Title: The Huntress

Chapter Three

Author Paige Knightly

Notes: Yay! Another update. The ending of this chapter might be a bit hurried since I wanted to post it before I leave for vacation. I'm not going to be in the country for the next three weeks and I won't have a computer with me so I wo'nt be able to write or post anything during that time. I'm planning on editing the end of this chapter and going through grammer and spelling check when I come back. I'm posting this at 2:30 am and my flight is today at noon. Hehe... I'm a pretty bad procrastinator. I even have some stuff I need to pack. Either way, hope you enjoy the chapter!

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Leaning against one of the club’s two bars, I took a sip out of my tequila glass, watching the writhing mass of bodies in front of me. Loud pulsing beats shook the floors of the Styx as dancers took to the floor doing flips and summersaults in an impressive array of styles. On stage a male singer and two guitarists played a slow seductive song that caused the crowd to sway and move to the enticing beat. Even as I watched, the song picked up, forcing the entire crowd to shift gears and dance more furiously to keep tune with the music. Near the speakers, a woman dressed as a belly dancer grinded against a man wearing tight leather pants and a shirt that revealed more than it concealed. The women leaned close with a bewitching smile before taking hold of the man’s hand and led him into one of the club’s backrooms. As the woman turned, the scarf around her head tipped to the side and a snake poked out. The snake quickly grabbed the edge of the scarf and straightened it before the man noticed the small oddity.

A gorgon. I wasn’t expecting to see one in San Francisco since they are native to Greece. Known for their gaze that could turn any living creature into stone and their hair of living venomous snakes, gorgons thrived on cruelty. They needed a constant diet of raw meat to survive. Though any animal can subdue their hunger, most gorgons prefer human flesh.

I silently watched as the couple disappeared from view then turned back to my drink. In normal circumstances I would chase and hunt the female gorgon, but not this night. Tonight I watch and listen. One gorgon can only kill so many people, but a gang of rogue Upirs can cause much more damage. A Hunter must decide when to execute an order that will sacrifice one life to save thousands more. Unfortunately for the man his life is negligible to the mission.

I took another sip from my drink and saw the glass was nearly empty. I flagged down the bartender who nodded his head in acknowledgement. Alex wasn’t lying when he said the Styx was popular. The club was packed with people and there was an unending flow of drinks. It would be awhile before the bartender gets to me so I settled down and waited when a red haired male wearing a black cape and fake vampire teeth suddenly sat beside me.

"Hey, beautiful.”

I gave the man a cold look and turned away, saying nothing. It was a clear dismissal. The male twitched, but then gave a bright smile, trying to strike up another conversation.

"Let me guess,” he said, leaning backwards and boldly wandered his eyes down the full length of my body, eyes lingering on my chest. “You’re… Helen of Troy.”

I snorted, “Wrong.”

The man tried to get a conversation going several times, but after running into either one or no word answers, gave up, and went onto the dance floor, no doubt looking for another girl to woo.

After sitting at the bar for two hours I have yet to hear any news regarding the Strigoi Upirs. My annoyance levels were also at an all time high after three “romantic” advances. I hated clubs with a passion. There was too much noise and too many people, the least favorable situation that a Hunter wants to be in. Unfortunately, most espionage is done in clubs and bars since those are the places the monsters frequent the most.

I slowly swirled my half-empty drink when the band abruptly stopped and a man got on stage, trying to get the audience’s attention. The speaker tapped his microphone and when he found that it worked gave the crowd a loud shout, “Hey, everyone. How are you doing?”

The crowd roared, whistles and screams echoing in the large room.

"Awesome. For you newbies here at the Styx, every Friday we have a costume party as I’m sure you noticed,” At this the speaker gave a significant look to a group of males standing near the stage who wore various outfits from the Rocky Horror Show. “Fridays are also free music night where the audience gets to choose which songs the DJ will play. So take yourselves over to the counter and pick out the songs you want to jam to.”

