97 (Rise of the Battle Bred) (19 page)

BOOK: 97 (Rise of the Battle Bred)
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If you’re reading this, then I must have had to go back to Toledo with my Dad. Don’t worry about me, if it’s not too bold of me to assume that you might.

I know I never wanted to talk about Toledo. Maybe it could have explained things better for you when Crady told you her concerns, if I had.

The Lochspawn found us one night when we were practicing hand-to-hand combat in a glen in the woods. There were two of them, and they fought like dragons.

My dad had been scolding me all night during practice. “Protect your right side, Will!” I was mad at him, distracted, and wanted to try my own way. My carelessness cost me a life. It wouldn’t have been a big deal, but Dad and I both got distracted by a group of college kids that had wandered into the clearing where we were. We weren’t far from a campus, and they were drunk and stupid.

Between my dad shouting at me and the sounds of the kids shouting, we weren’t paying attention. The Lochspawn chanted the death spell. One of these incantations, if completed, has the ability to knock out multiple lives at once. I went from having 47 to 97 after that one battle.

Dad was able to kill one of the beasts, but he had to pull me to safety and watch helplessly as the remaining Lochspawn slaughtered those kids.

Something really strange happened though. The Lochspawn are usually just as cautious as us about not revealing our existence to humans. They are ruthless, but generally less conspicuous. Killing four kids at once was very careless of the Lochspawn. My dad discovered later that his wallet was missing. If it fell out in that cursed glen, then maybe the police found it.

That night was so brutal and unnecessary, and dad and I both felt so helpless when it was all over. We buried the bodies. Maybe that was the fatal mistake. We’ve always done that though, if some innocent got caught in the crossfire. We thought it was more merciful to the family of the victim to hope their loved one was still alive somewhere, rather than to know they died horrifically and violently.

I don’t know what’s going to happen now.

What I do know, is that I’ll never forget the few days we had together, and how you make me feel when you look at me. I’ll never forget the way your skin pinks up when you’re embarrassed. I know you hate the blushing, and that you think it would somehow ‘precede your imminent death’ in the animal kingdom…but believe me. I’m the one who’s slain by it.

No matter what happens, I’ll always be able to find you. Remember, I can see where you’ve been. I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth, if I have to. But hopefully, this will all get cleared up soon, and I’ll be back in time to ask you to the Homecoming dance or something. Not that I’ve ever gone, or even wanted to before.

Here’s another quote for you, dear Reader. “I could fancy a love for life here almost possible,”

All my best,

William

I clutched the letter to my chest, a tear fighting its way out of my eye, but my eyes were tightly shut. I gave a shuddering breath.

No wonder he didn’t want to talk about Toledo. It was horrible. The life he and his father had to live was horrible, and I couldn’t see how they, or any of them, could ever have normal lives.

I read the quote again, and realized it was from Wuthering Heights. How had he known?  I hit my palm against my head. Of course; it was the book I was reading the day we met.

I got my phone out and texted him immediately.

Got your letter

He didn’t respond. I looked at the time. Could be he was in the mountains by now…terrible, if any, reception. I sent one more.

Hey, miss you so much. See you soon

That didn’t sound too desperate and needy. Even though that’s pretty much exactly what I was, in spades. What on earth was I going to do now?  I pouted and read William’s letter again and again, just the good parts.

My phone buzzed. I jumped to read the text. It was Crady.

You’ll never believe this. I don’t.

What?

Emma is texting everyone at school. She’s in the hospital

What did she say?

She said it was William that attacked her.

And that’s when I learned that if I was mad enough, I could crush a cell phone in my bare hands.

 

THE END FOR NOW

 

 

 

Acknowledgments

In my case, Book 1 ended up being a collaborative effort. Sure it was my idea and mostly my words, but when it came down to the wire, I needed help.

Thank you Scott Barnes for the initial run-through of edits and for not criticizing my mistakes. Thank you Pat, Charmaine, Scott, Daryl and Peggy for many fun years of writing group madness and mayhem, gift exchanges, writing exercises, laughter and inspiration and encouragement, not to mention great food.

Thank you to my sistahs, Becca and Lucy, for cheering me onwards; three sisters talking accomplished much good.

Thank you to my cover designer,
Becca. What can I say more than I already have? Wonderful.

Thank you Donna McKnight for the jewel-encrusted fine tooth comb and the gentle reminder that commas almost always end dialogue sentences. I think I got them all!

Thank you Mom for your typo catches and upgrading the ending, and also for giving birth to me and raising me to adulthood and also for encouraging me to write my own book(s).

Thank you Dad for being my number one fan for all these years, and for getting on my case to make this happen. Lecture #431 came in handy.

Thank you high school English teachers, Mr. Rusk and Mr. Petroff in particular for acknowledging my talent and encouraging me to continue with it.

Thank you cousin Kim for your cheering section!

Thank you Misty Provencher; you are an inspiration. And your real world practical advice was invaluable as well.

Thank you Facebook friends too!

Thank you cheerleading section from Notre Dame ward!

And most of all, thanks to my family for supporting me in this dream. You sacrificed clean socks on occasion, hot meals once in a while, mommy’s attention sometimes, and general upkeep. Thanks D for kicking me in the pants to get moving
on the editing phase. Thanks C for being my first young adult beta reader. Thanks E for helping me market to your friends and YouTubers. Thanks T, F and H for being patient for Mommy.

Thank you Glen. You’re my everything, and I would give all of my lives for you too.

 

 

 

About the Author

V. L. Holt is happy to be married to the love of her life, and to be a mother of six children. She's been writing since childhood, loves to read all kinds of books, and is excited to welcome everyone into her imagination which is colorful, vivid and sometimes frightening.

 

BOOK: 97 (Rise of the Battle Bred)
7.31Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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