A Hunter's Challenge [The Hunters 3] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Suzy Shearer

  “Martin this should come easy to you if you have ever done any sort of ceremonies with your father’s people.”

  “Okay, I understand what you mean. I visit the tribe regularly and we have ceremonies that involve the mind as well as cultural ones. When I was there last, we held the Dagotin Eetoowin. It’s a three-day festival in September, before the lakes freeze.”

  “Okay. First we need to stretch. We need to loosen the muscles and tendons so we can sit or lie comfortably. Do you find sitting cross-legged comfortable?”

  “Yes, I do it often.”

  “Okay, then let’s sit.”

  After they stretched, Ken got Martin to sit cross-legged on the ground and he sat in front of him.

  “It’s up to you whether you close your eyes, have them open, where you put your hands. Whatever is comfortable for you is best. Then I want you to start deep breathing. I want you to fill your lungs right from your stomach. Be aware of how deep you breathe, how the breath comes in and out.”

  “You’re going to find your mind wanders. Concentrate on your body. Start with your feet and work your way upward include your internal organs. Don’t get frustrated if your attention wanders, just go back to concentrating on your breathing or your body.”

  Ken looked around. “Have you got a candle here?”

  “No.”

  “I can get one.” Erica quickly vanished and returned a few seconds later with a candle. “Got the one on your bedside table, Amy.”

  Anthan just shook his head and rolled his eyes at his mate. She continued to astound him. Ken took the candle and lit it. He placed it on a small chest nearby about eye level.

  “Use the flame if you like. Sometimes it helps to focus on it.”

  Martin nodded his head.

  “Okay. Ready? Time to start. I will tell you when to stop. Just relax, let it come to you and for goodness sake don’t worry if you find your mind wandering. Gradually you will be able to find you don’t think about anything. Just breathe. Go.”

  For the next twenty minutes silence reigned. The others all felt at peace as they watched the two men sitting opposite each other with the small candle on the chest between them.

  “Martin.” Ken spoke softly. Martin blinked a few times then grinned at Ken. He looked over at Amy and winked. She smiled and spoke.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Great! I found my mind tended to wander a bit but I did what you told me Ken.”

  “That’s good. I think if you do this every morning and every evening it will help you not only to break through the block but also to relax. I believe it will help you when you’re hunting, too. It’s a stressful time so meditating will help you relax.”

  Anthan looked interested.

  “I think we should all learn. Can we do it all together or should we do it alone?”

  “No you can do it together or alone, it’s up to you. Actually, it would be of benefit to you all. I believe everyone should do it, but then I’m biased.”

  “So how will this help me, Ken?”

  “When you next go to ‘travel’ don’t think about the block, don’t think about limitations. Think about where you want to go, think about breathing. Hopefully with a few more sessions you will be able to focus on the outcome not on the limitation.”

  Martin wanted to try immediately but Ken suggested he practise meditating a few more times then giving it a try. He suggested he meditate in the morning then the following evening. Then they’d see how he felt.

  Martin cleared his throat and looked around at the others.

  “Amy and I...well...we only have one exchange to go. We thought about doing it tomorrow night as soon as I wake.” He looked at Amy and nodded.

  The others looked so happy, even Ken.

  “Actually that would be good. Once Amy is sent to sleep, you can meditate on and off through the night. It will help you get through the night.”

  “Okay. Well that means it will be the night after that I try long distance. When did you two want to leave?”

  “Not sure yet. I have to discuss this with Viorel. I spoke with him early in the morning but I think we should go soon. Especially if we want Arthur and Madeline on board.”

  Erica looked at Amy and Martin then spoke.

  “Why don’t we plan for five nights from now? Amy’s conversion will be over, Martin can have tried for a longer distance. Viorel will have to arrange transport for us. If Martin is still having problems we can easily delay a couple of days.”

  Everyone agreed.

