Glass Bones

By M.S Watson

Praise for Glass Bones by M.S. Watson, the debut novel!

"Hi! I like your story. Will there be a second book for this? :)"
-KaiKaiNyanNyan, Wattpad User

"Oh I really like this! c: such a good atmosphere created! Can't wait to read more;)"
- Opalescent__, Wattpad User

"I luv it already. Your an AMAZING author. Your book is lured me in. You have a talent of writing books. :) :) :D"
- Little_ms_chocolate, Wattpad User

Ira Dennis appears to be like any other Miami teenager, attending high school and falling out with friends... But at night, she transforms. No longer is the young lady a student. Instead, she's a huntress. With her heart set on the one guy she can't have, she must choose between her past and the monsters she's fought against for so many years...

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.S Watson
• Release date: Dec 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310954825

M.S Watson

M.S. Watson is a 20-something year old Australian author who had a passion for writing during her high school years. She completed high school in 2013 and attended university, studying as a graphic design student. She has previously been published twice through Write4Fun Australia and was in the top 15% Honoured Writers 2006-2011. She has also been awarded one of five shortlisted writers in an Australia-New Zealand wide competiton, receiving a two week writer's retreat in Tasmania in 2014. Upon completion of university, M.S. Watson strives to start a business for young people looking to enhance positivity and accomplish their dreams.

Book preview

Prologue

Innocence Bites

The boy cowered away from the girl before him. He presumed she was six-years-old, like he was, but he was shocked when she opened her eyes. Her magical, jade-coloured eyes sparkled with terror in the dim light cast by the lone flickering bulb. It was like a cold, dark dungeon. Of course, if he were human, he wouldn't have been able to discern the vividness of her eyes, or the way her pale fair hair shimmered as she moved. The curls were wild but suited her, grown long to her waist.

Please don't hurt me, she whispered, cowering in the seat. I hate vampires. Please have mercy on me. She trembled but it only added to the sweet scent of her skin, already caked in dried blood. Her dried blood. The boy bit down on his lip instead and winced as his fangs caused a flow of glistening blood to drip down his chin and onto his clothes.

They told me to bite you, he whispered, his lisp noticeable from his fangs. He moved closer to the girl but stopped as she whimpered and struggled against the silver cord that bound her to the chair. Her pulse was tempting him, they could both tell, but he was powerless to stop it. Still, if only he could fight it...

The girl's head snapped up as she met his eyes and he could hear her thoughts yelling out for help. He was helpless to stop the influx of emotions, thoughts and feelings. Too young, his mother had once announced whilst holding his hand and speaking with his teacher. A vampire, of course. His hands began to shake with too much stress. If he defied his parents he would be belted, starved and bound until he gave in to the blood lust.

If he tried to suppress the hunger he would only fail and risk killing her. But Jenatius had specifically requested that she remain alive for whatever cruel fate she was facing. The boy took pity on her and presumed that if he drank her dry it would be better than any other fate Jenatius had planned. He was infamous as a danger to all and his torturous methods were always more creative and painful than the last. Even his parents were afraid, which was considered quite rare.

Trust me, the boy said, grasping the small girl's hands in his even as she tried to claw away. Whatever I do, just trust that I'm doing something much better than you'll ever receive from the vampire lord. The boy surprised himself with how sure he sounded and even more so when the girl finally stopped and listened. Her beautiful eyes were full of tears.

How do you know? she whispered, her hands crushing against his. Do you truly believe that I will go to Heaven? Are you an angel? The boy could almost laugh at her last question had this been another situation, but it wasn't. He felt scared and lonely, and pressured but he knew that this girl was living through worse. He gently stroked her hands and tried to make his smile more welcoming.

No, I'm not an angel, but I do believe in Heaven. He thought for a moment and suddenly smiled. I'd bet that as soon as your soul is released from your body, you'll sprout wings and fly to Heaven. She shook her head slowly and looked at the darkened floor, damp already with something the boy didn't really want to identify. Blood, probably.

Suddenly the girl laughed without humour and looked at him with sullen eyes. You can't kill me. Jenatius knows. He will come in here without you draining me. She sighed and looked downward again, the look in them stripped of their innocence. My parents are dead. Murdered by vampires. I no longer believe that angels are real. Because what good is an angel that doesn't protect a family? She extended her wrist to the boy and laughed slightly at the way his eyes bulged and he shook with thirst.

I'm sorry, he whispered and his fangs fixed themselves deep in her wrist.

