The Huntress: Becoming a Huntress

by Mihaela Gheorghe

  too, I am staying in a secluded corner of the sumptuous room. I am wearing a lacquered leather suit, black color. I grabbed my hair in a ponytail, very thick and very long, crossed by a thick velvet silver thread. On my hips I caught a wide, silver belt, from which I hang a black slim cylinder, which hits my legs at the every step or move I make. It's not about an accessory; the cylinder is a weapon of high efficiency. I wear a pair of long, high heels, tight boots that match the rest of my outfit. I am aware that I look pretty good. But I still don't see a compelling enough reason for me that Nikos should throw at me these glances, which he believed I did not see, I did not notice, that I did not know how to interpret. Of course that he is deceiving himself. I've understood him long time ago.

  Bored, pissed, and obviously not as unnoticed as I would’ve liked, I grab a glass of the purest and finest Crystal, inlaid with gold and precious stones, from a tray. I know very well that the red liquid in it is what we call the vampire blood. I am like a shadow, like a breeze. So I discreetly make myself scarce after some very thick and heavy velvet draperies.. Out on the terrace, I breathe the fresh, clean air. I pray, how clean and fresh the air can be at this time.

  “You’re out of humor.”

  All I can hope is that Nikos had not followed here because he believed that I would have liked him to come after me. I was more satisfied if I remained alone. Even he said once, that it's best for me when I am single. I turn to him. In his hand, Nikos has a glass similar to mine. I clang with him.

  “What is this for?”

  His question takes me slightly by surprise.

  “Do I need a reason?” I say.

  He gives a shrug.

  “I keep forgetting that you're not a classic Hunter.” He says.

  His comment did not surprise me. I perfectly understand what he wants to say.

  “And I keep forgetting that you don't make certain gestures unless they are perfectly clear and profound.” I retort.

  It fallows moment of silence, during which each of us sip from the glass. Nikos is a thinker.

  “Still, I wonder how after so many years of hunting, we are still making these differences between us. Didn't you even notice?” he asks me after a very short period of time.

  I do not respond, because I realize that he talks more to himself.

  “We, as pure hunters, we refer to you as a separate entity from us, just how you refer to us as being different than you are.”

  “Well, and we are not different?”

  I speak in an equal tone. I am not inclined to philosophy at this hour. I am looking forward to a later mission.

  “Yes.” he approves it. “We are. You are so... Like us, and yet, so different…”

  We keep sipping from our glasses.

  “Do you think you will ever back out with these missions?”

  His question takes me by surprise, again. Nor do I ever thought about that. I didn’t even imagine such a thing. My surprise is very visible. His laughter is amused, and sad alike.

  “I just said a big baloney, right?”

  I slightly smile, but a retained smile. I hear a very gentle motion, as if someone would approach us, but without wanting us to realize. Instinctively, my hearing sharpens, as well as my smell, and the rest of my senses. Hunters are never afraid of any of theirs. That never happened, and it never going to. Hunters are not supposed to be cautious with each other. But we were just talking about the fact that I although am like them, I am so still different at the same time...

  The inaudible approaching is Cassiopia. Her smell is like a label. Just as is the scent of each of them. She doesn’t have really bad intentions, just that she's very curious, and very jealous at the same time. I know that she chose Nikos for herself. As she probably knows whose Nikos’s choice of mating is. I think that all women, regardless of race, have a special sense regarding these kind of things.. It's almost funny to imagine that this Hunter, Cassiopia, even could have reasons for being jealous. But I found that all the females are the silly glaring when they fall in love. I pray, that's my opinion.

  Then I hear Nikos’s voice.

  “Patricia... I want to tell you something for a very, very long time... And I...”

  I instinctively get tense. Because his tone sounds as if he wants to confess to me something that, incidentally, I know. And of course that I don't want to sit to listen to anything. Firstly, because I wouldn't bother, secondly because my reaction would dislike him and would hurt his pride and only thirdly, because I know that it would hurt the one who lurks. That is why it is strongly recommended that you do not listen to the doors. Because, as a rule, you get to hear nasty things. So I cut him off, excited.

