The Immortal Huntress

by Kelly Hall

  “Do you think someone is embezzling funds?”

  “I don’t know, but if that’s the reason, let’s get to the bottom of it. Also, this place isn’t safe. A dark mage was able to get past the gates and into the storage sheds. I’m not sure the wards are working properly.

  Father Timms was angry that the unmarked had been left vulnerable. “I’ll make sure it’s tight, fix the appropriate sound waves to deter any shifters, and make sure the other wards are working as well. We can’t be too careful with our enemies.”

  “Thank you.” She wanted to hug the man and wished she’d called him sooner. But she still had one more favor to ask. “Father?” She extended her hand across the table and took his.

  He smiled. “I had a feeling there was more.”

  “Yes, one last thing. I promise.”

  “Anything for you, Rebekah.”

  “Could you stay and teach this class the old ways? The true hunt. The one you didn’t learn until you were out in the field. These kids aren’t being taught shit, and while I have let the Church regulate the curriculum to death, I feel it’s not enough. We’re dumbing down our hunters, and I fear what the world will be like in twenty years. I don’t think I could bear it.”

  “Easy, dear one. Don’t grow weary. I will do what I can. But I suppose I won’t be going back home as soon as I thought.”

  “That seems to be the way it goes around here.” She sighed.

  “So, you’re staying on, too?”

  “Yes, for a while. Maybe a long while. I don’t know. I see something in these trainees. Something I haven’t seen in a while. Maybe it’s because I’ve been so wrapped up in developing the program that I didn’t take time to see how it was functioning. It needs my attention, too.”

  His cheeks rounded as he smiled. “I’m proud of you for seeing that. And I guess I had better get busy. I have work to do. I’ll make sure to say a little blessing over the place as well.” He gave her a wink and reached into his pocket where he pulled out his Holy Bible.

  As he left, her cell phone rang. She reached into her inside pocket and gave it a glance. Ignis’s smiling face was on the screen, his red hair so bright in the sunlight he looked like he was on fire. The picture was one of her favorites. “Where are you?” she asked as she walked around to sit in Merik’s chair.

  “The angel dropped me near the Strip. I thought I’d check out some painted ladies and get good and liquored up before I come back.” He hoped for one of her lectures, and that was a big indication of how much he’d missed her.

  “Father Timms is here.”

  “Oh, I see you had to call in backup since I was gone. I’m flattered.” Father Timms’s business with her was much different than his own, and he was glad the man had come to help.

  “He’s going to stay a while. I didn’t think you’d want to check the wards.”

  “He’s not staying a while for that, is he? I’d think it wouldn’t take more than a few hours.”

  “He’s going to be working with the trainees and investigating why they’re running on such a small budget.” Rebekah hoped he was right, and they could find out if someone was stealing money.

  “Did you tell him about my mission, or anything about the prophecy?” he asked. She had kept the Prophecy of Hope close to her hip since the day she learned of it. Her father had kept the secret, as well, and had only confided it to Ignis when he’d asked him to help hide her mother’s pregnancy.

  “I told him enough. I didn’t want to overwhelm him. Did you find out anything useful?” She’d been waiting too long to hear what he’d found.

  “Enough.” He could play her game too but realized it didn’t sound quite as good coming from him. “Well, that is to say, yes, I have something. I’ll be there in a bit.” He hung up, and she looked at the phone as it went dead.

  She looked out the window to see Father Timms walking the grounds to check the wards and felt much more at ease now that he’d arrived.

  Whoever had come to the academy and found a way in must be planning an attack, and she was going to have to make sure that didn’t happen, especially on her watch.

  She leaned back in the chair and tried to think of who might be stealing money and why. Anyone on the staff might have a problem with greed, or with the Church as she did, but she hadn’t met anyone that seemed suspicious. For the most part, they all had seemed rather pissed that they were being subjected to the problems caused by poor funding. It seemed the only logical explanation, but she hoped she was wrong.

