Ambrose:

I have been asking since it happened, since the master and the director disappeared over a week ago. I've been asking her to change me back, to make me a vampire again, but she's forbidden it. My own daughter. She is no longer a vampire. She is not human. She seems to be both. She has the strengths of both and weaknesses of neither.

When the two disappeared, the master and director, over the trees, a silence descended in the forest. It felt like an eternity, but then things started to change. A breeze rose from the forest floor, swirling leaves and rustling trees. Above, the sky was merging. Where once the light and dark were split they were now becoming one, combining into night. The black sky of the eternal darkness swallowed the light blue of the day light, chasing away the wisps of white cloud. We were bathed in the blue light of the moon, humans and vampires alike.

All eyes turned from the changing sky and found my daughter. Alesco. She who was neither vampire nor human, she who had fought with speed and strength surpassing anyone here. The air was thick with tension. Humans held guns, unsure. Vampires stood ready, safe in the night, poised and ready to strike.

She looked around slowly. The look on her face was one of hard determination, she showed no signs of the battle just fought. "Alesco?" I'd said, not sure what I wanted to ask, not sure what words would follow.

She looked at me, the look in her eyes silenced me. She was thinking, beneath the mask of determination she was working out what to do. 100 years of hunting and fighting is not forgotten with the flight of the instigators.

"Drop your weapons. Drop your tensions. You saw with your own eyes that you have been deceived. You are not each other's enemies." She said, her voice carrying through the trees. She was looking from one side to the other, watching, waiting, judging.

"The island can support us all. The time for fighting is ended."

I watched, worried. The tension was thick, pressing in like fog from the sea. And then Wynn stepped forward from the vampires and fell to one knee. "I am with you," he said.

"Me too." Another vampire, the one called Darren, stepped forward copying Wynn. I looked behind me at the gathered humans, looking from face to face, trying to judge the feelings and thoughts passing through their minds. A human close to me stepped forward, dropping his gun to the forest floor. "I am glad to see an end to the fighting." He said. He did not drop to his knees but raised his right hand in a salute.

The ice was broken. More and more men dropped their guns and joined the salute, more and more vampires knelt before her. I couldn't believe my eyes. My own Alesco. My attention was so absorbed watching that I did not notice the figure approach me. My human senses were useless.

"Ambrose," Leila said as she stepped up behind me. I felt her hands on my shoulders. Strong hands, squeezing with an almost crushing force.

"Leila?" I turned and embraced her, folding her into my arms. She hugged back with such force I felt the air leave my lungs and I let out a gasp. I felt my heartbeat speed up as though compensating, as though forcing the blood to move. She let go.

"I'm sorry. I forgot my strength." She said. But she was smiling at me, amusement in her eyes.

"Leila, you have to change me back!" I say, louder than I meant. I would be able to be rid of the weak flesh, the frailties of my human form.

"Of course." She said, still smiling a mischievous smile. "How did you like being human?"

"No." Alesco's voice carried over to us. "You will remain as you are."

"But..." Leila and I started to speak at the same time and both stopped.

"We will discuss it later." The tone of her voice silenced us both. I looked around. The atmosphere was much lighter  now. Most of the guns were on the forest floor and all eyes were on her.

"Vampires and humans are not enemies." She said again. "Captains and leaders of both come forward. Others return to your homes, or camp as you will."

She turned and walked away. "Come." Leila said and took my hand. We followed her as men and vampires detached themselves from the crowds, following Alesco through the trees. Other vampires were turning back towards the village, some were staying put, watching and talking. Some of the men were moving back up the hill, getting into vehicles or else staying where they were. They picked up their guns but held them loosely at their sides.

"Father, it's good to see you." Wynn said, as he stepped to my side. "We have a lot to discuss. He flashed a look at Leila, anger in his eyes. I heard the bitterness in his voice too.

"What has happened?" I said.

"Truth, father. Truth." He said. I opened my mouth to ask for more, to find out what he was talking about but closed it again when Darren appeared at our side, saying nothing. I looked around, humans and vampires were walking, perhaps a little wary, but they were together. No guns, no biting, no fighting.

Alesco stopped when we were away from the main group of people. She stopped in a small clearing. It had enough space for everyone who had come to gather round. When everyone had stopped she went around, asking for names, greeting each person equally.

"We must organize. Those creatures, whatever they are, are gone for now. But are they gone for good? There is much I do not understand, there is much to be discovered. But to ensure our safety, all of our safety, we must work together."

There were nods of agreement from around the clearing.

I watched as they talked amongst themselves, the leaders of both groups, Alesco listened attentively, nodding and questioning. It went on for many hours, but no one seemed to notice. When the light began to creep over the horizon and the darkness began to flee she asked the vampires if they wanted to move. They contented themselves with pulling hoods over their heads and moving into thicker forest. Trust was building fast and she was the glue, I could see it. Whatever strength and power she had was more than physical.

