Hunting a Relic: Hunter Elite, #7

By J.C. Diem

Succumbing to Alakay's master vampire power, Ari becomes his unwilling servant. Luckily, she isn't alone in the lair he's chosen to lurk in. She makes an unlikely friend who could turn out to be beneficial to her in the long run. All she has to do is pretend she isn't an evil, soulless monster now. How hard could that be?

The Hunter Elite and Jake Everett desperately search for a way to retrieve Ari's soul. When a solution is presented to them, Jake must make a deal that will be filled with peril. If they wish to succeed, they'll need Ari's cooperation to accomplish it. Now that she's become a full vampire, they all know it won't be easy to get her to see reason.

The team will need to split up as they all tackle their separate tasks. They will face dangerous foes and some will travel to realms they'd never expected, or wanted to visit. They will become allies with creatures they are normally enemies with to serve a common goal, but their alliance will be shaky.

Ari finally embarks on the mysterious task to retrieve a relic from somewhere no one has ever returned from before. It will be her most hazardous mission so far and even with her magical abilities, she isn't sure she'll succeed. The worst part is that she won't be going alone. She'll have company she would rather see dead than to be partnered with.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seize The Night Agency
• Release date: Jul 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386481577

Book preview

Chapter One

Ari

ALAKAY SPRINTED HARD through the darkness of night, taking backroads whenever he could and cutting through fields when he had no choice. I followed helplessly in his wake, unable to escape from his mental clutches. We were moving so quickly that we would have been a mere blur to the few vehicles we encountered during our journey.

My new evil overlord finally began to slow down after we were several hundred miles away from the Hunter Elite mansion in West Virginia. We were somewhere in a rural area with farmhouses that were few and far between. It reminded me of my home in Kansas, which was where I’d first encountered the monster that I was now bound to.

Flicking a glance my way, Alakay took in my dangerously hollow cheeks. I’d burned up nearly all of my energy to run so far and so fast. I suppose I should allow you to feed before we enter my lair, he said grudgingly in a faint European accent. He was pretending he didn’t need blood just as badly as I did, but I wasn’t falling for his act. Haughtily handsome, with dark brown hair and eyes, his cheeks were also hollow. His skin was just as pale as mine and our faces stood out starkly in the gloom.

If we kill any humans, my old team will track us down, I pointed out. I no longer needed to breathe, so I wasn’t gasping for air after our lengthy sprint.

His lips twisted scornfully. I am the first vampire ever made, fledgling, he reminded me contemptuously. I know how to evade hunters. Even supernatural ones.

He turned his back and I rolled my eyes at his pompous tone and vowed to keep my mouth shut in the future. If my former friends managed to find us and eradicated Alakay, they would be doing me a favor. Maybe I should give them a call myself once I figured out exactly where we were. We’d sprinted far too quickly for me to have read any of the signs we’d passed.

Hunger gnawed at my insides as we leaped over a fence and entered a field. A cluster of pigs were slumbering in a pen near a farmhouse, lying in a jumble of pudgy bodies. Alakay leaned down and snatched up a sow with one hand. He broke her neck with a twist of his other hand before she could let out a frightened squeal and wake the others. Drink, he ordered me, placing the carcass on the ground. I knelt and bit into the animal’s throat while he drank from the other side. We drained the beast long before her blood began to cool.

Proving he was adept at covering his tracks, Alakay took the dead pig with us rather than leaving it behind. He discarded it several miles away in the woods for the scavengers to devour. Looking up at the sky, he let out a shiver as snow began to fall. It was the middle of January now and winter was well underway. It will be dawn soon, he said. Come, my lair isn’t far from here.

He took off again and I zoomed after him, leaping over fences and crossing several fields. As far as I could tell, we were in the middle of nowhere. I still had no idea where we were, apart from somewhere to the northwest of my old team’s mansion.

