by Rose J. Bell
Tamara was sitting at her dressing table, getting ready for school. She tied her long brown hair in a perfect French braid and took her mascara in hand just when her mobile phone vibrated. She put the mascara away and took out her phone.
When Tamara saw who had texted, her heart jumped in excitement. It was from Ren. The boy she was in love with.
She opened the message.
Morning, Tami. I hope you had nice dreams. I just wanted to say I'll be waiting for you before school.
See you later. <3
The heart at the end of the SMS made Tamara’s knees go weak. She never thought in her life that Ren would be interested in her.
Ren was a Nephilim, so strong and beautiful. He was a heartthrob and each girl in her school dreamed of being together with him—Tamara, too.
Tamara didn’t feel like she was special. Yes, she was pretty, with beautiful long brown hair and green eyes, but almost half of the girls at her school were pretty.
She was extremely surprised when Ren had approached her, and asked if she wanted to have drink with him. Tamara could only nod, having been unable to speak a single word. Since then, they had met regularly. There was hot tension between her and Ren, and every girl was jealous of Tamara. Not to mention, she enjoyed the attention of being Ren’s girl.
“Tamara! Breakfast is ready,” her mother called from the kitchen.
“I’m coming,” she called back as she applied mascara to her eyelashes. She grabbed her backpack and headed to the kitchen.
Like every morning, her mother, Elja, had prepared breakfast for her. Tamara lived with just her mother. Her father had died of cancer when she was a child. She had no memories of him, and her mother never talked about him. It hurt her too much. Tamara respected her mother’s wish, but sometimes she hoped Elja would realize that not only had she lost her husband, Tamara had lost her father, also—and that she would have liked to know more about the man.
Elja was a little over thirty, and was a beautiful woman with brown hair and green eyes. Everyone said she looked like her mother, but Tamara didn’t think so. Her mother was much prettier than she was.
Elja was a good mother. She had managed to raise a daughter alone, but she was also a strict mother. Elja always made sure her daughter did not neglect her school work, and that Tamara didn’t meet too often with Ren. She wasn’t thrilled that her daughter dated a Nephilim, but she didn’t prevent it.
“Sit down and eat something,” said Elja as she drank her coffee.
Tamara sat down and took a roll. She cut it in two and put cheese on the roll.
“Mum, I’m going to meet Ren tonight,” Tamara told her mother and looked at her.
Elja nodded slowly. Tamara could see her mother did not like it.
“Okay, be careful, though, Tami. And you’re to be back at home by ten.”
She nodded and ate her roll. She stood up and gave her mother a goodbye kiss, “I’m going to school.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Take care of yourself.”
“You, too”
Her school was only ten minutes away from home. When she saw Ren at the entrance, her heart beat faster.
He smiled his beautiful smile when he saw her. “Hi, Tami,” he greeted her and gave her a little kiss on the cheek.
She smiled happily and hugged him. She felt so comfortable in his arms.
“Can you come tonight?” Ren asked her.
She nodded. “Yes, but I must be home at ten.”
“That's okay; the main thing is that I’m with you.”
How sweet was that? Tamara couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend than Ren.
Tamara had opted for black pants and a white blouse. She didn’t know where Ren would take her. He hadn’t told her, but she figured you couldn’t go wrong with a blouse and black pants.
Tamara wore her hair down. She checked her appearance for the hundredth time in the mirror, making sure everything was perfect before she went downstairs.
Elja pondered Tamara. “You look beautiful,” she said, smiling proudly.
Tamara smiled. “Thank you, Mum.”
The doorbell rang. “I got it,” she said to her mother and ran to the door. She stopped, breathed deeply in and out, and looked at herself in the mirror one last time, before pulling the door open for their visitor.
Ren stood before her, more beautiful than ever. He was wearing black pants and a white shirt that emphasized his tanned skin. He had combed his blonde hair back, so she could see his eyes shine in the light.
