Hunt In Reverse

Downtown, Bellingham.

The city walls, weathered and worn, bore patches of vibrant green moss. Though lacking Seattle's grandeur, the downtown area of Bellingham, still pulsed with life.

An electric car rolled through the bustling streets, finally coming to a halt before the most opulent residence in Bellingham.

The Delgado family had ruled Bellingham for centuries, their authority unchallenged. Within their walls resided the city's sole Crystal Realm expert, a protector against the vampire hordes, revered by all.

And yet, here stood the young heir of the Delgado family, patiently awaiting his guests, not a hint of impatience on his face. The reason for this unusual display of humility? The lovely young woman at his side.

"Miss Hightower," Claro Delgado said, his smile charming, his manners impeccable, "I've prepared the Sunshine Courtyard for your uncle, and arranged a welcoming feast. Is there anything else I can do to ensure your comfort?"

Aveline Hightower blushed, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

"There's no need to go to so much trouble, Mr. Delgado," she replied softly. "My uncle and I can share the same courtyard."

Claro Delgado's heart fluttered at the sight of her blush. He nodded sagely, pretending to understand.

Uncle... he mused. More likely a bodyguard, sent by her family to ensure her safety.

The car rolled to a stop, and a broad-shouldered man stepped out. Claro Delgado, taking in the man's simple features and roughspun clothing, felt his suspicions confirmed. He maintained his cheerful facade, however, and greeted the man warmly.

"Greetings, Uncle!" he exclaimed. "I am Claro Delgado."

Arnold Stark offered a casual salute.

"I don't recall having you as a nephew," he said gruffly.

"You're quite the jester, Uncle!" Claro replied, though his smile grew strained. When the car door opened on the far side, he turned expectantly.

Another uncle?

Before he could finish his thought, a handsome young man, clad in black, stepped out of the car. He nodded politely in Claro's direction.

"This... this is also your uncle?" Claro stammered, his gaze fixed on the newcomer's striking features. He turned to Aveline Hightower, his voice rising in disbelief. "He's... he's sharing a courtyard as well?"

Aveline, too, seemed taken aback. Fortunately, Arnold had already moved towards the gate.

"This is sir ... a junior from my family," he announced. "Can I have a hot bath? The ride here was absolutely brutal!"

Claro Delgado, catching the slip of the tongue, finally understood. He ushered them into the Delgado residence, personally escorting them to their quarters.

He instructed two housekeepers to prepare hot water in a jecuzzi, then turned back to his guests with a smile.

"I've prepared some refreshments for you," he said. "I do hope you'll join me for a drink this evening."

Arnold nodded his agreement, and Claro's heart leaped.

Though the Delgado family held prominence in Bellingham, their influence stemmed solely from his great-grandpa, who had stumbled upon a fortuitous opportunity and broken through to the Crystal Realm. Now, with his great-grandfather approaching death's door, the Delgado family's decline appeared inevitable. They wouldn't be destitute, of course, but maintaining their current position of power was unlikely.

And then, he'd encountered this young miss from Sacramento. Despite her attempts at modesty, her noble upbringing was evident.

It had taken considerable effort to even strike up a conversation with her. She was clearly sheltered, easily flustered by his advances. And now, she'd invited her brother along. This was an assessment, no doubt.

He glanced at the young man in black, his own demeanor suddenly seeming inadequate. He mentally kicked himself, replaying his earlier awkwardness. He needed to make a better impression.

"Please, continue your reunion," he said, bowing. "I'll take my leave." He hurried off, eager to change into something more befitting a potential brother-in-law. He couldn't let this newcomer outshine him.

… …

After Claro's departure, Aveline rolled her eyes and entered the house. She settled into a chair with a mischievous grin, crossing her legs. Arnold and the unfamiliar young man followed, with Arnold casually closing the door behind them.

"You owe me one, Arnold," she said with a playful smirk. "Make sure you pay up."

