by Suzy Shearer
“Tonight I guess we do the same?”
“There was nothing in my grid, not even an old trace. Mind you, it was over housing areas and I tend to think we’ll have more luck as we travel into the less populated areas and the forested areas. There are some caves up on the escarpment that might serve as home for strigoi.”
“Where was the last death?”
“In the grids for tonight. There was also one two nights ago but further north and inland.”
“Hopefully we get something positive tonight then.” Martin bought another coffee and pancakes then sat down. Anthan had grabbed the newspaper and was going through it.
“You won’t sleep with all that coffee in you.”
“Nothing stops my sleeping.”
When they decided it was time to leave, it was close to 7:30. The two walk leisurely through the streets, Anthan pointing out various areas.
Suddenly Martin heard a shout. “It’s a girl!”
“Hey did you hear that?” Martin looked at Anthan.
“Yes. It’s Tomas.”
Anthan nodded.
“We’ve named her Diana, after the Roman goddess of the Hunt.”
Martin ‘spoke’ to his friend. “Congratulations my friend. How is Julie?”
“She’s wonderful!”
“Give her my love. And that’s a beautiful name.”
“Thanks.”
Anthan added his congratulations. Martin was grinning. A baby always made Hunters feel good.
Martin had hoped that Avril would have turned out to be his mate, not only because he was lonely, but because it would mean he would be partnered with Tomas. He’d been disappointed when she wasn’t. Still, Viorel deserved his happiness with her.
By 9:15 Martin was beginning to feel the effects of the sun and suggested they return. Continuing on until they came to a park, they moved through it until sure no one was watching. Then transforming into sea eagles they flew back to Anthan’s house, landing on the deck overlooking the water.
The sun was already showing a promise of the day’s heat and Martin moved thankfully into the shade and sat. Anthan stood, his hands on the railings around the deck, and looked out to sea. Martin could see his hands reddening in the sun but said nothing.
Anthan gave a sigh, he looked down at his hands, turning them this way and that.
Emotionlessly he said, “The pain reminds me I’m still alive.”
Martin was not sure how to answer. Anthan still had his back to him.
“Viorel sent you to check on me.”
Martin couldn’t lie. “Yes.”
“It lives with me all the time now, the temptation to stay in the sun. Too long. I’ve been alive too long.”
Martin could hear the despondency in Anthan’s voice.
“Have you given up hope of finding her or him?”
The laugh Anthan gave sent chills down Martin’s arms. “Hope? Long gone, my friend.”
He looked out into the sun.
Ruefully Martin said, “Bet that’s what Viorel thought.”
Anthan turned in surprise to look at Martin.
“Never thought of that. Hard to hide much from him or his father.”
He looked down at his hands again. The blisters were beginning to form.
“Seen too much, my friend. I doubt I could feel love even if I did meet my mate. I honestly believe it’s too late, that they were born and died without us ever meeting.”
There was no answer for that. Martin tried to imagine how Anthan must feel. He knew at times his nine hundred years weighed heavily but he had never thought to stay in the sun. To live so many millennia and still be alone and alive—Martin just couldn’t grasp how it must feel.
Anthan turned and faced Martin.
“Don’t worry, my young friend. I’m not going to stay in the sun today or even tomorrow.” His voice deadened as he continued. “I know my responsibilities.”
“I’m sorry Anthan.”
Anthan gave a half-hearted laugh. “Don’t be. Wait until you get to half my age then you’ll get it.”
He stepped into the shade suddenly. “I’m off to sleep. See you tonight.”
Martin watched as he left. He quickly spoke to Viorel, telling him of the conversation.
“I know where he’s coming from Martin. At times, I was there, too. But still.”
‘I’ll keep watching. I think the pain from the sun is what’s keeping him alive and his obligation to Hunters.”
“Could be. Watch him for me. I... we don’t want to lose him.”
“Will do.”
Getting to his feet, Martin went downstairs to his bedroom and threw himself on the bed, his hands behind his head.
He tried to put himself in Anthan’s shoes but it was impossible. He let sleep overtake him.
Chapter Five
When Anthan woke, he walked into the old dining room where he had put his container and opened it. Checking everything was safe, he took out a large wooden box that held his knives. Carrying into his bedroom, he threw it into the wardrobe. Back in the dining room, he lifted out his art gear and took it into the room he previously used as a studio. He went downstairs into the garage. He looked at the old canvases he had stored there. All had rotted from the damp and their age.
He would have to buy some canvases, he had none here at the moment. Unprimed ones never seemed to store well over long periods of time. Going over to his laptop, he called up art shops in the area. There was an art supplies shop in Wollongong. He would go tomorrow when he woke unless Martin woke soon.
He sorted through his paints, deciding what else he would need to buy when Martin wandered in yawning.
“What time did you want to start? It’s just gone 4:30.”
“Can you start without me? I just want to order some stuff to get delivered tomorrow then I will start my search.”
“Yeah, I can do that. I’ll grab something to eat along the way.”
