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Dhampir Hunter - Chapter Seven
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The innocent sound of laughter filled the night air, echoing across the empty meadow. Dhampir aren't innocent. Cirrus' entire body stiffened slightly at the sound his hands fisted at his side as he stared at the flames. He refused to turn and see what the dhampir had found so funny. He obviously disliked the fact that he was in the same vicinity as a dhampir that he couldn't kill.
Shifter glanced at Cirrus from his place across the fire, studying him for a minute before speaking. "Don't like dhampir, huh?"
"Anything with vampiric blood deserves nothing but death," he snapped. The vehemence in his voice was palpable and acidic. "And you?" When he asked the question he made no attempt to hide a distinct note of disgust.
Shifter considered the question for the briefest of pauses before shrugging. "It's not her fault. You can't pick your parents."
"And if she slaughters you in your sleep? What then?"
He shrugged again. "Then I'll be dead." After a brief silence, he sighed. "I'm going to sleep."
Cirrus blinked in utter disbelief, watching Shifter gather his bedroll and layout. "But...what about...wait a sec..."
"Good night," replied Shifter, then laid down and closed his eyes, facing away from the fire and from speechless Cirrus.
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"So those fools think I kidnapped Mayor Thacker's son?" Arcane laughed again, shaking her head. "I didn't even know he was a Thacker. I had just assumed he was the town drunk. Besides, he was the one who wanted to go with me."
"From the smell he probably fills the town drunk position as well," replied Eve, nodding. "Even my human sense of smell finds that offensive. How can you stand him?"
Arcane shrugged. "There are worse things he could smell of."
Eve nodded, going silent for a moment. She couldn't help but ponder the turn of fate that brought her and her half-sister together after almost twenty years. Her sister hadn't changed at all, physically speaking anyway. "So its Arcane now, hmm? Why did you shed your birth name?"
Arcane sighed. "Well it goes along with my reason for leaving home seventeen years ago. You remember I left because of how you and Ma were being threatened because of my...er...tainted lineage, right?" She waited for Eve's nod before she continued. "Well, I was afraid that if I kept the name 'Serenity Cohensin', then it would still harm those I shared the surname with. Besides, what kind of name Serenity for a hunter, let alone a dhampir?" She winked.
Eve seemed to absorb the information as she studied her half-sister's demeanor. She could remember the day Arcane...well she was Serenity then, left so many years ago. After their mother, Melissa, had tucked Eve in for the night. Eve had been only eight and even though she was a quiet child she still looked up to her sister, twelve years her senior. It didn't matter that she was a dhampir; not to Eve. Serenity had come to the doorway, her lithe form framed in the light from the hall. She'd had a smile on her lips but sadness in her crimson gaze.
"Hey Evie."
I pout as I sit up in my bed. "You know I don't like being called that."
"Right," Serenity nodded and made a show of taking a mental note of my insistent words. "Sorry, it won't happen again because, for now, I have to go."
I immediately pick up on my older sister's tone. "Why? When will you be back?"
"I don't think I will be back," she replied, avoiding my gaze. "Because too many ignorant people are trying to start trouble. So I'm off for an adventure."
"Can I come?"
Serenity sighed. "When you're older Evie."
Eve blinked, bringing herself back to the present. "All right then. Arcane it is."
"So are you going to kill me and take Shifter Thacker back to town?" Arcane asked the question half in jest, half with complete seriousness. Hunters take jobs seriously, regardless.
"Killing you was never part of the contract, no matter how much Cirrus might want to. I'm just here to 'rescue' the kid," replied Eve.
"He's only a year younger than you. Not much of a kid really."
"Where are you headed?" asked Eve, changing the subject again.
"The Barbaroi's castle."
Eve paused. "Any particular reason why? Looking for work?"
"No, just information."
"On?"
"A hunter. The hunter apparently. I've been annoyed recently by demons and the like who are looking for this hunter. Apparently he's a dhampir as well. I don't suppose that rings any bells with you, huh??"
"No."
Arcane paused for a minute, then chuckled. "We have this banter thing down cold."
"Must run in the family."
"Along with the good looks."
Eve actually smiled. "Damn right."
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