Shadowbook

Chapter 8: The Hunt

Nighthaven was nearly silent as Astor dragged me through its narrow, labyrinthine streets. The center of the city had been bustling with Shadows going about their nightly lives, but there was no one in these backstreets. There was no light, either, except for the moon and occasional lanterns beside doors. Every once in a while, I thought I saw a wispy cloak darting into an alley, or a pair of glowing eyes that quickly disappeared.

When I was sufficiently unsettled, we emerged from the streets and arrived at an old, stone strigadrel. It had a square tower with a parapet that looked like battlements, giving it the appearance of a small castle. It was silhouetted against the striking full moon. Beside it was a tiny cemetery, with crumbling and moss-covered graves. The light of the moon washed over the few headstones caught in its glare, casting eerie shadows on the grass. Some of the markers were statues of menacing gods with horns and wings. The wind stung my face, smelling of dirt and stone and melting snow. I shivered.

Astor beamed. "A dramatic setting, no? I thought I would set the stage."

Leave it to Astor to choose the most quintessentially gothic setting for something like this. He was showing off!

"Indeed. This is no ordinary hunt. This is a performance," said Astor, with a theatrical swish of his hands. Astor was in his element. His presence in the graveyard seemed almost natural, like he was part of it, like one of the uncanny statues had come to life. On the other hand, it was really hard to imagine Karrine, with her miniskirts and sparkly eyeshadow, in a place like this.

"Don't you think Karrine will be a bit put off by..." I gestured vaguely, "all this?"

"No. Why should she be? She will be dreaming. One cannot get a clear sense of one's surroundings in a dream — only a vague sense."

"How will she get here if she's dreaming?"

"Through the dreaming portal in the strigadrel. That is why we are here. Strigadrel are where we receive our prey. Else, an entire night could go by while you are doing nothing but searching for the ideal victim! We do not have that problem in this case, but you understand how that would be a waste of time..."

"Oh, so it's not abandoned."

"I chose this one because it is well out of everyone else's way," said Astor. "There will be no one worshipping or doing anything else here tonight, so it is perfect for a little private performance." Astor began slowly brushing his hands across his body, shaping his folds into a classy but casual button-down and velvet waistcoat. He left the top buttons of his shirt open. And he was wearing those heels again. His hair framed his face in a bell-like shape. Karrine wouldn't stand a chance.

Wait... maybe Karrine only liked girls. I'd never been interested in her love life, and for all I knew, Senka was the only person she'd ever dated. "Astor, what if Karrine only likes girls?"

"Then you seduce her."

"Me? No goddamn way. I can't seduce people, especially not her. Do I look seductive to you?"

Astor didn't answer. He just smiled, as if he knew some secret that I didn't. "Well, if the idea makes you uncomfortable, no worries. There are many other methods of hunting than seduction. That's just my preferred means."

"I'll bet." Even if Jasmine hadn't already told me that, I probably could have guessed it. Astor dripped with charm. "Not sure if you'd be Karrine's type. I think she dumped Senka after she went Goth."

"I am skilled enough that she may—ah, conveniently overlook some things." That devilish grin enthralled me. My face was getting hot, even in the chill air. "I don't plan to be subtle. Dreamers rarely question anything."