Hunter Trials

by Caroline Peckham

  Tension spilled through the cavern. The whole Clan was present and silence stretched out as everyone waited to see what would happen.

  Colt planted his feet, lifting his fists, but Hawke did nothing but wait. When Colt advanced, Hawke stepped back, smirking.

  Hawke promptly turned his back on Colt and everyone in the clan started murmuring anxiously.

  Colt threw caution to the wind and leapt at his back. Hawke moved like an apparition, turning and slamming his whole weight into Colt's body, trying to knock him to the ground. Colt fought back, ramming his shoulder against Hawke's.

  They pushed apart and started throwing punches, moving so fast, I could barely keep up. Colt took a hard hit to the head, but it didn't slow him one bit, countering the attack with two heavy blows to Hawke's ribs.

  My breathing picked up as they continued to fight ferociously, neither of them seeming to tire. Hawke tried to sweep out Colt's legs more than once, but every time he managed to stay upright. Colt was soon gleaming with sweat, but Hawke's Vampire body was unaffected, and any cut he received immediately healed over, surely giving him the advantage. He let Colt throw punches, parrying only when necessary. He was trying to wear him out and from the strained look on Colt's face, it was starting to work.

  The clan was calling out, growing excited by the fight, some picking up their usual chanting.

  When Hawke landed a bone-cracking punch to Colt's ribs, some of the men pounded their chests and shouted, “Ooh-rah!”

  My gut clenched tightly at the sight.

  Come on, Colt.

  Colt stumbled backwards and Hawke strode forward, snatching his throat and throwing him to the ground. Colt laughed, surprising me and probably everyone else in the room.

  Hawke fell atop him and the referee prepared to call time. With a grunt of effort, Colt rolled them over, locking his thighs around Hawke's waist and pinning him to the floor. In moments, Hawke rolled them again, grabbing Colt's head and cracking it against the floor. In response, Colt threw a punch to Hawke's jaw and his head whipped sideways.

  With a roar of effort, Colt flipped Hawke over and was once again on top. The referee looked alarmed. My heart was wheeling in my chest.

  This is insane!

  “There's a five second rule,” Harlen explained to me and I nodded.

  My pulse thrummed in my ears. Part of me wanted to stand up, the nervous energy coursing through me making my legs twitch.

  Hawke lay still and the referee started counting out loud. Before he made it to four, Hawke reared up and slammed his knee between Colt's legs. Colt wheezed as Hawke rolled them once more, pressing his whole weight down on him.

  “Dirty,” Harlen purred. “I like dirty.”

  “You are so gross,” Tykera laughed.

  Colt gripped Hawke's face, pushing him back as hard as he could.

  The referee called time.

  A breath of relief passed my lips. It was over.

  Hawke stood, the bruises on his skin healing over and vanishing from sight. Colt was in a worse state, bloody and bruised, his right ear bright red and torn.

  Hawke snatched Colt's arm, dragging him to his feet and snarling in his face, “We done here?”

  Colt nodded, his jaw set as Hawke released him. Hawke pivoted on his heel, marching straight toward me and ducking under the rope.

  “Up,” he commanded. “You're coming with me.”

  I folded my arms. “Er-no I'm not?”

  “Yes you are,” he snarled through his teeth, looking fierce. “Get. Up.”

  I stayed in position and he released a dark chuckle. Bending down, he scooped me into his arms and threw me over his shoulder, marching me toward his private quarters.

  Alarm swept through me. I pounded my fists against his back, hearing the clan cheering wildly. Hawke didn't put me down until we entered his room and I served him my most angry scowl.

  I planted my hands on my hips. “You pig. What the hell are you doing?”

  He laughed, running a hand into his hair which had fallen loose from its usual braid. “Bringing you here as my prize to remind everyone who's in charge here. Mainly your jumped up little friend, Colt.”

  I sighed dramatically, turning to leave. “I'm not going to have everyone thinking we had sex.”

  “They already think that,” he replied.

  “Colt doesn't,” I snapped then clapped a hand to my mouth, unsure where the words had come from.

  Hawke released a low growl and I glanced back, hovering by the door.

  “Exactly,” he said in a deadly tone. “You're mine as far as he knows, got it?”

