The Hunt

Chapter 13

Alesco:

I push aside my questions. I want to ask my mother, to get her to tell the tale again, to talk more of my father, but now is not the time. I have six vampires kneeling in front of me. Kneeling in front of me in submission to my authority. I feel my own strength and power.

It feels unfamiliar, alien, yet somehow it feels right. Just as the tone of authority feels natural, so does this position. I think back to the vision of all those vampires kneeling in front of me. Of the human brought before me. Of the sweet, warm taste of human blood. Power. I feel a longing for that, a longing for what I saw and felt and tasted.

I look down at them, Fabian and Aldon at the front. I don't recognise the rest. I look round at my mother. She meets my eyes but says nothing. The fire and rage is gone from Wynn's eyes now, he is looking at the kneeling vampires in confusion. He never saw what I saw, never felt what I felt.

"You can rise." I say. They rise to their feet. Six sets of glowing red eyes are fixed on me, waiting, expectant, submissive.

"Fabian." I say. "Introduce me to your companions."

"Of course my lady." He bows slightly before continuing.

"Aldon you already know." He indicates the vampire closest to him. His hair is longest of them all, indicating he is the oldest. Aldon bows.

"My lady." He says. I see wisdom in his eyes, like my father.

Fabian points out them all, one by one. Abel, Brendan, Delano and Draven. Abel is tallest, he looks like he has taken great care with his appearance. His black hair is parted neatly and his fangs gleam white.

Brendan has a fire in his eyes, a burning intensity. He nods at me.

Delano's skin is dark, ebony like the master. Strange compared to the usual paleness of our kind. His white fangs a distinct contrast. His voice is deep, gravelly as he says: "It is my honour to serve, my lady."

Draven is built larger than the rest, powerful looking, more muscular than most vampires I have seen. He says nothing.

"We are here, at your service." Fabian says. "For the hunt."

"What is this?" My mother asks. "What hunt are they talking about Alesco?"

I haven't told her about the Master's instructions, to bring in a hunting party of humans.

"The Master gave me a job. To bring in a hunting party, to bring in some humans." I say.

"What?" She says. "That is suicide Alesco, madness."

"No mother. It is necessary. To end the opression of our kind, to spread the darkness, to resume our rightful place as the stronger species." I say.

She stays silent, staring at me with a look I can't describe. I feel uncomfortable so look away.

"Do you have a map of the forest?" I ask Fabian.

I realise how unprepared I am, I have no plan, no approach, no method worked out. I haven't thought about the details. I just know we have to capture a hunting party.

He nods. "Yes, my lady. We have a building we can plan in. Closer to the center of the village. We have a map there."

"Very well." I say. "Let's go. Lead the way."

We start to move off towards the village, Wynn steps to my side and we follow our new companions. I stop and look at my mother.

"Mother, stay here. You are not coming on this." I say. I see hurt flash through her eyes, but she stops and steps back. I'm struck with a momentary flash of guilt. But I cannot trust her, not yet. Too many lies, too many questions.