At last the meeting ended. Some humans were coming to the village, to be ambassadors among the vampires. Vampires would be going to the Hunter's HQ as well.

"Father, Wynn, go to the village. Make sure everything is in order, make sure the humans settle in." She told me.

"Where will you go?" I asked her.

"Darren and I will go with the humans, we must free the prisoners." She said.

"Clemente is there!" I said. I feel Leila's grip tighten in my hand at the mention of his name. "We must free him."

"And we shall. Go to the village. I will return soon, with Clemente and others."

I wanted to go, or to stop her, or to talk to her, with my family. I sensed so much unsaid, so much I didn't know. There has been a lot of change since I was shot, since we were captured. But I knew better, there was no argument to be had. I nodded.

"Alesco?" Leila said. She sounded timid as she said it. Alesco fixed her with a look but said nothing. Leila looked at the ground and said nothing else.

"Brother," Alesco said to Wynn, "I leave it in your hands." He nodded at her.

"Alesco, I want to return to myself, to change back." I said.

"No!" Her tone was firm and final. "We will talk when I return."

We turned and walked towards the village, vampires and humans alike. I looked back and saw the humans and selected vampires walking, surrounding Alesco and Darren as they made their way back towards the remaining vehicles, back to where the battle was fought. How things change.

That was then. And now a messenger, a vampire, has just returned. They are coming back. Over a week she's been gone, over a week since the master and director fled. There has been no sign of them, no sign of the magic, no sign of hostilities. But it feels like something's been missing.

The humans settled into the village well, but we've heard nothing from HQ. I sent a bird but it brought no news. The wolves are gone. After the battle they seemed to dissolve, or run into nowhere. We've had no sign of them.

My eyes are still weak, my ears ineffective, but even I can hear the rumbling engines of the human cars, and see the glaring lights as they appear in the distance. She's coming back.

It's night, so many of the village vampires are out, moving around, gathering and building, talking and going about their lives. The humans in the village are settled near the edge of the forest, some of them are coming out of their houses and huts to see the cars.

The cars have stopped a little way away, spread through the trees. There are four that I can see, lights shining. The engines go quiet, one after the other in quick succession, and doors open. I scan each one and see her as she gets out of the closest car. Alesco and Darren are walking down towards us, there are men and vampires both coming with them at all sides and behind.

I squint my eyes at one of the humans, he's not wearing uniform and not carrying a gun. It's Clemente. I move forward to meet him.

"Clement!" I call out, my voice echoing through the trees. Leila is at my side as we run up to meet him.

"Father!" He says, his voice is hoarse but strong, filled with emotion, as he grabs me in an embrace. "Mother!" No one pays us any attention as we stand there. I feel tears streaming down my face, feel Leila trembling, overcome with emotion.

We break apart and I look around. Alesco didn't stop and the rest of them have arrived in the village. They are moving past the huts towards the center of the village, towards the stone houses. "Summon the leaders." She says to some of the accompanying people. They run off to do as they are bid.

She keeps moving, Darren by her side. "Let's go." I say to Leila and Clemente and start moving towards my daughter.

"What's happening, Clemente?" Leila asks as we move.

"A gathering. I don't know Mother. She plans to meet the leaders. She has a plan."

As the houses turn to wood and stone I recognise the master's house ahead, grandest of all the houses, solid stone. Alesco and her group stops before they reach it and enter into another doorway, into one of the houses. Other vampires are arriving and entering through the door. Several humans too. I don't recognise them all, but I recognise some.

Just ahead of us a lone human enters the house. I follow behind, Leila and Wynn with me. He walks across a circular hallway and through another door. The room we enter is a large rectangle, dim and dark, lit by flickering candles. In the center of the room are chairs, wooden and hard. And a table. Upon the wall is a large map, I recognise trees and water. It's the island.

"What the hells has happened to you, damn it Darren!" I hear the human say, the one who arrived just ahead of us.

"Jack!" Darren turns and steps towards him. "I'm ok."

"Suit your damn self, Darren. You're a walking dead man." Jack replies. But despite the hostile tones they embrace as long lost brothers.

"I'm glad you were freed." Darren says to him.

By now the room is full. Alesco is seated in the largest of the chairs. Her eyes are bright and glowing in the dimness. All eyes are on her, all vampires and people.

She cuts straight to the point. "I'm going to the city." She says to us all.

"My lady, is that wise?" One of the vampires I don't recognise steps forward. I notice now that she has humans and vampires on either side of her. Guards. I think.

"Wise or not, it must be done. We don't know what those creatures were and we don't know if they will return. Peace has been restored, the prisoners are freed. Humans and vampires within the forest know the truth of the deception. But those beyond do not."

"My lady, forgive my interruption, but perhaps sending an envoy in your place. It would be safer."

