Episode Four - Love Rivals (Part 2)

Eira released her arrow.

Thwack!

Immense satisfaction filled her at that perfect shot. An admiring whistle from behind had her spinning around. It was the Vice-Captain.

Florian greeted her with a flirtatious smile, his hand hovering over his brows as he peered into the distance. "A ten out of ten points. Although, I would have gotten three bullseyes in that one second."

Her lips twitched at his inflated bragging. "Why don't you show me."

"I thought you'd never ask." He grinned, immediately setting up his reaper beside her. It occurred to Eira that he had been waiting for the invitation, uncertain if she should be flattered by his ardor or wary of his slyness. He continued speaking, "I'm surprised to find you on the training grounds this early. It's only your second day. Why not take it easy?"

"And have someone grill my ass for being lazy?" she snorted inelegantly, adjusting her stance. "Vi, kaaqa. No thanks."

"Is Anaelle chewing you out?" he guessed, taking aim. "Let's release in three—"

Two. "One." They released their shots simultaneously, arrowhead and bullets competing. Eira's eyes rounded at the three bullets holes in Florian's target board. "Impressive. I guess you're not just blowing hot air."

His smile was beyond smug. "Do you concede that I'm the better long-range hunter?"

"Vi. Of course not. I want a rematch." She reloaded the huntress's arrow clip. "For the record, I don't care if anyone dislikes me. I'm here to reunite with Lars and support the team as a reliable kill hunter. I want to make it clear that I don't have any hidden agendas."

"I don't dislike you." Crystalline eyes twinkled in good humour. "In fact, I like you. A lot. I respect a woman who knows her way around a weapon and one who isn't afraid to speak her mind."

"You're not my type." She shot him down without hesitation, preparing to release another arrow.

Florian bended dramatically on one knee, covering his heart in contrived pain. "You wound me, my lady. Have you heard of the saying, don't knock it until you try it?"

"Kraz. Yes. But I'd rather not," Eira responded in dry amusement. "I know of your reputation, Vice-Captain. I believe it's along the lines of libertine, ladies' man and incorrigible flirt."

"You're cold, Eira." He sulked, drawing a reluctant smile from her. "As for the other members, just give them time. They're wary idiots but, I'm not." Florian adopted a serious air, replacing his cheekiness. "You're a good person and a skilled hunter."

"How can you tell?" Her voice reeked of ambiguity.

He gestured at her weapon — the huntress. "By how you care and treat your reaper. Most hunters are ignorant about this but, the more connected you are with your reaper, the better it works. Reapers are alive. When it feels appreciated and loved, it'll perform exceptionally well. That's the secret to my relationship with sharpshooter."

Eira believed she had judged Florian prematurely. He had a good head on his shoulders. "Is that the name of your reaper?"

"The one and only," he remarked proudly, patting his weapon. "I've had her for twenty-one years."

"And how old are you now?"

"I'm thirty-one."

She did the mental math, surprised he had been only ten when he started. "Why did you choose to become a kill hunter?"

Sadness dimmed his expression, reflecting a story best left untouched. "I didn't. My family sent me here to fulfil their political commitment. I'm a living collateral."

Eira held back her curiosity. She had never heard of anyone being a living collateral, and his background sounded like a can of worms.

"It doesn't bother me, in case you're wondering," he generously declared. "I've gotten over it a long time ago and I'm appreciated here."

Eira wondered if Florian often smiled because he had to and not because he wanted to. Tilting her head, she asked. "Why are you being nice to me? You're not trying to butter me up to get into my pants, are you?" She understood the appeal of his rakish good looks — fashionably long brown hair, piercing blue eyes, a firm jaw, and sculpted lips, not to mention a neat little ruby earring in his right ear made him look like a debonair pirate. Frankly speaking, he was too flashy for her taste.

Florian threw her a harassed look. "Do I look like I need to be nice to get a woman?"

He had a point.

A wolfish grin appeared on his face. "But if I was trying to get into your pants... I would do this." Without warning, he yanked her into his arms and bent down to capture her lips.

