The Jaded Hunter

by The Jaded Hunter(Lit)

  "It is clear you have killed, child, but you are now a vampire and allowed the occasional sin," Theophania began. Jaden didn’t dare to hope. She trembled, looking up at Tyr. She no longer wanted death. She wanted to live. She wanted a life--whatever kind of life it may be--with him. She bit her lips, as the vampiress continued, "Mortal laws do not apply to us. Had you been human, we would’ve killed you instead of bothering with you."

  Jaden felt a dim hope forming inside her. She tensed, waiting. Tyr reached down, urging her off the floor to stand.

  "We have read you," Ragnhild said. "We know the full truth of what you have done."

  Tyr glanced at his leader in question.

  For the sake of the knight, Ragnhild continued, "The crimes contained within the MacNaughton documents are not hers. She had no knowledge of them or her part in them."

  Tyr felt a relief come over him. He felt Jaden sway at his side. Glancing down at her, he wondered why she hadn’t told him herself. He knew the answer. It was her pride.

  "However...." Theophania said.

  Jaden’s hope faltered. Tyr’s body stiffened once more. The fluttering of her heart joined his, pounding in his ears.

  "…the Dark Knights are a sacred and ancient order. They are a secret, even to the vampire tribes. Knowledge of their existence is forbidden," the vampiress continued.

  "As is their procreation," Chara added, with a pointed look directed at Tyr. Tyr held quiet, staring forward. He felt each of Jaden’s movements, each nervous quiver.

  "Discovering proof of their existence is punishable by death, for both mortals and immortals," Theophania said. "As a knight, you know this is our law. It’s important that the secrecy of the order remains for the sake of the vampire tribes. If you were to be discovered Tyr, there would be chaos."

  Tyr nodded. He knew it was true. The laws vampires were forced to abide, though few as they were, were still laws. Tyr and his fellow knights had broken almost all of them. To know that the council bade them to do it, the vampire nation would crumble. There would be a rebellion. Whenever war broke out of chaos, there would be many deaths.

  Jaden paled, wobbling weakly on her legs, wanting to sink back onto the hard stone. She gazed weakly at Tyr. Only his will kept her on her feet. After all they had put her through they were going to kill her on a technicality.

  "You said you know your duty, Try," Pietro mocked from behind. There was a cruel pleasure in his tone.

  "I made her," Tyr said with a bravery he didn’t feel. Turning his face to hers, he announced, "I’ll end her."

  Jaden gasped in surprise and moved to stare at him. She could still smell him on her skin and he was talking about killing her now! She didn’t want to die, not anymore. She’d been a depressed, lost fool to ask it of him. Then she’d said she wanted death just to aggravate and confuse him. Only too late did she realize that she wanted to live--forever with him.

  Tyr kept a straight face out of old habit. Inside a war waged within his chest. All Jaden had ever asked from him was death. He should have given it to her that first night in the alley. Then none of their misfortunes would’ve come to pass.

  If death must be delivered, Tyr knew that he could make sure it would be painless. The tribal council wouldn’t be so kind. No, it was his duty to her and to the council. He owed it to her. No matter how distasteful he found it.

  "That is how it should be," Pietro said bitterly. "Death."

  Jaden trembled. Her gaze darted around to the impassable faces. She’d expected the decision, but part of her always thought she had a chance. As the words were pronounced, she wasn’t ready for the verdict.

  "Death!" Andrei cried with a jovial wave of his hand.

  Jaden’s knees weakened. She dropped to the floor once more. Her stomach churned and her mind reeled. In a daze she felt Tyr reaching down to grab her. Her frantic eyes flew to his. She tensed.

  Then, seeing the tenderness in his gaze, she reached out to grab his hand. Her body shook as he pulled her to standing with his strength. She could feel his mind trying to take over hers. His strength wavered slightly as he drew her into his chest.

  Tenderly, he bent her head to the side. Jaden didn’t struggle. His mouth brushed her neck. If she had to die, she could think of no better place than in his arms. Fangs punctured into her flesh setting off a white hot flame. Blood flowed over her neck, staining the front of her white linen gown. Jaden could feel Tyr’s lips kiss her deeply as she gave herself over to him. She quivered beneath his touch, the enraptured web of his mind in hers. And then it was over.

