Her Dark Destiny (Hunters of the Dark #1)

by Dave Ferraro

Staring out of her jeep window at Styx, Shanna found her view of the other hunters partially blocked by her own phantom outline. She noted Felicia’s posture and the scowl on her face as she talked to Jordan and realized quickly enough that she did not want to be on the receiving end of whatever she was saying. Shanna let her eyes focus on her dim reflection in the glass and stared into her eyes ringed with dark circles. She looked tired. She’d been tired for a very long time. And if anything could be said about tonight’s events, it was that they’d changed her. She wasn’t sure if it was for the better or not, but she did know that she couldn’t go on living the way she had. It was time to move on, time to choose whether she wanted to be a hunter or not. And knowing deep down that she could never give up the fight, the decision came easy for her. It was funny. She’d come so close to death because of what she did and it only reinforced her desire to keep doing it. To do it better.

  A small tap at the window broke Shanna from her thoughts, and she was startled to see that Jordan was peering in at her. She blinked, wondering how long she’d been sitting there thinking, and rolled down the window, forcing a smile that she was sure couldn’t have looked very convincing.

  “Hey,” he said in a soft voice. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m good,” Shanna replied, feeling uncomfortable under his sympathetic gaze. “Look, I’m really sorry for -”

  “No apology necessary,” Jordan interrupted her, waving his hand like he were dispersing her words.

  “I know it’s not necessary,” Shanna said. “But I ruined your plan.”

  “No, you didn’t. This group moves fast - they were already gone by the time I got in there. And there will always be a next time to catch up with them.”

  Shanna nodded and ran a hand back through her hair, as if such would smooth away the helplessness that she felt, having had him witness her meltdown.

  “Hey, don’t worry about it,” Jordan told her softly. “We’re not telling anyone. It never happened. Okay?”

  “I appreciate it.” She smiled up at him, for real this time.

  “Clean-up crew will be here in less than ten,” Felicia informed them, strolling up to the jeep, all but ignoring Jordan. “I suggest we not be here when they arrive.”

  “Did you end up killing the shape-shifter up here?” Shanna asked suddenly, looking past them at the parking lot.

  “Felicia did,” Jordan said, looking over at the other hunter. “With a shotgun.”

  “Only because you distracted it long enough for me to get to my car to get it,” Felicia said, meeting his eyes begrudgingly, then smiling. “Team work. Imagine that.”

  “Hey, don’t forget I got it to go between some cars where it couldn’t roll around very fast,” Jordan told her. “I practically handed you that shot.”

  Shanna laughed. “Anyways, do you want me to drop you guys off anywhere?”

  Felicia shook her head. “I have my own wheels. Thanks anyway.”

  “I could use a lift to the train station,” Jordan said. “If you really don’t mind.”

  “Hop in,” Shanna ordered him with a smile.

  As he clambered in with his bag, Felicia leaned on the car door.

  “You would be great with The Agency,” she told Shanna. “You really should think about it.”

  “I’ve already thought about it. I’m going to do it.”

  Felicia grinned. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Right on. Good. It’ll be good for everybody involved. Want me to talk to Valor for you?”

  “No. I’ll…I’ll give her a call. I’ve been such a brat with her - I hope she still wants me.”

  “She does,” Felicia said with confidence. “She probably would have convinced you to join eventually anyway, you know. She doesn’t like taking no for an answer. Not in her vocabulary. She can be a pest.”

  Shanna laughed lightly. “Good. I need a little pestering every now and then to keep me in line.”

  Standing up abruptly, Felicia looked back over her shoulder. “I should get going. The crew will be here shortly. Good luck.” Her eyes flicked up to Jordan. “See you later.”

  “Till we meet again,” Jordan said, sending her a salute.

  Shanna rolled up her window as Felicia walked off into the darkness, framing the scene, pressing the moment as dried lavender between thick, laminated pages. She watched her retreating form until she could no longer see her. Then she turned to Jordan, who was watching her.

  “So, you’re joining The Agency, huh?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” Shanna said, averting her eyes, suddenly mortified by the coat of dust upon her dashboard, the garbage piled up in the backseat, and also very aware that she was alone with this man who’d seen her in a state of weakness and defeat. It took some doing, but she managed to lift her eyes to his bravely. “What about you? I assume you’re on their payroll too?”

  “Actually,” Jordan paused and looked at her sideways. “I’m going to join them right now. I’m taking a train out to Lime Bay, New York, where their base is.”

  “That’s…great.” Shanna sighed. “Do you…think I should call Valor right now?”

  Jordan shrugged. “It would probably be a good idea.” He held up the cell phone that she’d left on the seat. It was like she’d left it behind for this reason. All of her other things were gone, in the club. But not her phone. Fate wanted her to make a phone call.