I awoke with a start, pistol in hand before I could breathe. It was half-cocked, of course, like the rest of my life seemed to be. The lights were off, leaving me in a labyrinth of half remembered stumbling and revelry. This wasn't my room, I knew that much. I was clad in little more than a pair of satin panties, but that concerned me less that I suppose it should have. At least the other side of the threadbare mattress was unoccupied: thank the Goddess for small favors. There was music somewhere in the distance, something loud but sweet and vaguely familiar. When nothing had changed for a moment I decided to replace my semi-auto back into its familiar sheath high on my right thigh. No point in being ready for a party that apparently wasn't going to happen. My head ached, but it was an almost comforting pain, reminding me just why the foreign bedroom was otherwise empty. I wasn't allowed love. I'd tasted that ambrosia before and been poisoned with its fleeting sweetness. Never again.

Deciding there was no further point in guarding an empty room, I set about searching for my lost garments. Walking around naked was nothing new or exciting, but it's always best to be prepared in case of unexpected-

"Semi? S'at you banging around my guest room at 02 in the mother facking morning?"

Should have known I wasn't allowed peace and quiet. The voice of my partner seemed sleep muffled and a bit confused. So I was in her apartment? That explained the smell of stale pizza and men at least.

"Aye, Artemis, it's me. Give me a moment and I'll be right out… Have you seen my pants per chance? They appear to be missing." I asked, shuffling about the dark hovel a bit blindly. A bemused chuckle was my answer providing me with little help or inspiration. Cursing my lack of planning as I stumbled into… something solid and sharp, I took a moment to close my eyes and focus. I cannot see into your mystery, Lady, let me sharpen this sight for your benefit. I prayed, opening my eyes to the room I currently occupied. Within moments it had taken on an eerie glow, my body finally able to overcome the poisonous liquor in my system to focus my feline eyes past a dull blur. Within moments I had located my shorts and bra, and deciding that would do, I ventured back into the world of my only friend.

I found my partner, Artemis, sprawled across her couch like some boneless thing. Her very being seemed a mess and she reeked of rum. Must not have been a great night.

She gave me a mildly sardonic smile and sat up, her oversized t-shirt providing at least a little modesty and protection from the cold of her apartment.

"Morning, Bitchy, how's life?" she teased, her tone and face without malice.

We'd always had this sort of relationship- we were like sisters of different race. We truly cared for each other, but we had both tasted loss too strongly to get affectionate with someone who put themselves in constant danger like only a Hunter could. She was a bit younger than I, but in today's society age meant nothing and I knew her flighty teenage persona to be nothing more than a torn old bandage covering her bleeding heart. I gave her a small smile and moved past her to begin breakfast, quickly finding our usual fare of eggs, toast and coffee. I preferred milk for myself, but Arty was all but useless until she'd had her morning shot of caffeine.

"Today's it, huh?" she asked, excitement and loathing clear in her voice as I heard rustling from the parlor where she'd slept. She insisted on calling it a living room, but I saw no logic in that and quite easily refused her request- and constant pestering. "We're mustering at 0900, right, just the Seats and their Captains? Heh, poor bastards won't know what hit them, will they, Semi. Facking bunch of worthless old corpses is what they are. They just don't know it yet." She laughed, low and cruel, and I could see her smile even through the wall and refrigerator that separated us. "We'll facking show them who's unnecessary."

I said nothing in return, but then, I don't think she really wanted a response. A moment later there was more rustling and the sound of padded footsteps retreating into one of the back rooms. The snick of a door and running water signaled my dismissal and allowed me the solitude I craved.

Yes, today was the day. Our company, Solanceae, was holding a meeting for all her higher ups. The seven Seats of her Enforcement teams would be present, as well as their chosen captains- positions Artemis and I had paid for in blood a thousand times over during our four year service: four long years of nigh impossible missions and murders. They were years filled with pain and loneliness, leaving us with nothing more than our core reasons for fighting. We held onto those memories like men lost at sea, regarding them with trepidation and respect. I could only guess at Artemis' motivation, but mine rang of a baby's cries and husband's loving arms. Nothing could bring them back to me. I had only their memory to live for- and the promise of vengeance.



Our world was at war, and we her soldiers. Five years ago the human media began to air a fad they foolishly called the "Sweetest Death". Through their ignorant portrayal of the supernatural beings that flitted throughout the shadows of their world, they opened up the biggest can of worms to ever strike our planet. Vampires, demons, shape shifters, and angels had always existed, among a multitude of other immortals. They were less in number than mortals, and mostly willing to stick to themselves, but as often happens, greed plagued an unfortunate few and guided them into rash decisions which would eventually doom us all.  They bribed and poisoned the world's media with cotton candy images of tamed creatures and false intentions. Promised immortality and happiness to any who were foolish enough to fall into their clutches- and it worked all too well. Mortal children flocked to the formerly secret places we frequented, arms open and pleading for a taste of our fabled darkness. Many resisted their temptation, but a few took advantage of their childish begging. Turns out a few is all you need. Word spread like wildfire and humans were soon lining up like cattle to sacrifice themselves to the Cryptonatural's dark flame. They came in droves, hungrily searching out what they'd seen on television and heard on the airwaves. They abandoned their simple lives to serve us blindly, leaving behind their identities and individualism.

