The Crimson Hunt

by Smith, Victoria H.

  I gasped. My warriors? Lila? Sam and Gary? Oh, God. Everyone. All those people who died on campus and in the town while I was on the farm …. It was because of me.

  He gave a bellowed laugh at his own internal enjoyment. “And in my district at that. There always was more activity here, especially within the last three years.”

  My eyes shifted. When I came here for school.

  “Which is why a member of the family had been personally positioned here. Hmm.” He laughed again. “But, the Bringer herself ….” He shook his head.

  Luca’s hand tightened in mine, and he shifted even more in front of me to shield me.

  “Though, I am perplexed as to how she had gone unnoticed for so long if she, and so many of her warriors, were here. Especially, after it was so easy to find you both in Niagara Falls. But then, you suddenly went off our radar.”

  My heart hitched and Luca glanced my way. His gaze zoned in on my necklace. He was thinking the same thing. The necklace had been protecting me since birth. When I broke it and took it off, I became vulnerable. The Hunters saw me as clear as day. And whatever little protection I had over the others was completely gone. They were just as exposed as I. The protection obviously wasn’t absolute for the others like it was for me, but it did help. Without it, we were all vulnerable.

  Craven shrugged. “No matter. She is here now isn’t she?” He eyed me.

  I gripped onto Luca, chills surging throughout my body. Luca stared ahead at Craven. He was stone faced with fire in his eyes.

  “You know this one was one of my prized pupils.” Craven nodded toward Luca, but kept his eyes on me. “He had some of the best marks in the program I had seen in years. The amount of his successfully completed missions topped the charts.” He glanced at Luca and smirked. “I actually thought you would be standing next to me one day. But you threw it all away, and for what? The likes of her,” he said nonchalantly.

  Luca stepped forward. “How dare you speak to her. I trusted you. We all trusted you! How could you do this to your own people?” he spat in disgust.

  “There is always a price for power, Luca. A few people always have to die for the good of the rest.” A sick smile formed across his lips.

  Luca attempted to step forward, but I tightened my hand in his and he stayed back.

  “Now, now, Luca. I do not think you want to do that. This day will already be bloody enough without the unnecessary claw marks added to my body.” Craven laughed.

  Luca’s hand shook in mine. I tried to contact him with my mind, but I couldn’t reach him.

  Craven read my face and smirked. “Do not bother trying to speak to each other that way in here. I have shut off your communication. I would not want you two plotting against me, right in front of me.”

  Luca shook his head at him. “You are sick, Craven.”

  “Well, one man’s genius is another man’s madness to some. Too bad you will not live to tell of your meddling here.” He laughed.

  I couldn’t keep Luca from charging any longer. He lunged at Craven, but Craven backed up. He dematerialized from sight wearing a wide smile.

  I ran over to Luca. “Where did he go?”

  “He used his personal teleportation device. He is the only one who has access to it. He could be anywhere,” said Luca, defeat in his voice. “How could I have been so stupid? To follow someone so blindly ….” Placing his hands on the hearth of the fireplace, he stared into the fire.

  I placed my hand on his back.

  His eyes shut tight and he breathed in deeply.

  “You can’t blame yourself. He and his family fooled everyone.” I ran my hand across his back, trying to bring whatever comfort I could to him.

  “Well, if it isn’t the two love birds.”

  We both shot around. Garrett’s ignited, lightening-blue eyes stared at us. He was followed by a woman, the same blonde woman I saw earlier in the hall.

  My hands balled into fists and my body shook. Garrett was mine. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I’d take him out myself.

  “Little did we know, it would be the likes of you we would have to deal with today. How are you doing, Ariel? The last time I saw you, you were a bit … distressed, to say the least.” Garrett eyed me in a smirk. His British accent sounded deadly with every word he spoke.

  I ran for him. The first thing I could think to do was claw his eyes out. I didn’t care what power he had. But Luca held me back, and my journey was halted.

  Garrett laughed at me.

