Changed (The Hunters #1)

by Rose J. Bell

  Anger rose in Jason. “Oh yeah? Do you think that it’s so easy to live with a secret that could lead to your death?”

  She winced slightly. Jason realized he was shouting. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

  “You don’t know how it s to live every crappy day with the knowledge that at any time your secret could be come out.”

  She opened her mouth to say something, but Jason did not give her the opportunity.

  “No, you can’t!” All the anger that had been building within him, exploded.

  “No one can!” he shouted. “Do you think I like how my father exploits me? He represents me as an asshole, though he is the asshole! All of this is because of a mistake I made, and he constantly has to rub it in! This makes my life a living hell!”

  Jason had clenched his hands into fists. His muscles were tense. The anger boiled in him. He had to get rid of his anger before he hurt someone. He took a chair, throwing it with full fury against the wall.

  This whole thing was out of control. They were here to get the people. Where are they now?

  “You’ve not even been here one day, and think you know everything; acting like you know everything.” he said to Madeleine. “As if we don’t know that we’re exploited. As if we had any other choice.”

  With these words, Jason left the hut, and walked along the beach. He was angry with Madeleine, but he was angry with himself, too. He had allowed Madeleine to goad him.

  I’m a jerk, Jason thought. I should not let her get to me, aggravating me.

  With a deep sigh, Jason sat cross-legged on the sand and looked out to the ocean. The sunset dyed the sky in hues of red and yellow, as the water shimmered in the golden light.

  He touched the sand, letting it trickle between his fingers, inhaling the salty air.

  Could he turn back the time, and undo his mistake? He would do anything if he could.

  “Jason?” asked a voice from the side. He looked up and saw Marco.

  “Are you okay?”

  Jason looked out over the sea.

  “Yes, everything is fine,” he sighed, although nothing was fine.

  Marco sat down next to him, but said nothing. He allowed time for Jason to calm down and start talking, when he when he was ready.

  “How did she know all of that?” Jason began. “Do you think my father told her?”

  Marco shrugged. “I don’t know, but I can’t imagine that he would do this. Although he’s a jerk, he wouldn’t do this to you.”

  Jason looked at his friend. “Why not? My father hates me.”

  He shook his head. “No, Jason. Gabriel does not hate you. It’s just that you disappointed him. I think he cannot believe that his son had broken a rule.”

  Jason could not believe Marco. “I can understand that he’s disappointed, but does he have to treat me this way? Don’t I deserve a second chance?”

  “Of course you deserve it, Jase. Everyone deserves it. Why doesn’t he forgive you? Well, that’s something you need to ask him. Only he can give you the answer.”

  He snorted. “When I want to talk to him, he blocks off.” Then Jason sighed and rubbed his face.

  “If you knew my secret, Marco, I think you would understand why my father doesn’t forgive me,” he muttered.

  Marco and Philip did not know about his fault, and his friend respected Jason’s wish not to tell them.

  Marco laid his hand on Jason’s shoulder. “No fault is unforgivable, Jason; and for me, it wouldn’t matter what you did. You’ll always be my brother, and so I would always forgive you.”

  Jason smiled at his friend. “Thanks, bro.”

  “Always.”

  “Do you think Madeleine would tell Michael about it?”

  Marco licked his lips. “I don’t know. I was wrong about her. I thought she would be nice, but … you know. It is difficult to measure what she might do.”

  Marco was right. Madeleine was inscrutable. Where he thought she would be nice, he was convinced of the contrary.

  Marco stood up and wiped the sand from his pants.

  “Come on, bro. Let’s go in and finish our task. The faster, the better.”

  Jason nodded.

  “Ouch!” Rosa groaned as she bit her tongue, and tasted blood in her mouth.

  “Stay still, Rosa! I’m almost finished,” said Valerie, and pulled out the next thread.

  After Rosa spoke to Matt, she went to Valerie to the stitches from her wound. The wounds were healed, but there would still be scars. She tried to ignore them.

  Colin sat beside her, holding her hand. Rosa didn’t need anyone to hold her hand, but Colin had insisted, and Rosa had consented.

