Prey sanguis trilogy boo.., p.1
Prey (Sanguis Trilogy Book 1), page 1
Prey
Sanguis Book One
C. A. Kerson
Copyright © 2024 by C. A. Kerson
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 of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact C. A. Kerson / @cakersonauthor@gmail.com
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
First edition 2024
Dedication
For younger me, you did it kid.
Content Warnings
This novel is intended for adult readers and contains dark content.
Death
Graphic depictions of violence
Murder
Torture
Blood
Hallucinations
Abduction
Sex/ Sexual Situations
Body Horror
Child death(Not in explicit detail, but it happens.)
Gore
1
Kiera
Iwatched as his figure loomed over me, his fangs and claws exposed in the moonlight. A wolf joined in with a chorus of snarls. It’s bloodstained mouth dripping saliva. It was huge, standing on two legs and snapping at us. The man retaliated by slashing at the creature’s face. In response to its howls of rage, the man whispered one word: “Run.” I scrambled up, feeling the cold dew from the grass beneath my feet as I scampered away. Horrifying noises appeared from behind me – bones cracking, flesh tearing apart - but I didn’t pause.
I found refuge in a hollow tree and covered my mouth to keep quiet as I heard blood splattering nearby. When I peered around the corner, I saw the man rip into the wolf’s neck and tear out its throat, sending a wave of terror across the forest. Then, a sharp pain in my abdomen drew a gasp from my lips. A blade had plunged into my belly. I started to choke on my own blood. As I looked up, I noticed him grinning as he uttered: “Meus es” before everything went black.
I awoke with a start, gasping for air and sweating profusely. The open window let in a cold, icy breeze. My bedroom was still drenched in the night’s dark blue hue—probably earlier than the sun’s rising time. It would be a long day as I was awake hours before I needed to be.
I moved my feet off the edge of the bed, feeling the chill send shivers through me. As I entered the bathroom, my jet-black curls were every which way, and my sweat-damp skin glistened. I heaved a deep sigh; my dreams had been more vivid lately, always with an intense, gory scene that seemed realistic as if it were happening. I hadn’t had a pleasant dream in God knows how long.
With teeth chattering from the cold, I headed downstairs for breakfast. After preparing everything, I padded down the hall to wake up my brother, “Sebby.”
I said, gently placing a hand on his back to aid in waking him.
“Sebby, it’s time to wake up. I made your favorite blueberry pancakes.”
He groaned into his pillow before he sat up, his hair a mess, his eyes filled with sleep.
I smiled at him, “Good morning, Sebby.”
He gave me a half-hearted smile, rubbed his eyes, and crawled over me, making his way to the kitchen.
For a preteen who spends his night endlessly gaming on his console, it didn’t take much to wake him. I went to the kitchen, where he was gleefully stuffing his face. “Thanks, Kiera. I also thought we’d discussed you not calling me ‘Sebby’ anymore.” He scolded as I buttered my own pancakes for devouring.
I sucked my teeth and stared. “It’s either Sebby or little asshole.”
He narrowed his eyes and stuck out his tongue defiantly.
After breakfast, I picked out an outfit and went to shower. I hated Mondays. Especially starting a Monday with a nightmare and a headache. I rinsed out my hydration treatment and stepped out of the shower.
As I went to my room, I checked my phone, rubbing my temples. Erebos had texted his obligatory ‘good morning beautiful’ message. Isodelle had sent too many memes, and of course, she’d also overloaded our group chat with them. Calliope and Nick had sent audio messages describing their frustration at me falling asleep early last night.
I smiled to myself and clicked off my phone. I sat at my vanity to get ready. I ran coconut curling cream through my black coils and put lotion on my bronze skin. I sent Erebos a fast text back as I finished getting ready and went to make sure Sebby was almost done. He would fake sick if I let him.
“You have 10 minutes, Seb, don’t push it,” I called and knocked on his door as I passed.
I grabbed my keys and went to Mom’s room. She was still asleep, I sighed, noticing a man’s arm around her. Of fucking course. I shook my head and closed her door with a soft click. I finally got Seb out of the house and into the car.
“Kiera, can we go to the mall this afternoon?”
He stuck his bottom lip out, trying to be cute.
I rolled my eyes, “You know I don’t get paid until next week, but I will see what I can do.”
He huffed and nodded. I swear this boy would be the death of me.
We made it to his school, and I ruffled his blonde curls, which earned me a death glare with those amber eyes. I laughed as he shut the door and jogged off to his friends. I stopped to get coffee on my way to school. I was a senior, so I took the liberty every morning to get coffee before dealing with the bullshit. It’s saved many idiots from getting cussed out. I parked and gathered my things, taking a Tylenol before heading in.
When I walked in, the smell of mint hit me like a brick wall as soon as I entered and made my opal-colored eyes water and my lungs burn. I wiped my tears on the back of my sleeve. They have got to stop thinking that scent is appealing. It was the most suffocating, intolerable scent in life. I unlocked my locker, and the hairs on my arm stood on end as hands covered my eyes. I tensed and relaxed as Erebos whispered, “Good morning again, beautiful.”