  The remainder of the night was spent talking about how they would operate the new school. Both Amy and Ken fell asleep so Martin suggested he take her home, while Anthan carried a sleeping Ken downstairs to the room he’d been in when they first rescued him.

  When they were alone, Anthan and Erica sat together on the deck. Erica was sitting on Anthan’s knee.

  “So much is happening Anthan, it’s all so fast!”

  “I know. I feel like I’ve gone from just plodding along to super-fast in a matter of days.”

  He gave her neck a nibble, planting a line of kisses from her ear to her collar bone.

  “Crazy really. I’d given up. Wanted it all to end. Now I feel like a man renewed. I’ve found you, you’ve given me back my life, a reason to live. Now the gods have given us a task.”

  He laughed. Erica could hear the joy in his voice.

  “I feel like I did when I was chosen to lead out people that first night except this time I have you at my side.”

  “I’m so excited that Amy will soon be immortal. She was so frightened at the beginning when she first met Martin. Now...” She kissed Anthan. “Now she’ll know how wonderful is when she is truly immortal.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Amy’s conversion went off without a hitch. Martin, Erica and Anthan had been on tenterhooks worrying after what had happened to Erica but Amy’s was a textbook conversion. She was ecstatic to at last be a member of the elite group of immortals.

  She told Erica that when her conversion first began it terrified her. When the pain and the vomiting started she had been frightened it would all go wrong but Martin had been with her. He had taken most of her pain and he was able to send her to sleep after just two and a quarter hours.

  She was a fast learner and Martin was so proud of her. In no time at all she could dress and fly. Dematerialising took her a few hours to get the hang of but soon she was doing it like a pro.

  Martin took charge of organising the alterations that needed to be done at Anthan’s. He, Amy and Ken went shopping for couches and a new large table for the dining room.

  At the same time there were renovations going on in the kitchen which were almost completed. Martin had organised that the old side entrance be closed off and become a Butler’s pantry and a new entrance made. It was close to the back of the flat so Arthur would be able to walk a few steps from his house to enter the main house. Martin also arranged for a driveway to be made so Arthur could actually back a car right to the door.

  They were able to push out the wall on that side a few metres so not only was the kitchen larger but the family area alongside was as well. State-of-the-art equipment that was being installed as well as the huge fridge and the big pantry. The actual fit-out of the kitchen only took a couple of days.

  Martin had done a deal with the outfitters and they knew there was a very good bonus if they could get it completed in record time.

  The three bedrooms downstairs now all had beds in them. Ken had found king-sized beds that actually split into two singles in case the Hunters who came were unattached.

  He found a place that manufactured factory built homes and went to Anthan with an idea.

  “At the moment you can have three guests to six if they aren’t mated. My understanding is you want other Hunters to learn as quickly as possible. So there’s a place I found that builds homes in their factory then locates them to your site and installs them in a couple of days. The actual building of t
hem is fairly quick because they are made in the factory so bad weather doesn’t affect the process. While they build it they also get the site ready.”

  “Okay, what’s your plan?”

  “You get one built on the other side, near where the three downstairs rooms are. There’s heaps of space. You get one custom-designed with maybe four bedrooms and bathrooms and a large sitting room. That way you can have more students at once. They’d still eat inside but could sleep comfortably out there. Make sure there’s shutters and stuff.”

  “That’s a great idea Ken! That would mean we could have up fourteen at a time or seven if they had mates.”

  Ken grinned at him.

  “Can you arrange it all? Make sure they have good shutters over all the windows and connect to the main house with a covered path or a hallway. I’ll get Viorel to arrange all the local council requirements and have it all passed. He can pull strings and insert memories where needed.”

  Ken was delighted. In the short time he’d returned back to the Hunters he had become even more outgoing, happier. Anthan hoped he would find his mate soon, the man had certainly adapted to Hunter life easily. On top of that he was proving himself invaluable.