  "Not so quickly," Theophania said in quiet consideration

  The flavor of her vampire blood was in his mouth. Tyr swallowed, drawing slowly away at the vampiress’ words.

  Jaden was again left weakened, this time from blood loss, and she fell to the floor. She buried her head in her shaking hands. Sticky blood met her fingers. She couldn’t do it anymore. Her heart beat started to slow. Her mind started to fog. That distant place of insanity called to her, welcoming her back. Jaden tried to fight it, but she hadn’t the strength to resist its pull.

  The council’s eyes turned to Theophania, as she said solicitously, "We may have a use for this dhampir. It may be in undue haste to end her just yet. Besides, anyone of us could kill her at anytime."

  Chara nodded in agreement. Tyr held still. He could feel the numbing sensations taking over Jaden. Looking down at her, he drew his mind into hers. Her jade eyes widened in surprise as she gazed up at him. He willed her to stand, using his strength to keep her calm. Then, when she was again at her feet, he turned forward, part of him still keeping inside of her, keeping her sane.

  "You are a dhampir, a vampire hunter. Yet you have also shown courage and your leniency with many vampires is well documented. Taking into account your human skill as a hunter," Theophania said, "and your knowledge of the council and the tribes, I am not sure death is our best use of you."

  She looked around at the others, some of them giving silent nods of consent. Andrei waved his hand, not caring.

  "And she is one of us," Ragnhild whispered in defense of his daughter. Jaden glanced at him in surprise. His face was emotionless, but she felt a rush of pride come from him as he looked at his children in the center of the council. Tyr and Jaden had done him very proud.

  "I think we should test her," Chara said.

  "Yes," Theophania nodded. Turning to Jaden, she directed a hard stare at her. "If you pass this test, we’ll let you live. You’ll train as knights before you have. You’ll be an apprentice. We could use new blood within our folds and your knowledge of modern human weaponry will no doubt come in most useful for us. It’s whispered that humans are harnessing the power of the sun."

  Jaden thought of Mack and said nothing.

  "And what is this test?" Tyr asked.

  "The mortal in the cell," Theophania said simply. "You’ll go to him, find out what he knows of MacNaughton and his vampire contact. Kill him if you must. If you get the information from him, you’ll live."

  Pietro stiffened, thinking of Rick. It was clear that Jaden had no knowledge of his part in Mack’s crimes. The others ignored him.

  "Tyr, you’ll go with her. Her vampire strength is not yet up. You’ll be able to detect the man’s lies." Ragnhild waved his hand. "Go."

  Jaden felt herself being whisked up into Tyr’s arms. The elder’s faces blurred before her. She had no time to answer. Soon they were in the prison hall, walking towards the cells.

  "Wait," Jaden whispered grabbing Tyr’s arm. Turning him around, she asked fervently, "What does this mean?"

  "They are going to make you a knight," Tyr said evenly. Biting his finger, it shook as he healed her neck. "You’ll apprentice under me. Now, come on. The council won’t like to be kept waiting."

  Jaden felt a smile beginning to spread across her face. Then seeing his dark look of rage, she frowned. "You’re angry. You don’t want me to be with you?"

  "I can’t trust you," he said. "You
have lied to me endlessly. And if I can’t trust you, how can I work with you?"

  "But the council said I didn’t do it," she whispered. "You know the truth."

  "I can’t trust you. You lied to me about the folder," Tyr said. You lied about your love for me.

  "What about last night? What was that?"

  "That was last night," he whispered with an unfeeling evenness. He was glad she was given a chance, but he couldn’t help his outrage. It was easier than admitting the feelings he was hiding within.

  "Then, by all means, take me to Rick," she growled in growing indignation. "Now!"

  Tyr nodded, whisking down the hall. Jaden was quick behind him. In her ire, her speed increased to keep up with him until she felt the world blur. Stopping at an unmarked door, Tyr slid the latch and stepped in. Jaden’s eyes instantly found Rick in the dark. He looked up at her, blinking heavily.

  "Jade?" he whispered.

