The Immortal Huntress

by Kelly Hall

  Sage looked like someone had thrown dirt in her face. “With all due respect, I wasn’t asking your permission but simply telling you how it is going to be. Considering your youth, surely you must understand I outrank you, and while I’m sure you’re cozying up to the commander’s seat, I know better than to think that at your age, you’re doing more than keeping it warm.”

  Delilah looked at Rebekah, who remained composed. “I can assure you that I’m not only keeping it warm, but I’m continuing on as commander here. I’m sure you know there are certain accomplishments that award special ranks to those of us who are special, which are quite achievable at my age.”

  Sage felt the sting, knowing she had been passed up as commander more than a few times. “Nevertheless, I do not wish for my daughter to remain here.”

  “Is your daughter a minor, Mrs. Miller?”

  “It’s Ms. Miller, and no, not technically, but she’s only just turned twenty.”

  “And she’s a marked huntress who is no doubt able to make up her own mind and follow orders. As it turns out, I’ve got a special mission coming, and Delilah is involved. Any request to transfer will not be orchestrated by you.”

  “I see,” said Sage. “Then I’ll just have to use my connections to go over your head.” She turned and stormed away, Cindy running after her.

  Delilah had never been so embarrassed by her mother’s actions. “Thank you for that. It was her idea. I don’t want to leave.”

  “Good,” said Rebekah. “Because I think you’re exactly where you belong.”

  Delilah smiled. “After seeing what just happened, I know I am.”

  Chapter 19

  Rebekah rolled over to find Ignis stretched out beside her, watching a video on his phone. “It’s about time. I wondered how late you were going to sleep.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Eight-o-five!”

  “So, you’ve been waiting five minutes? Since when are you so dramatic?” She got to her feet and pulled on her robe before she went to the bathroom and shut the door.

  Ignis sat up and raked his fingers through his hair. “I wanted to know if you needed me around today.”

  The door came open, and Rebekah peeked around it with a toothbrush in her hand. Despite the fact that she didn’t age and her teeth were forever perfect and white, morning death breath was still an issue. “If I say no, are you going gambling?”

  Ignis let out a sigh, wishing she would trust him. “No, I was going to take a look at that hologram and see why it’s malfunctioning. Father Timms said he’s seen it happen three different times so far.”

  “He’s really on the job, isn’t he?” She had noticed that Father Timms seemed happier than she’d seen him in a while.

  “Having a greater purpose is good for the soul, Bex.”

  “Well, I’m proud of you for helping out. I’m going to see Estelle. The home she’s in said her adjustment period is over, and she’s allowed visitors. I’m anxious to see what kind of place it is and if she’s happy. I hope they are giving her the best care, and with the rules they’ve set in place, it seems they mean business.” She walked back to the sink and scrubbed her teeth. Then after rinsing, she went to her closet for something appropriate to wear.

  Ignis made his way to the door. “Call if you need me. And take backup. I know you don’t need any help, but if there is someone out there using dark magic, I don’t want you alone. Remember, no one is completely invulnerable to bad things happening.” He thought back to the day she was captured and quickly put it out of his mind. It was one of the worst days of his life.

  She stepped out, untying her robe. “I will have a hunter drive me, but I’m not expecting to have any problems.”

  “You do realize that most of the times you’ve told me that, you’ve returned covered in the blood of your enemies.” He’d always preferred to do his magic away from the splatter.

  “It’s an old folks’ home, Ignis. I’ll be fine.” She held her robe closed as he shook his head and left.

  After she dressed, choosing a pair of tight jeans which fit her like a glove and a simple white tank, she strapped on her weapons, pulled on her coat, and headed down to the garage to see if Sister Frankie had arranged for a driver.

  The large building was lined with two black vans and three black SUVs. Standing beside one was Jarreth, looking as hot as ever in his black fighting gear, which was suitable for this mission.

  “You’re my driver?” She hadn’t expected him.

