CHAPTER 2: BLOOD MOON

"Blood moon." The hunter repeated himself after receiving no response from Alice. Her eyes strayed from the vampire she was dreading to kill and found their target.

Alice turned back to the vampire and faked a smile, "I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about. " She feigned ignorance. From what she remembers, this was the only time she could remember her past lives. It was her only chance. She wouldn’t die and be reborn again, with the chance that she would once again have no idea of her ill fate.

"I apologize. I may have mistaken you for someone else. " He withdrew his words in an instant. The vampire’s smile gives Alice the urge to plant a bullet in the vampire’s head. Still, it took all of her will to keep the smile on her lips.

"No problem. I guess we’ll see each other more often. " She grinned and winked at him. Through the years, she learned to use what she had. Even her beauty and charm are weapons. She made sure to use it at times.

The vampire chuckled, took her hand, and placed a kiss on her hand. Alice fought another urge to wince and create a scene.

"You’re right, we’ll see each other more often, around this party, of course." She felt a sharp pang in her chest, as if her heart were being pulled out, just like how all of her previous lives were taken.

She didn’t answer and went straight to one of her teammates. Alice looked at their target, covered with women, trying to win his attention. Alice didn’t hesitate to approach them. She smiled when the vampire looked at him with curious eyes. It was just for a moment, then she went on as usual. Vampires or humans, Alice learned that men loved to be teased. They wanted to feel the high of chasing, like dogs, which she doesn’t adore either.

"What were you doing earlier?" The question came from Karina. She was a hunter at the same time she was. Alice was surprised that she voluntarily joined the team considering how Karina declared that she hated Alice’s guts when they were still trainees. She doubts that Karina has an ulterior motive, but she doesn’t really care if she does.

She stared at Karina dead in the eyes before smiling. The only time they see the woman smile is during a mission, so they are certain it was all a ruse.

"Sorry, I got distracted." She turned to their target, now approaching their table. 

"Hello ladies, you wouldn’t mind if I joined you, right?" Alice put on her best seductive smile and nodded. One thing about vampires is that they are used to using their charms against humans to get what they want.

Hunters were both trained and equipped to resist it. They discovered long ago that the scent of the blood flower could repel compulsion. All the records in the world show that the plant was already long extinct and was barely even known by people, but the hunters are secretly growing it all over the world for them to use.

"We'd love to, and we'd love it even more if you invited us out. This party is a bit boring, don’t you think?" She took the initiative so they could get Aurelius out. Also because she wanted to get away from the other vampire in the place. She was itching to kill him more than anyone else, but she knew that it wasn’t the right time yet. Unfortunately, she still has to deal with the cocky vampire in front of her.

He chuckled in response. Alice could see lust and hunger in his eyes. Her smile grew wider and more seductive, acting like all the women with him earlier.

"I’d love to accept your offer, but I would have to stay longer. You see, the host is one of my good friends. " 

She wanted to laugh when the man said that he was good friends with the host of the party. The party was exclusive to the people from high society. She already spotted politicians, businessmen, and even famous actors and actresses all hiding behind masks when they knew each other perfectly.

They all pretend to be good friends until one of them is arrested for any crime they committed.What if these people discover they've been interacting with monsters all along?

"No worries, I could wait." Alice promptly answered. Karina began to have small conversations with him, while Alice silently listened and pretended to be interested in what they were discussing.

Alice’s eyes went to Carl and Art, the other hunters with them. They were looking around like the complete novices they are.

"Please excuse me for a moment." She tried to excuse herself so she could approach the men personally.

Aurelius’ expression quickly changed. He noticed her looking at other men earlier, and he didn’t like not being women’s center of attention. He pulled the woman close to her and grabbed the woman’s waist. His hands were snaking down, but Alice took his hand before she lost her cool and planted a bullet in his head right there and then.

"If I’m willing to wait, then you should be too." She leaned in and whispered before moving away, "I’m just going to the women’s room. Calm down, we have all night. " She laughed as she walked away from Karina and Aurelius, then crossed near Carl and Art just to give a warning glare. She entered the restroom and made sure that no one was around before talking through the earpiece.

"What are you doing? You should back down if you’re going to cower around. Stop being so obvious. " She scolded the two and instructed the other outside to get ready. 

She went out after fixing her mask, which she wasn’t comfortable wearing but kept it intact. Alice also checked her weapon, which was hidden strapped on her thigh, just in case things didn’t go the way they wanted.

Alice almost punched the person who suddenly grabbed her hand but stopped midway. The vampire grinned, his eyes glimmering under the bright light. She saw it change for a moment, but she didn’t react.

"I’m sorry, I was just startled." She cleared her throat, almost losing her composure. Alice has never felt this conflicted before. She wanted to just drop the mission and go after the man in front of her. After all, he was the entire reason why she chose to be a hunter.

His grin grew wider. "You’re really interesting." Alice withdrew her hand away from the vampire with pure disgust.

"I’d appreciate it if you didn’t touch me like that." He raised his hands to his shoulder level as if surrendering. Alice remained motionless and didn't remove her eyes on him. She wouldn’t dare turn her back on him, not when many of her previous lives were killed when they thought that they were already safe.

He leaned forward, "You seem busy today. Don’t worry, like what you have said, we’ll see each other around. " His words sent chills down her spine. It sounded like a threat.

Because it is.

With a sharp breath, she moved forward and composed herself.

"It’s time." The live orchestra halted playing after the lights went out. The chatter continued, but it was filled with questions and anxiety. The sound of gunshots surprised everyone in the place. They didn’t have to do much after that. A single person’s paranoia is everyone’s. All they had to do was hack into the venue's sound system and simulate a real-life gun shooting to scare them. The vampires would know that it was a  fake, but they wouldn’t have any choice but to go out of the hall.

People rushed towards the door even though someone was telling them to calm down.

"Everything’s ready." Alice heard through her earpiece. She remained in her position and waited patiently.

Another set of screams were heard outside. Aurelius suddenly dropped dead after being shot from afar right in the head. She quickly approached the body that was lying lifeless. A shot through the head wasn’t enough to kill a vampire for some mystical reason, but it was enough to take them down.

"Somebody, call an ambulance!" Karina acted surprised, but everyone was already busy saving their own pathetic lives. Alice pulled out her phone and also acted like she was calling the emergency number.

His "guards" quickly approached them, but they were also hunters from their organization. An ambulance came almost immediately, only that they were also from the organization, the disposal team.

The vampire was loaded onto a stretcher and was brought inside the ambulance with the other hunters on board to accompany their boss. The ambulance drove away without delay. Meanwhile, the other members of the team scattered and drove away using their already prepared getaway vehicles. Alice and Karina drove in the same car while Art and Carl went away driving motorcycles.

Alice faced the unconscious vampire, who would probably be up earlier than younger vampires.

"One thing you should remember," she said, clutching the knife tightly, "is to crush the vampire's heart as soon as you get the chance. You’ll know that you succeeded once they turn into dust. Until then, don’t stop." She didn’t hesitate and stabbed the vampire right in his chest, making sure to crush the vampire’s heart.

After a loud gasp, they saw the vampire's body slowly deteriorate into ashes, until all that remained in the stretcher were specks of dust.

"Never hesitate, or you’ll die."