Thorn of a Rose: The Blood Curse Trilogy

By Ashley Hutchison

In a post-apocalyptic world, where an evil entity by the name of Jorne reigns his baneful wrath for blood lust and domination, stirring up an unrelenting coalition between three of the world's most harmonious nations to sign a contract --allowing Jorne to unleash some of his influence onto the army known as the Jortori. This contract was specifically formed by three very powerful men, a representative from each country, to rule the Jortori army in Jorne's place. The majority of the human race found sanctuary among the stars --with a promise to one day return. Among the handful of those left behind is a young girl by the name of Aleta Rose. Aleta and the remaing population were forced to come out of hiding to learn what true innate abilities really are, and to begin a revolt against the Jortori in order to save their home. Valcan, a Jortori leader, launched a grueling attack on Aleta's village when she was eight. Aleta, being the only survivor from the tragedy, was forced to live in the wilderness in order to survive. After nine years of living in utter isolation, Aleta, and her two wolves, are faced with the heart-stopping news of the Jortori's return to her home land. When it can't seem to get much worse, she is taken to a hidden military base, concealed in the mountains. Scared and confused in her new surroundings, Aleta learns that this is no ordinary military base. Everyone is acting strange and treating her like some disease ridden animal. The secrets and lies pile on top of each other as Aleta isn't only forced to figure out what causes her panic episodes that paralyze her body in the midst of anger but just what kind of secrets are these people not telling her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481718882

Book preview

Prologue

May 14th, 2284. I remember black skies blanketed over our heads stretching out to touch each horizon. It was late, and it was dark. Walls of raging fire engulfed us, barring us from escape. We were blasted with heat wave after heat wave as tongues from the antagonized flames neared, inching closer and closer, just dying to get a taste of human flesh. A scream sounded to my left, so loud it made my spine shudder. Screams of pain rippled in the air around me, trapped inside the fire. Thick, husky smoke rose up from the scorching embers, obscuring my vision and infiltrating my lungs. I coughed and wheezed trying to clear them out in a futile attempt. My chest tightened as I heaved, my lungs desperately fighting a losing battle for oxygen. Death was imminent trapped inside a sea of smoke and barricaded by a searing blaze.

I cried out hysterically for my parents and brothers but the thunderous howl of the fire and the torturous screams of others were my only responses. They were dying and I knew it. I dropped down to my hands and knees, still coughing and trying to stay as far below the smoke as possible. Through teary eyes I began crawling over debris and ashes as they settled on the scorched earth. I winced as hot embers nipped at my bare skin, but I could only grit my teeth through the pain and quicken my pace from a slow slink to a fast crawl. I had a destination in mind and I was bound and determined to get to it. I had to find my family and there was only one place they would be. Home.

An incoming wail siren-ed overhead, immediately followed by a deafening explosion somewhere to my right. Debris and dismembered body parts took to the air and rained back down with a snow fall of ashes. The ground quacked upon impact of the bomb and I nose dove into a mixed pile of ashes. I pushed myself up slowly, ears ringing loudly from the overwhelming sound. Another wail, another impact to my left. Closer this time. The explosion pushed me onto my side and the hungry flames roared with renewed excitement. Dizzily, I forced myself back up, disoriented, ears still ringing, and vision blurred as my head fought to readjust itself to a working capacity. However, when my vision and hearing refused to refocus I panicked. I hastily pushed myself to my feet and ran for it, tripping and stumbling as I forced my way through fallen debris and spot fires. I seemed to be moving in slow motion, only being able to see dark shapes and the glow from the fire. Only being able to hear the ringing in my ears, my rapid breathing, my heart beat and the occasional distant explosion.

I ran as swiftly as I could manage through burning trees and buildings, frantically shouting, desperate for any person’s response. But none came. I dodged burning branches and fallen debris as I tried to run in the opposite direction of the bombs. My vision had returned and I started running faster, pushing my legs to move much faster than my upper body. My own shouts became clearer and clearer as I ran, more legible in my own mind. I focused all my strength and energy into my legs as I pressed forward. I stumbled over severed body parts and corpses, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I had to find us a way out.

