The Vampire Hunter's Daughter The Complete Collection

by Jennifer Malone Wright

  “Yeah, they are both hunters. I was born right here in this community and have been here my whole life.”

  “Do you have gifts? I heard that some of the hunters eventually develop, like, powers or special abilities around our age.”

  His eyes narrowed and he stared at me through the slits. “Why do you ask?”

  I shrugged. “I’m just wondering, I’m getting to the age where I would inherit gifts and was wondering what kind of gifts other hunters developed.”

  “Well?” I raised my eyebrows in question.

  “I am one of the few of us hunters who is elementally gifted.”

  “Elements, like air, earth, water and fire?”

  He nodded. “Exactly like that, except that I can only control water.”

  Wow. Water.

  “You said control. Can you create water?”

  “No, I can only control what already exists.”

  “Are there people who can create elements… like, um… fire?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose there are. I don't think we have any hunters left who are fire elementals. Any who did have it probably passed away long ago. Some of the elders might know better, though.”

  I was extremely curious. From what I'd read at the library and from being observant and watching the community, I'd learned that most of the hunters who had elemental powers could only control them, not create them. I was a fire starter who could create fire from nothing. I hadn't heard anything about other hunters being able to do something like that.

  Then I thought about how odd it was that Gavin and I were basically opposites: fire and water.

  “Will you show me something you can do with water?”

  He grinned. “Maybe… when we leave.” He looked down at his cup, which was empty. “It must be hard, coming into our world and knowing nothing about it.”

  “Yeah, but I’m learning. I do a lot of research at the library, and Drew helps me a lot.”

  At the mention of Drew’s name, Gavin narrowed his eyes and set his jaw. I just ignored it, figuring it was because of the fight.

  “Let’s go over to the other side and work with guns for a little bit,” I suggested.

  “All right.” He stood from the table and gathered his things. I did the same and threw my cup in the garbage.

  After we spent another half an hour at the shooting range, my arm was aching beneath the cast.

  “I think I need to quit,” I told him.

  “Getting sore?”

  “Yeah, but I think it’s good that I practiced with the cast on. I was worried about how it would affect my shooting.”

  “Seems it hasn’t,” he said.

  I thought I detected a bit of jealousy in his tone.

  He quickly changed the subject. “Hey, that’s a nice bow and quiver.”

  “Thanks,” I told him, totally not wanting to go into where I’d gotten it and hoping he wouldn’t ask.

  “Where did you get them?”

  Crap. Figures.

  “My, uh…Luke gave them to me. They were my grandmother’s.”

  Well, they kind of were, so it was only a little lie.

  He reached out and touched the carvings on the quiver, running his fingers over them. “They fit you.”

  I blushed. I don’t know why. “Thank you.”

  He lowered his hand. “Let’s go.”

  We headed back toward Main Street, both of us saying nothing. We were almost there when Gavin veered off toward the trails.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Come on. You said you wanted a demonstration of the water element.”

  “Oh, cool.” I followed him through the trails until we reached a clearing where a tiny stream ran into a rather quaint little pond. Oddly enough, the pond wasn’t frozen. Perhaps it wasn’t cold enough.

  “This is pretty,” I told him.

  He just nodded and said nothing while he set down his bow and backpack on a large old tree stump. I watched while he turned toward the pond and narrowed his eyes.

  “Look at the water, Chloe, not at me.”

  “Oh.” I changed direction quickly.

  The stream poured out of the woods and into the pond with gently running ripples of water. I almost didn’t notice when the water in the center of the pond began to swirl. The swirling gradually picked up speed and grew larger until it looked like a whirlpool. But whirlpools go downward into the water. This whirlpool began to rise up out of the water. It rose up maybe six feet and then the water spilled over from the top like a fountain. I glanced at Gavin. He stood stock still, silent, his eyes focused on the water.

