Hunter's Mate

Chapter Four

It's been a week since Artemisia became a maid in disguise in the house of Nacht, the high lord vampire she was tasked to kill. She had already found every entrance and exit point of the mansion, even noting the positions of the CCTV cameras in every location. Each day, she observed his routine, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Cold and calculating, her sole focus was on her mission, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

The high lord was always accompanied by his wife and three of his elite bodyguards. Only the butler and an exclusive maid were allowed in his office. Artemisia went inside her room and breathed deeply. She is frustrated by her inability to find a way to kill the vampire. She also learned that humans were being brought into the mansion when she spotted the bodyguards with women, but she didn't see them when morning arrived.

"Michaela," Alaric said.

"Yes, head butler?" Artemisia replied. Alaric went closer and leaned.

"From now on, you'll be serving master Dean Nacht directly." Artemisia's eyes almost twinkled in happiness upon hearing what the head butler said. "Be prepared; he will call for you later," he said.

"Yes, head butler. I understand," she answered. Alaric nodded his head and left. Artemisia celebrated internally. She was grateful for the opportunity that God had given her.

Artemisia went inside her room and started unpacking her belongings. She's going to strike tonight. She checked her gun and strapped it in her thigh holster. Artemisia also got the remote and slid it inside her pocket. It was a device set to set off the bomb she planted in the mansion. Her plan is just simple. When Dean calls her later, she'll set the bomb off and his bodyguards will rush out, and this is the time she will strike.

"Michaela, the Lord has called for you. It's time to serve his meal," Alaric said. Artemisia nodded her head and went to the kitchen. She took the tray and walked away, her heart beating loudly in her chest. Artemisia calmed herself and breathed deeply. Once she was in front of the door, she knocked and cleared her throat.

"Good evening, master. I'm here to give your meal," she said. The double doors opened, and she immediately saw Dean with his wife, Marina, and three of his guards.

"Marina," Dean called. Marina rushed towards Artemisia and took the tray.

"I will handle it; you can get out now," Marina said. Artemisia paled.

No! Her plan can't end with this.

"What are you standing there for?" Get out," Dean said. Artemisia turned around and pressed the small remote she had, and a loud, booming sound erupted outside the mansion.

"F*ck! What was that?!" Dean uttered. "Morris, go check that out. F*ck!" he added. Morris and the other two went out, leaving Marina and Dean.

"You! What are you still doing here?!" Dean yelled. Artemisia stooped to pick up her knife, then turned around and threw it towards Marina, striking her in the center of the head.

"You think you can kill us that easily?!" Dean said, standing up. Slowly, his canines lengthened, transforming into deadly fangs that gleamed in the dim light. The air seemed to chill as he bared them at her.

"Not easily, but I've never been one to back down from a challenge," Artemisia answered. Dean hissed at her.

"Marina, get up!" he yelled. However, as Dean turned to face Marina, he cursed at the sight of his wife in flames, realizing that the knife Artemisia had thrown wasn't just any ordinary one, but a silver one dipped in holy water, a substance that was lethal to vampires and would instantly kill them.

"You f*cking hunter!" Dean angrily yelled and rushed towards Artemisia. Artemisia took out her gun with a silencer and shot at Dean, but Dean easily dodged and grabbed her by the neck. Artemisia immediately countered by kicking him in the side and throwing another knife. Dean hissed when the knife grazed his skin. With Dean's regeneration, he can easily heal his wound, but not in this case.

"I came f*cking prepared," Artemisia said and started shooting again. Dean dodged with his superhuman speed and tried to close the distance between the two of them, but Artemisia wouldn't let him. She had to kill Dean before his bodyguards come back, because she'll be at a disadvantage when it happens. Artemisia pressed another button on the remote, triggering another explosion. A low, guttural growl rumbled from deep within his chest, a sound not quite human, as his fangs bared in anticipation.

"Hunter!" Dean roared, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Artemisia. Suddenly, a wave of memories swept through her mind. Red eyes stared at her, and her parents' lifeless bodies were lying on the road.

"Ahh!" Artemisia yelped in pain, grabbing a handful of her hair as she felt the stinging pain in her head. Dean seized the moment to attack Artemisia, but he was only able to scratch her stomach due to Artemisia's retaliation.

"F*ck off, vampire," she said while touching her head. Artemisia winced in pain, seeing the blood in her body and the ripped maid clothes.

"Why are you trying to kill me? What have I done to you?" Dean asked; he had a hole in his arm because of the bullet.

"You think I haven't seen the women and men your bodyguards brought in? You're a parasite in this world," Artemisia said. "Feeding off human blood, which drains their life force. I have to eliminate you for the sake of mankind," she added.

The vampire’s lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.

"Parasite? I am far more than that. I am evolution." He stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement.

"How noble of you to pretend to care for their lives. But in this world, weakness is a curse. I don’t just take their blood; I grant them a release from their mundane existence. They live their lives in a constant cycle of mediocrity, and I offer them a moment of true vitality before they fade away," Dean said.

"Spare me with your twisted logic. I will kill you and every last one of your kind!" Artemisia yelled confidently. The pain she felt was gone and she took out her blades.

"I'd like to see you try, but hunter, you cannot kill us all," Dean said. Artemisia rushed at him and threw her blade. Dean dodges, but Artemisia takes her gun out and squeezes the trigger. The silver bullet found its mark, and Dean staggered, a look of surprise crossing his face. He touched the wound on his shoulder, blood oozing from it.

"How dare you!" he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. With a growl, he lunged at her, fangs bared. Artemisia ducked just in time, rolling on the side as he crushed into the wall.

Artemisia scrambled to her feet, both blades at the ready. She faced Dean, adrenaline coursing through her veins.

"Not so invincible now, are we?" Artemisia taunted.

"You will regret this, hunter!" Dean yelled, but Artemisia didn't falter. They lunged at each other, and in that split second, her blade pierced Dean's heart.

"Y-You..."

"Die, vampire," Artemisia said and plunged the blade deeper. With a shuddering gasp, he fell to the ground, flames engulfing him.

Artemisia stepped back, breathing heavily, the weight of victory settling over her. She won against Dean Nacht, but it didn't end there. Wounded, Artemisia could hear the multiple footsteps going to the office. She weakly went towards the window and opened it; before she jumped down, she set off another bomb and continued her escape.