  “Yeah, Sister Frankie is punishing me for drinking yesterday.” He opened the front passenger door, and Rebekah climbed inside.

  “Ah, and what has she done with your friends?”

  He handed her the seatbelt, and she buckled herself in, even though a car crash wasn’t going to kill her.

  “Cantor has to help Sam tear down the decorations from last night’s event, and Delilah is spending the day with Lulu, which is fitting. I’m not sure who will be the crankiest. I heard her mother was a real bitch last night.” He shut the door and hurried around to the driver’s side.

  Although she hated name-calling, she knew it was true. “The woman tried to put me in my place, yes. But transferring Delilah is a horrible idea.”

  Jarreth froze. “What? She wanted to transfer?”

  “No, but her mother did. I thought you knew.”

  “No, I had no idea. I knew something was bothering her, but I thought it was just us getting in trouble. Her mother had bitched her out for that, too.”

  “Well, it’s not going to happen.”

  “Good.” Jarreth put the car into reverse and drove them out to the main road. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. We’re not together, but she’s my oldest friend. I can’t imagine her not being around.”

  “She’s a good girl. You should be proud to call her friend.” She busied herself with her phone, and Jarreth continued talking.

  “You like movies?”

  “No, I don’t have much time for movies.” She turned her head to him in time to see him frown.

  “Well, what do you like? I’m sure we have something in common besides us both being smoking hot.” He looked over, seeing her tight, faded jeans, and wished he could peel her out of them. He wished he could pull over and make good use of that space in back, or maybe he would just ease his seat back and have her climb on top.

  She tried not to smile, but it was hard to resist his charm and persistence. “I like to kill shifters and stake vampires.”

  Jarreth heard the duh in her tone. “Well, there’s that, yeah. I don’t know which of the two I hate more. What about you?”

  Rebekah thought of all the battles she’d fought, the vamps she’d staked, the ones she’d burned down with holy objects, the ones who fed on babies and small children, and used people for nothing more than a snack before leaving them dead or dying. Or the shifters, those vile rogues, the ones who didn’t live according to their nature, who spent most of their time in human form, unlike normal rogue shifters who valued their true animal form the most. The vile clan who had captured and tortured her, they had made her learn what hate truly was. She thought of how badly she hated them and what might have happened to her if Kayne hadn’t intervened. At least his monsters mostly wanted blood. Through the years she had learned one thing: there was good and bad in all kinds, whether the Church believed it or not, and there was one enemy greater than them all.

  “Evil,” she said. “I hate evil the most.”

  There was so much conviction in her voice that it sent a chill down Jarreth’s spine.

  They made it to Las Vegas and found the convalescence center almost an hour later, and though they’d talked a little more on the drive, it wasn’t about anything deeper than arguing with the GPS and stopping for gas.

  Jarreth pulled up to the doors in the circle drive and then got out to open her door. “I’ll be right out here once I park this thing.”

  “Thank you.” Rebekah returned his warm smile and then mustere
d up the courage to face Estelle. Her grandson had been killed, most likely by someone who knew about the prophecy. She had to make sure the old woman was safe but didn’t know how to explain any of it.

  She walked to the front desk where she was greeted with a sunny smile from a woman named Rosa, who handed her a clipboard.

  “I’m Rebekah Ward. I’ve come to see Ms. Estelle Riley.”

  “Ms. Riley is in three-o-eight, so if you would please sign in, I’ll get you the visitor’s pass and have one of our attendants walk you down.”

  “Thank you.” She signed her name and turned to find an older woman, much older than Rosa, standing beside her.

  “Hello, I’m Ava.” She extended her hand to show the way and then led Rebekah down a series of hallways. “I’m the nurse in charge of Ms. Riley. How are you acquainted?”

  “I’m actually a distance niece of Estelle’s, and while we’ve never met, I’m here on behalf of the family. I’m afraid that Merik, her grandson, was killed last week. I’ve come to give her the news.”

