Hunter's Mate

Chapter Two

Artemisia woke up gasping for air, drenched in sweat, her heart beating loudly. She immediately glanced outside the window and saw the sun slowly rising. Checking the clock on her wall, she groaned; it was still too early to be awake, yet here she was, already wide awake. She sighed and stood up.

Artemisia put on her pants and shirt, went to the bathroom, and stared at herself in the mirror. She had another nightmare again. Every time she finished her mission and went to sleep, a pair of red eyes appeared in her dreams, frightening her. It still haunted her to this day—the same pair of red eyes she saw before the crash that claimed her parents' lives. When she asked about it in the hospital three days after waking up, the doctor assured her it wasn't real; there were no people on the road when the crash happened. For a child, it was a harrowing ordeal to endure. After losing her parents, Artemisia underwent therapy and later met her master.

Artemisia wiped her face with a towel when she heard her phone ring outside. She hung the towel back and went out. Picking up the phone from the bedside table, she saw Candy's name on the screen.

"Hello, Candy?" she said after answering the call.

"Sia, are you alright?" Candy asked. Artemisia frowned at her friend's question.

"I'm fine; why did you ask?" she answered.

"Don't think I forgot about your nightmares. You finished a mission yesterday. You dreamt of it, right? The pair of red eyes?" Candy asked. Artemisia heaved a sigh.

"Yes," she whispered. "I was trying to shake it off in my mind, but..."

"I'll go there," Candy said. "Wait for me," she added, and the call ended. Artemisia sat on the couch when the doorbell rang. She immediately stood and opened the door, revealing Candy and Shane.

"Shane? I thought you were on a mission in Dorcas." Candy asked.

"I did. I completed the mission yesterday. I just arrived, and I saw Candy," Shane said.

"Yep, I saw him and dragged him here with me," Candy said as they entered Artemisia's apartment. "And I cooked for our breakfast," she added.

"Was it the nightmares again?" Shane asked and sat on the couch.

"Yeah," Artemisia replied and looked at her friend. Shane had a large scar on his face. He got it when he was eighteen, fighting the werewolves.

"It never occurred in normal days, right?" Candy asked while she prepared the food she brought.

"No," Artemisia said and sat next to Shane. "It was only after I'm done with my mission. "Those red eyes continued to appear in my dreams," she added, clasping her hands together.

"After all these years, we still couldn't find clues of what it was," Shane said.

"Maybe the doctor was right. It was nothing other than my imagination," Artemisia said.

"Have you seen the latest mission posted?" Shane asked, changing the topic. Artemisia shook her head. She still hasn't opened the mission list she received last night.

"You are tasked with killing a vampire high lord," Shane said. Candy gasped and ran towards them.

"A high lord?!" Candy asked. "But wasn't it usually given to the gold ranks in the organization?" she added.

The Legion divides its hunters into three groups: the bronze ranks, which include novice hunters; the silver ranks, which include middle hunters assigned to moderate missions; and finally, the gold ranks, which comprise elite hunters assigned to the most dangerous missions.

"Who's with me?" Artemisia asked.

"You're the only one on the list, Artemisia," Shane answered.

"Are you fvcking kidding me?! Killing a High Lord alone? What are the higher-ups thinking?!" Candy angrily yelled.

"Cands, calm down," Shane said, pulling the smaller one to sit down on the couch with them.

"No, Sia! They're literally asking you to die!" Candy yelled. "I'm going with you. I'm telling Master," she added.

"You can't. You know he will not allow you," Artemisia said.

"Cands, you have your mission. I bet you didn't see it," Shane said. Candy cursed.

"Don't worry, Sia! I'll talk to Master. I don't want you to embark on this journey alone. There is a high chance that you'll die, and I'm not going to let that happen," Candy said, holding Artemisia's hand. "You're like a sister to me. We are all orphans here, no family to mourn our deaths, but I'll be greatly disheartened if something happens to you," she added.

"You guys are my family, too," Artemisia said. "I'll promise, I'll be back safe," she added.

"Let's eat, and let's go back to the HQ," Shane said.

They quietly sat in the dining area and ate the food. After eating, the three went to the HQ.

"Candy, go and look at your mission. I'll talk to Master," Artemisia said. Candy glanced at her and then at Shane, before heaving a sigh.

"Fine, but do tell me everything," Candy said. Artemisia nodded her head, and she and Shane went to the master's office.

"I'll wait for you here," Shane said when they arrived. Artemisia nodded and gulped before knocking at the door.

"Come in."

"Good morning, Master," Artemisia greeted and bowed.

"Oh, Artemisia. Why are you here?" the master said.

"I saw the mission sent to me." Artemisia started and gazed into her master's eyes. Seeing no reaction, she continued. "Was it meant for me? Didn't the higher-ups usually assign these missions to gold ranks?"

"Hmm, it was meant for you, Artemisia," the Master said, putting his hands together. "The higher-ups have been monitoring the ranks and saw how capable and efficient you were in the mission. Once you complete this one, you will enter the gold ranks. Isn't that amazing? You will be promoted!" he added enthusiastically.

"Am I doing this alone?" Artemisia asked. Her voice was small, almost a whisper.

"You're killing the high lord alone, but there will be a team on standby to get you once it is done," the master said. "So, Artemisia, you decide. Will you accept this or not?" he added.

Artemisia was quiet for a few seconds as she played with her fingers. She was aware of the potential dangers of missions, but the focus was on the gold rank promotion they were discussing. To be in the gold rank is an honor for every hunter working in the organization.

"I'll accept," Artemisia answered.

"Good! That's my girl. I'm proud of you, Artemisia," the master said. After gathering all the necessary information for her mission, Artemisia exited the office and noticed Shane leaning against the wall.

"How did it go?" Shane asked and put his hands in his pockets.

"I accepted the mission," Artemisia said. "They're offering a promotion once I complete the mission," she added.

"Dang, good luck, Sia," Shane said.

"Yeah, wish me luck," Artemisia replied. Holding the envelope in her hand, she bit her bottom lip and gripped it tightly. No matter what, she will succeed.