Expecting to be led to an opulent house, I frowned in confusion when we stopped in yet another vacant field. Alakay strode over to a clump of trees and bent down. Rusty hinges squealed as he lifted a trapdoor that was hidden beneath a layer of dirt and dead leaves. Sweeping his hand at the opening, he silently ordered me to enter first.

Half expecting to hear horror music playing in the background, I approached the trapdoor. An old metal ladder descended into a deep, narrow hole. With my will suppressed by my new master, I had no choice but to descend into the damp opening.

I quickly climbed to the bottom, then moved a few steps backwards as Alakay began to descend after me. When he pulled the door shut, the passageway became utterly lightless. My eyes rapidly adjusted to the blackness and I saw a short tunnel behind me and a longer one ahead. A metal door awaited at the far end of the passage, but I made no move towards it. My curiosity lay dormant for once. I had no desire to explore the leech’s home.

Alakay swept past me and headed for the door. Several inches thick, he unlocked it, then pushed it open. Even before I followed him inside, I knew we weren’t alone. A sense of coldness emanated from somewhere in the underground dwelling. It was different from the coolness vampires emanated and I knew the sensation well.

Awesome, a morose female voice said as a young ghost walked through a wall and into the room. The bloodsucker is back. I stepped through the door into what looked like an old fallout shelter. The teenage ghost turned to glare at me with her hands on her hips. Even more awesome. Dracula brought a friend. Her hair was shoulder-length, straggly and had been dyed bright pink. She wore a frilly black blouse, black jeans and black Doc Marten boots. Dark eyeliner was smudged around her eyes, making her look a bit like a raccoon.

I’m not his friend, I told her. I’m his minion.

Her mouth dropped open in shock when she realized I’d heard her and that I was looking right at her.

Who are you talking to? Alakay snapped.

There’s a ghost in here, I explained. She’s a teenager.

I don’t care if there are a thousand ghosts haunting this place, he said curtly. They are of no importance to either of us.

Rolling her eyes, the apparition followed us as I was given a tour that lasted less than a minute. The first room was the living area, with a dusty old green couch and two matching armchairs, a coffee table, antiquated TV and small kitchen. The décor and furniture were from the nineteen-fifties and were dusty and horribly outdated. There was no power, probably because the generator was out of fuel.

The next room contained enough beds for a family of four. A tiny bathroom was next along the hallway. I took a glance inside and saw the remains of a skeleton crumpled next to the toilet. It had to be the body of the ghost since the mildewed clothes matched what she was wearing.

A final door lay at the end of the hallway and led to a library. Even in my emotionless new state, I gaped at the sheer number of spell books that Alakay had accumulated. Start reading, he ordered, pointing at a musty old green recliner that hunkered in a corner of the room.

Leaving me to my studies, he pulled the door shut, then locked it with a key. He must have found it somewhere inside the shelter when he’d first discovered it. Clearly, he didn’t trust me even though he was my master. That was probably because he’d only drained my blood twice. Another vampire had fed from me as well, which had diluted his mastership over me. Any strong master could take over my mind, which sucked for me quite frankly.

I’m Brandi with an i, the ghost said from behind me. Who are you and how come you can see me?

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I didn’t care about her name or her story, but I decided not to make an enemy of her. I’d seen what Jonah could do when he was angry and I didn’t want to be trapped in here with a pissed off poltergeist. I’m Arienna, or Ari to my friends, I replied. Not that I had any friends now. The people I’d once loved had become my enemies. They would probably try to stake me to death if we ever met again. I can see you because I was a witch before Alakay turned me into a vampire against my will. I hadn’t been able to see ghosts before my soul had almost left me. The talent had stuck with me even though I was soulless now.

Is that what Dracula’s real name is? Brandi with an i asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste. He showed up here a few months ago and brought these old books with him. He never reads them, he just brings new ones and adds them to the piles.

Is that your skeleton in the bathroom? I asked, knowing full well it was. She nodded glumly in response. How did you die?

