Token Huntress

  Here it was again, the same argument had aroused itself. “You are trying to control me. I am who I am. If you are looking for obedience in a woman, then maybe I am not the woman you should be after. I imagine that is what you tell Corso and the others, isn’t it?” I asked spitefully.

  His eyebrows knitted together in infuriation. “Well, at least they listen to me. You have changed ever since your mother died!” he shouted.

  The air went still as my sharp gaze reached his eyes. My jaw clenched as I tightened the grip on my bow. No words could convey my fury at him. If it were anyone else, I don’t know what I might’ve done. One of the greatest lessons my father taught me was how to hold my outbursts. I nodded my head, pinching my lips firmly together as I considered this lesson. Everything that boiled in my mind, every destructive word… I could not continue this pattern with him, because I knew shortly I would not be able to hold my temper anymore. Inside a darkness, an emptiness, swirled. I felt scared. I did not yet know how far it would go. His words that hung in the air were enough of an invitation for me to leave. I had nothing to say that would be productive in this conversation. I still felt pain in my chest, not at the thought of losing James, but at the memory of my mother, and having her death thrown in my face. I turned on my heels and left.

  After slamming the door shut behind me and slipping into the cool air, I felt something wet on my face. I touched my cheek, revealing a tear. I was bewildered by such mixed emotions. Why, why are we still together if this is the outcome of our nights spent together? I knew within myself I could not choose James over my duties.

  I stalked toward the northern wall, where tonight Dillian and I were due to keep watch. Perhaps Dillian had some insight for me. He understood human emotions far more than I did. Maybe he knew the answer as to why I would shed a silent tear.

  “There she is,” Dillian called out as I reached the northern wall. The sky was now fully immersed in darkness and only a little of the moon shone through. At night the mist grew denser due to the coolness of the night. There was a loud scream nearby indicating that an animal had been attacked. I took hold of the rope ladder and climbed to the top. Dillian held his hand out to help me up. He pulled me to his side and we sat for a moment in companionable silence. He was focusing in the direction of where the noise had come from. Dillian was one of our greatest spotters. His gift was a rare one. We had only known four before him. His sight was intensified, far more so than even mine. The fog and mist were not an obstruction for him.

  His piercing pink eyes relaxed as he turned to me with a smile. “Only two sabers, but already they have taken off in the opposite direction.”

  I nodded, happy with that. I placed my crossbow beside me as I dangled my legs over the wall, looking at the dim moon. Dillian had his legs scrunched up, his knees near his face.

  “Did you guys get into another fight?” Dillian asked softly.

  Now and then we lightly touched on our romantic interests, but most of the time we talked about combat. Dillian was a part of my raid team. When we were in search of something specific or had to go near a city, he would accompany us. Usually nights before we would plan our strategy. Although not the strongest fighter, he had a mind for tactics. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if in the near future he was nominated to become a Token Hunter, simply because of that overly smart brain of his. After all, I had been promoted young. I was nominated as Token Huntress over the older hunters because of my superiority. My knowledge of fighting outweighed even the older hunters who had been doing this half their life. Although I had no gift, I was by far one of the strongest huntresses within the Guild.

  “Yep,” I dragged the word out, considering it.

  “What happened?” he asked, his eyes falling on the foliage in front of us. I knew he was scanning through the trees for unseen dangers. Very little usually occurred, but precautionary measures were what kept us alive.

  “He keeps trying to cage me, talking about me settling and having his children. He doesn’t want me to be a Token Huntress,” I said. “He threw my mother’s death in my face. Saying I haven’t been the same since.”

