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Hunting Jessica: The Hunting Series, #1
Hunting Jessica: The Hunting Series, #1
Hunting Jessica: The Hunting Series, #1
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Hunting Jessica: The Hunting Series, #1

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Devils Bend was a wholesome small town. Family events, beautiful landscapes, and warm apple pie were the staple.

But Jessica's ordinary life changed when she was attacked by a vampire. As if things couldn't get any more complicated, a mysterious man with a suggestive grin and eyes like a raging storm entered her world. Their relationship quickly bloomed into an unforeseen hunger.

Gossip of a strange animal roaming the shadows quickly spread. Jessica must now spend her nights exterminating the undead and searching for something much darker.

Can she put the reports to rest, or will an ancient secret alter her reality once again?

LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 23, 2023
ISBN9798223672036
Hunting Jessica: The Hunting Series, #1
Author

Elizabeth St. John

This International Bestselling author began writing her first book in 2011. Though paranormal romance was the beginning of her journey, her true passion lies in horror and thriller based stories. Elizabeth's unique ability for storytelling has expanded to script writing, producing two screenplays. Over time, readers have described her style as twisted, intriguing, suspenseful, and captivating.

Read more from Elizabeth St. John

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    Book preview

    Hunting Jessica - Elizabeth St. John

    Hunting Jessica

    Into the Shadows

    Book 1

    The Hunting Series

    By

    Elizabeth St.John

    COPYRIGHT 2017

    PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH ST.JOHN

    This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This eBook may not be re-sold.

    Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    KINDLE EDITION 2017

    Title: Hunting Jessica: Into the Shadows – The Hunting Series

    Author: Elizabeth St.John

    WARNING!

    This book is highly addictive. The following side effects which may occur during the reading of this book.

    Sleep deprivation, tired eyes, and chills. Other ailments may include, but are not limited to, character attachment, speech impairment, and even uncontrollable emotional outbursts.

    Seek help immediately by leaving your review.

    (WINK)

    Enjoy!

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    There’s no doubt that something vicious is roaming my small town in northern Oklahoma. I will find the answers to these savage attacks.

    -Jessica

    ––––––––

    ~FOR MOM~

    Chapter

    1

    I never wanted to live in small-town America, but I have grown to love it. It has given me the freedom to appreciate my seclusion. I live in a small Oklahoma town called Devils Bend, located a short ten miles from the Kansas state line, and named after a creek which flows through its borders.

    When I moved into my new home several years ago, I picked up a little hobby. My gardens are of substantial size with my favorite flower. Roses. I have every color imaginable. The sweet scent permeates my home in the Spring. I love to watch things grow.

    The town I live in doesn’t have much. Only a couple of gas stations, two eagerly vacant hotels, and one burger place with mediocre tasting food. With a population of no more than a thousand, I would go so far as to say the cemetery hosts more people. Though it may be imperfect, and limited on amenities, I love it.

    We also have the random vampire. Yes, I said vampire. The first murder in town shook everyone to the core. The local newspaper read a man, a thirty-two-year-old resident, was walking home from a friend’s house at sundown. He was found the following day behind Hank’s Hardware with his throat ripped out. His body was completely drained of blood. There was no evidence of it at the scene, convincing the police the victim had been killed at another location.

    People even thought it was some sort of animal attack. I was oblivious at the time, but now on my nights off, my dog Tank and I have our asses locked in the house twenty minutes before dusk. There was no truth behind the old stories of vampires needing an invitation, which was why I kept my nine-millimeter Beretta loaded at all times. A silver hollow-point bullet may not kill them, but it gives me time to get away or eliminate it. Stakes to the heart and garlic are also myths. The only way to kill a vampire is to sever the head from the body and burning them. If they are not put down properly, they will regenerate.

    I’m a vampire hunter. Never did I think I would be killing the undead for a living, but it was the hand I was dealt. Three years ago, before I knew real vampires existed, I was attacked while walking home from my job at a local bar.

    A woman approached me from behind, wrapped her arms around me, and I did the only thing which came to mind. I used a hip toss my brother had shown me years before. Though she was knocked off of me, it didn’t stop her attack. She was crazed and lunged at me again. When she grabbed my shoulders, I punched her in the nose. She stumbled and blood dripped down into her mouth. When she looked at me, all the blood drained from my face and a chill rolled over me. I had never seen anything like her before. Her eyes were an eerie yellow. When she snarled, I caught a glimpse of her fangs. Before I could process the sight before me, she knocked me to the ground. I had to use all of my strength to hold her off as she attempted to bite me. My arms grew tired and my cries for help went unnoticed. My savior, and now boss Jay, pulled her off. As I gained my bearings, I watched as he snapped her neck with ease. Fear shot through me again when I saw the knife he used to cut her head clean off. My stomach flipped and my mind was confused.

