Blood Green (Blood Series)

By Ashley Nemer

The three worlds have collided and are coming to an end. Zayn and Nikole face off for the final battle with Haydar and Leigh in a match to the death.
Who will come out alive, and who will come out in the afterlife?
Good does not always triumph over evil, and in the Algula world, that is even more true.
Life as they know it is forever changed when heads roll.
Will Adara's child survive after Haydar has taken her prisoner?
Will Alec's death go avenged?
What will happen to Nasir now that Leigh is here?
Blood Green, because all good things come to an end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Art of Safkhet
• Release date: Apr 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311175328

Ashley Nemer

Ashley is married and lives in Houston with her husband and their two children. They have been together for overa decade and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her life long best friend gave her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger. Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life, they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and display's came from. With her Parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.

Book preview

Arabic Translations used throughout the text

Abb - The formal use of the word 'father'

Baba - The informal use of the word 'dad'

Omm - The formal use of the word 'mother'

Mama - The informal use of the word 'mom'

Gedi – Grandfather

Siti – Grandmother

Ebn' – Son

Bent - Daughter

Hafeeda – Granddaughter

Hafeed - Grandson

Akh – Brother

Okht – Sister

Amm – Uncle

Amma - Aunt

Bent Amm - Niece on Father’s side

Ebn' Amm - Nephew on Father’s side

Bent Amma - Niece on Mother’s side

Ebn' Amma - Nephew on Mother’s side

Bent Amty - Female cousin from Father’s Sister’s side

Eben Amty - Male cousin from Father’s Sister’s side

Bent Khaly – Female cousin on Mother’s Brother’s side

Eben Khaly – Male cousin on Mother’s Brother’s Side

Shebeen – Godfather

Shebeena – Godmother

NIKOLE

There is an inner shell I keep hidden, one that very few get to know

There is a place I go away to hide, that is shielded from the world

Sometimes I fight to keep it hidden

Sometimes I let out my inner demons

There is a place inside that is fragile and tender

There is a depth to which you can’t see

I hide because I’d rather look tough

I hide because I can’t seem weak

My hardened shell protects my fragile spot

My hardened skin gives me layers of warmth and security

So take a second look at me, you might be surprised what you see

What appears to be reality is fiction

What appears to be strength is a security blanket

Maybe it’s time I showed my internal demons

Maybe it’s time I became as brave as I act

Maybe it’s time for a chance ...

Nikole Kadin

family tree

PROLOGUE

When Zayn heard Nasir’s words come through the receiver of his cell phone, he was rendered motionless and in shock. After the seconds ticked by and he registered the news of Adara’s kidnapping, he crumbled the phone in his hand and flashed himself to the hospital where he had just been moments ago, with Adara, at her bedside. His eyes began to swirl iridescent shades of yellow as he inhaled her scent mixed with something foreign, something male. Haydar, he growled.

Nasir! The name of his Emir bellowed off of his lips while he stormed through the hospital. He ripped doors from their hinges and tossed them to the floor, discarding debris in his wake. His subjects moved out of his warpath as he passed by each of them. The anger and hatred he felt permeated off his body, visible to anyone who looked in his direction.

He let out another roar, Nasir! There were footsteps coming from behind him. Zayn swirled around and met his Emir’s stare.

Nasir began to speak. Zayn, I... his words were cut off when Zayn’s hand shot up to Nasir’s throat.

Silence! I do not want to hear any excuses. We are going to kill them, all of them, right now.

All Nasir could do was nod in compliance. Moments later they were traveling around Colorado. Zayn focused his thoughts on his blood. He reached out and felt for Adara. Once he’d zoned in on her essence, they made it to the hideout Haydar and Leigh were using within minutes.

As the time passed, Zayn felt the seconds ticking by in slow motion. In one hundred and eighty seconds he went through all of the memories he had of the woman he loved. The first time they’d met, when Nikole brought Adara home from Club Impact. Their first kiss. The first time they’d made love. And then the image of their daughter on the piece of photo paper.

Their first meeting played in his mind like a movie reel. He relived the start of what would end up as a glorious relationship.

Nikole’s voice carried from the stairwell and into Zayn’s office. He pushed back from his desk and came out into the hallway to see what the commotion was that his okht had been causing. When he got to the hallway, he saw two women getting ready to walk into Nikole’s room.