Eyes turning huge, Eira pulled back and slammed a fist into his gut. Florian hunched over, his breath seizing painfully. "That was unexpected."

Eira scrubbed her lips with the back of her hands, glaring fiercely. "What the hell!"

Uncontrollable laughter racked his shoulders. Florian had never met a woman like Eira, and he was liking her more and more. She didn't put on airs, and she was fun to tease. "I'd take your hits anytime if I can steal a kiss each time."

"Try it and I'll gut you!" she growled savagely; her accent thicker than usual. "Sula! Bastard!"

Both distracted, they didn't notice the tremendous shadow descending upon them until they heard a majestic screech. Reacting upon instinct, Eira shot at it only for something else to smash her arrow to pieces. Twisting her neck, she spotted Lars striding towards them, his reaper in hand. He had been the one who stopped her from injuring the landing predator.

"Don't shoot!" he shouted, looking splendid in his white tank and combat boots. "That's Aeolus. Our predator Gryphon."

A heavy gust of wind whipped her hair in all directions, stirring the dirt and debris off the ground. She had to dig her heels in, or risk being propelled back by the strength of those powerful wings. Radiating warmth announced a presence behind her. She turned and stumbled at the magnificent creature looming over her. Eira's mouth fell wide open. Garbed in a splendour of polished war armour, the Gryphon resembled an overgrown eagle born of a lion from the old world. Sublime wings tipped with gold stretched over its head, blocking out the sunlight.

It stared at her with one eye, its golden intensity reminding her of Lars. She was tempted to make a connection. She'd never seen a Gryphon before, let alone be this close to one. Excitement raced through her. Some might call her bold and reckless but, she could always sense a predator's bloodlust and this one vibrated with honest curiosity.

"Aeolus?" she repeated the Gryphon's name.

It reacted, cocking its head.

"Can I touch you, Aeolus?"

An indecipherable sound reverberated through its chest, and to everyone's amazement, the beast lowered its head. It understood her. Lars's heart was about to explode when Aeolus had homed in on Eira. The moment he spotted his Gryphon circling the training field, he rushed over without a thought. He only knew he had to prevent Aeolus from attacking her or Eira from killing his precious comrade. He was no less anxious when Eira sank her fingers into Aeolus's luxurious feathers.

When the usually arrogant beast started purring, it took everything in Lars not to let his jaws hit the ground like Florian's.

"You're a handsome fellow, aren't you?" Eira crooned, scratching the predator's neck. "What beautiful feathers you have. They look like autumn leaves."

Hearing the compliment, Aeolus puffed out its chest, flapping his wings showily. That earned him a peal of laughter from Eira. "Is that so? Well, Kaaqa."

Florian was beyond confused to see Eira communicating with the stubborn Gryphon. She wasn't actually talking to it, was she? He stole a sidelong glance at their unperturbed Captain. Did Lars know about this?

The answer was yes but, Lars didn't truly believe what happened with Betsy was real. If Eira could really communicate with predators, he wondered what Aeolus was telling her. Kill hunters were only valuable for their talents and abilities. That was one of the criteria Lars adhered to when he scouted for new members. Eira's ability would be a great help on missions.

"What's going on, Captain?" Florian's mouth hardened, seriousness replacing mirth.

"It's not my secret to tell," he said before approaching Eira.

She turned to Lars, beaming widely. "Aeolus said he likes my hair. And he called you an old grump."

"Is that so?" He eyed his predator, feeling Aeolus smirking at him. The Gryphon spread its brilliant wings, flapping twice in greeting to its master. Inching close, Aeolus nudged its giant head against Lars's shoulder, expecting a treat.

"Sorry, boy." Lars held up his empty palms. "No treat today."

Amazingly, Aeolus released an exaggerated sigh, the sound mellifluous despite its apparent frustration. It exchanged a sharp glance with Eira, causing her to laugh in delight. "Aeolus says he'll forgive you today because you weren't expecting him to come home so soon." To Lars, she asked. "Nienh? Why not?"

"He was on a hunting mission with unit two. Sometimes other units request his aid for specific jobs that only he can accomplish." Lars realized his gut instinct about Aeolus wasn't wrong. Even without words, the Gryphon was indeed impertinent.