  “No, I don't 'got it',” I snapped. “Why do you care what he thinks anyway?”

  “You're his weakness. And I have to keep him in line. So you're mine unless I say otherwise.” His brows pinched sharply together as he glared at me.

  “I'm not his weakness,” I said, laughing a little manically. “You're being ridiculous.”

  “I know what I'm being and it's not ridiculous, it's damn smart,” he snarled and his expression told me not to push him.

  I gazed at him for several long seconds before I tilted my head and pointed to my neck.

  One of his brows quirked up. “What?”

  “Drink,” I sighed. “You missed dinner, right? I'm guessing that's why you're acting like a rabid dog?”

  He chewed the inside of his cheek, clearly tempted. “I'll drink from another girl. It doesn't need to be you.”

  “It's fine,” I insisted. I seriously needed to diffuse the bomb that was Hawke.

  He inched closer, then shook his head. “No, it's a bad idea. I can't control myself with your blood. Or your general...way.” He gazed over me hungrily.

  “My way?” I snarled. My temper rose, heat bubbling under my skin. Was he trying to piss me off right now?

  He smirked. “Well it's no secret that I desire you now, is it?”

  The bold admission was like a pin popping the angry balloon in my chest. My neck grew hot. In fact, all of me grew hot. But I had to admit, deep down, I'd known he was attracted to me. He had kissed me after all.

  “I don't want to overstep any boundaries, Mercy,” he said, his tone lowering. “I know how you feel about men. And frankly, that makes me want you more. Which probably makes me a grade A arsehole, but that's just the way it is.”

  I chewed my lower lip, heat crawling into my cheeks.

  “You're not an arsehole,” I said eventually, the tension running out of my body.

  Something in me urged my legs to move and I soon closed the distance between us, slipping into his personal space. The warmth flooding my veins could only have meant one thing: I was attracted to him. And that knowledge was like a weight on my shoulders. I couldn't go there. I couldn't cross those lines again with anyone. It was too risky. My heart couldn't take it.

  Confusion riddled me. I was moving toward him physically, yet trying to retreat internally.

  What are you doing?!

  “Drink,” I commanded, taking control and battling away the screaming voice inside my head. If I was in charge, it felt easier. It felt...right somehow. And a dangerous part of me wanted to test how strong my resolve really was.

  I gripped the back of his head, drawing him down to my throat.

  “Mercy,” he growled against my skin. A warning? I didn't really know, but seconds later, he gave in and drank from me.

  I shut my eyes as the sharp pierce of his fangs slid into my neck. Power rode through me on a wave. I let myself devour the feeling. Having something over a strong leader like Hawke gave me a thrill I'd never quite experienced before. But I didn't know where it would end if I continued down this path. My resolve weakened as his bite stopped and his lips brushed my neck, raising goosebumps on my skin.

  You're strong. You don't need men anymore.

  Taking his chin, I guided his head upright, my eyes locking with his.

  “Stay still,” I commanded and he did, giving me another thrill. God, why did it fe
el so good bossing him around? Maybe because I'd been the one ordered around my whole life. I was finally in control. And of someone so powerful, they could have broken me in two. Someone who shouldn't have been letting a new inmate tell him to do anything. Even Colt had been the victim of that particular wrath. But not me. Why not me?

  I slid my palms up his cool chest, feeling the hard planes of his body growing tauter beneath my fingers.

  “I don't understand you,” he growled. “It drives me crazy.”

  “I know,” I breathed. I don't understand me either.

  I wanted to take something from him, the same way men had taken from me in the past. But it was a bitter thought. A cruel one. And I tried not to fall into the trap of it. I could feel talons taking hold of my heart, digging in tight and urging me on.

  Take back what they took from you.

  I tip-toed up, hesitantly brushing my lips over his and sliding a hand into his hair. He didn't respond, letting me get away with murder again. I took his hand, laying his knuckles against my cheek and guiding his palm down to my collarbone.

  He breathed in, visibly swallowing. “You can have me,” he growled. “All of me.”

  I gazed up into his eyes, dropping his hand so it fell to his side, power taking root in my chest and sprouting shoots. “But you can't have me, Hawke. You can't ever have me.”