    Are you alright? His hand was gripping the handle of the knife as he approached me. Fear held my tongue. I began to wonder if I would meet the same fate. Were you bitten?

    Don’t kill me, please, I begged, trying to get to my feet and run.

    Were you bitten? His voice was a demanding growl as he grew closer.

    Nnn..., I stumbled over my tongue. No, I wasn’t.

    He sighed in relief and slid the bloody knife into the sheath on his hip, Good.

    You cut her head off.

    He smiled, I did. Are you alright? He reached his hand out to me. I was reluctant to take it, at first, but his kind blue eyes gave me comfort.

    I think so.

    He helped me up off the ground. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the headless woman only feet away.

    What’s your name?

    Jessica.

    With my hand still in his, he shook it slightly, Hello, Jessica. I’m Jay. May I escort you home?

    Um, I bit the inside of my cheek, contemplating.

    I promise, I’m not a crazed killer.

    After he covered the body of the vampire with trash from the alley, we walked toward my home. He explained everything. I was in shock and had a difficult time processing what had happened. I thought it was a joke when he offered me a job.

    Hunting vampires?

    Absolutely. I think you have what it takes, he replied as we stopped in front of my Victorian home.

    "You think I can hunt vampires? I’m not even sure I believe all this."

    What don’t you believe? You were just attacked by a vampire. What other evidence do you need? He paused. "Look, Jessica. You may look like a tiny, defenseless woman, but I believe there is something hidden inside you. I know with everything inside me, you have what it takes to do this."

    I don’t know.

    Here, take this. He handed me a business card. Think it over.

    The following morning, I was convinced I had dreamt the entire thing until I found his business card on my kitchen table.

    It read: Jason Johnston, T&J Exterminations. The number was on the back.

    Wanting answers, I called the number and he validated everything from the night before. He guaranteed me way more money than the old bar provided. Plus, I was intrigued to find out what mysteries the world held.

    That night, we met at his place of business. He worked with me on my fighting skills and shooting ability. We were both surprised at how I took to the weight and feel of the gun in my hand. After my first shot was fired, I was hooked. Jay said I was a natural. It took months before I was ready for my first job.

    Before I was completely awake, and before I could consume my favorite coffee, my cell phone rang. It was Jay. I was exhausted from the hunt the night before and needed a day off, but I swiped my thumb against the screen.

    Hello.

    Jessica?

    Who else would it be? Yes.

    How are you feeling?

    I touched the bump on my head. It was tender but the swelling had gone down substantially. We had hunted an old abandoned silver mine. During a scuffle with a male vampire, I gained a sensitive bump on my head. Tired, but good.

    Good. Meet me at The High School in fifteen minutes.

    I heard a click on the other end of the line. With Jay, everything was short and sweet. I reluctantly headed up the stairs and got ready for the night. The stairs may have been refurbished but they still creaked with every step I took. My room is off the top of the stairs and big enough to hold a king size canopy bed with lace curtains to hide me from the world. On one wall sat my vanity with a big mirror. There was also a dresser and an entertainment center which held my 40inch flat screen TV. I’m not much of a reader but I do enjoy a good movie. I had hundreds of movies on the bookshelf next to the television.

    The window seat was my favorite spot. The large double windows looked out over my rose garden. In the Spring, I open those windows and listen to the bird’s sing. The wonderful scent of my garden perfumes my room. It was late December and too cold outside to do that now. From my closet, I fished out my hunting apparel.

    The master bathroom was large enough but it also was joined with the next room. It was a good thing I didn’t have many house guests, though I did have a full-size bed and chest of drawers in there. I even thought about turning it into a workout room, but never got to it. Plus, I did most of my workouts and training at my place of employment. I kept the door leading to the other bedroom locked. It made me feel more secure.