An unbelievably intense pain shot up the right side of my abdomen as a sticky dampness expanded, soaking most of my shirt. From my previous fall I presumed. The farther I ran into the heart of the village I began to recognize most of my surroundings, or what was left of them at this point. I immediately took a sharp turn to the right, leaping over hot piles of ember and weaving under fallen branches. Instinctively, my arms flew up over my head as I ran. I heaved, coughing up smoke as I stumbled to the open front door, regardless of the dangerously impending fire on the roof of the house.

Mommy! Daddy! I shouted as loudly as my voice could manage between coughs. I peered into the musky living room, trying to gauge any signs of life.

Leif!? Axel! I called out for my brothers, as I warily stepped into the room, my arm now hugging my injured side.

I could hear distant coughing followed by weak moans somewhere inside the house.

Hello!? I coughed out in a hazed voice. In that moment my brain temporarily forgot about my injuries and commanded my legs to run long before I had the time to merely process the vague thought. I fell hard onto my knees and a shooting pain shot up my side and I groaned in pain. An unexpectedly strong hand gripped my shoulder and yanked me back to my feet.

Shh. I’ve got you. My daddy’s voice was a hoarse rasp and he sounded defeated. He pulled me up into my arms, cradling me against him as he ventured further into the house.

Daddy, I whimpered with relief as I allowed my body to relax against him. It would be okay now, he would get all of us out. They had just been waiting on my return and I instantly felt a pang of guilt for taking off moments before anything happened. My daddy would have everyone in the safe house about a half a mile from our house by now. He continued through the house, turning down hallways and walking through open doors. He walked with a limp, forfeiting the information of his own injuries. My stomach churned and my heart beat quicken with worry.

Finally, he turned into the master bedroom walking as quickly as he could with a gimped leg. I could feel his hot, panted breath against my face each time he exhaled. He was exhausted. He carried me to the back of the room before setting me down and releasing me into a severe coughing fit. Almost immediately after setting me down he turned to throw open the back window. After several agonizing pulls, he changed tactics and thrusted his elbow into the glass. Shards of broken glass scattered across the floor and my daddy cleared out all the sharp shards with his bare hands.

A bomb screeched overhead and my daddy threw himself on top of me and held me as tightly to the ground as he could. The bomb struck the earth a couple yards away but my father braced us against the moving ground. And once the earth beneath us had settled, I was being pulled to my feet again by both arms. My daddy hoisted me up into his arms again as he pressed his lips gingerly to my forehead.

Run, Aleta, He whispered through parted lips. The meaning behind his words clicked in my brain and I instantly began struggling against his grip to no avail. But I didn’t stop.

No! I cried out repeatedly, flailing as he carefully dropped me outside the window. I scrambled to my feet and turned to climb back in before he could stop me. My father’s hands caught mine, stopping me cold in the process. I met his eyes,

Please, I whispered as a lump formed deep within my throat.

I’m right behind you, he said with watery eyes. I was never really sure if they were from the sting of the smoke or from something much deeper.

Promise? I pressed.

’Till my last breath, he stared at me meaningfully then said, I love you, Sweetheart. Never forget that.

I love you too daddy, and I won’t. That I promise.

His hands gave mine a quick squeeze, finalizing the moment. I nodded and turned tail to run the second his hands released mine. It was a shaky start because I kept tripping in the thick undergrowth. But once I regained my footing I took off. I ran just like my daddy told me to. I pushed hard, ignoring every fleeting pain my body was registering in that instant. I kept checking over my shoulder waiting to see my father’s figure trailing me in the distance. It was hard to tell, though, I couldn’t see much through the foggy smoke. But he had to be there. He promised.

I looked over my shoulder one last time for my father as another impending wail sounded. I stopped in my tracks, searching the dark skies for the incoming threat. I spotted it falling through tree branches just before impact.