  “Hey, have you seen my latest gadget?” I ask him.

  As saying that, I removed from the scabbard that black, thin cylinder.

  “It’s a very effective weapon, based on ultraviolet energy. Look, this button here increases its size of.”

  I activate it, and the cylinder of 40 centimeters now reaches two meter size.

  “Well, I can continue to give it pretty much any size I want. And this button here enables the ultraviolet energy to both of the weapon’s edges. See?”

  I make a demonstration and indeed, at the both ends of the cylinder there are some bright bluish beam now.

  “This weapon is very cool. Because these bright rays acts like lasers. In addition, one can wear it as a jewel, too.”

  His gaze gives me to understand that it's rather odd for a woman, be it even one like me, to wear weapons as jewelry.

  “Cassiopia,” I then feigned surprise, “are you here for long?”

  I turn to her unhurried. She is much more feminine than me, that's clear. She’s wearing a long, rusty gown, perfectly molded on her shapes, which generously reveals her breasts. Her skin is matte, unlike mine which is whiter skin. The oval of her face is perfectly lit by a pair of dark eyes, by short, red loops that match the color of the dress. I realize without a dash of envy, that she is very beautiful and appealing. She specially dressed for Nikos, and I know she would make a great pair with him. As often, it's funny for me to realize how blunt men can be, be they human or not. It is inconceivable that he wouldn’t have figured this out by now.

  “Do I interrupt anything?”

  Her voice is like honey, but unlike my way cool, sarcastic and edgy in her speak. Nikos makes a grimace that only I can see, but I smile broadly.

  “Not at all. You are very welcome.”

  And it's even half true. Although her intrusion irritates me because I wanted to be alone, I'm relieved at the same time, as Nikos can no longer continue with what he wanted to tell me.

  “Well, ladies, a man knows when he is unwanted.” Nikos says gallantly.

  I smile a real smile this time. Anything more untrue, I know for sure, especially in what Cassiopia thinks.

  “It always surprises me that men can be so blind. “ I say to her, when Nikos left.

  Cassiopia glances at me, surprised.

  “It is obvious that the two of you would make a wonderful couple, and equally obvious the fact that you're literally dying after him.” I say.

  “However, I see that it does not prevent you from insinuating yourself between me and him.”

  Her voice is almost gnashed. Her black pupils throw flames. Increasing her anger, calmer I am, even slightly amused.

  “Am I insinuating myself?”

  I shrug, laughing.

  “You are naïve.” I continue, sipping with calm and nonchalant. “Nikos is my mentor, and in very rare moments-my friend. And that’s it.”

  I very clearly hear her heartbeats, which are very fast. Just as well I perceive her increased body temperature. These signs give me to understand that she would not stop to hunt right now, even if the prey is me.

  “That doesn't prevent him to want you!” she squeals again.

  “And that's not my fault.” I cut her short, in a tone that suggests that the discussion has ended. “And even though between
me and Nikos there will be nothing, ever, it does not mean that when the time will come, he will not be with anyone. So, if I were in your place, I would do anything in that direction, instead of accusing others of things that they cannot be held liable.”

  Before she can throw the fluid from the glass in my face, my hand shoots, and catch her by her arm.

  “Don't be childish!” I say to her coldly.

  Her eyes cast more flames.

  “No matter how much you might want it, you will never be one of us, can you hear me?” She says as yelling. “You are nothing but a Mongrel, that’s what you are! And I hate you! We all hate you! But, besides that you stole Nikos’s affection from me, the worst is that you have in you vampire blood! Maybe nobody ever told you, but all hunters hate you!”

  Instead of getting mad, I still maliciously smile.

  “Well, maybe not all of them, don't you think?”

  The color of her cheeks fades. Still holding her arm and shaking it with something more than firmness, I bend towards her and tell her slowly.

  “And if you really hate me all that much because of my blood mixture, why don't you do something about this?” I say as I am insinuating.

