Kindling (The Hunter Trilogy Book One)

by Abigail Colucci

  “What’s the wolf den like?”

  “Well, we’re pretty similar to The Hunter’s Coven, but much more family friendly. There are many female werewolves, so we’re used to women and children around all the time. It’s very nice, very communal. There is no separation between our families and the wolves in training. But, we don’t like to be compared to The Coven. Many years ago there was a falling out between the wolves and the Hunters,” he sighed. “I’m one of just three that hunt vampyres with Coven Hunters. It’s foolish, because in order to best hunt vampyres, you need to Hunt as a team of three: Hunter, tracker, wolf. Not everyone sees it that way, though.”

  Braith cleared his throat. “This isn’t why we brought her here, Lucky. Being a puppy is nice but there are things she’s got to know.”

  “You’re such a prick,” Jean-Luc said. “And don’t start with the dog shit, trouduc!” He yelled. Suddenly, Jean-Luc attacked Braith right in the knees. Braith collapsed in the sand and they both began punching each other. At first, I was a little concerned, but then I heard them laughing. They reminded me of my baby brothers; apparently, boys are always boys no matter how old they are.

  I scooted to the edge of the water while they finished beating each other up and dipped my feet in the waves. They plopped down on either side of me, a little out of breath.

  “Okay, you want to start, Lucky?” Braith asked.

  “God, all terrible conversations start out like this,” I mumbled.

  “You’re so dramatic,” Braith said. “It’s not that bad.”

  Jean-Luc ignored us. “So, there are lots of things you don’t know. We take it for granted, because we are so used to everything,” Jean-Luc said. “I’ve been around the Coven close to 50 years and that’s not a quarter of the length of some Hunters. There really hasn’t been a Hunter like you before, one that is so unfamiliar with the life, you understand?” I nodded. “So, Braith and I are sorry we are – how do you say it in Spanish? Los idiotas?”

  I smiled. “Yeah, something like that.”

  Braith sighed. “So, there are some things you’ve got to remember. One is that, while you are in training, you cannot fight off of this island,” he said. “We’re protected here, but everywhere else we are alone. Vampyres are attracted to fighting. They love the chaos. They feel tension building and they’re attracted to it like bugs to a light. And it’s more complicated with us because we’re Hunters.

  “It’s weird, but we are all very attracted to each other, meaning that, for no known reason all of us - vampyres and Hunters alike - are pulled towards each other without even realizing it. We are like opposite sides of a magnet being pushed towards each other. We can’t help this attraction and usually we don’t even realize that the pull is happening. That’s one thing that is very important for you to remember, especially since you don’t have The Coloring yet. Portugal has more vampyres than any other place in the world, so you go on land and there is a good chance you are going to run into a vampyre or two. You can’t take anything for granted. If you think you’ve ended up somewhere by accident, it’s probably because you were pulled there by the force of a vampyre. Nothing is ever by chance.

  “To them, we Hunters have a very distinct scent. Werewolves have an even more unique scent, but they’re a bit different. They know how to move so the wind doesn’t pick up their scent and they’re color is dark so often vampyres can’t see them at night. Most of the vampyres you will have contact with will be able to smell us at a very far distance, but they will have no idea where we are. We can sense them when they are much closer, but we can hone in on their location and get to them much quicker than they can realize where we are. It will depend on both the Hunter and the vampyre if there is a confrontation, although usually in busier areas we tend to lay low and let each other pass. Questions?”

  “Uhmm...” I began. Hell yes, I had a lot of questions, but his incredibly fast overview kind of left me breathless.

  Jean-Luc held up a hand to shush me. “Save questions until the end,” he said. “There are also different kinds of vampyres you may encounter. When we say “vampyre,” we are usually talking about the immortal guy that sucks blood from humans. Like from the movies? We usually call them Strigoi, but they’re called a lot of different names: moroi, Izcacus, Vetalas. Just remember Strigoi or Strigs and you’ll be fine. Their bites can kill. Remember that. If you are fighting them and they land a bite, you need to work hard getting them off or they’ll drain you in two minutes. A lot of them don’t kill, though, and just drink blood. Werewolves are totally cool with this, as long as both parties agree. For a wolf, we only intervene when there is intent to kill or after the vampyre has killed. Hunters have mixed feelings about blood draining and tend to intervene. You can make that decision yourself, when you’re in the field. Braith and I believe in low intervention. Why start a fight when there is no reason? Questions?”

  Before I could ask, Jean-Luc continued. “Vampyres do not want more vampyres because that means less food. They are not allowed to transform humans into vampyres. The only vampyre who is allowed to transform humans is their queen.” Jean-Luc paused and glanced at Braith, who shook his head. I was lost with whatever this signal meant, but Jean-Luc continued before I could ask. “They are the most common types of vampyres out there and some have special ...” Jean-Luc paused, thinking for a moment. “I guess, magical abilities? There are a few that can take on invisibility and even less that can turn themselves into an animal. It’s been many, many years since I’ve even heard of a Strigoi turning into an animal. But even though they are the most prolific they are the least disruptive to modern society.” Jean-Luc nodded to Braith.

