The Haunted Hunter

By Camille Robson

"You know why some call him the Haunted Hunter? It is rumored that he carries within him the memories of his victims, but also their voices. Voices he can't silence."

Curtis Marshall is an assassin with a curse, a deadly skill, one he's been using to fulfill his contracts.
Haunted by the voices of his victims, and guilt, Curtis Marshall asks for Clementine Bayle's help to rid him of his curse. Because he recently saved Clementine's life, she has given him sanctuary and agreed to help him find a solution. With the help of some old friends and new acquaintances, including a djinn, Clementine is working on a curse removal spell when an unforeseen attack will prompt Curtis Marshall to use his deadly skill once again, complicating Clementine's quest for a spell, one that will change the Haunted Hunter's life forever.

(The Haunted Hunter is book 6 of the Reborn by Blood series)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Camille Robson
• Release date: Oct 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201236236

Book preview

Thank you!

Sabine, Ian, Max, Esben, Lori, and Edwin for your continuous support and patience!

A special Thank You to Esben for the inspiration and the gorgeous cover!

CHAPTER ONE

I woke up from a dream, not one from the dreamlands, but something that felt precognitive. It had all been about a gift and a phone.

I took a sip of stale water from the glass on nightstand and walked to the shower.

I still had this strong feeling that my last dream had to do with Finders.

It was Saturday; I didn’t feel like dressing up much. I slipped into a pair of warm grey sweat pants, put on a red hoodie over a black tank top, tying my hair in a no-fuss ponytail.

After a breakfast of coffee and blueberry muffin, I took my satchel, checked that I had one of my protective pendants on, and made my way downstairs.

I had inherited via my father and my now departed protector a company that was turning out to be a search, research and retrieve agency. Calling it a detective agency would have been too pretentious and presumptuous.

When I got to the main floor, where the agency was, I saw something outside the perimeter where I had magickal wards.

It was a gift bag. One with my initials on it.

Frowning, I checked the hallway, my intuition flaring up. There was an arcane energy coming from the bag. It was not strong and didn’t feel malevolent.

Okay, let’s see what’s in there.

I took the bag, holding it at arm’s length, took down the wards and unlocked the door.

I sat down at one of the worktables.

Inside the bag, in a brown box, there was a phone, a smartphone, with no brand name.

A no name phone? I whispered to myself.

I still could feel a faint energy; it was coming from that phone.

There were no cards or indication of whom had sent this, although there was a post-it on the back of that phone. The typed message said:

Turn on and look for VISPA.

VISPA?

I turned the phone on, bracing myself for bad arcane surprises.

With the phone now on, I was looking at several icons, including one for VISPA. 

The icon was sort of a stylish flame, but it felt nothing like my father’s people, Fire Avians.

I touched the icon, and an avatar appeared with written underneath. Would you like to name your very special intelligent assistant?

The energy was a little stronger now.

I chose the no tab, then asked out loud.

Vispa, who sent me the phone?

A masculine voice, quite melodious yet businesslike, answered.

A car driver.

Hmm, kind of vague.

I was really not up for twenty questions this morning.

Vispa, who are you?

The one who grants wishes and provides answers.

I scratched my head.

I would like a nice latte with a warm apple turnover.

I felt silly.

As you wish.

And there, in front of my eyes, on the table, it materialized.

I had a weird feeling about this, but my intuition had kicked in strong and loud.

I would like you to join me for breakfast, dressed casually please.

And there he was, sitting on the other side of the table.

Dark golden hair, a peach fuzz beard and mustache, khaki shorts, navy blue hoodie that complimented his bright blue eyes.

Please don’t be afraid? I’m not here to harm you.

I couldn’t detect any bad intentions from him, but he had strong pretrernatural power.

My heart was beating a little faster.

Should I call you Vispa?

For now. Please enjoy your breakfast.

I actually had something to drink and eat.

Wow, this is good! Hey, you have nothing for yourself!

I cut half of the turnover and poured half of the coffee in a paper cup.

You don’t have to!

He didn’t have any accent I could place. Was he using glamour?

I want to. So, if I had to take a wild guess, I would say you’re some kind of djinn?

Some kind, yes. Right now, I really prefer being called a personal assistant.

I had lots of questions for later, but for now, I had to ask.

Who gifted me the phone? I wish for a name?

He sighed. Gilbert.

Now I recognized the other arcane energy signature.