  With each passing day Anthan was certain that the moment he’d decided to come to Australia had set this train in motion—meeting Erica, Martin finding Amy, Ken, even the girls’ parents—everything seemed to be coming together.

  * * * *

  With Ken’s meditation techniques, Martin finally was able to push past the barrier. Two nights after Amy’s conversion he was able to travel ten kilometres. They all heard his shout of joy in their minds as he travelled another ten then the twenty to arrive back on Anthan’s deck.

  There was much celebration and Anthan began to realise that all the plans he had would work. Erica had suggested that Amy try to travel ten kilometres. Martin went along with her and was proud to discover that she had no difficulty in travelling the distance.

  That night they had sat and laughed. Ken was overjoyed to think his techniques had worked and was even more happy to know he would be with this select group. He confessed to Erica that he was eager to meet his mate and wondered how long he would have to wait.

  A couple of days later, Anthan and Erica flew to see her parents and then on to Avril and Viorel. The plane took Erica and Anthan direct to England. They’d boarded it at eight in the morning and settled in for their immortal sleep. The flight took just over twenty-three hours and they landed at 8:15 at night. Most of the trip they slept so were refreshed when they landed.

  Viorel had arranged for a car to pick them up from the airport and then drive them to Erica’s parents’ home. Anthan and Erica gathered their luggage, it was mainly Erica’s camera gear and a few items she wanted to bring. Anthan had been surprised at how easily Erica figured out how to carry things when you transformed.

  Then he shook his head.

  He really shouldn’t be surprised at anything she did.

  When Anthan and Erica transformed then materialised at the car Anthan were pleased to see that Avril and Viorel were waiting for them. He introduced Erica to them both and they all hugged, laughing joyfully.

  “Figured we’d kill two birds with one stone. I’ve got papers for your parents, Erica, and we all need to talk so this made sense. Your parents know and have offered us a bed as well. Told them we’d be there around nine or 9:30, wasn’t sure what time you’d land.”

  The four got back into the car after stowing their luggage in the boot and Viorel swung out into the traffic.

  “It’s not that far. You’ll love the place Erica, it’s beautiful!”

  “I’m really looking forward to seeing Mum and Dad again. The house will be an added bonus.”

  “Your parents are amazing Erica, they’ve even offered the house to any immortals who need to be in the area. Makes things so much easier when you...”

  “Stop the car!”

  Viorel slammed on the brakes and pulled over as Erica shouted. She had her hand to her head and was moaning softly.

  “Erica! What’s wrong?”

  “Can’t you hear him?”

  Anthan merged with Erica. Immediately he felt the terror of a mortal.

  “Link with her!”

  The other two immediately did but before they had a chance to do anything Erica vanished.

  “Bloody woman!”

  Anthan screamed in rage.

  He and Viorel tried to locate her with their mind when Avril tugged on Viorel’s arm.

  “I can hear him still!”

  “You can?”

  They both rounded on her.

  “Can you locate them all?”

  “Yes. I know where they are but it’s about twenty-five kilometres west.”

  “Take my hand!” Anthan ordered the other two. “Feed me the directions, Avril, and I’ll take us.”

  Only about thirty seconds had passed since Erica had disappeared and when Avril ‘showed’ Anthan where she was. With Anthan controlling them, they materialised a few feet from Erica.

  Anthan would never forget the sight as long as he lived.

  Erica was standing behind the strigoi. A man was cringing at its feet screaming in terror as the horrid creature bent over him, his fangs deep in the man’s wrist. As they watched Erica made a fist and slammed it through the back of the strigoi then whipped it out, clutching the beast’s heart!

  The strigoi stood stunned for a moment then crumpled to the ground as Erica called down the lightning and quickly incinerated the strigoi’s body. Avril and Viorel raced to the man and lifted him to his feet. Viorel quickly sent him to sleep, sitting him leaning against a wall.

  Anthan strode furiously to Erica and grabbed her arms.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Erica? You could have been killed! And how the fuck did you tear its heart out and call down lightning?”