  “I’m going to pull out the last one,” said Valerie.

  Rosa nodded before she flinched as a throbbing pain shot through her chest, when Valerie pulled out the last stitch. She sat up quickly.

  “Finished,” Valerie said and put down the tweezers.

  “Thank you, Val,” said Rosa, pulling her top over her head. She didn’t look at her chest now. She would do it at home.

  “Everything alright, Rosa?” Colin asked her. Of course, he had noticed something had happen.

  She managed a smile. “Yep, everything is fine. I have to talk to Andrea now.”

  Rosa wanted to go, but Colin grabbed her arm, stopping her. “Rosa,” he began.

  “Yes, Colin?”

  “What did Lord Constantine want from you?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” she lied, feeling the heat creeping up her neck. “He just asked me if I knew why the Nephilim are here, and if I had figured out their plan.”

  He raised his eyebrows wary. “Nothing else?”

  “What? He should tell me more?”

  Colin just shrugged.

  Rosa sighed. “Colin, he hasn’t told me anything else.”

  She hated to lie to her best friend, but she didn’t want to tell them how she would be punished because of her betrayal. They would be worried about her, and maybe even disappointed that she had committed treason.

  He nodded, but she saw that he did not believe her. “Okay, whatever you say, but I don’t like the idea of you going to Vancouver on your own,” Colin said, looking at her anxiously.

  Colin didn’t attend the same school as Rosa, so they didn’t get to watch each other’s backs. In fact, she was the only hunter in her school. She felt a little alone.

  “I have to, Colin. They expect me to find the talisman, and if I don’t find it… Well...” Rosa didn’t finish the sentence. They knew what would happen then.

  If a hunter didn’t obey the orders of Lord Constantine, it meant death. Yes, in the Hunter clan everything ended with the death, which was against the rules. But this was only a strategy to prevent the hunters from breaking the rules.

  “I don’t like it, either,” Valerie said.

  Rosa smiled at them both. “I know you care, and I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself. I have always done so, and will continue. You don’t need to worry.”

  Colin and Valerie looked at her skeptically. Rosa knew her friends would always worry about her.

  “So, guys. I have to go. See you later.”

  “See you later,” Colin and Valerie said.

  Rosa left the room. She didn’t like to keep secrets from her friends, especially not from Colin. He knew everything about her and vice-versa.

  It made her feel guilty.

  She shook her head. Don’t think about it. You have to do a lot more important things.

  Rosa knocked on the door and opened it. Andrea was not alone. Shane was with her. She sighed. She didn’t want to deal with Shane. A wide grin spread on Shane’s face when he saw Rosa.

  Rosa held her hand up straight. “Shane, don’t even try to talk to me. I don’t want to talk to you, and I won’t talk to you.”

  Shane laughed. “Petrova, you can’t ignore me. My authority is too overwhelming.” Jason had also said the same thing.

  Why do I have to spend m
y time with arrogant, self-loving boys? Rosa wondered, and went to Andrea.

  She had a smile on her lips. Obviously, she found this very amusing.

  “You’re just imagining this, Stewart. The authority you have is no greater than a mouse.” Andrea laughed.

  “And Andrea agrees with me, don’t you?” Rosa turned to her. She lifted her hands and took a step back.

  “I agree with nothing, but do continue. It is very amusing to watch you two arguing,” she said smiling.

  Rosa gave her a dirty look. “I came here for the spell, Andrea. I need another small bottle of it, and you have to heal my leg, if at all possible.”

  Andrea nodded and went to work. Rosa could feel Shane’s gaze on her.

  “What?” she asked, annoyed.

  He shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “Then why are you staring. You know I don’t like it.”

  He smiled. “I’m just so fascinated by your beauty that I have to look at you.”

  “And I am so fascinated by your lack of beauty. I mean really, how such a troll could be so popular, I will never understand.”

  “You know, Ice Princess. Sometimes your sarcasm really hurts,” he said with an offended expression, but Rosa knew he was faking it.

