Once again I need to pay homage to two very cool ladies for their excellent help with this adventure.

 

Any characters you recognize belong to Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m just doing this for fun. This is rated PG.

 

Nate’s Intro 12: Is It Getting Hotter…

 

I woke to someone's hand lightly shaking me. A small lamp by the bed had been turned on and my eyes adjusted. It wasn't overly bright. I could sense my eyes had returned to hazel. It was odd really. On my side of reality all hunters’ eyes stayed black until one of two things happened. One, we got our soul back, or two we died. I'd prefer the latter.

 

When I realized who was shaking me, I grabbed her by the throat. Myra let out a small yelp. She clutched my arm with her hands. I let go and pushed her away.

 

She landed with a thud on the floor as I told her, “You're the last person I expected to see.”

 

She looked embarrassed. “I wanted to make sure you were alright. I brought you some clean clothes and things so that you can clean up.”

 

I eyed her critically. “Why don't you help me get out of here?” She looked at the closed door then back at me. I shook my head. “Get out.” She started to speak but I held up a hand to stop her. “Now!”

 

She stood up and hurried to the door. She turned before opening it. “You know, when I heard who they had sent after you, I really didn't expect to find you in one piece.”

 

“Oh? Let me guess, you cared?”

 

I thought I saw a tear fall before she answered. “I didn't set you up Nathan. I actually like you.”  With that she opened the door and left.

 

I don't know how long I sat there just thinking about it all. I guessed I'd just let it all play out. I checked my watch. It was five thirty. I hoped Mitch had someone to cover my shift, cause I wasn't going to make it.

 

There was a gym bag sitting by the bed. I looked inside to find everything she said, a complete change of clothes and toiletries. I wasn’t sure I liked Myra going through my clothes. It seemed a little intimate.

 

There was a door across the room that I assumed to lead to a bathroom. I stood, took the bag, walked across the room and opened the door. It was a bathroom but instead of the shower I was expecting, I found an ornate marble tub. It was a dark green color and could easily fit two.

 

I locked the bathroom door, not exactly sure that would keep anybody out. I was just going to change, but that tub looked too damn inviting. So I filled the sucker up and sank to my chin in the hot water, vampires and shifters be damned.

 

“Here they pretty much are.” I sat up at the sound of my leader’s voice, splashing water out onto tile floor. “Why do you always jump when I say something?”

 

“Because I never know when you are going to pop in.” I quickly defended. His image was in the mirror. “Can you flash me out of here?”

 

He shook his head. “No, something is interfering.”

 

“How do you want me to play this Ash?”

 

“Tell them what they want to know. It isn't like they'll believe it. There's a lot of energy building up here. Something is wrong. We all feel it.  Be careful.” With that warning, his image disappeared.

 

“I hate when you do that!”

 

“You aren't the only one.” Acheron’s disembodied voice chuckled before it too faded away.

 

I finished bathing, got out and drained the tub. In the bag was a pair of black jeans, a red tank top, a pair of black socks and red boxers. Myra must like the combination of the red and the black. I toweled off, got dressed and threw the dirty clothes into the bag. I didn't shave but I did brush my teeth. I hated when I had that film all over my tongue.

 

I picked up the bag. It felt heavier than it had a minute ago. I opened it wider to find the two daggers that had disappeared that morning. I couldn't help but grin as I placed them in my belt on each side. I put my jacket on to cover them.

 

I sat the bag beside the bed and waited. I knew it wouldn't be long before I got a visit. The vampires were up by now. My skin was beginning to crawl. Ash had said to tell them what they wanted to know. He didn't say I couldn't have fun doing it.

 

I wish I'd asked Myra who the Goth Princess was. I'm sure she had a name. I'd like to see how she stacked up against the Daimons. She was obviously a good fighter.

 

There were muffled voices outside the door. I checked my watch; it was seven. I sat with my back against the headboard, looking as bored as I felt. The door opened and she strode in.

 

She wore black Levis that looked painted on, a clinging black baby doll tee and black docs. She was loaded for bear, a browning in a shoulder rig and blades in sheaths on both forearms. Her hair was pulled back into a long braid. She was very pretty but her ears had more piercings than I thought there would be room for.

 

She made a sweeping gesture toward the door and that's when I caught sight of the blade down her back. I wanted to ask her if she thought I was that dangerous, but decided against it. I stood, walked by her and out the door. The two doormen had gone. I guess they figured she would be more than able to get me from point A to point B.

 

Still, I couldn’t help asking her, “You have anymore hardware hidden on ya?”

 

“Let's hope you never find out.” She quite seriously replied.

 

I turned, “Don't you ever smile? Even a small one?”

 

The corner of her mouth twitched before she answered, ”On occasion. If you see one tonight, you're in deep shit buddy.”

 

“Okay then.” I gave up on questions after that.

 

We went through a couple of doors, down a long hallway and stopped in front of one door that opened on its own. I took a deep breath letting it out slowly and walked in with the Princess at my back. It was the office I had been in before Acheron had flashed me out. I recognized the decor. The French vamp was there and so was the 'king' of the doggie world. Okay, so I was being petty. Woof.

 

The vamp greeted me. “Ah. Mr. Elliott. It was most gracious of you to accept my invitation.”

 

“Not like I had much choice in the matter.” I shrugged.

 

He smiled. “Luna can be very persuasive.”

