Hunter Trials

by Caroline Peckham

  When Colt placed me down, I found Hawke watching us with a strange expression.

  The crowd started cheering and suddenly I was swept into the arms of Tykera and Harlen, crushed between them.

  “Holy shit, girl,” Tykera said.

  “Lucky you had Hot-stuff over there to catch you,” Harlen murmured in my ear and I laughed.

  Arabella's voice rang out over the clamour of the clans. “Mercy and Accolt have completed the trial. They will be awarded privileges in their clans. But first...” She turned to us and I extracted myself from my friends, joining Colt's side as she addressed us. “By clan rules, you are now given the opportunity to present yourself to another clan.”

  “What?” I questioned, glancing at Hawke in surprise.

  He gave me a hopeful smile before I turned back to Arabella.

  She eyed Colt. “You may choose to leave your clan, but if you are not offered a place by your chosen Clan leader, you will be exiled. It is a great risk. One not often worthwhile.” She gave Colt a pointed look.

  My heart rate settled. I didn't want to change clans. And from the look on Hawke's face, he knew it. “I want to stay in Nox,” I said and Hawke nodded, reaching out to me.

  “You're welcome to,” he said, pulling me to his side possessively.

  I turned back to face Colt, expecting his decision would be to remain in Vita.

  “I choose Nox,” Colt said, facing Hawke.

  Silence rang out.

  My heart thundered in my ears.

  What is he playing at?

  Arabella looked like she'd been slapped with a wet fish.

  “You choose Nox?” Arabella echoed, her shock evident.

  “If Hawke will have me,” Colt confirmed, folding his muscular arms.

  Hawke tensed beside me. I gazed up at him, finding his jaw ticking dangerously.

  “Say yes,” I hissed at him, shaking his arm.

  Hawke glanced down at me, his mouth dropping to a thin line.

  “Hawke,” I snarled and he rolled his eyes.

  “Fine,” he said to Colt, his tone flat. “You may join my clan.”

  Colt moved toward Arabella, evidently wanting to say something, but she drew away from him, her eyes cooling. He breathed a sigh, moving toward Hawke and holding out a hand to him.

  Hawke ignored it, turning on his heel and heading through Nox Clan at a fierce pace, leaving us together.

  “Colt, what the hell?” I nudged him. I mean sure, I was thrilled. The more friends I had close, the better. But why had he chosen to leave Vita? Had it been so bad?

  He shrugged in answer, but a smile pulled at his lips.

  I spotted Harlen ahead of us, pumping his arms by his hips. My cheeks burned and I turned my head sharply away to look at anything else. Thankfully, Colt hadn't seemed to notice.

  We walked together, trailing after Nox Clan, my heart floating in my chest. I could hardly believe it was over.

  When we arrived back in Nox cavern, the crowd dispersed, heading off to chatter about the trial. I spotted the red stain of blood where Reece had been found dead. Mainly because Hawke had halted beside it, arms folded. He pointed at it, beckoning Colt closer.

  I drifted after him as Colt obeyed Hawke's command.

  “New male members of the clan clean up after the others. Scrub this stain out of the rock. I want it gone before the evening feast or you shall be punished.”

  I narrowed my eyes at Hawke, but he stepped smoothly away, heading toward his palace.

  Colt pushed a hand into his hair. “I don't think he likes me.”

  I squeezed Colt's arm. “He gets better.”

  Colt nodded. “Catch you later, Mercy.”

  I headed toward Hawke's quarters, hoping to use the bath house to wash. I wondered vaguely where everyone else went to clean and do their business. I'd been using the toilet in the bathhouse since my arrival.

  I was grateful to find the place empty and took full advantage, stripping down and sinking into the heated water, washing the blood and soot from my body.

  Although I'd completed the trial, I couldn't help feel a little disappointment at the fact I wouldn't have done so alone. But I guessed that was the way life was sometimes. Not everything could be done alone. And I hoped that didn't make me a weaker person.

  As I rested my head back against the black rocks, my thoughts drifted to Colt and his moonlight eyes. He'd saved me. And I wished I knew why.