  She heard a knock on the door, and before she could say come in, Ignis opened the door and peeked inside. “Aren’t I a sight for sore eyes?” He walked in and held out his arms.

  Rebekah got up and greeted him with a hug. “I’ve missed you.”

  Ignis smiled. “It’s good to be missed. But I don’t want you to have to go back home for a long time. And I, of course, missed you too.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a trinket box, but she didn’t take it. In fact, she backed away.

  “I know you better than that. I’m going to open that thing and get squirted in the face with some kind of frog juice that won’t wash off for a week.”

  “You were ten then, and I thought you’d find it funny. Besides, I had no idea that it would stink for so long.” Explaining was no use. She would never forgive him for that prank.

  “Papa made me sit in my room until it faded. It was the worst thing you’ve ever given me, and that’s saying a lot.” She eyed the box, still not sure what might slither out of it.

  “Hey, my gifts aren’t all bad. I gave you those earrings, didn’t I?”

  “Well, yes. But you still won’t tell me where you got them.” There was no telling with him. He had always loved to shop the gypsy caravans, searching for something unique.

  “Does it matter? So long as you like them?”

  She thought about it, and it really didn’t. They were gorgeous. “No, so what’s in the box?”

  “You’ll have to open it to find out.” He laughed.

  She approached with caution, and when she opened it, there was a beautiful hair pin made of some kind of enamel inside. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I thought so too. The man said it was made from unicorn horns, but I think he was pulling my leg. Nevertheless, I thought you could wear it to pull your hair back. You know, the next time you want to dress up for business.”

  “Thank you.” She didn’t want to sit and argue about her meeting with Kayne, nor was she going to admit to feeling anything for the vampire. Anything she might have felt was long ago, and the idea of her being smitten with him was not only treasonous but ridiculous.

  “I brought Sister Frankie something, too. I bet she loves me when she sees it.” He held up a beautiful firefly brooch. “Even if she doesn’t wear it, it’s nice to look at. Its butt lights up.”

  Before Ignis got too carried away with his gifts, she needed to know what he found. “Ignis, what did you find out?”

  “I was getting there, my friend. As for the mages, Enoch was most helpful. He seems convinced that the dark mage is an Occultum warlock, working with the shifters to accomplish a mutually beneficial goal. It’s also possible the shifters have some kind of leverage on the dark mage, which brings things to a whole other level of crazy. Could you imagine a warlock doing whatever someone told them? That would give these rogue shifters an insane amount of power at their beck and call.”

  “What about Estelle?” She was most concerned about the prophecy. If something happened to the woman, a battle with a dark mage was the least of her worries.

  “Did you get to meet with the woman?” he asked.

  “Not yet. I’ve located her, but I’m having a hard time making arrangements to visit. The place has some kind of policy for new residents, but they said they’d call me as soon as she’s settled.”

  “Well, Enoch also said that there is a way to keep her in a coma of sorts, one she will not age or die in, but there’s just one catch.”
r />   Rebekah grumbled. “Why is there always a catch?”

  “It seems that it would take a bit of angel blood, though angel light would be better.” He waited for the “hell no” that she was going to respond with, and sure enough, her eyes widened with a disapproving look.

  “No way! That’s blasphemous to even consider. Not to mention, Michael would shit.”

  Ignis knew she was right about that. Michael had always been particularly protective of his warriors.

  She shook her head. “There has to be another way.”

  “There’s not. What if we just asked for some angel blood? From Aziel? That couldn’t hurt, could it?” He walked over and sat on the edge of the desk. “It is for the good of all mankind, right?”

  “It would be, but still, involving the angel could be risky.” She hadn’t involved him in her special unit for a reason. Anything he was involved in was supposed to be reported to Michael, but since this wasn’t even going through the Church, the angel could blow her entire operation.

  “What other choice do we have?” Ignis let out a sigh, and the two of them looked out the window as Father Timms passed by it again.

