Bloody Kiss | Book One of Blood Trilogy

Chapter 40

Asher POV

Sweat beaded my face as our swords clashed. Father's taunting laugh ringed out as I stumbled backwards. I huffed in frustration. This has been one of the longest ongoing battles that I've ever had with Father. Why could I not beat him? The answer was beyond my reach. His smirk was written clear on his face. My hair appeared to be brushed through a million times. I was close to giving up. My muscles ached and many guards have already finalized their fights. Caleb was chuckling nearby at my struggle. I groaned and yelled. I spun around with my sword outstretched, which resulted to surprising him with my blade almost slicing his neck. 

His eyes widened and he began laughing wholeheartedly. I smirked in satisfaction. I finally beat him. After many months of training, I had finally beat him. I retracted my sword from his throat with a bright smile. He pulled me closer by the shoulder just to pat me on the back. "Good job, son. I am mighty proud of you. Although, you're still behind a few points. Looks like I'm getting rusty." He teased then flexed his arm. I laughed sarcastically. My old man really is something. 

We cleaned up the area after the fighting had ended. Caleb walked up to me with a very shocked face. "You finally beat him! Yay for you!" He jumped up and down and clapped like a little kid. I shoved him aside. I was happy and sweaty, but I was starting to get irritated by the gleaming sun reflecting off my black clothing, making me even more hot. I was very tempted to just peel my shirt off. I was headed inside when I saw Violet emerge from the woods with her friends. Caleb and I stood back while the other guards were busy either heading to the showers or to their stations. 

As they approached closer, I noticed how Cameron looked solemnly. I gave Violet a questioning look but she just shrugged with a tight smile. I dismissed it for something concerning later. 

Violet gave a look of disgust after I hugged her. She took a step back and looked down at her sweaty shirt. She squinted her eyes and held my gaze, even when she walked into the castle. Jilly just stood with her jaw to the ground after Caleb gave her a big bear hug. The two of us trailed behind the three best friends and silently high-fived. It was a nice touch to this hot afternoon, I guess hard work does pay off. 

We set a campfire at midnight and laid down to watch the stars. Crickets chirped alongside the firewood crackling. The five of us talked nonsense, but soon one-by-one, we fell asleep. 

I had startled awake when a cold wind and faint sound came from outside the walls. I sat up and noted how the campfire has been put out and it looked like it had been out for a while. I looked over to where Caleb was laying before we slept, but I could not spot him anywhere. I searched around until I saw him several feet up in a tree. I called Caleb down. He looked worried. I soon grew worrisome. 

"What's happening?" I whispered. He must've heard a noise too. He made a face, one that had danger written all over it. My face fell blank. Who could possibly be asking for this much attention late at night?

He shook his head. "It's not good. I can smell more than one subject behind those walls. I couldn't see past everything, but from what I saw, there's something big." 

I nodded. We needed a plan quickly. He ran off to call the guards to double up, while I woke the other three and told them to go into the castle and hide with Mother and Aidan. They knew the perfect safe spot. Violet told me to be careful before I left to face the ruckus. I closed my eyes and pulled her in for a hug. 

"Don't say that, angel. My arms will be around you before you know it." I whispered. I kissed her on the forehead, as well as Aidan's. I vow to see them again. No matter how serious this might get, I promise to see them again.

Whatever this dispute was, it was getting louder by the second and the ground was rumbling. Caleb joined back with me and lead the way to a nearby archer tower, where Father had already been standing in. After climbing the entire stairwell, I rounded the corner and looked through the window to see what I did not want to see.