  Slowly, the swirling fountain of water receded back into the pond. I stood there, enthralled by the magic Gavin could do with his power.

  “You’re amazing,” I whispered to him.

  “No,” he shook his head, “I’m not amazing. I can just do amazing things.”

  “Well… I think you’re amazing.”

  He turned his head and caught my eyes. “I think you’re amazing, and you haven’t done anything like that.”

  Oh, little did he know. For some reason, his comment made me want to show him what I could do, but I didn’t even know if I could do it on command. So far it had only happened when I was angry.

  He stared at me so deeply I felt naked.

  “Gavin, what I just saw was magical. You make magic.”

  He took my hand. “Chloe, I don’t know what it is, but I feel drawn to you. Not in the way you might think, but I feel like you’re my best friend. Almost…it’s almost like I’ve known you my whole life.”

  I sucked in my breath. “How could you feel like that? You just told me last night you barely know me, and you want to get to know me.”

  “No, no, it’s a different feeling than that. I can’t explain it.”

  Suddenly, I made a decision and took a chance that was extremely out of character for me. I reached out and took his other hand. “Well, you can be my best friend if you want. I don’t have any friends, so it wouldn’t be that hard to score that coveted spot.”

  He burst out laughing and squeezed my hands. I laughed too. We both laughed so hard tears eventually sprouted in the corners of our eyes. I didn’t know about him, but I really needed a good laugh like that.

  Back at home, I skipped dinner and went straight to my room. For hours, I lay on my bed, staring at the faint white scar on my finger. It had to be part of the vampire change; I just knew it. These changes only made me wonder what else was going to happen. There were bound to be more changes ahead.

  I rolled over on my bed and looked at my cell phone. I clicked open the contact picture of Gavin and stared at it, wondering how fire and water could survive each other. He didn’t seem cool and icy. That was more Drew’s thing. Up until that point, Drew had been my only friend, but he took care of me so he was also like a big brother.

  My phone rang in my hand and I jumped, because the dang thing hardly ever rang. Caller ID said restricted. That was weird.

  “Hello?”

  “Chloe,” a clear and soft male voice came through the earpiece.

  “Yeah, who is this?”

  “This is your father.”

  I let that sink in for minute. I wanted to scream and yell and tell him he could stick it. I think I knew, as soon as I heard his voice that it was time for me to go on with my plan.

  “What do you want?” I asked him.

  “I’m here with your grandfather, Chloe.”

  Luke. He was at the hospital. “Don’t hurt him.”

  "Why should I spare him, Chloe? Would he have spared me if the tables were turned? Even if it had meant he could have gotten your mother back all those years ago?”

  I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. “If you even touch him, I will not go with you. If he remains unharmed, I will come to you.”

  “Ah, that is just what I was hoping to hear. Where shall we meet?”

  “I’m coming to the hospital. I want to see Luke and make sure he is al
ive when we leave. I need to make sure you keep your end of the bargain.”

  “You have my word. Your grandfather will live through this night if you show up.”

  I clenched my teeth and then forced myself to relax.

  “You had my mother killed. What on earth makes you think that I would ever trust you? I’ll be there in two hours.”

  I clicked my phone shut and threw it across the room.

  After exactly one minute of steaming, I jumped up and grabbed my big duffel bag out of the closet and ran around the room grabbing clothes, my iPod, my toiletries, anything I didn’t want to leave behind. I collected my phone from where it had landed by the bathroom door and dialed the cab company. I had some cash stowed in a shoebox on the top shelf of my closet. There was no way I was going to ask Drew to drive me. I don’t think he would have taken me. He would have just tried to go and kill Trevor all on his own. I knew better than to tell anyone.

  After I finished calling the cab, I called the gates to let them know I had a cab coming and I would be up there to meet it. I pulled up Gavin’s contact picture, giving myself a minute to embed the picture of his face into my mind before I erased it from my phone. I pulled up Drew’s picture and did the same thing. I didn’t want Trevor to know what anyone I cared about looked like.

