Hunting Aurora

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I was already at our Rendezvous, hiding in amongst the trees and darkness, when Robert arrived.

He stood under a light post, looking around for a sign of me, but I didn't make a sound. I needed to be sure he was alone and this wasn't some kind of setup. He wasn't known as the most vicious of vampires without reason.

Robert checked his watch a couple of times, when it was 22:00 he called out "It's not like a hunter to be late for an appointment, so I take it you are around here, somewhere Mr. Black... I can assure you, it's only me, you can trust me"

I slowly emerge from the shadows, closer in proximity to Robert than he realised, catching him by surprise. I can tell by the look on his face he knows that if I wanted too, he would have been dead already. "And I can assure you... I don't trust vampires, least of all the infamous Robert Duboix."

Robert: "Well, I'm flattered that you know who I am"

Me: "Don't be... It's most definitely not a complement"

Robert shows no concern about my remark, instead he reaches into his inner pocket and pulls out an envelope, which he hands to me.

I open the envelope and pull the photograph out.

Robert: "That's the Vampire I want you to take care off"

I look at the image and try my upmost not to show any kind of emotion, showing emotion is showing weakness, but I am suddenly very curious.

Me: "The mark is Queen Aurora... Your wife?"

Robert: "Ahh I see you recognize her? ... but She is not my wife anymore." he states the last part as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.

I only guessed that it was her, I've never actually seen her or even seen a picture of her, I've only ever heard about her, heard about her beauty and her features. And the Vampire on the picture is definitely the most beautiful vampire I've seen, it's a shame really, that she's a monster.

Robert: "Twenty" cutting straight to the price.

Me: "Forty" I instinctively counter.
If he wants her dead he should pay. Don't get me wrong, if it comes to killing vampires, I'd do it for free, but seeing how this has become a way of means... The more desperate they are to take one out, the more money can be made...and I'm all for making money.

Robert rolls his eyes :"Thirty?"

Me: "Fine, but then I want half upfront"

Robert: "No problem, there's a number on the back of the photograph, text me your banking details. That's not my direct number so do not use it other than to supply your banking details... you have three days, if I don't receive your banking details in three days, I will take it as your rejection of the offer. However if you do accept, I will pay half over within 24 hours and the balance once you complete the job."

Me: " How will I provide you with proof if I have no way to contact you?"

Robert:" I will make contact with you once a week for updates, we can discuss proof later."

Me: "I have a long night ahead of me. I will have to do some research to locate this vampire, as far as I'm aware no one knows where she is?" I state it as a question, most of the time the best leads comes from the person doing the hiring.

Up until now she could have been just a myth for all I knew, that's how illusive she is.

Robert: "The most important part is... I don't want you to do it now, it will be too suspicious and I don't want to be complicated in her murder in any way. It will be better if there was a reason for her to be murdered"

Me:" You mean... if she commits a crime against the vampire council?"

Robert:" Yes, precisely"

Me:" Has she not committed any crimes that would suffice as reason enough?"

Robert: "Who Aurora? Mr. Black I suggest you do some research on your mark... Aurora's only crime as vampire is that she's more human than vampire. If at any point she was the vampire I intended her to be, she would be by my side now and none of this would be happening."

What's that even supposed to mean. All vampires are monsters with evil and selfish intentions.

Me:" So do you know where to find her?"

Robert gives a snort "If I knew where to find her Mr. Black, I would have no need for your services...But I might have a plan to bring her out of hiding, and when she does, I need you to take action immediately."

Me: "Okay, so what's this plan?"

Robert: "Oh don't you worry about the details, you just focus on your part of the deal... I will ensure she comes out of hiding and when she does, she will break some rules... guaranteed. That's when you take her out. Remember, this will not be a quick job. I need to action my part first... and that could take some time. I just need you to be on the lookout for rumours or outbursts of vampire attacks, and pick up the lead from there."

I take my cell and press a few buttons, the phone in Robert's hand vibrates.

Me:" My Bank details...Contract accepted"

Roberts gives an evil smirk. "I will transfer the fifteen million once I get back to my office"

I try and keep my cool, I don't know if I heard correctly. I'm pretty sure Robert just said Million. I was under the impression we were talking about thousands...not millions.

With my heart racing and my breathing increased, my minds starts racing, thoughts of what this money could do, I could retire off my share if I invested wisely. I could try having a normal life for once.

In reality it meant I belonged to this vampire now, if he thought for one second I couldn't pull this off, I'd be dead.

I need to be at my best on this one. I needed to learn all there is to learn about Aurora and ensure I don't slip up in any way. This would be my greatest hunt, my legacy.