Eliminate

For the past week, ever since Hayden met that obnoxious ancient… and sexy vampire, his life had turned upside down. Not only didn't he lose for the very first time in a very long run, but the constant presence of Nathaniel around him was a reminder of how he has failed. And what happened that day earlier, he really needed a win.

So he got out, and headed out for his famous hunting spree. He really needed a win at this point. He literally stormed to the counter the moment he had reached his most frequently visited bar. "Bixby please tell me you have something for me." Hayden spat when he was noticed by the bartender.

"Would you relax? Didn't you just… caught one?" Bixby asked.

"And then I lost one." Hayden sighed. "It's been a rough week." he sighed.

"Well, I have nothing in here for you." Bixby declared, "But there might be something for you if you're willing to go out of the city." he suggested. "Like really far."

"How far?" Hayden asked.

"It can take a whole day." Bixby mentioned. "I mean, even then it could be nothing." he mumbled.

"Well? Better than nothing." Hayden huffed. "Lay it on me," he added.

"Really? You're willing to miss your classes for this? You?" Bixby couldn't help but scoff.

"It's the weekend. I don't have any classes at the moment." Hayden shrugged. "Come on, just tell me already."

"I am on duty!" Bixby pointed out, gesturing at the plethora of customers in the bar at that very moment. "I'll send you a text after I get off. Will talk to you then."

"I better get going." Hayden nodded. "Just send me the details, I'll take a look." Hayden added.

He was about to leave when he felt an arm in his hand, "hey there" Hayden turned around to spot a drunk woman. "Going somewhere, Mr Handsome?" she asked. Upon a closer look, Hayden recognised the woman from one of her classes. She was clearly one of his students, and was way too wasted to recognise Hayden when he wasn't wearing his formal attire, with his spectacles and everything.

Hayden placed his hand over hers and drew closer, "Sorry, but I don't do my students." he added in a whisper and removed her hand from his arm subsequently. It wasn't clear if she had heard him or not, or was even aware of what was happening, but she simply stared at him in confusal and wonder.

"What you gay or something?" The woman huffed.

"No, but you just aren't that attractive." Hayden snapped, in order to retort. "I have high standards." he snapped and in his sober mind, disappeared into the crowd following which he headed out.

He was on his way to the parking lot, when he noticed a couple of hooded people heading somewhere. Their hoods were technically robes, but what piqued Hayden's curiosity was that all of them were wearing the same apparel. Same colour, and probably with the same embroidery.

Hayden wondered whether or not he should follow them or not. For all he knew, it could be just some nerd event like movie or book conventions or even cosplays. But what kind of hunter would he be if he dismissed things like this so early just because 'it could be' pretty harmless.

He followed them till the end of the alley, and made sure he maintained a safe distance in order to avoid detection. If any of them were not a vampire, it was safe to assume that he won't get in trouble for simply following.

After a certain while, they reached a place that looked like a secluded park or something. There was tall fire at the centre of whatever they were up to and even in the surroundings there was a circumference of fire. There were around seven to eight people dressed just the same as well. Looking at the entire setting one thing was for certain, that it was no convention or cosplay setting, and something was definitely very very fishy.

He stayed behind a tree and observed the movements of the people around there. Hayden tried to anticipate the situation as best as he could and if he would have to make a guess, he would say that this was some sort of cult.

All of them came together, and formed a circle near the fire, holding each other's hand. It was up until that point Hayden was calm, because after that he had totally lost it.

The entire group started to chant some phrase, something Hayden had never heard of. He had run into a few witches in his life, but for some reason he did not bother fighting nor fraternising with them. Of course it was because they were highly unpredictable with the gift of magic. Once however he did manage to kill one that was terrorising a village.

Hayden was even more sure of what was happening when the fire in the centre took the shape of a human, after which the intensity of the chant increased.

Were they summoning someone? Were they bringing back the dead? Whatever it was, it didn't look like it was pure magic. Was it dark magic, he wondered. Soon the fire-person started to materialise and layer after layer a body of flesh and blood walked out of the fire.

Everyone in the circle bowed to the figure that walked out of that fire. On closer look, Hayden determined that it was a male figure with a crooked smile on his face. "Arise, my devoted children." he spoke in a deep grave voice. The young man who arose from fire looked around Hayden's age, give or take a few years. Hearing him call everyone around him his children, made Hayden a little nauseous.

The followers raised their heads and looked at the fire-man (or what Hayden assumed) "You have impressed me by bringing me back to the world of mortals. I am impressed." he grinned. "I will definitely keep the end of my word, but for now, I must do one thing." he declared, and then his gaze shifted to the dark, in the bushes. The bushes behind which Hayden was hiding. As soon as Hayden had noticed the fire-man's head turn, he had hid himself really well. But that was pointless, because of what the fire-man said next. "We must eliminate the eavesdropper."