  Absorbing his cool expression a moment, I turned, exiting the room and shutting the door sharply. I pressed my back to it, dropping my face into my hands. I had no idea what had gotten into me, but it felt bloody good. I'd proved how strong I was. How easily I could turn my back on someone I desired.

  But whilst I thought on that, a quiet part of me was drawn elsewhere, toward a pair of silver eyes that looked like the moon. And soon, I was heading back down to the cavern searching for Colt.

  By the time I found him amongst the crowd, someone had given him V blood. His wounds were healed and he didn't seem remotely pissed off about losing the fight. In fact, he seemed thoughtful, contemplative.

  I dropped down on a cushion beside him, jolting him out of his reverie.

  “You alright?” he asked, his eyes honing in on me. He always asked that, as if he genuinely cared. Hawke was wrong about Colt. I wasn't his weakness. But I thought I might be his friend.

  “Yeah.” I rubbed my neck, realising I hadn't stuck around with Hawke long enough to heal the bite mark.

  Colt eyed it with a frown, leaning closer. “We're getting out of here Mercy. You won't have to be his blood bag much longer.”

  I gave him a bemused expression, not really believing him, but letting myself buy into the idea for a moment. “And where will we go when we escape?”

  “Where do you want to go?” he asked.

  His eyes drank in all my attention until I couldn't see anything but those two silvery slices of the moon.

  I considered his question. I didn't belong anywhere anymore. So there was only one answer that came to mind.

  “Somewhere the sun shines.”

  ✭☠ ✭

  The days ticked by and I soon fell into a routine, spending time with Tykera and Harlen, helping with chores and generally trying to keep away from Hawke and Colt as much as possible. Their eyes found me too often. Hawke wanted me and Colt wanted to protect me. Those truths alone were enough to keep my mind occupied with questions. I'd decided to stay away from them to get my thoughts realigned. Something about Hawke drew me to him and something about Colt's presence made my heart flower and open. I wasn't ready for either of those things. Not even a little bit.

  The Harvest was fast approaching and I'd been on edge since Bain had been released from the hole. The day before the battle over the rations, Hawke called a meeting.

  I gathered amongst the crowd and Harlen walked me to the front of the line, though I'd rather have remained out of sight. Hawke stood with his arms folded, gazing around the clan. His eyes skimmed over me, halting a little too long before moving on.

  When everyone was assembled, Hawke spoke to the room, “I'll be selecting thirty warriors for tomorrow's battle. I know a lot of you have been training. If you wish to volunteer, you may do so. I'll be accepting admissions all day, so approach me when you're ready. I will be fighting, so there are only twenty nine places remaining. We need a good haul this month, so I will only allow our strongest clan members to fight to ensure we have the best chance of winning. Remember the risks of the Harvest. We lost sixteen members last month. We cannot fail so miserably ever again.” He gazed around then dismissed everyone, heading to the back of the room where someone had placed a throne of iron, splitting at the top into a fan of sharp spikes. Hawke dropped onto it and several men and women immediately queued up to speak with him.

  I spotted Colt moving into the line and my stomach rolled. Was he really ready for a battle? I couldn't imagine putting myself up for the position when we were already facing dangerous trials. Apparently, we had another one at the end of the month. Tykera had explained new members were given regular trials to ascend positions in the ranks. After the third, they'd become optional. And all other clan members were allowed to participate to gain ranks or win privileges and marks of honour.

  I headed away from the crowd and a ruffle of feathers caught my attention. Glancing up, I spotted a green parrot sailing down into the cavern and landing on a tall man's shoulder. “News from the outside! Anyone who sent messages may have a reply,” he called to the clan and several people ran to his side. The man unfurled notes from the parrot's leg, handing them out to the group as he read the names on them.

  Harlen jerked his head at me, beckoning me closer. I moved to his side, brows raised.

  “Hey, I wanna send a message to Jameson. Do you want to say anything?” He had a note in his hand, filled with scrawling writing.

  I nodded quickly and he turned the note over before handing me a pen. I hurriedly wrote a quick message on the back.

  Hello from prison.

