by Kelly Hall
Rebekah knew better than to entertain him. “That’s good to know.” She turned to Canter. “What about you? Is your father or mother a great hunter, as well?”
Canter squared his shoulders. “I’m a ward of the Church. I didn’t know my parents. They abandoned me to my grandmother as a baby before she died. I was then left to my uncle’s care. Being a priest and knowing of the hunters, he encouraged me to train as one to give my life purpose.”
The answer sent a sting to her heart as she remembered her life before becoming the Immortal Huntress. Her parents had raised her as a ward too, which is where her last name had come from.
She nodded at Canter in respect. “I’ll leave you to your training. Follow your usual drills and let me know if you need anything.”
Jarreth thought of all the things he would need from her but decided he better slow down. Getting her to fall for him might just be harder than usual, but he sure did love a challenge.
Rebekah turned to Sister Frankie, who was hanging by the door. “I’m tired. I think I’ll turn in. Where did Ignis go?”
“We lost him down the hall,” Sister Frankie said softly. “The man is a bit of a ghost.” Dark circles lined her eyes, and her skin was a bit paler than Rebekah remembered seeing before.
“This is true. I’ll catch up to you later. I should go find him.” Rebekah moved out into the hallway. Hopefully, the pain in the butt didn’t make a quick escape and mist himself to the closest casino. Thankfully, she found him down the hall staring at the ceiling.
“Is there something interesting up there, or are you just making note of everything wrong with this facility like I am?” The Church had cut far too many corners with the academy, and she felt guilty for not touring every single one across the country upon its completion. She’d left many of them to the Elders’ Council, who apparently weren’t holding up their end of the bargain.
“No, it’s not that, although I couldn’t help but notice this place is seriously lacking, but there’s an energy here I can’t quite place.” He wrapped his arms around himself and shivered. “I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.”
“Maybe it’s because there’s an angel in the training room?”
“No, this is different. Not holy.” He reached up and flattened his palm against the wall before closing his eyes. “The angel does give me the heebie jeebies, but it’s not him. It’s dark.”
“Well, I’d love to hang around and watch you hug the walls, but I’m going to my room to hug a pillow. Come and see me if you find anything.” She waited for Ignis to give a nod, and then she went back to the front offices and up the stairs which were just around the corner.
She found her bags in the first room to the left and went inside. Powder-blue walls had her lifting an eyebrow. A full-sized bed sat across the room. It had a simple wooden headboard with the Fellowship of the Hunter’s emblem, a four-pointed star, carved into it.
A dresser with a mirror and a bedside table, both in a matching simple style and bearing the same emblem, decorated the room. The mark only made her realize that she’d have to make plans for the ceremony soon, but first, she had to go and see the place where Merik had perished.
She closed her eyes and thought of the first hunters she, Ethan, and Ignis had made. The very first of them, Titus, had only lasted a year, but he had been a lot like Canter with his passion and bravery.
Being in the midst of the other trainees, she couldn’t help but feel nostalgic, especially around the blond hunter who brought back memories of her time with Ethan. Delilah reminded her of herself, funnily enough. Rebekah hadn’t always been as strong as she had become over the years, and Delilah would grow stronger, too. Situation and circumstance would make sure of that.
“So many memories,” she whispered to the emptiness, and it was Canter who reminded her where it all started.
Chapter 4
The next morning, Rebekah rolled over and startled awake. Ignis lay in her bed on top of the covers. “What are you doing?”
“Trying not to be rude,” he responded as a smile tugged at his lips.
She looked down toward his feet. “How is lying in my bed with your shoes on not being rude?”
“It isn’t like there’s a chair in this place, and you’re not the only one who gets tired.”
“You have your own room, do you not?” She was most certain Sister Frankie had put him in the next room.
“Yes, but I needed to tell you what I found. It seems there is a trace of magic in this place, and I’m not too sure it’s the good kind.” He pulled in a quick breath. “And this bed is much more comfortable than mine. I call unfair play!”
She ignored him. It was for the best. As per usual. “Dark magic? Here inside the academy? It’s not possible. It’s supposed to be blessed; sacred ground.”
“I’m honestly not sure just yet. Would you like to invite one of the vampires down to try it out?” Ignis had a gleam in his eye. “Maybe Kayne?”
She briefly considered popping the smirk off his handsome face. He played too much.
“Yeah, I’m sure Kayne would appreciate that. You know good and damn well that no one just calls up the Father of the Dead and asks him to pop in on a whim.” She was about the only one capable of getting away with it, and in her case, no cell phone, email, or postage stamp was necessary, not that Kayne used any of those things anyway.
Ignis chuckled. “I know he wouldn’t. But I wanted to let you know what’s going to occupy my time.”
She knew how much he liked to keep busy, especially when he had a mission. “Well, be on standby, and keep your phone close. I may have to reach out.”
“Are you going somewhere? Is it Vegas?” His eyes lit with his smile, and he gave her a pleading look as if he wanted to go too.