NO! I shouted just as the bomb struck my house. It flung me backwards at least 15 feet and I landed flat on my back. My world spun as I stared up into the dark night as I tried to catch my breath, winded from the fall. Tears burned my eyes and the lump in my throat had already grown, threatening to release all my weakness. Utterly defeated I rolled onto my side forcing myself to fulfill my father’s dying wish. I pushed myself onto my knees, breathing hard, fighting back tears as so many overwhelming emotions of despair and fear washed over me all at once. Breathing was no longer a simple task. I crawled to the nearest tree and used it’s sturdy trunk to bring me back to my feet. Not a single thought passed through my mind for my body had already begun shutting down, retreating furiously and going numb. I started limping forward, disallowing any pain to hold me back and I picked up my pace continually until I was in a full blown run again. And I ran for my father who no longer could. I decided I would live for both of us. And I ran away from everything and everyone I had known and loved as the last Jortori bomb struck…

Chapter One

Nine Years Later

Gone. It’s all gone. They destroyed it all. Everything that once thrived here now lays in ruins of the aftermath. Stunned, I cautiously whisked through the ashes of snow as involuntary tears rippled down my cheeks. I squinted through the layers and layers of debris that still mingled in the air. It was thick like a dense fog. I found myself spinning and spinning as I called out the names of people I knew. My mother, my father, my younger brothers; Leif and Axel. No one answered my calls.

Life was minuscule. In fact, I think I’m the only living body here. I looked down at the ground, tears now spilling out in streams because they are now whirling piles of dust under my bare feet. The pounding of my heart consumed me. It was all I could see. All I could hear. All I could feel. My sobbing breath turned into pants of pure irate rage. I looked around taking in the damage that destroyed my life. But with each turn of my head my vision blurred significantly. Shades of white and grey blended together like someone had taken a paint brush and painted the streaks in front of my eyes. The shades merged to the point that my vision was completely obscured. All I could hear was the sound of a Jortori jet and the wail of another incoming bomb.

I sprung up, clenching my chest tightly in a failed attempt to scream. It hurt. It felt like someone had lit my heart ablaze and it was hard to force enough air into my lungs to keep myself conscious. Panicking, I pushed myself back against the wall behind my bed, giving myself room to breathe and my body a sturdy support system. Why? Why does this happen to me? I could see my pulse beating in the edges of my blurred vision. I pressed two fingers to my neck and tried to count out my heart beat but I couldn’t keep up. My pulse beat hard against my fingers like it was trying to break free of my binding flesh.

I’m still not exactly sure what causes my attacks but even more so I’m still not sure exactly what they are. And I’m not sure if I ever will come to an understanding of them. Really, I have just accepted them as apart of me and a fact of life. No matter how unbearably painful they are or how frightening they can be. Deep down I know they mean something but I’m not ready for the commitment of finding out. Not yet at least. My skin is so hot it feels like needles are being repeatedly penetrated into my flesh. Though in my mind I wondered if it was because my blood was coming to a boil. Literally.

I bit my bottom lip as I fought back tears of pain and fear. This only happens every so often and there wasn’t much I could do about it other than riding it to it’s end. A soft cold nose poked persistently at my forearm, accompanied by a long, low whimper. Still locked in my attack I accidentally jumped at the sudden touch. I looked down and saw a peer white wolf gazing up at me with sky blue eyes, head slightly cocked to the side, confused by my abnormal reaction to his touch. I tried to give him an apologetic smile, which I’m sure looked more like a broken grimace, but the point was I tried and I gathered he knew what I meant regardless.

I’m sorry Conjo. I’ll be alright. Just give me a few minutes, I tried to say as soothingly as possible. Through winces I reached down to scratch his head. He closed his eyes and pressed his muzzle against my forearm. I’m alright, boy, I said again hoping to help ease him. As I soothed Conjo I heard another small whimper coming from the end of my bed. I turned my head again in centimeters toward the sound of the whimper only to find an all black wolf looking at me with worry in his golden eyes.

C’mere Dakota, I said reaching my hand out as an invitation. He immediately took it, jumping up onto my bed and plopping his head down in my lap. I had to pull my other hand off my chest so I could attend to him as well. However, Dakota was more interested in licking my hand to death, in an attempt to soothe the skin he knew was hurting. He was smart for being so young—just a little over a year. Unlike Conjo, who is pushing seven. Dakota stopped licking my hand and I realized whatever was happening to my body had dispersed. They always helped me through these, doing anything possible to comfort me and take my mind off of it so that my body could fight through it without panicking.