    I removed my robe and hung it up on the hook on the back of the bathroom door. I examined myself in the mirror. I’m not what you would call tall, being only five-foot-two, some people would consider me short. My body is slim, though I do have thick thighs and hips. My breasts are more than a handful but not perky. Average size in a C-cup bra. I’m not perfect. My skin isn’t as soft as I would like it, and my feet get rough. In the summer, I got a nice tan if I wanted to burn the hell out of my alabaster skin to do so. Fun-in-the-sun was not for me.

    I carefully pulled my long red hair up into a loose ponytail. The bump was proving to be a problem while attempting to control my curls. During my childhood, I was always the one to stand out in the family photos, though I resembled my brother the most. He was tall with dark brown hair and dark green eyes. When I was ten years old, I asked my mother why I was so different. She then told me something that changed my mindset on life. I was adopted. My parents would always be my parents, but I always wondered who I truly was.

    Sometimes, when it’s quiet, which was most days, I have a minute to myself to think. I do wonder who those people were and why they didn’t want me. Did I resemble my birth parents? Maybe I got my hair, body structure, and full lips from my mother. Was my father the tall dark and handsome type? Maybe I shared my jade-green eyes with him. I would probably never know.

    I dressed quickly. Dark jeans, black tank top, combat boots, fingerless gloves, and a heavy brown leather jacket completed my outfit. I put my earbuds in and listened to a heavy metal music beat, preparing for my night ahead. Music was a powerful tool for me.

    To complete the ensemble, I put on every ounce of silver jewelry I owned. I was never a fan of gold. I grabbed my gun from under my pillow and my vampire extermination equipment. Extra ammo and silver blade knives were kept in a small backpack. It was heavy but if it saved my ass, I would carry it for days.

    I’ll be back, Tank, I announced to my dog who came trotting up to me at my back door. I knelt to pet him. Watch the house. He nestled his large head in my hands and licked my face.

    I headed out of my back door in the direction of the high school. I didn’t drive unless I was going out of town, pointless really in a town so small. The school was only a couple of blocks from my house. When I reached my destination, the lights which illuminated the field for night games weren’t on. I spotted of my boss, but he wasn’t alone. I thought it would be him and I again but there was another man with us. My excitement grew when I realized who it was. His name was Gage, aka, Mr. Sexy Pants. He was a big guy, six-foot-four-inches tall with long dark brown hair always tied at the nape of his neck. His eyes, a pretty stormy gray and lashes a girl like me would kill for. Wide shoulders and the thickest arms I have ever seen on a man. His skin was a light tan color. Native American Heritage ran through his veins. Slap some tanned leather on him and he would fit into any native tribe in the county. Extremely attractive and yes, I would like to take him to my bed for a little romp.

    Gage was somewhat complicated though. He tended to keep his personal life secret. Other than the fact I found him sexy and he hunted vampires for money, I knew nothing about him. In the last three years, I have only worked with him a couple dozen times. For someone who was supposed to work full-time, he was rarely seen on the job. Gage was a great hunter, but I sometimes wonder why Jay didn’t fire him. Of course, if he did that, I would have a loss of eye-candy.

    My boss was also a good-looking man. When I met him, his hair was dark brown but was now salt and pepper around his temples. His face had aged as well but didn’t take away from his distinguished features. His skin was also tan which set off his blue eyes. He was the first to address me, Great. You made it.

    What’s on the menu for tonight? I teased as I glanced at Gage. He smiled at me, causing heat to reach my cheeks. Jay explained how he had a report of some possible activity in the next county.

    Could be nothing, but I want you and Gage to check into it, he stated as he glanced at his phone.

    Are you not coming? The thought of being alone with my crush excited me and made me nervous at the same time.

    I have some other things to attend to.

    Don’t worry, I’ll protect you, Gage stated deeply and winked at me.

    Jessica is fully capable. I doubt she will need any protection, Jay stated curtly and walked away from us. Just the same, call me if you need me, he called over his shoulder as he got into his white Ford pickup with a T&J logo on the side.

    I guess it’s you and me, hotness. Gage was a huge flirt but I didn’t mind it. He rarely called me by name. Being single, I didn’t mind the use of pet names. It made me feel special.

    I guess so.

    We walked over to his black truck and I opened the door. Empty soda bottles and fast-food bags toppled out onto the school parking lot. I glanced at him and he was clearly embarrassed by what happened.

    Sorry bout’ that.

