrist that attempts to lunge at me. His bones shatter, a scream piercing through the downpour, as I yank him in front of my path, launching myself off his side and evading three more hunters that try to attack me.

As I bring my attention back to my target, the sound of gunfire breaks through the rain. My speed diminishes as I feel a burning sensation in my upper thigh. I glance down, a dart sticking out of my cargo pants.

No...

I see their leader, standing with a gun aiming at me as smoke drifts from the barrel. The effects of the undiluted silver instantly enter my bloodstream.

I slide across the wet grass, tackled from behind as a hunter holds me down with his full weight. He easily was able to close the gap between us with the side effects taking hold of me. I struggle to pull my wrist to my lips, breaking free for a moment.

"I don't know how, but she's the one with blood magic," the leader informs my captor. In the next moment, I feel something prick my neck before a cold fluid is injected into my body.

What was that?

I feel a pair of strong hands latch onto my ankles, pinning them down to the ground. Four more hunters come to circle around where I'm being held down. Their presence is to make sure I can't get away. I finally can bring my wrist in front of my mouth when I see a pair of dark combat boots enter my field of vision.

"I wouldn't do that...if I were you."

My eyes glance up, finding their leader standing a few feet in front of me.

"You'll bleed out if you bite into your ulnar artery," I can finally see the figure's face, his hard features staring right into me.

I can use my blood magic, like always...even if the undiluted silver halts my innate healing abilities. I will still be able to heal...just at a slower rate.

"My name is Enock. I'm the leader of these hunters," he observes me, waiting for my response.

"Evie," Killian coughs, his eyes meeting mine, "listen to him."

"Why?" I growl, my eyes shifting back to the leader.

"Interesting," Enock kneels down in front of me, our eyes locking onto each other, "you've never been informed about blood thinners? What they do to your blood magic?"

I'm confused, my eyes shifting to Killian again, "Killian..."

"I'm sorry," is all he can say.

"I'll set this straight with you," I glance back at Enock, fear beginning to creep through my body. "blood thinners inhibit blood magic. I never expected to ever have to use it on a vampire."

Fuck me...

I try to squirm and struggle once again against the hunters that hold me down, only shifting them slightly. I growl once again, my fangs elongating and my eyes shifting to their black rose.

"We'll have to do something about that bite of yours though..." Enock signals to the hunter who has planted himself on my back. The hunter throws something over my head and then pulls it between my teeth. The silver bar holds my teeth apart. I try to clamp down on it, but it doesn't budge.

I feel him secure a chain around the back of my head...tightly.

Enock rises to his feet, signaling for the hunters to bring me to mine as well. Two hunters take hold of my upper arms as the weight lifts off my back, the hunter who had once held my ankles also releases his grip.

I'm pulled hard to my feet, Enock turning on his heels to walk back toward Killian and Zak. I'm led behind him, the rain making it difficult not to trip and fall.

"You seem to know more than she does," Enock directs his attention to Killian. I'm held in place, watching Zak and Killian, both of their wrists are bound behind their backs.

Killian remains silent, just glaring at him.

Apparently, he doesn't tolerate people not answering him right away. He punches Killian in the face and continues speaking, "The only reason any of you are still alive right now," he points at me, "is because I saw her use blood magic. How the hell can a pureblood use blood magic?!"

Killian spits blood on the ground, his eyes looking up to Enock, "She's a new generation of hybrid. The first of her kind."

"And the last. That just makes her more dangerous to us," Enock glances sideways at me.

"If you're just going to kill us," Killian snarls, "why go to all the effort of restraining her, why not just kill her?"

"The opportunity rarely presents itself for me to have the pleasure of torturing a pureblood," Enock turns his full attention onto me, coming to stand in front of me. I pull against the hunters holding me, but they won't budge.

"What about Zak? He's a hunter," Killian is trying to divert his scrutiny toward him.

Enock stops, turning back to Killian before asking with amusement, "What about him? He has betrayed his own kind. Why would I let him live?"

We're all the same...

"Aren't you curious as to why she killed Lord Enzo?" Killian continues his diversion, delaying my death again.

Enock pauses for a moment, eyeing me suspiciously. He shrugs his shoulders, "No. I don't care about the agendas between purebloods. Maybe she was trying to take over his coven. I don't fucking care, to be honest."

"Now please, shut him up," Enock signals the hunter holding Killian. He begins to beat him repeatedly, his vision crossing until it seems like it will fade.

I snarl against the sharp metal in my mouth, groaning as I pull hard against the hunters restraining me.

"Oh, don't kill him yet," Enock rolls his eyes and sighs, "he obviously cares a lot for her. He can watch me torture and kill her first."

My breathing quickens, Enock circling around behind me, going entirely out of my sight. The pain shoots through both of my legs as he kicks them out from underneath of me. My knees bear the brunt of my crash as they hit the wet grass beneath them. The wind whips my hair forward and over my shoulder as the tie still holds it in place.

"If you try to run," Enock's voice sounds behind me, the two hunters that once held my arms let go, "I will have your two companions executed first."

My eyes glimpse the gun barrels resting on the sides of both Killian and Zak's temples.

I can't say a word, the metal bar keeping my jaw in place. All I can do is nod silently.

This is what being human must feel like...

I feel helpless as one of the hunters cuts away my black vest, tossing it to the ground. My white tank top becomes instantly drenched from the beating rain.

I flinch involuntarily, the fabric on my back being cut away along with my ebony bra backing. The wind and rain pelt my bare back, fear rising within me. My heart is hammering in my chest...

I'm going to die.

There is a snap that echoes in the air before a stinging sensation erupts from my back. Before I can register what's happened, I hear the same sound, pain spreading through my back once again.

Fucking whip...

I cry out against the metal bar, my eyes watering. I can smell my own blood.

The next four cracks are quick, increasing pain burning my back. I catch myself as I fall forward, gripping the dewy grass. The rain is beginning to turn into a light drizzle.

I steady my breathing, lifting my face up to see Killian and Zak. Their eyes hold the agony I feel.

A whole new level of pain ripples through my already beaten body. This whip feels entirely different, metal shards ripping through my flesh. I shriek against the metal bar, feeling what strength I have left fading away.

After ten more lashes, I collapse onto my chest as my arms fall beside my head, the cold grass meeting my face as it tilts sideways. I feel my warm blood trickling away from me with each breath I take.

"EVIE!" Killian screams out, my eyelids fighting to stay open. All I can see...

...are his glowing crimson irises staring into mine.

I'm so sorry Killian...mother...I failed you.

I gasp, feeling the encrusted metal whip striking my back once again.

I'm surprised there's any skin left to tear...

I exhale slowly, my muscles relaxing as what I assume is Enock straddling my hips from behind. I wince, more pain searing through my body as he takes hold of my hair, pulling my head back and exposing my neck.

The sharp metal knife presses against the front of my neck. My eyes strain to blink a couple of times before finally fluttering shut.

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The Pureblood Vampire Huntress by K. A. Young.

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