Prologue
From The Hunters
“We meet again,” stated Vaspian, not even bothering to turn around as the shadow crept up behind him. The large man pulled out his keys and unlocked his Mercedes without pause.
“Your eyes are sharp, mortal” came the hissed reply, “you would be a great asset to us should you change your mind.”
Vaspian scoffed as he opened the door. “You have nothing to offer me, Duncan. Leave me be and crawl back into your hole.” Vaspian entered the car and closed the door, placing the keys in the ignition.
“My name is no longer Duncan,” came the reply from Vaspian’s right, “as it hasn’t been for 800 years.”
“You’ll always be that scrawny little wretch I strangled back in Rockwich Keep,” Vaspian uttered, a smile creeping to his lips.
“Watch your words, mortal, if you want to keep your life!”
“Just try to take it.” Vaspian said, turning his head to the seemingly empty passenger seat and holding his gaze steadily on the unseen source of the haunting voice. After a moment of silence Vaspian turned the keys and started his car, turning his gaze to the rearview mirror.
“What do you want, Duncan” the man asked as he pulled out and left the parking garage.
“To warn you... that days are coming fast.”
“Days are always coming fast. What’s special about these ones?”
“They are greater... and they are faster...” came the disembodied reply, “and you and yours will not be strong enough this time.”
“Well, why don’t you tell me what you’re up to then, Duncan, if I’m so sure of failing?”
“Tsss! Stop calling me Duncan. It is not I that is the threat this time. I have come in peace, old friend, because the threat is upon us both. But all is not hopeless... the days that come could be a mutual benefit.”
“Forgive my disbelief,” Vaspian replied, eyebrow raised, “but since when has anything ever been a mutual benefit between us?”
“You will see, old friend, that it is what we both desire. The days that come will bring an end to our little game once and for all.”
Vaspian scoffed at the words. “You didn’t waste your magic just to tell me more of your grandiose nonsense, did you?” the warrior questioned. Not waiting for an answer he continued. “You miss me, don’t you? That’s why you came. Admit it.”
“I would annihilate you without hesitation should the chance arise, rest assured.”
“Likewise.” The car turned onto the highway, melding with the rest of traffic with ease and racing down to the inner city.
“I propose a truce.”
The disembodied words shocked Duncan into almost losing control of the car. “A what?” the man asked, in obvious surprise. “You expect me to make a truce with Vampires?”
“When you hear the terms that I propose your tone will change.”
“Duncan, you have nothing that I want. You never have and you never will.”
“Don’t be so certain, old friend. I can think of at least one thing that you cannot find without us.”
Vaspian opened his mouth to reply but let it close silently. After a moment realization crept onto his face.
“Are you proposing what I think you’re...?” Vaspian started,
“Yes.” came the reply before Vaspian could even finish. The man sat in silence for several moments as the disembodied words sank in.
“Tell me more,” came the eventual reply.