  “Well, my sarcasm isn’t like the others. It hurts.”

  “But they’re beautiful pains.”

  Rosa ground her teeth together. “Shane, shut up. You’re getting on my nerves.”

  Andrea turned around. “Shane, I have to heal Rosa’s leg. Would you go, please?”

  He looked at her. “I’d have liked to stay, but I fear Rosa would throw me out. So I prefer to go on my own.”

  “Exactly. Rosa would do that,” Rosa said in reference to herself.

  Shane smiled as he left.

  Rosa sighed deeply. “Man, I can’t stand him.”

  Andrea smiled. “There is a love-hate relationship between you.”

  Rosa shook her head. “Between us there is nothing that has anything to do with love. Only hate.”

  Andrea smiled and pointed to her bed. “Take off your pants and sit down on the bed so I can have a look at the wound.”

  Rosa did as she was asked. Andrea knelt in front of her and began to loosen the bandage. Rosa leaned forward and kissed Andrea on the cheek.

  She looked up in surprise. “What was that for?” she asked.

  Rosa smiled. “This is for the spell you have mixed. It has helped me.”

  “That pleases me,” said Andrea.

  As Andrea finished removing the bandage, Rosa could see her wound. It was about four inches long, she guessed. It was sewn up. The skin was still red and thick.

  “That’s a bad injury,” Andrea determined. “I don’t know if my magic will help.”

  “Just try it. I have to be able to fight with the leg.”

  She looked at her. “Why?”

  “I need to go to Vancouver and find the talisman. And if a Nephilim attacks me I have to be able defend myself. That just won’t work with an injured thigh,” Rosa explained.

  “Sometimes I don’t understand the hunter clan. Why do they send you to a mission if you are hurt?”

  Rosa shrugged. “I don’t think that interests them, if I’m injured or not.”

  Andrea nodded and stood up. “I’ll try the powder, but I don’t think it will disappear.”

  “The main thing will be if I can walk without crutches, and can use my leg.”

  “Okay.” Andrea was standing in front of her shelf where countless bottles were filled with many liquids and powders. She dragged her fingers along the shelf until she stopped at the middle of it and picked up a bottle. Then she came back to Rosa and sat down before her on the floor.

  “I’m going to use a little of this. It can burn, though,” Andrea warned Rosa.

  Rosa nodded. “I’m accustomed to pain. You can do anything.”

  She nodded, and opened the bottle. It was liquid and smelled very strong, like vinegar.

  Andrea let three drops fall on the wound. Immediately her leg began to burn like someone was holding fire to her skin.

  Rosa bit her lip as her wound began to glow. Blinding white rays emitted from the wound as it healed, making Rosa and Andrea look away.

  The pain disappeared, followed by a tingling feeling spreading over her leg.

  Then the light went out, and the tingling disappeared gradually.

  Rosa felt nothing.

  She and Andrea inspected her leg. Where a wound had been seconds ago, was now nothing now, but soft, unmarked skin.

  Rosa looked at Andrea. “Your powder is probably stronger than you had thought,” she said and smiled.

  Andrea looked at her as her brown eyes sparkled. “Yes, I think you may be right,” she assented.

  “Try to get up,” Andrea said.

  Rosa stood up and stepped on her right leg. She felt no pain. She took a few steps, and still no pain.

  She smiled. “Andrea, you’re a perfect healer. I love you.” Rosa hugged her.

  Andrea laughed. “I didn’t do much. It was all the powder.”

  Rosa broke away from Andrea and pulled on her pants.

  “Then I thank you and your powder.” She buttoned up her pants.

  “Should I heal your face, too?” Andrea asked.

  She shook her head. “No, you don’t need to. They don’t bother me.

  “They interfere with your beauty,” Andrea argued

  Rosa snorted. “I don’t need to look beautiful in a fight.”

  “Come on. Let me heal them, too,” Andrea said excited.

  Rosa sighed. “Whatever.”

  In seconds, her injuries on her face were cured, and she looked in the mirror. Her face looked fresh and healthy.

