The Van Helsing Incursion

Given the snow and moonlight, Clara had no trouble seeing through the barren trees. Still, she suspected that Julia's eyes were better suited for these conditions. That was the difference between creatures of the night and those who dutifully lived out their lives under the light of God.

"I think we are about to reach the dam," Julia said lightly, hesitant to make a statement that might turn out to be false.

Clara looked out further ahead and then, to the sides, but there was nothing that implied they were near large structures nor a body of water. Given the time of year, the lake's surface was likely frozen solid, so a lake or a clearing could look the same at a glance.

"How do you know?" Clara asked, while keeping an eye out for telltale signs.

"Just a feeling," Julia said. "I haven't been down this road in years, but this road is at risk of getting washed away every spring."

"That explains the brush we had to cut through," Clara said.

"Exactly," Julia said. "It's just easier to take the southern road in."

Clara had to admire the logic of it. An abandoned mine complex situated in a remote area of the state gave them privacy. The infrastructure that once served the mine would rot away with the passage of time. That dam would also eventually fail. Such structures could only take so much neglect and abuse. Without dedicated maintenance, a crack would eventually leak, erode further, and lead to a breach. That could take decades...

"See!" Julia said as the vehicle approached a large clearing.

Clara noticed that the surface beyond the shore was pristine and undisturbed. Animals here knew well enough to avoid the thin ice. Still, the crumbling concrete at the end of the black waters was more concerning. It would make an approach over the lake impossible.

Fortunately, she had options. Her only concern was to give Julia enough time to make some headway before having her fun.

"The dam is stable enough for me to get a solid footing and see what's going on?" Clara asked.

Julia nodded before saying, "Worried, are you?"

"No. I just like to confirm details before setting a plan in motion," Clara said. "Should I expect some company?"

"Not from the pack," Julia said. "But... they probably left the engineer up here."

As a hunter, Clara had sworn to protect human life. While she was free to destroy vampires, werewolves, and their ilk to her heart's content, it was not up to her to determine the guilt of a human. Ultimately, society had to judge the traitors and collaborators. In the absence of a readily available justice system, she had on occasion guided fate, but never directly took a human life.

"Just ducky," Clara said. "Stop here, while we still have some cover."

Julia stopped the truck and killed the engine. In the distance, a series of howls were carried by the wind. Julia's facial features went slack while blood flushed from those cheeks.

Clara did not need to ask about the source of those howls. Her partner's reaction was more than enough. What should a gal do in this situation? Let someone else suffer due to her actions?

"Are you sure that you are okay with this?" Clara asked.

Those words had no immediate effect. Clara chanced caressing Julia's clammy hand, hopeful that human contact would give her something to focus on.

"Yeah—sure," Julia said once the chorus of howls faded into the background. "Sorry. It's hard to ignore a summons."

"So, they know we are coming?" Clara asked.