Page 3 of Exes, Hexes, and Strategy
“While you try to come up with a reason you think I’ll swallow,” Morgan said with a tight smile. “How about I tell you what I suspect is the truth. Hmm?
“Considering the political climate surrounding your area of the country, your father got the bright idea to send you down here to recruit some new Hunters, thinking to create his own personal Hunter team before any true loyalty has taken root. Probably authorized you to temp them with a rather generous salary as well.”
Leaning back in her seat, she crossed her arms over her chest. “How am I doing so far?”
Rafe felt his face flush. She’d nailed his father’s idea right on the head. About a year ago, an altercation in New York had resulted in, not only the death of Achaeus, an ancient and the head of the Court of Elders, but also in the angels declaring dominion over that territory, ripping it out of Born control.
In retaliation, the Court had passed a ridiculous mandate in the hopes of choking the angels into submission by forbidding Hunters to enter New York or any of its bordering states, effectively creating a sanctuary for any rogue vampires who chose to slip the leash. Chaos had quickly ensued once the news of the mandate had gotten out, reports of blood-lust-induced violence had risen, and his father’s territory had become a hot-spot for runaways, forcing him to utilize his own assets for clean-up which had spread his forces thin.
Vincent DeMarco had seen this new training facility as a golden opportunity and had immediately decided to enroll some of his blood-loyal Turned into the program with an eye on recruitment. Rafe, hoping to escape the memories of Nina that seemed to surround him at every turn, had been the one to suggest he enroll instead.
“No comment?”
Annoyed at her condescending tone, Rafe snapped, “Why did you accept my application if you suspected that?”
Morgan lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “Because, while I stated we don’t normally get heirs wanting to be a Hunter, there’s no rule against it, and,” she continued, “Kane Fletcher is an excellent example of a Hunter eventually taking control of a territory and doing incredible things with it.”
Rafe considered that for a moment. He’d heard about Fletcher. In fact, the Born had been all Vincent DeMarco had been able to talk about for several weeks when word had reached him of what the new territory-holder had accomplished. His father hadn’t been impressed, was of the opinion that unity between the supernaturals could never last, claiming Fletcher was a fool to trust the lesser species with so much power and predicted it would only lead to Kane Fletcher being overthrown and chaos ruling.“Mark my words,”his father had said, practically rubbing his hands together with glee.“In a year that idealistic upstart will fall and Louisiana will be ripe for the plucking.”
“You think he’s done so well because of his time as a Hunter.”
“I don’t think it, I know it. At your father’s knee, you learn only what your father teaches you.Hisideas,hisopinions are what mold you, so you’ll carry on in his image. As a Hunter, you’ll be free of his influence. Free to make up your own mind, see how other Born rule, be able to compare, and eventually, come up with your own brand of leadership. The world needs more territory-holders like that.”
Rafe nodded thoughtfully because, honestly, he didn’t agree with the way his father ruled. What if…
“I should point out, however,” Morgan said, cutting into his thoughts. “Ifyou complete your training, the Hunters Society isn’t going to be okay with you just going off to do your own thing once you graduate. They will expect a commitment to them for a suitable period of time.”
Again, he nodded. He was still young yet, only twenty-six, and definitely not ready to take on the responsibility of a territory. Even controlling a small chunk of his father’s domain was a daunting prospect for someone who’d barely tasted life. This idea of becoming a Hunter – an idea that had started as an act of desperation, a much-needed distraction – suddenly had massive potential. Not only in the skills he’d acquire during this training, but the opportunity to travel, see the country, interact with others of his kind, and witness first-hand how they managed their territories.
“If you’d like,” Morgan offered, “I can set up a meeting between you and Kane so you can talk to him.”
“I’d like that.”
“Then, you’d better go get settled in.”
Standing, Rafe picked up his duffle, shouldering the weight as he headed for the door.
“Oh, and Mister DeMarco?”
Glancing back, he saw that the other vampire had leaned back in her chair, her booted feet propped up on the desk. “Just so you know, a Hunter’s loyalty is to their team. Never to a specific Born or territory. Keep that in mind as you think things over.”
He nodded in response, but she wasn’t through. “And if I catch you trying to recruit any of my people to your father’s cause, you’ll be out of here so fast it’ll make your head spin.”
“Understood.”
∞∞∞
Instead of showing them to their rooms, Keegan Bishop had escorted all seven of the witches – five women including herself and Mel, as well as two men – into one of the classrooms for a lecture.
“I’m going to assume,” the woman began, looking pointedly at each of them, though her gaze lingered perhaps a moment longer on Nina, causing her guilt at what had happened to shoot up another notch. “That what happened just now was an accident caused by nerves.”
Nina opened her mouth, about to take full responsibility until Mel pinched her. Glaring at her friend, the opportunity for confession slipped away as Ms. Bishop continued. “This is all new for all of us and accidents happen. None of us are immune, but it’s vital that we all remain in control. Meditate, do yoga, whatever it takes, because this opportunity is huge.Neverbefore has a witch been included in the Hunter program. You guys are breaking new ground, opening so many doors. You’ll go down in history as the first of your kind.”
It was true.When the Hunter training enrollment opportunity had been broughtup at a coven meeting, most had been skeptical, some even believed it was some elaborate hoax. Hunters were vampires and vampires didnotwork with witches. Vampires thought they weretoo goodto associate with witches. Nina, however, had embraced the chance. She'd even convinced Mel to come along as well, though it had taken quite a bit of cajoling and browbeating before Nina had finally stooped to pointing out, “There’ll probably be single men there. And if not at the training, you’ll have the entire male population of New Orleans to choose from.”
That had done the trick. The very idea had Mel brightening and immediately agreeing with a squeal and a hurried, “I’m going to go pack right now. Road trip!”
It had been the perfect plan. Mel could meet men, and Nina could finally learn some magic while getting away from Vincent DeMarco's all-seeing eye and the painful memories of the man's son. Win, win. So, what was that son doing here ruining everything?