  The other two crowded around, as much in amazement as Anthan was even though he had been so frightened for what may have happened to her.

  “There wasn’t time, Anthan. I knew the man wasn’t psychic, the strigoi was going to kill him as soon as it finished drinking.”

  Anthan dropped her arms and started pacing. He ran a hand through his hair, holding a handful near the roots then releasing it. He turned back to Erica. She was standing defiantly. He started pacing, more to release his fright than anything else. He kept looking over at her.

  “Don’t look at me like that, Anthan. I knew what I was doing. I was in complete control.”

  “Argh, Erica!” Anthan stopped, put his hand on his forehead and grimaced. “You’re going to kill me with this!”

  She smiled at him and then walked to him, wrapping her arms around his body and laying her head against his chest.

  Viorel looked at her in wonder. “How did you do that, Erica? We’ve never been strong enough to go through the bones like that and grab the heart.”

  “Honestly, Viorel, I don’t know how I knew, I just did.”

  Viorel looked over her head at Anthan. Anthan was still shaking his head, partly in fury and partly in amazement. Avril spoke up.

  “We need to get this guy back to his home and wipe his memory.”

  “I’ll do it.” Viorel hefted the sleeping man over his shoulder. “I can see in his mind that it’s only a street away. Won’t be long.”

  Anthan looked over Erica’s head at Avril.

  “You felt the same thing as Erica?”

  “Not at first. It was only when Erica merged with us that I saw it and saw how.”

  Anthan shook his head. “I still can’t do it. I get nothing unless Erica touches me.”

  Erica looked over at Avril.

  “You got them here?”

  “Yes. At least I fed Anthan the directions. I can see how he did it.”

  Viorel materialised alongside the three of them.

  “Well that was an interesting break in the drive. Anyone know where we left the car?”

  That simple
question broke the tension that was still lingering between Anthan and Erica. He lifted her head and kissed her.

  “I was so frightened, Iubită, I know what a strigoi can do.”

  “Anthan, you have to understand, I knew I was safe. I knew what I could do. Don’t ask me how, I just knew it.”

  He squeezed her tightly and she could feel his beating heart slowly settle back into a normal rhythm.

  “Let’s get to your parents.”

  Erica held out her hand to Viorel and Avril.

  “These are the directions. Can you see them?”

  Avril nodded her head. “I can but...”

  “You can do it. Anthan, you take Viorel and I’ll go with Avril.”

  Anthan nodded as Erica “showed” him the directions then the four of them disappeared to reappear alongside the car. Avril was grinning madly as they entered it.

  “I did it!”

  “She did. I let her control us and she had no problem at all.”

  “So it looks like new conversions mean you haven’t had time to build up your limitations.” Anthan looked over the seat at Avril who was still grinning. Viorel cocked his head as he drove.

  “I couldn’t feel a damn thing when we linked when you first felt that man. Even when Avril said she could feel him, I still couldn’t. You know what I think? I think it’s because our mates are psychic. We aren’t.”

  Anthan mused over Viorel’s words.

  “Actually that makes sense. The gods told me that our mates would show their talents. I would say this is one of them. They will ‘feel’ the captive and then direct us where to locate them.”

  Avril gave a joyful laugh.

  “That will be wonderful! I know a lot of mates feel they don’t do anything to support their Hunter when they’re searching for strigoi. This will mean they are a real team, the mate will still be safe but they can help.”

  “She’s right,” Viorel said. “I often hear mates tell me they wished they could do more to help. They understand that if they helped in a hunt their partner would be distracted with worry they may be harmed. This would eliminate that fear and help immensely.”

  They continued on through the evening, talking about these new possibilities until they finally arrived at Madeleine and Arthur’s home. They drove through the wide gates and up through a tree-lined avenue. The house was built of blocks of stone and Erica fell in love with it immediately.