*****

Chapter 1

Community

I belonged to a community that thrived in the sun-baked state of Florida, living in the happiness and joy of a typical teenager by day, and a merciless vampire huntress by night. Having been orphaned at age six by a rogue vampire I didn't care that he had kidnapped me and almost succeeded in changing me. All I cared was that the vampire huntresses had killed him when they saved me.

Vampires, in my opinion, didn't have souls. They didn't act like people. They didn't look like normal people. Their beauty, though fascinating, retained a dangerous quality that held their prey – humans – immobile. My job, so to speak, was to rid vampires from the high schools of Florida, no matter how damn reformed they said they were.

Today my target was to scout out Miami Beach Senior High, bathed in sunshine and heat as I strolled up the front path with my bag slung over my shoulder. I looked like any other student, dressed in jeans and a pale peach sleeveless, my curly fair hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Large black sunglasses concealed my unusually pale jade eyes; I would try to get away with wearing them as long as possible.

With my stuff already organized by the vampire huntresses I made my way to my locker, stuffing my gear inside before heading off to my first class – groan – extended maths. Sometimes I wished that I had a choice to stop all of this and actually get a job – being eighteen and actually graduated a month ago, I really didn't want to have to relive it. Even if my answers for homework were provided for me.

The good thing about this school meant that the teacher of extended maths, Mr. Gurande, didn't make me stand up and introduce myself to the class. Instead he left me to sit by the back of the class as everyone else came in. Already settling in for a long class of studying unusual student behaviour I set my feet on top of my desk and swung back in my usual position.

I watched as the students came in, filling the silence with consistent chatter. I ignored the influx of noise, concentrating on the behaviours. Who knew, I could have been seriously affected by their volume, because I couldn't find anyone that fit the vampiric category. Not even vaguely. No one shared the same pale but bright eyes lit with thirst. No one had the unearthly beauty or graciousness.

No one.

Someone filed into the seat beside me and I only cast a single glance before turning back to the doorway where the final students poured in. Blonde, brunette, red... I looked away from the last few, noticing their human markings that no vampire ever had. I sat in silence until the girl beside me nudged my arm with a pink manicured nail and smiled, flashing her perfect white teeth in a wide smile.

You're the new girl, Ira Dennis? I nodded. Hi, I'm Elratha Gene. Head cheerleader. I smiled slightly and nodded again before Mr. Gurande quieted the class. Surprisingly they all listened to him without delay before he turned to me. He crossed his arms and frowned, puckering his bottom lip like a small child despite his salt-and-pepper hair. Elratha nudged me and pointed at my glasses.

Is there something wrong with the lighting? Mr. Gurande asked. Or is it just a case of new girl speciality? I simply must ask you to remove your glasses. I shut my eyes and removed my glasses as Mr. Gurande started writing on the board, and I rested them on the table. I could feel Elratha staring at me and I swivelled around out of her sight. I didn't need her bugging me for answers about my unusual eyes.

Quarter of an hour passed without event but just as Mr. Gurande reached for his textbook, one of them walked in the room. My senses pricked up at his entrance, a handsome guy with his bag slung over one shoulder. His stride though casual was fluid, like he was walking on water or floating mid-air, and his body was tanned and athletically built.

His eyes, however, surprised me; they weren't like a normal vampire's. Usually light and almost completely white in colour, his eyes were dark sapphire and seemed to seep into my soul as they passed over me.

Confused, I watched as he moved to the only available seat in the class, just in front of mine. He smiled, flashing perfect white human teeth as he sat and pulled out his supplies. I could see that unlike a certain percentage of the vampires I'd met he was well-groomed and took pride in himself. His black hair was straight with a slight wave and ended long enough to cover his ears, overshadowing his eyes.

Leviath, Mr. Gurande mumbled as he marked the late guy into his class roll. It's a pleasure to have you join us. Now, would you like to share the reason for which you're late? The guy named Leviath squared his shoulders and smiled at Mr. Gurande with confidence.

My sister was completing her music assessment and I was needed. I apologize for the inconvenience. Mr. Gurande nodded and mumbled unhappily, returning to his class lecture for the last three minutes of the lesson.

After class I bolted out of the room and headed straight for the bathroom, slipping a small container of extra vitamins on the bench as I bent into the sink and washed my face. Sweat had built up from having to sit in such proximity to Leviath and I felt a dizzy spell settling over me. I reached for the vitamins and swallowed one, feeling the strength return to my limbs as the medicine done its work...

