Enemies (The Siren Series #4)

By L.A.Griffiths

Ellie has done the unthinkable and has killed a person. She has used her powers to end someone’s life in a fit of pure rage. Her time with the council has come to an end and she needs to escape with the help of her loyal friends. Now at a crossroads and with nothing to guide her, Ellie turns down a dark path that not everyone is willing to pay the price and soon finds out that a deadly prophecy will make her the number one enemy of the entire supernatural community that could turn her friends against her.

Join Ellie on another page turning adventure as she hunts for the person who killed her aunt. But is the killer someone she knows?

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.A.Griffiths
• Release date: Oct 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311253354

L.A.Griffiths

L.A.Griffiths lives in the UK where he has written his first ever book in the upcoming Siren Series. Broken is his first debut novel into the dark side of the supernatural where anything can happen. He has been writing at a very young age, turning anything into a story to keep him entertained. When not writing, his time is taken up by his chaotic dog called T.

Book preview

Enemies

By

L.A.Griffiths

Copyright © 2015 by L.A.Griffiths

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission.

Acknowledgments

For all my readers who look forward to the next in the Siren Series. And to those who enjoy Ellie’s adventures and have continued along with me. And to my amazing editor.

Thank you.

The Siren Series

Broken

Chained

Desire

Enemies

Fallen

Guilty (Coming Soon)

Chapter One

In a dimly lit room where the darkness gathers and the light never dared to enter, there were two people, one kneeling, while the other sat in her looking chair, staring down on the once acclaimed bounty hunter. He had been called for his services and his many talents. His eyes stared straight down at the floor for fear of being punished. Only those deemed worthy may look upon her, and only with her permission.

    You may look at me if you wish. she purred.

    Orrin lifted his head to see a tall, pale skinned woman sitting cross legged in her chair. She was a mighty creature that possessed the body of a woman with dark, dull chestnut locks and a face pure of scorn. She slowly brushed the hair away from her eyes and adjusted herself in her throne-like chair. 

    What is your wish, my lady? Orrin spoke with a hint of fear.

    A tiny smile appeared on her thin, bloodless lips.

    "I’ve heard that you can do certain things with your gifts?" the woman asked.

    Orrin looked into her soulless black eyes, and he feared what hid behind them. He lingered, lost within them, as if something pulled him in with an invisible force. Yes, I can make people see things that are not there, just inside their minds.

    Interesting. she smiled.

    May I ask why my lady has called on me? he asked, and anxiously, he waited for his answer.

    She could sense his fear, and she fed from it as if it were sweet nectar. 

    Because I’ve heard that you do things with your gift for money, is that not true? she asked.

    Yes, this is true. he replied with an unsteady voice.

    I want you to use your gift to kill someone; the person is not important. You need to do this because if you do not, you know what will befall you. She said seductively.

    Why do I need… Orrin had forgotten his place; he should not question her. He held his tongue and waited.

    The black-eyed creature moved with unseen speed and struck the bounty hunter across the face, leaving him with a small nick on his cheek, which is now bleeding.

    Because it is demanded! she roared. If I weren’t so weak, I would rip you apart and wear your intestines as a necklace. Do not question me like that again. 

    Orrin held his bruised face as the fear slowly festered within him.

    You have my fullest apologies, mistress. And what you ask will be done. Orrin said with fear. 

    Good, that will get the wheel spinning. she commented.

    What about payment? he asked.

    The creature's eyes gazed down on him. Ah, that’s what it all boils down to: money.

    I am still a bounty hunter at the end of the day. he replied.

    Yes, I know. Your payment will be delivered to you once the job is done. the creature said.

    Yes, Mistress, replied Orrin.

    The pale skinned woman returned to her throne and dismissed Orrin with a wave of her hand. This was his time to take his leave. Orrin scurried out of the dimly lit room and quickly shut the door behind him, panting with fear. He breathed heavily as sweat beaded across his brow. He had never felt fear like that.

    The terrifying woman licked her pale velvet lips as she could feel her strength waning, she needed to feed. The creature stood up from her chair and slowly walked to the back of the darkened room, where there was a small moan.