  Kate was taking this all remarkably well all things considered. Apart from that fact she was nearly tearing holes in the passenger seat of my car with her fingernails. But she was bound to be anxious after what had happened. I couldn't focus on anything else except who the hell had betrayed my location. Someone in my goddamn work-force was feeding information to Rockley Jones. And I'd had enough of it. It was time I crushed the rat under my heel.

  We weren't followed as we arrived at the manor several miles away. I'd made a few uncalled for turns just in case, but the SUV was long gone. Concern niggled through me as I pulled up before the steel gates, stepping out of the car and typing in the passcode. They slid apart and I dropped back into the car, eyeing Kate's worried expression. It was unlikely she was the mole. But then again, Rockley had followed us near to her house. There was only a handful of people who'd known I was moving the body today. So at least that narrowed down who I had to interrogate.

  Driving up the long path that cut through a mowed lawn, dotted with apple trees. I parked the Mercedes in front of the white stone house. Two pillars stood either side of the entrance. It was an old building I'd saved from being demolished a few years back. The house was in disrepair, but my workers had made it livable.

  I stepped out of the car and Kate followed, hugging her bag to her chest as she took in the large house.

  She gazed around the garden, her pink locks dancing around her neck. She looked frightened. And that made me suspect her a little more. But I'd done a good background check on her. I had to have faith she was on my side. She was one of the few people I'd counted on.

  No, it's not her. But I'll have to ask her questions, just to be sure.

  The van was parked around the side of the house so at least my body had arrived. The sooner I could make more clones, the better. And the Reapers were already being shipped here from Africa, so it wouldn't be long before they arrived.

  “This way,” I instructed Kate, my voice harsher than I'd intended. But I had a right to be pissed off, dammit. I could have lost that body today. Did Rockley know what I'd been transporting? The only ones who'd known that was me and Kate. At least until my workers had picked it up. So I prayed not.

  I headed into the entrance hall of grey floors, the wall chipped and flaking plaster. The place was warm at least, so that was something, despite it not being overly homely for Kate.

  I guided her through to the lounge which had been transformed into a lab. It wasn't ideal. Tables were used instead of counters and the place was a bit of a mess. Equipment was piled in various corners, but a couple of my lab workers were busy there, making do with the space. One of them stood over a female Vampire in an armchair, taking a measure of V blood. With the coming changes, I'd been gathering as much blood as possible, ready for distribution. The Vampires in my care were paid well and they seemed happy with that, knowing they'd soon be able to go out into the world and find a home there.

  “Where's Fred and Kyle?” I asked one of my employees.

  “They're upstairs,” he replied and I headed across the room, opening a large fridge set up against one wall. Searching for what I needed, I took out three small vials of serum.

  Turning, I marched Kate out of the room and headed upstairs, heading along the dark landing to a door at the end. Kyle and Fred were setting up the cryo-chamber in the cleared-out bedroom, made ready for such equipment.

  The place was cold and smelt of must. I folded my arms, shutting the door.

  “Rockley Jones was tipped off about our plans today,” I announced and the
men glanced between one another, looking unnerved.

  “Not by us,” Kyle said quickly. He was a skinny man with too-large teeth.

  “The four people in this room are the only ones who knew I was making this move today,” I growled.

  Kate sucked in a breath. “You don't think I had anything to do with it?”

  I ignored her, glancing between the two men. “One of you did.”

  “Sir, we wouldn't,” Fred said, folding his hairy arms.

  “Then you'll all happily take an Oracle serum, won't you?” I ground my teeth, looking for fear in their eyes. Neither of the men seemed as fazed as Kate.

  “An Oracle serum?” she asked.

  I nodded, not looking at her. “Truth serum, specifically. Extracted from the blood of an Oracle. You won't be able to lie.”

  Kate's mouth fell open, then she nodded quickly. “Okay.”

  “Good,” I snarled, looking at the men. “Problems?”

  “No, sir,” they muttered in unison.

  I reached into my pocket, taking out the three vials and handing them out. “All of it,” I demanded and all three plucked the stoppers and drank the serum down.