  I hope you're alright. I know you probably got out of Rockley's resort seeing as you're not bunking with me right now. But it would be nice to know for sure.

  Mercy

  P.S If I ever get out of here, is there a chance I'll have a place amongst you and the other Immortals?

  I'd added the last part on a whim. Maybe Colt would get us out of here. And even if he didn't, sixty years wasn't forever. It'd be nice to know there was somewhere I could go if and when I left Dødstårn. It hit me how much my feelings had changed since I'd arrived. My death had seemed so certain before I entered the prison, but now a possibility of a future life was opening up to me.

  Harlen took the note from me, rolling it up. “He's gonna lose his shit when he finds out I'm alive. Especially because he's probably the reason I'm still here.” He headed away, passing the scroll to the man with the parrot before returning to my side.

  He had a thoughtful look on his face and I tilted my head, catching his eye.

  “Jameson saved me too. I mean...he didn't mean to,” I said. “In fact, I think he meant to kill me, but then he changed his mind.”

  Harlen chuckled. “He's a good man. I was angry with him for a while. He left me behind after we made port in Tortuga. Took our crew and headed off in search of Varick. I guess he found him?”

  “Not exactly. They met in the V Games. They were both prisoners of my family.” Guilt swirled through me and I battled it away.

  Harlen rested a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, Blondie. I know your parents were arseholes, but you seem pretty cool. You're totally reinventing the Helsing name around here.”

  “Yeah?” I asked, surprised.

  “A lot of people talk about you. Not all good things, but some are. Mostly, they admire you or are intrigued by you. And I'm a V so I know what I'm talking about. Do you think I'd be friends with a Hunter unless she wasn't a totally rocking chick?”

  I laughed, shaking my head. “Hunters have done so many bad things.”

  Harlen's brow lowered. “And other Immortals haven'
t? Plenty of blood has been spilled at the hands of Vampires, even Sirens. Just look at Bain.”

  “Why is he here? Do you know?” I asked.

  Harlen nodded, a grave look in his eyes. “He used his Siren gift to manipulate a lot of people. Hunters, Immortals, humans. He did a lot of despicable things. Not just rape – but of course that was part of it.”

  “How do you know about this?” I breathed.

  Harlen glanced in the direction of Hawke. “He told us, after Bain was exiled. They were friends before all that shit went down.”

  I nodded, a question blooming in my mind. “Why are you here?”

  Harlen swallowed hard. He hung his head. “I'm here for an idiotic reason.”

  I chuckled. “You have to tell me. You know all about me.”

  A grin crept onto his face. “I spouted off about Immortals for years and years. I used to tell stories, my father's stories, about encounters he'd had with Immortals. Pretended it was me. But after Jameson abandoned me, I spiralled into madness for a while. No one believed my stories any more, they thought I was mad. So I decided to find an Immortal and prove it.”

  “And did you?” I gasped.

  He nodded, his expression dark.

  “When my father died, I inherited a lot of money and his ship. I went off sailing around the world, hunting for Immortals. It took me years, but I eventually found a Vampire. A skinny little girl, barely over ten years old. She was weak, hungry. She'd been living on a remote island in the pacific. She was the first real Immortal I'd ever seen. And I knew what she was, the way she tried to bite me. I was certain of it. So I had my men round her up and take her back to England.” He held a hand to his throat, looking uncomfortable.

  “And?” I urged.

  “I fed her my blood on the journey there.” He cleared his throat. “When her thoughts were sharper, she became grateful to me. We were friends in a way. One day, she asked if I wanted to be like her. And hell, I did. I wanted Immortality, who wouldn't? I didn't realise the price I'd pay for that. The eternal darkness, the bloodlust.”

  I nodded, wrinkling my nose.

  “I decided to do it when we arrived back in Southampton. She explained I'd have to die, be buried underground until I rose again – crazy stuff. But I was a crazy kid. I barely even blinked at the chance. I just said yes and dived straight in.” He smiled mischievously. “My crew were there when I rose from the ground. They witnessed the whole thing and decided to tell the world about it. But the young girl told me I was playing with fire. That it would break the laws of the Watchers if I told even more people about Vampires. She was scared. I should have listened to her, but I was so damn ready for people to take my stories seriously at last...”