    You have been noticeably quiet today; what is wrong? Are you not feeling well? She mocked it as she kneeled beside it.

    Crawling across the floor was a frail young man. He had been chained to the floor with a collar digging in deep around his bloodied and bruised neck. His mistress pulled the chain, causing the bound victim pain and agony.

    You do look a little thin. she commented, but you’ll do.

    The injured man backed away from her, fearing what was about to come. She crept slowly towards him like a lion, ready to sink its teeth into its prey. She threw herself at the young man, ripping apart his fragile body as scarlet blood sprayed the dull stone walls. His cries made it more enjoyable for her as she continued to cup his seeping life force and bring it to her overly bloodied lips, smiling as she continued to drink her fill. As the blood flowed down into her throat, she could feel her strength beginning to wake.

Chapter Two

Ellie, what have you done? cried Marcus. 

    Marcus’s voice called out to me while I sat down on the bloodied stone floor, still locked away in the cell next to the destroyed remains of the bounty hunter I had killed moments ago. I stared down at the floor, contemplating what I had just done. I had taken a life, but something inside quietly told me that it was OK. But why was it OK? Because he was a bounty hunter. In the end, I did not care; he was the one who killed Kate, and I killed him because of that. 

    I found out by burrowing into his perverted mind until I saw the person who gave the order. I did not know her, but I promised myself that I would hunt her down and kill her like I did with the bounty hunter. I will find this woman and make her pay. 

    More voices came into the room, and I looked up from the floor to see Marcus and his father. They talked amongst themselves in hushed tones. Would this now become my new home? Was I a danger to them now? Even if I were, I would never stay here, even if I had to fight my way out to freedom. I would never allow myself to be locked away again. 

    I picked myself up and walked towards the cell door. They both watched me with interest. 

    Can I come out? I asked quietly. 

    You were the one who locked yourself inside. commented Richard. 

    Oh. I mumbled. I searched around the floor to try and find the key where it hid among the destroyed remains of the bounty hunter. I picked it up while brushing off the small fragments. 

    Marcus asks, Ellie, do you realise what you have done? 

    What do you mean? I reply as I unlock the door to my cell. 

    I stared at him in a daze as he furrowed his brow. You’ve just killed someone. 

    Not just anyone; a bounty hunter, and I think I have done a service to everyone. He cannot hurt anyone anymore. I replied. 

    Yes, he was a cruel man, but that still doesn’t give you the right to just take matters into your own hands. he said. 

    I did everyone a favour, and no one will miss him, plus he killed Kate; he deserved to die. 

    That’s not your decision to make! Richard said. 

Marcus's dad appeared in the middle of the dungeon with his arms folded, staring at me. 

    I don’t care, end of, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I said as I made my way past them. 

    Did you at least get a good look at who ordered the attack? Richard asked. 

    No. I answered over my shoulder. 

    What will happen to her? Marcus asked his father. 

    I do not know. If the council gets wind of this, they will throw her into the pit and toss away the key. he said. 

    I can’t let that happen. Marcus commented. 

    Thank you, Marcus. But if any of this gets out, I won’t put anyone else in danger with the council. I said. 

    I moved past him and his brick wall of a father, going out of the stone dungeon, leaving them behind in the cold, dark cells along with the broken bounty hunter. As I climbed up the stairs, I could hear heavy steps running up behind me. 

    Ellie, wait! Marcus called from behind. 

    I stopped and turned to him, What is it? 

    Are you OK? he asked. 

    Yes, Marcus. I’m fine. I answer. 

    But you jus… I cut him off. 

    I know what I’ve done, Marcus. I said. 

    He just stood on the stairs, lost for words. 

    I’m going to talk to Sophia. I said. 

    Be careful of what you say to her, Ellie. She is in the council, and whatever she hears, she must report it back. 

    Sophia wouldn’t do that, would she? I asked, If I told her, she wouldn’t go blabbing off to the council, would she? 

    I don’t know. Since Rhea’s death, she has changed. Marcus said. 

    I still need to go see her, to tell her. I said. 

    Be careful of what you say, Ellie. No matter what, I still want to keep you safe. Marcus moved slowly towards me and was about to caress my face, but I quickly flinched away, fearing the animalistic heat that would follow. 

