by Susan Reid
Uprising and revolution against the Ascendants happened to all of our parents and ancestors. To preserve and save their future generations, parents of all elementals and beings sent their children here so that we would remain hidden and safe, blending in with and among humans in their world.
In my case, our people succumbed to a mysterious disease that weakened them to the point where they couldn’t defend themselves. The war was a constant nightmare memory, one that I’ve been storing at the back of my mind since childhood.
“Aldeur has never been attacked or taken over. I chose to exile myself after I began to metamorphose.” His answer was laced with an attitude, which told me that he was obviously offended that I would even make that assumption.
That answer began to stoke my curiosity. I wanted to know as much as possible about him. Did he have a significant other? I couldn’t see someone like him not having someone but he did say he exiled himself. Could he have done that if he did have a woman? A family? What had been his status that he could just easily disappear and give up all that he’s known?
Then I felt for him, imagining just how hard that had to have been to do and how lonely it must be for him now. I know it was hard for our parents but they had no choice.
He was right. We did have a lot in common the more I thought about all of it. Was that why he had all these women around him? For the company, maybe?
He watched me expectantly as if it was my turn to divulge.
I gave his fantastic physique a once over again before finally asking one of the questions that had been burning in the back of my mind since the revelation that he was a hunter too.
I licked my lips, more with desire than the extreme hunger that was still gripping my whining stomach.
“Tzao Zheng Shrine of Monks, the Bai Hu Sanctuary.” I kept it simple.
He was impressed. “I know of that area. You all certainly know how to fight. I’ll keep that in mind. Great strength and your style of extreme, combative yet graceful martial arts is something that has always fascinated me.”
He’s done some research on me and my anima ties, I see. I was flattered.
“Yours isn’t so bad. That teleportation ability is pretty damned sweet. Comes in handy.” I pointed out.
He nodded. “It definitely has its advantages. Your garde is usually male dominated though, so I’ve heard. You and your brother, being twins, is a very rare and unique advantage in many ways. However, you do realize that you really don’t need all of that fancy and ineffective weaponry, don’t you? Especially now.” It was my turn to be offended and I crossed my arms rebelliously over my chest with pride.
“You were armed that night.” I pointed out.
His mouth lifted in a half-smile, “There are a lot more dangerous elements out there than the Nocturna.”
That was true.
“Which is why I like having my weapons with me. My katana is a family heirloom and it will always travel with me anywhere there’s potential danger, regardless.”
He continued to smile as if humoring me.
Whatever.
Before I could unleash another round of questions, Fernando appeared in the archway leading into the dining room with a humble bow and cap in hand, announcing that the car was ready.
“Where are we going now?”
“You want to know why I choose to surround myself with beautiful human women, right?”
I eyed him suspiciously.
“Showing is a lot better than telling, especially in this instance.” He smirked devilishly and he had me at his mercy. I needed him. I couldn’t handle this change and accept it without him and he knew that.
I grit my teeth and sighed silently.
Damn him.
Chapter 16
While I wondered where we were going and why. I didn’t feel too comfortable asking or making conversation with two humans sitting with us. Gage had quickly changed before we left, now wearing black jeans, black athletic shoes, and a long-sleeved black shirt that clung to each bulge and ridge of muscle all along his arms, back, chest, and stomach nicely.
Given how hot he was in the ensemble, I could only imagine how yummy he must look naked.
A young girl sat on either side of him across from me in the limo. They were both fully decked out in designer clothing and superb make-up and hair. To anyone on the street, they were either going to a fancy club or a model photo shoot —and either they were really enthused about it or they were high on something.
I understood him telling them this was a usual run and that the same rules and methods of signaling still applied.
Usual run?
I could only make random guesses of what we were about to do, going by the fact that he felt the need to change his clothes and have them accompany us but I still wasn’t sure what to make of his intentions.
I wanted to ask him what he was talking about but I remained silent. Keeping my gaze out of the window to familiarize myself with the route, which wasn’t any place that I’ve been before, I realized that we were heading into town. The city was still awake and ablaze with both streetlamps and colorful stringed lighting all over the shops and cantinas. People were clueless to the undead that were now roaming their city and streets, unafraid. Maybe they hadn’t gotten this far yet but I knew it wouldn’t be long.
The girls cast curious glances at me every now and then but their focus was mainly trained on my weapons.
“You can speak. They don’t understand English.” Gage addressed me.
I wasn’t going to say anything about this outing. I had many thoughts running through my head right at this moment. One of them being relief that it was Gage who was responsible for the Nocturna corpse that we came across. The possibility of it being some other rogue group or individual so near the island had been laid to rest.
But why did he tear out the heart? Ugh, please don’t tell me that he eats it. That’s what cannibals do but I’ll be damned. The thought completely disgusted me and I found myself grimacing, blood or no blood.
I couldn’t see myself ever kissing his sexy mouth after picturing him feasting on a grotesque, undead organ.