Zayn called out to the women down the hallway, Nik, get back here. What the hell are you doing?

Nothing, Zayn, just spending time with Adara.

Who? he asked.

You know, Ghazi’s bent. I am sure you have met before.

He watched with intensity as the two women walked towards him. He always noticed the cocky strut his overly confident okht possessed. He had tried to break her of that, but recently he had given up on her acquiring proper manners.

Zayn, meet Adara. Adara, meet the controlling king of our race, Zayn. He watched his okht step back slightly while she shuffled her feet. This gave him a better view of the woman who was inside his home. He observed Adara bow her head, a sign of respect he so rarely saw with the current female population.

Adara, you do know that our location is secret? No one is to know of it. The sight of Adara herself was breathtaking, like most of Nikole’s friends. She appeared calm and mild mannered. He thought about that and considered that maybe this would help calm Nikole’s demeanor some.

Oh come on, Zayn. I flashed us here, Nikole began to protest, but Zayn raised his hand in an authoritative manner, silencing her in the same motion.

I want to hear the beautiful bent of Ghazi speak. He could hear Adara’s heart picking up pace as she raised her eyes up to him.

Yes, sire, I swear, your location will not be given from me.

And you know that a betrayal is punished only one way? Death.

Death! Zayn! Are you crazy? Nikole again was silenced in the middle of her protest when her akh’s yellow eyes shot her a glare.

Adara began to nod. Yes, death. My abb trained me in all the old laws.

Good. Now that this matter has been settled, I offer to you my kitchen and any other services you require while you accompany my okht inside our home. He turned and looked at his beloved okht and smiled. Do try and keep it down, please.

Nikole rolled her eyes at her big akh and reached out for Adara’s hand. She grabbed it and pulled at her at the same time. We got this. Back to what you were doing. Come on, Adara. We will not be bothering our king anymore.

Doubtful, little okht, but do try.

The painful reminders of losing his Adara hit his reality when Zayn and Nasir arrived inside the compound that she had been forced to enter. There was a putrid smell of death surrounding them. It made Zayn’s internal organs flip flop in disgust when he thought about what could be happening to Adara.

Any idea where we have landed, Nasir? His eyes trailed over every inch of the room they were in, assessing any potential danger that lurked in the unfamiliar territory.

Judging by the environment of the room, I would guess we are in some kind of battle room, possibly a combat training room based on the endless amounts of blood splatter.

Her blood brought us here for a reason. She must be close. Zayn looked around the room and then said, You go right; I’ll go left. We will find her.

Zayn started to move towards the door to go out in search of his missing bride-to-be, when he felt Nasir’s strong hand engulf his arm, holding him back and keeping him in place.

I don’t think so, Your Highness. There is too much at stake. We stay together.

After careful consideration, Zayn nodded, and then they both drew their weapons from their sides. They hadn’t fought side by side in over a century. Part of Zayn was pumped up on adrenaline, ready for action. The other part was nervous and scared, worried about his treasured Adara.

They began walking out of the doorway and down the hall. Zayn felt her close; he could practically taste her on his lips. Her presence was surrounding him, and his mind began to go crazy with need for her immediately.

She’s here. I can feel her behind this door. I can taste her, Nasir. He started to approach and heard his advisor speak. It could be a trap, Zayn.

Good, I hope so. Then I can kill all those fuckers at one time, punishing them for touching what’s mine. Zayn turned back to the door and let out the most vicious roar he ever had, Haydar!

Within seconds of the cry leaving his lips, the metal doors in front of him opened, displaying the woman he’d come to free lying on the ground, legs parted, and his bent  khaly Leigh kneeling between them. He looked around the room to assess the situation, and confusion struck him when he saw vines holding Haydar against the wall. He started to speak, to demand that Leigh back away from his woman, when he heard the most beautiful sound in the world. His eyes shot to Adara and to the treasure she was now holding in her arms..

PART ONE

THE RECKONING

CHAPTER ONE

There was only one destination that Haydar had in mind while he was pulling Adara through the forest and mountains of Colorado, Leigh’s training camp. He had to control Adara’s body while they traveled. She fought against him tooth and nail every second of the journey, and he had to respect that, an Algula woman not scared to fight. When they made it to the facility, he pointed to one of the guards that were standing watch at the entrance of the building.