  Ava’s eyes filled with sympathy. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Mr. Riley was a nice man. He only moved her here a few weeks ago, when her condition became worse. To warn you, I’m afraid today is not a good day for her.”

  “What do you mean?” Rebekah stopped, waited for a man in a wheelchair to go past, and then caught up with Ava, who stopped at the next door.

  “Ms. Riley has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Ms. Ward. I’m afraid it’s advancing faster than expected.”

  “Oh, I see.” She had read about the disease and how it affected the mind and memory.

  Ava gave her a moment and then opened the door. Inside, Estelle was sitting up in bed watching TV. She didn’t even register that Rebekah and Ava had entered the room.

  “Ms. Riley, you have a visitor.” Ava spoke with a kind voice, but the old woman didn’t respond. Instead, she looked through Rebekah and back to the TV.

  Rebekah could tell that it would be no use telling her about Merik, and it might in fact make things worse if the grief was too much for her. She pulled Ava aside. “Are there moments of cognition where she might be able to grasp the news?”

  Ava shrugged. “If I may be honest ma’am, and this is solely a personal opinion and not a professional one, but if she were my mother, I wouldn’t tell her. According to her grandson, she had stopped remembering him most of the time. And I don’t think she’s in her proper state to understand enough about what happened to grieve.”

  “Thank you for that. I think I’ll just stay a moment. Then I’ll leave her in peace.”

  “I’ll make arrangements for you to bring in the proper papers, including a death certificate for Mr. Riley, showing you’re now able to make decisions regarding Estelle.”

  “I’d appreciate it.” The woman left her with another friendly smile, and then Rebekah stood back against the wall and watched as the woman stared at the TV where a romance played out.

  In the scene, a man and a woman argued. The man pulled the woman close and vowed he had always loved her, but the woman dramatically pushed at him, struggling to break free as she declared she could never be with him. No matter how much she loved him, their families would never approve.

  Rebekah became so wrapped up in the movie that she lost track of time. When it was over, she quietly slipped out, still thinking about the TV couple and their happily ever after.

  She returned the visitor’s pass and then headed out front where she saw Jarreth talking with an old man who had dropped his cane. He helped the man to his chair and then saw her.

  “Have a good day, Mr. Palmer.” He said his goodbyes and then walked over to where she was. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, sorry that took so long. I didn’t want to rush out on her.” She wasn’t about to admit she’d been wrapped up in the movie.

  Jarreth forced a smile. “I understand. And lucky for me, I got to talk to Mr. Palmer about his hemorrhoids.”

  Rebekah gave him an apologetic look. The sun shone down on her, warming her skin, and it had been a long time since she’d gotten to enjoy a day simply for the weather. “How about we sneak off and have some lunch?” She wanted to take the opportunity to have a nice meal for a change.

  Jarreth’s pulse quickened. He was so about to win that bet. “I’d love to. Don’t tell Lulu, but when we get to eat out, it’s a real treat.”

  “I’m going to remedy that problem. I’ve got someone looking into the budget to see if there is anything we can do to get you better meals and fix the accommodations.”

  “That would be awesome.” He put his hand on the small of her back and gestured to the right. “There’s a parking garage. I had to find a spot there. I hope it’s okay that it’s a bit of a walk. I could pull the car around if you want.”

  Rebekah didn’t like anyone’s hands on her, and it took all of her strength not to reach back, pull his arm from around her, and take him to the ground. Instead, her teeth clenched together as she forced a smile. “No, it’s fine. Today is a good day for a walk with a friend.”

  The path was lined with beautiful flowers and stone benches until they got to the garage. Seeing the dark structure ahead, she took one last breath of fresh air and that was when it hit her.

  Every nerve in her body was suddenly alive as the stench of shifters hit her nose. The scent was vile and pungent, assaulting her nostrils and filling her lungs. She held up hand to stop Jarreth. “Wait.”

  He was suddenly alert, his hand running up his arm as if he could smooth the gooseflesh down. “Is that feeling what I think it is? Is there a shifter close by?”