    It’s alright. I got it. I picked up the trash and without anywhere to put it, I simply tossed it back into the floorboard of the truck. I used my left foot to hold it in as I lifted my short frame into the tall vehicle. It was a good thing his truck came equip with running boards. It seemed as if he lived in this truck. I wanted to question him about it, but left it alone, for now. Surprisingly, it didn’t smell like the dumpster it seemed. The scent of his sweet cologne lingered in the air.

    Ready? I enjoyed it, but as his eyes danced across my face and body, I couldn’t help but feel like a piece of meat. It gave me an uneasy feeling that maybe we shouldn’t be alone together. I may attack him and have my wicked way.

    Chapter

    2

    The sun had faded and darkness swallowed everything. It’s dark in the country, no street lights and quiet as hell, comforting really. The painted lines on the paved highway fade away as we turned onto a bumpy dirt road. My mind, as well as my eyes, had time to wonder. I began to scan Gage, trying not to be obvious. I hadn’t been in a relationship for so long, it was hard for me to push down the desire I felt for him at that moment. I wanted to think about the job we had to do, but all I could imagine was having his entire body entangled with mine. I needed to snap myself out of it.

    What exactly are we going out here for?

    The landowner has had some issues with their cattle.

    Cattle? Seriously?

    He shrugged his broad shoulders, It may be ridiculous but Jay says it’s a lead.

    He may sign my paycheck but I couldn’t believe he had me out in the dead of night checking on cows. What exactly are we out here for?

    Suspicious slaughters, he said deeply and turned slowly onto another even bumpier road.

    Again?

    There had been several strange reports in the papers over the years. Livestock and even pets had been found mangled. They never published photos but I had an active imagination. With every pothole Gage hit, I bumped in my seat, causing me to brace myself.

    It may be something, it may not.

    How many cows are we talking about?

    About a dozen have been killed. All have been mutilated.

    How so?

    All the animals have been found with their throats ripped out.

    My mind drifted to the man who was found behind the hardware store a couple years ago. It wasn’t exactly typical behavior for a vampire. Over the years, I have seen some pretty gruesome sights. Some people were so viciously attacked and discovered in some questionable conditions. You would think small country towns would be safe, but you couldn’t be more wrong. You never know what lingers in the shadows.

    Why would vampires attack cattle?

    Not sure, but at least we finally get to hang out. He looked at me and winked. I was trying to focus and figure things out about this job, but it was going to be hard to address the client with a full-on blush.

    The little farmhouse was quiet. The front porch was illuminated with a yellow light and holly bushes surrounding it. The porch had window boxes full of fake flowers. I hopped down out of the truck, careful to keep the garbage from falling out again. I couldn’t hear anything. No animals, no bugs, nothing. It was unnerving at best. With Gage standing behind me, I knocked on the door. After several minutes, an elderly woman opened it slowly.

    Yes. Can I help you? She was skinny, frail, and her voice shook slightly. The light from the porch made her skin resemble a golden raisin.

    Ma’am, I questioned with a smile. My name is Jessica with T&J Exterminations. This is my partner Gage.

    Ma’am, he nodded his head slightly.

    Her shaky voice accelerated as she grew excited, Yes, thank you for coming. Please come in.

    We have a report you have had some problems on your land, I explained as we entered the small home. It was a cute little sitting room with a fireplace with a lot of pictures on the mantel. The home also held the scent of mothballs, hair perm, and a hint of bacon. She smiled before offering us something to drink.

    No, thank you, ma’am. Can you tell us about your problem? Gage asked as he adjusted his large frame on the floral couch.

    I was on the other end of the couch and she sat across from us on a recliner. My husband John went out in the feed truck and found them scattered all around the land.

    May we speak with him as well?

    My husband is in the hospital.

    I’m sorry to hear that.

    After he found the last cow, he collapsed from shock. You have to understand. This land is all we have and having something simply slaughter our livelihood is a huge blow. We have lost so much.

    My compassion grew for her even more. Ma’am, I can only imagine. I do hope he makes a speedy recovery.

    We have been together fifty years. I’m lost without him.

    What was it he found? Gage asked, leaning in a little closer. I thought his compassion for the woman was a little dry.

    She rubbed her frail hands together in a nervous way before answering. We have been dealing with this issue for weeks now, she sighed softly. We have lost over a dozen of our herd. We thought it was dogs but I’m afraid it could be something worse.

    Can you elaborate?

    She dabbed the corner of her eye with a pink tissue, It has to be the Woolly Man.