  Luca held onto my struggling limbs. A deep hate flowed from his eyes. “How are you healing up, Garrett? Those wounds I gave you that night looked pretty bad.”

  Garrett crossed his arms. “Ha! You were always a comic relief, old friend.”

  Luca scowled. “You are no friend of mine.”

  “I guess not. I don’t make friends with individuals who betray their people with the disgusting likes of a void.”

  “Don’t you dare call her that you piece of shit!” spat Luca, his eyes blazing.

  I quickly shifted in front of Luca. I was the one holding him back from Garrett, now.

  Garrett smiled with satisfaction. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such language. Another thing you picked up from her I’m sure.” He nodded toward me, but kept his icy gaze on Luca.

  Luca’s jaw clenched.

  I put my hand on his chest. His heart beat a mile a minute.

  “You know that’s what she is, Luca. A disgusting, black hole that sucks up everything in its path. I cannot wait until we destroy the lot of you,” Garrett continued.

  I stood firm while watching Garrett demean me, but Luca wanted to charge so badly his body shook.

  “You know, I should have known. I should have known the minute you wouldn’t let me kill her that night something was up with you. As much satisfaction you get out of being able to say you completed your mission, you’d never pass up a golden opportunity if it was presented right in front of you.” Garrett paced the floor a bit, and his midnight eyes darkened. “I tried to tell Craven about you, but of course, he wouldn’t listen to me. You always had him wrapped around your finger, didn’t you? A little teacher’s pet. His little bitch.”

  Luca stepped around me, and Garrett crouched and got into an attack position. His hands went at the ready out in front of him. Before either could attack, I intercepted and stood between them. I didn’t care what happened to me. I couldn’t let Garrett hurt Luca. “Garrett, you don’t understand. You’ve been lied to.”

  His eyes shot my way, his face in a grimace. “Don’t you speak to me! You have no right!” His hands brightened with aqua and violet light.

  I looked down at Luca’s hands. His light formed, as well.

  “Now, boys. Let’s not get messy.” The mysterious blonde woman walked across the room. She placed her hand on Garrett’s rapidly exhaling chest. “The girls haven’t gotten a chance to catch up.”

  What was she saying? Had we met before?

  “I must say it has been a long time, Ariel. You have grown up so much since I last saw you. I guess the last time was not on the best of terms, though.”

  That voice ….

  “I guess I was known by a different name back then, but I think Ara suits me better now. I was never fond of that abomination Earth name they gave me when I entered the program. I prefer a more natural name.” Her ruby lips attempted to smile, but the expression came out looking more like a snarl.

  My memories haunted me. I could see the darkness in her eyes, now. Her face became clearer through the flames.

  Luca glanced my way, then back at Ara. “What are you talking about, Ara?”

  “Ariel and I have quite the little history. Don’t we, Ariel?” Her face darkened. “I must say, I’m surprised you are here with us. When I left you, I thought you were a goner. Oh, well. You weren’t my real target, so I guess it doesn’t matter. May I ask you how well those burns healed up? They looked pretty bad when I left you in your room that night. Where were they again
? Right around your stomach?”

  How? How could this be? She hadn’t aged a day. “Nancy?”

  She scowled. “I prefer Ara, and I knew you would remember me. After all, I haven’t changed much as you can see.” She displayed herself.

  I guessed banging the boss had its advantages.

  Luca looked down at me. “Ariel, what is she talking about?”

  My mouth was dry, and I didn’t know if I could talk. The horrors of that night burned into my mind. “S-She was my babysitter when I was five. The last night I saw her was when—”

  “I killed your parents.” A satisfied smile appeared across Ara’s face.

  I held my chest, unable to breathe. I lost my balance, and Luca grabbed me from behind. She started the fire. The officials never could figure out how it started. This whole time she was the one who ripped my life away. She was the one who’d caused me so much pain.

  “That night was successful, to say the least. And my first kills. I’d been planning it for years and everything went off without a hitch.” She smirked.

  She was bragging about my parent’s death! Forget about Garrett, that bitch was mine.