  Rebekah realized that this was the first time he’d ever had these feelings. “Yes, your instincts are working. That’s what rogue shifter feels like.”

  Every hair on his body was on end, and his lip curled as he gripped the handle of his knife. “I’ll have to remember that.”

  “Trust me, you’ll never forget it.” She knew that there was no way to conceal her weapons and use them, so she pulled Stella out from her coat and turned before Jarreth could get a good look at it. “You stay close but watch my back.”

  As they went into the garage, they opted for the stairs to get to the second floor. When they’d gotten that far without a problem, Rebekah hoped they could get to the car without a fight or calling attention to herself. But that was wishful thinking.

  Stepping out of the stairwell, Jarreth cursed. “The car is on the other side.”

  And that was when a growl came from their left. Jarreth turned his head and saw the large wolf: its thick coat was dark and gray around its muzzle.

  The filthy wolf bared its teeth, the growl ripping through its throat like a demon’s cry. And just as she was about to attack, another sounded behind her in the stairwell. As two more came to each side of them, she realized they were surrounded. “You take nine and twelve.”

  No sooner than Rebekah got the words out, she spun around in time to catch the wolf from the stairwell in the throat. As the thing yelped and fell away, the other came at her.

  She glanced over at Jarreth, who was in a standoff with two of the massive wolves, but she wasn’t about to lose focus on hers. She took off running toward the beast, tackling him to the ground. He fought her, struggling to get free, but her powerful thighs locked around his back, squeezing him tight. As her left arm wrapped around his neck, gripping his jaw, his teeth found her other arm and sliced through her leather jacket like it was silk, tearing open her flesh. She brought Stella down hard, burying the blade deep into the wolf’s gut and jerking it upward until her hands were coated with its warm blood.

  She looked up in time to see that Jarreth had buried his knife in one of the shifters’ throats, but the other was trying its damnedest to chew off his leg. He kicked the beast hard, and though it yelped, it was persistent. Jarreth was just about to lunge on the wolf when three more appeared on their right.

  Rebekah looked across the lot and saw the SUV. She gestured to it and Jar
reth nodded. Slowly, they backed up and headed toward the vehicle, but the wolves moved forward. Rebekah hoped to get them in a better position, one where at least Jarreth could get to the car where it was safe.

  They had covered some ground when the next wolf lunged. “Run!” Rebekah cried out as she turned toward the beast, a primal scream ripping from her throat as she prepared to move forward, he jumped on her, his powerful form taking her to the ground. But she had anticipated his move and stabbed him on their way down. His blood poured out, staining her white tee and faded jeans as she tossed him off.

  The other beasts howled, and it had to be quite a spectacle if anyone happened by, but then from behind one of the cars, the mage came forward, wielding magic from his fingers, his eyes lit with a fiery red glow.

  A crackling spear of blue energy hurtled toward Rebekah. She brought Stella up at the last second, deflecting the magic attack into the concrete floor.

  She noticed the wolves stood still as the mage came forward. He drew a glowing symbol in the air, and a stream of violet light like a laser erupted from his hands. The arcane blast slammed into Rebekah’s blade, and she had to use both hands to hold it. With a defiant shout, she reflected the magic off Stella’s blade and turned the beam, aiming it at the closest wolf and scorching its side.

  The other wolves retreated. Finding himself suddenly alone, the mage abandoned his spell and retreated, too, leaving the injured wolf behind. Rebekah walked up to the panting beast. It had a large gash in its side, which was pouring blood.

  There was no way the wolf would survive, and she wasn’t about to put the piece of shit out of its misery. Jarreth drove the car up beside her and threw open her door. “Come on!” he screamed.

  Jarreth had the right idea. They needed to get away before their enemies regrouped. As she moved to get into the SUV, the shifter gasped its last breath. Watching its eyes still, she put away her dagger and jumped into the vehicle.

  Jarreth put his foot to the floorboard, and the tires spun before speeding them away. “Holy fuck, that was intense. What kind of magic was that?”