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Just briefly. Then there was light. She glanced around at her surroundings. She d been here before, long ago. This was the day on the sixteenth year when her father taught her how to wield a sword. Suddenly, she saw herself and her father on a grassy plain. The sun upon her skin was invigorating. Crouching in the grass, she watched as her father spoke to her. 46 Of Cheetah s Blood Charisma Knight You are becoming one with Belladio! Her father beamed with pride as his young daughter charged him, a bloodcurdling war cry releasing from her parted lips. Her father rushed forward, and their swords clashed. The heavens rolled with thunder as father and daughter cheetah continued their training. Are you proud of me, Father? the young cheetah warrior asked. Chetiera observed her former self. Black hair cascaded down her slender back. Both arms were adorned with gold cuffs, with an emerald placed directly in the middle. Her loincloth tunic and pants were soiled from the days training. She remembered this morning well. Father had awakened her a few hours before the rise of the sun. Keen ears tuned into their conversation. Why are you teaching me to fight? her former self asked with innocence. You ve been training me in the ways of the warrior since I was fourteen. Because you must be strong against the Dhampirs and the vampires. Her father exhaled as they continued walking back to their village. But Dhampirs are no threat to us. They are harmless. Before she could blink, the man let out a harsh growl before grasping his daughter s shoulders. The Dhampirs are bringers of pain! The murderous, fiendish bastards have no regard for others. They rape, pillage, and steal that which is not theirs! Chetiera s heart fell as she watched the young girl shudder. Tears began to swell in her eyes, and he shook her once more. Are you crying? His voice boomed over the plains. A cheetah warrior never cries! It is a sign of weakness! Her father paused while the young girl stifled her tears. You are a warrior of the undead, like myself and a few other Dulhari! It is your duty to preserve the purity of our clan! The girl sniffled and sighed. Why are you so furious with the Dhampirs? They don t kill, not like some of the vampire clans. Mom says He snarled. Your mother is blind! Pay no attention to her! Mother has been teaching me how to use my magick. How can she be blind when she has imbued her magick into Belladio? 47 Of Cheetah s Blood Charisma Knight Her father huffed and growled. The lesson for the day is over! The young child stepped forward. Why are you so angry with mother? It is no business of yours. Now go. Return to the village; I will be there soon. Confused, the child reached down, retrieving Belladio. Tight-lipped and with shoulders slumped, she walked in the direction of the Dulhari village, intermittently stopping to glare at her father. Chetiera. The child stopped and turned. Yes, Father? Do not disappoint me. I want you to remain safe throughout your existence. Chetiera watched as her father s eyes narrowed. The look within them blasted a chill throughout her being. Never, ever trust a Dhampir or vampire, her father growled. They will only bring pain and death to your life. He looked her dead in the eye. Do you understand? You must destroy them, at all costs! The child nodded. Yes, Father. I will remember that. Never trust a Dhampir. The child turned and continued her journey toward the village. Chetiera s body shook with rage as she continued watching her father. That day was crystal clear to her. That night was the night of her mother s death. Pain stabbed at her heart. He and her mother, Ulhulria, argued. She lay in bed as her mother dashed from their house, and her father went charging after her. It was raining. That was the last thing she remembered. Something blocked her from remembering anything else. Chetiera watched as her father roared and shifted into his cheetah form. Secrets, she murmured to herself. She bit her lip so hard it bled. Angrily, she swept the blood away, and before she could blink, she felt herself falling. * * * * Chetiera! Krulnar s masculine voice penetrated her psyche, but she couldn t wake, not yet. Questions to which she had no answers presented themselves to her as she tossed and turned, flailing her arms. She growled. 48 Of Cheetah s Blood Charisma Knight The world around her meant to consume her, wanted to harm her. Death and destruction had been the only things she knew. Strong arms embraced her, yet she continued to fight. Leave me be! she screamed in her sleep. Her nails caught, ripping into the flesh of the one who d captured her. Suddenly, her eyes fluttered open. Let me go! Chetiera growled. She looked up into the eyes of her lover. His face was bloodied. She froze. Krulnar? Yes. He gave a forced smile, and his eyes were sharp with worry. It s okay. You re safe. Chetiera sat up quickly and gasped. Oh, Krulnar! She began wiping the blood away. I m so sorry. Shh, little cheetah, he said with a smile. I m Dhampir; I ll heal. When he smiled, her heart fluttered. She d never felt this feeling in her entire existence. We bonded, didn t we? Almost. He cast his gaze to the bed. There is something I can t break through. Something is blocking me, still. You ve shielded yourself. You were in my dream. Your father. Krulnar gulped. I saw him. Chetiera sat back on her haunches. All these years, I ve been a fool. Regret pinched away at her insides as she struggled to recall what happened the night her mother died. She frowned as Krulnar pulled her to him. I don t think he was such a nice man. He The Dhampir froze. Ulnik summons me. He wants to join us. He turned to face her. I know you desire us both. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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