  “Because the High Priest has not yet given us the order!” "She hissed.

  But her barely hidden grimace shows me that my grip is painful. I tut...

  “No, not because of that. Because it would have been very easy for you to make it look like a vampire attack. So that’s not the reason. Don’t you know what the reality is? The reality is that you are afraid of me! Perhaps you do hate me, and I’m sure of that! But it is equally as certain that you're afraid of me!”

  “Is everything all right?”

  Nikos’s voice makes Cassiopia startle. However, not any of my muscle moves.

  “Of course.” I reply suave. “Why wouldn't it be? I just looked at Cassiopia’s wonderful bracelets.” I say to justify why a have her arm caught.

  And then, toward her.

  “Indeed, my dear, the bracelets are splendid. You are lucky that you found them. You keep it that way! I just hope that the good luck won’t leave you at one point.”

  Her whole body gives me to understand that she had understood the hidden threat. I let her arm. The trace of my fingers is very clear on her dark skin.

  Then, she totally surprises me.

  “Well, if you love so much my bracelets, choose one that you like. Either one you like. I’ll give it to you as a gift.”

  I don't understand her so affable attitude, and something like an alarm bell starts to ring in my head. But, how Nikos is also here, and my hesitation, puzzles him, I fake an interest in her jewels, and I choose a black and silver bracelet.

  “Are you sure you can get rid of this beauty?”

  Cassiopia shook her head with a prettily that surprises me even more.

  “Of course I am. I assure you that it makes me happy to give you any of these bracelets.”

  I look with circumspection from the bracelet at her.

  “Come on, Patricia,” says Nikos, “take it! It's the first time that one of our kind is so open and friendly with you. I am glad, Cassiopia, to see that you're friendly with Patricia. There are too many who aren’t.”

  Cassiopia looks at him with adoration, excited by the appreciation in his voice. This is annoying me, because I know for sure that there is something hidden in her apparently so disinterested gesture.

  “Well,” I say, putting my glass on the windowsill of the terrace, “I’m getting out of here. I’ve got some work to do.”

  Everyone knows what it means for me having something to do. It means that I have some vampires to kill.

  “And after you finish your work, will you come back for another drink?”

  Nikos ' interest causes other palpitations in Cassiopia’s chest, and I feel satisfied. I'm almost tempted to answer ‘Yes’. Almost.

  “No, I don't think so. I shall withdraw in my lair. Now, if you’ll, excuse me. Please, give my respects to the High Priest, okay? See you!”

  I place a hand on the terrace railing and I make a jump.

  When I referred to "my lair", I literally referred to as a lair. Because a lair is, indeed. A place made of lead plates, on the other side of the Lake. It is impossible for any creature to take my smell, or to track me down, if they don’t know exactly where I live. I don't have anything inside, but a bed. And not because I really need a bed to rest. But I do have times when I voluntarily fall asleep, only for the sake of dreaming about the

  moments Kyrya, Dom and I spent together. It is a pleasure, but also a self-flagellation. Because the reality of their lack is always just as painful. But it is also a way to keep my hatred toward the vampires, as crazy, as intense.

  My senses begin to burn at the unmistakable smell of that race. My venom explodes in my mouth. My canines sunk in my lower lip, instantly. Every organ, every muscle I flex, starts to burn. Just like my eyes. I feel them before I see them. I'm in the wharf area, where my smell wanes altogether. I know that they look for me just how am I looking for them. Though my smell is much harder to detect. There are five of them. With the passage of time, I noticed that they are becoming better trained, better fighters, more prepared. But for me… they are never too good, never-never too prepared.