  "Yes, Rick," she ignored Tyr and rushed forward to kneel beside her friend. Touching Rick’s face tenderly, she said, "I’m here. I’ve come to talk to you."

  "Who is with you?" Rick asked, squinting to look behind her head. The man was weak from a beating and starved.

  "It’s not important," she whispered. "I need to talk to you."

  "They’ve come to execute me, haven’t they?" Rick nodded, expecting as much.

  Looking earnestly at him, Jaden asked, "Were you part of it? Did you know what Mack was up to? Did you know about the experiments he did? About the things he allowed to be done to vampires and humans?"

  "No," he gulped. Jaden could see the honesty in his eyes. "They already asked me that, Jade. I didn’t do the things they accuse me of."

  "Have you ever seen Mack with a vampire?" Jaden asked doubtfully. She detected new welts on his body where a vampire had beaten him. Biting her hand, she rubbed it gingerly over a raw wound on his arm. Rick winced and pulled away. The wound healed slightly but was still red and puffy.

  "Yes," he whispered. "Here on the island."

  Jaden glanced at Tyr. Under her breath, she said, "He means Mykonos."

  Tyr nodded, but held back.

  "Yes, Mykonos," Rick whispered. "Why?"

  "Do you know who it was? Did you see his face?" Jaden insisted. "This is very important."

  "No." Rick shook his head. Rubbing wearily at his temple, he said, "It was dark. Mack was meeting him in an alleyway, letting him drink off his arm. Then later he told me he had a contact. I got the impression the man was higher up. He said the vampire council was going to be restructured."

  "That’s why the council doesn’t care about me," Jaden whispered. "They only want the traitor."

  "What?" Rick blinked. Tyr frowned, hearing her words.

  "What else?" Jaden persisted. "You have to tell me, Rick."

  "The vampire knew the boat schedule and when you should be arriving with Tyr. That is why we were on the beach waiting for you." Rick grunted, as he repositioned himself on the floor. Grabbing his temple he rubbed it and said, "But you know Mack, he’s a liar. Who knows if what he says is true?"

  "A knight?" Jaden questioned, turning to glance up at Tyr. He didn’t answer. "Or someone on the council? Who else would know of such a thing?"

  Tyr was reluctant to agree with her assessment, but he couldn’t disregard her logic. The elders and the knights were the only ones who knew of his existence. Only they would’ve had the knowledge to betray. Tyr motioned for her to continue.

  "Is that all?" Jaden asked, turning back to Rick. Tyr stared jealously at her gentle hand as it stroked back the man’s hair.

  Rick nodded and said, "I only tell you because it’s you, Jade. I wouldn’t tell the other one they sent. Now, do with the knowledge what you will. I know no more. But you must tell me. What will you do with me?"

  Tyr stepped forward. He felt Jaden’s kinship to the man. "For your cooperation, you’ll be released. But I pledge if you ever hunt again I’ll personally come after you. If you are attacked you may defend yourself, but you can never use your knowledge against us."

  Rick stood, looking Tyr square in the eyes. "You have my word. My war with you is over. I’m taking some advice and going back into the military. But what about Mack?"

  "We will get him," Tyr said.

  "I want to go with you," Rick said. He turned his eyes to Jaden, more comfortable facing her than her partner. His eyes glanced briefly over her blood stained shoulder and then her white gown. "I know his homes. I know how he thinks. I can be of service."

  "Why?" Jaden questioned. It would be so easy for Rick just to walk away--and safer.

  "Because he lied to me, because he has sent men knowingly to their deaths. Because he hurt you--my friend--and because he left us all to die on that beach," Rick said grimly. "A true soldier never leaves his men behind. And a true friend doesn’t send them to die."

  * * * *

  Jaden found herself whisked back to the hall to quietly report what she learned to the council. Tyr confirmed her words with as few of his own as possible. It was no more or less than the leaders had learned from the mortal man themselves, but it was more detailed of an accounting. Granting Tyr’s request for leniency, with the plea that Rick’s knowledge and skill might still be useful to the Dark Knights and Jaden, they allowed the mortal to live under the same provisions Tyr had laid out.