  “Thanks, Andrea,” Rosa said, smiling. “I got to go now. It’s late.” She walked to the door

  “Wait! Your bottle!” Andrea called, and handed her the bottle with the spell. Rosa thanked her and said goodbye to Andrea.

  Then she went to her car. As the sun begins to set, turning the sky a beautiful golden red color, a fresh breeze blew across Rosa’s freshly healed face. She was so happy to be going home, because this day had certainly been stressful.

  First, Matt didn’t want to see her any more, than the meeting with Lord Constantine. Rosa still couldn’t explain how he had known that she had saved Jason’s life. Furthermore, her thoughts were more about the punishment, than the how.

  What could the punishment be?

  Rosa took a deep breath. She longed for a shower and she felt the desire to paint. She wanted to smell the acrylic paint, and wanted to immerse herself in her own carefree world.

  Rosa climbed into her car and drove off. After half an hour, she parked in front of her apartment and got out. Even in the evening, the weather was still warm.

  Maybe I will sit a little on the balcony, Rosa was thinking as she walked up the cobbled road to the entrance. She jogged up the stairs to her apartment and stopped as she reached the top.

  Jason was sitting on the stairs, his chin resting in his hand. He looked exhausted. His hair was disheveled and his T-shirt didn’t look clean.

  Rosa frowned. “Jason?” she said. “What are you doing here?”

  He looked at her with his weary eyes. “I thought I should visit you,” he said. His voice sounded tired. Rosa took the bottle and drank a sip of safety.

  Jason looked at her, but his eyes were somehow distant. She put the bottle in her pocket, crossing her arms.

  “Come on, Jason. Why are you really here?” she asked.

  The shower and paint have to wait.

  “Does there have to be a reason to visit a friend?” Jason said.

  “I didn’t know we were friends,” Rosa replied.

  Jason shrugged. “You saved my life. That makes us automatically friends, whether you like it or not.”

  Rosa sighed and then walked up the stairs.

  “Jason, I don’t want to have you in my house. So can you please g
o now?” Rosa asked, being friendly.

  He looked at her. No arrogance lay in his eyes. They just looked tired.

  “Come in,” Rosa said finally as she walked past him.

  He stood up, caught her by the arm, looking in her eyes.

  “Is it really okay that I come in? You know I don’t want to disturb you.”

  Rosa withdrew her arm. “You’ve disturbed me when you showed up in Boston, Jason. This doesn’t change anything.”

  Jason smiled. “You can be very mean, but I like that about you.”

  Rosa opened the door and went inside. Jason closed the door behind him and looked around her apartment. He whistled through his teeth.

  “Wow, Ice Princess. Your apartment is really cool,” he said.

  Rosa walked into the kitchen and threw the keys on the counter. “I know,” she said. “Want something to drink?”

  Jason followed her to kitchen and leaned against the counter. “You got something strong?”

  Rosa arched an eyebrow. “You want to drink?”

  “Why not?”

  “Are you here because of that, to drink my alcoholic beverages?”

  Jason laughed. “Maybe. Maybe not. “

  Rosa had to smile. “You want vodka?”

  “You mean Russian vodka.”

  “Of course. What else?”

  Jason grinned. “Then I’ll take one.”

  Rosa nodded, taking the bottle from on top the fridge. Then she took two small glasses from the cupboard, and filled them with vodka, handing Jason a glass.

  “Spasiba,” Jason thanked her in Russian, and chugged his drink.

  Rosa frowned. “You can speak Russian?”

  He pushed out his glass, so she could replenish it. “We, Nephilim, can speak all languages. It’s a gift.”

  Rosa nodded. “Paschálußta.”

  Jason smiled, and took the bottle and his glass and went to the couch.

  “Okay. Make yourself at home,” Rosa muttered, and sat facing him on the couch.

  He filled his glass again. Rosa emptied her glass. She felt that familiar burning sensation in her throat. She grimaced.

  “There’s nothing better than Russian vodka, honey, is there?” Jason asked, and drank his next glass.

  “I’d be careful with that, Jason. After all, this is just vodka,” Rosa warned him.