  Even though there are five vampires, two women and three men, even if they are obviously well trained, they have no chance against me. I took the cylinder, at the same time removing myself away the scabbard, jumping into the attack. I stick it in the skull of one of them, powerfully. The dry sound I hear fills me with joy. I push on the button for the ultraviolet rays, and the body of the vampire is split in half, after which it turns to ashes. I counter a hit that I feel coming from my left side, of one of the women. Is the blonde, very white in the face. Her eyes are blood red, as well as her lips. I twist her wrist as in a grip vice. When she’s trying to hit me with her other hand, I catch and twist that wrist too. I see her grimacing when my claws are cutting her skin and hurting her flesh. I look into her bloody eyes for a split second before I apply her a head shot, then I hit her with a knee in her stomach. She falls a few meters back. The pontoon is dust under her, and she falls into the water altogether. The other three are attacking me all at once, in order to give time for the wounded one to recover. I use the back of the cylinder. They act like ultraviolet lasers. Then all becomes instinct and speed. I hit them, and they hit me back. However, my shots are more powerful, tougher. The wounds that I cause with pride and satisfaction are deeper. My flesh shall recover faster than theirs, precisely because of that. I notice that I chopped off the head of one of them. Before his head touching the ground, his body is turned to ashes. The female vampire from the water joins the remaining ones. I hear nothing but growls and snarls. I feel a pain like a burn on my arm. I realize that one of them bit me. My lips are widening in a thin smile. If they would only know that I am almost immune to their venom… I'm not invincible. I'm just very determined, very controlled, very well trained, and infinitely more accurate. And frankly, my advantage is that I don't believe I have any weaknesses. Yes.. My weak point is incidentally my advantage: my thirst to kill all these monsters. While piercing the chest of one of them with the right hand claws, heating myself with his flesh and blood, I bite the neck of another one, almost decapitating him in half. It is sufficient, however, as with my remaining free hand to pull it. It's as if I yank a toy from a child’s hand. I am now face to face with the blonde vampire woman.

  “What sort of creature you are?”

  I've heard this question from many others.

  "We all hate you!"

  Cassiopia’s voice resounds in my ears.

  “We, as pure hunters, we refer to you as a separate entity from us, just how you refer to us as being different than you are.”

  Nikos’s voice resounds in my ears.

  “I am what I am.” I respond. And it doesn’t matter.”

  I'm sick of keeping apologizing for my blood. Yes, I am wh
at I am. Maybe I'm a Hunter. Or maybe I'm not. Maybe I'm a third vampire. Or maybe not. Human-I long ago ceased to be, even though I still have atoms of one of them in my blood. So really, I am what I am. But whatever I am, my purpose is to eradicate the vampire disease race. The same thing that the Hunters’ Order wants. So maybe I am a hunter after all.

  Although a kill her very quickly, now that I remained single, I'm not hungry. I'm not touching the flesh of any of them.

  I go into the water. I'm heading to my lair, that’s on the other side, into the Woods, hidden by the rich vegetation. The bite on my arm burns me really bad. Although it's not killing me, the vampire venom is attacking my system until it is absorbed. My gaze films over, and I can feel dizziness coming over me. My breath becomes heavier and I move increasingly harder. My reflexes are semi paralyzed. This condition will pass within two hours, because it isn’t the first time when this is happening to me. If for a pure Hunter, the vampire venom is fatal, I assimilate it within two hours, as I could see in my previous experiences.

  Once I am in the den, I collapse on the simple bed. I am very sick, and my sight had almost completely disappeared. It is very well that I shall recover myself in two hours.

  “This is easier that I actually thought…”

  A laughter…

  An unpleasant smell, unbearable... And a known odor....

  I am almost completely paralyzed, but what I have left in my senses warns me that I am in imminent danger. Nearly blind, I nevertheless realize that around me, there are foreign, threatening presences. Although I can hardly move, my mind is awake. I know that if I don't react in any way, it's as if I would sign the sentence from my own death. I know that the total lack of response will be pure suicide. And with all this... How could I react? How could I fight back? And how could I, at the same time, not to react at all? The first enemy bends above me... I am no less surprised than the others of my own jump. Through the thick fog that is all that I can see, I distinguish eight silhouettes. However, I fail to realize what is nonetheless familiar… a shape... Or maybe a flavor... Something... And how did they find me?