Bloodlust

Bloodlust by Deborah O'Toole (aka Deidre Dalton) is Book #2 in the Bloodline Trilogy.

Noel and Pim's daughter Kate Grady has unusual powers which allow her to bend people to her will. At first she uses her gifts wisely, but then goes astray after falling in love with Kirk Lester. She finds herself honing her special powers to keep her place in Kirk's heart, no matter how evil or depraved life with him becomes.

From Chapter Eleven

KATE SKIPPED HER study hall period on Thursday in order to leave school premises for a full hour at lunchtime. She walked the half-mile to Centre Street, where East Boston Savings Bank was located. The red-brick building resembled a moderate-sized house with white trim and tall windows, and it was where Kate had kept a savings account in her name since she was one year old. Her parents had opened the account after the death of Noel's mother, June Gatsby, who had left her daughter a $100,000 life insurance policy.

Aside from using part of the money for June's burial expenses, and the odd furniture or appliance purchase here and there, Noel and Pim had not touched the money. They wanted it to be for Kate, to use for her college education and other related expenses. Kate rarely withdrew money from the account, and then only in small amounts to use for clothing, or special purchases for her parents on their birthdays and at Christmas. Otherwise, the bank account was the farthest thing from her mind. She wanted for nothing, so it rarely occurred to her that she had it to spend, if she so chose.

Kate didn't dare withdraw an overly-large sum of money for fear the bank might notify her parents, but she needed a good chunk to see her and Kirk through the next several months. She had no idea how much money Kirk was bringing with him. She regretted not discussing it with him in more depth, because now it was crunch time and she wasn't sure what to do.

She asked the teller to verify her balance after showing her the proper identification - her driver's license and bank card - which was something she hadn't done in a long while.  She hid her surprise when she saw the balance on the teller's computer screen:

$102,691.22.

Even with the paltry amounts spent by her parents and herself, such as June's burial, home-related expenses and gifts, interest had been accruing on the balance for nearly seventeen years. Still, she was stunned by the remaining money left at her disposal.

Kate smiled at the teller, a plumpish twenty-something woman in a navy skirt and white blouse, bearing the name tag Jenny Palmentere.

"I'd like to make a withdrawal," Kate told the woman. "There's something very special I want to get my parents for Christmas, so I'm trying to keep this hush-hush. Can you help me?"

Jenny smiled in return, brushing her shoulder-length auburn hair from her shoulder.  "Sure, I can help you. I see your account is also accessible by your parents." She paused. "Pim and Noel Grady are your parents, right?"

"Correct."

"How much money are you looking to withdraw?" the teller asked.

Kate blurted out an amount, a stab in the dark because she had no clue what to really ask for. "Ten thousand dollars." She felt the heat rising in her body, forcing her to clutch her hands into fists, which remained unseen by the teller because of the counter separating them.

Jenny's dark-brown eyes went wide. "Oh," she said in a small voice. "I might have to get approval from my supervisor for that much."

Kate grew still, staring at the bank teller. She was new to the talent she had, of persuading people to her will, but it came back to her in that instant. It seemed to rear its head when she needed it, and she desperately needed it now. She felt her fingers clenching and unclenching, and saw Jenny begin to perspire slightly, looking uncomfortable as she shifted on her feet behind the counter.

"Surely we don't need your supervisor," Kate said slowly, her head tilted down slightly and her eyes focused on the teller. "You can, and you will, delay the reporting of this to my parents until Monday, right?" She smiled serenely. "It's Christmas, after all, and I want to get them a very special gift. I don't want them knowing about my account withdrawal until after they receive the present."

Jenny blinked, a look of confusion crossing her face. Kate clenched her hands again, feeling the heat radiate from her body. Jenny suddenly took a turn, as if the will being enforced upon her had finally taken affect.

"Certainly," Jenny murmured, her voice in monotone as she responded to Kate's intense stare. "I think it can be arranged."

"Good."

"How would you like the bills, Miss Grady?"

"In twenties, and hundreds." Kate smiled brightly. "Thank you, Jenny."

"You're very welcome."

After the teller counted out the bills, Kate opened her backpack and placed the money deep into the bottom, underneath her macroeconomics textbook. She felt the heat leaving her body as the projection completed its cycle. She glanced at Jenny, finding her with a fixed smile on her face, but with no alarm or realization evident in her eyes. To the bank teller, she had just completed any normal transaction with the average customer walking through the door. As it should be.

"I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Jenny," Kate said in parting. "And a happy new year."

"Same to you, Miss Grady. And have a nice day."

* * *

KATE RETIRED EARLY that night, on the pretense she had a book report to write for her literature and composition class, the subject matter being Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Kate had already finished reading the book weeks ago for pleasure, but her teacher had not required a report about it. She had merely used it as a ruse.

In truth, she finished packing essentials into a large duffel bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, assorted cosmetics and hair accessories, her comb and brush, along with a selection of clothes, shoes and scant jewelry: her skull-and-crossbones pewter ring, blackheart ear-studs, a black leather pentagram wristband and her blood-red sacred heart pendant. She pushed the packed duffel bag deep into her closet, placing several pairs of combat boots in front, with a long jacket draped down to block the view.

