Tainted Hunter (The Huntress Bane Book 1)

by Derek Shupert

  Preston pushes the door open farther and advances. I follow him inside to the cavernous sanctum of the council’s chambers.

  Seated behind a sprawling desk that lines the periphery of the back wall, the tribunal of gruff and gray men sit elevated above us. Peering down at us with their terse lips and judging eyes, Quinn, the head of the council, inquires as to the interruption.

  “What is the meaning of this intrusion?”

  His voice is infused with anger. The other two members, Donavan and Jameson, wait for our reply with narrowed gazes.

  Preston opens his mouth to speak, but I step forward.

  “The meaning of this intrusion is news of an imminent threat to Black Fields.”

  Quinn scoffs at the mere sight of me. We’ve never really seen eye to eye on anything. Right now, I’m useful to them, but that can change.

  “My tolerance of you leaving this city continually is growing thin,” he growls. “We have entertained this science experiment based on the initial findings of what it could mean for us. Without you, there is no cure.”

  “I am well aware of that fact, and as Preston has already informed you, there are plenty of samples he has of my blood stored. Any possible working solutions are then tested in the wastelands.” I clear my throat slightly. “But there is a more pressing matter at hand.”

  Quinn narrows his eyes, and stares at me with that intense gaze he has.

  “And what matter is more pressing than that of the cure?”

  “The vampires are planning an attack,” I advise. “I’m not sure when, but it seems to be soon.”

  “An attack?” he parrots. “From the vampires?”

  I confirm his question with a tilt of my head.

  “Yes.”

  Quinn leans forward in his plush chair. His skeletal fingers intertwine with each other.

  “And how did you learn of this news? The vampires have not tried to attack this fortified city for many years now. It is futile for them to think they can possibly do any such thing.”

  Preston takes a step forward and lifts his arm.

  I stop him by placing my hand on his shoulder.

  “I came across a colony in the wastelands that had been ravaged by raiders and vampires. They have apparently been colluding in secret for some time now. Working together for the singular goal of invading this city.”

  The other council members gasp at the thought. They whisper at Quinn as he stares at me. He holds up his right hand, and silences them.

  “And you witnessed such a thing first hand?” he asks. “It is not common practice for the demons, and even the filth of the wastelands, to willingly engage in such a manner.”

  I nod.

  “After killing off the nest feeding on the colonists, I interrogated one of the raiders. He took me to Old City, where I learned that a vampire by the name of Remus is planning to infiltrate Black Fields at some point with a number of his subjects. Mathesis confirmed as much.”

  Quinn chews on my words for a brief moment. From the sour look on his aged, wrinkled face, I’d say he’s mulling it over.

  “And the demon lord himself informed you of this impending doom that is set to befall us?”

  “Yes. He has been taunting me through my dreams about such an event. This isn’t something that should be ignored or not taken seriously.”

  Quinn sits back in his chair. The ends of his boney fingers rap against his chin.

  “Perhaps we should entertain what she is saying,” Jameson poses.

  “The vampires are a sly and cunning bunch. It wouldn’t be surprising that they may attempt such a foolish endeavor, regardless how futile it may be,” Donavan adds.

  Quinn mulls it over a bit longer before retorting.

  “We shall reconvene and consider the matter you have brought us. Although I am skeptical that the demons can thwart our defenses, they are a cunning bunch, and I wouldn’t put it past them to try something new to try and gain access to the city.”

  I had hoped for a more immediate response to my concerning words, but feel relieved that they are reconvening to discuss next steps.

  “I would not wait too long to act. The lives of everyone in Black Fields rests in the balance.”

  Quinn dismisses up with a wave of his hand.

  “That will be all.”

  Preston drifts back toward the entrance. He gently grabs my arm and pulls me back with him.

  We leave the council’s chambers.

  Preston stops me in the middle of the hall.

  “So, all of what you said is coming this way?”

  I confirm as much with a slightly tilt of my head.

  “It’s going to happen. I am sure of it.”

  “They will do the right thing. I know they are a bit coarse and rough around the edges, but they are not blind and stupid.”

  I shrug and glance back at the council’s chambers.

  “We’ll see.”

  He turns to the side and points to his office.

  “If you have the time and are up for it, I’d like to run some more tests. Perhaps draw some more blood samples to see if there are any new developments.”

  “Of course. That’s the other reason I came. The last batch we had didn’t work. It failed to counter the vampire’s venom.”

  We head back to his office, which is rich with scientific gears and gadgets that are spread out over the spacious room. A multitude of machines and systems are set up in different sections of the laboratory. He’s a one man think tank for the city.

  I remove my coat, and toss it over one of the chairs near me. I hop up on one of the cheerless, white, padded tables. I swing my feet up and over, resting my boots on the edge. My arms fall to my sides, palms facing up.

  Preston wheels over an elevated table with a needle and rubber tube resting on the steel plate.

  “How have you been feeling? Have you noticed any more odd changes since the last time we spoke?”