“You look amazing,” Ren said and smiled.
Tamara made a throwing gesture, but nonetheless was flattered as her cheeks tinted pink. “I look like always.”
He nodded. “Exactly. You always look amazing.”
Tamara knew that her face looked like a tomato. “I’ll get my bag, and then we can go.”
Without waiting for a response from Ren, Tamara ran into the living room and took her purse.
Elja was sitting on the couch, reading a magazine.
“Exactly ten,” she said without looking up.
“Yeah, yeah,” Tamara said, as she ran back to the door. She stepped outside, and closed the door behind her.
It was a beautiful evening. The air was warm and smelled of grilled steaks from the neighbors. Her stomach began to growl.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, as they walked down the street.
Ren grinned. “I can’t tell you.”
She gave him a playful slap on the arm. “Hey! Just say it! Or are you kidnapping me?”
He laughed and put his arm around her shoulders. Tamara embraced him. He smelled of soap and sun.
“It would be worth it, in any case, to kidnap you, Tami,” he whispered.
Tamara loved it, when he addressed her with her nickname, as if she was something special.
They walked along a small path, through a forest. Tamara hoped Ren would take her to eat something. She was starving.
Suddenly, she was dragged away from Ren. Someone had grabbed her by the arm and pulled her roughly away from him.
“Ren!” Tamara shouted and stretched out her hand to him. She had no idea what had happened or who pulled her away from Ran.
“Tamara!” he shouted and ran towards her. Tamara turned around. A man whose face was hidden behind a mask was kidnapping her.
Panic rose in her. What was going on here? Who was this man?
She struggled against his grip. “Let me go!” she yelled and punched him.
Tamara turned her head briefly to see where Ren was and saw that he fought against two other masked men. Why were they attacking him? What did they want?
“Let me go, bastard!” Tamara screamed, and kicked her leg between his legs. He groaned and let go of her.
“Ren,” she cried, and turned to face him.
“Run, Tamara!” he screamed. “Run!”
She could not leave him alone! She had to save him!
Tamara looked at her attacker. He came slowly to his feet. With a final look at Ren, Tamara ran away. She had the feeling that she would never see him again.
Tamara ran through the forest. Why was anybody in the forest? Why did this day have to turn into a terrible day?
Tamara stopped and looked around. No one was there. Not even Ren. She hoped that he had defeated the two men. After all, he was a Nephilim! He was stronger than humans.
Suddenly, she felt a hand on her mouth and the other grabbed her from behind. Tamara fought back immediately, but in vain.
“I would not fight back in your place, girl. Indeed, it is meaningless,” said an unknown male voice.
A man appeared in front of her with a shaven head and black eyes. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She didn’t know these men. What did they want from her?
The man smiled. It was not a friendly smile. “Your Nephilim friend tried to fight, but he didn’t make it.”
Ren is dead? No, no, no! That could not be! Ren is a Nephilim! He is stronger than the others. He cannot
be dead!
The pain spread through her chest. She wanted to scream, but the hand was still over her mouth. She fought to free herself.
“Stop it, girl,” the man said, “Otherwise, I will force you to stop, and it will not be pleasant.”
Tamara realized she had no chance. She collapsed. Tears welled in her eyes.
She still could not believe Ren was dead. Her first love was gone—dead, so easily.
“You ask yourself surely why all this is happening,” the man said. “We will explain everything to you. Your mother will be with you.”
Tamara’s heart stopped beating. Her mother? What did they want with her mother? She looked at him questioningly, but he ignored her gaze.
“Take her to the car,” he ordered his men. He turned away, but then he stopped and faced Tamara.
A smile appeared on his face. “I have not even introduced myself. How rude. I am Sergei Petrova and I am glad that I have found you, finally.”
Rosa stared at Jason in silence. She was in a shitty situation. She knew she could no longer deny that she was a hunter. It would be stupid for her to try.
