Before he flicked any more ash on my floor (and books) I pushed a half-drunk glass of water toward him, pointing at it.
Cade flicked the end of his cigarette into it and I relaxed.
“So, you got four names for me, right?” He confirmed and I nodded. “But you've only got a lead on one of them?”
I nodded again. “It took me a while, but I tracked him down online. He has a Facebook profile as if he's a normal person. A V on Facebook!” I shook my head, grimacing.
“How'd you get a name?” he asked casually, toking on his cigarette again.
“He told me his first name...when it happened. I spent years searching online, narrowed him down to the south of England first. Kept working through surnames...finally struck lucky six months ago. Then I contacted you.”
Cade ran his tongue over his lower lip. “Look, Pink. This ain't some game. This is serious shit. You do understand that you hirin' me means I'm gonna kill this fucker?” He pinned me in his dark gaze and my throat constricted.
I knew he wasn't taking me seriously. Leaning forward, I laid my palms flat on the glass table. “This Vampire and three accomplices attacked me and my family in an alley.” My lower lip trembled and my skin began to burn like fire. “They did...unspeakable things. To Mum....Daddy...” I couldn't go on, my eyes searing with tears. No crying. I'd cried enough tears. Way too many. This was a time for action, not emotion.
“I know what you are, Cade. And I have the money to pay you. I want them dead-” My upper lip curled back, “-all of them. Gutted. Ripped apart, limb by limb.”
Cade's expression hardened and he nodded stiffly, all business at last. “Alright. Here's how it goes from here.” He rested his hands on his knees, the cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. “I'll gather intel on the other three Vs from the one you already pinned down. Ain't gonna be pretty, I'll make sure of that. I'll inform you of any developments via the phone number I gave you. As in, each time I tick off a fucker on your kill list, you'll get a picture and a confirmation.”
I was already shaking my head. “No.”
“No?” A crease formed between his eyes.
“No,” I repeated.
I inhaled deeply, my body beginning to shake as I prepared to voice my thoughts. The decision I'd made a long time ago, the one I'd tried to build myself up to and still feared going through with. “I want to be there. For every kill. I want to look them in the eye-I want-” My hands curled into fists, my chest swelling at the image of me being in front of them, getting my revenge. Showing them I was strong, that they hadn't broken me.
Cade flicked his cigarette butt into the glass. “Not happenin'.”
“Then I'll hire someone else,” I said simply, standing.
Cade's eyes rounded. “No one professional is gonna carry your dead weight around with them on a job like this. Plus, how many hitmen in the world do you think deal with Vampires?”
I gestured for him to leave. “I'll find someone. I'm offering a lot of money. And I expect to get what I'm paying for.”
Cade's shoulders tensed. “Ain't gonna happen.”
“Then it doesn't concern you anymore.” I pointed toward the door.
Cade didn't move, his eyes sliding down me before returning to my flushed cheeks. “You're one crazy fuckin' chick.”
I ground my teeth together, glaring.
He held up his hands. “Hey, Pink, I ain't judgin'. You gotta be a certain kinda crazy to wanna kill people. Don't I fuckin' know it. But you also look like you're scared of your own damn shadow. And that kinda personality ain't gonna mix right with me. You think you can handle blood spewin' and guts flyin'? You ever seen shit like that before?”
I nodded firmly and his eyes narrowed on the DVDs strewn around the place. “In real life, Pink.”
I screwed up my eyes, memories curling around my mind. Blood flowing across the concrete, pooling around my head, matting in my hair.
“I know what it's like,” I breathed, barely a whisper.
His eyes narrowed and he nodded slowly.
“So...we have a deal?” I asked, hopeful.
He took out another cigarette, tapping it against the box. “How about this? I find the shitbags, round 'em up in one spot and I'll pick you up for the finale.”
I considered it then nodded my agreement. “Works for me.”
“Then give me a name.” He took a pen and paper out of his pocket, sliding it across the table toward me.
