Hunting Party

Dexter

Dexter sat in the front of a large van, his hands firmly on the steering wheel. He looked into the rear-view mirror, checking on his passengers.

"You've got an impressive armory in here." Sarah said, examining a large axe strapped to the wall. "It's right out in the open, too. Do the police never notice all this?" She turned towards the front.

Along the wall in the back of his van, there was a seat that could fit about five people, across from which he had installed a workbench for modifying and maintaining his tools. Sarah was standing next to the workbench.

"They don't notice the van at all." Her question was answered by Oscar, who pointed to a small magic circle inscribed on the inside of the door. "Are you a mage, captain?"

"No. I just know someone. And don't call me that."

Dexter looked over at his gps. Five minutes until they arrived in Moorwick.

Olivia sighed.

"I know your blessing gives you better balance, but you really should sit down." She looked nervously at the wall. "You don't want to trip face first into a knife."

"That's a good point." Sarah said as she sat down next to Olivia. She set the golf bag she was wearing down next to her. "Are you really going into town dressed like that?" Sarah asked, examining the nun's habit Olivia was wearing.

"Of course. This thing is blessed. Not only will it guard me against attacks, it will also amp up my miracles."

"Oooh." She turned to Oscar. "I heard you can manipulate light. Can you turn invisible?"

"Technically. I could bend the light around me so no one can see me, but I'd also go blind, since none of it would reach my eyes."

"Does that matter? I train with a blindfold all the time. You should try it."

"I think that's only possible because of your blessing."

It's good that they're getting along. I just hope they'll be ready for danger. Dexter Sighed. "We're almost there. We just need to park this van at the Federation outpost here."

Once they reached the outpost, the three stepped out and stretched their legs. Dexter walked to his armory. He put a twenty-round handgun in a holster on his hip, visible to all. He then hid a sawed-off shotgun under his coat, strapped to his back. He then strapped a bowie knife to his chest, also under his jacket. Finally, he slipped a pair of knuckle dusters into his jacket pockets and stepped out to join them.

"Let's get moving." He showed them his gps. "We're hunting vampires, and strong ones at that. They've most likely set up shop in the Morgan family mansion, the base of the vampire who used to live here." He pointed to a spot on the map. "It's across the city from here."

"""Understood."""

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

They made their way through the city. About halfway to the mansion, as they walked through a back alley, Dexter held his hand up, signaling them to stop.

"Heh, you're pretty perceptive." A man in nice clothes stepped out in front of them. "What gave me away?"

"Captain." Sarah's voice rang out behind him.

"I know. You three take the one behind us. I'll deal with this one."

"Behind us?" Oscar turned around, and realized Sarah had already been looking that way.

"These guys must be pretty good. The Boss'll be happy if we bring him their heads." Another man said as he walked out of the shadows, blocking their escape.

Dexter pulled out his knife and swung at the man in front of him in one fluid movement. His opponent barely dodged, with a look of confusion on his face.

"You're pretty fast for a human."

Dexter flipped his knife into a reverse grip, and swung again, this time putting a small cut on his opponent's neck. Pointing the blade straight outwards, he lunged, sliding the knife between his opponent's ribs to pierce his heart. The vampire tried to counterattack with a powerful punch, but Dexter pulled the knife back out of his opponent's chest, blocking the punch with the blade. The vampire jumped back, his hand split all the way to the wrist.

"What the hell? You're strong too."

Dexter switched the knife back to a regular grip and prepared to lunge at his opponent again. He pushed off the ground.

Most vampires get slower and weaker when they're regenerating.

Dexter aimed his knife carefully, easily severing the vampire's head by passing between the vertebrae. Its body toppled as its head fell to the ground. Dexter returned the knife to its sheath and turned to watch the others fight.

Olivia had her eyes closed and her hands clasped in prayer. She stood completely still as the vampire approached her. He reeled back, preparing to strike. As his hand shot forward, Sarah jumped in between them, deflecting his hand with the spear she'd taken out of her golf bag. She lunged forward, leaving a deep cut in the vampire's neck. He reeled from the attack. To the side of them Oscar held a hand out, aiming at the enemy. The area around him darkened, and a ball of golden light formed in his hand. It launched in an instant, piercing through his opponent's heart. The vampire's chest burst into flames.

"What the hell? This is sunlight!"

"The moon reflects the sun." Oscar said smugly, pointing at the moon hanging in the sky.

"Damn it!" The vampire turned away from Sarah, rushing towards Oscar.

"Forgot about me?" Sarah jumped at his back, swinging the spear's blade towards his neck.

He twisted his torso, slamming the back of his hand into her torso. As he did so, Olivia finished reciting her prayer, and a golden aura surrounded all four humans. The monster's strike was completely absorbed by the miracle. She continued swinging her spear, opening a giant gash in his throat. Once she landed on the ground, she aimed her spear forward and lunged, skewering the vampire's heart.

"Huh?"

At the last moment, her opponent was launched backwards, barely avoiding her attack. She stood in shock looking at the man who had saved him. He was a short, muscular man in a tight-fitting shirt and baggy pants.

"You guys are pretty impressive for humans."

"Boss!" The vampire seemed relieved for a moment, then became fearful again. "Sorry about this. I underestimated them."

"That's alright." The leader turned to face him. "These kinds of things happen from time to time. Go kill a few humans and you'll be back to your usual self."

"Alright." His face turned to relief again, and he left.

"As for you four." The leader turned back and raised his fist.

As his hand swung down at Sarah, Dexter swung back, hitting him in the chin with his duster. The force of the strike pushed the leader back a few feet, and Dexter pulled out his pistol, firing three rounds into his chest. The vampire laughed.

When did he get here? I didn't notice him until he stepped into the fight, but there's no way I wouldn't notice someone this dangerous beforehand. Dexter steadied his aim. My whole body is telling me to run. He's around the level of an alpha.

"I like you." The vampire said with a grin. "Name's Dawson. I've been in a few good fights recently." Cuts opened on each of his fingers, and blood coalesced on his hand, forming into dusters of his own. "Don't disappoint me."