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Chapter Five
The Hunting Clan
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‘Who are they Exton? What’s wrong?’ Austin asked. He had seen Exton in many different ways over the years but scared was never one of them. Even shot up and bleeding out organs at one of Austin’s father’s events, Exton had just smirked through bloody fangs and held a hand over the wound as he clawed out the throat of his opponent. Seeing Exton here, white face and shaking was just wrong. Like waking up to a red sky or walking onto a beach full of dead animals. Every instinct in him was screaming danger, danger!
‘The Veida Clan are known as the Hunting Clan,’ Exton said in a small voice.
Austin frowned. Again, it had rings of truth to it, like a half remember show on television that he watched as child. He had a feeling that this clan was a big deal, a feeling that was more than confirmed by Exton’s pale features and nervous mannerisms.
‘Okay, so they hunt things. So do like, every other species of demon in existence,’ Austin said blankly.
Exton shook his head. His green tattoos looked almost neon against his bloodless skin.
‘Not like this. At first, they only hunted those they were commanded to. They were a sort of special forces of the nine rings. But then they got really good at it. They started asked favours in exchange for their successful hunts until finally they started hunting targets for the sheer glory of the kill. They were powerful enough to create their own minors to send on the track of their victims. They made monsters to hunt monsters and held the leashes in their offhand.’ This speech felt almost rehearsed, learnt off by heart.
Exton tone had a dead, flat, learnt ring to it that causes Austin stomach to twist into delicate knots. Austin swallowed.
‘They created new creatures?’ Austin asked nervously. It was possible, but it hadn’t been done for centuries and it was a real power move in the demon world. Even contract demon struggled to create new life. Austin doubted even his own father would be old enough to do it. If he still lived on this plane.
‘They created many kinds of creatures but one in particular was more successful than the other. The Veida Clan bred the first Hellhounds.’ The world seemed to pause at that moment, just… slid into a gentle halt and let Austin bang off the sides. His breath stopped in his throat, his heart hitched in his chest. He stared at Exton with the breathless expectancy for the hound to break character and yell ‘Gotch ya!’
But it never came. And it never would.
‘They… created hellhounds?’ Austin rasped. He didn’t even recognise his own voice.
‘Among other things. They are also famous for the creation of the Nocna Mora, the Nightmare Stallions that live on the fourth ring, forcing madness on those who can’t banish them from their dreams.’ Exton met his gaze, the hound’s pupils slightly dilated and glassy. The implication of this struck Austin like a ton of bricks.
‘Have you ever met someone from the Veida Clan?’ he asked nervously.
Exton shook his head. ‘No. From what I understood, they hadn’t ventured to the earth plain in millennia. Not enough to hunt up here since the dragons died out. That was long before I was born on the fifth ring,’ he said dryly.
Austin shivered. ‘So, if you did meet one…’ If Exton was a creation of the Vieda, even generations later, would he be able to attack one? Would it matter? Surely if they created the hellhounds then they would not see them as a threat?
That was so inconceivable to Austin. Exton had always been the quirky, loud, self-assured bodyguard who had the fire power to literally eat the face off any man or beast that stepped between himself and Austin. Now though, Exton could be in very real danger.
‘I can understand if you want to resign or take a new position in the household,’ Austin said weakly. Exton stared at him as though he had gone mental.
‘Did you hit your head on the way in? I can’t leave you!’ The hellhound spluttered.
‘Exton, this is literally an enemy you probably can’t fight,’ Austin pointed out weakly.
The hound flinched but didn’t back down. ‘The hells I can’t. Besides, I get paid good money to keep your scrawny ass intact. Can’t let my reputation end up in the crapper. Besides, besides… we don’t know they mean to fight…’ Austin could tell from Exton’s scrunched features he didn’t believe this last part.
‘Why would they want a contractor demon though?’ Austin asked weakly. This night suddenly felt twice as long. His eyes were itching and the weight of all this new information seemed to crush down on his spine, forcing a hunch in his posture. Or maybe that was just the exhaustion.
Exton shrugged. ‘Who knows? It’s like Haven said, it’s up to the imagination of the demon who wants to make the contract. But…’
‘But?’ Austin prompted.
‘Well, there was a chance that the demon marked you just to make sure some other demon wouldn’t. I was honestly kind of hoping for that scenario but if it was someone from the Vieda Clan then odds are they will have done it for other reasons,’ Exton said unhappily.
‘Fantastic.’ Austin stared down at the carpet. He couldn’t think straight. His thoughts were like little fireflies, twinkling in and about around his head.
‘I’m going to go to bed. It’s really late. We can work out what to do tomorrow.’ Austin’s voice was hollow, even to his own ears but the hellhound didn’t try to stop him as he headed for the door. Exton waved him a mute goodbye and shut the door quietly behind him.
