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Dhampir Hunter - Chapter Two
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"Why can't we ever do things the easy way?"
Eve didn't respond to Cirrus' question, didn't even look up to acknowledge that her hunting partner had spoken. She remained focused on her prey. She had to watch it, study it, hunt it.
From his position behind her, Cirrus couldn't help but admire the view. Eve was tall and slim, dressed in tight-fitting black pants and a shirt to match. Her long auburn hair was pulled back in a tight braid that rested lightly on her back. In her pale hands she held her weapons of choice. The polished throwing knives glinted silver in the dying daylight. Most people thought she was foolish for choosing such a weapon for her line of work, but Cirrus had seen her use them and the way she wielded the small blades could rival any sword or gunman.
Cirrus preferred something a bit more traditional. A sword on his back and a crossbow and bolts at his side were all the weapons he needed. Well, along with his good looks and charm, but those wouldn't help when he was working. Just when playing.
"Cirrus, pay attention dammit."
He suddenly realized that Eve's piercing blue gaze now rested on him. He grinned. "Sorry 'bout that. So what's the plan?"
Eve studied Cirrus for a moment longer, thinking: Why did I ever agree to this partnership? Finally she spoke. "I want you to go around the side and attack when I give the signal. And remember to wait this time." She obviously still remembered their last job. Not one of his finer moments. Without waiting for him to agree to or confirm the order, she simply turned and walked out of the hiding spot they'd spent almost all day occupying.
"Nothing like the direct approach," he murmured, silently cursing his own choice in partners. Not only was she calmly approaching ruins said to be the home of Kerr, a shape-shifting shadow demon, but she was also doing it as the sun went down. Cirrus wasn't stupid enough to think that they'd have the demon's head before darkness fell and fighting a shape-shifter after dark was practically suicide.
I really think she enjoys the challenge, in some masochistic way. He'd never met another human with such strong confidence.
When she was halfway to the ruins, he moved to the side and started to walk around, careful to keep a sharp eye on both his partner and his surroundings. The last thing he wanted was Eve or himself being taken by surprise, though he doubted anything could surprise the woman. He found a hiding spot and crouched, readying his crossbow and waiting somewhat impatiently for Eve's signal.
Eve continued her casual walk across the clearing her sapphire gaze never once shifting from her goal. She palmed one of her knives, watching, calculating when her adversary would make himself known.
How does she do it? wondered Cirrus, watching her instead of the ruins. The level of concentration and confidence she held seemed almost otherworldly. But he had made damn sure she was a pureblooded human before seeking her out. He had a reputation to worry about and a memory to honor.
A flash of movement caught his attention, drawing his focus to the ruins. A shadow shifted, no rippled to the right of Eve. Cirrus stood; ready to call out a warning to his partner, signal or no.
Eve's reaction was quicker than his. In one fluid motion she turned and let three knives fly. It almost seemed as if she'd pinned part of the shadow itself to the wall and it writhed and hissed around the knives, struggling to break free.
Cirrus ran to Eve, stopping when he was only a few steps behind her. A quick glance at the sky told him they had only a minute or two before the day's light died completely. "Nice shot. Let's just kill it and be done with it."
Without answering Cirrus, she strode towards the demon and drew two more knives from the supply that hung at her hips. She leaned in close to the demon, nonplussed when rows of sharp teeth appeared, snapping at Eve sharply. "Who hired you?" she asked. When she got no response, she tried a different approach. "Why are you here?"
"To seek what is lost," hissed the demon, through wicked teeth. It snapped at her again, this time opening its wrathful eyes and centering its crimson gaze on its captor. Tendrils on its body reached out, straining to touch her lithe form. "Release me, human!" The tip of the tendrils brushed her face. "Release me."
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Three arrows suddenly seemed to appear in the demon's face, one embedding itself in the demon's eye. The shape-shifter screamed, an ungodly sound that echoed through the night. Cirrus covered his ears. He'd never gotten used to that sound.
Eve never flinched. It wasn't until the demon was dead that she finally turned to Cirrus, her gaze narrowing. "Don't do that again," she said, her voice low and even. "When I say wait for the signal, I mean wait." Without another glance at her partner, she started back towards her vehicle.
Cirrus watched her as she strode away and shrugged. What did it matter that he'd killed the demon? A paycheck is a paycheck, right? He sighed to himself as he followed her. "I'll never understand women."
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