  I looked over at my bow and quiver resting on my desk chair and sighed with sadness. I couldn’t take them with me because I couldn’t go into the hospital with them.

  Sadly, I sat and wrote a note to Drew.

  Hey Drew,

  I can’t really explain why I had to leave, but I think you know. I don’t want anyone else I care about to get hurt, so I’m leaving. There is so much more to this I should tell you, but I can’t right now. Please don’t come after me. I am hoping I will see you again soon. I’m leaving my bow and quiver Sostrate gave me. Would you please put them away for me because I will be back for them some day. Take care of yourself, and please make sure to go see Luke as soon as you get this. I think he may even need one of the hunters to guard him. Please, keep him protected.

  Love always,

  Chloe.

  After I folded the note and wrote Drew’s name on it, I wrote one to Gavin, too.

  Gavin,

  I can’t explain why I had to leave, especially right after we got to know each other. But I’m hoping that you will figure it out somehow and forgive me for leaving us hanging. I’m going to try my hardest to come back some day. I’m not sure when it will be, but I’m going to try. I hope that when I get back, we will still be friends.

  Thank you for showing me that magical side of yourself. I will never forget it.

  Love,

  Chloe.

  I folded Gavin’s note and then put on my coat. I threw my gun into my bag, zipped it up and slung it over my shoulder. It was time to go.

  Before I left, I put Drew’s note on the kitchen table where he would see it. Then, after contemplating, I set Gavin’s right beside it. I hoped Drew would set aside his animosity and give Gavin the note.

  I didn’t look around the house with long, lingering looks; I just turned and left.

  I ran most of the way to the gates, my heavy gym bag thumping against my hip the whole way. I did my best to stick to the side roads, rather than the main road, just in case someone saw me running. I certainly wasn’t dressed for a daily run just for exercise.

  The cab was just pulling up outside, so I ran directly through the gates as they opened for me, flung open the door of the cab and hopped into the back seat.

  “Can you take me to St. Joseph’s Hospital, please?”

  The man in the front seat turned and looked me over, giving me a knowing look, like he knew I was running away from something. “You got it, kid.”

  The ride to the hospital was long and grueling. All I could do was panic and hope Trevor kept his hands off of Luke. When we pulled up in front of the main entrance, I looked through the giant glass doors and took a deep breath.

  Be brave, Chloe, I repeated silently.

  “You gonna get out?” the driver asked me.

  “Oh, yeah… Here. Thank you.” I handed him a wad of cash and told him to keep the change. Gathering my bag and my strength, I opened the door and got out.

  I stood on the sidewalk, staring inside and trying not to be afraid. But I was. I was terrified about what was going to happen. Mostly I was apprehensive because I really had no clue what to expect. I needed to suck it up. I straightened my spine, adjusted my bag over my shoulder, and marched inside.

  I entered the elevator and pushed the button for the sixth floor. No one else was in the elevator with me. It was silent, like I had been suddenly blocked off from the world. It was one of those moments in which I wished I was blocked off from the world.

  When the elevator doors opened into the hallway of the sixth floor, I stepped out and felt the familiar prickles of warning on the back of my neck. Man, I really hoped that would go away after spending more time around vampires. Just that thought caused more panic. I felt pretty certain Trevor wouldn’t hurt me, but how was I supposed to know all his little vampire minions wouldn’t?

  I turned the corner where it opened up into the waiting room beside the nurses’ station. It only took a quick scan for me to spot Trevor. He was sitting in one of the pastel blue chairs, legs crossed, reading an old issue of Reader’s Digest. His hair was gelled back away from his forehead, and he wore the same leather jacket he'd had on the last time I had seen him.

  Suddenly, as if he felt my presence, he lowered his magazine and our eyes met.

  “Chloe,” he called out. “There you are.”

