Hunter (1st Book of the Supernatural Hunters)

Occultus

.:.:Edited:.:.

*Yes, the photo I chose is the kingdom from Tangled, but a darker version. That's how I imagine Occultus.*

The passing scenery is a blur as I stare out the passenger window. Fields of trees is all that meets the eye for miles on end.

"Earth to Vick! Yo!"

I glance at Jared, who at the moment is driving. At this point, I don't know what I feel for the older vampire. If I should rip him apart on the spot or hug him. He is, after all, helping me finally achieve my goal, but he's taking away what I've been fighting for for centuries. A normal life.

Looking away, I glimpse his daughter from the corner of my eye. She's been oddly quiet. It's nerve wracking. I can't read her at all, it's like she doesn't have any emotions.

Her dark hair frames her pale face. Just like that night, when she was staring at me from inside the carriage. God, she's changed. And God, she makes me feel old. Last time I saw her was when I decided to leave, she must have been five years old at the time.

"Vick, hey! Yo! Old man here trying to reach you!"

I roll my head back in his direction, gesturing for him to speak.

"That took a while, man. I see you still enjoy spacing out. Was that a nice little day dream you had there?"

"Jared, what do you want? I am in no mood to chit chat with you. Or to relive any past. At least, not now."

"Look, I know this must be a lot for you to handle right now, but it's become a problem. A huge one. And you still don't know much, it wasn't the right place to tell you back there in public."

"Neither is asking me to help you assassinate the vampire king."

"Just listen," he groans.

I oblige to his wishes and shut my mouth.

"About fifty years ago or so, as you know already, vampires disappeared. We decided that it was best to keep away from humans. We just don't mix, it's too dangerous. In order to achieve this, the royals established a secret kingdom. A pact was made between the hunters and king for them to help keep this order in place. Putting it in simpler words, not only hunters, but mystics started working for us, while still accomplishing their own goal; getting rid of vampires and all other supernaturals. Witches assisted by casting a spell on the kingdom to hide it from all except the supernatural. And since, all has been well. The mystics bring donated blood for all those who still decided to maintain their diets, as well as anything else necessary for other supernatural's survival. The rest live off animal blood. It worked like clockwork. But a few years ago, the king was assassinated. Then, in came a noble, replacing the king just like that. I still don't understand how the council let such a thing happen. He doesn't mean well for any of us, I could even go as far as saying he'll be the end of us."

"Do you know who this noble is? A name would be helpful."

"No; like I said, he popped up out of nowhere. However, I do know this: he's old. Older than me. Recently, I happened to be within proximity of his presence, and Vick, there was power in his aura. I've never felt one like it before. It was so foreign to me. And unfortunately, he has bad intentions."

His words make me freeze. Jared is at least 600 years old, he's one of the strongest vampires I've ever encountered. If this new king has intimidated him already, what hell am I going to do?

"Jared.... how in the world do you expect me to kill this vampire if he's as powerful as you say? I'm weak compared to you, imagine what I'll be compared to him!"