But Rosa still was unwilling to admit it. She bit her lower lip and looked away.
A hunter was obliged immediately to kill those who had discovered the identity of the hunter, in order to protect the hunter clan.
Rosa would not kill Jason, before she knew what he wanted in Boston. In addition, she could not kill him.
“Ice Princess?” said Jason, taking a step forward. “Don’t you want to answer?”
“Actually, I didn’t want to tell you ever,” Rosa said at last, still not looking at him.
“I thought so.” Jason exhaled deeply.
“Why did you kill the Nephilim?” he wanted to know
Now she looked at him. “Isn’t the answer already obvious?”
He folded his arms across his chest. “Just answer my question.”
“And if not?”
He leaned forward menacingly. His golden eyes flashed dangerously. “I will kill you.”
“You only bluff,” Rosa said, but she believed him.
“For a hunter who is caught, you have a pretty big mouth,” Jason said and took a step back. “Aren’t you scared?”
She was scared! She just could not show it.
Rosa looked at him directly. “No, I’m not afraid,” she lied.
“You’re lying,” he said. His face was not so serious or dangerous. “This must be a pretty stupid situation for you, isn’t it?”
Rosa’s eyes narrowed. “Are you making fun of me?” She heard slight amusement in his voice.
Jason’s mouth twitched. “I’ve only asked a question.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Rosa didn’t believe him. This was the perfect situation for Jason to make fun of her. She would not argue with him, though. Her goal was to get out of here and meet Ellen.
“What time it is?” she asked.
Jason looked at his watch. “Just before two. Why?”
She ignored his question, tugging at the ropes, scraping her skin. “Untie me,” Rosa demanded.
Jason shook his head. “Not before we talk.”
She glared at him with her healthy eye. “I don’t want to talk with you. Untie me!”
Lord Constantine expected her to find the talisman. She could not disappoint him again.
Jason bent down. His face was expressionless.
“Where are you going?” he wanted to know.
“Jason,” growled Rosa. She had no time for his questions.
“Ice Princess,” he replied calmly.
Her face was only a few inches away from his.
“Jason,” she said with a sudden calm. “I can list a hundred ways how I can kill you, and that is with my hands tied. Will you please untie me now?”
“Why didn’t you just free yourself, if you’re so good?” He arched an eyebrow mockingly.
Rosa clicked her tongue. “I didn’t want to shed blood.”
Jason laughed. “Since when is a huntress interested in whether they shed blood or not?”
“Just untie me.”
For a few moments, they stared at one another, each one waiting for the other to look away. Jason finally broke eye contact. Sighing, he untied her hands.
When Rosa moved her hands, she moaned in pain. Blood flowed over her wrists. She stood up.
“Where am I?” she asked, looking around the room. It consisted of a bed and a closet.
Jason did not answer her, just stared at her.
Again, she sighed. Jason wouldn’t answer her, she was certain. She moved to the door. Hot pain shot through her chest as she moved.
In this shape, Rosa would hardly find the talisman. What would she do if she had to fight?
Without a last glance at Jason, she left the room. Rosa felt Jason’s gaze on her back.
Don’t turn around, Rosa. Don’t stop walking.
She walked slowly down the stairs and stopped at the door. For the last time, she turned around to see if Jason had followed her.
But he hadn’t.
Secretly, she had wished that he would follow her, and tried to stop her.
What do you think, Rosa? Of course, he didn’t follow you! Why should he? You haven’t even thanked him for saving your life.
Rosa opened the door and stepped out into the rain. With her head bowed, she walked through the streets. Occasionally, cars drove by. The rain pattered on her face, making her wounds burn.
Rosa saw a bus stop. Standing under it, she pulled the map from her pocket and unfolded it. She had seen a street sign that said she was on Gilford Street. On the map, she searched for the street name. When she had found it, she ran her finger over the map to Stanley Park. She wasn’t far away from the park. She had to go to Nelson Street, straight ahead.