I sighed heavily, allowing oxygen back into my lungs as my body shuddered in relief. I leaned over gently and gave both Conjo and Dakota a kiss on top of their heads, then promptly focused the rest of my energy into getting out of bed. My limbs and joints were still sore from the attack so they moved in short jerking motions as I slowly tried to ease my way out of my make-shift bed. I took it one foot at a time. I began by gently setting my right foot on the cold, hardwood floor. It tingled a little at first but only for a few moments. As soon as it ceased, I gently placed my left foot next to my right.

I placed both hands evenly on the bed so I could carefully push myself up to my feet. I stumbled at first but Conjo and Dakota were at my sides to keep me balanced. I reached out to the wall with one hand but I tripped again and found myself leaning against the wall instead. Not like that’s hard to do considering this place was severely tilted in one direction. In fact, I think my bed is the only leveled object in this place but that’s because it was hand made. But it worked and it was all I had so I wasn’t about to complain.

Supported by the wall, I was able to make my way forward to the door. Once I was leaning against it, I ran my hand up the door ’till I felt cool metal against my fingertips. As soon as I did, I grasped the knob with both hands and gave it a slow turn. I continued turning until I heard the latch click but before my mind could calculate out the circumstances I already fell through. Luckily, this wouldn’t be the first time I fell through the door, so I easily dropped down into the brush underneath. Of course, stumbling because of my still weakened joints. But not too shabby considering otherwise. Conjo and Dakota quickly followed and landed into the brush, heeling next to me. I turned and threw the door up to shut it because at the angle this thing stands at you quite literally have to throw the door up to close it. Thank God after all this place has been through it was still sturdy enough to hold together. It’s the last standing building after Valcan’s attack on my village and that is only because it’s about a half a mile away from the old village. It’s a very small rectangular shed that was built about half-a-foot off the ground to be used as a shelter for hunters during the winter. Though, now it stood at an angle from the blast radius a half a mile away that hit nine years ago. And it’s been my home ever since. So again, I’m not complaining. Home is home.

I quickly regained my balance with the help of some near by branches. The chill from the light fall breeze enveloped my body down to the core. I looked down,

Ah, that’s why, I muttered pulling my drenched shirt off my skin. Fabulous.

I ran my hands through my hair. Soaked. Nice. I’ve never sweated this much during an attack before. They seemed to be getting worse and worse each time. They are becoming longer and more violent and I found myself even more worn out afterwards each time. I threw my arms down and looked around in frustration. What else could go wrong? What a perfect start to a shitty day.

I looked up at the sky and found the sun peaking through some nasty looking clouds. But it was enough for me to get the time and it was already passed noon. Typically, in normal cases, nightmares are usually enough to rouse someone to wake for the day. But I, however, have the sick misfortune of being locked in my nightmares for several hours upon waking. Like someone is trying to force me to endure and suffer every bit of it for as long as possible. I rubbed my forehead like I was trying to push the bad dream out as I tried to regather my thoughts, but despite all my efforts nothing seemed to conquer the rage of my grumbling stomach.

Alright boys, how about some breakfast? I asked looking at my little hunters. Conjo yelped in agreement and took off into the undergrowth. Dakota stood staring up at me, tongue hanging out, tail wagging. He’s still learning. Go on Dakota, get something to eat. He tilted his head, tongue still hanging out, tail still wagging. I laughed, assuming he’d rather play than work. But fortunately a howl from Conjo in the distance brought Dakota loping after him—a call telling him to move his ass. I smiled as I thought about how it used to be.

For the longest time it had only been Conjo and myself. After the destruction of my village, I had found Conjo as a pup whining next to the body of his dead mother that had been mauled by a bear. She must have been trying to protect him and ended up giving her life for his. Anyway, I heard his cries as I walked aimlessly through the woods and after I had found him I felt that immediate connection. I knew his heart ache and figured we could mourn our loved ones in each others company. Of course it took days to earn enough trust but eventually keeping him alive won over his love.

Then, however, a couple years back we came across little Dakota, sick and abandoned by his pack. Fortunately for him, I wasn’t as cruel hearted and dedicated most of my time nursing him back to health—which, undoubtedly, earned me another member of my own pack. Conjo hated it, growling, nipping and putting Dakota in his place every chance he got. But Dakota was more than willing to let Conjo hold the alfa position as he, himself, took on the little brother role that Conjo eventully learned to appreciate. And he inevitably ended up taking Dakota under his wing. I sighed shaking my head in awe and wonder at the memories as I rounded the skewed shed to the fire pit on the other side.

