Your Bloodline (Featherstone Academy Series Book 2) Read online

  Your Bloodline

  KC Kean

  Copyright © 2020 KC Kean

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  ISBN-13: 9781234567890

  ISBN-10: 1477123456

  Cover design by: KC Kean

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

  Printed in the United States of America

  To my girl, my angel, daddy’s grass bean.

  You are the brightest ray of sunshine, and you don’t even see it.

  You impact everyone’s life, especially mine. You gave me purpose, drive, passion and unconditional love.

  My beautiful, smart, kind and caring daughter,

  I love you

  But even when you’re eighteen you sure as shit aren’t reading this.

  I love you

  I love you more

  I love you most

  I love you infinity

  I love you infinity war

  “They all showed loyalty and an intense level of protectiveness towards you, but most of all they portrayed how much they believe in you. They are not above you, nor are you above them, but together you have a very special and rare bond, only bringing out the best in each other.”

  MARIA STEELE, FEATHERSTONE ACADEMY

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  Introduction

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  EPILOGUE

  AFTERWORD

  THANK YOU

  About The Author

  Introduction

  “Never tiptoe through life, Luna. Let them hear every motherfucking step you take, Meu Tesouro.” That’s what my father once told me.

  Featherstone thought they broke me in The Pyramid but it’ll take more than their half-assed attempts on my life to truly tear me down.

  I'll learn who I can trust, as I uncover the secrets and lies that surround me.

  So here I stand. With the loyalty and strength from the Aceholes, I’ll forge my own path. They’ll continue to claim me, crumbling my walls as they go, a clear fuck you to the consequences.

  Remembering there are good people in this messed up world is easy when Red is around. There are innocent people worth fighting for.

  I’ll let them think they’re winning as I play my role, always staying one step ahead at their own damn game.

  I made a promise to my father, my footsteps won’t be loud...they’ll be deafening.

  PROLOGUE

  (Rafe)

  These secrets are out of control.

  They're ripping me to shreds, blackening my soul.

  I want to scream out the truths, tell her everything.

  I'm not even sure if I'm protecting her anymore or deluding myself into thinking I am.

  But it's time for Luna to open her mind, to unlock what has been suppressed. Hopefully, the memories aren't as bad as she believes them to be.

  I just need to find the words to lessen the blows or risk losing her forever.

  CHAPTER ONE

  (Luna)

  The white walls that surround me offer the perfect canvas for the bloodshed that fills my vision, taunting me over and over again. I may not be in The Pyramid anymore, but The Pyramid still lingers in my mind.

  Rafe got me out of there when the trial was over, and I’ve been holed up in this room ever since. I don’t even know where we are, my mind is too focused on everything that just happened in the last forty-eight hours.

  “I killed someone,” I murmur to myself, the words tasting dark and heavy on my tongue. That’s a sentence I never thought would pass my lips. I killed someone for the first time, and I say that because I know it won’t be the last. Not while I remain at Featherstone Academy and as a part of this world.

  I killed Tyler, and I don’t even feel guilty about it, but I am beginning to feel my soul starting to blacken. The worst sight was of my best friend, Red, dangling from the rope as her legs wobbled uncontrollably, trying to stay on her tiptoes. I can still hear the way she whispered my name after I cut the rope, as she gasped for breath, lying helplessly on the floor.

  The destruction Tyler left in his path opened my eyes to the new world I find myself in. Death is the most likely outcome for us all. I haven’t even considered what happened to the guy in ring two, the dumb fucker who charged me as soon as I stepped into the ring.

  I can’t really remember leaving Featherstone Academy either, not even the hall. I could only feel the wound on my head and a cut from my collarbone to my navel. I pointed my bloody daggers at Veronica, Rico and old man Dietrichson, promising vengeance, and the rest is all blank.

  He smashes me in the face with the brute force of his fist wrapped around his brass knuckles. The pain across my face is excruciating. I can feel blood trickling down my face.

  Picking up my fallen dagger with his free hand, he raises it to my chest. I don’t squirm away from it, I refuse to show weakness to this psycho. He drags it down, piercing my skin ever so slightly, slicing a line down between my breasts, cutting open my sports bra in the process.

  Using the dagger still in my hand, I slam it into the side of his neck. The pain has him lifting his hands, but the shock has his reactions slowed, which gives me time to drag it out and slam it back into his throat from a different angle.

  I scream as my fingers wrap around his knuckle duster and I smash him in the face over and over again until he stops breathing.

  I try and wipe blood from my eyes to see what direction I even need to turn. I raise both daggers and slice both of the thin ropes at the same time. I hear their bodies drop to the ground.