  "You have done well, dhampir," Theophania whispered at last, with an approving nod of her head. "I have one more promise to extract from you."

  "Yes?" Jaden asked, curious.

  "I would have you swear to divulge all knowledge you have of this time to us. Help us to understand the way of the humans," Theophania said.

  "I don’t know how much I have to divulge. But, what I know of human nature will be yours," Jaden swore.

  "Very well," Theophania said.

  "Then she shall be my apprentice?" Tyr asked. He waited in tentative pleasure, not knowing how to feel.

  "No," Amon said. Tyr’s heart stopped. Jaden paled.

  "But," Jaden began, "You said--"

  "We said you would apprentice. We hold true to our word," Ragnhild said. His eyes stared blankly, refusing to meet the swirling confusion in Tyr’s. "You’ll apprentice under Osiris."

  "But I made her--" Tyr interrupted.

  "Your insolence is noted, Tyr," Vishnu said harshly. "And though you have explained it, it cannot be overlooked."

  Tyr’s mouth snapped shut. He eyed Jaden warily.

  "You are too involved with her fate," Ragnhild said quietly. "It’s affecting your work and your decisions. From this night, you are forbidden from speaking until the whole of two hundred years has come to pass, including telepathy. And you are forbidden from being in each other’s sight until the end of a hundred years--unless so ordered by us. That should be enough time to temper what is between you. If it has not, then at that time you may do with it what you will."

  Jaden paled. She looked frantically at Tyr. Her heart thudded low and hard against her breast. She couldn’t move. She wanted to scream, to fight. She would never last a hundred years without seeing him, or two hundred without hearing her name called on his lips. It was too much time, too much could happen. But, for all her fears and longing, their proclamations didn’t stop.

  "Jaden MacNaughton, you will be ordained a knight. You will drink of this council’s blood and swear your loyalty to the vampire kind. If you ever deceive us, you will be killed in a most horrible fashion with a death that should last five hundred years long." Theophania’s decree was final. Jaden looked around at the council. There was no reprieve from them, no more mercy to be given. She nodded in understanding.

  "Tyr," Chara said, her tone sweeter than her sister’s. "Go gather the other knights who are on the island and bring them here. She must swear herself onto them and exchange their blood. She has tasted yours. There is no need for you to come back."

  Tyr turned to Jaden, his mouth opening as if he would speak. Her eyes darted to the sharp fangs peeking between hi
s lips before seeking out the whole of his face. He couldn’t answer her puzzlement--not with them looking on in judgment. All that he would say would only make their fate worse. Slowly, he nodded. His mouth closed without utterance. His eyes stayed well upon hers as he bowed his head to her. Then, he blinked, his eyes looking away before opening. He knew this was the last time the council would let him see her for a century. Jaden was being ripped from him. Tyr knew as well as any what a hundred years could do to a vampire.

  Questions loomed eagerly in his brain, but he couldn’t lay voice to them. He couldn’t tell her how he felt. Would Jaden still think of him? Would she wait for him? Osiris was as beautiful and powerful as he. Would she succumb to him? He couldn’t bear it. He would never survive without her. He needed her. Remembering the council’s decree, he quietly walked away and never said what he had meant to.

  Jaden watched him depart through the red velvet drapes. Her heart shattered. She wanted to scream, to fight. She couldn’t move. The door closed silently behind him. It was an image she would carry with her forever. Was he still angry? Would he wait? Would he still want her then? Did he want her now?

  "Come, dhampir," Theophania ordered, standing as she flew gracefully over the table. The old vampiress landed in the center ring. Holding out her arm to Jaden, she said, "Drink of me and seal your fate."

  Jaden gulped. The elders all landed around her. The door opened. Jaden’s eyes flew hopefully to look for Tyr. Instead, the other Dark Knights entered. She saw Shiva nod at her in acceptance. A small smile of welcome whispered over his immovable features. Unexpectedly, she knew the old knight had played a small part in the council’s decision. She nodded back at him.

  One of the knights carried a branding iron. Jaden shivered. The knights crowded into the hollow circle. The one called Aleksander thrust the iron into the torch fire to let it heat. Jaden turned back to Theophania. The vampiress nodded, lifting her arm higher.