  I stood where I was, trying to find my voice. That monster had sent the order to kill my mother, and he was part of me. How in the hell could I be half of any kind of being who would do such a thing?

  He put the magazine aside and strode over to me. Still I said nothing. When he grasped my casted hand in his, he said, “It’s been too long.”

  I felt my body begin its process of heating up, the warm tingles in my fingertips. To avoid any fiery accidents, I took several deep breaths in and out.

  “I need to see Luke,” I whispered, trying to keep the rage out of my voice and yanking my hand back from him.

  “Go right ahead.” He waved for me to lead the way and moved to follow me.

  I turned and glared at him. “Alone.”

  A momentary glimpse of hesitation flashed across his pale face, but he nodded. “As you wish. I’ll wait here.”

  As much as I hated to turn my back to him, I turned around and continued down the hall. When I reached the door to Luke’s room, I found him wide awake and apparently waiting for me.

  “Oh, Chloe, I'm so glad you’re here.”

  I ran to his bedside.

  “Was he in here?” I whispered, even though I knew he must have been because he probably got my number out of Luke’s phone. I grasped his hand as best I could with both our casts.

  Luke nodded. “Yes, he was here. I saw him, but I said nothing because I can’t defend myself here. I’m so sorry, Chloe.”

  “No, Luke. Don’t be sorry. If you had tried anything, he may have killed you. I left Drew a note to send protection for you, so they should be along soon.” I bowed my head. “I have to leave.”

  “I know.” He looked fearful and sad at the same time. I was sure he was flashing on my mother and losing her. Now he was losing me. I felt horrible.

  “I’m going to come back.” I hugged him and whispered into his ear. “I’m going to come back as soon as he’s dead.”

  “I hope so, child. Just please, please… be careful.”

  “I will.” I pulled away. “I also wanted to say thank you. Thank you for saving me and taking me in.”

  “There is absolutely no need to thank me for that. You are Felicia’s daughter, my granddaughter.”

  I needed to go, before Drew showed up, but I didn’t want to leave.

  “I need to go,” I told Luke.

  He
nodded his understanding. “Oh, one more thing.”

  He beckoned me forward and whispered, “I’m going to keep putting money into your account every month. Be careful. Don't waste it. You may need it when you want to come home. And make sure to keep your card hidden.”

  I nodded and stood again. Clutching the shoulder strap of my bag, I yanked it up onto my shoulder.

  “I really have to get going.” My voice was starting to choke and tears were welling up. I did not want to give that monster who called himself my father any satisfaction by letting him see me cry.

  “I love you, Chloe,” Luke called out.

  I stopped short in the doorway. No one had said that to me since before my mother died.

  “I love you too… Grandpa,” I choked out, and then let the door slam behind me.

  I was so upset while I marched back out to the waiting room. I was sad, mad, angry… you name it. Trevor stood when he saw me stalking past him.

  “Chloe, wait.”

  “I’m not waiting for you. You're a vampire. Don’t you have like… super speed or something? Just keep up.”

  “Shhh,” he tried to quiet me, appearing by my side in an instant.

  “See,” I told him. “Super speed.”

  “Chloe, you cannot go around saying things like that.”

  I didn’t stop to look into his eyes, but I knew he was frustrated with me already. Well, what did he expect? I was a teenager, and I was going to say anything I wanted. I did not intend to make his transition into fatherhood easy, after all.

  Once outside, standing underneath the overhang in front of the main doors, I shivered against the cold and stopped.

  “Look,” I told him, “I don’t know what you want from me. I’m coming with you because you want me for some reason. Do not think for a moment that I’m going to enjoy being around you.”

  His pale face almost glowed in the moonlight. “In time, you will adjust to it, and we will get to know each other. You are my daughter, my blood… and you’re important to me.”

  “You killed my mother!” I spat at him.

  A couple walking by snapped their heads in our direction, and Trevor shushed me again.

  “I did not kill your mother. I wasn’t even there.”