Chapter 2 #2
Those eyes screamed that he was the type of person who enjoyed tearing people apart to learn how they worked, with no regard for whom they hurt. It was a human trait that tainted later generations of hunters with the inclusion of human bloodlines in the breeding program.
He stared at every inch of her body, lingering on the curves of her hips and breasts, his eyes leaving a cold, slithering feeling on her skin.
Elsie snatched her tattered shirt off the floor and tugged it over a wealth of hip-length blue hair.
Hiding her body because of a man? She’d never thought she’d see the day.
Mordane vibrated with excitement, instantly making her suspicious. He was always over-friendly in a fake way. His toothy smiles were something she was used to, but he was genuinely pleased about whatever the hell they were up to.
“That was quite the show you put on out there!” Mordane praised. “I’m told your most recent mission was a success. Congratulations.”
“It wasn’t difficult. A shifter with a rotten attitude figured out how to break into one of the nests. We sorted her out.” Elsie downplayed their victory.
Nests were where the humans lived outside of vampire control.
Ten colonies, each with their own nests, were scattered around the center of the former American Midwest. Humans avoided the coasts, where witches and mages claimed the land; the south, where vampires ruled, and the frozen north, which had become the demon lords’ domain.
The demon hunters protected the nestlings from the crushing weight of a world filled with demons and other insidious beings who’d developed a taste for human flesh.
“You’ve come a long way, Chantraine,” Mordane said. “Not that anyone is surprised, we knew you would. Allow me to introduce you to Angus Cornick, he’s a weapons specialist and research coordinator from one of our installations in the south.”
A sniper-quick frown flicked from Cornick to Mordane. The General had just downplayed the creepy scientist’s importance to the hunter clans, and Cornick hadn’t liked it.
“I know who he is,” Elsie said, eyes narrowing when Cornick offered his hand. “I have a ‘no physical contact’ request on file. Too much witch blood,” she explained, tapping the small gold pin on the collar of her shirt.
The Goddess of Death was a witch, meaning Elsie was, too. Even before her ascension to divinity, Santa Muerte had been a deeply powerful bruja.
Since turning fourteen, the most innocent touch from the opposite sex held a potential mating bond. Many magical species formed them, but witches in particular were known for it. Often taking more than one bonded mate.
There were only two known options when a bond was initiated.
Either accept it and get carried away in forced mating bliss, or reject it and endure the excruciating pain of ripping away part of your soul.
Either way, it would suck hard. Elsie wasn’t ready for a mate.
She was young and wanted to explore the world before the ancient magic chose a random stranger on her behalf. Or worse, someone she knew and hated.
She shouldn’t have to explain anything. The fact that he’d ignored the pin said more about him than she’d have learned in a regular conversation. He’d do what he wanted, regardless of others’ boundaries.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you too,” Cornick said, not bothering to apologize for his rudeness.
There wasn’t a hint of pleasure evident on his sour face.
“I’ve heard a lot about you and your career.
You’re the youngest squad captain in hunter history, and you have the nearly unheard-of ability to trace magic trails as though you can see them. ”
Unease crept through Elsie’s insides, her heart dropping into her stomach. He hadn’t just heard of her. The mad scientist had researched her history, maybe even her information files. He knew her.
“I see them as clearly as I can see you now,” she said, her voice tight.
“That’s fascinating.” Cornick leaned in, his words matching the interested gleam in his eyes. Elsie glanced at Mordane, wondering what this was about.
“Mr. Cornick is interested in seeing a demonstration of your reaper abilities,” Mordane revealed. Elsie scowled. She’d pegged him perfectly. “We explained the seal, but he wanted to meet you anyway.”
“I was seven when my mother brought me here, Mr. Cornick. Even if I could access my magic, I haven’t been trained in how to use it without destroying everything nearby,” Elsie explained, finding the subterfuge ridiculous. He already had this information.
“A chance to study the seal was worth the trip. Someday that seal will be removed, isn’t that the point it serves? A temporary block to keep a child from tearing holes into the wrong dimensions, correct? We have great expectations for that day, Elspeth Chantraine,” Cornick said.
