Chapter 1: Introduction
Ethan's legs ached from sitting still for so long, waiting for his prey to walk into his crosshairs. The perfect ten-point buck would appear any minute now, he could feel it—but the clearing was still empty.
"Come on, where are you, you magnificent bastard?" he muttered under his breath. His fingers tightened around the bowstring, ready for a clean shot.
But something else appeared in the clearing, moving quietly so as to almost go unnoticed.
Ethan's grip on the bowstring relaxed as he took in the figure of Donovan Baine, a fellow hunter if he ever saw one. He watched as Donovan seemed to be tracking something, a sour look on his face. And behind him was a little girl, no older than ten, with hair so blonde it was almost white. She held out her hand, concentrating on something Ethan couldn't see.
"What are you hunting, demon hunter?" Ethan called out, his voice low and teasing.
He knew full well what Donovan was hunting: the succubus who had taken up residence in these parts. They were dangerous creatures, known for their seductive powers and bloody appetites. And Donovan was notorious for his dislike of them, ever since one had brutally murdered a companion of his years ago.
Donovan turned, his blue eyes flashing with annoyance at the interruption. "None of your concern, mortal," he replied curtly. With that, he and the girl carried on without a backward glance.
Ethan watched them disappear into the trees, his curiosity piqued. He had heard rumors of demon hunters in the area, but had never seen one up close before. He decided to pack up his hunting blind for now and follow them, intrigued by the mysterious pair.
He found them again in a small clearing, the girl Anita slowly ensnaring a shadowy figure with her telekinesis. Ethan could barely make out the succubus within her grasp, but he could feel her malevolent presence. It made his skin crawl.
There was something about the way the succubus stared at them, even as it struggled against Anita's hold, that sent shivers down Ethan's spine.
"What's your plan, Baine?" he asked, unable to keep the tension out of his voice. It was one thing to be a spectator, another to be drawn into the danger.
But Donovan didn't seem to notice, or perhaps he just didn't care. "Dhylek will take care of it," he said matter-of-factly, holding up the living sword.