The Hunter

Blood, Dirt and Kisses

It took every bit of Mira’s self-control to keep her from shifting. All she could smell was blood. The salty, tangy scent invaded her mouth and taste buds as well. Normally she liked how it tasted, but now, it simply left an unpleasant bitterness her mouth.

Where was Claude? As this and other questions swirled around her mind, she failed to notice the slightly wobbly wall appear in front of her. When her head collided with it, she jumped back at the same time as two arms wrapped around her. Her eyes shot up to meet Collin’s, which were busy inspecting her face.

“Were you followed?” He looked past her and straightened his stature.

“No…” She took a step back and confusion along with a hint of hurt flitted across his face.

“Are you hurt?” He stepped closer to her. Dried blood covered his arms and it wasn’t his own. Even his shirt had blood stains on it. “Mira, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

He had placed his hands gently on both of her shoulders. “Why are you covered in blood?” Mira whispered. “Where’s Claude?”

“He’s…” His hands dropped from her arms and he stepped back. He smiled at her sadly. “You think I hurt him, don’t you?”

“No… maybe… I don’t know!” She huffed and paced. “I come back to find his scent gone, another hunter’s scent here and you covered in blood. What am I supposed to think?”

“Okay.” Collin sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Something he seemed to do whenever she frustrated him. “I can see how it would look bad, but you should have more faith in me by now. At least, I would have more faith in you. Are you just waiting for me to betray you?”

His words cut her and she flinched. “No, it’s not like that at all. I just don’t want to leave Maurice without his dad, so I freaked out. Plus I couldn’t figure out why another Hunter would be here.”

“I understand. Now come and see.” Collin reached up and stroked her cheek before gesturing for her to go forward. “Oh, and sweetheart, calm down and really smell the blood. It’s not Claude’s.”

The cool mountain air filled her lungs, and this time she allowed her brain to work. As her brain processed the blood, a sheepish smile worked its way onto her lips. If it had been Claude’s blood, she would have smelled him in the clearing.

“Sorry.” She lowered her head and crossed her arms. It wasn’t easy for her to apologize.

He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his side as he kissed the top of her head before ushering her towards the clearing. “Your hair tastes like ash. Why does your hair taste like ash?” He shook his head. “You know what; I don’t want to know yet. Anyways, I’ve realized dating you will never be boring and always be complicated in some way or another.”

“Soooo… we’re supposed to talk, aren’t we?” She paused and looked up at him.

“Yep, but first.” He pushed her forward slightly. “I want you to see the other Hunter.”

“Okay, but then we will talk?” She grimaced at the pouty sound in her voice.

“Yes, then we’ll talk.” He chuckled and squeezed her into his side.

After a couple more seconds of walking, he pulled her around some thick foliage. A Hunter sat on the ground with his legs bound and a bandana tied around his mouth. He was leaning back against a tree with his arms drawn back. His eyes shot daggers at the two of them, and Mira couldn’t help but laugh.

“As to where Claude is, he is getting rid of the bodies.” Collin rested his chin on top of Mira’s head. The Hunter stiffened and glared at Collin.