  I stare at the ceiling and focus on the tiny black dots that cover the tiles as he wraps the rubber tube around my arm. Much like being touched, having the needle penetrate my flesh sends a flood of horrid memories of Mathesis’s fangs puncturing my skin. I’ve learned to cope with the unsettling feeling, but it still tries to get to me.

  “There have been some interesting developments,” I say.

  “Such as?”

  “My reflexes have become faster. Hearing is attuned to my surroundings. My body also is healing at an accelerated rate.”

  Preston probes my arm for a vein, his fingers firmly rapping against my skin.

  “Fascinating. Hopefully your blood will shed some light into these new-found changes.” He grabs the needle and plunges the tip into my flesh. I cringe and grumble under my breath as he draws the blood from my arm. “And the dreams? I take it that he still visits you frequently?”

  I nod as my lips grow taut.

  Preston pulls the needle free of my arm and places a piece of white cloth over it. He lifts my arm up in the air.

  He steps away as I expel the air in my lungs. My attention remains focused on the ceiling as the clomping of his footsteps on the tile floor plays in my ears.

  I keep the cotton pressed to my arm until the bleeding ceases. I swing my legs over and off the table and stand up. I retrieve my coat and slip it back on. I meander about the lab, chatting with Preston and answering the multitude of questions he has about Bethany and what happened in that house.

  The remainder of the day gets lost and transitions into night. The recent changes I have experienced, and the failed batch, has fueled an onslaught of additional tests. It has challenged our minds as to how this could impact us in finding a cure.

  The blood samples that he had taken earlier are scrutinized through numerous tests as we dissect any findings.

  Even with all of the talks of a cure, I’ve found it hard to really focus. I’m wound tight. With the threat of a possible attack from the vampires, I’m on edge. There hasn’t been any word from the counci
l yet on whether or not they are going to act on my words of warning. That has added to the stress.

  My mind finally drifts to Lucian. He’s probably moved on since I’ve taken longer than what I had let on. I still need to speak with him. Hopefully, he’ll still be in the city when I leave here.

  “Dear God,” Preston mumbles under his breath.

  I’m leaning against the wall off to his left. I glance back over my shoulder. “What is it?”

  He pushes away from the desk that he has been planted at for the better part of a few hours. Switching between computer terminals and lab equipment, he’s in a whirlwind of calculations and scientific discoveries.

  “I think I found something within this recent sample of your blood that may help us with progressing the cure forward to a working solution. I’ll need to run some more tests just to be sure, though. I want to be thorough with my findings. But, it’s looking promising.”

  Preston’s eyes widen, and fill with a hope that is welcomed. A smile slips across his face as I pat him on the shoulder.

  “That is some good news, indeed.”

  A warning klaxon blares from the hall.

  His smile vanishes. A look of concern floods his face.

  I turn and dash over to the doorway. I sling it open and look out into the hall. There’s no one in sight.

  I glance back to Preston who’s now standing at his desk with his radio pressed firmly to his ear. He listens intently, eyes shifting from side to side rapidly.

  The alarms never sound unless there’s a problem. One that I’m now fearing is coming to fruition.

  “What’s happening?”

  He finally looks over to me. A frightful expression washes over his face as he lowers the radio.

  “The vampires. They have breached the city walls.”

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  ONE

  Fuck.

  That was the first word that popped into my head after hearing Preston’s unsettling words. The vampires breached Black Field’s outer wall, somehow, and gained access to the city.

  I stand frozen by the open door with the klaxon alarm blaring in my ears. It’s loud screeching does little to stay the unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. I rush over to Preston, Black Fields’ top scientist and vampire expert, and lean in close to him. I parrot back what he said to make sure I heard him correctly.

  “Did you say that the vampires are inside the city? Is that what you’re telling me?”

  Preston nods. His face goes pale, and his gaze widens as the life drains from his body. He lowers down onto the stool behind him and stares off into space.

  I snap my fingers in front of his face, then wave my hand to bring him out of his trance. “Hey, come on. I need for you to focus here. Where have the vampires entered at exactly?”

  Preston shakes his head and cuts his gaze over to me. “There’s been confirmed sightings over by the sewage system.”

  “Do we know how many?”

  He shrugs. “It didn’t say. The message said for us to stay where we are. Not that it matters much here since the building is already locked down. The guards have been dispatched to intercept the creatures.”

  Black Fields guards. My faith in the armed guardians of the city is less than null. They may hold their own against any raiders or other nomads just fine, but the bloodsucking vermin are a totally different story. They’re stronger, faster, and don’t drop to the ground after putting a slug in their chest. It’s never that easy.

  Frustrated, I slam my fist down hard onto the top of his desk. Preston jumps off the seat. I point out toward the hall, and in the direction of the council members’ chambers a few doors down from here. “I told Quinn the demons were up to something. He should’ve acted immediately when I warned him that the vamps were planning something. Fucking asshole. Any blood spilt is going to be on that old codgers’ hands. That’s for damn sure.”

  I push away from his desk and turn around. I place my hands on the back of my head, and take in a big gulp of air. I release the tension and disdain for the council’s decision through pursed lips. I bet they’re wishing now they would’ve acted right then and there instead of waiting.

