Chapter 8

A Chapter by RedMistress

He made his way through the tall bushes at top speed throwing glances over his shoulder every so often to see if they had found him. They wouldn't give up while he was still alive, that much was obvious, but he'd be damned if he kept his mouth shut as long as he could still speak. His grip tightened around the gun in his hand and with the other he checked to see if his swords and knives were secured. As soon as he was sure his small arsenal was still attached to his body Raphael took his phone out. He searched for the recording and replayed the first few seconds before he punched in the phone number of the one person he knew he could always trust. The call was answered on the third ring and he was greeted by a warm and amused voice.

- Oh my! To what do I owe this honor? Or shall I say, what sort of trouble are you in this time? Adrian teased as usual.

In any other circumstances he would have smiled and given a snarky comeback, but today was just too much of a crappy day.

- The kind we hoped would never arise, he stated briskly.

There was such a long pause after those words that Raphael thought they got disconnected. The man on the other end of the line finally cleared his throat before he managed to speak again.

- What happened?

- An interesting conversation with our illustrious chief councilman is what happened. He didn't like me asking questions that are above my pay grade or, in his opinion and that of Greyson, above my level of intelligence.

- How bad is it?

- Just as we feared. I'm sending you a recording of our conversation, he answered already pressing the buttons to send the file.

- Covering all your bases. I'm impressed, Adrian praised.

- You were an excellent teacher, Nix. Listen before my conversation with Bolgar I heard them talking to someone else.

- Who?

- I don't know, I didn't recognize his voice. I think he's the one generally calling the shots though I have a feeling the chief has his own plans.

- Are you sure Bolgar is involved? Adrian asked hesitating.

- He is not the man we once knew...not anymore.

- Raph he is a..., the other hunter tried to reason.

- No, he is not. His eyes glowed red for a split second. I would have thought it was just my imagination if I hadn't seen it twice. And the way he spoke of Blade it was as if he was enjoying the possibility of him being dead...or worse.

- How does Blade's disappearance fit into all this? Adrian asked confused.

- Apparently, now we are all persona non grata, as they used to say in the old days. Every hunter is to be disabled and, if we refuse, it may turn out to be by any means necessary. He said Blade got too close and he had to be dealt with, Raphael explained patiently though still throwing glances around him searching for the Amshey.

- Who said?

- The guy they were talking to. Look Adrian, I don't have much time. They will find me soon and I have my suspicions that I won't be getting out of this alive. I want you to get Myra and Emily somewhere safe, they might be targeted next because of me. And please tell them I'm sorry, that I'm doing this for their sake and that I love them both very much.

- Wait, what are you talking about? Who's after you? Where are you kiddo?

Raphael heard the sounds a moment before he saw them, that annoying high pitch of theirs was unmistakable, so he ducked for cover behind one of the thicker trees.

- Raphael!?

- Yeah, still here, though not for long, the hunter whispered.

- Was that what I think it was?!

- I told you, Bolgar is not the man we once knew, Raphael sighed. I have to go. Oh, one more thing, that guy said it's time for the next stage. I don't know what that is but it didn't sound good. Goodbye old friend.

He disconnected the call and tucked the phone into his pocket. Though he wasn't a man of faith, Raphael spoke a silent prayer his mother had taught him when he was a child and hoped someone up there would hear it. Having to face three Amshey Sec was hard enough when he had Adrian's help. Now, there were no less than six and on top of the he was completely alone. So, yeah, if there was ever a God or gods now would be the time when he needed them most.

The hunter searched through his pockets and fished out a smoke capsule the size of his thumb. He was in one of the inner gardens and if he tried to get out the way he had planned the creatures would undoubtedly spot him. Obviously outrunning them was out of the question so it was time for plan B. Putting the gun back in its holster, Raphael grabbed the customized sling from his belt and placed the capsule in the leather patch. He pulled the string back as far as it would go and latched it on the safety mechanism as he peeked around the tree once more to confirm the location of the Amshey. They were rather close and he moved quickly, aiming it at the opposite side of the gardens, and pulled the trigger. The hunter watched the smoke capsule fly, falling into a bush and exploding with a light thud. It wasn't a grand explosion, but it made it look like someone was hiding there, which was the entire point. The creatures turned their heads following the sound and slowly started moving towards it.