My hand shook as I picked up the pen and wrote down the name of the man who'd destroyed my life.
Seth Crane.
Below it, I scribbled the details I'd found on his Facebook page that would ensure Cade found the right person.
When I looked up, I narrowed my eyes on Cade. “What makes you capable of dealing with Vampires? Are you Immortal?”
He tilted his head. “What's it matter?”
“I'm just curious.”
Cade snatched up the pad and stood, lighting his cigarette. “All you need to know, is that I can handle it.” Eyeing the page, he tucked it into his pocket and headed out into the hallway.
I followed with a huff, watching from the living room as he opened the front door.
“I'll send you my mate's bank account details. Transfer half the pay by midnight or it's off.”
“Fine,” I agreed.
“See ya, Pink.”
“Be careful,” I called. “They're dangerous.”
He snorted a laugh, not looking back as he stepped out of the door and slammed it behind him.
I released a breath I felt like I'd been holding for three whole years.
Holy hell, it was finally going to happen. I was going to witness those arseholes getting their comeuppance.
Yeah, if you can walk out the front door, Kate...
The next day, I woke early to my growling stomach. I hauled myself out of bed, rolling my shoulders to loosen them up. I pulled on some trousers, then spotted a folded up top at the edge of my pod. I crawled toward it picking it up. I smiled at the sight of the long-line vest top, tugging it on.
Thank you Tykera.
I braided my hair after brushing it with my fingers. Iris hadn't owned any kind of vanity product, not even a hairbrush. Peeking down at the cave, I spotted several people setting up the ring they used for the brawls.
Harlen's words came back to me, Training day.
I climbed down from the pod, gazing around. There weren't many people up, only a handful out of their pods. The sound of someone snoring carried to me.
I spotted Elise helping to set up the ring and wandered toward her. She glanced up, smiling at the sight of me.
“Good morning,” she said, tucking a dark strand of hair behind her ear. Part of her hair was shaved away on one side of her head, but it suited her. Like everyone here, Elise had a strong look about her, but her arms weren't nearly as muscular as some of the other girls'.
“Morning,” I replied, helping her tie a rope to one of the posts.
“Are you ready for training?” she asked.
“Well I might be if I knew what I was training for.”
Elise giggled, her eyes wheeling toward Hawke's balcony and back. “You're not allowed to know, that's the rules.”
“Have you done the trial?” I asked.
She nodded, chewing her lip. “Hawke will ask you whether you wish to stay in his harem. If you want to, you can. But then he has to decide whether he wants you too. You have to do the trial either way.” Her eyes trailed toward where Tykera was climbing out of her pod. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “That's what happened to her. She asked to stay and Hawke told her no.”
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I narrowed my eyes at Tykera. She was so strong, probably one of the toughest women in the group. Why the hell had she wanted to stay in Hawke's harem? And hadn't she been the one who said he'd demanded sex from her?
“Why would she do that?” I asked Elise, realising my mistake as her cheeks turned pink.
I laughed. “Thanks for the vest.” I plucked the black material and Tykera's brows shot up.
“Girl, I already gave you a pillow, do you really think I'd give you my clothes too? I only have so much shit to spare.”
My brows pulled together. “Then who..?” I glanced at Elise and she smiled shyly.
“I thought you might like something else. Iris was a bit of a show-off.” Elise's cheeks brightened and I pulled her into a hug, surprising even myself. But hell, I needed friends around here. And I sure as hell wasn't going to deny any of them my gratitude.
“Thank you.” I released her and she pressed her shoulders back, turning to the ring.
“So who's training me?” I asked.
“Who do you think?” Tykera smirked, bowing to the balcony dramatically. “The almighty Hawke.”
My stomach dropped like a stone in a well. “Great,” I bit out.
Elise laughed. “You're so strange, Mercy. Everyone else here loves Hawke.”
“He's a moody bastard,” I said, folding my arms. “The only reason he let me off yesterday was because I insulted him. What kind of sense does that make?”