Rebekah knew better than to encourage him. “Yes, and yes. But before you get too excited, I’m only going to walk the scene of the attack. It’s a nightclub in the city called Debauchery.” She reached over to her nightstand and found the file Elder John had given her. “I read over this last night, and it’s full of holes. Without one of the commanders to do a proper report, I’ll need to go assess the situation.”
“Any clue as to what it was they were fighting?”
“I’m not sure; rogue wolves, thirsty vamps. Whatever it was, it’s powerful. I still can’t wrap my head around how the thing managed to take the entire group down.” She let out a tight breath of air she didn’t realize she was holding captive deep in her lungs.
“Do you think these trainees are ready? They look like they belong on some high school reality T.V. series.”
“I hope so. I’m taking their best.” She felt a certain kinship with the three she had called out the day before. How bittersweet.
Ignis noticed a melancholy look in her pale grey eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just a few of the trainees that are getting to me. I guess they remind me of my past.”
He sat up and moved to the side of the bed before standing. “You’ve had a long past, Bex.” He turned to face her. “Anything in particular about them that’s causing this?” Ignis would remember all her memories. He was there for each of them.
“No, not one thing in particular. I don’t know. Perhaps if you take the time to meet them, you’ll understand. I’ll let you know before I leave, and if you find anything important, you know the drill, text me.”
“Will do, Bex.” He turned toward the door and then stopped to spin around. “You’re not missing you-know-who, right?” Ignis had stopped using Ethan’s name since he’d abandoned them. Every now and then, she had to reassure him that she was okay. She hadn’t missed the asshole in ages.
“Hell no. Trust me, friend. I’m a century over that, and if for some reason I ever entertain the idea of looking him up, you know that drill, too, right?”
“Indeed, I do. I still know how to perform a lobotomy.” He gave a wink and then headed out, leaving Rebekah to get ready for the missio
n.
She got up from her bed and put on her tight black pants, which fit just right for her movement in battle. Then she pulled up her boots and strapped on her daggers as if they were her precious jewels. Stella was always to her right for fast reach, while Luna was worn on her left like all Roman soldiers wore their pugio daggers; where Atticus wore his. The long, black leather jacket would hide the fact that she was armed.
Before she went down to the training center, she stopped by Merik’s office. She found Sister Frankie sitting in his chair and staring out the window behind his desk.
Frankie spun around and let out a soft yelp. The Immortal Huntress sent her nerves into a fitful dance, and she wondered if the woman really had seen centuries or if it was just something the Church had made up. She glanced around Rebekah, hoping that devilish man she kept in tow wasn’t coming in as well.
“I’m alone,” said Rebekah. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
Sister Frankie’s eyes were puffy, and her cheeks glistened with tears.
The sister got up and stood beside the desk. “Forgive me. I know I shouldn’t be in here. It’s just, well, I guess I’m still waiting for him to come walking through the door. Being the only counselor in the academy, Merik and James used to keep me in the loop. We’d sit here and sip coffee before Merik’s weekly Elder meetings.”
“Did they mention anything to you? Any reason they took the squad out that night? Was it a special training mission?”
“I wasn’t aware of any training mission.” The sister looked out of the window, knowing she wasn’t exactly lying. She didn’t, in fact, know anything about a training mission.
The woman’s hands twitched subtly, and the waver in her voice left Rebekah unsure of the honesty in her words.
“Elder John said that the calendar had a note.” The Huntress walked around her to the desk and found Merik’s calendar. The word “mission” was written in red, just like the man had said it was. “Have you had any unusual visitors to the academy in the past weeks? The past month?”
Something is responsible for the evil energy.
Sister Frankie shook her head. “No, I don’t recall any, but if something comes to mind, I’ll be sure and tell you.”
“I’d appreciate that. And just so you know, I’m going to gather up a few trainees and take them out to see what we can find.”
The sister’s eyes widened. “Do be careful.” She seemed to catch herself and took a deep breath. “I mean, the trainees are still without their marks. The ceremony hasn’t taken place, remember?”
“I’m well aware. I think they’re more than ready for this kind of mission. There shouldn’t be any fighting involved.” She smiled at the younger woman, who was probably a few years older than herself if she counted her biological age.
“Merik wasn’t intending on finding a fight, either.” The nun looked back to the window and took a deep breath.
“How do you know that?” There was more to Sister Frankie than she thought.
“I’m just assuming, of course, but I would think Merik wouldn’t risk his top squad or take James along with him if he knew there would be a chance something could happen to them all.”
She had a point. Rebekah decided to let it go for now. “Nevertheless, I’m going out there to find out what happened to them. The pictures aren’t enough.”
“Elder John took them from the car. He was too afraid of the neighborhood to get out, even with the police there. Said it was a sin pit.” She brought her clasped hands to her chest and lowered her head as if saying a silent prayer.
“A sin pit?” Rebekah rolled her eyes, thinking of the human club which couldn’t be half as bad as some of the blood dens where Kayne and his kin hung out.
“Yeah,” said Sister Frankie. “I’m not sure things were done properly. When they said they were going to involve you, I had hoped that you’d be able to get the proper authorities on it at least.”