Within that first year, Cryptonaturals quite easily ran the known world, leading armies of simple, sightless mortals. But their greed and lust for power had all but destroyed the natural order of society. There was no call for a slave or a master. There was no call for the identityless mass of drones that now walked our streets, caked with blood, sweat, and sex. Mortals and Cryptonaturals were incapable of breeding and that genetic failure resulted in the deaths of so many innocent children- mortals who truly knew no more than pleasing their dark masters. It is because of this simple fact that many of our kind used their mortal pets simply as entertainment. Macabre shows filled with death and violence, rape and destruction were soon packing our formerly respectable theaters. Their advertisements further poisoned the very media that birthed them, clogging our televisions and radios until our children were being led into immorality.

It is from this endless cycle of bitter evil that three great organizations rose- Solanceae, Convolvulaceae, and Montiniaceae. Known as the Nightshade, the Morning Glory, and the Wild Clove. Solanceae we served out of necessity and personal vengeance, for it is there that we were given license to hunt down and destroy other Cryptonaturals, specifically, the Convolvulaceae.



I was started from my revelry when Artemis stalked into the kitchen in her skimpiest pajamas, hair soaked and dripping to the already stained tile on which we stood.

"So, I was thinking- don't give me that look, I can too think before caffeine, it just doesn't make a whole lot of- COFFEE!" she yowled and made a dive for the already dressed cup I had placed on her otherwise empty counter. She guzzled it immediately and I couldn't help but admire the fact that she could still speak after receiving second degree burns all along her mouth. It was a bit of a disappointment, really. She finished with the smacking of lips and an exuberant sigh, holding out her empty cup, which I languidly refilled with my family's traditional roast and six sugar cubes. "We'll have to summon our Counterpart uniforms before we… er, attack, right?" I nodded, smiling softly. "But how exactly are going to manage that without tipping the fackers off?"

I thought about that little fact for a moment. It was true that Hunters were only legally able to complete a kill in full uniform, but, we're also not supposed to rebel against our superiors. Truthfully, I wanted my Other to complete this mission with me. Nyx had been the only constant in my life for many years. She was closer to me than any sentient being could ever be.
A Hunter's mask works like a supernatural policing badge, giving them the authority and power required to complete their task, which most often included the killing of other supernatural beings, or Cryptonaturals, Crypts, as the new generation called them. The masks also created a huge shift in your chi which resulted in what is called an "Other", as the energy is actually enough to alter your physical appearance and perhaps, your psyche. Over time and use, many Hunter's Others become like separate beings, providing guidance and comfort during difficult missions.

Overturning Solanceae would be a difficult mission indeed and I had no doubt Arty would also prefer her Other, Hemera, to be present.

"It's a formal function," I began slowly, measuring each word as it left my lips. "We would be expected to bring our weapons anyways, so is it so great a leap that we also be in battle dress?" Artemis chuckled as she began to catch on to my plan. "I often wear Nyx's mask at my belt when representing our team, and donning it takes but a moment…"

Artemis gave a little cheer before continuing: "and by the time they realize we've taken the offensive, their ignorance will have already painted the walls in red!" she chirped, sounding not unlike a giddy child.

It was strangely relaxing, to just share a quiet morning with my battle buddy and only friend. We filled the air with small, pointless conversations about this and that. But I couldn't help but wonder, were we really to conquer the mighty Solanceae prince? Would we be able to rule over our brother teams, our organization, our people? The killing would be simple, but what of the aftermath. I was born into royalty a lifetime ago, but did I truly wish to take up that battered and stained mantle once more? It seemed like so few things in this time were solid. I knew Artemis to be a beloved friend, but couldn't this new found power divide us? What if-

"Stop over thinking it, Semira." commanded Artemis quite suddenly, all signs of the easy going teen gone, leaving a devoted Hunter in their place as her pale green eyes tore into my very soul. "You're the one who used to tell me que sera, sera, so take a page out of your own fugged up book and let it be. We've lost shit all our lives, and now's our chance to actually seize something. We've got all of Solanceae at our feet! There's no way those fuggers can stand up to us now- we're better than them and we will defeat them. So put on your big girl panties, stop what-ifing the fug out of everything and help me take down the most powerful company this world's ever known- so far."