  Chapter 16

  Jarreth and Canter walked side by side as they left the hologram room. Delilah was a step behind, still trying to catch her breath. “I can’t believe I had the entire day off, and I spent it with you two instead of sleeping.”

  Canter glanced over his shoulder as they approached the stairwell. “You know how important it is to be prepared.”

  “And you know you had fun, Del. Killing devil pigs is your life.” Jarreth turned and made a stabbing gesture. “You slayed, babe.” He’d always liked to tease her about the pigs, which took her out on her very first hologram mission.

  “Devil pigs are still ridiculous. Who thinks up that shit anyway? As if witches riding broomsticks weren’t enough?” She laughed. “If that hologram keeps acting up, they’re going to shut it down. I know I killed at least twenty creatures by myself.” She was used to having ten to a dozen to chase after, and that was over an hour’s time. They had only gone thirty minutes again.

  Jarreth slung his arm around her waist, seeing she was tired. “I think the settings are messed up. I’ll ask Rebekah about it. Maybe the Church will actually do something about it for a change.”

  “I wouldn’t hold my breath,” said Delilah. “What are we going to do to kill some more time? Celebrate our marking ceremony?”

  They climbed the stairs and stopped on the first landing where Katie Kelly was staring out the window, wiping away tears.

  “Are you okay?” Delilah hated to see anyone upset, and even though she and Katie were not usually friends, they were on the same squad now.

  Katie looked up and shook her head. She hadn’t wanted anyone to see her that way, especially Canter. The guy was so amazing and had the respect of every trainee in the academy, except for Grady. “I guess I may as well tell you. It’s not like everyone won’t find out.”

  “Did you and Grady break up?” Canter’s voice was soft and so full of concern that she didn’t see how anyone could hate him.

  “Yeah. He said that now that we’re being marked, he wants his space so he can see what else is out there.”

  “For him, not a whole lot,” said Jarreth. Delilah elbowed him, but Katie laughed.

  “You’re right to hate him. He’s an ass. Oh, and he thinks his new notched ear makes him look tough, so thanks for that.” She rolled her eyes as she wiped them.

  Canter straightened his back and let his eyes roam up and down her body. She was the same size as Delilah, only slightly curvier, which he liked. And since the other day in training when she’d landed on top of him, her face pressed next to his, he’d been thinking about her. “We were just talking about celebrating a bit. Do you want to come and hang out?”

  “For a little bit, maybe. I’ve got to meet my parents in a couple of hours. They are coming in for the ceremony.” She wished she had more time with him but wasn’t going to miss a chance to hang out with him, even if Jarreth and Delilah would be there. “So, what’s on the agenda?”

  Delilah wasn’t sure if inviting Katie along would be fun or not, but she couldn’t help but notice Canter’s body language change in the other girl’s presence. “We haven’t figured that out, but I guess since we can’t leave the premises today, we’re limited.”

  They took to the stairs again, choosing to go in the direction of the male dorms.

  “Damn,” Jarreth said. “No way to make a liquor run. I was hoping to get smashed.”

  Delilah wondered if it bothered him that his father probably wouldn’t show up to see him receive his mark.

  She was nervous about her mother. Just knowing the woman was going to be in the audience with Jarreth’s mother made her skin crawl. The two were driving in together, which surprised her since they still thought their mothers’ little fling was a secret. She imagined they would be early, too, since her mother usually wanted to arrive and mingle with the other hunters in attendance.

  Katie looked up at Canter as they walked side by side on the way to his and Jarreth’s room. “You really want some booze?” she asked.

  Canter shrugged and glanced over to Jarreth, who nodded. “Sure, do you know where we can get some?”

  She looked up at the others with an impish grin. “As a matter of fact, I do. Wait for me and I’ll be right back.” She hurried down the hall as the others walked into the room.

  “You’re into Katie?” Jarreth’s eyes narrowed. “She dated Grady and she’s on the rebound. And that’s just to name a few of her flaws. Don’t get me started on that attitude.”