  I didn’t have time to react. Garrett threw the first attack in my direction. His light charged my way, and my body was pushed away by an invisible force just before the light would’ve hit me. The involuntary pressure on my body eased just as quickly as it came. I landed behind a chair on my hands and knees.

  “Ariel, stay back!” Luca pulled his hand from my direction and back to himself. He created a force field of power in front of himself and deflected Garrett’s second attack.

  The illumination of the room brightened as the powerful violet and aqua lights filled the space between the two Hunters.

  Garrett threw off an attack from Luca and directed his hands toward me again. His face held the most horrific of smiles. He built the light within his hands for the charge, but a strong light took his attention. Luca was gathering up his brilliant light between his palms into an electrified orb. Distracted by me, Garrett had no time to deflect. Luca emanated it toward him. The current hit Garrett and he crystallized. His body glistened and cracked into small fragments. He then exploded into nothing. He evaporated into the air as if he’d never existed.

  Luca walked toward me. A bright light shone behind him that he didn’t see.

  My heart elevated. “Luca!”

  He whipped around, but had no time to react. Ara sent more force into his body than I’d seen in any of the previous fights. She was more powerful than he was. She was more powerful than Luca and Garrett combined.

  Luca buckled over and collapsed to the floor. He touched the material at his chest and blood soaked his palm.

  I ran to him, not caring if I was attacked next.

  “Leave it to boys to not use their words.” Ara gazed at her manicured hand. “They are so very messy.”

  I dropped to the floor and grabbed Luca’s hand. I quickly studied his injuries. His uniform across the left side of his chest was saturated in blood. I scanned up to his face and he gave no expression of pain. The damage looked bad, but he wouldn’t let on. He let go of my hand and got to his knees.

  No. He was still going to fight. “Luca, please don’t do this.” The tears streamed down my cheeks.

  He brushed my cheek with his finger and smiled weakly. “I promised you, I would do anything to get you the future you desire. You are the Bringer of Peace. Your life is more important than mine.”

  Before I could speak, he got to his feet and stood tall. He built up his light again and sent it toward Ara. She casually deflected with a wave of her hand and his light faded.

  “There’s no need to get up.” Ara sent out her power with but a quick motion of her finger like a lighting strike. The brief bit of power sent Luca back to the ground.

  “Ara, stop!” I crawled to Luca and gathered him in my arms.

  Her eyes blazed at me. “You think you have the right to ask anything from me? Have you forgotten it is your people who are out to destroy us?” She pointed to her chest.

  “It isn’t true, Ara. You’ve been told a lie.”

  “You voids will say anything to save your own skin. I’m done listening to your pathetic dribble. I’m going to finish what I started that day sixteen years ago.” She raised her hands toward me and built the most massive force that could be made between her palms.

  Before it hit, I gazed down at Luca. I wanted to take in his beautiful face one last time. I expected to feel the heat of Ara’s deadly power any second, but I didn’t. Confused, I looked up and saw Gemini. He shielded us with his body, a force field of light in front of him. The illuminated wall deflected Ara’s attack. He built a quick orb of light and charged it toward her.

  Before Ara could make another move, Gemini’s light hit her. She was blown off her feet and knocked against the bricks of the wall behind her. She impacted the framed art hanging there, and the paintings crashed to the floor with her.

  Gemini gazed down at Luca and me.

  “Gemini? What are you—” Luca began in a wince.

  “Let’s just say I’m done being lied to. I heard the whole thing. I’m sorry, my friend.” He reached down and shook Luca’s hand. Gemini then looked at me. “I’m sorry, Ariel.”

  Smiling, I nodded in response.

  Ara stood and brushed herself off. She didn’t look injured. Just extremely pissed.

  Gemini gazed from Ara to Luca. “Do you think you have enough fight left in you to take down this bitch?” He placed out his hand.

  Luca smiled. “Let’s do it.” He grabbed Gemini’s hand.

  Both Gemini and I helped Luca to his feet. Still holding his chest, Luca scowled through the pain.