“Thanks. Don’t forget if you find anything let me know.”
“Will do.”
Martin looked around the room then left, Anthan following him. Anthan flew to the art shop he’d found and landed opposite in a car park. Transforming, he walked into the shop and looked around.
“Evening. Anything I can help you with?”
“Evening. Yeah I wanted some stretched primed canvases, about a dozen at the moment and paint. Any chance it could be delivered tomorrow or Monday?”
The shop assistant looked at Anthan and seemed to realise there would be more orders if he could satisfy him.
“As long as it isn’t too far.”
“No just near Scarborough. I want some large canvases and haven’t got a car at the moment and I doubt they’d fit anyway.”
“Okay, we can manage that, I can’t promise it will be tomorrow but it will certainly be Monday if we don’t.”
Anthan nodded and walked over to the canvases. He sorted through the sizes he wanted then over to the paint section. He thought the shop assistant was rubbing his hands in delight when Anthan grabbed handfuls of Sennelier acrylics then more of Chroma’s Atelier. He stacked up some mediums then rummage through the brushes and rollers to add to the growing pile. A roll of cartridge paper to sketch on, some fresh charcoals were found. As he was walking back to the counter, he saw several different large easels.
These were suitable for very large canvases and were on lockable rollers. The easel at the house was old and makeshift. He studied them all and selected one.
“That should do me to start with.”
The man added up the purchases and his eyes widened when he held the black card Anthan handed over. His attitude became even more helpful, almost fawning.
Anthan wrote down his address.
“I won’t be home but if you could get whoever delivers to put everything in the garage. I’ll leave it unlocked.”
“Certainly Mr....” He glanced at the name on the card “Mr. Vaduva. I’ll ensure it is done as you wish.”
&nb
sp; The transaction complete and with his card back, Anthan thanked the man and left the store. He was feeling a little happier knowing he could get lost in painting. It always helped to take the edge off his loneliness.
He walked along the street until he found somewhere secluded to transform, then flew into the air. Circling around he then headed off to his search grid. At the moment, he didn’t feel like eating, maybe later.
Flying back and forth over his search area, he thought on Viorel and wondered exactly what had given him away. Maybe it was at the wedding, perhaps he had said something to Viorel’s father, Silvius Nicolescu.
The two of them had always been close. They had known each other forever. Silvius and he had worked together before being transformed. They had played together as children, then fought side by side. They had studied strigoi together, learn and shared information. Anthan had been the leader with Silvius his second-in-command. Then they had been selected by the gods to become the first Hunters. On and off through the centuries they had worked together but lately Anthan had pulled away. He knew his friend would see through his careful disguise.
Oh well, regardless of the reason he would have to be careful not to do anything stupid while Martin was here. He knew the boy felt embarrassed spying on Anthan but he also knew it was because they were genuinely concerned for him.
He had been searching for around five hours when Martin contacted him, sending his location.
“I’ve found an old lair. It’s rather interesting. You far from me?”
“Take me about twenty minutes or so to get there. Have a rest.”
Martin laughed, said he’d transform and settle down on a rock to wait, well hidden from the lair. True to his word, Anthan landed twenty minutes later. Martin stood and walked to him.
“What’ve you got, Martin?”
“It’s an old lair but if you look, the remains are various ages. Check it out and see if you come to the same conclusion as I did.”
Anthan looked at Martin with interest then walked into the lair. It was obvious it hadn’t been used for a few months judging by the decomposition of the bodies. Walking around and examining everything, Anthan realised what Martin had seen. There were other bodies in varying states of decay. He walked back out to join Martin.
“It uses it for a while then moves on, returning a few months later.”
Martin nodded. “That’s what I thought, too. Smart.”
“Very. I’d say it’s old to think like this. I think it’s been using it for many years.”
“Do we destroy it or do we monitor it?”
“Monitor. I estimate about a two to three month turnaround. What did you?”
“About the same. I feel bad we can’t take the remains back but if we can catch the beast...”
“Exactly. I’ll mark it on the map when we get home. You got much more to cover?”
“Think I’m about halfway.”
“Me, too. See you back at the house.”
Anthan took off leaving Martin to remove any trace of themselves. He flew steadily back to where he had left off searching. The remainder of the night passed slowly with no further finds. Anthan headed back home just after 6:30, reaching the house around 7:30. Martin was sitting at the table eating cereal.
“I called into a supermarket for more stuff. There’s milk and cereal if you want some.”
Anthan realised he hadn’t eaten at all. He filled a bowl with cereal, milk and added a banana, sitting at the table with Martin.
“I still believe there are at least two strigoi. I went over the database again. Where bodies have been found are too far a distance apart especially when some have been on either the same or consecutive nights.”
“Yes I’m afraid you’re right, hopefully it’s only two and not three.”
They both headed to bed. The search would continue when they woke.
The next night’s search drew a blank until 4:15. Anthan discovered a lair that looked as if it had been used in the past week. He told Martin he would wait until sunrise and destroy the strigoi when he returned to sleep.