I turned around, emerald eyes sparkling with his smile. I smiled and kissed his suntanned cheek. We’d been dating since freshman year; he asked me to a formal, and the rest is history. I closed my locker, and we started walking to our first class.
“Are we still on for Friday?” I asked.
He nodded and laced his fingers through mine. “However, I may have accidentally invited De.” He winced, and I glared at him.
“Accidentally?”
He gave me a weak smile, “As well as Nick and Calliope, please don’t kill me.”
I sighed. I wasn’t mad. I just didn’t think our date night would be a friend’s night.
“We can still meet up before we hang out with them and have dinner. Just the two of us.” He squeezed my hand, and I tried not to smile. It was hard not to smile around him. “Fine, but I want the good pizza from Enzo’s.”
He laughed and kissed the top of my head as we turned into the classroom. De was at our table, and she waved excitedly to me. I let go of Erebos’ hand and hugged her.
“So Friday is gonna be fun, right?” I gave her an incredulous look, “Seeing as how date night has yet again turned into a five-some.” I turned my head towards Erebos.
“I’d say it’s going to be great.” She giggled and unscrewed her lip gloss to reapply. Isodelle (De) was one of my best friends. We’d known each other since pre-k, and I couldn’t imagine life without my red-headed gremlin. Calliope and Nick came in next with their usual matching shirts.
The twins were the cringiest pair of siblings I’ve ever met. They always found ways to coordinate their outfits and hairstyles, their blonde hair toned to perfection and their violet eyes sparkling.
“Good morning, guys.” I greeted them as I sipped the last of my coffee. Calliope found her place at the table next to ours. Nick sat behind us with Erebos.
“Morning losers, have you already given E hell? Please don’t tell me I missed it.” Calliope grinned at me and waved at Erebos.
“Give him hell? No. His pockets? Yes. He has to take me to Enzo’s before you guys come.” Calliope gave me a high five.
“Good job bitch, I wouldn’t stop at Enzo’s, though. Take her to the mall, too.” She glared at him.
“It’s not only my fault, guys. You all agreed to come with us.”
They all blinked at him in unison. “Yeah, we agreed, but you didn’t have to ask.” Isodelle threw an eraser at him.
I put my arms up in a ‘T’ shape.“It’s okay. Let’s just get this week over with. Do you guys wanna hang out today, too?”
They all agreed as the bell rang. I smirked to myself, getting my binders out of my bag. These people would be the death of me.
I picked Sebby up from school and bribed him with ice cream to not let Mom know that I would be hanging out with my friends rather than going to work. He, of course, agreed, but the kid was smart. He got me to agree to get him four new comics when I got paid.
“Little asshole.”
I messed up his hair as I let him out of the car. We decided to go to the park. It was our holy place. We frequently had picnics in front of the pond. The ducks were always the best part of the park days. I, of course, was in charge of snacks and drinks, so I made sure I had plenty of honey-glazed almonds, chips, and soda.
Erebos said he’d grab a party pack of
“Thank god, I’m starving.” She chirped, I handed her the almonds and sat down beside her. I put the soda into the bucket of ice she’d brought and the snacks around it on the ground.
“Erebos should be on his way,” I said, opening my phone to check the texts he had sent me.
Isodelle scrolled her phone, nodding, “I have my almonds, so all is right with the world.”
I poured myself a plastic cup of soda and looked out over the pond. The ducks were waddling around the short, and a crane dove in for its prey. I sipped my drink, the bubbles sizzling on my tongue.
I couldn’t wait to graduate. I loved my town, but I couldn’t wait to be out. I’d always felt othered. I was adopted by a white family; my adoptive parents then divorced, and my mom was not the most maternal woman. She had raised me, and I was grateful for the adoption. I wish the same woman I’d grown up calling mom was the same one Sebby now had. This one was different, distant, and neglectful. The thought of leaving Sebby to deal with her and her harem of men made my stomach sour. I might have to stay for him. A car horn shook me from my thoughts.
I stood and saw Erebos pulling into the parking lot in tandem with Calliope and Nick. I waved as they got out of their cars and headed toward us. I started walking towards them but stopped.
Pain shot through my head, and I winced. Another jolt of pain, and I closed my eyes tight, putting my fingers to my temples. I tried to open my eyes, but the light made it worse. The pain pulsed harder, each pulse more intense than the last. I cracked my eyes again. Everything was spinning. I heard my own muffled cry as I fell to my knees and screamed. The pain was relentless now, a buzzing sound filling my ears. I opened my eyes fully, my world spinning in a blur.
I made out Erebos, who dropped the pizza and ran toward me. I felt his arms wrap around me moments later. I shook as he held me. The pain subsided slowly. I felt the hot tears running down my cheeks.
“Shh, it’s alright, baby.” Erebos stroked my hair. I held onto his shirt and pulled myself into his chest.
What the fuck had just happened.