What are you doing in here? I whirled around, discreetly slipping my vitamins in my pocket as I looked at the cheerleader who'd addressed me. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a high ponytail and her face looked to be overshadowed by half a bottle of foundation. I narrowed my eyes at her, as she did in return. Her eyes were dark, like liquid chocolate though they failed to reflect any light.

I decided to play stupid. Cheerleaders aren't the only ones who like to use makeup; however, they are an individual species in that they love half a bottle everyday.

Watch yourself, new girl. Things work differently around here, she warned me with a sneer. I rolled my eyes.

Consider your warning insignificant, I said, flicking my hand melodramatically as I stepped past her and walked back out into the hall. There was no one there, just me as I walked down the abandoned hall and –

I was hit from behind, sent plummeting to the ground as two guys grunted. They threw punches at each other, cursing and yelling as I jumped to my feet. They appeared to be jocks, fighting over who knew what. A slutty cheerleader perhaps. I took two steps back from them and ran into someone. My senses pricked and my muscles tensed, alerting me to the knowledge that Leviath was standing close behind me.

That's enough guys! he yelled over them, taking them by their shirt collars as they tried to claw at each other. He didn't seem to struggle against them much, shoving one back so he hit the wall and the other ran off blindly, knocking me to the ground in his haste. I saw him leave but I didn't see Leviath offer his hand until he took mine.

Chills raced through me and I instantly felt faint, a reaction that no other person I'd known suffered from. My unnatural contamination with vampire blood had resulted in heightened senses, and I could tell just by looking at a person whether they were human or not. My eye colour had turned paler so other huntresses mistook me for a vampire whenever they first met me. I tried not to think of the eventful night that left me like this.

Leviath, unaware of my internal reaction, smiled kindly and I found it difficult to believe that he was actually a vampire. Who knew, he could be tainted like I was. No, I doubted it. His strength was infallible, his grace otherworldly. Only a vampire could accomplish such traits. Right now, my hand clasped in his, I could feel the heat of his skin like any other humans, but I could also feel the coolness of the surface, like any other vampires.

Are you okay? he asked, still smiling at me. They can be a bit rough sometimes. It's best not to ask one of them to dance at the school dance. I nodded and forced a small smile.

Goodbye, I said, turning back down the hall toward the exit. He followed after me, matching his long stride to mine.

Goodbye? he said, as though he couldn't believe it. You're the new girl aren't you? Shy, conservative –

"Shy? I am not shy!"

"Sure you're not, he said teasingly. I rolled my eyes and pushed my way out of the exit, my skin welcoming the heat of the Florida sunshine. I walked over to a tree where Elratha and her cheerleader friends sat with a group of mixed others and he leaned a palm against the tree, leaning so he look down at me without me running away. I shuddered internally as part of his vampiric closeness. My name is Leviath."

Ira, I said shortly, sliding down the tree so I sat a few people across from Elratha. I'll see you around sometime. My tone was dismissive but Leviath didn't take the hint right away. He bent down beside me and tucked a slip of paper into the pocket of my jeans, a mischievous smile lighting his face.

Well Ira, he murmured seductively. Call me tonight and let me know what you're doing this weekend. I have a special place I'd like to take you. His hand lingered by my jean pocket for a moment longer before he smiled, got to his feet and walked away casually.

Chapter 2

Underground

Day is safe. Night is dangerous.

I scouted around the abandoned building with three of the other huntresses planning to me at the entrance. It was quiet with an unnatural chill in the usually muggy heat of the night. The switchblade in my hands felt solid and secure, promising with its sharp blade a means of escape if anything went wrong. Which, I would make sure, it wouldn't.

There had been reports that several rogue vampires liked to use this place as a sort of hideout, feeding off the homeless people on the street and reporting them as homicides. My skin crawled just being near so much death, the combination of vampire and human blood conflicting below my skin in just the same way it usually did when I was near them. This evening we wouldn't be here long.

After trekking through the darkness I returned to the entrance and met with the other huntresses there. Each was dressed in black, outfits that overshadowed their faces by thick hooded jackets. Their identities hidden they couldn't decipher why I would go on these invasions with my face uncovered. My theory is your life is worthless if you let a bloodsucker get away. Sticking to that theory it has saved my life many times over.

Tonight wouldn't be any different. There were four of us by the front entrance, waiting for the signal to invade from the rear entrance where another four were situated. My switchblade rested in my hand, the cool metal merely the length of my palm before it was opened. I relied on its smooth wooden blade when invading rather than using stakes and who knew what else they brought with them.