  I cringed, watching him. “Luca—”

  He placed his finger to my lips, then slid his hand to my cheek. “Ti amo, sweet Ariel.”

  I smiled through tears. “Ti amo, my Luca.” I closed my eyes and gave him a soft kiss.

  “Can we have make-out time later, guys?” Gemini pleaded, motioning toward Ara.

  I left Luca’s hand. Backing off from them, I returned to my previous coverage of the chair.

  Ara built up her electric charge and sent it toward the guys with a quick shift of her hands. Gemini and Luca both dodged the attack. They moved in sync with one another, an united team. Their charges built together and of the same magnitude. They pulled their arms back and shot the light out their palms. With her quick reflexes, Ara crouched low to the ground. The current flew over her head and created a giant hole in the wall behind her.

  Luca stepped back and Gemini stepped forward. Gemini raised a hand and clenched his fingers into a fist. Ara grabbed her throat in response. She choked and gasped for air. Gemini raised his other hand and Ara’s feet lifted from the ground.

  Still gasping, Ara shakily raised her hand. She shot a small burst of energy toward Gemini. The light hit his arm, and he immediately released her. She fell to the ground and landed on her feet with cat-like finesse. She watched Gemini with immense pleasure spread across her face as he clutched his arm. Blood trickled out of his sleeve and down his palm.

  Luca came to Gemini’s aid with a quick shot of his light toward Ara. The charge behind the current was weak. The glow was dull. Ara waved off the attack with her hand, then spread her arms out in front of her. With that simple motion, the room filled with exuberate light. The force of it shot right at the guys. Both knocked off their feet, the guys hit the brick wall behind us, then fell to the floor.

  Ara let out a shrilling laugh.

  I looked over to Luca and Gemini. They weren’t moving. I knew they didn’t have anything left. They weren’t going to get up. Ara was just too much for them.

  Ara’s laugh continued to fill the room.

  My gaze slowly shifted to hers.

  I looked deep into those sickening eyes. Those were the eyes of my parents’ murderer. Those were the eyes of the one trying to steal my love away. She was not going to win this tim
e. This time she would feel my pain. The power of my moonstone necklace connected with me. The sensation filled me with a newfound strength. The swirl of blue inside the clear stone illuminated underneath my fingertips.

  Sweeping her gaze from Gemini and Luca, Ara finally looked at me. “You thought he and his little friend could save you?”

  I stared deep into her eyes, and stood to face her one on one. “I never asked to be saved.” I lifted my necklace and shined the bright light toward her.

  At first, Ara didn’t look threatened. But then, she saw what was happening.

  My whole body filled with the power of the stone. My skin changed to a glistening blue, and my feet left the ground. The light of our connection filled the room. The stone’s beacon of light targeted out of its center, and the thick current charged toward the evil it sought to destroy.

  Ara’s body contorted on impact. She didn’t crystallize like Garrett. She turned to ash. The flames of my light consumed her. The remains evaporated into the air.

  The power of the light released me, and my skin faded back to normal. I crumpled to the ground on my hands and knees.

  I drew in a few short breaths. Once I regained my strength, I gazed to Luca. I crawled over to him and wrapped him up in my arms. Running my fingers along his cheek, I could see the extent of his injuries, now. The barrier of his clothes did little to absorb the effects of the crimson hunt, the hunt for blood.

  I was afraid I’d been too late, that he wouldn’t come back to me. But then, he opened those greenish-gray eyes. They were so bright I could see myself in them.

  He lifted his hand. Sliding his touch along my cheek, his fingers pushed into my hair.

  I placed my hand on his and rubbed my cheek against his palm. “I wanted to kill Garrett.” I eyed him, sniffing back a few tears.

  His lips tipped up to the side. “I apologize for coming to your aid. It just looked as if you were in need of assistance.”

  He brought me into a kiss, and his lips moved softly along mine.

  “Sorry to break up this touching, touching moment, but I think we should probably get out of here before Ara decides to rise from the dead and kick our asses.” Holding his arm, Gemini hobbled over to us.