Apocalypse: The Huntress Luna

Chapter 5

I didn't want to be late so, looking in the mirror, I brushed out my curls into nice waves and left it down. I grabbed my satchel, to Calli's dismay, which had training material in it and said my goodbyes.

Thankfully, I made it with 5 minutes to spare and spotted Gus amongst the Council, standing outside the hall.

"Morning love, you look lovely!" he said, sounding surprised. 

"Why thank you, you look rather nice yourself" I giggled. 

"Calli's?"

"I do own nice clothes too you know…" but Gus just dipped his nose to look at me over his glasses- his signature look. 

"....yeah it's Calli's",I said, scratching my head sheepishly.

We chatted a little and I thought I'd let him know about Saleem and later tonight. 

"You know, you don't HAVE to date Saleem - it was just a recommendation from the Council. Nothing more", he frowned.

"Yeeeeah I know but he seems like he actually WANTS to, which is weird in itself, but I want to see if there can be anything between us," I shrugged. 

Saleem had built a reputation that showed he didn't date or go out or….do anything fun but I knew I would regret it if I didn't atleast give him a chance.

Gus opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by the sound of pick-up trucks coming down the path. Three of the nicest looking Chevy Pickups I've ever seen pulled in, each with four people in the back and two inside, including the driver. 

I guess they needed a large escort in case of an ambush on their way here seeing as the Vargul were unpredictable.

Four men and two women stepped forward and started the greetings and I assumed they were some of the Archivio council members. The rest of the men hung back and I couldn't help but notice how built these guys were. They looked like they've been fighters their whole lives with the kind of muscle they were packing. 

Or they could be Lycans.

The Archivio has been known to be inclusive of all, so it was a high possibility.

I just stood to the side while they all shook hands and did quick introductions and I couldn't help but feel a few eyes on me.

I heard whispers of 'Huntress' among their fighters and saw a few fingers pointing in my direction.

I shifted uncomfortably and glanced to my right to where the 'muscle' were standing and was met with dark, piercing eyes that were boring into my own. 

He almost looked shocked to see me? 

Did I know him??

Before I could look him over, I felt tugging at my arm and Gus was leading me into the hall while chatting to one of the women. 

Stumbling along, I looked back and he was following us in.

…………

(Unknown)

The ride from the Archivio was uneventful but I wasn't complaining. It was only a half day's ride to Tectum so there was no real need for the full Squadron to escort the Council but Mikal liked to be safe rather than sorry. Plus we were on another assignment.

Seeing the giant iron gate up ahead, I breathed out a sigh. The roads were bumpy, so naturally, my ass was sore and I couldn't wait to stretch.

Damon leaned forward and beckoned me to come closer. 

 "Do you think they'll have what we need?"

I looked out into the distance, sighing. 

"Yes," I nodded, "so keep an eye out and report anything you see."

He gave me a stiff nod and we both looked onward as we drove into the compound.

They have to have it. 

They just have to…

Looking around, Tectum was ruddy but beautiful.

Back at the Archivio, everything was well manicured but here, nature was allowed to be.

It reminded me of pictures I had seen of life before the Fall.

They had sections of houses and small buildings that made up the 'middle ring' of the settlement, the outer ring looked to be the Militia and farming and right in the center was the Medic Corp as well as what looked to be supply buildings and operations. 

I glanced back to the other trucks and like me, my men were drinking in the beauty of this place.

I took a deep breath as I leaned back against the truck and my senses were suddenly taken over by an overpowering scent of sweet flowers and honey. 

My eyes closed and I was transported back home where I could almost smell mothers cooking and her beautiful garden of roses. 

The wind danced through my hair and I could feel the sun on my face as I lay in the fields of Sicily. Warmth spread throughout my body from the inside out and I had never felt a deeper yearning than I did now...I felt like I was missing a piece of my soul...but I had a feeling it was nearby...

We pulled up outside a meeting hall and my eyes snapped open. 