She then sat on the bed, jotting down all of her cell phone contacts in a small notebook. She might be tossing her phone soon, but Kate wanted to keep her contacts for any new device she and Kirk purchased. She toyed with deleting prospective college contacts, but decided to keep them. When all was said and done, she still wanted to attend college after completing high school, or the equivalent thereof. She had no intention of becoming a permanent drop-out and living her life in poverty and obscurity. She would return to school, and she would obtain her teaching degree. Of that, she was certain.

Next, she drew out a letter-sized piece of paper from her backpack, and took a box of security envelopes from her desk. Then she sat down at her writing desk, her face a mask of concentration as she penned a letter to her best friend.

Dear Chloe,

By the time you read this, I will be far away from here. Please understand this is what I want, and that I am not being forced against my will.

There will probably be heavy fallout after I'm gone, not just my parents but maybe the police as well. I want to apologize in advance for any heartache this may cause you, and I hope you forgive me someday. I've kept you in the dark about my plans for this very reason.

Please know that I'm happy, and I'm doing exactly what I want in order to obtain the life I want.

I hope we can resume our friendship when I return someday. It has always meant so much to me, but I will understand if you decide to have nothing more to do with me.

Please take care, Chloe, and remember me in your thoughts.

Love, Kate.

She folded the letter twice and slid it into a security envelope, and then sealed and addressed it. She would drop it in a mailbox before leaving in the morning. She set the envelope aside.

Kate then began to write a letter to her parents, which she would leave on her pillow just before leaving to meet Kirk in the morning. Her face and eyes were heavy with sadness as her pen flew across the page.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm sure you are angry and upset as you read this or, if not, you will be after finishing my words to you.

I have taken control of my own life. Whether you choose to accept it or not, I am a woman, no longer a child, and ready to forge out on my own. I would have rather stayed in Boston to be near you, but your restrictions made such a thing impossible for me.

Kirk and I will be together, which is the bottom line. We love each other unconditionally. It isn't a crush, or a fling, but a lifelong commitment of love. You can learn to accept it one day, or not. It's up to you.

I would prefer to remain part of your lives because I love you both very dearly. You will never know how grateful I am for the life you have given me, for the love and support you have shown me until now. However, Kirk is also an important part of that, and his presence in my life is non-negotiable. Without him, I cannot see a way of remaining part of your lives as a family unit.

Please don't worry overmuch. Kirk will take very good care of me. We will return to Boston during the summer of next year. At that time, it will be up to you if you want to remain part of my life or not.

Our choice has been made, so please don't waste too much time trying to find us. You will not succeed. We've told no one of our plans, including Chloe or even Kirk's father. They know nothing of our location, or the events that will lead up to it, so please don't put them on the rack for something they have no knowledge of.

I love you both so much.

Kate.

She folded the letter and placed it in an envelope, setting it aside.

Kate stood from her desk, slowly pushing the chair in. She looked around her room, taking in the familiarity and security of her surroundings. The slanted eaves, the creamy-white walls, dark Gothic posters, the pewter baby rattle given to her by Judge Edward Minot and his late wife Miriam at her christening, which was mounted over her double bed with a framed portrait of Pim, Noel, Kate as a baby and her late grandmother, June Gatsby. The bookshelf containing all of the books she loved so well, but might not ever see again. Her bedroom had been her peaceful sanctuary. She realized, with only a speck of regret, that tonight would probably be the last time she would ever spend in its environs as a single woman.

A small part of her knew she would miss her life as Pim and Noel Grady's daughter. She would miss her routine, school and her social life. But she was trading it for something far more important.

A life with Kirk Lester, of her own choosing. She felt entitled and capable of making her own decisions, and was willing to accept the consequences from this day forward.

The die was cast.

* * *

KEN LESTER SAT in his living room early Friday evening, sipping a cold beer as he waited for all hell to break loose. He was secure in the knowledge that Kirk and Kate were on their way to their destiny. He hadn't heard a word from his son yet, but by prearrangement, contact would only be made via disposable cell phones and trusted intermediaries, determined well in advance.

The effort to get it all accomplished was considerable, costing Ken several of his serious, long-held favors. Helping his son was paramount, but it wasn't the only driving force behind his push to achieve the seemingly impossible.

He now had leverage over both Kirk and his Katie. He possessed a card to play when the mood struck him, which he predicted would occur after they returned to Boston following their wedding and extended hiatus. He would offer them shelter in his home, yet another boon. He would have Kate right where he wanted her - under his roof, and easier to manipulate.

And what was it about Kate Grady, he wondered - soon to be his daughter-in-law - that drew him so powerfully? Her beauty was a magnet, for sure, as was her obvious intelligence. Her role as Kirk's girlfriend to wife was another factor in Ken's mind. It was an alluring temptation into a taboo world he knew he could not resist.

Then there was her "special" gift, as described to him by Kirk. Ken could see benefitting from her abilities in the future if they proved to be real, and he was not one to allow an opportunity to pass him by without reaching out to take advantage.

Life was indeed just about to come up roses, of that he was certain. And Katie was the ultimate prize at the end of the rainbow, the proverbial rose amongst the thorns.