Jayden stared at the rocks. The red rock hovered higher than the other three above a map of London. Emilia currently sat, curled up in a ball on her chair, staring as the rocks moved in small movements. Liam had gone to take a nap. He planned to drive his routes tonight.

Whatever that means. Jayden thought.

Vijay cleared his voice before speaking. "The best I can tell is that multiple beings are working underground. I'm guessing in the old passages beneath London, but can't be sure. I wouldn't of minded checking it out myself, but this red one keeps getting brighter."

"How long have you been doing this?" Emilia asked, lifting her head from her knees to speak.

Vijay shrugged. "My grandfather trained me since the age of nine. I took over once he passed away. He said that we are the watchers."

Emilia nodded as Jayden looked between them.

"What are the watchers?" Jayden asked.

Emilia and Vijay looked at each other. She motioned for him to speak, but he shook his head. Emilia sighed.

"The watchers used to be the ones who would notify hunters about disturbances before monsters came overground. Historically, a hunter was only as good as the watcher. Now, we're unified and all that other bullshit. Sometimes, I miss the olden day," Emilia finished with a hint of sadness.

"You act like it was ten years ago," Vijay scoffed. "That was fifty to a hundred years ago."

Emilia shrugged, placing her head back on her knees as she stared at the red stong.

"What happens if the watcher dies?" Jayden ventured.

"Then the hunter is blind," Emilia whispered. "Well, it used to be. One of my old friends tried to balance being a hunter and watcher."

"Tried?" Jayden ventured, staring at the red rock as it floated towards their current location on the map.

Emilia nodded. "She died on a mission."

Vijay stood and looked at Emilia. "We should move."

Emilia shook her head. "There are wards."

The red stone stopped above the middle of the Thames. A soft prickle spread over Jayden's skin before he felt a weight on his feet.

"Do you feel that?" He whispered.

The two turned to stare at him. Jayden could see Emilia's eyes widen in worry before she disappeared, and he fell into a dark void.

Emilia's heart began to speed up as Jayden's body fell against the back of the couch and convulsed for a moment. They had wards. Too many wards. The amount that made them seem more paranoid than prepared. Why the heck was this happening?

Jayden's body stopped moving on the couch. Vijay stood and glanced at Emilia. She nodded at him, and Vijay quickly grabbed his bag before running for the hallway. They did not need for this being to see the watcher. Emilia hit the rocks as Vijay left the room, causing them to scatter across the ground. What seemed like minutes only lasted a few seconds but provided enough time for Jayden's body to rise into a sitting position.

Emilia met the otherworldly golden eyes of whatever now possessed Jayden.

I'm going to kill those fuckin' mods for pairing me up with this guy. This is not the crap that I want to deal with. Emilia thought while forcing a relaxed smile. Emilia, do not freak out and use powers. The less this thing knows—the better.

"Hello, beautiful." The smoothness of Jayden's voice sent goosebumps up her skin.

Whatever took over Jayden's body made his voice seems less irritating and almost appealing.

Emilia dropped her legs to the ground before crossing them. "Hello, stranger."

The being possessing Jayden placed its head on a fist. "I've been so excited by the prospect of meeting you. I'm disappointed we haven't matched yet on Bifrost, but no matter what I do." The thing sighed dramatically. "It doesn't seem I can manipulate your phone to like me."

"What can I say? I'm a girl that knows when to swipe left." She shrugged.

The creature laughed and shook his head. "Perhaps, I just have not found the right form. You know," he started, leaning forward. "Most of my conquests really enjoy the time we have together."

Emilia nodded her head. "I am sure. You seem to be—uhm, something. Who are you anyway?"

Jayden's eyes glanced at her phone. "Wouldn't it be more fun if you try to find me? I thought your kind love a good mystery or hunt. Oh, hunt me down."

Emilia recoiled slightly at his tone. She suddenly needed to shower and disliked whatever the creature had done to Jayden's voice.

"I don't think we think of hunting in the same way."

The creature tilted his head. "But, I have a surprise waiting for you. One that many have sought, and only a few could manage."

Emilia held her hands up. "Listen, if this is a reference to your—"

Chilling laughter cut her off. "Oh, no. No, nothing like that. Do not be so crude. It has been almost 4,000 years, and still, humans decide to be so crude. I should have realized little would change when speaking with those men in Donegal. One called himself a friar. Do you still have them? He acted like one of those, what you call, nerds. Does that make sense to you?"

Emilia stiffened at his mention of the years and historical references. That would mean—

"Ah-hah." The creature smiled. "Now you see I am not your typical being. Your heart is beginning to race, but do not worry. I have not made all of this effort to harm you or your little friend hiding in the hallway."

The golden eyes darted towards the hall, and Emilia heard Vijay make a startled gasp and gurgling sound. Vijay's body dragged along the floor into the living room. His hands were upon his neck, clutching at something that did not appear to be there.

"What are you doing?" Emilia hissed, rising from the chair.

"Providing you motivation for you to open up your phone." The golden eyes turned to her. "I hate having to repeat myself. Don't you?"

Emilia grabbed her phone and opened up the Bifrost. Her screen pixilated for a moment before a blonde-haired man appeared. The golden eyes above the high cheekbones seemed to sparkle through the screen. Emilia wanted to swipe left and deny this angular-faced, Bresal, his happiness, but she could not.

Vijay made a gasping choking sound beside her.

Emilia swiped right.

"There we are," Bresal stated. "I am sorry about the name. My current associates informed me I needed to modify it. So much has changed since my last awakening. But, do not look so concerned. I will provide all the truths and presents you need when we meet."

Emilia looked up to see Jayden's body collapse onto the couch. Vijay inhaled sharply behind her. She could feel a spark from her phone as the screen flashed to a rainbow and read, You two have crossed the bridge.

Her hands began to shake as she dropped her phone to the ground. She walked across the room to the balcony. She pushed to the side and opened the door to step onto the balcony. Emilia's heart pounded as she looked out onto the Thames. There, hovering above the water, was the man from her phone. His golden hair sparkled in the sun as he waved to her.

The familiar ding indicating a message on Bifrost sounded behind her.

"See you soon," a male voice whispered into her ear, sending goosebumps up her arms.

Emilia wanted to run. Fuck this.

***

Dating Advice from a Hunter:

Don't always trust what you hear about monsters. Sometimes the monsters with the worst reputations make the best partners. For instance, one of my friends started dating a cyclops. You would think that it would be horrific, and he would only want to destroy things. But he was the nicest guy you'd ever meet. The guy saved a pack of wolves from a forest fire and then only ate two of them because he said they wouldn't survive the next few days—such a nice guy.

Happy Hunting!

E.V.

***

Chapter WC: 1,310

Story WC: 15,309