  “The vampyre hunts ...,” Braith began but stopped. “Are you going to remember this? Or should we stop. I probably should have had you bring a notebook.”

  My response was staring at him with my mouth open because, truthfully, I was freaking out. The only thing I could remember by this point was magnets attracting vampyres who could turn into animals.

  “Pauvre fille,” Jean-Luc said. He patted the back of my head. “She’s had too much. Let’s go swimming.” Then he stood up, stripped off his clothes, and strolled into the water. I averted my eyes and burned from blushing. I couldn’t believe that was the first, grown man penis I had ever seen. “You two should come in. L'eau est belle.”

  “Cover up, asshole,” Braith yelled and laughed and laid back in the sand. “Lucky is very confident,” he mumbled, placing his arm over his eyes to shield himself from the sun.

  “So, that’s it? You’ve ended the discussion?” I asked. Braith grunted. “Can I ask questions now?”

  “I don’t think so,” Braith sighed but didn’t look at me from under his arm. “I think you should wade in the water. Relax in the sand. Take a walk. Do something enjoyable before tomorrow, because tomorrow will be a new sort of hell for you.” He snorted. “At least you don’t have to be there until seven. Sleep in a little.” I sighed and kicked him. He smiled but still didn’t look at me.

  I waited a few minutes before I was sure he wasn’t going to continue my tutoring, then I took my pants off and waded into the ocean in my underwear. Jean-Luc whistled and I blushed again, but they both left me alone to my thoughts.

  I spent the rest of the day walking along the beach and in the water, mentally preparing myself for the next day. I knew Braith was right. If I was too overwhelmed that night I wouldn’t be able to cope with everything tomorrow.

  But, it turned out I could cope with it much better than I thought.

  I had gotten so used to waking up at 4:30, I woke up automatically and couldn’t go back to sleep. My stomach was a mix of nerves and excitement. I decided to jog around the town, as I had promised Braith that I wouldn’t go to the other side of the door if he wasn’t with me.

  I ran around the town a few times – it wasn’t very big – but quickly got bored, so I decided to sneak out to the beach. To my surprise, Jean-Luc was sitting where we had swum earlier,
smoking a cigar.

  “Bonjour, Jean-Luc,” I said, hoping to impress him with my French. “Ça va?”

  “Ah, très bien, merci,” he said. He grinned up at me and patted the sand next to him for me to sit down. “Parlez-vous Français?”

  “No, not really,” I said. “Some phrases are similar in Spanish.”

  “Ah, you are a lover of the Romance Languages,” he said and grinned. “Just like me.”

  “What are you doing out here so early?” I asked. “With a cigar?”

  “Does it bother you? I’ll put it out?”

  “No, no, it’s okay.”

  He grinned and inhaled the smoke. In a moment he let out a long exhale and the sweet smoke rose above our heads. “My wife, she has moved here from France, finally, a month ago.” He grinned and stared into the ocean. “We’re going to have a baby,” he said.

  “Oh my god, Jean-Luc, that’s wonderful. Congratulations,” I said. I leaned over and hugged him. “I have to meet your wife. You never even told me you were married.”

  Jean-Luc shrugged. “It’s hard, you know. My first wife, she died, her and my daughter were killed by vampyres. It’s been hard to live with that. Because the vampyres killed them to get to me. It’s been hard to live with that,” he said again.

  “I’m so sorry, Jean-Luc,” I said. I thought I should say more but there wasn’t much else I could say. Jean-Luc smiled kind of sadly and we were both quiet for awhile. “Will you tell me about them?” I asked.

  He looked at me strangely for a moment and smiled a little. “My wife was a ballerina. She loved to dance. She broke her foot and that was it. But if she hadn’t broken her foot I never would have met her.” He grinned at some memory and sighed. “But she taught ballet to little girls. She was very good, very beautiful. Camille, was her name, she was this petit little thing with big, blue eyes and curls. Oh, her whole head was full of curls. We had Adèle just a year after we met. It was hard on us. We weren’t married, you know, so I moved them to the Den. Camille taught ballet, Adèle went to school, and I hunted vampyres. It was beautiful. And I knew my little girl was a wolf. I prepared her for it. I let her watch how I did it and play with her papa when I was changed. It was good, everything was good.” Jean-Luc’s eyes became distant and he frowned. “I told her not to take Adèle to the city, but my girls wanted it so badly. I should have taken them. I was happy in the Den, but Camille loved the city. I should have taken them myself.” He swallowed and paused for awhile, listening only to his breaths and the lapping of the ocean. “Braith found them. He tried to hide them from me but I could smell their deaths and smell the vampyres. I knew right away who had done it and wanted to leave immediately to find him. Braith made me stay for their burials. I’m glad he made me stay. Three days wouldn’t have made a difference.” He sighed. “We tracked them for five years. Five years, mon petit chaton, and they stayed ahead of us that whole time. And then, poof, they disappeared. It’s been 20 years. I think he may have already been killed, but who knows? No one will admit to it.”