You! Come here, now, he bellowed, his voiced laced with authority. When the guard came to stand beside him, he pushed Adara into his hands and began to bark out more orders. You take her to my chambers. She isn’t to leave. As a matter of fact, I want her secured in my room, not to move.

Two words left the guard’s mouth, Yes, sir. Haydar watched as the guard began to pull on Adara. Her shrill voice shrieked then, No, let me go! My baby! Let me go!

Haydar’s violet eyes scorched Adara’s body. He couldn’t help thinking what a foolish woman this was for not only trying to defy him, but to escape his custody as well. I do not care about that infant you carry inside of you. I hope it dies. One less family member to kill. Hmm, maybe I should just kill it myself.

No! Adara screamed out.

Haydar’s back was now turned on the situation, and he hoped that his guard would take a hint and remove her from his presence. Normally violence wasn’t such an appetite builder for Haydar, but today, for some reason, he felt like he could eat a cow.

You! Yes, come here, he called out to another servant who happened to be walking past him. Yes, you. Come! Haydar watched as the man ran up to him and bowed. Bring me food. I want to eat a cow. Make sure it is nice and tasty for me, won’t you? The servant gave Haydar a quick bow of his head again and started to walk off, Make sure it’s a big, feisty one this time!

Haydar enjoyed demeaning the humans by calling them cows. He thought it was amusing since the humans, in fact, ate cows practically daily for their own nutrition. The different types of bodies that the humans possessed made it even more fun for him when he got one that was a woman, and plump, especially around the center.

Once he was alone, he stripped from the clothes that he had borrowed from the hospital and tossed them onto the floor next to his feet. The putrid smell of dead Algula on his clothing, even though it had been tossed aside, festered inside his head. He went to the pile of discarded clothes and lit them on fire. He enjoyed the smells of his enemy rotting away in the ether.

Behind him, the door to the room opened, and when he turned, he saw his guard pushing a plump human forward. His smile crept slowly across his face, allowing his fangs to drop and expose themselves to the worthless piece of meat. Release him. With a single command, he doomed the human for eternity.

The guard backed away and left the room to Haydar and the man. Haydar looked his prey up and down slowly, making sure he saw the purple irises that were now flashing and swirling off and on shades in violet and lavender. When the man started to back up, Haydar rushed at him and pounced onto the thick man in a split second. His fangs were already pulsing and thrusting for a bite. It took virtually no effort to penetrate the soft, moist skin of the human and sink his pearly white incisors into the man’s blood stream.

The man fought for a few moments before his body became dead weight in Haydar’s arms. Once the last drop of blood was drained from the man, Haydar tossed the carcass onto the stone floor and lit it on fire. As it burned the stench began to permeate the air, and Haydar thought about how much he would miss this smell if he had been a, quote un quote, vegetarian, like some of the foolish Algula he had met. He licked his lips. The droplets of blood that remained gave him a fresh taste of his kill. This was what he was made for, killing.

Haydar walked out of his chamber and spotted the guard who had brought him dinner. Fetch my bent, he demanded curtly. Have her meet me in my chambers. We have things to finish. He stormed down the hallway and walked directly to his chambers. Adara should be nice and ready for him by now. The thought of the fear that would be festering inside of her gave him pleasure.

He took a second to reflect on what his Sarah would think about this situation. Haydar was aware that Sarah would be against him killing Adara because of the pregnancy, but sometimes in war, people didn’t always get what they wanted. He had to justify it with that logic. Adara and the unborn child would simply be casualties of war and not a slight on the Gods who’d created them. Sarah would understand the need for survival, for keeping their race alive and thriving with no one to stop them.

As he approached his chambers, the metal doors prevented him from entry at first. He grabbed ahold of the handles and pushed before walking directly into the room where he was met by a wonderful display of victory. It was as if she was his prize, a token he had won during a carnival game. He walked over to Adara’s bound body and ran his fingers along her soft, smooth skin. He knew he was causing her something, fear, excitement, anything, when he saw the goose bumps pop up along the trail his fingers took.

Do you know what will happen to you and your young tonight? he asked.

Her silence annoyed Haydar. He wanted to toy with her, to tease her, to make her beg.

Your silence does not keep you from answering me; I know you know what I am going to do. Your body and instincts are well aware what is going to happen tonight. First, I’m going to use you. Then, I’m going to kill you.

He brought his hand up to her face and let the back of his fingers run along her jaw line. She flinched at his touch, and