  I directed my question at Fred first, feeling he might be the culprit. “Are you working for Rockley Jones?”

  “No, sir,” he said quickly, nodding his head.

  I pressed my tongue into my cheek, turning to Kyle. “And you?”

  “No,” he swore, eyes gleaming.

  I rounded on Kate, my heart rate picking up. Had I misjudged her so sorely?

  “Are you?”

  She seemed so small in front of me, clutching that damn bag still. Her eyes rounded and she shook her head. “No, Mr Madigan.”

  I grunted my rage. “Then who is it?” I asked no one in particular.

  Kyle stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Forgive me, sir. But I wonder if it is not a question of who but what.”

  “Explain,” I drawled, growing impatient.

  “Perhaps the house is bugged. Or your car...or your phone,” Kyle offered.

  I pursed my lips, taking out my phone and eyeing it. I'd bought a new one since I'd escaped Rockley, could he gain access to it? Or perhaps he'd hacked my emails...

  The suspicion for my workers wasn't going to do me any favours. I needed to know for sure that I could trust everyone in this house.

  Kate stepped closer, eyes bright. “I can work it out for you.”

  “You can?” I frowned.

  She nodded. “I know computers...it's kind of my thing. I have some hacking experience and if someone's bugging your personal accounts there'll be traces of their hack.”

  She reached for my phone and after a beat, I handed it over, surprised by her. “Thank you. How long will it take?”

  “It depends how well it's been hacked.” She smiled, pocketing the phone.

  “Let me show you to your room.” I guided her out the door, directing her to the room beside mine.

  It was simply furnished with white curtains and a single bed. Enough to get by.

  She turned to me as she stepped into the room. “If there is a hack...would you like to stall it? Or...”

  “Or?” I asked, curious as to what the girl had to say.

  “Well...” She grinned mischievously and a little dimple formed in her cheek, right below a freckle. “If there is a hack, you could lay a trap for Rockley. Send an email that he'll read...”

  I thought on that. “And what good would that do me?”

  “I don't know. Maybe you want to confront him?” Her eyes sparkled and I noticed how deepest ash brown they were.

  I nodded, thoughtful. “Let me know if it's hacked first, then I'll decide.”

  “Okay, sir.”

  “Silas,” I corrected automatically, but I didn't know why I kept pushing for her to call me by my first name. None of my other workers did. But I supposed if she was going to be attending events with me like my shadow, we might as well be on first name terms.

  “I'll leave you to settle in. The bathroom's down the hall.” I pointed and she glanced out of the room, nodding. “I hope you're not too rattled over what happened today?”

  “I am a bit. But honestly, I found it kind of thrilling.” Her cheeks pinked.

  My brows lifted. “And you're alright to continue staying here?”

  “Yes, sir. I like being close to you.” She cupped a hand to her mouth and guilt flashed through me as I realised the Oracle serum was still working on her.

  “Good,” I said quickly, my eyes scraping over her pink hair as I backed up.

  Funny little thing...

  I walked away, feeling her eyes on me as I headed downstairs. Perhaps Kate Preston had more strings to her bow than I'd realised. She would definitely come in handy. And I couldn't deny, the little nugget of truth she'd revealed to me made my chest puff up.

  Careful, Silas. Rule number one of business: keep things professional with your staff.

  Pain was often equal to pleasure. And my pain threshold was much higher than most. That was how I'd gotten through the trial with my back shredded. I knew it was messed up. Hell, even my father would probably have thought it was messed up. He liked inflicting pain on other people. And though I couldn't deny the power-trip killing gave me, hurting myself was like an equaliser. Everyone I'd caused pain would have wanted me to suffer. Shit, I wanted me to suffer. Sometimes I longed to cut out the devil who lived under my skin.

  As I sat on the pod I'd been given in Nox Clan, my hands rubbed raw from scrubbing the blood from the ground, I directed a blade against my inner thigh. Digging it in, I pressed down just enough to draw blood. I never cut where anyone could see. There was shame in it, but the release was too much to go without it sometimes.