Why did Gilbert gift me this phone?

He said you needed a special assistant and that you could help me.

Hmm, could I have a chocolate croissant?

He smiled and a moment later, there it was, nice, warm, and chocolaty.

Do you actually live in the phone?

It is my home for now.

Very little emotions showed on his face for the moment. He was on the side of cute.

What kind of help do you need?

May I speak freely?

Please do.

He drank some coffee, sighed, and then spoke up.

I’m looking for someone, a woman. She was my first...

He hesitated.

Girlfriend?

He barely smiled and nodded.

You could say that. Someone I cared deeply for, and she cared for me.

I already had a yellow legal pad out, and I was scribbling notes.

How long ago was that?

A long time ago. I have problems with some memories. He scratched his head. There is so much to explain.

I raised my hand.

Please, stop here for now. I have to call Gilbert.

The young man looked slightly alarmed.

He might not be happy about that.

I’ll take care of that. Hmm, which phone do I use?

Maybe your regular one?

I called Gilbert. It went straight to voicemail.

Gilbert, please come and see me at the agency as soon as you can.

It took him less than five minutes.

Let me guess. You were not very far. Waiting?

He grinned.

Something like that.

Gilbert is part goblin, part fae. Not very tall, a little chubby, with a full head of red hair, he sometimes wears a tweed cap.

Join us?

You don’t look angry, Clementine. Oh, hi...Vispa!

No, I’m not angry, just puzzled and slightly annoyed. No offense meant to Vispa. Surely he has another name?

The personal assistant looked a little uncomfortable.

None taken.

Gilbert had a thermos in his hands and asked.

Can I make some coffee?

I just nodded.

He came back to the table.

Care to let me in on what’s going on here? I asked.

Gilbert sat beside the young man and put an amber colored small bottle on the table.

This is where it all started.

Knowing Gilbert, I said.

Concise version please.

This woman gets in my cab, quite flustered, and she tells me she’s just been to her older aunt’s apartment. The aunt died, and the niece didn’t get much, although she would try to visit her regularly. She found this bottle along with others, but that one seemed to irk her because she had felt compelled...

I looked at the personal assistant, who smiled sheepishly.

To take that old bottle with her. I think it embodied what she got and didn’t get from her aunt.

Have some coffee Gilbert, I got time.

He took a small sip, then went on. In the end, it was a good thing she got into my cab and the drive was not short. She was very emotional. We were waiting for a red light to turn green when she tried to show me the bottle, opening it. That’s when the energy I had been sensing became quite obvious and it was moving within my cab. The lady wanted to give me the bottle, but then when I said it might be worth something, she put it back in her bag. She did give me a generous tip.

He fell silent.

And?

Gilbert looked at the djinn on the other side of the table.

He found my radio and spoke to me through it, saying he needed a home. I had to pick up another client, so I asked if he could stay somewhere else in my car. That’s when we both thought of the phone.

Wait. I said. You didn’t know him, who he was?

He didn’t attack me, and he seemed quite in need of shelter.

Wow, when did this happen?

The other man spoke up. Weeks ago?

Gilbert just nodded.

So, is this phone yours?

No, I kept my phone. This one, your gift, is something my friend here created, one with all sorts of arcane workings underneath the guise of a regular phone. Clementine, you don’t seem too shocked?

It’s Saturday. I had a nice breakfast, and I may have a new case? I’m not upset or worried, yet.

I was even surprising myself. I didn’t feel under any kind of spell. I truly sensed something interesting here. I was curious, and I needed help with the agency.

Gilbert, what do you know about the person he’s looking for?

Wait, don’t you want to know about what he can do for you?

Missing person first.

The young man was patiently waiting.

And surely you didn’t call him Vispa all this time?

No, but his original name is rather complicated. He’s looking for his first... significant one.

Girlfriend is okay. Vispa quietly stated.

May I ask why? We were all being so civil and careful with words.

The djinn looked at Gilbert, then at me.

Because I miss her, because despite what other people believed, we were supposed to be together.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Vispa, could I talk to Gilbert in private for a while?

As you wish.

He faded, and I felt his energy back in the new phone. I closed the Vispa app and put the phone on sleep mode.

Why come to me?

Because you’re quite talented and you’re already proving yourself trustful with Curtis.

He was referring to a preter who was under my protection and sanctuary.

And?

