The Elemental Huntress

Chapter 4 - Rogues & Vampires

RHYDIAN POV

It took us two days to investigate the vampires in relation to the Club 88 incident.

Turns out their plans weren't anything on a large scale and it could be dealt with easily.

They had recruited some rogues to help them take over Club 88 and turn it into a public lair. It was just as we thought.

Angie & Richard had assigned the girls to a stake out (pun intended). Finding the Vampires hideout and dusting them into oblivion.

There were apparently 12 vampires in this coven.

I grinned to myself at the thought of the girls finding this mission fun as it was a little different to all of the rogue stuff we had been dealing with recently.

Once the girls had gotten back from school, we would have about two hours left of daylight to station ourselves around the area that we believed the vampires were situated. Our plan was to set up and wait until dark, that way we could pick them off one by one as they attempted to leave. Elira thought we should have gone in right away as they would have no escape route, but Angie said no due to not knowing for sure how many might be inside.

"We're back!" Both the girls exclaimed as they walked through the door. Elira seemed to be in a cheery mood even though she had just spent the day at school, I decided to put it off to the events that were about to take place.

"I cannot wait to try out my new set of throwing daggers." Willa said with a gleam in her eye that I most certainly recognised. "You've got that look in your eye Willa, be careful, someone might mistake you for actually enjoying what you do at top secret level." I couldn't help but tease her, she was like a little sister to me. I knew she could take it and would always give it back just as much.

"I have no Shame Rhydian, none!"

Willa was always so straightforward with a fire in her soul which I would always admire her for. Before I could respond, Elira joined us in the living room.

As she entered the room, I noticed that something about her still seemed different. Her muscles appeared more toned, the blue of her eyes standing out even more. She was almost animal like...

"I seriously need to work out more. I have so much energy recently and just can't stop feeling pent up. Maybe I should start getting up an hour earlier and go for a run before our morning training sessions?"

Elira was looking at me for confirmation and all I could do was nod my head as I was afraid I might say something inappropriate in response. I have a strong uncomfortable feeling about what was going on with her and I didn't want to give it away just yet. Not until I knew more.

"Well, you have been eating an insane amount of school lunches lately. You've always had a pretty decent appetite, but this is next level Elira." Willa was smiling but the look in her eye was of genuine support.

"Are you sure you're not just being a typical girl, if you catch my drift?" I couldn't help it, there I go with my inappropriate comment, hopefully in disguise of what i was really thinking. Maybe she was hormonal and eating her feelings? It wouldn't have been the first time. I thought this to myself as I shrugged.

The girls both gave me a death stare and rolled their eyes.

Time to move on....

ELIRA POV

It was a little over half an hour later when we were loaded and ready to go. Rhydian would be staying here in the villa for our base comms. Mum and dad had both headed out on their next mission this morning knowing we were fully capable of handling this small-scale operation. Their mission was in Europe, that's all they would tell us.

It was just going to be myself, Willa and six other Moonlight Tech Hunters. We were outnumbered but I knew we were smarter and much better equipped for the fight about to break out.

We scoped out the perimeter and waited for the sun to go down. My adrenaline was pumping, I felt elated and wanted to rid the world of some vampires. It was a strange feeling, since I had been a Hunter my whole life and yet never felt this excited for the job before. I was usually driven by my oath to protect humankind and my hatred for werewolves.

It's not that I hate what I do for a living, but it's just what I know, tonight it felt different. It was like there was a different kind of blood running through my veins and effecting my thoughts and feelings. I thought I had started to feel like myself again today, but I realised I was wrong.

In the back of my mind, I knew what might be happening to me. I could recognise the symptoms. My heightened senses, more energy, muscles appearing in places I didn't know they could.

I was terrified of what this meant, I couldn't bare to think about it and even though talking about it to Willa or Rhydian was the right thing to do, I couldn't bring myself to face it.

Whatever was going on with me personally was going to have to wait, I had a job to do and failure wasn't an option.

My parents had made it clear; we were to wait out the Vampires, picking them off one by one before heading in to find any stragglers. Since they call the shots at MT for this division, I well and truly should be listening to their orders.

But I'm not feeling myself right now, I know that. I feel a drive deep inside me, like an innate instinct telling me to go straight in first. I decided to risk it and go with my gut!

The scouts waited for my signal before heading into the lair. I radioed Rhydian through our comms to confirm the go ahead, and on my count of three we all moved in on the Vampires.

Using our trained skills to stealthily head into the lair, killing any vampire or demon on sight.

We were all keen to dust some Vampires for a change, the energy between all of us, was almost electric. I felt empowered leading my team on this mission and didn't want to let them down.