Raphael crouched and headed the way the Amshey had entered. When he got to one of the path intersections he noticed one of them had fallen behind and he saw his opportunity to take at least one of them down.

Slowly, careful not to make a sound the hunter wrapped his hand around the hilt of one of his swords. It had been his favorite weapon ever since Adrian had introduced him to it. His friend and mentor had informed him that this type of weapon was originally from the old country of Japan. The one he possessed now - a graduation gift of sorts after his first successful mission - had belonged to a very powerful warlord and carried much history with it, which always translated to a certain amount of power from its past owners. As he approached, Raphael kept himself low, his steps calculated, until he almost reached the creature then broke into a run lifting the sword. He ducked when his target heard him and turned around to swipe at him with its sharp claws. Raphael grabbed the skinny limb, swung around propping one foot on the Amshey's body and twisted until he climbed on its back.

The others didn’t remain oblivious to this turn of events but as their approached, the hunter knew it was him they were coming for, and not to help their ‘friend’. He struck fast planting the tip of the blade into the back of the creature's neck, right between its vertebrates, and pushed down with force then abruptly twisted the sword.

There was a loud pop followed by a low grunt when the spine severed at the same time one of the Amshey stuck its claws into the hunters back.

***

- Raphael?! Raphael?! S**t!

- What? What happened? Damian came running out of the kitchen.

- Trouble, Adrian answered staring at his phone.

The vampire was about to ask something else when there was a noise from the hallway leading to Riza's room pulling both their attention and sure enough the woman was shortly after standing in the living room's doorway her feline eyes still sleepy but running from one man to the other. A few seconds later she walked to the couch and took a sit, sighing in content as she stretched her legs.

- How is Bianca? She asked without any pleasantries.

- Well, hello to you too! You’re welcome for the help I provided and I am quite fine, thank you for asking, Damian mocked.

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I am just worried, Riza straightened up and blushed slightly.

- It's quite alright, he understands. He's just being his usual antisocial self, Adrian smiled kindly at her.

Damian opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. With the hunter on her side, he would only end up looking like a heartless stuck up. Instead he pointed back down the hallway.

- Second door on your right. She's fine however, she still needs rest and lots of fluids. She woke up a few minutes ago but fell asleep again, he informed her. You can go check on her if you'd like.

Riza was out the door before he managed to finish his last sentence. He understood what it was like to fear for a loved one's life even though that sentiment felt like an ancient memory now. He stood there staring after her for a while caught in those past experiences and visibly flinched when Adrian cleared his throat, bringing him back to another, more recent, set of problems.

- Trouble you said. What sort of trouble would that be? He asked turning to face the other man.

- You remember the kid I brought with me a few years back when there was that specter problem in Meriola?

- You mean the one with the annoying attitude that turned out to be quite skilled.

Adrian was lost for words for a moment. Damian never complimented anyone so blatantly, which meant the other hunter had made quite an impression on him. He smiled at the idea that the grouchy vampire could have actually liked someone.

- Yeah, him. He was sent on a messenger mission to Ashra and was going to report back to the council today. It didn't go well, he finally answered grimly.

- What happened?

- Long story short, we have a rat in the council and it turns out it's the big kind.

- Who?

- According to Raphael, it's Bolgar, the hunter answered grimly.

- Impossible, he wouldn't dare smear his race's honor with such shameful acts.

- I was thinking the same thing and I told him so, but he insists he's not who we think he is. The red eyes were a dead giveaway according to him.

- Red eyes you say. I've never noticed, but then again I haven't seen him in ages. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but still it's odd.