The crowd cheered when the man walked offstage and another song started up, making the once still crowd go wild. Sweat slicked skin rubbed against each other as bodies moved in a sensual dance to the music. I was so focused on the mass that I didn’t notice the hand until it gently covered my shoulder. Startled, I wiped my head around and saw a young man, dressed in an eighteenth century gentleman’s outfit, flash me a smile. The man’s wavy blond hair fell just above his shoulder, emphasizing his soft features and stunning hazel eyes that made him look more beautiful than handsome. It took me three seconds to realize my heart was beating faster than usual and another three to realize that I had stopped breathing. I smiled back as the word incubus echoed in my mind.

Incubi were male demons who preyed on sexual energy, the male counterpart to their sisters, the succubi. Because of the similarities between the two species, incubi and succubi have always worked together, allies in every war, conflict, and discord that has ever occurred in history… except one. No one knows why the succubi allied with the Lilu Upirs instead of their brothers. The reasons why the fighting began are lost to the Hunter records. The only thing known to us is that after seven centuries of warfare the succubi demons and Upirs made a pact with the incubi, a tentative alliance to end the bloodshed. To this day both succubi and incubi have stayed true to the alliance, which made the blond incubus right in front of me my new best friend.

"I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before,” the man said, sitting down on the stool Dracula boy just occupied.

"Is that so?” I gave a flirty smile. “Do you make it a rule to familiarize yourself with the usual patrons?”

I saw the man grin when he heard my voice. “My friends and I come here often so it is easy to recognize new people.” The bartender arrived and Alec ordered a Long Island then glanced at my empty glass. Giving me another smile, he asked, “May I offer you a drink?”

I tilted my head, causing my hair to slide down my shoulder. “No thanks. I don’t take drinks from strangers.”

The man laughed, eyes shimmering under the club’s dim lights, “Then let’s not be strangers. My name is Alec Laroque. And you are…”

"Just a fan of the arts.”

"A muse, huh?” Alec paused and studied my costume. “Melpomene?”

"Yes,” I said, genuinely surprised. “I have to admit I’m shocked you figured out who I am. Most people thought I was Helene of Troy.”

Hearing the statement, Alec gave a dismissive wave. “Unlike my peers, I prefer not to confine my knowledge to only Hollywood movies. I find my joy within the written word.”

I nodded, “As do I.”

Alec turned and I felt him trail a finder down the side of my neck while his eyes stared deep into mine, entrancing me with their beauty. “Perhaps you would allow me to take you out to dinner tonight?”

My lips opened with an acceptance on the tip of my tongue when I suddenly blinked, thoughts jarring me back into reality. I gave my head a tiny shake and glanced at Alec, this time avoiding his eyes. “I’ll have to decline. I already ate dinner.”

I saw Alec startle, obviously never been rejected before, then give a wavering smile, confusion clear in his eyes. “That’s too bad. Then how about another night? Tomorrow perhaps.”

"I won’t be able to make it tomorrow. I have dinner plans with a business associate,” I said in mock gloom.

"Then maybe a phone number so that I can call upon you.”

"That I must turn down. Even though you don’t have the looks of one, you can never tell who is a stalker.”

"My, you have a low opinion of me,” Alec laughed. “Then perhaps you can grant me the honor of knowing your name and I will give you my number.”

I smiled as Alec pulled a business card out of his wallet and tapped it against his lips.

"Kikyo. Kikyo Hayashibara.”

I took the business card and slid it into my belt when a loud beep caused Alec to glance at his pager. He stood up and gave an eloquent bow. “It was nice meeting you, Kikyo Hayashibara. I regret that I must take this call, but I will be eagerly awaiting for your call.”

Alec took my hand and pressed his lips against it, flashed me a smile then turned around and disappeared into the crowd. I watched the crowd for a moment, letting the music wash over me before turning back to the bar. I shook my head, getting rid of the last remands of the pheromone the incubus was projecting.