  As I burrowed the blade a little deeper, the searing flare of agony gave me relief from the accusing eyes I saw in my mind. Those I'd seen killed in my father's games. The only way I could continue on in this world without the guilt swallowing me whole, was this.

  You're just like me. My father's voice.

  Yes, I was like him. I'd always be like him. And no blade would ever reach deep enough to carve that out of me.

  I shut my eyes, sighing as I let the blood out. It felt like releasing pain, not causing it.

  Quiet pressed in on me as I dropped the blade, then took a measure of alcohol I'd stolen from Nox's stores when I'd searched for cleaning products. I washed it over the cut, enjoying the keen sting. With familiar movements, I stripped a line of material from a shirt which must have belonged to the last owner of this pod. Then I bound the cut with it. I wondered what Mercy would think if she knew why I was so good at tending wounds...

  Her sparkling blue eyes were on me now. In my head anyway. She hounded me in my sleep, but not so often when I was awake. Why did the girl affect me so much? I'd chosen a solitary life when I'd murdered those Hunters. And she was no exception to that rule. So why did my heart twitch at the sight of her? Or my blood run hot? Why did I help her in the trials? Why couldn't I divide from her even though the clans had parted us since day one anyway?

  Her eyes: they were my problem. Those eyes were an open wound, deeper than any I'd sliced into my skin. She wore her hurt like a sash, quite the opposite of me. Though sometimes I wondered if she knew how much I saw that pain in her. Had she been aware of the way I'd watched her during our journey to my father's resort? How I'd had her tethered to my arm at night under the guise of keeping her my prisoner, and yet a darker truth had been driving my actions. Looking at her gave me the same relief as those cuts. Her presence was as sharp as any knife. And I didn't understand why. Which tormented me to no end.

  With my wound bound, I pulled on some trousers and dropped back onto my bed, huffing a breath. Dinner was soon. I'd eaten every night since we'd arrived, despite the rations growing increasingly low in Vita Clan. No man stood between me and survival. That was plain fact.

  The Harvest was next week and I knew Arabella had been keen for me to participate. Her
faith in me had been unfounded. Now, she most-likely despised me for double-crossing her and moving to Nox. But my plans were more important than her hurt pride. Bain provided the next step toward escape. And if Arabella wanted to benefit from that, she was more than welcome to.

  Perhaps I'd go to her, explain myself. But I couldn't tell her what Bain had asked of me. It was clear she respected Hawke. And turning against him or any of the clan leaders without formal challenge was breaking enough rules to have me hung. I knew the risk I was taking in accepting this mission. But I had to get out of there. Take Mercy with me, too. That was all that mattered. One dead V was worth that. Though Hawke was not going to go down easily...

  A rustle of noise caught my attention and those very eyes that owned me peered into my pod.

  “Sorry,” Mercy said. “I just wanted to see how you-” Her mouth fell open at the droplets of blood dotting the rock beside my bed.

  Shit.

  I got to my feet.

  “V blood,” I lied quickly. “For the injuries. Hawke sent it here.” It was half-true. He had given me blood for the wounds whilst I'd been scrubbing the floor, but I'd never use it to heal my own markings. Those would heal naturally, so the bite of them each day would remind me of the pain I'd caused others.

  “Oh,” Mercy sighed, relaxing. The noise was like warm hands caressing my heart. Why did her relief at my well-being soothe me so much?

  At my nod, she climbed up into my pod and I hurriedly wiped up the blood with a shirt. Guess everything in this pod was mine now.

  She hovered in the entrance and I patted the bed, encouraging her closer.

  She dropped down beside me, throwing me a small smile. Her hair was damp and the scent of her clean skin sailed into my nose.

  “So what's our clan leader really like? Is he always so cold?” I asked, furling a brow. I wasn't just interested because I had to kill him, I actually wondered whether he was a good guy. Especially because him being a shitty guy would have made killing him easier.

  Mercy hugged her knees to her chest, her eyes on the wall. “He's good....fair.” She shrugged, but I could tell there was more she wasn't saying.