I come across too many people and preternaturals in my daily dealings. It could cause him or me some serious problems.

I grinned.

So, you didn’t need a wish granter?

Gilbert smiled.

People are right about you. You have a way with words. I still like very special personal assistant myself. I have access to many resources already, besides I have very simple needs.

He added. Clementine, you’re looking for an ulterior motive, and I have none other than I am curious about him too, and when you hear the story about the one he is looking for, you’ll understand why I turned to you for help. Besides, I’d rather have him as a friend than a wish granter.

I took a deep breath.

Okay, I’ll give him shelter long enough to look for this woman.

Gilbert nodded.

I will still keep my phone as his second... residence, if he needs one.

Suddenly, I was a little overwhelmed. It was just after noon, and it felt like I had been up and working for hours.

We’ll have to talk more about what you know about him. I was not planning to spend my whole Saturday here.

Maybe we can go for one of our late-night snacks?

I’ll call you.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

So, how do I officially give you a name and a home? I asked Vispa.

Gilbert was taking his time leaving, hanging out in the reception area.

Well, the application on the phone allows you to name it and me.

I thought about Jack. Gilbert said.

Let’s keep Vispa for your home, but I’m not going to call you that. I said.

Well, Gilbert calls me Troy, but you can change that.

Troy, that could work with Grant for last name.

They both grinned.

I know it’s a little obvious, but it might be too obvious and good enough.

I extended a hand that the young blond man took.

Nice to meet you, Troy Grant. Now, about your new home?

I do need to go there and recharge regularly.

Okay, I think you and I should meet later to get better acquainted. It’s a lot to absorb on a Saturday.

As you wish.

Oh, and we’re going to have a very long discussion about the word wish.

I said, and he disappeared.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Ever since Anka’s execution, Ichiro had been a little distant.

I hadn’t heard from him in a while. With everything that had happened, I was not really surprised, but I missed him and was getting slightly worried.

After all, it had been months since Anka’s final death.

We were making some progress with his chronicles, but he seemed... distracted.

I had been worried about the less frequent blood exchanges, but our connection seemed strong, and my arcane energy didn’t feel any weaker.

I left him a message on his phone and an email, asking him if he wanted to go dancing.

I still had things to do, including grocery shopping, and possibly people to see over the weekend. I needed to work out how I was going to introduce Troy Grant to people.

Truth be told, his timing was good. I really needed the help.

I wrote some notes on my laptop, transferred those on a memory key, then thought about Dylan’s files on preternaturals. Maybe he had something on his laptop in his apartment.

I had done some research on djinns when the owner of the bottle had first contacted me.

I went food shopping in my sweats, something I rarely did. When I was back upstairs in Dylan’s apartment, I unpacked. Laundry was next.

I was really curious about Troy Grant. I wondered why he hadn’t given me his true name. Would it give me power over him?

I got some cheeses and dinner rolls from my earlier purchases and a glass of Sangria. For the next two hours, I jolted down all I could find about djinns, genies, and similar beings. What I had read so far came from mythology books and websites.

I had left my new phone in my bag near the front door. I was trying to be cautious. Then again, maybe it was too late.

I needed to know the boundaries and lay some ground rules. A dinner date with Troy was in order, but where? Here? The office with takeout? Maybe my new personal assistant could suggest a place?

Then I thought of the pub near where I used to live.

That could work.

I didn’t want Troy in Dylan’s apartment for now.

I changed my sweats for a pair of jeans, adding a jean jacket over my hoodie.

I carried my satchel with the new phone back to the Finders’ offices.

I turned on the phone, pressed on the application, and when asked what I wished for, I said.

The company of Troy Grant in casual clothing.

It was so quick. He was standing in front of me wearing a white Henley over slightly worn jeans holding a windbreaker.

We’re going out to dinner. I declared.

May I speak freely?

Troy, a couple of things we should settle right now. I wish you to speak freely when you want to, and do we have to use the word wish?

He seemed hesitant.

We can change it, but I’ve always been asked things this way.

Then what if I wish to change the magic word?

He smiled.

It should work.

Then I wish to change the word wish for I would like

It’s a little long, Clementine.

Let’s try it?

I repeated this and felt a change in arcane energies around us.

Good, that’s taken care of.

He grinned.

So, what would you like?

I laughed.

That’s better. For you to join me for dinner.

Would you like me to take us there?

I shook my head.