    Woolly Man? I couldn’t help but feel as if she was going to take a Bigfoot turn on me. I pinched back the grin as it would be unprofessional. I looked over at Gage. His expression was unmoving as he waited.

    Bigfoot, she finally stated. I knew it. People had no idea what really went bump in the night.

    Mrs. Scott, I’m sure it is stray dogs, which we can handle with the city dog catcher, Gage explained. There are many breeders in this county alone.

    I nodded, Absolutely. If you don’t mind, we would like to go out and survey the area. Maybe we can set some traps to catch whatever did this.

    Do you have a trap large enough?

    We can handle it, ma’am, Gage replied with a kind smile and stood from the couch. I followed. She walked us to the door. If it is not too late, we will stop by and give you an update.

    I appreciate that.

    Gage and I got back into the truck. The Wooly Man? I snickered.

    Do you not believe in Bigfoot? he grinned and turned the key. I rolled my eyes as the Hemi engine roared to life.

    The property was relatively small at only thirty acres. Slowly traveling along the bumpy terrain, we noticed roughly a dozen cattle. They grew excited as we grew closer to them, thinking it was feeding time. Gage continued on slowly past them. With the cattle following us, we came over a hill.

    Do you see that?

    I do, he replied and we slowly drove down the hill toward the object. From a distance, it resembled a dirt mound, but the closer we got, I knew what it was. The cattle had stopped following us as we drew closer. Gage put the truck in park and we hopped out. The headlights provided enough light for me to see. It was a brown cow in a gruesome state. It had been there a while. This must have been the cow the landowner discovered before collapsing. Gage was inspecting it closely for bites, but my eyes were focused on the mutilation of the body. The throat had been ripped out and the innards had spilled out onto the grass. Chunks of flesh were missing as well. My stomach flipped. Something had fed on this cow, but vampires wouldn’t disembowel, or eat flesh.

    Why would a vampire go after cows? It’s too weird, I said shaking my head in bewilderment.

    Maybe it’s a young one and was going after easy food.

    They don’t do this sort of thing, Gage. Meat is missing as if something actually ate it.

    We are already here. Might as well set up and wait. He walking back to the driver’s side. The top of the hill is a good vantage point.

    The cattle remained close to the truck when we returned to the top of the small hill. It was a good place to lay in wait. Gage lowered the tailgate and I hopped up onto it. There was a large covered box in the back along with a red gas can. I pulled my heavy jacket tightly around my shoulders as a cold breeze blew across the land. I thought it was pointless but I kept my hunting bag beside me. I watched the darkness closely for any sort of movement, but there was none. The condition of the dead cow told me we were dealing with something else.

    What are you thinking?

    I have seen vampires do many things to their victims. Never, in three years, have I ever seen them go after livestock. Human blood is their drive. Why bother with animals?

    My partner adjusted in his spot, bouncing the truck slightly. Yes, but you know a new vampire will do anything for blood.

    Why are you convinced this is a vampire attack?

    I didn’t say it was, but we were called out. We have to investigate.

    So, you don’t believe it to be a vampire.

    If not a vampire, Jess, then what?

    I sighed and scanned the darkness again, Is it possible that something else lingers out there?

    He bellowed a laugh which startled me out of my thoughts. The cattle which were practically begging to be fed scattered by the sound, Did the old ladies story spook you?

    What? Bigfoot? I laughed slightly. Hell no!

    His gray eyes landed on my face and I felt a shudder of excitement roll through me. My teeth were chattering from the cold and I wanted nothing more than to get closer to him at that moment. I wanted to take our alone time and use it for more exciting things. I was drowning in the gutter when Gage was concerned. I hated to make it a habit to involve myself with work colleagues, but only he and one other had my attention from day one.

    Ok, then what?

    "I don’t know but it was something...else."

    Midnight had passed with nothing to show for it. The cattle were finally sleeping and there was no sound, other than our breathing. We were too far away from the highway to hear the cars whizzing by. The silence was nice.

    So, how are you doing, Gage?

    I’m okay, how have you been?

    I looked at him with a smirk on my face. I knew something was going on by the inside of his trashed-out truck. Cut the crap. What’s going on?

    He looked at me with surprise, What are you talking about?

    I couldn’t help but notice the condition of your truck.

    He looked back at it with a pinched brow and back to me, What’s wrong with it?

    I had worked with him several times and never seen it like that before. He had always kept it in prime condition. It’s probably not any of my business, but it’s trashed.

