The Hunt

The Night Part 1

The night wasn’t supposed to be like this. It started just as any other. The sunset was beautiful shades of gold, red, pink and purple. The perfect summer set. Alina was perched on a tree branch, finishing up her rounds before Damian and Erik showed up for the night shift. She sniffed the air as the breezed picked up and sighed contently. No signs of THEM. Happy with her findings, she neatly jumped from the branch and landed silently on the ground. A sudden smell had her lips turning up in smile: the smell of a forest fire in winter. The smell that always had her head spinning and her heart thumping wildly. She may be hundreds of years old, but that particular scent always had her feeling like a teenager. She looked over the horizon and saw two figures strolling toward her. Erik. Her love, her heart, her other half. He has been by her side since the night she changed so many years ago. He guided her, helped her control herself, made her the vampire she is today. Alina is the leader of the Blood Moon Coven, and has been for as long as anyone can remember. She started the Coven just to spite the hateful woman who changed her. She never planned on becoming a vampire, let alone a leader of hundreds of them. She didn’t think others would join her, but she underestimated just how cruel this other woman was. Alina watched as the two men made there way across the field to join her and relieve her of guard duty. Her petite frame wriggled with excitement when Erik approached her, bowing deeply before he looked up at her with his breathtaking ice blue eyes.

“My Queen, Damian and I are here. You are officially relieved of this ridiculous guard duty” Erik chuckled as he stood up and wrapped her up in a hug. Alina frowned slightly, twirling a strand of her platinum hair between her fingers. “Erik, I know you don’t think we need it. I get it. Who would be stupid enough to attack a Coven of vampires? Unfortunately, we’ve made a lot of enemies in our lifetime and I don’t wish for the innocent to be collateral for that.” Alina frowned deeply. She knew the other vampires thought it was foolish to have guards in place. Nothing was special about their Coven, but she just couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had crept is way into her. Erik kept his strong arms around her and planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head. He pulled away and held her at arms length, staring at her with his hypnotic eyes, “Darling, I was only teasing. I understand the guard duty. That’s why I was the first to sign up. After you, of course.” He smiled widely at her, flashing a peek of his fangs. Alina sighed, smiling back at him. She could never get over how incredibly perfect this man was. Erik was tall, easily reaching over 6 foot 5 inches. His eyes were the color of ice and his deep brown hair was shoulder length, kept neatly in a low ponytail. He had strong features, his nose straight and narrow, high cheekbones and a jawline so sharp, it looked as though it could cut through rock. Alina knew she was equally attractive with her waist length platinum hair, pure emerald green eyes, and the perfect hourglass shape of her body. She wasn’t short, but not tall either- 5 feet and 5 inches. Of course, being close to Erik made her look small and dainty but she was anything but. That’s why she was the first to sign up for guard duty, and why she took the day shift. While the sun no longer causes the vampires to burst into flames, it is definitely uncomfortable. Like an itch that you just can’t seem to scratch. Alina stepped back into Erik’s arms, breathing in his unusual scent. The smell that was home to her. Suddenly, she heard someone clear their throat and she smiled, looking over at Damian.

“Damian, I almost forgot you were here.” Alina teased lovingly, stepping out of Erik’s embrace and lightly tapping Damian’s shoulder with her fist. Damian, just like any other vampire, was attractive. He wasn’t as tall as Erik, but he was no shorter than 5 feet 11 inches. His dusty blonde hair was a medium length with springy curls that he had to constantly keep out of his clear hazel eyes. His face wasn’t as defined as Erik’s but had a cute roundness to it, making him appear young. All in all, Alina saw Damian as a cute little brother.

“Listen, if you guys want some alone time, I’m more than happy to head back to town” He smirked, a hint of mischief in his voice. Alina rolled her eyes and smiled, looking up at Erik who was flashing a devilish grin in her direction. Alina smacked his chest and smiled, she certainly would mind some one on one time with Erik. But not tonight. She let let a sigh and looked back at Damian, “That’s very tempting but you two have some watching to do and I have to be back in town as dusk arrives to attend a meeting with Siren leader. There’s word of attacks spreading throughout their land” Alina sighed heavily and slumped her shoulders. She didn’t care for meeting with the Sirens. They were exhausting. Alina rolled her eyes internally, said her goodbyes to the men and started heading back to town. The Sirens had also evolved over time. They are no longer completely tied to the water, although they still have to return to the sea once every month, and if they wish for their songs to to be at full power. On land, their songs still have affects on the humans but on a much smaller scale. The only thing Alina knew was that this meeting, as annoyed by it as she was, it was necessary. She had a feeling that she knew who was behind the attacks. She thought that they had finally escaped THEM. Alina mentally shook herself, it probably was just some conflict that the Sirens are responsible for. They aren’t the easiest to get along with. They can be a bit self absorbed and..well they just think that they are the greatest being on the planet. Alina groaned as she had finally made it back to town. She trudged up the 3 short steps to her door and walked inside. Alina had just walked into her bedroom when she heard it. The sound that she will never forget.