- He hung up on me just now. Damian he was being chased by some Amshey Sec.

The vampire puckered his lips in displeasure and adopted a thoughtful expression. If it turned out that what the pupil said was true then they were in more trouble than they realized. He just couldn't figure out how they'd gotten to Bolgar, whoever 'they' were. It wasn't any day that one went against a dragon and won, they were after all one of the most powerful creatures in existence. The one that did manage to win had to be someone truly powerful...or extremely cunning and sneaky.

- Do you want to go rescue him?

Once again the vampire astonished Adrian with the question.

- Does that mean you would help me?

- Sure.

- Okay, who are you and what have you done with Damian?

Damian's sudden cold smile gave him an unpleasant chill, but then it disappeared and the man shrugged.

- Don't get me wrong I’m only looking out for my best interest. He may hold information that could prove detrimental to my future so it's worth rescuing him, he explained calmly.

- What if you die while trying to save him?

- I could also just as easily die right here and now. Life is rarely fair, kind or predictable and when it seems it is, you're just not seeing the whole picture.

- Right! So how do we do this? Adrian asked rubbing his palms together in excitement at the prospect of the future rescue.

- First things first, my guests are a priority. I can't just throw them out.

- You've never had a problem kicking me out before.

The vampire grinned. He had never really kicked the hunter out if he was injured but otherwise Damian never let him overstay his welcome.

- I get it, I get it. I'm not her.

- Them, Damian corrected.

- Yeah, whatever, the hunter dismissed it good-naturedly, then sobered up. Do you think he's still alive?

- Do you want me to lie to you so you can feel better?

- Well now it won't make a difference anyway.

- Then no, I don't think he'll survive the encounter. Still, there is a small chance they will want him alive.

- Agreed. So when can we leave?

- Bianca's healing abilities seem unusually fast, and at the rate they are going she should be good to go by tomorrow.

- Brilliant! Then we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. I have a friend that can teleport us as close as possible to the area which will make the journey faster. Let's go inform your guest that they will be departing early.

Adrian was already on his feet heading for the hallway when he noticed Damian hadn't moved. Instead, he was regarding the hunter with a scowl that spoke volumes on how much he liked being ordered around in his own house. Kendrix stopped dead in his tracks and smiled sheepishly at him.

- Sorry, I got carried away in my excitement.

- We will need to get some supplies on our way. I can cover us in the weapons department, but I'm fresh out of some herbs and potions that could be useful when we get there, the vampire finally answered after a long pause.

- You think they will dare fight you?

- What makes you think they wouldn't?

- Because of who you are I would assume they might think twice.

- They attacked a dragon, how cautious do you expect them to be?

- Point taken. Alright, we can visit Kora on the way. She has all the good stuff.

- Don't you have a ban in the district?

- Yeah, but I can get in undetected as you well know.

- Hence the ban? Damian asked sarcastically.

To the vampire's surprise and amusement Adrian blushed a little, something he hadn't known the man to ever do. It would've looked more natural on a wolf as far as he was concerned.

- Let's just inform the girls, Damian continued after clearing his throat.

- Yeah, sure the hunter readily agreed.

Both men started down the hallway but it was the vampire that noticed how unusually quite it was. He had been too focus on his conversation with Adrian to notice the silence that had followed shortly after Riza left to check in her friend. He quickened his pace getting an odd look from the hunter and pushed open the door to Bianca's room.

- Excuse us for interrupting..., Adrian started but abruptly stopped when he nearly bumped into Damian.

- Hey what gives? Why did you stop?

Adrian peeked past his friend to find the room empty. There was no sign of them or, as they discovered later, the few things they had with them. He swallowed the disappointment of not getting to know Riza better and shrugged trying to seem unaffected.

- Oh well. One less thing to worry about, he shrugged although it was noticeably stiff.

Damian was in no mood to comment since he was trying to ward off his own feeling of disappointment and wasn't having any luck. He nodded towards the hunter just as stiffly then walked away.

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