“What happens if you do find the cure to reversing this effect? Would you want it? I mean, if we’re essentially invincible against most of the members of Ascendants including the Nocturna as we are now, why would you want to?” I suddenly wondered aloud.
“Of course I would. My goal has always been to return home one day. I do have family.”
I nodded in understanding. “You mean like…”
“Like my wife and my daughter.”
His wife and daughter? My heart, interest, and curiosity instantly deflated with deep disappointment. I should have known. Obviously I couldn’t blame him, of course he misses his family and that should be his first priority, but then that would mean that I would never see him again either.
I don’t think his wife would be too pleased at the present company he was keeping…that is if she knew what he became. What about his daughter? Growing up without her father around is a pretty crappy thing for a young girl to go through. Though Cole was a great brother, it wasn’t the same thing. I understood that all too well.
Good thing I didn’t plan to get in deep with him past attempting to understand and deal with this whole unexpected change. Whatever we were now, two was way better than one without question. If I could help him, help us all, as well as the population of humans then I’d do it without hesitation. But my method of killing would remain with using my trusty sword. Ripping out throats and hearts…I’d leave all that up to him.
“Do they know why you left?” I took a chance to ask.
He appeared to be upset by that question, temporarily looking away from me before he sighed and answered softly.
“Not the real reason. All she knows is that I’m still alive, somewhere. I’ve long since arranged things so that they will both always be well taken care of for the rest of their lives.”
His answer pulled at my heart
strings. It was tragic.
“How long have you been away from them?”
He paused. “My daughter was two when I left. She just got married.”
That answer left me silent in my own thoughts.
Of course he didn’t age, not since he became something like a Nocturna, which means that I won’t either. Appearance-wise, he passed for anywhere between twenty five and thirty to me.
A flash of sorrow and pain briefly shadowed his eyes. I’m pretty intuitive when it comes to other beings. I could tell that my invasive questions were making him very uncomfortable as if he didn’t know how to deal with the feelings that my words provoked in him.
His silence was enough to know that I probably ventured into an area that I shouldn’t have.
I turned my attention back to the window beside me after realizing that we were finally slowing to a complete stop.
Though his eyes remained on me, I kept mine averted from the effects of his alluring gaze.
I didn’t want to look at him.
The less I looked, the less I wanted, especially knowing now that he wasn’t available.
Fernando opened the door and the first girl scooted out, followed by Gage, and then the second girl. I was last, debating on taking my weapons with me at all. I opted for just my katana, slipping it into the harness strapped to my back and then stepping out last.
This part of town wasn’t as active as the areas that we just passed. There were still a lot of older buildings, restaurants and shops that were all stacked like apartment row complexes, leaving many darkened alleyways in between them. The night was vivid and everything was crystal clear to me, more so than being a hunter allowed. Gage was right. Everything about our nature as hunters have been charged up to the fullest degree.
There was music playing somewhere in the background and the rich smell of spices and food swirled thick in the air. Though I could smell all sorts of body odors, blood was the strongest. It was human blood though and it wasn’t appealing to me in the least.
Most of the residents gave us nods and smiles of welcome while others kept their eyes turned down, briskly scurrying to their destinations.
Giggling, the girls crossed the street, keeping to the darkened shadows of the alleys. They began to simply walk as if they were sight-seeing or perusing the shops, both toting large, nearly luggage-sized purses slung over each of their shoulders. It made me wonder why they needed them being that they could easily get in the way in an emergency situation.
My main concern was their safety but then it suddenly dawned on me when I looked over at Gage, then at the girls, what they were carrying, and where they were walking. I formulated the answer to one of my questions on my own.
The girls— were bait.
Very clever but dangerous. Things can go wrong easily within a split second, so it had me wondering just how long he had been doing this. How many girls had he lost on accident?
Well, I’ll assume that he knows what he’s doing for now. They definitely trusted him because they showed no fear or hesitation in carrying out their missions. I suppose that was what the purpose of being under his control served.
“Come on, I don’t like to stay too far behind them.” Gage said as we both fell in step with each other and crossed the street.
“What makes you think that they’ll be singled out as opposed to everyone else out here?” I asked.
“There are many places the natives and residents avoid, whether it be from folklore or local legends. The girls are instructed to make themselves vulnerable in those specific areas. They’ve got a few vials of animal blood in their bags too, so the scent of blood is way stronger on them than with anyone else.”
Efficient too. He thought of everything.
“And you’re sure this is a hotspot?”
“The gateway isn’t that far from here. It’s near the Los Muertos Port and activity has been jumping ever since. They’ve been staking the city out just like we are right now. How do you think I’m able to keep such an abundant supply on hand?” He spoke low to keep our words between the both of us.
“Are you telling me that you’ve been at this for a while?” I was stunned.
“What you’ve seen on the news is nowhere near the amount of Nocturna that I’ve killed. One human out of a potential few hundred is an unfortunate casualty.