 

I turned, “So that's your name eh princess?” There was that twitch again though she tried to hide it. I turned back to the vamp. “Wanna tell me what you want?”

 

“How did you manage to just vanish from my office?”

 

“I had a little help. I can't just do it on my own.” Looking around the room, I mentally added, though I wish I could about now.

 

He continued to press me. “Who helped you?”

 

“An Atlantean, the leader of all of us.” I explained.

 

The other guy finally spoke up. “Us? Who?”

 

I hesitated before I started telling them. “I am a Dark Hunter. We protect the innocent from the predators of the night, like you.”

 

The Frenchman seemed surprised at that. “You think I am a predator?”

 

I couldn’t help smiling. “In my universe you are. You have no rights.  You don't exist to mortal world. We keep it that way, easier to hide the bodies.”

 

The dog man piped in, “You expect us to believe you're some sort of alien?”

 

“Do I look gray? I'm about as much an alien as you are a king.” I told him before I turned back to Asher. “I've been told to answer your questions as best I can. I'd doubt you'd believe most of it.”

 

He nodded. “Enlighten us, if you would.”

 

So I told them, the truth and nothing but, how we had been born, the curse on Apollo's descendants, even how Artemis held our souls. I left out the story about the true love and all that jazz as well as how wanting vengeance usually was the key to becoming one of us.

 

Luna spoke up then. “Well Artemis doesn't listen worth a damn then.” I stared at her as she continued. “I'm an Aries girl myself. Kill 'em all and let God sort them out.”

 

I looked at her critically. “Spoken like someone wanting her own revenge.”

 

Richard asked, “Are you here to destroy us then?”

 

I wanted to say that I'd just like to kick his ass but I bit my tongue on that thought. “To tell the truth I really don't know why I'm here. The Fates put me here. Ash hasn't been too forthcoming with the reason. Maybe it’s to kick ass and take names or maybe they wanted me away from her. I really don't know why. I'm here until they decide otherwise.”

 

I let it all sink in. I didn't offer anything else. I was truthful. Either they accepted it or they didn't either way I was getting tired of all the bullshit.

 

When they didn’t offer any more questions, I asked, ”Can I go now? I'd like to spend the morning in my own bed.”

 

“Why are you so worried about the light?” The Goth Princess asked me.

 

“Because the sun can burn our skin. Hence we patrol at night.”

 

Asher smiled, “Then you are not so different from us.”

 

I shook my head. “I don't kill indiscriminately on human souls just so that I can live. I don't even take blood. I eat like a normal person. We adapted to the night. That's our world and there is never a shortage of Daimons.”

 

The ‘doggie’ king piped in, “I still don't trust him. I think Jean Claude and Anita should be called in on this.”

 

“And they'll hear the same thing.” I tried to keep my voice level but it was getting more difficult. I was beyond frustrated. I was moving closer to pissed.

 

The vamp must have sensed it, because he stood and moved around his desk to stand in front of me. I looked him straight in the eye. I wouldn't back down. He just didn't scare me all that much.

 

Using the index finger of his right hand, he traced a line down the left side of my face to my collarbone. His finger moved back up stopping at the large vein. When I didn't flinch, he dropped his hand to his side.

 

“Asher? Are you all right?” Luna asked as she moved to stand closer behind me.

 

“He just wants a taste. Don't you?” My voice was low.

 

Richard growled. “Luna get him out of here.”

 

I reached out and mirrored what the vamp had done. He stood frozen in place as I added, “But I bite back.” I grinned showing my own fangs.

 

It was not the best move given the situation because 'doggie' king lunged at the same time Goth Princess did and I found myself the middle of a shifter sandwich. I threw an elbow into her stomach causing her to roll off me. I brought one of the daggers out with my right hand, grabbed a fist of Richard's shirt and stood, pulling him up with me.

 

I placed the dagger to his throat. It wasn't silver but hey they didn't need to know that. I backed up until a wall was behind me. I felt a trickle of blood at the corner of my mouth. I wiped it away with my tongue. I pushed Richard away from me. I stood there trying to control my breathing.

 

I noticed the princess had her gun drawn. The she did the oddest thing. She slid in between us.  Her back was to me but I knew her eyes had bled over because she was growling. She had the gun pointed at the floor but she was staring directly at Richard. I was betting those amber eyes held anything but happiness.

 

The ‘doggie’ king looked shocked. “You're offering him protection?”

 

“Give the boy a gold star. He's actually getting smarter.” Her voice was still rough, barely controlled. Richard started forward. “Or maybe not.” She added as she raised the .38 and pointed it right at his heart.

 

Asher quietly cajoled her. “Luna. Ma petite chaton.” She turned her head toward him. “You can not.”

 

“Oh but I could.” She moved her gaze back to the dog.

 

“Think of Anita.” The vamp reminded her.

 

We all looked at him but then the door opened. It was another vampire. This one had black hair, long past his collar. It had a slight curl to it. He was about six foot. He had on a dark blue silk shirt that brought out the blue in his dark eyes. His trousers looked expensive and were tucked into knee-high boots.

 

He looked from one of us to the other. I thought I saw Richard tense.

 

Still, there was nothing in Asher's eyes but adoration as he told the new vamp, “Jean Claude. You are early.”

 

He turned those dark blue eyes on me as he told Asher, “I think that may be for the best Mon Ami.”