Chapter 2

Shikari

Exactly thirty minutes later, someone knocks on the door.

“COME IN, ALREADY!” I have told them countless times, when we have orders, and you come here, just walk in. No one is dumb enought to try and break in, and if they do, they’ll be burned alive by my wards. Because of that, I never lock my door. I mean, what’s the point?

I hear them shuffling in as I adjust the tea set on the coffee table and wait for them in the living room.

Mer comes in first, with her short dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and plush creamy skin shining as it always does. Her body demands to be watched, which is a huge contradiction to how she truly is. That girl is a man-eater; breaking hearts everywhere she goes. Her looks make her seem friendly and soft, but actually she can cut a man with her song faster than a bullet can fly through the air. I suppose that makes sense seeing how she is part mermaid and part siren. Both species are known to entice a man and lure them into a web of destruction and chaos. Her looks make her seem friendly and soft but in reality she is completely opposite.

“You’re going to love this assignment, Shi.” She winks and has a wicked gleam in her eye as she takes her seat.

“Don’t aggravate Shi before I have a chance to explain the assignment.” Ali scolds Mer as she struts in, walking fast as if she’s on her own personal mission.

I watch her and immediately take her. Her long blonde hair is up in her standard tight ponytail without a single strand of hair out of place. Her white pinstripe business suit fit her snug and laying perfectly against each curve of her pale lengthy body. It looks as if it was made for her, and honestly it probably was.

Ali is a perfectionist though and through. Everything about her was in order to her exact liking. I think the consuming need to be perfect stems from her mixed lineage of vampire and phoenix shifter. She always said the phoenix inside of her makes her feel disoriented and full of chaos, while the vampire side makes her feel uncontrollable at times. I believe her need for organization and perfection is her way of controlling something rather than nothing at all.

I observe her as she sets up all the paperwork and planning materials needed for the mission. I notice her once bright green eyes are now dull and full of exhaustion. The woman never slept and never slowed down. Ali was a beast when it came to her job. She worked tirelessly on every mission making sure everyone had everything they needed, no matter what the personal cost was. She never gives up and her eyes now show how worn down she really is.

All three of us are the complete opposite of each other. Not only do we all look completely different, our personalities are completely different as well. While Mer tends to rest over the majority of the day and stay up all night on her computer; Ali works to the extreme and never stops.

I, on the other hand, am a mix between them both. I enjoy my leisure time; however, I enjoy busting my ass as well. All three of us may be different, but we’re as close to sisters as you can get. Each of us has our own set of skills and unique attributes that help us with our work, as well as offset each other.

“Ok. So, Shi, let’s go over the new assignment. I already gave Mer a brief review of the case on the way here. There’s a group of rogue vampires taking human women and turning them into vampires without approval from the Establishment. We have reports that the leader’s a high-level demon named Zaneon, and they’re based out of a small town in Texas.”

“How many women so far, Ali?” I growl my question at her, my anger resonating in my voice.

“So far, the Establishment has confirmed over two hundred.” Her face fills with anger and remorse as she answers.

She’s anticipating my next question.

"Shi, before you ask, we received the confirmation of the number a week ago. They sent in Team Tena a month ago, and we just learned the team was compromised…then ambushed. Only Jackson survived. That’s why we weren’t dispatched before." The phoenix in her flared up with sadness. The flames danced in her eyes as sparks flickered from the tips of her hair.

"Calm," Mer says in her soft siren voice she uses to defuse the powers of others that go awry.

Instantly, Ali's flames fizzle out, and she shudders as the feeling of calmness spreads throughout her.

"Mer, while Ali calms down, can you please tell me why you have a smirk on your face? This is an assignment you would normally be overly angry about. What gives?"

"Oh, I was fuming. I was angry as hell. I just had time to calm myself on the drive here. Plus, I know the details of your personal assignment." Her smirk returns and her eyes sparkle with mischief.

I turn and look at Ali who’s now calm and looking over papers. I cough loudly, getting her attention. As she looks up, I see the worry in her eyes, and I groan inwardly. This is not going to be good.

"Just spit it out," I say, annoyance is evident.

"The rogue group is based out of a BDSM club called The Darkened. Zaneon and one other own the club. However, we believe only Zaneon is behind the group. The other owner isn’t involved in the illegal aspect of the business and is working with us. Team Tena went in as customers, and we have some intel, however, not enough about the actual operations of the group.

We’ve learned that they’re currently searching for a dominatrix to work with their high-end clients, and it was decided that our team would infiltrate the club via employment, not as customers. You are to be the next dominatrix. The Establishment has already done the recon, and got you in via resume and phone interview. You were hired for a probationary period of two weeks."

As the words come out of her mouth, I pause and looke at both Mer and Ali. I can only imagine the look on my face.

I can’t help the laugh that rips its way out. It isn’t a chuckle or a giggle, no, it’s a full-on belly roll laugh. I laugh so hard I’m crying. I look up at them and see the confusion clearly displayed upon their faces, I laugh even harder. This is too much. Seriously, they have to be joking. I’m going undercover as a dominatrix? No way this is happening. After a series of crazy thoughts run through my head, I finally compose myself. "I'm sorry. You are joking, right? I mean, have you met me? How on earth do you, or anyone in the Establishment, think I can pull that off? Has Reginald been made aware of this?" There is no way that if Reginald, (the big boss man of the Establishment as well as my adopted father), knew about this he would agree.

I think Ali will be the one that answers, however I’m surprised to hear Mer answer instead. "Sorry sis, Ali isn't joking and be honest with yourself. Shi, you’re perfect for this. I mean seriously, we all know you’re kinky as hell. The succubus inside you will be in paradise and feed like a queen. Besides, the Establishment wants a pro and you’re the best Hunter there’s ever been."

She does have a point. I mean, not to sound cocky or anything, but I love what I do and I do it very well. I look at Ali and ask again if Reginald knew about this.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, he’s the one who submitted your application and got you hired on.” She holds eye contact with me but her voice wavers a bit and I know she is holding something back. I ignore it for now and walk over to the files. I look over the pictures of all the women who’ve disappeared from the human world. There are so many... Well shit, looks like I better bring out my leather.

"Do we know why they are turning them? What’s the motive behind this?" Sadness is now eating away at me with each picture I look at.

"Zaneon seems to be growing an army of sorts, however we’re unsure why." Ali says with a somber look on her face.

Scanning my living area and seeing the girls' pictures, I sigh an exasperated sigh. I know without a doubt that I’m going to have to put my feelings aside for this. My job is to hunt the creatures of the concealed that have gone rogue. It’s my job, and life goal, to keep the humans protected by hunting down and executing all that wish to use their strengths for harm against them. It’s my duty and if I have to dress up and spank people, well so be it.