How unusual. I have never heard of an incubus giving up on their prey so easily. Ever. Once incubi honed onto a prey they would go to any means to secure their meal. There is more to that page then Alec let on. What could distract an incubus to such extent that he would relinquish his prey? Why are Upirs from the Strigoi clan going rogue? So many questions I didn’t have the answer to. What is happening in the supernatural community?

"I’m surprised you turned him down,” The deep voice said, surprising me. As I whipped my head around, the bartender grabbed a wine bottle from the shelf and started to pour it into an empty flask. “I don’t think I ever saw anyone do that to him before. Most girls would just eat the second dinner.”

"I had a large dinner,” was my simple answer.

The bartender chucked, “Sure.”

A full tequila glass was placed in front of me and I glanced questioningly at the bartender. He laughed and said, “A gift from Mr. Laroque.”

"Oh.”

I raised my eyebrows at the answer, but took the drink anyways. Further down the bar, a woman called for the bartender. Giving me a slight nod, he turned and took her order. Nursing the drink in one hand, I turned around and looked for other monsters in the crowd. I honed onto one conversation to my right where three Imps discussed ways to abduct the Stanford’s mascot. Lips twitching in amusement, I moved onto a different target when an undercurrent of bloodlust flowed over my skin. I immediately looked towards the club’s entrance where the sensation was coming from and focused on the female Upir who was sidling to a young man. When the man noticed the Upir, he stilled and gave her an infatuated look.

An Upir from the Lilu clan, the only Upirs who held the power of seduction. The young man didn’t have a chance. Even as I watched, the young man followed the Upir to a shadowy corner where they proceeded to make out.

My attention on the Lilu Upir shattered when an Asian and German Upir settled in empty seats next to the bar. They flagged down one of the bartenders and asked for a Bloody Mary. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the beverage name.

From the corner of my eye, I watched the German Upir turn to his companion. “It’s been such as long time since we hung out.”

"It has, Caleb,” replied the Asian Upir. “But things have been so hectic lately.”

"Alex, how are things going with your clan? I heard you had some trouble.”

Alex shook his head, scattering raven black hair, “Things are bad, very bad. I think… there’s been rumors but no one ever pays attention to those… but… I’m not sure... I have the feeling that this time… this time they might be true.”

"Really?” Caleb said in shock. “But the Jianshi clan has always…”

"I know,” Alex said through clenched teeth. “But our sire… he’s wants more power. He’s tired of fighting with the Kanshi Upirs.”

"That’s serious, Alex. You know what will happen if-”

"Be quiet!” Alex hissed then gave wary glances at the crowd. “You think I don’t know the consequences? That it wasn’t the only thing I’ve been thinking about for the last few months? Everyone knows what happened last time. But it’s not my opinion that matters, only my sire’s.”

"And you think he will…” Alex trailed off.

"I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

My chest tightened at the Upir’s words. There were very few things that could frighten an Upir. Too cocky, too proud, too sure of their own power, Upirs see themselves as true immortals, unable to die, unable to be killed. Wars, collapsing regimes, fatality, they are all just a passing phase to Upirs who can live as long as earth herself if not killed. Everything is a passing phase to Upirs so what can frighten them so?

Everyone knows what happened last time…

My eyes widened in understanding – the Cernit War, the only blood war between Upir clans. The secret alliance between the Kali and Strigoi clans who wanted to take lordship over the entire Upir race. Too balanced were the powers of the Kali and Strigoi clans against Lilu, queen of the Upirs. The only way the Kali and Strigoi Upirs could defeat Lilu and her clan was to raise their power base. And the only way they can gain more power was by taking over smaller Upir clans, specifically the Moroii clan. However, the coup d’etat was a huge failure. The Strigoi and Kali clans underestimated the Moroii Upirs and their leader, Lucian. Since the Cernit War the Strigoi and Kali clans have kept a low profile, too ashamed by their failure to attempt a second revolt. The smaller clans have since risen to power, the success of the Moroii giving them courage when before none existed. The smaller clans such as Moroii, Vampyr, and Kanshi gained power and status, replacing their predecessors as Upir lords, and changing the entire undead social structure. To prove their claim of power, the Vampyr clan executed all previous Upir lords, most of whom belonged to the Strigoi and Kali clans. Over seven hundred Upirs were killed. The era became known as the Black Terror.