"That sounds amazing!" Her eyes danced with unconcealed excitement. "Do we get to go on missions with him too?"

"Yes, most of the times."

"Umm, excuse me," Florian interjected, a slight furrow on his forehead. "Isn't anyone going to explain why the hell Eira can understand what this bird is saying?"

Aeolus made a disapproving sound at the word 'bird'.

Eira turned a hesitant glance towards Lars.

"It's your choice, Eira," Lars simply responded. "As Vice-Captain, he is honour bound to keep your secret and he's a trustworthy man."

Florian blinked. It was no secret that Lars trusted him but, to hear the Captain say it to a stranger, it moved him.

Eira supposed the team was bound to discover her ability in the long run. If Lars trusted Florian, then she would put her faith in him. "It's a side effect I developed from Cell II. I can communicate with all kinds of predators in a single touch, although it's not necessary. I've been keeping this a secret from the government for years, and I hope that it stays that way."

Puzzlement gripped Florian's features as he crossed his arms. "Why keep it a secret?"

"Eira's an anomaly. Our genetic mutation only allows us to biologically link with our reapers but, Eira has developed a unit set of skill. In other words, she's on a whole other level." Lars elucidated. "If the government discovers her power, she'll never see daylight again. They would experiment on her until the day she dies."

Everyone at Ataxia knew of the circulating rumours about the government's secret experiments, though anyone who had seen it, wouldn't live to tell a soul. A rush of protectiveness flooded Florian. "My lips are sealed. You have my word."

"Kaaqa, Florian." Eira was grateful he wasn't interrogating her further or looking at her like she was a freak.

"Like I said, we're a family here in unit six. We always have each other's backs." Florian gave a reassuring wink, turning his attention to Aeolus. "And how was your mission, big boy?"

Aeolus turned sideways, showing them the scroll carrier strapped to his back. Florian immediately uncapped the circular tube and pulled out a rolled message. "It's a mission request." Florian scanned the contents. "It's from the Craoleon Fishery Council. They are requesting an extermination of an unknown predator that has been disrupting the local fishing business. It's been months, and their livelihood are at stake because all the fishes are either eaten or frightened away." A brief grunt escaped him. "My guess is an aquatic predator has wandered into their waters. It's probably nothing to fret about." He handed it over to Lars. "What's your call, Captain?"

"I'll submit this for processing. Meanwhile, the two of you head down to Craole and investigate the situation."

That had Florian grinning from ear to ear. "Just Eira and I?"

She glowered fiercely. "Try something funny and it'll be more than a punch to your gut."

Florian only chuckled, packing up his reaper while Eira cleared the training station. Watching them, Lars was glad to see them getting along. Although, he strongly denied the uneasiness fisting his heart when he saw the kiss. He chalked it up to Florian being his usual self but, it didn't make him any less annoyed. "The phantom's undergoing maintenance so you'll have to use an alternative route to Craole. I want a full report by sundown."

"Roger that, Captain."

"Come, Aeolus," Lars commanded, heading back inside the compound.

"Aren't you going to see us off?" Eira shouted.

"If you need me to hold your hand for every mission, you're welcome to return to Skocia," came his blunt rejoinder.

Eira stuck her tongue out at his retreating back and mumbled. "He could at least wish us a safe travel."

"That's the Captain for you," Florian uttered, motioning for her to follow him. "He's not big on public display of affections."

"I see that part of him hasn't changed."

That reminded him. "How long have you known our Captain?"

"Honestly? We only knew each other for two weeks."

Disbelief etched on his face, his voice turning mock-thoughtful. "And you've liked him since then? How many years has it been?"

She eyed him from her peripheral vision. "How did you guess?"

"My reputation amongst the ladies doesn't mean I'm stupid, Eira."

She snorted. "Could have fooled me. Well, that's a story for another time." At this stage of their newfound friendship, she wasn't keen on divulging everything about herself. "Maybe after our mission, I'll let you revisit this topic."

Florian shuddered mildly. "You even talk the same way."