  “My father once told me, never tiptoe through life Luna. Let them hear every motherfucking step you take, Meu Tesouro. With that said here’s your warning, I’m fucking coming for you.”

  I loved seeing the shock on my mother’s face, as my words, laced with venom, echoed through the room. I meant every fucking word.

  I’m done lying down in this bed, letting the whole event repeat over and over in my head as I stare at the ceiling. I’m emotionally wiped. I feel betrayed. As much as my mother was never maternal, I still thoug
ht there would be a sense of family there. Seems I was wrong, blood isn’t thicker than water, which makes me snicker because blood is all the Academy stands for.

  My heart aches for the lives lost to Featherstone because they deem horrific challenges necessary. For some ridiculous idea of survival of the fittest. Innocent people dying at the hands of one of their trials, because they simply pulled the wrong assignment card. I have to force myself to push away from my morbid thoughts. It’s becoming a slippery slope to maintain my sanity.

  I know I should leave this room. I’ve been hiding away for the past forty-eight hours, allowing myself time to process what I’ve been through. I haven’t eaten a thing, even though Rafe has tried bringing me food. I haven’t declined the bottles of water though, not wanting to become dehydrated. At least I haven’t lost all of my common sense.

  I’ve paced the floor beside me, screamed into my pillow, and stared into space on repeat and I’m done. I need to woman the fuck up and figure shit out. Everyone has been happy to give me the space I needed, but I have to move past it.

  Getting up off the bed, I look down at the state of myself. I am still wearing Kai’s simple rock band tee. I can’t bring myself to change, not wanting to lose the scent of him surrounding me, and the silent strength it offers. I think I need him right now, all of them, well with the exception of Roman, the true Acehole. That was all shot to hell and back with the truths that came out in Washington. My soul hasn’t caught up that we’re anti-Roman yet, and is still crying out for him...for them.

  Looking around the room that surrounds me, I see that it’s completely bare, no personality. Even the furniture is white, with just a simple full-size bed, dresser and a wardrobe. It’s as if it’s been sitting here as a blank canvas waiting for someone to claim it. I’ve officially had enough.

  I shower in the en-suite which comes with every possible self-care product you can think of. Everything is unopened and lined up neatly on the marble countertop. A vanity, toilet and a large shower with all the fancy buttons that make it high end, complete the space.

  I feel the grime wash away and mentally push myself to get out of this slump. I have to remember not to scrub my hands down my face since the stitches need to stay dry. The mark down my chest stings under the pressure of the water.

  Catching sight of my face in the mirror, I notice the mess Tyler made with his brass knuckles, leaving me to need stitches. The slice he made down my chest, with my dagger, isn’t as bad. The pierced skin was glued back together by the doctor instead. I’d like to go more than a month without getting any black eyes.

  It’s time to figure out a plan to deal with the mess that is Featherstone.

  Throwing Kai’s top back on, I make my way downstairs.

  Stepping into the kitchen, I’m completely stunned to find Red sitting at the table with Rafe and Juliana. The laughter that fills the room around them feels like magic, alive and untouchable. I don’t know what they’re chuckling about, and I don’t really care. I’m just glad to see her still breathing.

  “Red,” I murmur, causing the room to go silent.

  She is up and out of her chair, throwing herself at me in an instant. Literally, I’m holding her off the ground. Our arms are wrapped around each other, taking a moment to bask in each other’s presence. As much as her hold is adding pressure to my bruised body, I don’t say a word. I’m just happy to be able to feel her.

  Looking over her shoulder, I see Rafe and Juliana taking us in with relieved smiles on their faces.

  “I missed you, Captain,” she whispers in my ear, making me squeeze her a little tighter. The mark down my chest is screaming in protest.

  When we finally bring ourselves to pull away, I hold her at arm’s length checking her over.

  “I’m fine Luna, just slight markings, that’s all.”

  She brings her hand up to her neck, my gaze following. It’s still bruised from the rope burns, all purple and blue. The smile on her face convinces me she’s telling the truth, even if she is slightly self-conscious about it all.

  “Okay, now that you’re finally out of your pit of despair, I’m going to go and get you a large rainbow dust and unicorn sprinkle Frappuccino. Maybe even a cake too,” she says with a smile.

  “You don’t have to do that, Red.” I say, but my protest is pointless seeing as she’s already heading for the door.

  “I know, but I want to. It’s only two blocks away, and Juliana has a team of guys downstairs. One of them will come with me, so stop stressing. Sit your cute butt down and eat,” she sasses, waggling her finger at me.

  Not wanting to make her worry, I offer a nod in response, as I watch her bounce out of the room.

  “I never would have pictured you with a best friend so girly, you two are complete opposites. Jess is good for you,” Rafe says, as I take a seat at the table.

