Chronicles of the Underworld - Soul Eater

3 - The Triad

Salem stood close to the witch assigned to Aurel, which was weird. In that position they had created distance to the third part of their triad, to Fulgor, the vampire standing a little apart. Alexandria could feel that their connection was more intimate, which was a weird thing to happen in a triad. The triangle formation served to prevent exactly that type of thing from happening, not that she understood much of it.

Connor's got you pissed off already, right?, she said, not taking her eyes of the man.

He looked almost human, but she knew there had to be something other in him. Something that made him not human. If he hunted demons, he could probably do magic and it had changed him, given him a longer life, more strength and some gimmicks humans could use. Seeing in the dark, for example.

Alexandria flinched. What on earth was that guy supposed to teach her?

He does, Aurel replied.

Good you get to kill off some werewolves. Imagine they're your family, she said with a little internal laugh.

Not so far-fetched, actually.

Even better. You see the vampire? He seems all alone.

I've noticed.

Hardly a minute had passed since they had arrived, and the triad had observed them just as they had observed them. The hunter, Alexandria's mentor, Salem, took to addressing them.

"So you are Mortimer's prodigy soldiers."

"They are.", Connor replied, because he knew how fond they were of being called a prodigy – they despised it. "The elf is Alexandria. She was born and raised where your last mission was. She is a Shadow elf and very talented. The other one is..."

"You guys are related, right?"

The voice of the witch was dark and vibrated of energy. She was looking at her fingernails while she spoke and seemed disinterested at best. Bored, at worst.

"We are.", Connor said.

"I'm human.", Aurel said. "Basically. I can't do magic."

"What do you do then, Aurel?"

"The things most humans can't. But better."

He didn't question where she knew his name from. Alexandria and her magic had taught him that the best way to handle magic – when one could not use it – was not to ask too many questions.

I can read your mind, that's why.

Aurel smiled faintly and felt Alexandria's rising darkness in his crane. He could not do magic, but his other half could, and she protected him from attacks of magic nature. What the witch didn't know was that he himself was able to protect his thoughts, because the Shadow elf had taught him how to do so.

I hope you enjoyed, he said before constructing a wall around his thoughts.

She smiled and for a second she seemed almost sweet. "I'm Columbia. I'll go with you to smoke out the werewolves. Salem and Alexandria will find the soul eater that has appeared in Prague. Seems like he's looking for someone."

Salem's eyes were of different colours: the right one was dark green, the other one of the amber colour the witches' eyes were. He had dark hair and the stubbles of a beard covered his face. He was a good looking fellow and according to his posture, he knew.

I'm so glad you're not the arrogant piece of shit he is, Alexandria muttered to him. Even if you're just as handsome.

You're too kind.

See?

"Are you ready, petal?", Salem said, discretely changing his stance. "I was not born with magic in my blood as you were. All I know, all the skills I have, I had to learn myself. Despite that I am the best demon hunter Mortimer ever had."

I hate him already, the Shadow elf said.

Careful to kill the parasite and not him.

I don't see a difference.

"I don't usually hunt demons.", Alexandria replied. "I protect people from them."

"So do I. By killing them all."

"Today we only have to kill one. We should get moving."

See? I did not threaten him, nor did I tell him I think he's full of shit... I'm behaving like an adult, am I not?

Please don't let him have an accident at work.

You wouldn't be able to tell.

Hence I'm saying.

Promise.

The third part of the triad, the vampire Fulgor, had not uttered a single word but he turned with his companions when they did to walk into the ashen river. He was of light complexion, his hair was silver and his eyes the colour of ice. He seemed transparent, almost sickish.

There's definitely something off in this triad, Alexandria stated. Have I ever told you how happy I am that it's just you and me?

I appreciate that.

The water was cold and rose up their legs. They held on to their swords and the triad before them disappeared beneath the water.

Connor turned back to them. "You guys behave. Don't disappoint me."

"Have we ever?"

"By don't disappoint me I mean don't make me ashamed."

"I got that."

Alexandria had been with Aurel ever since she had been three years old. His older brother was her older brother, in some way.

"You're also the one I'm worrying about."

"Nothing to worry about. I'm the cold, hard professional I was raised to be."

"If that hunter returns with some mysterious injury, I'm going to bug you until you tell me what you did to him."

"I know." She walked past him. "Can we get going? We're missing out on all the fun. I can't wait to spend more time with that prick."

"Aurel."

"I was listening."

"That's not what I wanted to say to you."

Aurel lifted his head and looked at his brother.

"I'm there.", Connor said in a serious tone. "In Prague. I know you probably won't need me, but if anything happens... I'm there."

"I know. Won't be necessary."

He was going to hunt down some werewolves wreaking havoc, what could go wrong? He had done that before. It was the easiest of all missions: search and destroy. No searching, no observing. Just finding and eliminating.

"Just saying."

"Okay."

He moved up to Alexandria and heard her laughter in his mind. Their hands touched.

He's trying to bond with you. It's so cute.

I wish he wouldn't.

They submerged in the water and the magic filled their mouths and noses.