I found the trapdoor and was curious enough to take a look inside. I fell off the ladder and broke my ankle and both wrists. She mimed falling straight down, then putting her arms out to break her fall. My cell phone broke and I couldn’t climb back up. I managed to crawl to the bathroom when I became thirsty, but there was no water in the toilet. I slowly died from thirst and starvation. I’ve been here for around a decade, I think.

She seemed more resigned than sad about her demise. I had to fight down a nasty chuckle at the mental picture of her trying to drink out of the toilet. That’s horrible, I said in false empathy. Clearly, she had no idea what vampires were really like, because she bought my act.

We’re both prisoners here now, she said mournfully. I’m glad I finally have someone to talk to.

I gave her a wide smile and her eyes went to my fangs that were just peeking out from beneath my lips. I quickly retracted them, which seemed to put her at ease. I have a feeling we’re going to be good friends, Brandi. By that, I meant I would find a way to harness her energy and use her as a weapon if I had to. While I didn’t have any components on hand to cast spells, I had something far better; raw power and knowledge. Looking around at the extensive library, it was clear that I would soon have more incantations stored inside my head than most witches ever saw in their entire lifetime.

Chapter Two

Connor

PACING THE FLOOR OF one of the sitting rooms in Spencer Von Hades’ mansion in Rosethorn, I couldn’t contain my worry. Quin had called Jake Everett three hours ago to tell him Ari was missing. The half-fae hunter was on his way here right now. At the speed he tended to drive, he would be here at any moment even though it should have taken him five hours to get here. I could almost feel his wrath coming closer with each minute that passed. To say he’d been angry when he’d learned my mate had lost her soul would be an understatement. While he didn’t blame us for what had happened to Ari, someone was going to pay. I pitied the person he targeted, hoping it would be either Spencer, his evil ex-sidekick, Harrow, or both of them.

As if thinking about him had conjured him up, I heard a truck racing up the driveway. Quin’s head jerked up as she heard it as well. Jake is here, she said grimly. Even Spencer seemed slightly worried. He remained seated, knowing the hunter would track us down where we were.

Mirra twirled her rose quarts pendant between her fingers, but made no move to turn her power on when footsteps strode down the hall towards us. Jake seemed to have no trouble finding us and unerringly headed our way. Even the enchanted house apparently wasn’t willing to test his patience by leading him astray through its labyrinth of moving hallways. Quin rose and moved to stand next to me when the door swung open.

Chilly stormy blue eyes came to rest on us as Jake filled the doorway with his sheer presence. Well now, he said in his usual southern drawl as Jonah drifted through the wall to join us, the gang is all here. How about we get to planning on how we’re going to save my girl.

Mirra let out a small sigh she probably hadn’t even been aware of. She was attracted to the dark-haired half-fairy, as most women probably were. His fae glamor drew them to him like bees to honey, or like Quin to a rack of ribs.

Speaking of my boss, she stepped forward and offered him her hand. I’m glad you could join us, she said as they shook.

I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Jake said and surprised me by giving me a sympathetic look. We’ll find your mate, Connor, he said and clapped me on the shoulder. We’ll restore Ari’s soul to her and she’ll become her old self again.

Jonah’s expression was morose. There’s no guarantee that’ll happen, he said gloomily. We don’t even know if her soul can return to her body now that she’s become a full vampire.

Unaware of the ghost, Spencer rose smoothly. He didn’t offer the hunter his hand, probably unsure how he would react to the gesture. I’m sure we could all use some refreshments, he said. I’ll have some delivered and we can begin strategizing.

He strode out of the room with the hunter’s narrowed eyes on his back. I don’t trust that demon, Jake said when he was gone.

Join the club, Quin said and took her seat again.

Be careful what you say, Jonah warned us and pointed at a gargoyle that had just appeared on the mantlepiece above the fireplace. The walls have ears in this house.