She fixes the vampire with a hard stare, but there is warmth there too, I see it.

"No. It must be me. No one is stronger, no one is faster. I will bring a few humans and a few vampires with me. We must know all we can to prepare for what may come."

No one else says anything. I see some heads nodding in agreement. It makes sense. I find myself worrying about it, feel it eating at me. But what can I do? I glance at Leila, I see the fear in her own eyes though she says nothing. Their relationship has been cold. She told me what happened, what Alesco saw. Wynn still won't talk to her, and he's cold with me too. For the deception, for the lies. But what choice did we have?

Alesco has risen from the chair and moves past me to the map on the wall. "There is more than this Island." She says, pointing at the tip of land that sits at the top of the map. "Those creatures went somewhere. We need to know what they are and where they are."

"Father. You are coming with me. Darren, Draven, Wynn and Jack."

"Alesco, let me..." Leila says, but Alesco cuts her off.

"No, mother. You will stay and help the village. We will bring a larger group of vampires to live in the Headquarter building and we will leave more humans here, the ones I have brought. We have peace and we must maintain it." She says.

Leila says nothing. Alesco continues, "We will have a team taking down the fence. We don't need it now."

"You are the leaders. Make your people busy with work, keep their morale high. I will return when I can. We must be prepared."

"John, come here." She says. A human, largely built, steps towards her and faces the group. "John will be in charge of the humans back at headquarters."

"That damn fool! No way!" The human called Jack calls from the crowd.

It's Darren that speaks up. "It's ok Jack, he's ok. Listen on."

Jack looks like he wants to speak, but he obviously trusts his friend, even though he is now a vampire. He says nothing.

Alesco continues as though there was no interruption. "He will leave three vehicles here. If there is any sign of attack, or anything, use the communications systems within to contact me. The humans here know their use."

"Jocelyn, come up." A vampire steps from the crowd, her black hair shines in the gloom and her yellows eyes are glowing. "Jocelyn was freed from the human cells. She is vampire yet her son is human. Her son is John. She has been human too. She knows all sides, she knows love and flesh and death. She will lead here in my place, here with the vampires. Her words speak for me."

There's a murmur of agreement from the crowd and murmurs of "My lady."

"At any sign of trouble, communicate with me. Send it by human means and send the birds. My father understands their speak and many older vampires can communicate with them. Be prepared, make defences, plans, and contingencies. You may go."

Alesco nods at Jocelyn who embraces John lightly before moving off with the rest. I stay where I am and I see Darren, Draven, Wynn and Jack come over too.

Leila has stayed by my side. Alesco steps towards us, John is there with her. "Mother, go and care for the village as I said." She says.

Leila squeezes my hand. I look at her and see the hurt in her eyes, but she says nothing. She turns and walks from the room without a word.

"We are leaving now. John will accompany us to headquarters and we will travel to the City from there."

"What do you hope to find in the damn city?" Jack says.

"Mind your tongue!" Wynn says, aggressively.

"Peace, Wynn. It's ok." She says, turning to Jack. "I don't know, but I want to look for the truth. Where else to look but the City?"

"What's to say I'll come with you? Am I to be forced?" He says.

I see her eyes boring into his, as though reading his thoughts and emotions, his fears and insecurities, his angers and upsets. "No, Jack. You are free to stay or go or travel as you please. I will not force you. I hope you will join us, to help us find the truth."

He meets her gaze, eyes locked on hers. He is courageous, or foolish.

"Ok, I'll damn well come with you."

"Let's go."

We walk from the room, moving through the village towards the human vehicles. John reaches one and opens the door. We all get in and I feel it rumble and hear it growl as it springs to life.

The journey through the trees is repetitive. I am in a sort of trance, lost in thoughts of Leila and Alesco, Wynn and Clemente. I think of turning Leila, of my mate they shot. Is she alive now? Is she there, at HQ? As a human she will have aged. My mind is swirling and the thoughts are tumbling and twirling like a storm.

"We're here." John calls back. I look up and see the gates wide open for us to enter. As we drive through I see humans walking, patrolling, looking over at us. I can't make out their facial expressions.

The car stops. "I'll show you from here, my lady." John says, opening the door to the car and stepping out. We all get out and follow as he leads us to the fence. "Open her up." He calls out to another human standing there.

The human nods and unlocks the small gate blocking us off from the distant city. Wynn steps through first, then Darren and Alesco. Finally we are all through. We're standing on the other side. The side that's been out of bounds my entire life. The side I once crept into to steal Leila from her brother.

I look at Alesco and see her hand reach for Darren's. Their fingers lock with one another's, fitting together easily.

I look beyond at the distant city, looming on the horizon, a gray mass against the deep blue of the night. We begin the slow walk towards it. Towards answers and truths and unknowns.

Towards the future.

Thank you very much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this! That was the last chapter of The Hunt! There will be a 2nd book in the series, of course!