Considering what had happened to our new recruits in their young lives, I kind of understood where they were coming from.
“What now?” Bruce said. “We’re here.”
“Thanks to you,” I said with a welcoming smile. “You did excellent work in Tulsa.”
His brow furrowed, as if he wasn’t sure if I was being sarcastic or not. I reminded myself that these kids had lived mostly on the street. Trust came hard. Finally, he shrugged. “I know my stuff.”
“You proved that. After you graduate from here, you’ll know even more stuff. All of you will,” I said, looking out at the group. “I’m not going to make you all share your life stories, but I do hope you spend some time after the movie getting to know each other.”
“Movie?” Ren asked.
“That is the plan,” I confirmed. “Pizza and a movie. But let me back up. I’m Kate Connor, and I’m a Level Six Demon-Hunter withForza Scura, which, as you know is a secret arm of the Vatican. First rule ofForza,don’t talk aboutForza.”
As I hoped, they all laughed, though whether any of them actually got the movie reference was anyone’s guess.
I went around the room next, first introducing Eric and describing how we used to hunt together. “He’ll be helping out when needed in the training room, and teaching you history, lore, all that juicy book-learning stuff that most of us don’t care about because we just want to fight.”
Once again, they laughed. So far, this was going okay. Then again, it was day one, minute one, and I expected them to be on their best behavior. Too soon to call myself a raging success.
They’d already met Marcus, but I gave a bit more information about his time at the Vatican and his legendary father who’d trained both me and Eric. I introduced Cutter as a trainer and Laura as their research guru. Then I moved on to the other students, starting with Jared since he straddled student and teacher.
“You’re shitting us,” Ana said when he told them he was a vampire.
“I assure you, he’s not,” I said.
“But don’t worry. I won’t turn into a bat or bite you.” Jared smiled sweetly. “Unless you piss me off.”
“But aren’t you, like, you know … a demon?” Ana winced, as if embarrassed to ask the question.
“You mean like on TV? Body dies, memories stay, otherwise a demon moves in? And, honestly, how does that work? The memories just hang around?”
The kids all looked at each other, then shrugged.
“No,” Jared said. “A demon didn’t slide into me when I was turned. The only thing demonic is in my family tree. The original dude thousands of years ago who managed to turn himself into a vampire after slicing the neck of another guy and then drinking his blood.Thatother guy was a demon. Otherwise, all me with all my memories. And, yeah, I’m young enough I can still walk in the sun.”
Three hands shot up.
“You can ask more later,” I said. “Jared will be helping out in fight training and also instructing you on supernatural creatures so plenty of time for questions. And, of course, there’s Eddie.”
I gestured to Eddie, who shuffled forward, putting the old man show on thick.
Bruce snickered.
“Think you could take me?” Eddie asked.
Bruce looked at his two companions, his expression clear enough—Is that a trick question?
“Come on, then, boy.”
Bruce looked at me, and I nodded.
“Okay, old man,” he said, then rushed forward. As he did, Eddie got him with a low-level taser blast, and Bruce fell shaking to the ground.
“What the hell?” His voice was weak at first, then stronger as he climbed to his feet after the shock wore off. “What the hell was that?”
“That was a reminder that even demons have access to technology. Take nothing for granted.”
“Eddie’s been around longer than any of us,” I said. “And he knows more than any of you, I promise. The man’s an asset and a resource. Learn from him.”
