The Hunter’S Quest

By Shelini Singh

No one leaves Eltemoreever. Its a place surrounded by trees and filled with secrets. Mia Maxwells lives in Eltemore. She once wondered about the mysteries of her hometown, but she wonders no longer. She is the Huntress, the most powerful person in the world or so shes been told.

Mia was created to save the supernatural realm of Under from being destroyed by the Shadow Casters, greedy creatures who wish to bring harm to the world. In order to stop the Shadow Casters, she must retrieve the Great Power. But the Great Power has been missing for centuries, and Mia has no idea how to find it.

Now, her best friend, Liam, is missing. He has been taken, and Mia will stop at nothing to get her friend back. With the help of Alex, a sarcastic but extremely attractive companion, she must seek the Great Power. Even so, Mias newfound abilities have been affecting her emotions. If shes not careful, instead of saving the world, she might destroy it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491703526

Shelini Singh

Shelini Singh is a high school student at Turner Fenton Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. She is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program and earned the Language Arts Award at her middle school.

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Copyright © 2013 by Shelini Singh.

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-0351-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-0353-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-0352-6 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013915050

iUniverse rev. date: 09/14/2013

Contents

Prologue: Alaxndre

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Prologue: Alaxndre

T he guilt was beginning to suffocate him. He wondered how many people ever felt like this, like everyone knew his secret. Even standing in the corner away from attention felt like he was being persecuted in front of a jury. He would never be able to undo what he did, but that wasn’t his fault. His life didn’t belong to him. Not then, not ever.

The council meeting was held in the usual cold, dark, dusty room at the bottom of the grand tower in Under. Meetings like this were very rare, ones the council liked to keep in secret: meetings of the Great Power.

Today we are meeting to discuss the Great Power and the protection of Under, said the leader of the Nephilim. As you all know, the Great Power is under tight security. We need to protect the people.

That caught Alaxndre’s attention. "What do you mean protect the people? What’s going on?" he asked. He took a breath to calm himself, waiting for the leader’s piercing gaze to turn on him.

Raphael, the Nephilim leader, answered without shooting him a glance. There is too much evil in this world. No one can be trusted. Our souls are blackening as we speak. I do not know how. I do not know why. All I know is there will be a new beginning.

But, what does that mean? questioned the Vampiress.

Someone has been up to something—something dark. We’ve tried to keep it out as long as we can, but … The Nephilim glared around the room. They have inside help.

Amartis, leader of the almighty Shadow Casters, banged his fists on the table as he stood up, staring back icily. Alaxndre froze as he took in the scene. "Raphael, are you suggesting that any of us had the slightest thing to do with this?"

I am not suggesting anything, though your behavior indicates I should think otherwise, Raphael shot back. With a final glare, Amartis finally sat down. Alaxndre let out a silent breath of relief and relaxed his position.

The Warlock leader perked up. I believe we have come up with a solution, and by putting our heads together we will create the ultimate guardian.

Amartis snorted. How do you figure so, Warlock?

Out of all the members on the council, the Shadow Casters were feared the most. They were all-powerful and had control over almost every aspect of Under, and Alaxndre knew why. All Shadow Casters were possessed by demons; no one knew how or why, but Alaxndre did. No good came from a deal with the devil.

By combining all of our greatest strengths, we create the ultimate protector, one who will live to secure Under! He will become the leader! the werewolf shouted.

All were fascinated by this idea; even Alaxndre was intrigued, though he knew it wouldn’t end well. They immediately sought to carry out the plan. The guardian would be called the Hunter. It would be given the speed of a werewolf, the endurance and powerful sight skills of the vampires, fighting and cunning abilities from the Nephilim, and ultimate casting power from the Warlocks and Shadow Casters. He would be the most powerful being in the world.

The Hunter would be amazing; he would protect and serve Under with all his heart and soul. He would be known as a hero, and soon enough the Great Power that kept all the power of Under from fading would be given to him. The Hunter soon would become the leader and ruler of Under.

After carefully planning this event, the leaders gathered just outside the Grand Tower. The afternoon sky lacked its vibrant color, and the air around them seemed distant and cold. Raphael deemed it time, and the leaders put all their powers together; an intense, blue light shot from each of their palms, forming the one to save them all. Gasps erupted but none could see as a small, white cloud rested in front of the hunter. A small cry was uttered, and Amartis rushed forward, tearing the small infant from the ground.