WILLA POV

Elira gave us the signal to move in and so we moved in slowly with the rest of the team following right behind us. It was about two minutes before we hit the first lot of vampires. We killed three simultaneously before continuing to move further into their lair. We were told there were only 12 vampires.

Ahead we saw another four. Elira used her bow to stake three of them while I cartwheeled into the fourth and knocked him down. Staking him with a look of achievement on my face, he turned to dust within seconds. I stood up and dusted myself off giving Elira a High five as she joined my side.

Just five more vamps to go, we continued deeper into the lair. The air getting thinner realising that we must have been going deeper underground.

Suddenly there was a commotion beside us as all five vamps started fighting with the other hunters on our squad.

I gave a knowing look to Elira and before we could react something knocked me out.

Moments later I was on the ground, my head ringing as I looked up and saw the vamps were putting up a decent fight against the hunters, less experienced than Elira and me.

I shook off my dazed feeling and stood up just in time to notice that it was rogues.

We had been ambushed by rogues and vampires. I had three on me and I couldn't spot Elira anywhere. I knew she would be ok, and we would find our way back to one another once we dealt with the threat in front of us.

This take down really wasn't going to plan at all. Just another surprise to add to the list of whatever is going on in this town.

My instincts kicked in and it was time to put my combat skills to use. These rogues and vamps didn't stand a chance against us.

ELIRA POV

I smelt the rogue before I saw him. A split second of catching his scent and he knocked Willa out. Before I could even react or help her, seven rogues were on us. It was too close range for me to use the bow, so I switched to my blades instead. The other hunters beside me had almost finished off the Vamps.

I took out two rogues within seconds and still had five on me. Two of them seemed to be stronger than the others. As I was about to lunge for one of them, I saw out the corner of my eye that Willa had woken up and now had three of the rogues to deal with.

These two stronger males were mine and I couldn't wait for them to meet my blades. I grabbed one of their heads from the side and run up the wall, as I came back down on my flip, I stabbed him straight through the jaw and up into his head. Blood was pouring out as he slumped to the floor.

Before I could react to the other rogue, he had started running. This made me excited; I was ready to chase him and burn off the pent-up energy I had lingering inside me. Bring it on Mr Rogue!

"I'm in pursuit of what looks like the Rogues leader, I repeat I am in pursuit of the potential rogue leader!" I radioed to Rhydian knowing all my team would hear it through their comms.

"See if you can track him back to any other rogues, take him down if necessary." Rhydian responded just as I started to catch up to the rogue.

I had almost caught the Rogue, when he suddenly sprung through a door which took us to the outside. Here is where he shifted into his wolf form and headed for the trees. Usually, I would need some night goggles to see him in the dark whilst out hunting but tonight was different.

I could smell his scent and it was vile. Like old socks and cabbage had made a baby.

I took off into the trees, tracking his every move. After 10 minutes of chasing him, I finally caught up to him.

He had stopped in a rather small clearing, sniffing the air and catching another scent. I could also smell something in the air, much more enticing than this guy, but I was on a mission, and nothing was going to distract me!

I drew my compound bow and aimed right for the back of the rogue’s head. As I drew back the arrow ready to release, I could sense someone close by. Their smell was very distracting and before I could release the arrow and put this rogue down, he began running again.

I huffed out of frustration and began chasing him again, at this point I had lost track of where I was and became increasingly aware that, I was hunting alone and likely heading into Alpha territory.

Suddenly out of the thick bush comes a large black wolf running beside me. His expression seeming almost human, I knew by his eyes that this was no ordinary wolf. I stopped running and came to a halt, not wanting to go any further as I was unaware of where I was. The wolf kept running, most likely heading after the rogue himself. Without even a glance back at me he sped up and disappeared through some thick trees.

My heart was racing, I felt unsure and yet completely confident all at once.

As I stood there alone in a clearing, I realised the enticing smell was the wolf. The black as night wolf, whom the rogue was clearly more afraid of than he was of me.

I felt so confused, how can I smell them? Realisation was starting to dawn on me.

"s**t!"

This could only mean one thing.

I had to get back to the rest of them, make sure that the remaining Vampires and Rogues had been taken down.

I need to talk to Willa and Rhydian about what is happening to me, I need to find out what this means.

I would be back here tomorrow to investigate; I couldn't let that rogue off the hook without knowing exactly what happened. I needed to make sure he got what he deserved.

Hopefully the wolf wouldn't be nearby to interrupt my investigation. I would come here straight after school. I couldn't help but be drawn to this place. I had to follow it up on my own.