  “She is. The question is, am I good for her?” I mutter in response, looking anywhere but at him as I nervously play with the neckline of Kai’s t-shirt, it’s mine now.

  “Are you crazy? Does she look unhappy to you?” Rafe argues back.

  “She wouldn’t have been hanging from the fucking rafters if it wasn’t for me.” I shoot him a glare, slamming my fist against the table, causing his coffee to spill a little. I don’t care, I’m sick of him trying to sugarcoat everything.

  “If it wasn’t Jess it would have been someone else, no matter what, Luna. She is lucky enough to have you in her corner, willing to destroy anyone and anything to keep her alive. Not many can say that,” he says, arms braced on the table as he leans closer to me.

  His belief in his own words has me at a loss. I’m too emotionally exhausted to express myself right now, so I say nothing.

  “Would you like something to eat, Luna?” asks Juliana, pulling my attention from Rafe, and breaking the tension in the room. Thank god.

  She’s beautiful, you can tell Rafe is her brother. They look alike in so many ways, except she’s not a gentle giant like him. She’s closer to my height, and all soft curves. Her brown hair is in a slick ponytail, and her casual leggings and a plain white top don’t match the businesswoman I’ve had glimpses of prior to now.

  “Did you know me before?” I ask. If she did, she would know what I am asking.

  “I did.”

  Simple as that, an open and honest response. I can see it in her eyes though, she wants me to ask what she remembers about me, and for me to tell her what I know of her. I’m not there yet. I’m telling my mind I need to remember and learn from my past, but it gives me nothing except blank pages.

  Understanding I’m not able to give her what she wants, sadness darkens her face but she manages to carry on.

  “So, food?”

  “What are you offering?” I question, which makes her smile a little.

  “Whatever you want. If I don’t already have it, I will have it brought in. Although, I did buy the ingredients needed to make peanut butter and banana pancakes, in case that’s still a thing,” her voice weakening towards the end, unsure of herself.

  Peanut butter and banana pancakes? I blink uncontrollably a few times, unable to move my stare from Juliana’s.

  They’re my favorite. Always have been, always will be. I struggle to find any decent version on a menu, but I know I love them. I just can’t remember the last time I had them.

  Something tells me my love for them is connected to her.

  “If you are going to make them as good as I’m hoping, I can’t really say no now can I?” I offer with a small smile.

  The joy on her face is blinding as she jumps out of her chair and starts running around the kitchen.

  “You’ve just made her day with that,” Rafe murmurs.

  I can tell, but I’m more surprised by the fact that her happiness impacts mine.

  “What have I missed?” I ask, changing the subject.

  “Honestly? Nothing much.”

  I snicker at his response. “Vague much? Rafe, I feel like I blacked out af
ter ending my speech. How did we end up here? And where are we?” I ask, looking around the kitchen as if it holds all of the answers to my questions. This feels like a real deja vu moment, again. Whenever I travel with Rafe recently, I never remember getting in the freaking vehicle. Like when Veronica drugged me to get me to the Academy.

  “You did black out, once I got you out of the building and away from everyone.” Fantastic. Why does my mind always have to play me like this? “And we are in New York.”

  “New York?” I ask, glancing around again, like I would be able to tell it’s New York by the inside of these walls.

  “Yeah, at Juliana’s place. We organized everything we could when we were in the box, as everything unfolded,” he offers.

  “Care to elaborate?” I push, but Juliana humming to herself over by the stove pulls my attention away from him.

  “Do you not want to eat first?” Rafe asks, forcing me to whip my gaze back to him.

  “Rafe, if I wanted to eat first I wouldn’t have asked. So, get me up to date,” I insist. “I need to get my head in gear, and to do that, I need to know what happened after I blacked out.”

  He stares me over for a moment as he sips his coffee.

  “Okay. So, we agreed that Juliana and I would rush you out of there. Reggie had a plane ready for us…”

  “A plane? We flew here?” I ask, shocked by this new information.

  “Yes, we had a doctor waiting onboard too.”

  Wow.

  I nod for him to continue.

  “Betty Morgan tried to get your mother cornered before she could leave the building, but there was quite a bit of commotion. Unfortunately, she managed to get out of there with Rico,” he says, with an apologetic look in his eyes. “Maria distracted the Dietrichsons so we could get out, because they were kicking up a fuss about you winning. Kai came to help you down from the rings, and Parker forced Maverick to bring Jess with us.” He raises his eyebrow, likely surprised by the force Parker can have. “Oscar and Roman ran interference with the masses of people present. None of the guys were happy they couldn’t come with us,” he breathes out at the end.