• Wiping my watery eyes, I remounted my stallion Damien. I balanced the crimson blade softly on the tip of my boot as we trotted to the opposite side of the cemetery. I clutched the leather handle in a death grip.
    Icy winds tried to frighten me, biting at my bare skin with a frenzy. I guess it doesn't work when you're already drenched in someone's blood. I wrenched my thoughts away from Arcenix and slowed my horse to a walk. Scanning the ebony darkness, my eyes strain to notice anything lurking in the shadows; a white face, mad eyes, ivory fangs glistening in the moonlight. Seeing nothing, I release my breath slowly and slide off my horse. I melt into the scenery, wrapping back into the night's warm embrace.
    I let my thoughts stray as I glide through the cemetery. I think of how I love being a Hunter. Love feeling like the darkness has always been a friend, part of a loving family. Not only is being an assassin a great way of therapy, but it pays well too. A small voice in my head whispered that this job was all mine. Joy. I shake my head violently, my black hair whipping around me in a flurry. I crouch in the trees by the sinister wrought iron gate and watch the gothic crypt nestled in the grass before me. The whole place reeked of his vile scent. A vampire's scent. I can feel my muscles tense and I coil up readily. Chills run up and down my back in jolts. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I shiver silently, unaware.
    Cold arms wrap aroud me swiftly, trying to get me into a chokehold. I kick my leg out to the side and slam my assailant to the ground. I jump up lightning fast and twirl around. I lift up my foot and slam it down with neck breaking speed, had it made contact. My foot hit the ground, my brother's shady figure already gone.
    My stomach convulsed and I gripped my middle with one arm, shaking. Where could he be? My mind raced as I searched the woods. All of a sudden an idea hit me. He wouldn't. He wouldn't. I sheathed my sword and ran, small branches cutting into my face and striking my legs. I broke out of the trees just as I heard Damien's nervous whinny.
    Jeremiah stood next to my horse with his back to me, cooing softly. A part of me wanted to believe he was still my brother, still the young boy that had helped me through our orphan years. But the other part... the other part wanted to tear of the hand stroking my horse. My vision was a red haze as I stepped forward and barked out his name.
    He turned to face me, his neck slowly creaking in my direction. His eyes were no longer brown, but a deep, burgundy red that flashed as he moved. He broke out into a full-fledged grin when he saw me. Hollywood never got anything right. He didn't have delicate little fangs the size of a finger nail. Jeremiah's fangs were thick bladelike things that bore quite a resemblance to a sabertooth tiger's. "Sisterrr," He hissed. "Now. That was not nice, Raynie. I sssweep in for a brrotherly hug and you..." His voice was deepening into a growl as he continued, "try to kill me?"
    I smile sadly, my vision still tinged with a firey red. "Times do change, Jeremiah." My throat thickened with sadness but I swallowed it back. "Arcenix is gone. Now it is your turn." I pull out my sword, still dripping blood, and crouch.
    My brother's face was full of mock sadness. "At least allow me to quench my thirst. With out your lover here to feed me, I guess I must turn to the barnyard animals for sustainance." He gestured slowly to Damien, who watched me with panic stricken eyes. A small sound escapes me, and Jeremiah smiled.
    I screech wordlessly as I run at him, drawing my sword out for a strike. Jeremiah jumps over my blade and I whirl around to try again. I grimace as I gaze upon his weapon, a long, ivory bone. My eyes catch on an open grave, it's contents scattered around it in a forlorn pile. I gasp out in fury as I read the inscription; Michael Lexus- Proud husband and father.
    Minutes passed by as we fought, metal against bone echoeing into the night. I catch a blow and slice of Jeremiah's sword hand, grinning triumphantly as it dropped to the ground. Just as I hefted my weapon up for the final blow, he tackled me, knocking my sword out of reach and pinning me down. I struggled for leverage, punching him square in the face. It felt as if my hand might shatter. Jeremiah snapped my head to the side, his fangs extended. Just as he lowered his mouth to my neck, a horrible gargled hiss escaped his mouth.
    My brother jumped up and ran as the sun quickly rised above the mountains, a warm orange bleeding into the navy blue. Desperately, I wrench my silver stake off the sheath strapped to my leg.
    "I will never lose by forfeit." And with that, I threw the stake, watching as it arched gracefully through the sky and lodged itself into Jeremiah's back. It punctured the heart, and he fell face flat to the ground. The glorious sun rised up fully, a blast of gold warmth against the cold.
    I pick up my discarded blade and mounted my stallion slowly, a slight limp in my gait. I sit and watch as my brother's ashes blow away with the wind.