Chapter 16.

The woman on the gurney table was lifeless. Lifeless. Her auburn hair was scattered in multiple places, stained with dried crimson blood and pieces of leaves and small rocks. The sheets covered her body from the neck down and he could see no more of her body except her extremely pale skin.

Hunt turned to Suna who was standing quietly next to him.

"Just like the others?"

He asked quietly and she shook her head.

"Even worse."

She whispered.

He sighed and he nodded his head.

"Show me."

In one swift movement, she removed the sheets that covered the rest of the woman's body and Hunt grunted a bit.

It was much more different. He thought as he saw the large claw marks that went from the woman's belly right to her chest.

"Claw marks?"

He said incredulously as he walked up to the woman's body trying very hard to ignore the smell. It was as if her flesh had been ripped open in the worst way possible. It was horrible.

"This is different."

He said and Suna nodded.

"Yes, but not much. She's completely drained of blood, just like the others. Her body has the same husk like feel the rest have. As if she had been sucked from the insides. I was going to rule it out but then I found the same thing."

"Why the claw marks? What could it be?"

Hunt asked and Suna shook her head.

"I had them examined. There are three claw marks on each side. Different from a werewolf or lycan."

"Yes. I know. But what made hers different? The rest died without physical injuries."

Suna sighed.

"You may want to check out her file. She's Sapphire Westmore. Her father is Daniel Westmore, he's on the City Council and he's very pissed about this."

"Of course he would."

Hunt murmured as Suna passed him her file. He knew about the Westmores, they were one of the wealthiest family in the city. Which was what made Sapphire's death so strange. Everyone knew the Westmores were human, but they had a coven of witches at their beck and call.

They were frequently involved in all kinds of dark magic and spells to make their human lives longer or to look younger. Hunt was even more shocked that whatever spells they had for protection wasn't able to protect his daughter.

"My guess is that she fought whatever it was. Something the others didn't."

"Yes, you can say that again."

Hunt murmured as he noticed the bruises on her arms and legs. Only her face remained unscathed but the rest of her body was ravaged so hard that Suna had to pull back the sheets when she saw the look on Hunt's face.

"Why is that though?"

He asked and Suna shrugged.

"I have a theory."

"I'm listening."

"There's something the Faes call glamour. It's a spell that they use to trick people."

She explained and Hunt nodded.

"Yes, I've heard about that quite a few times."

"Yes, well there's this story my father once told me. About a Fae and a Lycan. The two were said to be sworn enemies and the Fae was looking for a way to kill the Werewolf.  Normally, supernaturals back then wore iron to protect themselves from fae glamours but this this particular Lycan wasn't wearing any."

"So the fae put a glamour on herself, pretending to be his daughter and while she hugged him, she turned into her true self and ripped out his heart."

"So you're saying the others thought it was someone they knew?"

Suna shrugged.

"The other bodies we've found, all of them don't have bruises on them. I think it means seconds before their death, they didn't know they were dealing with a killer. Or the wrong person. Except her."

They both turned to look at Sapphire and nodded.

"She must have seen past whatever it was. Think it can be a fae?"

Hint asked and Suna shrugged.

"I highly doubt it. Their queen keeps them under a tight leash and I haven't seen a fae in Aron City in eight years. Besides those claw marks. They're different from a Fae's."

"We'll need to speak with her father. There must be something that made her different."

Suna sighed as she rubbed at her tired eyes.

"He wouldn't speak to anyone. In fact, he wants his daughter buried before the end of tomorrow. I hear he's taking her dead body away very soon."

"What?! But we need to investigate! We might have a clue here!"

Hunt shouted enraged but Suna looked tired.

"I've tried reasoning with him, but he has the Council's approval. That's why I called you here to check it out before she's taken."

"Fuck!"

Hunt kicked the gurney table in anger.

"We need to meet soon. Discuss ways to protect you..."

Suna started and Hunt rolled his eyes.

"I can take care of myself."

Suna scoffed.

"From the unknown? Don't be ridiculous Hunt. I've called a pack meeting. We need to talk. We have until next week..."

"What do you mean?"

He asked and Suna shrugged.

"There's a new body every week. Right now, the rest of the founding families are being offered the City Council's protection, they'll be out of the city and somewhere safe soon enough."

"You should too."

Hunt scoffed.

"I'm not a coward Suna. I'm not leaving."

"I know... But.."

"But what???"

He growled as he stretched out his hand revealing his claws.

"I'm a lycan for goodness sake! Not some weak human or werewolf! I can take care of myself!"

"Okay!! Okay!! We'll discuss this later. Sorry for ruining your date."

Suna shook her head in disappointment as she walked out of the room.




The Underground was like a snake skin turned inside out, slinking into the abyss of the hillside. 

The lights flickered, casting an ominous glow throughout the tunnel, causing shivers to ripple across Hunt's body. He dragged his claws across the wall, picking up dust and grime. He drew his hood closer to hid face, The Underground was a place of many secrets, but news flew fast and could be sold at the highest bidder.

He didn't ever want to be caught there.

The abandoned subway stations had now been home to the infamous night market, homeless shelter for outlaws and popular hangout for Vampires looking for a rich supply of illegal blood. It's once beautiful arched brick walls were covered in graffiti.

The floor was littered with sewage, rags and dead leaves. It was populated by the most desperate low-lifes, locked in their own dog-eat-dog existence. No-one in their right mind would go into the Underground without some serious weaponry or form of protection. But for Hunt, being a Lycan was more than enough protection.

His keen eyes spotted a witch barely a few minutes into the Underground and the minute she felt his gaze on hers she beckoned to him. As quickly as she did she turned and disappeared into the shadows.

He looked around quickly, wearily noting the faces around, spotting a few Vampires with blood whores and a few Supernaturals that he couldn't name.
Hunt had to pause before he spotted her slipping into a tiny hut. He sighed and followed her.

Inside the small hut, Hunt was welcomed with the smell of burning sage and some other herbs he couldn't identify.

The witch stood in front of the small fire with a thin veil covering her face.
Even with the veil he could still make out her soft features.

She stretched out her hand and tapped it and he knew she meant money. They didn't start a consultation session without a few notes pressed in their hands.

And the more you gave them the better their services were.

He squeezed a few hundred dollar bills in her palm and she nodded appreciatively

"Your left hand please."

She said softly, with a faint hint of a southern accent, yet she looked like she was from the west.

He stretched his left hand and she peered into it. The next few acts she performed were strange to Hunt, but she murmured to the fire like it was a living breathing thing in a language he knew little about.

But he believed it was Gaelic.

"I need to know about a couple of murders in the city. They're getting close. I need to know what's causing them."

"You'd have to give me access to your memories."

She said casually.

If there was one thing Hunt knew, it was that witches were cunning and once he gave them something about him, they could always use it against him or sell the information to the highest bidder.

If he gave the witch access to his memories, she would know who he was.

"I have a picture."

He murmured as he passed a picture of the latest dead body to her. He had managed to ask Suna reserve one for him.

The witch eyed him angrily before picking up the picture. Her expression was guarded but he could see the fear that briefly flashed before her eyes before she masked it with indifference.

"These murders... They would continue."

She started and Hunt nodded.

"I know that. That's why I need them stopped."

"What you seek is in the past."

"What does that mean?"

Hunt asked but the witch ignored him. he was getting frustrated.

"Will you at least give me something to work with? What's causing them?"

The witch shook her head.

"You'll find out soon enough."

This was a complete and utter waste of time, Hunt thought as he grew more angry by the second.

"Right the wrongs of the fathers. And the truth will reveal itself."

She said as she finally turned to look at him.

"This session is over."