Martin asked him if he wanted help but Anthan assured him he intended to hide inside the lair and surprise the beast. He knew Martin would know he didn’t need help but appreciated the offer. Martin told Anthan he would continue with his own search and when it was close to sunrise, headed back to the house.
The sun had been up for ten minutes when Anthan growled in disgust. Obviously there was at least one other lair they still needed to find. He flew back to the house to tell Martin what had happened.
“Damn things are definitely getting smarter.”
“We should check out that first abandoned one in case it has decided it’s time to use it again.”
“Good idea. We can do that tonight.”
“We have to check out the railway station, too, in case that woman returns.”
“Yes. I’m going to bed.”
Anthan was angry, he thought the strigoi would have turned up and there would only be one left. He threw himself on the bed and lay there until sleep finally overtook him.
When Anthan woke, he remembered to check if the garage was still unlocked then walked into the kitchen. Martin had made himself breakfast and was sitting on the deck eating and looking out over the water. Anthan joined him on the deck.
Martin looked over and said, “I’ve been thinking. Remember how there were two trains that left at the same time? What if you follow one and I follow the other. She broadcasts really loud. We could easily check both trains in five minutes.”
“That’s if she’s on one of them.”
“Well I think it would be easier than wandering through the streets on the off chance.”
“Okay. We can wait for the trains at the station and then see what happens. We might even pick her out before she gets on board.”
“Hope so. Anyway, we find her then I’ll check out that lair.”
Anthan waited until Martin finished eating. Transforming, they flew off to the general area where they had first spotted the woman. It was around the same time so they agreed to meet at the station just before the trains were due to leave.
As they were close to the station, Martin reached out to Anthan.
“Did you see that?”
“What? Where?”
“I’m sure it was a strigoi trace. Let me check.”
“Okay, I’ll continue to the station.”
Martin peeled off and went to investigate. He was sure he had caught the scent and seen a trace of a strigoi. It was possible that it was hanging around looking for the woman also or else seeking a mortal to feed from.
“Yes, there’s a faint trace here, Anthan, but it’s a couple of days old.”
“Okay. Look the trains are leaving. I caught a brief thought of a female and it was of math so I think she’s on one of the trains. I’ll take the northbound, can you search the south?”
“Will do. I’m only a minute away.”
The two Hunters each followed a train, flying above and working their way along the carriages.
“Martin, she’s on this train. How ‘bout you see if you can find any more from that trace, maybe track it to a lair and I’ll follow the woman?”
“Okay.”
Anthan stayed with the train, carefully checking at each station in case the woman alighted. Three stations on, he felt her lapse a little in her maths sequence and he “heard” her give a sigh of relief that her station was next.
When she got off the train, he decided it would make sense to see if he could speak with her. Somehow, he would have to convince her of the danger she was in. At the same time, he would try to search her mind to see if there was a marker.
He was lucky there were a few large trees near the station entrance where he could quickly land and transform. He saw her come through the exit and begin to walk toward the carpark. Walking up to her, he smiled and said, “Excuse me.”
She turned and looked at him. Then she peered into his face,
paying particular attention to his eyes then looking at his long hair.
Chapter Six
“A Hunter!” Her voice was filled with contempt, almost disgust. “Go away! Leave me alone!”
Anthan looked stunned. That this unknown woman would be able to recognise and know a Hunter was unheard of.
“I don’t understand. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Fine. Then go away. I don’t need you and I certainly don’t want a Hunter anywhere near me.”
“Look, Miss, I’m guessing if you know about Hunters then you also know about the strigoi. There is one at least in the area. You need to be protected.”
Anthan was amazed when she burst out laughing.
“Of course there’s a bloody vampire in the area. It’s been following me for at least two weeks.”
Flummoxed, Anthan didn’t know what to say.
The woman gestured with her hands as if shooing him away and continued. “Now if you’d just fly off and leave me alone.”
“I can’t leave you. You’re in danger. Surely you realise that.”
“Oh gee. Let me guess.” She cocked her head, tapping a finger to her chin as if thinking, her eyes skyward. She turned her stare back onto Anthan. “I’m not stupid! Of course, I know the danger. Now if you would just go, I can get on with things.”
“I’m sorry but you can’t possibly fight a strigoi. It will take you and you will die.”
The woman deliberately turned her back on Anthan and started walking away. He caught up to her and grabbed her arm. She shook herself free and glared at him.
“I’m asking you politely. Just leave me alone! I don’t want anything to do with Hunters.” She pointed off to the distance. “Go!”
Curious, Anthan asked, “How do you know about Hunters and the strigoi?”
Ignoring him she started walking again. “Are you still here?”
Anthan groaned with frustration. What on earth was going on? He kept pace with her.
“Do you really understand? Do you really know what would happen if a strigoi manages to take you?”
“Yes I know. I will die.”
“Eventually. After it has inflicted hundreds of wounds on you, torture you. Made you do unspeakable things. After you have begged it for death a thousand times. Yes—then you will die.”