Finally. The leader of our group motioned for us to invade with the flicker of a torch and we burst in quietly. We were like a lethal wave as we hurried into the main lobby, thick with dust and disuse until we realized it was empty. The huntresses straightened out of their protective crouches but I didn't have time to warn them before the vampires descended on them.

There were ten of them, I counted quickly, before I rushed into the fray and thrust my switchblade through the heart of the first unsuspecting vampire. I heard a gurgled yelp as a vampire forced its fangs through one of the huntress' throats and she dropped to the ground, dead. Her blood pooled on the floor, momentarily distracting three of the younger vampires whose blood lust hadn't quite been harnessed.

Two of the vampires were hooded but the other eight had dressed in rags. One tried to attack me from behind but my switchblade was faster. I felt the breath of him on my neck just as my switchblade became acquainted with his heart. He slumped to the ground in a pile of soiled rags and dust.

Imev! one of the huntresses yelled my code name (well you don't expect me to use my real name, do you?) and she pointed to the hooded vampires as they moved toward the exit. Knowing that I would move without further instruction the huntress fell back into the fray as I exited the building and rounded the corner...

Ira? My head snapped up as my skin crawled with the feeling of being so close to one of them and I brandished my switchblade. In front of me stood Leviath, dressed casually in light blue jeans and a loose fitting white shirt. He wore a crooked smile that only made him seem more sinister, his eyes dark with humour as he watched me and the switchblade. Now, there's no need to play with switchblades. His smile twitched slightly wider. Do you even know how to use one?

I flipped the switch and watched as the blood flicked onto the white of his shirt. Slowly his smile disappeared and his humour died, leaving his entire body an image of emotionless stature. I moved around him, somehow feeling as though he should live as I quickly rounded another corner...

I screamed as something long and hard penetrated the skin of my arms, slamming me back against the brick wall beside me. Two hooded vampires were attacking me, muffling my screams with their free hands and torturing the switchblade from my hand. My head swam groggily as their venom trailed through me and my attempts of fighting back became limp.

Damn rogues! The roar came from the corner I'd just rounded and Leviath rammed into the first vampire, tearing its teeth from my arm as it stumbled to the side. Leviath then turned to the other but its teeth had already returned to its normal length and he started fleeing. I looked at Leviath and –

No. Vampires don't have souls. They can't. So why would a soulless creature be holding down another of its kind to save a tainted human huntress? Leviath towered over the hooded vampire, my switchblade in his hand as he glared at the vampire. But it wasn't the fact that he had the strength to do that, or the fact that he was in the same place as the huntresses and I. It was the fact that his canines were glistening with fresh blood, causing indents in his bottom lip from where they extended.

I found myself trembling as Leviath thrust the blade deep into the chest of the hooded vampire, his face shrouded in darkness as he retrieved the blade and flipped it shut. Silent tears caused by the initial shock I felt were flowing in a free stream down my cheeks, my blood dripping from where my flesh had been torn. Leviath took a few moments before he turned to me, and when he did his fangs were no longer visible. He looked perfectly human, which was what scared me.

Imev! I heard the shout before the footfalls and flashlights danced on the darkness. Leviath took one look at me, deadpan, before he disappeared like a wisp of breeze. Suddenly I was surrounded by the huntresses and a cloak draped over my shoulders, blocking the chill that had abruptly settled over me. A van skidded around the corner and they piled me into it, only having enough time to shut the door before I blacked out.

*****

Inky blackness was what I dreamt about. It wasn't the sort of kind blackness that accompanies dreamless sleep. It was the sort that suffocates and reveals to yourself exactly how vulnerable you can be. It was the exact nightmare I'd lived through after my first vampire attack at six years of age, when a vampire had injected the first of three doses of vampiric venom needed for the change to be complete. Though my attack tonight had been small in comparison, the venom still took its toll on me.

The following morning my limbs screamed at me not to move but I found myself having to despite the pain. My alarm clock chimed annoyingly on my bedside table and I winced as I reached to shut it off. Light filled the room of my apartment, filling it with summer heat as I got up and walked to the bathroom. After showering, bandaging my arms and eating breakfast I looked at the outfit I'd picked in the mirror.

The locations of my bites were above my elbows but not quite easy to hide despite the bandages, and I found myself reaching for a cropped cardigan. It was cream coloured with floral designs, the silk airy and light as it wrapped around me and ceased by my elbows. It complimented my fair hair nicely and only added to the affect of my long pink and white maxi dress, the long garment hugging my curves.