I was shocked and speechless. He hadn’t been kidding when he said that he’s been aware of more than we have for a while. This was bad. This was really bad.
We both scoped out the streets, observing faces, activity, and people. Though nothing really stood out as suspicious yet, I got to thinking that it might be possible that we were being watched right now too and not by just humans.
“I see. What about being seen and disposal?”
He turned to look down at me, a cocky smile already curling the corner of his mouth upwards.
“Just follow my lead, be ready to fight andmost importantly — be ready to feed.”
I sneered with a look of disgust and shook my head. “Don’t make me throw up.”
He laughed.
Chapter 17
Thethrill of this hunt was beginning to rev up both my adrenaline, the need for a good fight, all of my hunter instincts, and an insatiable craving for Nocturna blood.
We watched the girls pretend to window shop, flirt with some of the local young men, and then make their way towards a less lively part of the small city.
The incredible scent of potent blood, separate from the humans, was suddenly sharp and distinct in the air. It whipped by the both of us and both Gage and I instantly picked up on it at the same time. It was confirmed by two males and one female Nocturna who began to follow the girls inconspicuously, trailing them stealthily like second shadows. The men were lean but solid and the woman was about my size, five foot four and about one hundred and twenty five pounds.
Gage was right. They had bypassed all of the other pedestrians, thankfully, and zoned in on just them.
“Wait.” Gage suddenly said, halting me with an arm out in front of me.
I was about to protest, being that Nocturna were incredibly fast, it would take them no time to tackle and drain those petite girls but I was going to trust that he knew what he was doing.
Once they were no longer in our line of sight, I grew antsy. Suddenly, a beeping signal went off, coming from Gage’s expensive watch.
“Time to reel in the catch.” Gage quipped, glancing at the watch face and pressing a series of buttons.
My heart began to thump wildly. The excitement of a potentially deadly fight began to stimulate my teeth and I could feel them begin to slowly protract.
It took us no time to catch up to them, which was a good thing because once the first scream rang out…it was on.
The girls did well playing the innocent and terrified victims. Gage was a blur, whizzing by me like a silent ninja shadow. All I heard were gnarls, grunting, thumps, rattling trash cans, and the sound of crushing bones. The alleyway was lit by a few weak, yellow bug lights hanging high above, which basically left the entire area around the dumpsters dark and sinister.
The wet suction of flesh being torn away caught my attention and the incredibly strong aroma of undead blood made me salivate. When I saw the female pounce on one of the girls, I swiftly pulled out my katana and ran towards her at full speed. Springing high and using my momentum to deliver a spinning, full round-house kick that connected with the center of her back, I sent her flying off to the left where she crashed into the brick wall and slid down into a group of metal trash cans. The clatter was sharp, loud, and chaotic. I hoped it didn’t gain the attention of any local residents or the police for that matter.
She roared in anger, quickly regaining her focus when she agilely hopped back onto her feet and accepted my challenge.
I waited until she got close enough before lashing out with low sweeping kick that made her stumble. Then, I grabbed her hair before she lost her footing and bashed my knee into the side
of her face, swiftly driving my fist into her throat. I felt the hard bone in her windpipe literally crack under the weight and power behind my punch. Her eyes bugged, stunned at not only the brute force of strength that I possessed but trying to comprehend what she was seeing when I bared my fangs.
Beating the shit out of her was more of an attempt to fight against drinking from her.
I had to royally kick the ass of something tonight.
She thrashed in my grip, snarling like an injured wildcat and gurgling with her hands clutching at her throat.
Raising my katana to finish the job by cutting off her head, my downward swing was stopped by a sudden, forceful kick to my stomach, which sent me reeling backwards and hitting the wall behind me.
Breath rushed out of me once my back made solid contact with the hard surface and then I was immediately shadowed by the wide girth of one of the male Nocturna. He towered over me, his hand easily wrapping around my throat, and then he swiftly lifted me up and off my feet with ease. His eyes were glowering with a neon green luminescence bent on revenge but when he noticed my fangs, the slight second of questioning confusion on his face was all the time I needed.
Bringing my katana up, I wedged it between us and pressed it against his throat. The threat of it slicing clean across his neck made him back up a bit and loosen his grip around my neck. I took that opportunity to jerk my knee up beneath his chin, making his head snap back with a sharp pop and crack.
He faltered and stumbled backwards, discombobulated and completely dropping his hold on me. I landed in a crouch, snarling as the smell of Nocturna blood grew stronger, becoming even more savagely mouth-watering to me.
I dove at him with the fluid power and grace of my Tiger sub-domina, able to knock him off of his feet so that I could nimbly straddle him all in one motion. I held him down like pinned prey, raging with the urgent need to kill and feed.
Despite his supernatural strength and effort to throw me off of him, I instinctively curled my fingers into claws and gripped his chest. He bucked wildly as my nails began to tear through the thin material of his shirt and dig into his flesh like a twisting, serrated blade.