...tired of fighting with the Kanshi Upirs.

The only thing that truly frightened the Upirs was the Black Terror. Death, destruction, chaos, strife… that was the only time that Upirs feared the sight of blood. Their life source turned to their destruction. The Black Terror, rightly named, was a backlash to the transgression committed during the Cernit War.

...rumors… this time they might be true.

Would the Strigoi Upirs truly be that foolish to try another coup d’etat? Is the Jianshi clan so desperate that they would risk another Black Terror to rise to power? Rogues, missing children, dagger…

What are the Upirs planning?

But this was neither the place nor the time to ponder the question, not when the monsters are all around me. I will go back to headquarters and discuss my conclusions with Yamato.

I stood and threw a tip on the countertop then walked into the crowd of dancers, heading towards the exit. The air was humid as people twisted and moved around me. When someone grabbed my hand, I pulled my arm free, scowling at the drunken male when an unnatural, almost ghostlike sensation flowed over my skin. An Upir. Only they would have that specific combination of bloodlust and aggression in their aura, however… it didn’t seem like an Upir, at least not completely. It lacked the usual aggression and even the bloodlust seemed muted as if it was behind a veil I couldn’t see. It wasn’t the usual aura that Upirs project, but at the same time it wasn’t human or any other monster.

I immediately slowed my steps while trying to identify the Upir. Around me on the dance floor were only humans. There were some Upir on the upper level of the club, but after a quick glance I immediately dismissed them. They weren’t the one I felt.

But after I looked across the club, my gaze stopped on a lone figure standing next to the stage. He looked distinctly out of place. Unlike the other people who wore customs varying from Greek goddesses to large green dinosaurs, the stranger was dressed casually in soft blues and whites. The Upir maneuvered his way through the club, towards the exit. As if sensing that someone was watching him, the Upir stopped, turned, and instantly focused on me.

The Upir stared at me with blue unwavering eyes. Even from across the club I could see the brightness in his eyes… cat’s eyes. I flashed the Upir a smile, pretending I was admiring him so I wouldn’t blow my cover. Then to my surprise he gave an unexpected bow and turned away.

A stab of fear struck through me. That bow wasn’t an ordinary bow. No, it was a formal Japanese bow. No one would do a blow like that, not unless it was a special occasion. How did he know I was Japanese? There was no way he could see me, at least not through the mask.

The Upir dogged around a couple then started up the stairs towards the club’s exit.

No! I can’t let him exit the building.

I began to push my way through the crowd, moving around people and shoving others away. This was no time for propriety. If he knew I was Japanese does he also know I’m the Huntress?

By the time I reached the exit the vampire was gone.

"Dammit,” I cursed as I stepped out of the club and frantically looked for the Upir to no success. I gave a frustrated sigh and titled my head back when I found myself standing under a starry sky. I squinted pass the moonlight, making out the vague shapes of the constellations spread miles across the sky. While most people would stand there in awe, I just narrowed my eyes and looked away. There was no time to stare at stars. I needed to report to Yamato and Akira.

The large buildings seemed to tower over me as they engulfed the entire street in shadows. Everything was quiet. Not even a chirp from a cricket was heard. When I reached the traffic light, a chill ran down my spine. I caught a flurry of movement from the corner of my eye as an Upir moved silently through the shadows.

So I’m to be the lecher’s next prey… perhaps another time.

I continued to walk normally down the alley, my hand sliding into the secret pocket inside my skirt where a few kunai were hidden. The wind suddenly shifted when the Upir landed behind me without a sound. A skilled Upir would have taken both air current and sound into account. This was an amateur.