  Dillian paused for a moment, tensing. His shoulders dropped. Whatever he thought he had seen was obviously nothing. His fluorescent pink eyes flicked over to me as he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder before speaking. “In a sense, he is right. You have changed.” Dillian and I never pulled any punches; we were honest with one another, which was why our friendship worked so well. There was no theatrics. We were comfortable. “…But I don’t think that is something he has the right to hold against you. Esmore, you are an outstanding fighter. Your abilities are far superior to those of any other hunter here, with or without a gift. If you think he is trying to cage you, then you need to really speak out. Try and make him understand. The Esmore I know would never let herself get cornered, whether it is out on the field or even within the Guild. You have always spoken your mind, maybe you need to stop holding back.”

  I considered this for a moment, my shoulders slightly sagging in defeat. Maybe such a relationship wasn’t worthy of my time anymore. Although, thinking of James with another woman made me feel slightly conflicted. I found it hard to understand my emotions. Ever since my mother died, I felt like a huge block was within me, preventing me from functioning properly. I was just so numb.

  Dillian roughed up my golden-blonde hair playfully. “You will figure it out Esmore, you always do.” He continued scanning over the foliage. We were often positioned on this side because it was more likely to be populated with sabers or members from the Council. On the very far distance in the north was a large city. Probably about a six-day walk for humans, but for my raid team, it was about an eleven-hour run. We would probably then need to camp before attacking. It was an unfortunate way we differed to the vampires. All they needed was a little bit of blood to rejuvenate them, which was easy to find. As for us hunters, well, we still needed rest to replenish our bodies. Not a lot, but it was most certainly something the vampires had over us. They could go without sleep and rest for days. We do try attacking them when they sleep, but it is no easy task. We had to be wary with the city somewhat close. Often sabers gathered in those areas because of the thicker mist that blocked out most of the sun.

  I leant back on my elbows, my legs still hanging over the wall. “How did you get on with that young girl?” I asked. It piqued Dillian’s interest, as often I did not ask about the humans I found. He turned to me as I continued, “She claimed to have loved that vampire.” I glanced at him. I had never met a human that claimed to love such a hideous creature.

  “I know, she told me you killed her lover. She will be all right. She was slightly dehydrated, but it is only a temporary condition. When I left her, Campture arrived. I assume she is searching through her mind to see if she can find the Council’s location.” Dillian pondered for a moment, looking unsettled before he looked quickly behind us. He lowered his tone. “Do you ever think that we are treating the humans like cattle?”

  I raised my eyebrows at him, surprised by this reflection. “How so?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve just been unsettled by it for a while. I know we are protecting them and taking them to safety. But, take for example that girl today. She was terrified when you found her, not relieved. And those that come through here, they seem to be similarly affected. I know some seek us out, but they are terrified of being transferred to the human camp. I feel like we are just shipping them off. I never understood why we couldn’t merge both hunter and humans together again, like the old days. I don’t understand why babes must be taken from their human parents if they have hunter eyes. I know that we do it for survival, for both the humans and ourselves. But the more humans we transport, the more unsettled I feel by it. I just… I don’t think there is such a huge difference between humans and ourselves. I think they want to learn how to defend themselves just as much as we do.”

  “But they don’t have the hunters’ skill, stamina, speed, nor g
ifts to match that of the vampires,” I replied.

  “It’s not about matching us, it’s about defending themselves. So they don’t feel so lost and helpless. Some have survived for many years out there without us. I get the feeling they don’t feel safe even if we put them into a protected camp. I feel like we are taking away their options and rights by forcing them to be there.” His pink eyes were damp. I tried to understand his thoughts and his sensitivity toward the humans, but could not comprehend it. I cared very little for the humans, and that was something we both knew. He gave me a smile, dispersing the tension. “I know you probably don’t get it, I was just thinking, that is all,” he said, dismissing the subject. “How come Campture has been on you more than ever lately?”

  I sat upright, doing as Dillian had before and looking behind me in secrecy. If Campture was currently investigating the young girl’s mind, then she would not have access to my thoughts. I took that opportunity to divulge my deepest thoughts. “Dillian, I think Campture is lying about my mother’s death,” I stated bluntly.

  “What?”

