PROLOGUE
ASHER
"What a valiant littlefighter this one is. Don't you think, Koa?"
"He is, my love."
"Bow your head, boy. We will make you as mighty as a phoenix rising from ashes."
___
"You know I'm proud of you getting into the Legacy Council's hunter training program, Asher. I know that's hard to do, and you should celebrate, but…you can't be here. Your father will be back any minute, and I can't stand seeing you fight."
"I'm always fighting, Mom. It's all I do. And why the hell is that fucker back again?"
"Please just drop it. Things are different this time.”
"Bullshit. Is he still hitting you?"
"That's enough! I don't want to deal with this right now.”
"I swear on everything holy, if he hurts you again, I'll put a godsdamned bullet in his head. Scratch that, the next time I so much as see him, I’ll?—"
"Asher, just go. It's what's best for everyone."
"Mom—"
"I said,get out!"
___
"This one's got a big mouth, sir. I was just teaching him a lesson for shit-talking the Council."
"By gutting him in his sleep? I knew you had a bad habit of hazing atypical casters, Davies, but I didn't know you were such a coward. Attacking an unarmed fellow hunter-in-training in his sleep just because of his personal opinions? Cut the shit, we both know this is really because the others prefer his leadership to yours. Are you all right, Douglas?"
"Can't complain now that my innards are back inside me, sir."
"Sir, he was?—"
"Get out, Davies. And don't bother showing up for the hellhound assignation tomorrow. You're a disgrace to this program. Douglas, get your rest. As you know, a hellhound won't imprint on a hunter unless it's one they'd place all their infernal lives on the line for. If you want a strong hellhound, you've gotta be strong tomorrow."
___
"You'll be sitting out this hunt, Douglas. Take a few days to cope at the training facility."
"You're benching me? All due respect, sir, that's fucking insane. The others can't track this target without my sixth sense, and I'm not going to let you send them on a damned suicide mission."
"You and I both know you're in no state to hunt."
"What the hell makes you think?—"
"I heard about your mother and what that DeLune bastard did to your father for it. You need time to grieve, kid. Go to her funeral, take some time off, and get your head right."
"My head's fine, I'm not a kid anymore, and you know what? Fuck this. I don't need you assigning my targets anymore, anyway. Everyone knows I get the job done, whether it's the Legacy Council hiring me or some other fat cat. I'm going with the others."
"Where are you going? Get your ass back here. You go rogue as a bounty hunter, Douglas, and you'll last one month, tops. Don't you dare storm out of my office! Mark my words, you’ll get yourself killed out there!"
“Consider them marked and ignored,sir.”
