The Last Vampire Hunter

Chapter 55

Sawyer

I stroked Dog's fur as I listened to the soldier, Craig, recount what happened. Callum and James were leading the interrogation. It's been about eight hours since I returned from a mission with that prick, Alaric. I was inside the fucking Crimson Castle less than a day ago. Had I known Ani would be taken there, I would have stayed. Instead, I made my way out and back to Alaric to provide intel and deliver two informants.

During my time with Master Alex, I'd developed a network of connections to get what I needed. I'm a survivor. One of a bunch of sons of a poor and abusive father, I'm all about doing whatever I need to stay alive. You want something inside the Castle. I'm your guy. I know people and thanks to my resourcefulness, I know the right people to get what I need.

Alaric had heard of me, even in the depths of his prison in the dungeons. Now he wanted me to use my resources to get his guys out of the Castle. He knew if anyone could get in and out of the Castle unnoticed it was me. I reminded him that if I could get in and out that easily maybe Ani wouldn't have blown up the fucking Main Hall and half of the first floor of the Castle to begin with. But, hey, semantics. Right?

Anyway, I found his men and got the hell out. King Nicholae, the fuck, is planning an attack on the Mage village. I left Alaric to his planning and came back to meet Ani. When I returned, I realized something was wrong. Half Bloods. They were everywhere. I was currently leaning up against the stables. When I was approached by one of the men I knew was traveling with Ani. "What the hell happened?" I'd asked. He'd told me that he wasn't supposed to be in town for another two days, but they'd seen three official looking carriages leaving town on the main road. It didn't feel right so they'd made their way into town.

They were supposed to ride up the main road, but given the feeling that something might be wrong they'd come in following the banks of the river instead, slowly making their way into town and around the village. They hadn't gotten much information. The townspeople didn't seem to know what was going on or why so many Vampires were here. One of the stablehands had observed the vampires go in and one came out cradling a woman bridle-style, she seemed drunk or half asleep. Two others carried out two men over their shoulders. They weren't sure if they were dead or unconscious.

As soon as I heard that a woman was carried out I notified Callum and here we were. It had only been a few hours, but it felt like days. Callum had come in Magic blazing and quickly took the town back. Gotta say, he's earned his title as the Master Trainer for the Mages. He is a sight to see in action.

Now, I listen as Craig tells a very angry Callum how they decided to split up into three groups to keep from calling attention to themselves. Finn had given him the idea and he'd presented it to Ani. Ani had agreed and they had split into groups of three. Three had stayed outside the village, three - including Ani - had stayed in the Inn and three had gone to scope out a cabin and potential camp site.

It seems Finn played a role in setting Ani up to be captured and Finn's uncle played a part as well.

I'm really not sure what I'm doing here. I don't care how King Nicholae got his hands on Ani, all I cared about was getting her back. I'd find Master Alexander or Master Philip and agree to play in whatever game Master Philip was playing. I know he wouldn't let the King keep Ani. He had to have a plan to get her away from there and I was game on tagging along so long as I can stay with Ani.

I worked hard to stay useful in this War, making sure I'm important enough to stay by Ani's side. The truth is, I could care two fucks about this war. My life sucked before, it sucks now and it will probably continue to suck after, regardless of which side wins. That's just the way it is for some of us. We aren't meant for greater things. My goal is to live, love the ladies when I can, and do what I can to live another day. If it means presenting my neck to a bloodsucker for his daily meal. Fine. If it means picking up a crossbow and sticking an arrow into said bloodsucker's heart. I'm good there too. Whatever it takes. And if I could live my life next to Ani, even if it is just as friends, well all the better.