Austin climbed into his own bed a few minutes later and closed his eyes. Maybe sleep came, maybe it didn’t. All he saw in that darkness was a massive figure, a dog leash in one hand, and the severed skull of Jess in the other.
—
‘I’m not going to lie, my friend. You look like crap,’ Jess said as she peered into his face.
‘Didn’t sleep last night,’ Austin muttered as he pulled on his apron.
‘You look like you died and still found a way to drag yourself here,’ called his boss from the front counter.
‘Thanks John, you always know what to say to cheer me up,’ Austin replied dryly though his lips did quirk just a little.
‘Yeah well, stay in the back. You’ll scare away all my customers,’ John called back easily. Austin would have flipped him off, but he didn’t even have the energy for that. He felt scrapped out and hollow today. He thought he managed to doze for a least an hour or two but in truth it might have been even less. The only small mercy was that his mother had already left in the morning for one of her outrageously expensive hairdressers appointments and hadn’t seen him drag himself down the stairs.
Exton honestly didn’t look a heck of a lot better than Austin. He was pale enough to raise alarm from Whitby, though the man servant was far too well trained to say anything. Even a massive coffee had done little to revive Austin and as he trudged miserably to the bakery, he was aware of Exton following him. Which was a worry. Normally the hellhound was practically invisible.
The day seemed to crawl by. As he moved through his list, he wondered if he should take a little leave time until he got this sorted. Then again, where was he in the most danger? Some demons didn’t want to risk being exposed so maybe he was better off at the bakery where he was surrounded by humans? But then the Arvaris manor was so insanely protected with warding and spells that maybe it was safer there?
‘Hey, Austin. There’s a customer here to see you,’ John said, breaking him from his reverie. He looked as baffled as Austin did. A customer had asked for him? Jess frowned, glancing between her boss and Austin. Austin was just trying not to freak out. Had he stuffed up one of the cakes? He tried to rake his brain for his last few order buts the receipts were just a tangled mess of blurred numbers and swirling icing. Fuck.
‘Coming,’ Austin groaned weakly. He put his ice cream base back in the freezer and reluctantly headed to the front room. There were only about five customers in the store. Three young girls who were looking at the display cabinet, an older woman who was paying for a loaf of bread and apple log tea cake and a man. Austin didn’t have to look very hard at the man to know that he was not supposed to be there.
‘Everything alright?’ John asked carefully. He hovered by the counter, his face relaxed but his old brown eyes taking in Austin’s pale face.
‘Sure,’ Austin said. He tried to smile but it made his jaw hurt so he stopped quickly. He headed towards the ‘customer’, wishing desperately that it was an hour later in the day and the shop was a lot more packed with customers. He took the figure in.
He was a tall man, more legs than anything else. His posture was relaxed, his dark caramel blonde hair windswept. He would have been handsome is there wasn’t something oddly fixed about his expression, as though at second he could change on a dime and go for Austin’s throat. He was well dressed right down to an expensive looking pair of brown leather dress shoes that looked as though they were freshly polished. He looked far more like the executive director of a fashion company then a demon known for hunting.
‘I heard you were looking for me?’ the man asked. His voice was a smooth tenor. It might have been pleasant to the ear if not for the coldness that seemed to naturally tint it. The man was strange juxtaposition. His clothing was a mix of whites and beiges, his eyes were nearly honey, and his skin was a rich, light brown. He looked warm all over and yet Austin could never remember meeting such a cold person.
His next thought was where the hell was Exton? Had this man done something to him? How could he have walked into the bakery without the hellhound seeing him, but if he had seen him then surely Exton would have come in to protect Austin? He swallowed. If Exton had been hurt, then it would be Austin’s fault. He met those cold eyes and steeled himself.
‘That depends, is this yours?’ Austin asked as he casually rolled up his sleeve to show the golden mark. The man’s eyes flicked down to it very briefly. Austin wasn’t sure how to approach this man, so he went with his regular cautious method. Show no fear, stay calm, be polite, head up.
‘It is,’ the demon replied. Austin stared. He hadn’t really expected the man to just straight admit it. He stood there, feeling John’s eyes on them from back over at the counter.
‘Most people at least ask me out for coffee first,’ Austin said, trying to keep a tight grip on his emotions and expressions. Some species of demon could scent fear in the air like a snake, others could read the subtle fluctuations in aura. There were too many dangerous unknowns here.
‘Yes, I’m afraid I didn’t have a lot of time on my last visit,’ said the demon with a casual roll of his shoulders. Austin followed the movement uncomfortably. It was smooth, to smooth to be normal, as though the man’s frame didn’t obey the regular laws of gravity. Austin felt like a toy being battered around by inattentive cat.
‘Are you going to tell me your name or what you want from me?’ Austin asked bluntly. The man smiled and it sent a wave of cold sickness through Austin’s belly.
‘My name is Jedrzej,’ the demon said smoothly.
‘You’re from the Veida Clan.’
‘So, you worked it out already. That’s excellent. I need intelligent subjects in my court.’
