Maybe he could help me, I have been on the run and even one less ancient would help. I shuddered for a moment before calling after him, “wait.” I bit down on my lower lip, everything in me was telling myself to just let him be. Why would I try something new when me being on the run by myself was doing so good, but it wasn’t- was it?

He pause and straightened up, raising one white eyebrow. It was hard to make out his expression with the face mask and hat on, but he seemed curious. “Yes, good lady?” His head tilted to one side, watching me from behind those dark glasses.

“I- I could use your help, I have five ancients hunting me and if you could just maybe… Listen I need you to kill this fucker okay? He has been on my tail the last three cities I have went too.” I huffed, pushing a fluster hand through my long chocolate locks.

“Oh?” He shifted, taking a half step towards me. “So, you wish the vampire threatening you not just punished, but eliminated?” Slowly one hand came up and rubbed against his chin through his mask. “A vampire, threatening and chasing a young woman, forcing her to flee from city to city. Yes, I think I that will make a fine specimen for a hunt.” He bowed with a flourish, one hand folding to rest on his chest while the other swept out to the side. “Good lady, you have a Huntsman on your side in this hunt.” He tilted his head back, to stare at her with his eyes, and at this angle she could see that they were a silver color that reflected the light

“And I just so happen to know where he will be, as he wished me to report to him when I succeeded.”

His eyes were oddly hypnotizing in a way, I shook my head head. “Here, to make it more realistic.” I tore one of my sleeves from my shirt and took the dagger from its thigh holster and drew it across my arm. I hissed slightly from the pain for a moment before letting the blood dripped on the fabric. “Take this as a prize for him, it will smell just like my father to him.” Satisfied onced the fabric was saturated with enough of my blood I held it out for him to take.

The Huntsman stood up and raised an eyebrow as he looked down at me. Slowly, his left hand reached out and took the fabric, my blood staining, into his gloved grasp. He studied it for a moment, then spoke.

“I had intended to ask for a lock of your hair, but it seem that this is even better suited to the task. Now, good lady. Did you wish to accompany me, or is there somewhere you would like to meet afterward?”

“No I want to look into the eyes of one of the men that helped kill my mother.” I tore another small piece of fabric from my clothing and wrapped it around the cut on my arm before tying it. “Blood will appease him better.”

He seemed to judge me for a moment, then shrugged and nodded. “Very well. Your reasons are your own. The prey is in this city - he was eager to receive word as soon as possible.” He tucked my bloody fabric into a pocket on his waistcoat, then adjusted his overcoat. “I suggest keeping a bit of distance until you are sure he is alone. Now. This way, if you would.” The Huntsman swept his hand back in the direction we had come from. “I'll lead the way.” And with no further warning, he walked off, long strides that ate the ground as he moved away.

I stayed back, allowing a few paces in between. I had an anxious feeling I was finally going to be able to take down one of the sons of bitches that killed my mother. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a sense of giddiness but I know that there was still four more that wanted me. Some wanted me dead others alive for their own sick and twisted agenda.

I moved swiftly and weaved in and out of the sea of bodies with ease, always keeping my gaze to the ground. I slowed my pace every so often to make sure that it wasn’t noticeable that the huntsman and I were going to the same place. We started to move inwards toward the city the sea of people started to thicken and I had to keep a closer eye on the tall man.