The Hunt (A nephilim and werewolf story)

f***k, it was hot. Dropping my backpack onto the dirt, I yanked out my bottle of water, I gulped it down halfway and washed my sword down with the rest of the water before before shoving the empty bottle back in the bag with my small blades and dagger. I sheathed the sword across my back where it was hidden beneath my leather jacket and long black hair. I had just been on a hunt, killed a witch. She’d put up more of a fight than expected, but she was dead now—sprawled inside her collapsing summoning circle with her throat slit open and black candle wax melting around her corpse like tar. Unfortunately, killing her hadn’t solved the real problem. She’d been meddling in the dark arts and summoned something before I got to her. A demon. And not some low-level shadow crawler either. Mephistopheles, who I would now have to bloody track down, to say I was not looking forward to it would be an understatement. After all, I was a Nephilim. My names Amelia. I’m a bounty hunter for the supernatural—the person people call when monsters stop hiding in the dark and start causing problems out in the open. Being a Nephilim meant I was half human, half angel. My father was human and my mother an angel who had died giving birth to me, apparently it was her only reason for coming to earth... having me. My father raised me alone after that. Taught me how to fight before I was even tall enough to a knife properly. Between his military training in the marines and obsession with mixed martial arts, I grew into one of the deadliest hunters alive. I guess it didn't hurt that I also had a longer than average life span, had healing abilities and was near impossible to kill thanks to ridiculously fast healing, even faster than the wereanimals out there. The demonic despised us rare few Nephilim because we were put on the earth to purge the world of its sins, in my case it was the other supernaturals out there who liked to cause trouble. It was nearing two in the morning when I got home, rain clouds rolled overhead, thick and swollen. The air smelt like wet asphalt and incoming storms as I climbed the steps to my apartment. I stripped my clothes off and headed for the shower. Hot water pounded against my aching muscles while pink-tinted blood spiralled down the drain. I stayed under the shower far longer than I needed to, letting the heat thaw the stiffness from my shoulders while steam filled the bathroom mirrors. For a few precious minutes, I could almost pretend I was normal. Then the memories came back. The summoning circle. The demons presence. Mephistopheles. By the time I stepped out, the apartment felt cold despite the lingering steam. I changed into an oversized shirt and looked in the mirror at myself while I brushed My teeth. Tired blue eyes flecked with gold stared back at me. My porcelain skin was clear now it was clean of blood, though a fresh cut split the center of my bottom lip, it ruined what usually were nice rosy Cupid bow shaped lips. My thick black hair hung damp around my waist, and I tied it back before finally collapsing into bed. I woke with a jolt and flung myself up into a crouching position on the bed, dagger in hand, looking around in the darkness of my bedroom. The apartment was silent. Too silent. Moonlight spilled weakly through the curtains, casting pale silver across my bedroom walls, but the shadows in the far corner seemed darker than they should’ve been. Something was here, I could feel it in my gut and the pair of red eyes I saw in the darkness of those shadows confirmed it. “I suggest you get the f***k out before I kill you, Mephistopheles.” Low mocking laughter from the demon echoed in through the room and couldn't help the chills that raced down my spine. It sounded wet and guttural, like something rotting deep underground. That voice was full of hatred and he hissed, “I'm just playing for now halfling , you will know when the game ends.” With that he was gone and the shadows in the room returned to normal. I was left shaking as the adrenaline wore off. I knew it was the demon Mephistopheles because I had faced him once before and nearly died, and that had only been when he was in possession of someone. I had a feeling I was screwed this time around. The next morning, rain hammered against the apartment windows while thunder rattled somewhere in the distance. I pulled on black leggings as they were easy to fight in and a black tank top, before strapping blades against my thighs. Yeah, I looked like some cliche action movie assassin, but honestly? I didn’t give a s.hit. If I was going after one of the most powerful demons I needed all the comfort in the world, not that I thought fighting would do anything but tickle him. I was in the middle of my training routine when my phone rang. Breathing hard, I snatched it off the kitchen counter. I couldn't help the irritation in my voice, I tended to get angry when I was scared. “What?” I snapped. “Well hello to you to, Amelia.” Jim. Great. I wiped sweat from my forehead while pacing the living room. “I have a case for you,” he continued. “Two rogue werewolves got it in their heads to go round killing off all the supernaturals in town claiming the territory for themselves. Refusing entry to any supernatural. Money is good. You interested?” Sighing, I dropper down onto the cream-coloured sofa. “I’d love to,” I said, “but I'm still on a case.” “What kind of case?” “The witch I killed last night summoned a demon, and not just any demon. It's Mephistopheles, Jim, f.ucking Mephistopheles!” I shouted at the end. Jim was quiet for a while, he knew about my last encounter with the demon and just how dangerous he was, but what came out his mouth next had me wishing I’d never said a damn thing. “Right. I’m sending Jake over.” I froze. “No.” “This isn’t up for discussion, you will work with him on this, he’s our next best bounty hunter after you.” I clenched my jaw. “I mean it Amelia, this is going to be a dangerous hunt, you need help and if I hear any funny business of you disappearing on Jake your out of a job, do you understand?” F.uck, the last time I’d worked with Jake I ditched him after we spent an hour having a huge argument about what to do on the hunt for a blood thirsty wereleopard who had gotten a taste for human flesh. Jake had finally exploded in a fit of rage when I’d called his idea a p.ussies plan and he had called me a stubborn, stupid w.hore and that's when I decided to ditch his a.ss and do the hunt myself. I had nearly lost my job then and I'd promised myself I wouldn't be so reckless next time. Damn, I was going to have to try and play nice. I was pacing my place nervously, while a storm raged outside, trying to figure out how in hell we were going to beat Mephistopheles. My fighting skills would be useless, and I had a funny feeling that the only person who would be able to give us a helping hand would be another witch, assuming they didn’t try to kill us first. I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of my front door slamming open and then being slammed shut, followed by the appearance of Jake sauntering into the living room where I was, his heavy boots crossing my apartment like he belonged here. F.ucking werewolves and their alpha egos, I wouldn't lose my job for the c.ocky s.hit so I bit my tongue and glared at him instead. Sneering back at me he made himself at home on my sofa and slammed his legs up on my coffee table. I shoved his feet back onto the floor while shoving past and sitting next to him. Yeah, wolves hated when you got all in their personal space. He had the nerve to growl at me in my own home. “Oh f***k off Jake, keep your growls to yourself, this is my home and you will treat it with respect. Got it?” I took it as a yes when he got up and made his way to my spare bedroom. f***k, I didn't expect to have to share my place with him too, but I guess after last time Jim wasn't going to take any chances. Great. Not only was I hunting one of Hell’s most powerful demons— Now I had to live with a werewolf too.