Brr, I whispered into the empty fall air. Hugging myself I searched for some small logs and timber. I gathered a decent amount and began setting up the logs in the form of an Indian tent and placing the timber neatly inside. Then I scavenged through my pockets until I pulled out a small box of matches.

Old school, I mumbled, my words coming out in wisps on my breath before being carried away by the wind. I struck a match on the package and my gaze fell into the small blaze. The sounds of explosions dropping in two’s rang out in my ears. Silhouettes of people I knew being burned alive danced across my vision to the beat of my pulse. Their screams for help and screams of shear pain played out like a broken record in my head. Like someone pressed repeat on the song of their dying screams. My chest began to hurt again and I quickly pulled my gaze away from the flame and placed it graciously into the fire pit on top of the timber. I struck another match and stuck that one in behind it. I remained kneeling on the ground, shivering. It was teeth-chattering cold and I was out here in sweat-drenched clothes. Perfect.

I poked and stirred the fire ’till it had a good, healthy blaze going. Then I tossed in the twig I was using to poke it with before standing up and stripping down. After removing my drenched pieces of clothing, I keenly draped my clothes over a piece of twine I had tied between two trees years ago. Once those were up to dry, I placed my goose-bump covered body next to the now roaring fire. Still chilled, I pulled my knees in tight against my chest and hugged them for warmth. Then I tossed my hair to one side and began working through my matted tangles with my fingers so that I could attempt to braid it like my mother used to.

I had to draw my eyes up from the flames and sparks, trying to avoid it’s gravitational pull. I, instead, turned my attention to a small bird trying to scrummage anything and everything edible off the ground. My focus, however, was abruptly intruded when Dakota came crashing into the camp attempting—and failing—to capture a small rabbit.

Come on now, Dakota! I called after him, but he had already disappeared back into the grasp on the forest desperately nipping at the rabbit’s hind legs. Conjo casually strolled up to my side and gingerly set the remains of a large rodent next to me. I could tell by its long willowy tail.

Thank’s boy, but you eat it, I said trying not to sound disgusted by the tattered remains. His eyes met mine and he held my gaze to his. Unwavering, without blinking, without looking away, he stared into me.

Okay, okay. I’ll eat it. Thank you, I said scratching his head. He gave a short nod and took off into the trail Dakota left behind. I looked around and reached for a large stick. One was just out of my reach so I leaned over onto my side, one arm covering my top and my legs crossed to secure my underside. So that I don’t feel like I’m being exposed, not that it really matters out here. No one else lived around here except for the people in my village.

With my free arm I stretched out along the ground enough for my fingertips to pull the rough stick toward me. I typically skin these type of things before I eat them but since I am slightly lacking the proper tools at the moment and I didn’t feel like getting up and digging one out in the shed. I just probed the remains with the stick and worked it into the ground so it could cook over the fire. Good enough for me.

While my meal was cooking I decided to quickly get redressed. I hopped up and tip-toed over to the clothing line and began yanking everything down into my arms. As I was hastily pulling my clothes back on, the sound of branches being broken behind me caught my unnerving attention. Instinctively, I picked up the stick with the dead rodent remains knowing that the fur I had left on it would already be on fire. I waved it cautiously in the direction I heard the sounds coming from in warning. Surely even a wild bear would turn tail rather than walk into a potential threat. Even if that threat was a slightly charred rat-on-a-stick. They may be big but even they know when to back down.

That’s why I had confidence in my stance because when you live in the woods your entire life you learn how to protect yourself. Granted, it comes easier when you live in a decent sized village that served in that protection on it’s own. But when your by yourself, it’s a tad bit different. Now I wish I had gone inside to grab that knife after all.

Conjo burst from the thicket beside me growling, ready to attack. His muzzle stained from blood and the small rabbit, that Dakota so wishfully tried to catch, laid dead at his paws. Dakota came trolloping out behind him gleefully. That is, until he sensed the smell of an unknown presence. Then his stance changed, too. Chest low to the ground, hackles standing on end, teeth barred, and that unmistakable "get lost" growl rumbling from deep within.

No, no! Please don’t hurt me. I’m a friend not a foe. A voice called out as a tall figure stepped out from