Not ready for djinn teleportation just yet. Let’s take public transit.

He smiled.

Really?

He seemed eager to do this.

It’s not going to be a long ride, and there’s some walking involved.

He kept looking around a lot.

You did get out of the phone while you were with Gilbert?

Oh yes, but he was very protective, so I travelled mostly in his cab.

What about eating out?

Troy shook his head.

At home and a couple of those fast-food places. It made Gilbert nervous when I was outside.

Well, I’m sure you can protect us both if anything happens, but more importantly, I don’t think you’ll get recognized the way you look right now.

When we arrived at the local pub-tavern, Gilles, the senior waiter, came to the door to greet me.

Clementine! Did you move back to the neighborhood?

Nothing like that, but I like to show people one of the best and friendliest place in town for food and beer.

We took a table in the back.

Troy has a silly grin on his face.

Are you okay? I asked.

I like this place already.

I looked around.

Yeah, it’s quite something. What would you like to eat? Oh, are you okay with alcohol?

He just nodded.

I ordered beer on tap for both of us and burgers with fries.

Sorry. I know you’ve had fast food, but this might be slightly different.

Over food and drinks, after Troy, at my request, had blanketed us with a privacy spell, I asked.

Tell me more about what I can ask you, what I can wish for?

He shrugs, swallowing a bite of burger.

Anything. I have to comply. You’re my owner.

I don’t like that word, Troy. At all.

He grins.

Well, you’re the owner of the phone.

Instead, how about being your boss?

He looked at me, puzzled.

I have to explain you in my life. I don’t want you to stay in the phone all the time. If you’re okay with that.

Oh, I have no problem with being outside.

I should ask if you have any enemies?

‘It’s complicated, but no one that would openly attack me, especially in a sanctuary space like yours.

What do you mean?

He looked surprised.

You don’t know? That building has some, hmm, protective power.

It does?!

I’m a little skeptical because I never felt it. Was it Dylan’s legacy, or was there something more? Maybe that’s why I had felt prompted to help Curtis and Laura.

I think it usually connects to one or two people in that building. There’s an inscription on an outside wall. It’s small. I’ll show it to you.

Our food got served. Troy seemed to be truly enjoying himself.

So, Troy, as I was saying, I need a personal assistant. Actually, this is good timing, you, and the phone. I still have to ask, how knowledgeable are you with magick?

He shrugged.

You just have to ask what you would... like. Never had anything asked I couldn’t do.

Suddenly, I feel a rush of hope.

Even if there was a spell around us, I whispered.

Can you bring back someone from the dead?

His smile disappeared. He shook his head.

Sadly, no, human or preternatural. When the death has just happened, I can do something, but not without consequences and only humans.

There was a hint of sadness and regret in his voice when he asked.

Someone you knew?

I nodded and found my voice again.

It was a long shot, but I had to ask.

I cleared my throat several times and regain my composure.

What has Gilbert told you about me? I asked Troy.

A lot. Then, he adds. At least, what he knows.

He’s honest. I like that. I’m assuming it goes with his occupation.

What would you usually know or need to be aware of, about your... employers?

Not many have bothered to tell me much except what they wished for.

Troy shares what Gilbert told him.

I’ll have to thank Gilbert. He revealed just enough but was discreet.

Troy knows about Ichiro. That’s important.

He admits he can sense my connections.

Gilbert doesn’t know about those, and for now, I’d like it to stay this way.

Troy just nods.

Come on, I know you want to say it.

He smiles.

As you wish. Clem, you are the one who’s in charge here. Gilbert is a friend, a new one, but my loyalty is to you first, for the time we are linked.

How do you feel about me telling some people I trust about your existence?

You mean as a djinn?

I nodded. I’m thinking about Clydan and Nick.

It’s your choice, Clementine.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Louise is getting married next month, and I have not been as involved as she wanted me to be.

She didn’t seem upset about it.

I’d also missed my sister-in-law’s baby shower. She and Etienne, my brother, don’t seem too upset either. I’m meeting with them this afternoon.

It’s becoming such a challenge to be involved in both my worlds and not forget social events like baby showers and upcoming weddings.

Etienne and Danielle wanted to meet at an ice cream parlor on the Plateau. It was a nice Sunday.

When I showed up, they were already sitting near the front window.

Etienne smiled when he saw me.

Sorry, we didn’t wait to order. My sister-in-law said.

No problem.