  Canter couldn’t believe he was being so weird about it when he’d been with half the girls in the academy. “She’s a nice girl. She’s just always in the shadow of that asshole, and the only reason you don’t like her is because she’s not into you.”’

  Delilah wanted to point out how horrible Katie had been to almost everyone she came in contact with, especially the other females, but she decided to be supportive instead. “Well, that’s good, I guess.”

  Just then, the young lady returned, slamming the door behind her. She held up a bottle of vodka. “How smashed do you want to get?”

  The thing was half gone, but there was enough to do them all in.

  Jarreth smiled big at Canter. “I like this girl more already. Now, if we only had some orange juice.”

  Delilah plopped down on Jarreth’s bed. “There’s orange juice in the kitchen if you can get past Lulu.”

  Canter walked to the door. “Want to go with me to get it?”

  Katie looked up and smiled, realizing that he had been talking to her. “Sure. Maybe you can show me how you charm the old lady.”

  She and Canter walked down the hall, back from where they came, and while he didn’t really care what anyone thought about it, he didn’t want the moment to be ruined by Grady, who would probably not like him and Katie being so chummy, breakup or not. “So, where’s Grady?”

  “His parents came and got him already. They’re taking their precious baby boy out for pizza. Probably that kids’ place with the big rat.” She rolled her eyes but then let out a breath. “I don’t want to talk about Grady. I’ve always tried to look past his flaws, hoping to see a better person, but that’s just wishful thinking. Anyway, thanks for having my back in the hologram the other day. I wasn’t quite ready for that many creatures.”

  They took the stairs heading toward the mess hall.

  Canter nodded. “Yeah, I can’t believe that thing is glitching. It’s supposed to run on magic, right? How’s that even possible?”

  He found it easy to talk to Katie, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He had imagined himself cutting those vines from her breasts at least a hundred times since, but he wasn’t sure she could like a guy like him.

  They finally got to the mess hall, and they crossed the room to the back where Lulu was in the kitchen icing a huge cake while cookies
cooled on a rack beside it.

  “Wow, Lu, you’re outdoing yourself for us.” Canter gave her a big smile, and Katie could already see how he was turning on the charm.

  Lu looked up and smiled at Canter but then gave Katie a grim look. “Grady is not allowed in my kitchen.”

  Katie wasn’t bothered. “He’s not with me, Lulu. I came with Canter.”

  “I approve of the upgrade.” She turned to Canter. “What can I do for you, Mr. Jackson?”

  “I’d like two of those cookies, and some orange juice if you’ve got any to spare?”

  “Help yourself, the both of you, but you know the rules.”

  Katie looked at Canter and shrugged. She had no idea what the rules were. Canter smiled and walked over, giving Lulu a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t tell the others. You know I won’t.”

  He walked to the fridge and waved Katie over. She kept looking back to see if the old woman was watching, but Lulu never turned around. Canter handed her two small bottles of juice and then took two and tucked them under his arm. Then, as they walked out, he snatched two cookies off the rack. “See ya later, Lu. Thanks.”

  They were across the mess hall when Canter offered her a cookie. She looked up at him in awe. “How did you do that?”

  “She loves me,” he said.

  She took the warm cookie and bit it. “These are perfect. But I’m supposed to be watching my weight.”

  Canter looked at her. She had curves and was strong, and he couldn’t see her problem. “Watching it for what? You’re perfect.”

  She felt the blush as it hit her cheeks. All of her life, she’d waited for someone to say that to her, and while it should have been Grady, it was Canter instead. She’d have never put money on that.

  She couldn’t believe a guy so handsome was free. “Likewise.”

  “I’m sure you get that a lot.” He figured she’d heard it her whole life.

  “Actually, no. My sister is the pretty one. I’ve always been a tomboy. That’s why my mom freaked out when I wanted to join the academy. She’s always telling me to act like a lady, but I don’t really think I act any different than she does.”