Rebekah couldn’t help but wonder how many hunters were assigned to the stationary unit working with the police. How many bucked their duties and why? Elder John had only said they were grossly understaffed. Was it just another instance of the Church not holding up its agreement?
She turned her attention back to Sister Frankie. “Would you be so kind as to gather Canter, Delilah, and Jarreth? Have them come here and make sure the others are finishing their morning exercises.”
The nun bowed her head. “I’ll gather them myself and say a prayer for you all.”
Rebekah smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” She hadn’t had anyone pray for her since her father was alive, at least, not that she knew of. Despite being a ward of the church and raised by a priest, she wasn’t a very religious person anymore.
The woman disappeared, and Rebekah let her mind drift back to the past when her father would walk her through the cathedral, holding her hand. No one knew she was his daughter back then. He would tell her tales of the past, and before he would bid her leave, he would kiss each of her hands and whisper a short prayer. She could never quite hear what he said, but she knew it was a blessing.
A soft knock brought her head around. In the doorframe, standing tall and proud with his hand on his sword was Jarreth. “Sister Frankie said you wanted me?” He gave her a smoldering grin, but before she could respond, Delilah pushed her way past him.
“She wanted all of us, remember? Weirdo.” Delilah walked into the office and plopped down in the chair in front of Merik’s desk. “Please tell me this is about the marking ceremony. It’s not being canceled, right?”
“It’s not being canceled, and no, that’s not what this is about.” Rebekah was about to ask where Canter was when the young man walked through the door.
“Sorry, I was finishing up a session in the hologram room. Sister Frankie had to wait until it ended.” He looked back and forth from his friends to Rebekah.
“It’s fine,” she said. “Now that we’re all here, I’d like to explain the mission. As you know, the other trainees were killed outside of a club called Debauchery in Las Vegas. The pictures I received were not clear at all. I need to get better ones, and I’d like to take a look around to see if we can gather any evidence.”
“Is there a chance the police have something? Have you spoken with the stationary unit?” Delilah looked over her shoulder to Jarreth.
Rebekah cleared her throat. “I haven’t heard from any stationary unit hunters. I wasn’t sure if they were all on another assignment. With this being a Church matter, the police barely want to involve themselves with recovery.”
The majority of the police didn’t know a damn thing about the vamps and shifters. The FBI usually covered those types of things to keep them a secret from the rest of the human population. The rest was myth and legends, which were rarely believed. The FBI had learned to look the other way as long as the Fellowship of Hunters were protecting humanity.
Rebekah glanced at each of the young hunters. “Change into your street gear and then meet me at the garage. We’ll leave as soon as possible.”
Canter stopped at the door, turning back to face her. “Standard weapons?”
“Bring what you like. I’m sure you’re already finding your affinities.” Every Hunter had a weapon that worked best for him or her. She’d gotten lucky with Stella since it had been made for her, and even though Luna was a bit heavier, having been made for Atticus’s larger hand, it could be quite effective in the field.
“Some of us have,” Jarreth said, smirking at Delilah who stepped out into the hallway.
Delilah stuck out her tongue and gave Jarreth an elbow to the gut, pulling a wince from him. “I’m good with plenty of weapons,” she said. “I just haven’t developed an affinity with any one in particular.”
Rebekah wondered if the two got along at all. “There’s plenty of time for that still, Delilah. It’s a special bond we have with our weapons. You’ll find yours.”
“Thanks.” She turned a shade of pink and then nudged Jarreth as
Canter walked out to join them.
After meeting back up in the garage, they headed out to Debauchery.
Once there, they found themselves standing in a dank alley just behind the back entrance. Canter shook his head and looked around at the mess. Garbage and old crates and pallets were strewn everywhere.
He kicked at an empty cardboard box. “Five Dumpsters from the surrounding businesses and not a single video camera in sight. What were they doing back here?”
“Probably scoping out the enemy,” Delilah said. She snapped a few photos of the scene and shook her head. Blood stained the concrete around them, but she tried not to look at it. It was the blood of her leaders, of her friends.
“There’s no way out of here,” Jarreth said. “This alley’s a dead end.”
He turned in a circle, looking around him to get an idea of where everyone might have been that night the shit went down. A rumble hit his stomach, and he suddenly felt as if he were going to puke. He forced himself to hold it together, but Rebekah saw the uneasy look on his face. She walked toward the same area, and she felt something too, though it didn’t have the same effect on her.
She detected a hint of shifter, but there was also something in the air around her. She pressed her fingers to her mouth and looked up at Jarreth. “Do you feel that, too?” she asked.
“Yeah.” The poor guy was almost green.
Canter joined them, curious as to what they found. His stomach rolled, and he felt his breakfast bobbing at the back of his throat. He held it down—barely.
Delilah walked closer. “Why do you all look green around the gills?”
Jarreth looked up, but Canter was already on it. He walked over and stopped Delilah from coming any closer. When he moved away from the spot, his nausea ebbed. “I can’t feel it over here.”