What the hell was that?

I looked around and there wasn't a flower in sight? 

There were little gardens around the houses but that was way too far to smell as strongly as it did. And since when did I have memories of Sicily?? 

I had only ever seen photographs of our ancestral home and nothing at the Archivio ever came close to it.

I jumped out of the back of the truck with the rest of the group and the Council began their chittering as I continued to search for the source of the scent. Amicus was on edge and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand as I scanned the small crowd.

I felt Damon lean back against the truck and he made a low whistle. I turned to him as he sounded amused and nodded in the direction of the hall.

And there, among the Council stood the most beautiful rose I had ever seen.

{Animus Meus…}, a voice inside me whispered.

She stood with a small smile, watching the introductions take place, with her hands clasped in front of her.

Taking in her features, she had deep dark chocolate waves with one side tucked behind her ear and the rest falling down to the middle of her back.

She wasn't small and thin like the women back home either. She looked about 5'6 with long legs, curvy hips and a strong torso.

Her body made all the right dips and curves, it was like watching art in human form.

And her face. 

Beautiful soft lips, button nose and her light brown skin glowed under the sun. I felt my fingers itching to caress her cheek and her back….

Her eyes were bright amber, filled with kindness and before I could turn away, her amber orbs fluttered over and was staring straight into mine.

I stared hungrily, taking her soulful eyes in until she looked confused and before I could blink, she was being pulled away and into the hall. 

Breaking out of her spell, I looked around and my men were watching her too.

A pang of anger ran through my body and I had to fight to keep Amicus down.

Damon nudged me, smirking, "you're drooling man."

I just grumbled and followed her in.

…………

(Andy)

The group was given refreshments in the hall before heading into the meeting room so I grabbed some lemonade and sweetened it with extra honey.

Mmmm, I hummed with pleasure to myself.

Gus came by and was introducing me to a few of the Archivio council, explaining who I was etc. I shook a few hands and smiled warmly. 

They aren't so bad, I thought. 

I guess I had the idea that they would be stuck up, pompous and ancient but as far as I could tell, they seemed nice enough.

All the while, I felt a pair of eyes burning into my back, making my skin prickle. I pretended to look in my satchel and quickly swept over the back of the room. 

And there he was, holding a cup and staring right at me.

My heart fluttered.

We held eye contact and I couldn't look away until he broke my focus as he lifted his cup to his lips and headed towards the meeting room. I dragged my eyes away as I heard and felt a presence in front of us.

One of the Archivio Council women had stepped forward and turned to me with her hands tucked behind her back.

"Your reputation precedes you, Huntress" she smiled but strangely, it didn't reach her eyes.

"And I hear you fight with a Naginata", she stated rather than asked. 

"I fought. Past tense." I returned her cold smile and Gus shifted closer to me and put his hand on my lower back. I didn't like discussing my past let alone with a complete stranger.

"Andromache was part of the Militia a while back but left to join the Medic Corp and the world is much better for it. I for one am glad she did", he turned and gave me a reassuring smile

.

"Well, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about the human Huntress but looks like she is retired ", and she reached out her hand for me to shake.

When I felt her starting to apply pressure, I gladly returned the gesture and watched her eyes widen.

She withdrew quickly and stalked towards the meeting room. 

I let out a breath and watched her walk away. 

What the hell is her problem?

I looked to the right and there he was again - just outside the meeting room but his eyes were on the Council woman.

Their eyes met and she stopped for a second, then shuffled into the room, head down.

Gus began to usher everyone into the room and as we passed the guy, I whispered hoarsely "Gus! Is there something on my face?? Or something on my back?? That guy is staring like I'm some kind of freak show!?"

He looked confused but looked behind us and then turned back quickly. 

"Oh you're right...he is staring… maybe he likes what he sees", he whispered with a cheeky smile.

Before I could swat his arm, he sat me in my chair and said, "shhhh it's starting.”