Page 33 of Huntress

Elsie pulled out a gold coin and placed it on the pad to be scanned along with her thumbprint. Every hunter had one, and it was the only identification they’d ever need. It was bewitched, and the coin had the hunter’s emblem on one side, with a rank on the other when held by its owner. It had an anti-theft bewitchment, changing its color to brass and showing the species of the thief, ensuring no demons used it against them.

The second door released and slid open, revealing a set of stairs going underground. The scent of earth and water assailed their senses, along with an echo of irritated voices. Nervousness struck her as the wolfhound lost control of his emotional block. She didn’t acknowledge it, choosing to pretend she felt nothing.

He stood two steps behind her, muscles taut and cowering as though readying himself for a blow. She clenched her teeth together, thinking of all the ways she’d like to make it up to Clairemont.

“Ready to meet the squad?” She asked, intentionally making her voice as pleasant as she could. He took a deep breath and stood straighter, raising his height an inch or two. Elsie gripped the strap on her bag a little tighter. She wanted to comfort the gods damned demon again, and there was no time or place where that was okay. “Just stay behind me. I won’t let them hurt you.”

Chapter eight

Chapter 8

“I’m going to sleep through the whole ride,” Steve said loud enough to be heard from the top of the stairs. He was the newest member of their squad, having only joined them a year before.

“May as well, these days the administration thinks the tram counts as a day of rest,” Banks groused back as his shiny bald head came into Elsie’s view. His bow and quiver were slung over his back along with his go bag, just like Morgan’s. The warrior didn’t use firearms; he used flaming arrows he lit with his magic.

Perrie and Morgan looked their way first, each giving Elsie a nod and bracing for impact. Uneasy looks were tossed around as the others noticed their arrival, but Elsie saw the moment Marley sensed the hound’s magic. Her eyes narrowed, and her muscles stiffened as if readying for attack, her hand hovering over the sheath at her side.

It took until they’d nearly reached the bottom before the others reacted in a similar manner. Trisse’s lips curled in a sneer as Grady, their geographer, looked bewildered.

“You really did keep it. Why on earth did you bring it here?” Marley asked as Trenton joined her. Every bit of her trembled with outrage.

“This is Mutt,” she told them. “Get your gear squared away, and then we’ll discuss his future among us.”

“Yes, ma’am,” eight voices echoed, most sounding embittered. They weren’t happy about this. Not one bit.

The basic tram was a two-car rail system. The front car held the driver’s seat and was set up for meetings with a touch more luxury than the second car, since it was meant for the officers.

The second car contained a latrine with a toilet and a sink, well-stocked with vomit bags and soap. It also had a small but fully stocked kitchenette, allowing squads to make basic meals while traveling. Instead of folding trays, a pair of benches and tables were bolted to the floor.

Seating was comfortable, with two in each row capable of reclining for sleeping on long trips. A two-car tram could transport two full squads at one time, with the ability to add a third car when needed.

All hunter-populated facilities were connected by the same system, moving squads quickly from one part of the continent to another. They could travel almost anywhere in less than forty-eight hours, making it the fastest form of travel at their disposal.

“I hope he doesn’t get motion sick,” Banks muttered as he walked toward the tram. “I’m not cleaning up demon puke.”

“He’ll be fine,” Elsie said in a no-nonsense tone. She boarded first, with the hound a step behind her.

After a pause, everyone else filed in after him. Elsie walked straight to the front car, leaving the others to put their bags away and get settled in. Cold stole over her skin; the metal contraption didn’t hold heat underground. Everything would warm up once the heating system kicked in.

The seating up front was set more intimately to allow for conversations; the seats themselves lay all the way back to sleep more comfortably. A second table and a bar created plenty of space for planning and conversation if more than one squad were involved.

At the very front were the controls. She wasn’t surprised by the footsteps behind her. The demon had accompanied her inside.

“I thought the fae couldn’t handle steel. This is a metal cage,” he complained quietly, looking out the windows into the cavernous station. It was well lit here, but while they journeyed, they’d see nothing but darkness and the path directly ahead of them thanks to the headlights.

“That’s exactly why no one gets off the tram well rested. The damned thing gives me a raging headache every time I have to ride in it. But it’s a chance to sleep,” Elsie told him. “You should take advantage of it.”

“Will you?”

“For part of the trip. We take shifts driving this thing,” she answered. Taking out a set of golden keys, she slid one into the console and turned it, bringing the electric beast to life. Everything hummed and vibrated as the tram’s systems fired up. The lights flickered on with a loud hum, and a heater kicked in to warm the cars.

“My squad and I are going to have a discussion about your insertion into their lives. You should stay here. It’ll be easier for everyone.”

He watched her walk out, and for once, he didn’t follow.

Her squad was mostly seated, except for Perrie, who was rifling through her bag for her sleeping mask. The others all turned toward Elsie, faces grim, waiting for her explanation.

She hopped up to sit on the counter, giving her enough height to see all of them easily. “You all saw what happened in the arena this morning, and you heard Mordane and Cornick’s purpose behind it. I’m sure you have questions, which I'll take whenever you’re ready.”