  “Think about it, my mother was one of the most ambitious huntresses here. She alone took down packs of sabers at a time. In what reality would she be taken down so easily? Neither Campture nor Kelf go on raids, so why suddenly did they decide to go in search of a rumored human close by? Campture and Kelf have been close for a long time and both are very secretive. I don’t trust the story they have fed me.” It all gushed through my lips. I felt selfish for offloading it to Dillian. Now he would have to be wary of his thoughts around Campture. But if I could trust anyone with my secret, it was him.

  He inhaled deeply, considering this. “Have you told James this?”

  “No, you are the first person.”

  “Good, don’t tell him. Who knows what sort of trouble it could lead to? I know he is your boyfriend, but this suspicion will only get you into trouble, Esmore. I know you miss your mother, but you cannot state this opinion so loudly. It is a form of treachery to go against, or even be suspicious of, Campture.”

  I crossed my arms, my jaw clenching as I tried to not let infuriation rain over me. “So you don’t believe me.”

  “I never said that.” His deeper tone grabbed my attention. “Your suspicions are a reflection of what I have been pondering on for a while now. But Esmore, right now there is nothing that can be said or done. I want to tell you to pursue your doubts, to find out what really happened. But I am conflicted in giving you such advice, because it is unhealthy to cling so tightly to the past. Especially if it puts your life in danger. I want you to be smart about this, be safe. And I am sorry, but I think I should deter you from speaking of this openly within the walls.”

  He began searching over the foliage again. He was only four years older than me at twenty-two, but he always seemed far older mentally. I could not claim him to be unsupportive because everything he said was true. How was it that I could speak freely with Dillian, but when it came to James, I was secretive about my true feelings?

  I ruffled my hair, agitated. “How do you and Julia do it? How do you guys not fight?” I asked, thinking of his loving relationship with Julia. She was part of the farming section in the Guild. It was fitting considering her gift was the enhancement of plants. When her gift was activated, the mist within the Guild’s walls lessoned. She was only small in size, fragile-looking, with big blue iridescent eyes and long wavy brown hair. Dillian and she had now been together for five years. They were sweethearts from apprenticeship. They complemented one another perfectly — they were both sensitive to the humans and they held a strong attachment to family members. Julia was one of the few who cried when we lost hunters. Although her mother frowned upon her sentimentality, it was what attracted Dillian to her.

  A wicked smile crossed his lips in answer. My eyes brightened at its significance. I punched him in his arm playfully. His smile only stretched further. “I am going to ask her to marry me,” he said proudly.

  I couldn’t help but mirror his smile. “Well, it’s about time,” I said. “When?”

  “In three days. It is her brother’s eighteenth birthday, so we will celebrate the presence of his gift. I want to ask on that day, after the ceremony.” His eyes held a glimmer over their natural pink. It made me feel overwhelmingly light to see him so happy. Dillian most certainly deserved it.

  Crunching noises pierced my ears. I stood up sharply, grabbing hold of my crossbow. My glimmer of happiness distracted me from my senses. With relief I quickly realized it was not a vampire near the wall. The noise was coming from behind us.

  The glow of yellow eyes settled on me first. I watched Campture walk toward us, her face stern. “I have just inspected the mind of the young girl,” she stated as she stopped in front of us. Kelf also crept from the shadows behind her, obviously having been with her during the process. “You are to take your team on an inspection tomorrow of the city. Although the young girl’s mind has been muddled, and her memory of where the Vampire Council location is has been erased from her mind, I was able to dig up some memories. They were of fog-filled streets. It was all I could unravel. With so much fog, it leads me to believe at some point she was taken through the city. Or perhaps she and the vampire who was accompanying her were fleeing the city. The Council might be residing within the city, and if this is the case I want an inspection team to investigate it straight away. Until now we have had no real ideal as to where their location is, but have suspected in previous years they might have been hiding within the nearby city. Find what you can and report back. You are looking for signs that indicate the presence of the Council. This is not a raid mission and you are not to attack. Your mission is to gather what intelligence you can about unusual activity in the city. We must be certain to find them before they find us. Be prepared to depart from here upon sunrise. I will have Kelf debrief your raid team.”