"Fools! All of you! Do you really think this child can save you? I deserve the power. I am a true leader!" he roared.

The leaders couldn’t move. They could only watch as Amartis called his power to him. He was going to kill the child and all the salvation Under had left. Alaxndre’s breath caught in his throat as he stared helplessly. Green flames erupted from Amartis’s palms as an intense heat choked the air. Before he could do anything, however, the child laughed playfully and lightly tapped Amartis.

Though the gesture was small, it sent him flying back toward the wall, his eyes rolling back in his head. He lay there limp and unmoving. Alaxndre’s lips lifted in a slight smirk. He liked this Hunter already. The leaders raced to the child, and Raphael picked it up.

"This … I do not understand. It—it’s a girl, and a brave one at that. She is not the Hunter; she will now and forever be known as the Huntress. This is the savior who will bring about the New World," he declared. The baby girl’s eyes twinkled, and even Alaxndre felt the power in them.

The Huntress smiled at Alaxndre, and he couldn’t help the warmth that spread through his body. He shook his head wildly, to clear his head. This wasn’t good. He wasn’t supposed to be so weak. This child was nothing more than another problem to get rid of. He glared at her harshly, ignoring every emotion that came at him. She shook her head disapprovingly, as though she could see through his expression, sending Alaxndre flying back beside Amartis.

Beside him, Amartis cried out in pain—as did all of his followers—but Alaxndre didn’t feel a thing. He had no control. It was like being hollowed inside and out. No emotion. No feeling. Things would be better this way—easier, no guilt, no compassion. The demon inside him was already taking over.

Raphael sneered down at him. I can’t say I’m surprised. A traitor at heart, you are. Very well, I shall not punish you, Alaxndre. I believe you will do that yourself.

Raphael turned to Amartis’s limp being. "Aici raul stabileste! Fi plecat şi nu ai reveni niciodată! Pasul prin portal din nou şi fi arse de acidul din iad," he chanted in Romanian. Thunder crackled in the dark night sky and the portal opened. It was different this time. The gates appeared unusually unwelcoming and dark.

Evil souls, hear this! the Nephilim shouted to the sky. "Those such as he—whose betrayal shines in their hearts and blackens their souls—be it so that any who wish harm upon the soul of another shall never again set foot in Under. If thou shalt disobey, may thy soul rot in the burning agony of a thousand fires in the deepest pits of hell! He turned to face the little girl. Thunder rumbled angrily, but Raphael’s eyes were still closed. I give my soul to be born again. Until the new world, Huntress, I bid thee farewell!" With that, he burst into a thousand flames and was gone in the blink of an eye.

Lightning struck wildly on the other side of the portal, and the wind whipped and whooshed, carrying Amartis and Alaxndre along with all other traitors to a place far away, a world of hatred and greed.

As the portal shut, a strong, dark-blue light streamed and wrapped around the baby, pulling her. The leaders tried to get her, but none were fast enough. Alaxndre pulled her through, thrusting her into a faraway place where no one would find her.

* * *

Soon we will find her, this Huntress. We will destroy her and Under, roared the leader of the Shadow Casters.

Yes, Master, and we have a lead on her whereabouts, one of the elders replied.

Excellent. It won’t be long now.

Chapter 1

Mia: Sixteen years later

T he purple night sky was gleaming with stars, and the moon was beautiful. I sat on the grass-covered ground with my best friend, Liam Hennings. I looked over at him and smiled. When he grinned back, I noticed sadness in his dark-gray eyes.

In a few days, Liam would be going to the SNRI Academy. He was turning eighteen, and in Eltemore, that was where everyone was sent when they came of age. It was mandatory.

Will you miss me? he teased.

My heart sank a little as I thought about staying in this place all alone, and without Liam I was alone. My parents, Maria and Stanley Maxwells, were almost never home, and as an only child, that left me by myself most of the time. I didn’t really belong with them anyway, but honestly, I didn’t even know where I belonged.

Everyone acted strange around me here. No conversation lasted longer than ten seconds, except for conversations with Liam, of course. He was the only one to take the time to be my friend. He was like my brother, and I loved him more than anything. We had been friends longer than I could even remember.

I didn’t really remember how we met. It was a long time ago—at least ten years or so, I think. Everything seemed fuzzy. He’d