We did the strangest thing then- our eyes met, two shades of the earth's green, two sides of a shared purpose, two women who were prepared to overthrow the very world they helped to build… We met gazes, and for a moment minds, and we both began to laugh quite uncontrollably. Nothing was particularly amusing or pleasant. But it felt as if the world had shifted focus for this very historic morning and suddenly nothing beyond now mattered. We were going to war with the company that drove us. We were about to avenge our stolen lives and loved ones. So what if we didn't survive the encounter? At least we were willing to stand up and fight.





And it is with this new found revelation that we parted ways.
I returned to my own dwelling across the city, overlarge windows showing me the nation's glittering lights and rank perfumes. I sat in my foyer in nothing more than my own flesh, my unadorned wings laid out against the leather of my settee, tail curled and ears laid flat as I read. It was an old book, one I had started when I was very young and continued to write in even now. Within this journal was everything I had ever known, loved, and lost. I held memories of marble halls and flowing silk, a handsome man and sweet faced babe, a tragic fire, a cruel attack, and the loss of all I'd ever held dear. It was my very soul in parchment and ink. It was now my reason for living, for fighting, for dying. Hours passed in this fashion as I reread ancient entries and wrote out new ones. The sun began to rise and eventually flooded my space with its loveless heat and… music? But I had never turned on my stationary player, how…

"Good morning, Lady Wardah." came a cultured purr from behind me, my family's name surprising me almost more than the intruder. I quickly snapped close my grimoire and spun to face my guest, though I was already quite sure of his identity.

"Soryuden!" I cried a bit breathlessly, shocked at this man's audacity to break into my home and approach me while in such a state of undress. He smiled a bit benignly, coal eyes glittering as they took in my nudity with more than friendly interest. "Our meeting isn't for several hours," I began coldly, "what on earth could be so important that you would interrupt me at home?" And it was true, while Soryuden was a friend and fellow Solanceae captain; it was unusual for him to appear so early and unannounced. Normally, nudity didn't bother me: after all, we are all born without cover are we not? But something about his stare made me feel intensely uncomfortable and naked. He often had such an effect on me, but politeness forbade me from telling him off.

"About that, my Lady, I merely meant to inform you that I have been called away on a mission in the frozen plains and may not be able to attend the ever dreaded council." He explained, sitting quite casually atop my coffee table. I felt my heart jump- could he possibly know of our plans? But no, only Artemis, our Chair and I knew and none would dare risk everything for a nosy, albeit gentlemanlike vampire. "I would ask you, however, as a favored friend to keep me informed of any interesting… shall we say, technicalities our prince may think up?"

He said this with such gentle mirth that I couldn't help but smile as well. True, our prince was a good child, but he was just that- a child. A former mortal, made into a ghoul against his will at the very tender age of twelve. We followed him out of… I'm not sure really. But then, I planned to end his life within two hours time, so I suppose I never followed him, to be truthful. I would feel no remorse when his head and body met with disconnection.

Soryuden, seeing me relax, took it upon himself to sit where I had been only moments before, his eyes about level with the stripe on my left thigh. He folded his hands quite genteelly, steepling his fingers in thought as I pulled an afghan from the closet and draped it across my shoulders as shield against the sudden cold. I sat myself beside him and for a while we shared a companionable silence, watching the morning sun rise over our dying city.

"They're different from us, aren't they?" I asked quietly, startling both of us with the sudden question. He turned to me curiously, but I stared ahead and forced myself to continue. "The Cryptonaturals we hunt, I mean. We are of the same species, but they are fundamentally changed when they feast upon the human spirit. They are different from us for living off of that mortal pain and humiliation, we're not-"

He placed a gentle hand on my clothed shoulder, pulling me softly toward him in a half embrace. "Yes, Semira, we are different. We remain strong where they have been weakened by mortal whims." He assured me, speaking quietly in his low voice, sounding for a moment like the man I had loved and lost so long ago. "They are stupid and greedy, plaguing all of our kind with their dementia. That is why we hunt. We singularly weed the garden of our people, striving to raise blooms amongst the ashes of past regret. We strengthen our races with each kill, returning us to beauty once more."

I blinked, a bit startled by his verve- did he truly enjoy killing his own kind? True, the Corvalius were a rare and peaceful people, and I had never been forced to kill one of my brethren; but vampires were notoriously demented and cruel. We killed one or more of his kind nearly every night- they spread like some horrid plague, tainting mortals and Cryptonaturals alike with their dark blood. Vampirism was a poison, and everyone knew it, including my friend, apparently. I felt sad for him quite suddenly, for his curse and his pain. I lay my head on his shoulder, returning his embrace for the first time since we met so many years ago. I'm sorry, my friend, I thought to myself, I wish there were more I could do to help you, but this is the way of the Goddess and not within my right to question. Be strong, Soryuden…

I think I must have fallen asleep like that, for when I awoke it was nearly 0830.