HUNTERS AND DEMONS

Midnight Light

"In conclusion, 'The secret of existence does not only lie in living but in knowing what one lives for.' Erick concluded his presentation with satisfaction.

"That's from Fyodor Dostoyevsky," Elizabeth said with an ironic tone. "Can't you come up with something original?"

"Oh, come on!" Erick exclaimed. "This is the fifth time we've done this; I'm really tired."

"Then why do you ask for my help if you're not going to take it seriously? After all, you're the one who needs a good grade," Elizabeth said as she headed towards the library door. She was wearing tight-fitting pants and a long violet blouse that flattered her figure.

"Wait, wait, wait..." Erick stopped her before she reached the doorknob. "It's just that I can't do it, you know philosophy is not my thing, that's why you're here..." "Oh, so what you want is for me to do all the work for you?" she asked indignantly.

"Of course not," he replied. "What I mean is that it doesn't excite me like other things do..." "Like anime and TV series?" Elizabeth interrupted.

"Don't you dare insult my tastes," he protested. "At least they're better than unnecessarily complex Greek poetry."

"Then you should stop trying," she said. "Look, if you don't put in the effort, you'll never achieve something truly important. Maybe you can at least make a living off your looks," she finished. Which was true, as ever since Elizabeth met Erick, she always considered him very handsome. He was a tall young man with slightly messy dark hair, green eyes, delicate but masculine features, fair skin, and an athletic body adorned with some faintly prominent marks. Of course, both of them had to be in good shape to continue with their 'work', and Elizabeth was no exception, as she was truly beautiful – a young woman with long, brown hair, honey-colored eyes, semi-thick pink lips, above-average height, and an almost perfect figure, though her attitude was completely different from what she showed on the outside.

"Don't say that again," Erick replied with reluctance. "I don't want to live a life where I exploit my body for money. I won't be a display doll."

Before Elizabeth could respond, the library door swung wide open, and a tall, brown-haired young man interrupted them. "Guys, Jake wants you in the main hall; it seems another one has appeared," he said, and the three of them headed out of the library.

The Bradford Mansion was a truly magnificent construction that blended the classic and the modern in one place: high walls, large windows, a grand library, and countless rooms inside, each serving different purposes, from training areas to leisure spaces. With a Gothic architecture, it was surrounded by a large garden in a secluded location away from the noisy city of New York. The main hall was spacious, with a large wooden table on the left side and, on the right, armchairs with a 19th-century style, beautifully decorated marble walls, a grand fireplace, and above it, a large golden clock with intricate decorations. White statues of angels and strange beings bordering on the paranormal adorned the room, as well as a huge hanging chandelier that illuminated the whole place. At one end of the table stood a really tall man, nearly two meters in height, who seemed to be no older than 40 years. He was in great physical shape, with blond hair and dark brown eyes. Behind him, a small group of people, about 3 or 4, observed with attention three large screens displaying several red dots on a map of the city.

"You took your time, Marco," were the first words of that man.

"Sorry!" replied the young man with brown hair. "The library was the last place I expected to find you."

"You're right, it's not like you, Erick," said the man, turning his gaze towards him. Erick was wearing a dark blue hoodie and a white t-shirt, as if he was preparing to go to bed.