    He dropped his hand down by his side. Sorry. he quickly said. 

    I have to go. I replied and continued to climb back up the steps and up to the council building. I walked back into the main hall, where a mass of protectors was still clearing up from the destruction brought on by the bounty hunters. As I walked through the group of protectors, I tried to keep my head down, as they would blame me for this happening in the first place, but who would blame them for thinking that? It was true. I had brought the bounty hunters straight to their doorstep. 

    I ascended the broken staircase, heading to Sophia’s office to try and talk to her. As I was about to knock, the door was fiercely pulled open, revealing the tall, silver haired man in his daughter's doorway. He looked down on me with a hidden fury buried deep within his eyes.

    I see you are here for my daughter again? he commented.

    Yes, I am. I replied.

    He didn’t say more after that; he just brushed past me and walked down to the main hall. I peeked into Sophia’s office to see her resting her platinum head on her solid oak table. Knocking on the door made her quickly sit up straight.

    It’s only me. I said.

    Oh, Ellie. Please come in. she said.

    I closed the door behind me quietly and stepped into the darkened office. All of her curtains were closed off from any light that could enter as the sun was now slowly rising.

    Was that your father coming out of here? I asked.

    Yeah, it was. she replied with a wide yawn.

    He does not like me at all, does he. I said.

    He’s like that with everyone. There are not a lot of people who find his company pleasurable, including my mother.

    Your mother? I asked.

    Yeah, since the divorce, they can’t stand each other. Sophia replied.

    Oh, I’m sorry. I said.

    No, it’s OK; I’ve finally made peace with it but I wish they would too. 

    So what is he doing here at the council? I asked.

    He protects the council members. she replied.

    "But isn’t that the protector's job?" I asked.

    "Yes, it is, but since they are council members, they need extra security since the attack, and my father can offer it. My father and I have the same abilities, we can create protective barriers out of thin air, but my father is very advanced, and he thinks I am wasting my gift."

    Why would he think that?

    Well, he wants me to join him in protecting the council members, but I don’t want to do that.

    I can see why you two are always arguing. I said, It must be tough with a father who’s demanding.

    Yeah, it is. mumbled Sophia.

    There was a lull in the conversation between us, and I had to tell her about what I had done. 

    So, what can I do for you? Sophia asked.   

    There’s something I need to tell you. I started. 

    Go ahead. Sophia said.

    I took a deep breath. I have killed the bounty hunter who was locked up. My confession had Sophia straight up on her feet.

    What! she cried.

    I looked into his mind, and I learned that he was the one who crashed into us, killing Kate on the orders of some mysterious woman. I need to find her. 

    I’m so sorry, Ellie. But by council law, you should be incarcerated.

    I took a step back away from her. I would have thought that Sophia would jump to my side straight away, but her being in the council made it harder.

    But since you are very important to us, we need to clear this up, fast. I have had word that in a few hours the council members will be going into a full briefing about what happened last night.   

    Yeah, I bet they want to poke and prod everyone who was here, including me. 

    Yes, and me. They will be coming down on everyone really hard. she replied.

    There is no escaping them, is there? I asked.

    No, there isn’t. 

    Sophia made her way back to her desk and dropped down as if she had the entire weight of the world on her shoulders.

    How are you doing? I asked.

    I could say I am holding up, but that would be a lie. I miss her so much, and I can’t stop thinking about if there was more I could have done. 

    You cannot think like that, Sophia. It will destroy you, and believe me, I know. I said.

    If it wasn’t for that bitch, Rhea might still be alive. Sophia said through gritted teeth.

    Sophia didn’t know, but I didn’t have time last time to tell her about Naaz’s demise. Now would be a good time to tell her.

    Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about Naaz. I said.

    "What about her." she said.

    I think she’s dead. Sophia turned to me with her eyes wide open.

    Are you sure of this? she asked.

    Yeah, Selina and I fought with her, and she somehow got absorbed into some stone monument. I explained.

    What sort of stone monument? she asked.

    I explained to Sophia in detail about the large stone monument that Selina showed me and about the