  “I’m so sorry, Jean-Luc,” I said, although I knew it didn’t sound like it was enough.

  He smiled. “It took a long time to feel better. It still hurts,” Jean-Luc said. “I met Josephine – she’s an American like you – a few years ago. It’s like I have a second chance to do things right. And now we’ll have a child. I’m scared to be a father again,” he laughed a little. “I should not tell you this, Mon Chaton. You have enough to fret over.”

  I entwined my fingers into his and rested my head on his shoulder. “We’re friends. You can tell me things.” We sat quietly and watched the waves. “I want to meet your Josephine, though.”

  “Ah, we will have you for dinner. The Rabbi has taken up all your time, before, but now you will have a bit more. She’s a terrible cook, but luckily I am an amazing chef.” I laughed and he checked his watch. “Almost time, Mon Chaton, are you ready?” He sprung up and held his hand out to me. I grabbed it and he pulled me up.

  “As ready as I think I could be,” I said.

  We started walking back to the Walters’ house. Jean-Luc said Braith would be waiting there, shitting himself with impatience. We walked slowly and he told me about some of his travels and about hunting with Braith. They seemed to have had amazing adventures, travelling around the globe, east to west and south to north. They were always outsiders, he said, and that’s what brought them together. And now they were closer than brothers.

  When we rounded the corner to the Walters’ block, we saw Braith pacing in front of the door. When saw us he sighed, but it was too early to yell so he kept quiet, just crossed his arms and tapped his foot.

  “See,” Jean-Luc whispered. “He’s turned into such a mother hen. He didn’t used to be like this. It’s from watching you, Mon Chaton. You are the worry of his life.” Jean-Luc laughed but I blushed.

  I could tell Braith was really upset when we got closer. His teeth were grinding. “I was about to wake up the whole house,” he said. “Where have you been?”

  “With Jean-Luc,” I said. “On the beach. I’ve already run.”

  Braith glared at Jean-Luc. “Why didn’t you bring her back sooner? I’ve been worried sick. This is going to be an incredibly stressful day for her and you’ve got her out at all hours getting a sun tan?”

  Jean-Luc and I glanced at each other and grinned. “Josephine is pregnant,” Jean-Luc answered. “Enceinte.”

  “Are you serious?” Braith asked. Jean-Luc nodded. Braith grinned. “Merde!” Jean-Luc laughed. They spoke quickly in French for a few minutes and I was completely lost. Braith’s French was nearly perfect. If he had an accent, I couldn’t hear one. I did catch, at the end of the conversation, Braith offering a congratulations and wondering when Josephine was due.

  “Avril,” Jean-Luc said.

  “Ah!” Braith slapped Jean-Luc’s chest and they hugged. “Un papa, Chanceux!” They laughed and then remembered me. “Shouldn’t you be on the field?” Braith asked. He and Jean-Luc shoved passed me, expecting me to follow. I briefly considered being stubborn and not following, but they were walking without paying me any attention and I thought I would probably just get left behind.

  They ignored me until we reached the wall. Just like on my first day of training, Braith placed his hand on the door and turned to me. Jean-Luc and Braith both looked at me with pity. “Are you ready for this?” Braith asked.

  I wasn’t ready. I was scared. I knew all the things the Hunter trainees yelled at me over the last nine weeks and I knew the harassment would get much worse, now that I was part of them. Besides the fight on my birthday with the vampyres, I had never fought anyone that really wanted to harm me. After I walked through that door, my life wouldn’t be safe. Everyone was going to want to harm me and Braith had implied that even the High Masters who worked with the boys didn’t want me around. It was going to be difficult, so all I could say was, “Do I have a choice?”

  We all knew I there was only one choice for me, so Braith pushed open the door.

  Author Musings

  Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully enjoy - book one of The Hunter Trilogy. I’ve already got the second book mostly finished, so you won’t have to wait too long to find out the exiting continuation. I’ve spent my life writing and most of it was seriously depressing stuff, but I can’t bring myself to publish most of it and make other people miserable. So, I started delving into Fantasy. Fantasy is a wonderful and amazing genre and I’m really proud to call this novel my own. I’ve worked tremendously hard to write, edit, and produce this novel - I was like having a second, full-time job! - and, hopefully, you at least somewhat enjoyed it. If you didn’t like it, I’m sorry, but I’m going to continue writing because it’s what I do. I write.

  Thanks to my fantastic partner in crime, Jarret, for giving me pointers, for listening to my ramblings, for reading the same novel multiple times, and for just encouraging me to keep going.

  It’s a lot of work gettin
g an ebook ready for publication and a lot of formatting mistakes occur. If you notice a formatting or some other mistake, please send me a message at my website or Facebook. I’ll fix it as quickly as possible. Also, if you’d like to learn more about me and read more about The Hunter Trilogy at abbeycbooks.com.

  Visit The Hunter Trilogy Facebook page at:

  https://www.facebook.com/TheHunterTrilogy