I laugh, securing twin swords at my back, and Grace hands my cream-hilted blade to me before sheathing her own at her thigh. We collect the rest of our weapons and climb the stairs to join the Central outfit in the living room.
Rhett looks like his skin is itching he’s so ready, standing closest to the door; Master Hull stands beside him.
“Let’s move out,” I say and lead my men toward the underground.
The closest access is two streets over, and the Hunters of Central descend quickly, disappearing out of sight.
Goreon is still shrouded in winter’s hell, and it’s especially unforgiving in the dark, damp tunnels. My breath billows as we march the mile underneath Southend to the meeting location beneath Lou’s tavern.
I’ve planned it so our timing should be perfect, entering the castle as the sun goes down, when vampires on serum will be defenseless in their catatonic, drugged state.
It’ll be a slaughter.
And then we take on the dreamwalkers, doing what we do best, what the gods designedus to do.
A vampire in a dreamwalk—physical body turned feral while their mind suffers through a rapture—is a decent opponent. And if the king has assembled an army with talent, we’re in for a battle. Yet the opportunity to assassinate the half of our enemy who chose the serum, numbing their pain and human memories, is something we got lucky with tonight.
Sam doesn’t have much longer. And even if he did, I can’t stand by while he suffers. He belongs to us, he’s a Hunter, and we don’t leave Hunters behind.
I turn the last corner, edging around earth and rock, and we spill into the circular underground room that connects tunnels throughout the city.
A hundred years ago, the sublevel system was utilized by vampires during the day, but they haven’t been down here since all who entered began to disappear, never to return.
That was phase one of the Hunter attack against the Goreon king—eliminate daylight movement.
We filter into the chamber and wait.
Within ten minutes, the thud of boots and clank of weapons sound in the distance. Hunters emerge from the various spokes; Ned and Brachett stalk toward us, their men trailing them. Longton with the Northern outfit is not far behind.
Our magic pulses together, a throbbing heart beating for a single purpose.
“Welcome, Hunters,” I say as males fill the room, Grace and Master Hull on either side of me. “These tunnels formerly connected to the castle, but our enemy filled the access with stone decades ago. You’ll enter the castle via the bridge at the narrow part of the bay on my signal. We’ll swarm up through the dungeons.” I gaze upon my legion, their fierce faces and exposed skin covered in black and blue war paint. “The goal is straightforward. We take the castle. We rescue Sam. No vampire left alive. We start anew.”
Grace breathes deeply beside me, her smile stretching, and paint creases around her eyes.
“Protect each other; know that chaos and death will work to cloud your focus and judgment.” I look into the eyes of the men around me. “Rememberwho you are.Rememberwho youfight for.Rememberthat this is the dawn of the era of theHunter—”
Cheers ring out.
“No one in that castle is innocent of the atrocities in our kingdom.”
My magic boils in agreement.
“Let’s go kill somefuckingvampires!” I scream, and the responding roar is a war cry that threatens to rattle tears from my eyes.
We march toward the castle together until we reach my exit.
I swipe a thumb along Grace’s jaw. “I’ll see you on the bridge.”
“See you there,” she says, and I bound up the stone stairs to the surface while Riot and Grace guide the legion underground to the nearest exit by the castle.
I emerge onto the streets of Goreon City; the early evening traffic of workers scurrying home before dark is busy and clogged. My armor and weapons draw curious attention as I pick up the pace to the edge of the city. Finally, I leave the last of the cobbled streets and jog around the north side of the bay, pausing to peer through my telescope.
No human guards.
It’s Hunters versus vampires. Just as it should be.
I creep along the border of the stronghold to the sewer entrance, the sun beginning to set behind the mountains. Riot has my swords, bow, and garrote, but I made sure to keep a few stakes across my chest and daggers at my hips. My heart beats steadily as I keep adrenaline at bay and approach the access point, ensuring the ring of keys is secure on my belt.
