Twisted

Chapter 9: Hunted

In the soft morning light the hunters set out, grim faces searching the trees as they sped out of the tourist resort town on their bikes.    Both knew the stakes had gotten even higher, as a master vampire at best was a challenge to say the least.  This one?   One of the oldest, canniest and most cunning of his kind.   They knew they would have to be prepared for the worst, because he would be close to impossible to slay, especially if he was able to bring his mate into the fray. 

Sariah purposefully shielded her thoughts, keeping the monster out of her mind.   When the time was right she would allow him access again, because it helped make pinpointing his location much easier.     Knowing this was the Vampire from her youth made this hunt personal in ways she could never have imagined.    Savage fury coursed through her, her hands clenched the grips of her bike, revving the engine needlessly.    She would not succumb to him, refused in every way possible.    This time she thought, she would be the one with the upper hand.  With relish she imagined sinking her obsidian blade into his cold, dead heart, burning him from within.  She wanted to look in his eyes as he disintegrated into a pile of ash.    

She would avenge her parents, of that she was certain.    The land rushed by as they rode, circling the perimeter of the island, seeking haunts or places he could possibly be hiding in.   In daylight he'd need a secured area for sleep, for as true as legends, vampires could not withstand the sun's brilliant rays.   They were most vulnerable in their areas of rest, and it would be easiest to find him in his and do away with him. 

She briefly let her gaze flick to the rider next to her.  Slade was insistent that she not travel anywhere alone, given the vampire's desire for her, it was safest that she not be alone.    If he happened upon one of them alone the task of his defeat would be completely impossible.    She knew Slade was an able hunter, had slain monsters with him in the past.  She knew little of his personal life and liked it that way, although he seemed a good man.   

Slade rode his bike, deep in thought as he scanned the jungle for any sign of their quarry.   He knew Sariah was reluctant to spend a lot of time together, but he also knew it was necessary.  He'd known for years she tended to be a loner, now he knew why.   It was understandable, seeing what she'd been through so young and with being an essential target for monsters due to her heritage.  But this time she would have to depend on him, and he was determined to keep her safe.   

Suddenly as they rounded a bend in the road, deep into the tropical forests he saw her flinch as if she'd been hit....her Harley swerved dangerously as she sought to control it, a scream tearing from her lips....

Sariah's mind, so carefully shielded filled with images....Images of her mother dying before her, images of her father being torn asunder...Gareth's  voice came into her mind clearly as he laughed...."You will do as I say or your partner will suffer the consequences..." he purred silkily....

She jerked her bike to the side of the road, tires screeching as she slammed to a swerving, wavering stop, her heart pounding, the screams ripping from her over and over as she clutched her head in her hands....it was clear to her now that they were not the hunters that she imagined, they were the hunted....