Hunters

Chapter 4

The sun set, leaving behind a dark blue canvas, strewn with glittering stars. Rachel skipped down the hallway toward Daniel and Cheryl's room. Her whole body hummed with energy. Since tracking vampires was part of the job description, Hunters felt most active after sundown. And it suited her fine. She had loved the nightlife even as a human.

Chris had suggested they find a club and make the most out of their last night in Prague. Even if she wasn't a club person, with all the recent tension, dancing off the pressure would feel good. She was sure Daniel and Cheryl would want to join them.

Half-wondering if Cheryl was still alive, Rachel knocked on the door. It opened almost the second she pulled her hand back. Daniel stood before her wearing nothing but blue jeans. A black t-shirt hung off his bare shoulders and a wide grin had been plastered across his face.

"You've got to try this!" He nudged her back, stepped out, and closed the door behind him. "Doing it when you're starving is awesome."

Rachel stared at his chiseled body, hardly taking in a word he said. Memories of the feelings he'd shared with her earlier made her want to grab him and ask him to do it again. Why did she feel like jumping him? She'd seen him shirtless before. But her eyes refused to leave his body. They locked on the tattoo on his right arm – a howling wolf head in a circle. She knew he had a tattoo on his other shoulder, too, one of a sharp sword, tip down, in a circle. Identical to the silver amulet hanging around his neck.

What was wrong with her? She'd just left her reformed, lovable, hot, hot, hot boyfriend a couple of minutes ago. But, for some reason, Daniel looked hot, hot, hotter.

He grabbed her wrist. Intense pleasure coursed through her body and she almost moaned out loud.

She yanked her hand away. "Don't do that!"

Daniel's smile disappeared. "Do what? I just wanted to tell you something."

"Oh. Sorry." Rachel's cheeks burned. She reached out her hand and let him take it. Nothing came through this time.

I don't want Cheryl to hear, in case she comes out of the shower. The thing is, this was the coolest, yet hardest, thing I've ever done.

And you don't want her to know how close she came to dying.

Yeah, something like that. Daniel smiled sheepishly. We set a date for the wedding. In three weeks. She wants to have it in Paris.

Rachel hoped her own smile looked genuine. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes and her stomach tightened into an uncomfortable knot. That soon, huh? She hadn't even gotten used to the idea of him getting married yet.

I know. I thought so, too, at first. But it's not like we have much planning to do. Daniel let go of her hand and pulled the t-shirt over his head. "And I don't see the point in waiting, either. She's right. We'll spend the rest of our lives together anyway."

Rachel pursed her lips, trying to keep them from trembling. She was happy for them. Crying made no sense. Things would change, but it didn't have to be a bad thing. She swallowed heavily and took his hands. The rest of her life, maybe. Not yours. Does she know?

That I'm potentially immortal? Daniel took a deep breath. I think she might. But maybe...I've been thinking about turning her. You know, into a Hunter. I'll have to ask her, but there's no rush.He smiled again.

Daniel, can we have kids?

He dropped her hands and stepped back, watching her through half-closed lids. "I don't want kids."

"I mean in general. Can Hunters have kids?" Her voice came out thick, and she wished they'd go back to mind-talk.

"I guess so. We're not undead. We have blood pumping and everything." He squinted. "Why? You wanna have little Rachels running around?"