I carefully slipped a kunai on my figure. When I saw the Upir’s shadow move, I sprang to the side, missing the attack and launched myself at the Upir, slashing at his face. Hot sticky blood splattered my hand as my knife found its’ target. I tore my weapon free and jumped backwards to distance myself. The Upir roared, clawing at his mangled face.

"I’m going to kill you, vermin!” The Upir spat as blood dripped between his figures.

"You can try,” I said coldly. “But no one can hunt a wolf of Mibu.”

I hurled two more kunai at the Upir. The Upir awkwardly dodged and my weapons hit the pavement with a clang. Then I felt myself slamming backwards into the brick wall. Coughing, I slide down the wall then rolled when the Upir threw another punch and slammed his fit into the wall. I flipping back onto my feet then smashed a leg down on the Upir’s back and did a roundabout kick at his face. The Upir staggered backwards.

Before he could recover, I grabbed my last kunai and thrust it through the Upir’s back and into his heart. The Upir shuddered then whipped his hand back and around my neck. Gasping, I pulled at the claws as pressure increased.

My legs shot forward, one slamming into the Upir’s face while the other kneed the arms that held my neck. The pressure suddenly disappeared and I felt myself falling, but before I could hit the ground I back-flipped, landing on my feet. I spotted one of the kunai I launched earlier and quickly grabbed it and swing forward, slicing the blade through his neck. The Upir twitched, body squirming as if in a seizer before crumbling to the ground.

Dead.

Breathing deeply, I stood up and pulled out the embedded kunai.

I didn’t say a word as I gathered my kunai until all five were back in my possession. Then I dragged the body behind a nearby bush. It was close to morning so there shouldn’t be any humans around. Once the sun rises then it will do the work for me and turn the body into ash.

I looked around to check if everything looked normal. Seeing that alley looked the same as before the fight happened, with some new unidentified spots and a broken brick wall, I straightened my clothes, checked my mask, and turned back to the direction that I was walking in. But before I could take another step, I felt two more presences nearby. From a nearby bush, two large werewolves emerged, growling as they stalked in my direction.

"Crap,” I whispered and ran.

Without my sword, I was helpless. Kunai weren’t long enough to pierce through the werewolves’ thick fur. Only a long sword would be able to do that. For the second time that night, I cursed at myself. I should have dressed as a pirate, I thought bitterly, since they carry swords.

I ran, hoping that I had enough speed to outrun the werewolves or at least I can run long enough for them to lose my scent. I dashed across the street, and heard the growls and thundering feet of the wolves behind me. A metal fence came into view and I caught the end and hurled myself over it. But I wasn’t fast enough and one of the werewolves managed to claw my arm. I bit my lip at the burst of pain, and kicked at the wolf. The shifter fell and whimpered when he hit the concrete floor.

I hurriedly pulled myself up and over the fence before the werewolf reached me. I didn’t bother to look behind when I heard the clash of flesh on metal, knowing that the fence wouldn’t keep be the werewolves away. True enough, I heard two solid bodies hit the floor seconds later, scattering broken bottles and trashcans as they raced towards me.

"This is bad,” I gasped, dodging around a building. Then I saw a metal pole sticking from a trashcan. Running, I grabbed the pole, wiped around, and smacked one werewolf in the head, causing him to collapse and shift back to human form. The other stopped when he saw his companion fall, and I took this chance to hit him across the neck. The werewolf went down. I stepped closer to the werewolves when I heard a noise to the side. I quickly slipped into the tiny space between the buildings as the noise drifted away. My heart was beating rapidly within my chest, and I tried to take long slow breaths. Hearing shuffling sounds in the apartment above, I got out of the wedge and ran back to my house, not wanting to take any more chances with more supernatural creatures, without my katana in my hand.

"That was close,” I whispered, noticing for the first time that it was a full moon. “Much too close.”