A slight mark on its left wing gave away that it was the stone statue that had attacked Ari in the druidic forest behind this mansion. It had attempted to drive her off the path so she would become lost forever. It was still a mystery how she’d managed to find her way out. She’d never told me how she’d accomplished that seemingly impossible feat.

Where is the book Ari lost her soul to? Jake asked.

It’s in my room, I replied. I still don’t know why it showed itself to me, or why it hasn’t tried to find another witch to latch onto.

I think there’s something wrong with it, Mirra said.

Why do you say that, sweetheart? Jake asked.

She almost blushed when she became the hunter’s main focus. It was unusual behavior for a siren, but Mirra wasn’t like the rest of her kind. She wasn’t used to men not being affected by her. His glamor countered hers, which meant he was immune to her charms. Now she had the ability to switch her power off completely, she was still getting used to not being the object of obsession by all who saw her. Books don’t usually change color, she explained. It seems to be changing from black to something else.

I’d like to see it, Jake said, then almost drew his Colt when he saw a shimmer of movement. Greta’s Grimoire appeared on the coffee table in front of Quin.

Ask and you shall receive, Jonah said with a wan smile. He was having a hard time maintaining his usual mischievous personality. Ari had left a hole behind when she’d disappeared from our lives. We were all hurting in our own way. While she was my mate, she was also Jake’s foster daughter, Jonah’s best friend and she was like a younger sister to Mirra. Quin also cared about her deeply, even if she had trouble showing it.

Taking his hand off the butt of his gun, the hunter crossed to the coffee table and hunkered down. His dusty brown boots creaked at the movement. Unruly dark brown hair framed his face as he rested his elbows on his knees. He wore a worn blue and white flannel shirt over a blue t-shirt. Worn jeans finished off his typical hunter’s outfit. Ari styled herself after the men and women she’d learned how to kill monsters from. I missed her with an ache that showed no signs of going away.

Spencer entered with a maid on his heels. He did a double take when he saw the spell book and motioned for his servant to put the tray of food and beverages on another table. Once done, she disappeared quietly, closing the door on her way out.

I see what you mean, Mirra, Jake said as he examined the book without touching it. The cover used to be black, but it was turning a horrible gangrenous green color. The cracks had deepened and had spread all over it now. He held his hand over it without touching it. I can sense there’s some kind of battle going on inside the grimoire.

It has to be because Greg is trapped inside it, Mirra said, unconsciously toying with her necklace.

The grimoire has never ingested a Grim Reaper before, Von Hades agreed. Perhaps that has upset the balance of souls that are trapped inside the tome. He shot us a dark look that we’d kept this from him.

This thing is supposed to be sentient, Jake said, rubbing his chin in thought. He had a permanent three-day stubble that made a slight rasping sound at the contact. Maybe we can make a deal with it.

The grimoire shivered slightly, which he took to be agreement.

What does it want? Quin asked.

It’s sick from having a Grim Reaper drawn into it, I pointed out. It probably wants to be cured.

Jake acknowledged me with a nod. I was thinking the same thing. Studying the tome again, his expression became shrewd. All right, book, here’s our deal. We’ll help you if you help us. We’ll find a way to heal whatever’s wrong with you if you give us back Arienna Austin’s soul. Do we have a deal?

For a few moments, nothing happened. Then the grimoire grudgingly flipped itself open. Its pages moved sluggishly before coming to a stop.

We crowded around to see a blank page staring up at us. Words formed and Quin read them out loud, ‘How to free a soul from captivity’.

Where’s the rest of the spell? Jonah asked, frowning down at the book.

As if in response, the page flipped over to another blank sheet and more words formed. It’s a purging spell, Mirra said when she scanned it. I guess we have to perform that to fix whatever is wrong with the grimoire before it will tell us how to release Ari. In confirmation, the rest of the spell appeared and filled the page.

Jake read through it, then sighed. There’s two problems with this spell.

Don’t keep us in suspense, Jonah