“Are you okay?” Erebos asked, concern etched on his face. I nodded, feeling the warmth of his embrace. I squeezed him tightly, trying to hold onto the moment. “I don’t know what just happened,” I muttered, my voice barely audible. Erebos exhaled, a somber look crossing his face.
“You should probably see a doctor. Let me take you to the hospital.” He said gently, helping me to my feet.
“I just want to go home,” I said weakly.
Together, we walked back to his car, my thoughts whirling. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was still on the brink of something I couldn’t grasp. As we drove away, I glanced at Erebos, grateful for his presence. I laid my head on his shoulder as he drove and closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion consume me.
2
Kiera
Erebos helped me inside, and Sebby rubbed sleep from his eyes as I was escorted to my room.
“Mom’s working late again,” Sebby called as he closed his bedroom door. I scoffed. Erebos helped me to my room. He set me on the bed, helped me take my shoes off, and then took his shoes off, climbing into bed with me. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
I felt my heart quicken at the warmth of him. I snuggled close to his chest, that teakwood scent calming my still rattled nerves.
“I can stay tonight if you want me to?” He whispered as he scratched my head.
I smiled, “That is entirely up to you.” I wiggled free and turned onto my stomach, holding myself on my elbows. He brushed a thumb over my bottom lip.
“Sharon won’t be home until tomorrow. We both know a late shift means not coming back for the night.” I shrugged, agreeing.
“You aren’t wrong; I mean, it is up to you, but I’d love it if you did.” He smiled then, “That’s all I ever want. It is for you to tell me what you want.” He kissed me softly at first, his lips warm against mine.
Suddenly I wasn’t so tired anymore, I sucked on his bottom lip as the kiss deepened, and I lost myself in the sensation of his touch. It was like the world around us had faded away, leaving only the two of us in this moment. His hands traced gentle patterns on my back, sending shivers down my spine. I melted into his embrace, feeling safe and loved. In that instant, all my worries and fears seemed to vanish, replaced by a profound sense of happiness. As we kissed, our bodies moved closer together as if drawn by an invisible force.
I was straddling him now; our breaths intermingled, creating a rhythm that matched the beating of our hearts. Time stood still as we explored each other’s lips and whispered sweet nothings. I pulled away and stared at his swollen lips, his eyes glazed with desire. I giggled and rolled off, panting to catch my breath. He rolled over me, propping himself up on his arms. He brushed a curl from my face and kissed my nose. I traced his jaw with my fingers.
“I’m going to see what Sebby wants to eat and then go get it. I want you to shower and take some Tylenol.” He kissed my forehead.
“I don’t think making out will help whatever happened.” I teased.
He rolled his eyes and kissed me one more time before rolling off the bed and going to Sebby’s room. I lay there, staring at the ceiling fan whirl. The soft hum of the ceiling fan above me seemed to echo the gentle fluttering in my chest. I couldn’t help but smile, replaying the tender moments we had just shared in my mind. The touch of his lips against mine, the warmth of his embrace, and the way his hands had traced delicate patterns on my back - it was as if time had momentarily stopped, allowing us to savor every precious second.
I let out a contented sigh as I gathered myself, pulling myself up from the bed and making my way towards the bathroom. The warm water cascaded over me, soothing both my body and my mind. As the steam enveloped the room, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to fully immerse in the sensations that lingered from our passionate encounter. My stomach growled, making thoughts of what Sebby might want to seep into my consciousness, reminding me of the present moment. I finished my shower and wrapped myself in a fluffy towel. As I stepped out into the hallway, I could hear muffled voices coming from Sebby’s room. My curiosity was piqued, and I made my way towards their conversation.
Entering Sebby’s room, I found him sitting on his bed with a wide grin on his face while Erebos stood beside him, holding a menu from our favorite takeout place. I smiled as Sebby threw his shoes on.
“Erebos said I could go with him.” He beamed.
“Just don’t be a brat,” I said, laughing and stepping back into the hallway to go to my room. I lay across the bed, unlocking my phone and checking texts from Isodelle.
My phone started ringing as soon as the ‘read’ receipt came through. I answered the video call as I opened my Tylenol.
“Bitch you’re alive. You scared the shit out of me back there,” Isodelle whined. I swallowed the pill with water and gave her a bored look.
“De, I’m fine. Mom’s working all night, so Erebos is staying with me.”
The gasp that left her lips was priceless.
“Don’t even, we aren’t going to have sex.” I groaned, flipping onto my back. The unimpressed look she gave me let me know that she didn’t believe me. We talked for a few more minutes before I heard Erebos and Sebby come inside. I hung up in the middle of her telling me the importance of condoms. I threw on an oversized shirt and padded to the dining room.
My stomach growled again as the smells of Chinese takeout filled my nose. Erebos grinned, his slender fingers holding out a white Styrofoam plate with my name scrawled in Sharpie. I could already smell the mouth-watering aroma of Chow Mein and honey chicken emanating from the container.
Sebby plopped down beside me, eagerly grabbing a pair of chopsticks and digging into his own plate. Across from us, Erebos slid two cold drinks our way. I thanked him as I eagerly mixed the noodles with the savory chicken.