I looked at the clock and noted that if I left now I'd get to school on perfect time. I slung my bag over my shoulder and slid my feet into a pair of silver flats, taking the stairs two at a time. Traffic was at a minimum despite the typical hour that most people would be travelling for work. School was already going in ready for first period as I drove my Porsche into a free space, switching off the engine and rushing up the front path. With a glance over my shoulder I clicked the key and the doors shut, the paint glistening bright crimson in the Florida sunshine.

Class was only beginning as I finally arrived at biology and I joined the tail end of those who were filing into the room. With my sunglasses pulled over my eyes I made for a bench by the back of the class and slid onto the stool there. Beside me was a geek-like girl who grinned with large yellow teeth and her glasses swallowed the majority of her face, enlarging her grey eyes like one of those funny cartoons.

Orange-gold hair surrounded her acne-lined face and ceased in a bob by the edge of her heart-shaped jaw. Her clothes were bright and tucked in, her skirt pulled up to the middle of her stomach though it still managed to reach three-quarters of her legs, almost brushing against her ankles. With some wardrobe changes (and better toothpaste), I noted, she could actually make herself look very beautiful.

The prac was recorded on the board ready for us to copy into our books as the bio teacher, Mrs. Tuskan, walked to each of the tables and placed a slip of blank paper before us. She was an ambitious woman but a bit of a hard head when it came to being carefree, instead preferring to keep concentration entirely on working. I had observed her the previous day and concluded that I understood more than the simple fact that she was human. She was a woman of order.

Judging by the reaction of the class this was not in her nature. An air of excitement mingled with wonder and curiosity left the room surprisingly pleasant to be in, and I felt my muscles relaxing in response. That was until Leviath looked over his shoulder toward me and smiled before turning back to watch Mrs. Tuskan. She stood at the front of the class with a plastic skull in hand, grinning.

Write your names on your slips and place them in the skull, please, she said and she started walking around. As each person put their slips in they turned to their friends with their fingers crossed, hoping beyond hope that they would be paired with each other. I had no hopes aside from that I dearly hoped not to be put with Leviath. As Mrs. Tuskan reached me I attached a silent prayer to mine and dropped it inside, biting my lip all the while.

Mrs. Tuskan returned to the front of the class and smiled as she reached within the skull and retrieved the first name. Abigail Henkle, she announced. A girl with curly brown hair sat up quickly, jolted out of whatever daydream she'd been in. You're with Jane Duval. The girl named Jane sat up, brushing flyaway black hair from the green of her eyes as she and her partner moved to the first workbench. Mrs. Tuskan read through three more pairings before she announced my name. My fingers automatically crossed below the table.

Ira, you're paired with Leviath. Leviath grinned as Mrs. Tuskan placed the name slips aside and continued her doomed pairing method. Sighing, I moved to the fourth workbench and waited for Leviath. He sat across from me, hands folded almost regally on the bench as I dropped my books (rather ungracefully) on the bench. He chuckled.

Now I can tell you for sure that even a vampire can put up with the brightness of this room, Leviath said quietly, for my ears to hear and he laughed at his small joke. I narrowed my eyes at him and looked at the bio equipment Mrs. Tuskan laid before us. I felt a swell of pity as I looked down and found a sterile tray with a frog belly-up on its surface. Great, I thought sarcastically. Not only am I paired with a vampire for a term of bio, I also have to dissect a frog with him. As though he'd read my thoughts Leviath laughed and grabbed a scalpel, using it to cut a clean slice down the frog's stomach.

Gloves, Moskaluke! Mrs. Tuskan barked as I finished pulling on my second glove. Leviath rolled his eyes and pulled on the gloves obediently before continuing his work. A few minutes passed as he worked expertly on the small body, slicing incisions here and there until the body looked like a pile of guts. I would have blanched if I had a weaker stomach.

Mrs. Tuskan appeared beside me suddenly and I jumped in fright, surprised at how quick she was. Leviath chuckled under his breath but continued.

Well done, Moskaluke, she said, her voice letting off a note of surprise. However, now I would like the newbie to have a go. Close observation tells me she hasn't yet had a chance to prove herself in the field of dissection. Here, have another frog. She slid away the sliced up frog and replaced it for a new belly-up specimen. I swallowed nervously, hoping that I had seen enough of Leviath's dissection to mimic it.

He smiled and passed me the scalpel. Don't cut any fingers off, he joked despite the serious note in his voice. I snatched the scalpel and, my hands shaking slightly, I delved into the dissection.