Chapter 14: Hunters Arrive
813words
Kira's smile became dangerous, "Your blood, your ability, everything. Shadow Heart power in the right hands can do many things."
"You'll never get it," Ethan growled, his eyes flashing red.
"Oh, I don't think so," Kira raised her hand.
Suddenly, Ethan fell to the ground, convulsing in pain. I watched him in horror, "What are you doing to him?"
"Just a little spell, using the connection between you. This connection works both ways—can be used for healing, also for harm."
Anger burned inside me, silver energy beginning to flicker at my fingertips, "Stop it!"
"If you willingly come with me, I'll stop," Kira said.
I looked at Ethan in pain, knowing I had no choice, "Fine, I'll go with you. But stop hurting him first."
Kira smiled, lowering her hand. Ethan's pain immediately stopped, but he still lay weakly on the ground.
"Wise choice," Kira took a small bottle from her pocket, "drink this."
I hesitated for a moment, taking the bottle. I gave Ethan one last look, hoping to transmit a message through our connection—she would be okay, he needed to find Derek and Scott.
Just as I was about to drink the potion, an arrow flew from the forest, hitting Kira's hand, the bottle falling and shattering.
"Get away from her, witch," a female voice commanded.
Allison Argent walked out from the forest, her bow drawn again, aimed at Kira. Behind her were her father Chris and a group of well-equipped hunters.
"The Argent family," Kira hissed, "always appearing at the most inconvenient times."
"It's our specialty," Chris said coldly, "now, leave the girl alone, or the next arrow goes through your heart."
Kira looked around, her expression dark, "This isn't over, Shadow Heart. We'll meet again."
She uttered a spell, a burst of black smoke erupted, and when the smoke cleared, Kira had vanished.
I immediately knelt beside Ethan, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said weakly, "but you almost weren't."
Chris approached, his expression serious, "What are you two doing in the forest in the middle of the night? It's dangerous now."
"We were discussing how to deal with Erebus," I explained, "but how did you know we were here?"
"Derek contacted us," Chris answered, "he said you were meeting an Alpha alone, and he felt something wasn't right."
I felt a mixture of gratitude and annoyance—grateful for Derek's concern, annoyed he didn't trust my judgment.
"Thank you for your help," I said sincerely, "but we need to get back now."
"We'll escort you back," Chris insisted, "and, we need to talk. The International Hunters Association has noticed the unusual activity in Beacon Hills. They've sent a special team to investigate."
"More hunters?" Ethan asked warily, "Do they know what Valerie is?"
Chris's expression became more serious, "That's what we need to discuss. They not only know, they're particularly interested in her."
When we returned to Derek's apartment, Scott, Stiles, and Derek were already waiting. Derek immediately came to me, checking if I was injured.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, thanks to the Argent family. Kira tried to kidnap me."
"Kira?" Scott asked in surprise, "Ethan's ex-girlfriend?"
Ethan nodded, "She's a witch, working with Harris. She wants Valerie's blood and abilities."
Chris cleared his throat, "We have a bigger problem. The International Hunters Association's special team has arrived in Beacon Hills. Their leader is Eleanor McCall's sister, Victoria."
I was shocked, "I have an aunt? My mother never mentioned having a sister."
"Because they went separate ways," Chris explained, "Victoria chose the traditional hunter path, while Eleanor chose to coexist peacefully with supernatural beings."
"And now Victoria has come for me," I understood, "because I'm the last Shadow Heart."
Chris nodded, "She claims she's here to protect you, but Victoria Blackwood is known for her... extreme methods."
"Blackwood?" Derek suddenly asked, his expression wary, "Victoria Blackwood?"
"You know her?"
"Not personally, but I know the name," Derek explained, "the Blackwood family is infamous among hunters. They hunt all supernatural creatures."
"What should we do?" I asked, looking at everyone in the room.
"We need a plan," Scott said firmly, "one that can address Erebus, Harris, Kira, and the hunters simultaneously."
"First, we need to protect Valerie," Derek said.
"I don't need protection," I insisted, "I need training. If everyone wants my blood or abilities, then I need to learn how to better protect myself."
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them. Derek signaled everyone to be quiet, then walked to the door.
When he opened it, an elegant middle-aged woman stood there, her silver hair neatly coiled at the back of her head. Her eyes, strikingly similar to mine, scanned the room, finally landing on me.
"You must be my niece," she said in a calm but authoritative voice, "I am Victoria Blackwood. We need to talk."