‘I’m not joining your court and I am not one of your subjects,’ Austin hissed. The man, Jedrzej, smirked.
‘Oh, come now little one. Let’s not cause a scene. We both know you have no power here. You don’t have a single contract to your name. You have no protection.’ Jedrzej sighed, flicking a spec of non-existent dust from his shirt cuff.
‘What do you want me for?’ Austin growled, keeping his face as straight as he could as the three girls walked out with doughnuts between them. John was still watching from the counter. Thankfully, Austin’s back was to him so the large man could only see the demon’s face. His poker face was much smoother than Austin’s.
‘I am new to my station. My position took a long time to obtain, and I have only a short window to amass my soldiers and assets before others coming sniffing around. You are going to help me with that.’
‘And why the hell would I do that?’ Austin snapped, unable to stop the hostility spilling into his posture.
‘Because we both know that daddy hasn’t been home in a while. If you don’t use your powers soon, you will lose them, and we both know what an awful loss to the community that would be. So, you can either put yourself to some use or…’ the man took a step closer on the pretence of looking at the cake options on the display menu.
‘I can release my creatures on this city and rend it to the ground.’ Austin stared.
‘You’re bat shit crazy. The overlords would tear you apart for that kind of breach in secrecy.’
‘And if they knew who I was, I’m sure they would try,’ the man purred.
‘You don’t have the kind of power to take a city,’ Austin argued. The man smirked.
‘Don’t I?’
Austin met his eyes, his jaw setting. He was going to call this assholes bluff. ‘No. I don’t think you do.’
‘Is there a problem sir?’ John’s curiosity and patience was apparently at an end. He had come around the counter and was moving towards them. Jedrzej’s face remained blandly polite, like a seasoned lawyer or senior schoolteacher.
‘Certainly. I’m afraid I’ve taken up enough time of your employee’s time. I was hoping to put in a commission, but it seems I have some details to work out first before I put in my order,’ He gave a polite incline of his head and moved easily from the shop. John stared.
‘The hell was that about?’ his boss demanded.
‘No idea. Just some weirdo,’ Austin said uncomfortably. John squinted at him for a long moment.
‘Look, your obviously dead on your feet. Henry is coming in soon. Why don’t you head off once he gets here?’
Austin opened his mouth to protest but John raised a flour covered hand. ‘This isn’t meant as a telling off. You’re a good worker and I know you’d rather pass out then call in sick. Which is exactly why I’m sending ya home. Get some rest,’ John order. Austin relented with a weak sigh. He nodded and headed back to clean up his workstation.
‘Okay, am I seriously the only person who got some weird vibes from that guy? Like, serial killer vibes,’ Jess hissed at Austin the second he walked into the cooled room. Clearly, she had been spying from the corridor. He smiled weakly at her.
‘You have really good instincts Jess,’ he said. Jess goggled at him.
--
‘He was in the bakery!?’ Exton’s shriek was so loud that the glass on Austin’s table rattled dangerously.
‘You didn’t know?’ Austin asked in a small voice. Honestly, he had just been relieved the man was alive and well. He had pelted out of the bakery hollering Exton’s name. The hound had come out of the neighbouring street looking puzzled. Austin remembered the way the man’s face had fallen was his instincts had told him something bad had happened. He had bundled Austin in the car and driven them both back to the estate in record time.
The hellhound was now pacing back and forth, his eyes very wide and round.
‘No! I didn’t even see a man of that description enter the shop!’ the hound protested.
‘Well, he wasn’t invisible. John and Jess saw him too,’ Austin pointed out.
‘He said he would attack the city if I didn’t work with him,’ he added quietly. Exton stopped his pacing to stare.
‘That is so beyond ridiculous, I can’t even process that,’ Exton said.
‘Seriously, that is so dumb that we wouldn’t even have to do anything. Forget the overlords, if he flat out attacked the city, the royal family would rip him apart.’ The hellhound was staring at Austin as though he had just suggested moving to the moon. Austin shrugged.
‘That’s more or less what I said. Do remember what happened to that guy who threatened to shift form in the downtown shopping district?’ Austin mused.
‘Yeah, the overlord of the sixth ring murdered him and his whole clan,’ Exton replied flatly.
‘Hmm. Maybe we just do nothing. Let this dumbass get himself killed,’ Austin said wistfully.
Exton hesitated. ‘That’s a really big threat to make though. He can’t just be that dumb.’
‘Yeah, I know. I was just wishful thinking,’ Austin sighed.
‘Aus, this is so much worse than we thought. I think it’s time we come up with a real plan,’ Exton said firmly.
Austin nodded. ‘I couldn’t agree more,’ he growled.
The hellhounds expression dropped with worry. ‘You have something in mind?’ He asked reluctantly. Austin smirked.
‘Oh yes.’
He needed to use his powers to get stronger?
Fine.
He would fucking use them.
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END
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