Rosa folded the map neatly, and shoved it in her pocket. She sighed before stepping back into the rain, making her way to Beaver Lake.
After ten minutes of walking in the rain, Rosa arrived. She was completely soaked, and panting heavily. Her broken ribs hurt with every step. It was not a good idea to search for the talisman in the shape she was in.
She was weak.
Get a grip, Rosa! You are a hunter. Hunters fight even when they are injured.
But she was also a human. She shook her head. She had to act like a fighter, not like a human.
The rain increased with every minute that passed. Rosa went through a small path between the trees. A small shadow loomed in the distance.
Ellen.
Rosa automatically accelerated her steps, but the closer she got to Ellen, the harder and slower her steps became.
Her legs didn’t want to carry her to Ellen, and to the task ahead. They wanted to go back, leaving everything behind.
She had killed her first Nephilim, and thus became a full member, but she could not bring herself to be happy about it. The negative events in her life overpowered the positive.
“Ellen,” Rosa said quietly, stopping behind her.
Ellen winced and turned around. She blinked several times.
“Rosa?” she asked, surprised.
Rosa forced a half-hearted smile. “The one and only.”
“What happened to your face?”
Instinctively, Rosa touched her face. “I was mugged on the way.”
“Oh God! Are you okay?” Ellen looked at her with concern.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”
“What are you doing here?” Ellen asked. The concern made room for skepticism.
Rosa tilted her head slightly, waiting for Ellen to understand it.
Then she understood.
Ellen’s eyes widened. “You ... you’re the hunter,” she gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. Rosa nodded slowly.
“Oh my God! I never suspected. I have always known you were different, with your red hair and the black clothes. I thought you were Goth, but I guess I’ve been wrong,” Ellen babbled away without hesitation.
Rosa smile
d. “You’re not the only one who thinks I’m a Goth.”
Ellen nodded. “But I didn’t think you were a huntress.” She looked at Rosa in amazement.
“You know we have to keep our identities secret,” Rosa said
“But now you’ve told me,” Ellen interjected.
“That’s right. I’m commanded to tell you that I’m in the hunter clan.” And that I had killed Madison.
Ellen pushed her wet hair from her face. “They had told me you wanted to tell me something.”
How could she tell Ellen? How do you tell somebody you’ve killed their best friend?
Rosa ran her hand through her wet hair. Ellen looked at her expectantly.
She gritted her teeth. “Ellen,” Rosa began carefully. “I’m a hunter and we ... sometimes kill people, who aren’t human anymore.” Oh, shit! What kind if a beginning was this?
Rosa cleared her throat. “So, what I mean is that I ...”
Yes, now say it, Rosa. Ellen looked at her.
“Damn,” Rosa cursed and bit her lip.
She took a deep breath and said, “I killed Madison.” The words came so fast from her mouth she didn’t even understand them.
Apparently, though, Ellen had understood them clearly, because her eyes widened as she stepped back. Pure horror and shock were written on her face.
“You ... you’ve killed M-Madison?” Ellen gasped the words, and laid her hand over her mouth.
I hate Lord Constantine. I hate him. I hate him.
Rosa couldn’t look at Ellen, because she was too ashamed.
“You monster!” Ellen shouted. Rosa winced and when she looked at Ellen, Ellen’s eyes flashed with anger. “You killed her! How could you?”
“I had to do it!” Rosa said desperately. “She was sucking the soul out of someone! I couldn’t allow it!” She looked helplessly at Ellen, begging her to understand.
Ellen shook her head. “You didn’t need to kill her.” The look she gave Rosa was full of hatred. “You really are a monster.”
Ellen’s words hurt. Killing a shadow being didn’t make her a monster, right? The hunter clan had told her repeatedly she did the right thing when she killed a shadow creature.
Now, as Rosa was standing in front of Ellen, she wasn’t sure anymore if she had really done the right thing, or if the views of the hunter clan were right.