    He waited a moment, I found my girlfriend in bed with another guy, so I moved out.

    I could help but have pity for him. He seemed so hurt and I could relate with a blow like that, Oh, Gage, I’m sorry.

    Looking at his gun in his hand he shrugged his wide shoulders. It’s no big deal. She wasn’t the one for me. I have had someone else in my sights for a while, but the time has never been right. He sighed. It was crazy to allow myself to become jealous, but I didn’t want his attention on anyone else. Why are you single, Jess?

    My breath hitched and all the color left my face. I was embarrassed and ashamed all at the same time. That’s what I get for asking such a personal question, for butting in. I regretted it. I didn’t want to talk about me. I swallowed hard and found my tongue was still functional.

    I had a similar experience, and I feel no need to have a man control me. I was attempting to be delicate not knowing if I succeeded. My mind buzzed with the thoughts of my ex-boyfriend, and how much I would enjoy kicking him in the balls. I have also thought about gauging out the eyes of the bitch he was with for the hell of it. The horrible memory of my past before the breakup made a lump push its way into my throat. I opened my eyes wide to keep the tears from falling. I thought I was finished crying over that asshole.

    Gage was quiet, but he never took his eyes off me. I knew he could tell I was bothered by the conversation, so he didn’t say anything. He placed his hand on my back and rubbed it a little in a comforting way. It was a nice feeling, the human contact. I must have been cold because I could feel the heat from his hand radiating through my heavy jacket. I swallowed the lump of emotion from my throat. All I could think about was his touch and how his heat amazed me. My mind started to drift in the ways of the bedroom, and I wondered if his hands would feel like fire against my skin.

    Movement out of the corner of my eye made me come back to reality. I turned my head and what I saw took me by surprise. I watched as a person walking onto the field of cattle slowly, not down the hill, but only a hundred yards away from us. It was a vampire. I could tell by the way its body was crouched and the cautious steps. I waited for more vampires to come out of the tree line but it was only the one. I’ll be damned.

    Come on. We can sneak behind it, he whispered and hopped down slowly. I was taken by surprise when he wrapped his large hands around my waist and helped me down. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to relish in his burning touch.

    We hid behind the truck and watched it move closer to the cattle. I had never seen anything like it before. The vampire slinked closer and jumped twenty feet onto an unsuspecting cow. As it bellowed a moo, the herd moved away. She hissed, exposed her fangs, and sank them into the thick throat of the cow. We moved cautiously down the hill out of sight in order to get behind the feeding vampire. I left my bag behind but I gripped my gun at my side. Gage did the same. As we walked into the foliage, he stopped me.

    What is it? I whispered.

    Just listening, he explained. Come on.

    He was listening for more vampires. I could smell the blood from where we stood, salty and hot. When I could finally see her again, she was feeding greedily from the throat but not ripping into it like an animal. Maybe scavengers were the culprits to the disgusting sights. I wasn’t sure what, but it was something. I let Gage take the lead on this one. He was going to sneak out around her, gain her attention, and I was to shoot her. Simple enough, or so we thought.

    He took ten steps slowly around the feeding vampire. She was too busy to see him. He whistled to gain her attention. She released her hold on the dead cow and hissed at him. Oh, did I interrupt your dinner? he sarcastically asked with a smile. She sprung, and in a second she was on top of him, biting the air as he held her off of him. I ran out to help but he didn’t seem like he was struggling with her at all. He had total control. He balled up his large fist and clocked her in the jaw.

    I took aim and fired, hitting her in the side of the neck. The cattle scattered, even more, clearing the field in seconds. The vampire rolled off Gage, screaming.

    That silver burns, doesn’t it? She was trying to claw the bullet from her flesh. Her sharp nails gashed her pale skin, causing the fresh blood in her system to leak out. Smoke was rising from the tiny hole in her neck.

    She glared at me and began to speak, Foolish hunter. We are not the only things you should be worried about.

    I aimed my gun at her face. It was covered in dirt. What do you mean?

    He will be here soon.

    Who? Before she could finish, Gage walked up behind me and sliced her head off. Why did you do that?

    It’s our job.

    Didn’t you hear her?

    Her? You speak of it as if it were human. Jess, vampires are filth and not worthy of listening to. He was wiping the vampire blood from his blade with a bandana he had pulled from his back pocket. He was right, but maybe she had some information on what else was out

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