Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mum's face.
    "A defense mechanism," she says quietly.
    "Hmm. After the initial shock," I continue, "the pain became tolerable. Then these memories inundated me."
    "Memories?" Papa put his glasses on and searches for his tablet to take notes. "Memories of what?"
    "Me," I answer. "From when I was a baby, until now. It was as if my entire life rapidly passed through my mind. But, I could vividly see each and every detail." I pause while papa wrote his notes, continuing only when he looks up at me. "Then my heart…" I place my hand over the beating in my chest. Is it odd that it still beats, I wonder.
    "Did it hurt?" Mum asks.
    "No, mum. It was - happy. Light and free." I look at papa. He needs to record this part for sure. "I think...I think I was feeling my humanity," I say softly.
    Papa's hand pauses. He looks at me and his mouth holds the slightest of grins. "It is a start," he says and carries on with his writing.
    Mum kneels in front of me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I do not feel your humanity will ever leave you, honey," she says as she places her hand on my cheek. "Your heart has always been strong."
    I smile. I do not know if she is right, but I do know that as fantastic as the elixir was, it was not a cure.
    "I am still Cursed, mum." I know they do not approve of that name for me, but let us be honest. It is what I am, humanity or not.
    "We will keep working," papa says as he labels the elixir and stores it securely in a lock box.
    "Papa, do you actually think there is a cure? We have been doing this for months now and we have found nothing."
    "That is not true, Anala. We have discovered that your blood can cure wounds."
    "I make a great ointment. Wonderful." My sarcasm is not received well by papa, but I do not care at this point.
    "Anala, we are learning much more than that. Research and experiments take time, child. It does not just happen overnight. We wait for the frogs or rats to react with your blood, we keep preparing things for you to try. We do not give up. I only wish I had a Cursed One to experiment on…" Once again his voice trails off as it does when he is distracted.
    I am Cursed, but I know what he means by wanting one to test on. With that, I saw my opportunity and I grab at it as quickly as I can.
    "Let me hunt, papa, and I can bring you one."
    "Absolutely not. It is out of the question."
    "But, papa, you need a Cursed One and only I can get you one."
    "I will find another way."
    "How? You are constantly here in your laboratory. Mum has not hunted since I - changed. Other Hunters will not bring you a Cursed One alive, it is against the code. You certainly cannot tell anyone what you would need it for. I am the only choice."
    "She has a point, Henry," mum says.
    "She also said why it is impossible. Hunters cannot know what has happened to you. If you go out to hunt, you will be seen. I cannot allow it."
    I begin to protest and mum leaves the room - thank you for the support. "Papa, I can stay out of sight. No one will know I am out there or what I am."
    "Anala..."
    "Wait, please. I have skills that no other Hunter has, papa. I could be a benefit to the other Hunters without them even knowing."
    Mum walks back into the room holding a stack of what looks to be black clothing.
    "She can help, Henry. Without you and me out there, the Hunters are losing hope and patience. Cursed Ones are growing in numbers. I hear what is going on out there," mum answers papa's unasked question. "Our Hunters think we have abandoned them, Henry. They say they understand we must look after our daughter, but these men and women leave their children everyday to fight with a chance of never coming back. We could send Anala out there in our place. Henry, with her skills and strength, she would be better than both of us put together."
    I let the small feeling of pride course through me as I wait for papa to consider mum's argument.
    "There is too much risk, Eleanor. Do you know not what they will do if they find out