"Why wait?" Arnold replied, tossing her a wisp of essence captured from a mid-stage Wave Realm vampire. Aveline caught it with a grin, tucking it away inside a small copper bell.

Arnold turned to me. "If you ever need someone to handle a task," he explained, "and you find reciprocation inconvenient, you can always offer one of these as payment."

"A newbie?" Aveline asked, her curiosity piqued. She raised an eyebrow at Arnold Stark. You have to teach him the basics? What's he doing here in Bellingham?

"Indeed," I confirmed with a nod, eager to absorb any knowledge I could. "What's the plan?"

"What else?" Aveline stretched lazily. "We've finally got young Delgado wrapped around our finger. Time to use his precious grandfather as bait."

Arnold settled into a chair, flexing his wrist.

"If this is anything like the last hunt," he said, "they won't ignore the only Crystal Realm cultivator here. That's why they've chosen Bellingham. To ensure secrecy, to prevent that Crystal expert from escaping... that's why I had her pave the way."

"Their target is him," Arnold continued. "And to save his own skin, he'll become our ally."

I listened intently, absorbing every detail. The methods used on those outside H.A.R.M.... they were ruthless, yet efficient. If they warned Claro's grandfather, the casualties would be minimized. But the risk of failure would increase.

No, to ensure success, to claim those rewards, the old man, even in death, had to remain within Bellingham. This was the difference between the Vampire Hunters and H.A.R.M.

"So, how many other Vampire Hunters are in the city?" Arnold Stark asked, turning to Aveline with a curious expression.

"About fifteen," Aveline replied, propping her chin on her hand. "Mostly opportunists, hoping for an easy score."

She ticked off the various Vampire Hunters on her fingers. "One's trying to befriend a young noble, hoping to save his life and become sworn brothers. Another has infiltrated a wealthy family's kitchen as a supplier. And my cousin—she was posing as a courtesan to seduce young Claro Delgado, until I stepped in." She giggled.

"A seductive temptress can't compete with a pure and innocent maiden when it comes to charming a young heir like that," she explained with a wink.

In a few short sentences, she'd outlined how the Vampire Hunters had infiltrated nearly every influential faction in Bellingham. And the most tempting prize of all? The Delgado family.

"Rose Hightower?" Arnold was taken aback. Back already? Her Martial Abbey Cleansing must have succeeded. Only a Crystal Realm hunter would dare target such a prize.

My heart pounded in my chest. Rose Hightower. The mere sound of her name sent a shiver down my spine—a mix of longing, worry, and fierce protectiveness. I pictured her, elegant and fearless, navigating the treacherous streets of Bellingham, where Crystal Realm tiger vampires lurked in the darkness.

The Pinewood County Hightowers were a minor branch of the Sacramento Hightower family, a prosperous merchant clan. Though the family lacked any martial arts tradition, their wealth allowed them to send their daughters to study combat. This was how both Aveline and Rose found their way into H.A.R.M.

Rose joined H.A.R.M. later than Aveline, yet she progressed faster and had already traveled to the capital for her Crystallization—a fact that only intensified Aveline's competitive spirit.

"If she bullies me when we get back to Seattle, you'll protect me, won't you, Arnold?" Aveline pleaded with exaggerated innocence, batting her eyelashes. Without waiting for an answer, she turned her attention to me, idly twirling her newly acquired wisp of essence between her fingers.

"Little brother," she purred, "once this business is concluded, perhaps you'd like to join me on a vampire hunt?"

"We'll see." I replied, my gaze fixed on the distance.

A mid-stage Wave Realm vampire no longer held any interest for me. My thoughts were consumed entirely by seeing Rose.

"My, my, aren't you aloof?" Aveline teased, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"I'd advise against provoking him," Arnold said, closing his eyes. "He's not ready for the vampires I hunt. But yours..." He glanced at Aveline. "If you take him along, he might just steal your prize."