  It’s a mighty hard lesson to learn that is going to cost lives. Not theirs, obviously. Coalition Tower is one of the most secured structures in the city. There’s a shit ton of stone and concrete the creatures have to navigate before ever thinking about trying to gain access to this facility.

  The sound of boots hammering the floor in the hall catches my attention. Three guards, with rifles and UV lamps attached underneath the barrels, blow past the open door in a mad dash toward the elevator and stairs.

  Forget this. I’m not standing idly by as the innocent people on the streets are slaughtered by the vile demons. I must do something. I have to help in any way that I can.

  I make for the open door.

  Preston steps away from his desk and reaches out his hand as if to stop me from leaving.

  “Where are you going, Amanda? The tower has been locked down. We are to stay inside, and wait for further instruction once the creatures are dealt with.”

  I pause just shy of the doorway, and glance back over my shoulder. “The only way the vampires are going to be thwarted before racking up a huge body count is if I’m down there helping the guards.”

  “They’re not going to let you leave right now. You know that,” Preston reminds me.

  “They can try and stop me.” I rush out of his lab.

  The soles of my boots grip the tile floor as I race down the hall. My pace is quickened to the point where I feel like I’m gliding through the air. I blow past the elevator, and sprint directly for the stairs. I don’t have the time to wait.

  My stride widens, and I take multiple steps at once. I follow the circular staircase down to the ground floor and dash across the lobby. I need my kukri. It’s stored in one of the steel lockers, but I can’t remember which one the guard put it in when I came in earlier today.

  A handful of sentries stand ready at the main entrance of the tower. I count five. Their rifles are drawn and trained at the double doors. Poised and ready, they wait for any demons to try and breach the steel barriers.

  A guard spots me rushing toward them and halts me with his hand in the air. I come to an abrupt stop in front of him.

  “Sorry, but the tower has been locked down. We can’t let anyone in or out.” He points in the direction I just came from. “All personnel are being asked to wait in their offices until further notice. That goes for you, as well.”

  Yeah. Not going to happen.

  I point toward the hefty steel door. “You know what’s out there, right?” I inquire.

  He doesn’t divert his narrowed gaze from me. “We have it under control.”

  Control? I doubt that.

  “Ok, here’s the deal. I know how these things move and operate. I’m better equipped to handle those bloodsucking demons. You know it, and I know it as well. So does the council. The best thing you can do, not only for yourselves, but for the people in harm’s way, is to give me my blade back, and open that door. I’ll stroll out of this building and handle those fucking bloodsuckers before they tear open every person in this city, and bleed them dry. Or worse yet, turn them into a demon that I’ll have to dispatch later anyway. That sounds like a win-win for both us and the city, right?”

  He hesitates, shifting his weight between his legs, and repositions his hands over his rifle. “I wish I could, but it’s out of our hands. Rules are rules.”

  A standoff at a time that we don’t need it. I understand that they’re just doing what they’ve been ordered and trained to do.

  I ask one more time, keeping any hint of an attitude out of my voice. “I can help those guards out there defend Black Fields against the vampires. Not letting me through is going to cost way more lives than keeping me locked inside of this building. You’re making a grave mistake not allowing me passage out of here.”
<
br />   His rifle stays taut to his chest with his finger over the trigger. “I’m sorry, but the answer is still no. Please get back to your office, now.”

  I’m not looking to kill these men, just disarm enough of them, so I get out of here. I don’t want to resort to barbaric acts to get my way, but if that is what’s required, then so be it.

  My head lowers, then shakes from side to side. A sigh escapes my lips. “Just remember, I asked nicely.”

  I spring into action, advancing toward the guard within the blink of an eye. He stands motionless and moves in ponderous, slow motion.

  My left hand grabs the barrel of the rifle as my right arm swings upward under the weapon, knocking it free of his gloved hands. Shock and disbelief flood his face. I kick him in the stomach, and send him flying backward. He collides with two other guards, sending all three crashing to the floor with a dense thud.

  “What the hell!” another guard shouts out from my right.

  With his rifle to his shoulder, he tries to get a bead on me. I tear across the floor, and rip the rifle from his hands just as he discharges the weapon. I feel a slight tug on my upper right arm. I look to the wound to gauge its severity. A tear in my jacket reveals a thin stream of blood. It just grazed me.

  Not cool.

  I flip the rifle about, and ram the end of the stock into his face. The dense plastic makes contact on the bridge of his nose. It crunches under the harsh impact. He drops to the floor unconscious as blood races out from both nostrils. The battered and beaten guards lay on the slick tile around me.

  Four down.

  One to go.

  I drop the weapon and turn to the left.

  The guard’s hands tremble slightly as the gun jitters about within his grasp. From the looks of his smooth, young skin and unsteady grip on that rifle, I’d say he’s nothing more than an inexperienced shooter. A kid even.

  He gulps.

  I carefully approach. The last thing I want is for him to discharge his weapon and kill me. Then again, I can see how this may look to him as well—a hostile threat engaging the city’s armed defense in a barbaric and hostile way.

  “Listen, kid, I honestly didn’t want to do that, but I’ve got to get out of here. Lives are at stake. You understand, right?”