  “Of course,” I said quickly, almost excitedly. A small glimmer of hope that I could fulfill my purpose as huntress rose in my chest.

  Campture nodded curtly to Dillian before both she and Kelf marched off.

  “Well, looks like it will be an exciting day tomorrow,” Dillian said, looking over at me.

  “Finally Dillian, we may have found a lead to the Council,” I replied breathlessly. This was what I had been waiting for since becoming Token Huntress. The fangs there were as good as dead.

  W hen the sun began to rise, I was quick to change into my black leather pants and a sleeveless leather shirt. I strapped my crossbow to my back, adjusting the straps between my breasts. I adjusted my garter on my waist, which held four small knives. I slipped a smaller one around my ankle, underneath my leather boots.

  The crisp air of dawn greeted me as I left my home. I was on my way to meet with my inspection team in the weapons room. James was sitting outside my door, waiting for me. When I emerged he stood upright, his proper raid attire on — full leather — with a few weapons on him. “I was on my way to the weapons room as well,” he said quietly in consideration for the other, sleeping hunters. I ignored him, still angry over the argument we had had last night. I stormed toward the weapons room, with James following in silence. It was easier for me to avoid the subject and wait for time to stretch over it than to confront the mixed emotions and relationship talk.

  But James only ever wanted to talk of our relationship. Right on cue, he interrupted the silence. We had just reached the stairs to the tunnels, which were dimly lit by flames on the wall. “We need to talk about last night,” he said, sure of himself. It was always the same thing. I wasn’t ready to settle for children or marriage. I was only eighteen. I couldn’t help but feel like it wasn’t anything I would consider until older, if ever.

  I walked down the narrow hallway, titling my head as I heard a few of the hunters within the walls, already decorating themselves with weaponry. They looked up as I entered. This room was one of the ones which was cleaned daily, and the floor, ceiling, and walls were very white and clean. There
was a silver bench, where weapons were placed now and then if a hunter was deciding on a weapon. If anyone left a weapon out they were locked up for two days without water or food. We were forced to show respect for the weapons room from a young age, after all, the room was our everything, our first line of defense. On my left were numerous swords, knives, and blades on display, these were the weapons that weren’t often claimed. Most were held up by a few well-positioned nails. In the left corner of the room was a tall wooden box. It had many separators in it where the swords were usually hung, but they were already claimed. My sword was there, as it was off-limits to any other hunter. In front of me was a large mirror where hunters could have a quick assessment of their apparel.

  The twins, Kora and Kasey, were already prepared for battle, both cleaning beneath their nails as they leant against the wall. Directly across from me, Teary, the eldest of the group, was assessing her arrows. Pac was pacing in the corner. There were usually eight hunters per raid team, including the Token Hunter.

  Teary, a huntress in her mid-thirties, had many daggers strapped across her body, with her bow and arrows on her back. She was a rather large woman, very muscular and tall. Her muscular arms were larger than James’. She had long red hair that was tied into a bun at the back. Her orange eyes were a symbolic reflection of her invaluable gift. Teary was able to manipulate fire, although she could not create it. If it was around her she could lift it and use it. The closer the flames were to her body, the easier it was for her to control. When the flames were hundreds of meters away, far more concentration was required from her, and at times it left her open to oncoming attacks. Teary tried not to rely heavily on her gift alone, so she incorporated it with her weapons as much as possible. She carried around numerous lighters with her, and all her wooden weaponry was pre-dipped in oil. The common lighter had been replicated by one of our hunters, Reece, who had a knack for manipulating gases, and understanding the reinvention of archaic objects from the technology age. The greater the explosion, the quicker she could claim the flames as hers, instead of merely enhancing a small flame.