The Camarilla

Chapter 7

Seeing a real angel was a spiritual experience. I could not stop fidgeting on the couch as Mattia sat across on another couch, laying lavishly with her two "friends" next to her, cuddling up to her fur coat. I could feel all those eyes staring at me as her main pair looked at me lazily and a soft smile gleam back. It felt like a scene from a movie. I glance over to Nat who looks like his System 32 just crashed, so I have to do the talking.

I shift my body and clear my throat, "So uh... Miss Mattia?"

Mattia put her finger to her lips and whispered, "Darling. You know me, but I want to know you. Tell me, who are you, vampire?"

"Uh." Her dominating gaze commanded more than what she spoke; she was proficient at this, "Uh... Harley. No surname, just Harley."

"Harley... As in the Harley in 1883?"

"Y-yeah?" I sink a bit.

"Hmmm..." She sat there for a moment, "Surprised you didn't shoot up to stardom by now. You are an impressive Witch Taker."

"I'm not a Witch Taker," I corrected, "I am an independent vampire. Though, I want to join The Camarilla."

"Hm. Of course. How did you find me?"

"Augustine sent us your way. He said you might be able to help us?

"Indeed, I can. I have my connections. However, I don't do things without a price." Her smile widens.

"If it's money you want—" She cut me off.

"No no, I do not need money, I make plenty of it on a nightly basis. I want something else. I want your services, darling." Her smile widens.

I frown, "I'm not sleeping with you."

She laughed at the accusation, "I'm not asking for anything sexual, darling. I want your experience with hunting."

That got my attention, "Go on."

"You see, I not only run a nightclub but also have... connections to the darker side of things. People want services, I want money, so it's an easy exchange of goods. However, someone, a dirty low-life rat, hadn't paid me, and they must be dealt with to send a message to anyone who thinks about cheating me."

"So, you want me to be your hitman, in exchange for information on how to get into The Camarilla."

"You catch up quick, darling."

At this moment, Nat announced, "Woah Woah! We're not hitmen. Yeah sure, I have the tools and Harley has the brains to take down anything, but how do we know you won't turn back on your word?"

"He makes a valid point, ma'am. As much as I want to trust A.G., we only just met you. We need some insurance before we agree to anything." I harden my resolve and look into her eyes. Her many many eyes. My resolve cracks a bit.

Mattia sighs, "Very well." She snaps her fingers and the angel gets up and walks out of the room. She returns with a plain folder and hands it to Mattia before setting back in next to her. I can barely make out what is written on the tab: Vampires (Camarilla), "Contained in this folder is everything I know about The Camarilla and how to contact the necessary channels to join. I am willing to give you copies in exchange for your services in... Eliminating the rat."

I pause and consider for a moment. But not for long because I craved a new hunt. "Seems fair." And shrugged.

Nat thought different, "WHAT?! You're agreeing to this, Harley?!"

"Yeah, why not? Plus, it seems fun."

"You vampires love the hunt, hehe." Mattia comments, sensing my excitement.

"No! Ma'am, with all due respect, I am not killing someone! I'm not a vampire,"

"Not yet," I threaten.

"I'm a vampire hunter!"

"Oh good, then you should have no problem, he is a vampire." Mattia snaps her fingers again and this time the demon gets up and walks out of the room.

I laughed to myself as Nat's system just crashed again. "Well, it seems we have a deal, Miss Mattia. I'm guessing you're getting the file on this guy you have gathered?"

"Correct. Is this your first rodeo with fighting a fellow vampire?" Mattia takes the folder the demon gave her and opens it to review it.

"I've had my own few encounters with other vamps over the years, one particular nasty Dracula wannabe in... What? 1899? Like dude, get a hobby, I don't need to be your Lucy bride for your power fantasy!" Mattia laughs, "I know right? I did end up repelling him rather than killing him in the end, but I got seriously burned after the fact. Luckily, I got a—Er, 99.9% human on hand to handle the holy things. This elimination should be easy!"

"I hope so, here's the file." Mattia passed the file to me, "As you can see, my connections were able to make a detailed profile of the man. I hope you can find it helpful, darling."

I opened the file and looked over the information. There was a lot of information, but I quickly boiled it down to the key facts.

Full Name: Jagger Hills

Age: 240

Gender: Male

Species: Vampire

Occupation: Tailor

Affiliation: The Witch Takers

Strengths: Flight, Can transform into a Wolf, Sex Magic, and Super Healing

Weaknesses: Repelled by Holy Items, Repelled by Garlic, Can only transform under the graze of the moon, and Silver

I stared long and hard at what his affiliations were, "The Witch Takers, huh?"

"Is there a problem, darling?" Mattia raised an eyebrow.

I shake my head, "No no, it's just." Pause and sigh, "Nothing. It's fine. We'll get it done, Ma'am."

"Excellent!" She clapped her hands together and got up. I got up two, dragging the still crashed Nat out to his feet, "Report directly to me once the deed is done! If you need anything, anything at all! Please tell me."

Nat finally woke up for the second time and looked up at me with disgust before turning his attention to Mattia, "Well... If we're doing this, I do request some items."

"Oh! Anything at all, darling!"

"Great." Nat turns to me, "You may have taught me about vampires, but I'm going to teach you how to hunt one. Oh yeah, you're entering my world now."

I have to say, I'm worried now.