Elsie stopped herself from retorting. Only Santa Muerte could remove her seal, and when she did, Elsie was leaving.
“We’ve never had a reaper as one of our own before. The possibilities are exciting! I’m looking forward to exploring your potential, and I expect we will be working closely with one another in the future,” he continued.
“That would be interesting, though I doubt removing me from the field would be much appreciated by the other field squads,” Elsie said, suppressing the growing unease in her gut. She wouldn’t submit to being one of this man’s science experiments.
Albright laughed. Her squad rarely spent time in the compound. As soon as they returned, they were sent out on another mission. With nine total members, including herself, her squad sometimes took on as many as three missions at once, splitting into teams selected to best address each issue.
“There’s no doubt about that,” Albright agreed. With her around, his squad faced less pressure, as did the squads in lower ranks.
“Are you guys planning on telling me what this is about? If not, I have business with my healer, and then I’m going back to bed,” she said, her voice flat. Enough dicking around. Marley made a noise of agreement.
“Straight to it then,” Mordane said, clearing his throat.
“As we announced, Captain Albright is semi-retiring. He won’t leave the field entirely, but will no longer perform his specialty, and he has suggested you as his replacement.
It’s only natural that second squad should take over his responsibilities. ”
“Captain Albright has a specialty?” Elsie eyeballed her mentor warily. This was news to her.
“Captain Albright provides a service that only one squad in the clan can handle. Now and then, one of our own will defect,” Mordane said carefully.
Chills ran up Elsie’s spine. She’d heard the rumors, and she knew what the general would say next.
Hearing that Albright was behind those whispers sat like a foul meal in her stomach.
She looked beyond the men to the door, plotting her escape.
Whatever came out of Mordane’s mouth next would bring the horror stories to life.
Marley had gone completely still, picking up on the same understanding as her captain.
“My job is to track those defectors down,” Albright explained. She knew him well enough to catch the bitterness in his tone.
“And you want to burden me with this job?” Elsie asked, aghast at what she’d heard. This was taking things too far. She’d strike down a demon or dangerous magical creature for killing defenseless humans, but going after other hunters?
“I can’t think of anyone more suited for it,” Albright said.
“There is no one else with your skill set. As of today, your squad will begin training under Albright specifically for your promotion to the position of Tracker,” Mordane added.
“The position comes with perks and privileges. Including a substantial raise in pay,” Albright said. “And every time you’re expected to track someone down, you get a week’s paid vacation, effective the moment you return.”
The implication was that the week was to ensure she stayed mentally sound after hunting down one of their own.
“What exactly does this job entail? What do I do once I’ve found them?” The sinking feeling in her stomach told her she already knew the answer.
“That’s situational. Some will have their memories erased and be sent to live out easy lives among the breeding program, to bolster our numbers. Unfortunately, others will face erasure and choose to fight against their fate,” Mordane told her.
“And then?” she asked.
“Assassination.” The casual way Albright said it made Elsie shudder. How many of their comrades had he killed?
“What’s my decision time frame?” She fully intended to decline in the very near future. Mordane shook his head.
“The decision is ours, and it’s final. The only people allowed access to this information are you, administration staff, and your squad, and the admin will receive confirmation after you’re assigned your first tracking mission,” he said.
Elsie scowled, remembering her mother’s instructions when she’d been dropped off with these men. Their fear of the goddess was waning. Albright wasn’t even decent enough to fake shame over the conspiracy he’d taken part in. The bastard.
This wasn’t an honor. They’d shared a secret so well hidden that she’d never be allowed to leave with the knowledge. It was an intentional attempt to permanently lock her in.
Their decision to plan out the next years of her life without bothering to consult her seriously pissed Elsie off, but they had her cornered. She frowned from one man to the next. One way or another, she’d ensure this didn’t work out in their favor.
“Tell me, Captain,” Cornick said eagerly. “The hound. What did you think of him?”
“The hound? I think you’ve lost your damned mind! Bringing a demon like that into a training compound and stuffing the stands with recruits, then making me fight him in this condition?! No sleep, and a fucking knife? It was reckless and irresponsible, sir.”
Cornick’s expression fell.