Tykera dropped her arm around my shoulders, whispering to me. “I don't always like him either.”
I lifted a brow. “Well Elise said you tried to stay in his harem,” I pointed out.
Her jaw dropped and she shot a look at Elise.
I fixed her with a stare, waiting for an explanation.
She threw her hands up in defeat. “Alright, fine. Maybe I had a thing for him once.”
“So when you said I shouldn't trust him?” I jabbed.
“I just don't want anyone else falling for his bullshit, that's all.”
I grinned at her. “You don't have to worry about that with me.”
“Nor me,” Elise said, surprising me. She shrugged innocently. “I'm not into muscly men.”
Tykera roared a laugh. “Well it sucks to be you. There isn't a single guy in Nox who isn't ripped.”
Elise shook her head, smiling.
Hawke appeared from his palace, bare-chested, his tattoos coiling around his arms and chest.
I diverted my gaze, but it didn't last long as he barked, “New girl!”
I bit down on my tongue, infuriated that he was now pretending not to know my name. I turned my head toward him, lifting a single brow in response.
Someone passed him a long wooden stick and a hunting knife. He ducked into the ring, beckoning me forward.
Tykera nudged me and I sighed, ducking low as I entered the ring. When I was stood before him, he passed me the blade.
I took the cool hilt in my palm, getting a good grip. Hawke held the stick at an angle.
“Shouldn't I have a stick? What if I stab you?” I asked.
He grinned cruelly at me. “You won't lay a finger on me, girl, let alone that knife.”
I ground my teeth, thinking of my mother, of what she'd do in this situation. I thought of her old advice to me about men, “Let them think they have the upper hand, then pull the rug out from under their feet when they can't see anything but their own ego.”
I bowed my head, eyeing the blade. “I guess you're right,” I said quietly and internally said, “I'm going to mark you with this blade. I'm a Vampire Hunter by blood. And I'm going to show you what that means.
I dropped my arm to my side. “So what do you want me to do?”
Hawke swept the stick behind my legs, knocking me onto my butt. I gasped, steadying myself on the floor as I gazed up at him.
“I want you to stay on your feet,” he growled.
I glowered at him and he returned it. This was personal. I could see it in his eyes. And if he wanted to make it personal then I was damn well happy to comply.
“Fine,” I snarled, rising to my feet.
You can do this. Don't let him make a fool out of you.
He pointed to my knife. “You get that within an inch of me, you get a break. Otherwise, we keep going until you manage it.”
“And what if I don't?” I whispered.
“Then we'll be here all night. And I'd really rather be doing other things. So try your best.” His tone was mocking and overly sweet.
I glared at him. “Get on with it then.”
He lunged at me, but I was ready for it, dancing away as he tried to sweep out my legs again. I was as fast as him, perhaps faster if I pushed myself. I was small too. Those were pretty much my only advantages, but in a game like this they might have been enough.
He cornered me against the edge of the ring and knocked me over again as I tried to run. I hit the hard floor on my back and the breath was forced from my lungs. I felt his hands on me, trying to help me up and I shook him off, rage spilling through me.
“Don't touch me,” I snapped.
I rose to my feet, turning, meeting his dark eyes, but for a moment they were gleaming with vulnerability. It was gone as quickly as it came. He gritted his teeth, lunging at me, catching me off-balance and knocking me down again. I was a heartbeat from smashing my head on the rocks when he caught my arm, pulling me upright.
His touch sparked an electric current under my skin. I shook him off, my heart beating out of tune. Why was I so upset? And why was he bothering me so damn much?
I leapt past him, darting for the other side of the ring. As he followed, I managed to dodge and jump several swings of that bloody stick. My breathing grew heavy. I could sense more and more eyes watching us from the surrounding clan. People were gathering, some of them cheering us on. Mostly they cheered on Hawke, but I heard Harlen calling my name a couple of times.