By the time I had reached the location for the Vampires lair, the rest of the team had started to arrive outside. I raced to see if I could find Willa, as she burst through one of the hidden doors.

"What the hell happened to you in there Elira? One minute you were beside me and the next minute you had disappeared!" Willa looked concerned as she asked me legitimate questions. I was unsure how to answer while others were around me. "I went after one of the rogues who managed to break out, I chased him through an open field but then I lost him. I decided to let him go for now as I was in unknown territory." I told the truth... minus a couple of details that I would fill her in on later.

"I was under the impression you never shied away from a kill but good call on heading back. The last thing we need is an Alpha to stir things up." Willa had a cheeky glint in her eye as she said that last part. Likely due to the fact she wouldn't pass up an opportunity to spend the night with a handsome, somewhat rugged werewolf. This girl had no Shame.

I shook my head with a grin and proceeded to head back to the villa. "Alright team, let's roll out." I commanded for the rest of the squad to get back into the vehicles and head back to base.

Once inside the SUV that was going to take us home, I radioed Rhydian to inform him of the details of our mission. He was happy with the result and said he would notify my parents of everything that happened.

As we pulled up at the villa, I looked at Willa with a serious look on my face, I had dirt, dust and blood smudges from the fighting, "I need to talk to you, it's about what's been going on with me this past week. I think I know what's happening to me. Meet me in my room in twenty minutes?" I wasn't sure what her thoughts were on my behaviour, but I knew she loved me like a sister, and I hoped she was as keen on getting to the bottom of this issue as I was.

"Of course, see you in twenty minutes." Willa looked sincere and relieved at the same time. It showed that she was worried, and I could tell she felt some relief towards me finally addressing the elephant in the room.

Twenty minutes later, we were both showered and in our pyjamas. It was early fall, in late September, so the weather was still an enjoyable temperature after the summer months. I was wearing my Stranger Things PJ set, Willa had on one of her favourite Disney collections, Beauty & the Beast. I always did find it amusing that she was such a natural badass and yet loved a good Disney fairy-tale.

"Ok Elira, time to spill, because I've got some theories and I think it's time we get to the bottom of what's been going on with you." Willa is persistent I’ll give her that.

"Agreed. So here is what I know so far; my eyes have been glowing at certain times, I have heightened senses, muscles where I never thought I could have muscles, heightened levels of energy, I can smell the rogues now, I have stronger instincts and alcohol didn't do anything for me that night at Club 88. Also, I made out with two Werewolves that night, and it low key kind of turned me on..." There it was, I had finally said it all out loud. I was supposed to tell Willa about the Elaine thing on our first day back at school, but I couldn't, I barely understood it myself. But now felt like the right time to come clean entirely. Even though I didn't know they were Werewolves at the time, it didn't gross me out once I knew, either way I was turned on.

"Called it!" Willa seemed rather proud of herself, yet I was confused about what she meant exactly.

"Wow so I have a few weird days and your first thought is that I'm a werewolf? Gee, thanks for that." I was a little taken aback with how nonchalant she seemed about all of this.

Willa c****d her eyebrow as she thought about what I had said.

"Well, no, not about that. I meant about you and Elaine. The chemistry is strong between you too." Willa responded earnestly.

"Oh! Well yeah, I guess you could say that, but let's stick to the point here. Plenty of time to talk about girls later." I winked at her, and she shook ok her head.

"Elira I have been paying attention to what's been going on with you, this is pretty serious. I just want you to know that it doesn't matter to me, who or what you are, I know you and I know your heart. Nothing can taint you; you are pure and I will always fight by your side. Until the very end!" I could see the honest emotion in her eyes and felt every word she said to be truth.

"Thank you, Willa, you have always been my compass. Helping me navigate my way through everything. Whatever happens, I hope we can face it together, I don't know what I would do without you." I couldn't help but grab her hand and squeeze it as I shared my honest feelings with her. She was the closest thing I felt to family. My parents weren't really part of my life in a way parents are supposed to be. Willa was my rock. “We have to speak to Rhydian tomorrow, are you ready for that? Are you ready to tell him your theory? We will need his help if we are going to figure this out. Plus, we are a trio, he has to know something is up, I know he knows something is up." Willa was serious now. I felt hesitant telling Rhydian, what if I lose him? What if he doesn't believe me?

"I know it's necessary, but I won't lie, I'm really not comfortable about this." My honesty was making me feel vulnerable.

"Thank you, I needed this. Let's get some rest for our early start tomorrow."

I expressed to Willa that I was tired, so she said goodnight and headed to her own room for bed.