I gripped the blade tighter in my fist, knowing I needed to make a move soon. If I got exhausted, I'd lose any advantage I had and this game would be lost for good.
I tried to jump past him, but he swung the stick hard, knocking me down again. The breath was forced from my lungs and I gasped, dragging down air as I got to my feet. He waited, watching me as I planned my next move.
I darted left, turning mid-motion and diving to the right instead. I tore past him, trying to get away, but he came at me fast. I leapt over the stick, but it caught my ankle and I slammed into the ground, hitting my chin. I swore through my teeth, panting as I got up again.
I glared at him, my shoulders rising and falling.
He lifted a brow, fighting a grin as he came at me once more, not giving me a chance to recover. I tried to get past again but found myself on the ground for the millionth time.
He stepped forward, gazing down at me with an impenetrable gaze. “Up,” he demanded. He offered me his hand and I slapped it away, gaining my feet again.
It went on and on, sometimes I evaded him long enough to recover, but I always ended up on the floor. Time was ticking by and we'd gathered a sizeable group around us.
“Go on Mercy!” Harlen's voice reached me.
“You can take him!” Tykera called and I couldn't fight a smile, rising to my feet once more.
Hawke's jaw ticked as his gaze shifted to Tykera.
I thought of the girl I'd seen bringing a guy to his knees in a brawl a few nights ago. And whilst Hawke was distracted, I made my move. Ducking past him, I implemented the plan, charging behind him at high speed. I leapt with all the strength I had, diving onto his back and catching hold of his muscular neck. I pressed the blade to his shoulder and let it draw blood, just enough so he knew I'd defeated him. My heart pounded in my ears. Pride tore through my body.
“I win,” I breathed in his ear. “You just got slayed.”
He reached over his shoulder, catching my arm and squeezing so hard I had to release the knife. It clattered to the floor and people started clapping. Hawke tugged me forward over his shoulder, lowering me to the floor.
/>
He surveyed me through his deep chestnut eyes, then leant down and whispered, “We need to talk.” He turned, walking from the ring, leaving me shell-shocked and trembling with adrenaline.
Someone grabbed my arm and I found Tykera there, holding my arm up, declaring me the victor.
“He totally let you win,” she said through her teeth.
“Did not,” I hissed.
“He went easy on you.”
I pulled free of her hold, giving her a shrug and heading after Hawke. I guessed it was time we cleared the air...
Heading up the stairs, I found him in his room, facing the balcony. I was sweaty and boiling hot, but being a V, he looked completely unaffected by the fight.
I shut the door to get his attention, pressing my back to it and folding my arms.
He turned, his brows low, shadowing his deep-set eyes. “Mercy...”
“Oh? You remember my name now, do you?” I said coolly.
He sighed angrily, stomping toward me. “I cannot be the person I am with you in front of my clan.”
“And what kind of person is that exactly?” I asked promptly.
He released a low growl, inching closer. “You know what I mean.”
“No actually, I don't. You say one thing and then do another. You swore you wouldn't touch me,” I accused, my heart rate rising.
He glanced away, guilt sweeping through his expression. “I know,” he snarled.
“And you did,” I pointed out.
“I know,” he snapped, turning to me again. “I obviously read the situation wrong. I'm sorry, alright? It won't happen again.” He stood up to his full height and I wondered why on earth this huge, scary man was being so lenient with me. Why he was bothering to apologise to me at all. A girl who was a fraction of his size and hadn't even been in Dødstårn for a week.
I took a step closer to him, a strange kind of clarity hitting me. Everything had been so crazy after my parents' deaths. And even before then, I'd sworn off men, forced myself to try and forget about the past. But I suddenly realised why Hawke was acting the way he was. It was exactly the way the men had behaved around me back on Raskdod. He wanted me. Which put me in the position of power that I'd chased all my young life. But it didn't satisfy me one bit to know that. Because it meant one thing: I was still that girl.
Hunter Trials Page 10