Chapter 1: Assassin

The first time Melissa killed someone it was by accident. Death was part and parcel to living as a mage. She understood that—logically at least. It never made killing easier. Nor did it stop her from envisioning his dead eyes.

Outside her window was the bustling normalcy of Soho. The residents of London had little clue about the supernatural world and so they could live in blissful ignorance of it. Her life, however, didn't afford her that naivety.

In fact, as the knock rang out from the door Melissa knew her respite was at an end.

“Come in.” She resigned herself to the motions as she watched the reflection of the door open.

A tall thin man with gray hair pulled into a ponytail stepped into the room. His expression was sharp, tight and experienced and he wore a crisp black uniform.

His lips curled into a scowl.

“Lady Ellsworth, are you still bird watching?”

“Donald, they're people.” Melissa tracked a young woman in a red dress walking linked in arm with a young man. They looked happy.

“And you are an Ellsworth, my lady. Your duty and knowledge are leagues apart from them. Like a man watching ducklings at a lake.”

The butler cleared his throat, moving quickly on from the matter.

“You've been summoned by Lord Ellsworth.”

“Summoned?” The old chair creaked loudly as Melissa stood. Her eyes focused on Donald directly, not his reflection.

“Does he assume I'm one of his familiars? Do you assume that?”

Donald's expression didn't soften but his eyes shifted—clearly thinking furiously.

Melissa Ellsworth rounded her desk, crossed the room and pressed into his space. To Donald's credit he didn't physically backpedal.

“I am simply attempting to relay—”

“Shut it. He's in his study, right? I'm going. I've been ‘summoned’, right?”

Melissa shoved past the older man, out the room and began marching down the manor hall.

Ellsworth Manor was the ancestral seat of the long and noble lineage of Ellsworth mages. It was a massive building inside but from the outside it appeared modest. A magical deception.

Unfortunately the massive interior meant long hallways. Most, like the current one Melissa traversed, had themes such as family portraits or ceremonial mage garb. This hallway was lined with trophy shelves.

Top to bottom the walls were lined with gleaming glass cases. Inside each were the legacies of victory, metal statues that had been given out to the Ellsworth family for generations.

Melissa strode by her grandmothers’ large number of scholarly awards. A huge horse racing trophy from her uncle. Several archery trophies from her brother.

One made her slow down as she passed her own section. Tucked away on a middle shelf, partly hidden behind her trophy for Open Longsword was a funny little statue. The base read Best Fursitter.

Melissa smiled, pausing to look at it. It had been a joke, one given to mock her. Her grandfather laughed when she showed him and then stopped when she demanded it be put in the display case.

“You did love animals, Lady Ellsworth.” Donald's voice was suddenly over her shoulder. He had appeared out of nowhere—silent as a cat.

Melissa ignored his presence and touched the glass case. It was cold to her touch, like something preserved in glacial ice. A frozen memory of her past.

“I still do like them.” Melissa acknowledged after a moment. “But that doesn't mean I'll allow myself to be summoned like one. Go tell my grandfather I'll be there soon.”

She dismissed the man with a flick of her wrist as she continued to stare into the case. Donald bowed his head low and sunk into himself as his form rippled. His black mass congealed into a new shape—his true identity—a large black and gray feline with two tails.

Melissa saw Donald's yellow eyes in the reflection of the glass for a second before he vanished. She sighed as she continued to look over her other awards.

Judo, kendo, wrestling, shooting, and so many more. Ribbons for academy performance and cups for winning races. Excellence wasn't an expectation: it was a demand that she'd filled faithfully. Tugged at by the chains of her family.

I'm not a fucking dog. Melissa told herself. It didn't make her feel any better.

It was several minutes before Melissa moved again. She took her time now, savoring each step which was another moment her grandfather had to wait on her.

As she approached the end of the hallway where the master study was located she heard a raised voice emitting from within. It spoke frantically, stressing each syllable as if every word proved a point.

The closer she got to the large, ornate wooden doors of the study the clearer the words were. It was obvious who it was even before she opened the door.

“No. You. Don’t. Under. Stand. I can do this. Just let me-” The voice snapped off as Melissa entered, the large doors groaning with her arrival.

The master study wasn’t just large, it was massive even compared to her personal study. Heavy scents of musty tomes, inks, and leather filled the room. There were levels like a library with upper and lower floors featuring tomes, books, and records on a multitude of subjects.

In the center of the room stood a young blond man. His face was red from exasperation and frustration while his wide blue eyes honed in on Melissa. He wore a black and gold academic robe and several flashy rings. Her brother always liked his accessories.

“You’re not needed here Mel, you can leave.” He hissed and Melissa ignored him totally. Her footsteps fell confidently, unbothered, as she gazed beyond her brother to the other man in the room. He was an old, silver-haired man with a long beard wrapped in a sharp gray suit as he sat behind his desk.

Regulus Ellsworth, patriarch and head of the Ellsworth family, was an ancient power in a modern world. Melissa held his gaze and suppressed a shudder that bubbled up.

“Daniel, leave. You’ve said your peace.” Regulus’ voice was firm. Daniel opened his mouth to speak again then shut it just as quickly.

Daniel nodded stiffly and respectfully at Regulus, glared daggers at his sister then spun quickly to leave. As the door shut Regulus spoke again.

“Your brother holds the misconception that he can prove himself heir.”

“So, it’s job then?” Melissa cut in. Regulus’ face crinkled at the sudden interjection but answered.

“Yes, we have information on a high-priority target. One of the greatest enemies to the clan will be in London tomorrow.”

“Then you go kill them.” Melissa thought but knew better to say. “Who?”

“Elizabeth of the Nightblood clan.”

Melissa’s blood froze in her veins. Her skin felt hot and her limbs felt heavy. Her mouth was suddenly very dry at the mention of that name.

“The vampire?” She managed through gritted teeth. “Those bloodsucking bitches?”

Regulus’ eyes glimmered in approval of her rage as he nodded. He slid an envelope across the desk and Melissa retrieved it. Inside were photos of a pale, scarlet haired woman somewhere in Oxford.

“She must be eliminated. For our safety. For honor. For Peter.”

Melissa’s fist clenched at her father’s name. It had been years since his death but the wounds still felt fresh. Like a raw nerve touched with fire. She inhaled deeply, centered herself and began working on the problem mentally.

“She’s still a hard target. Killing a vampire of her age is difficult.” Melissa admitted.

“We know the location of her crypt. So…a daytime ambush is possible.”

Melissa’s eyes dilated, the information hit her like a hammer. Vampires were notoriously defensive of their shelter locations. Because if hunters or agents of a rival clan attacked during the daylight their death was almost guaranteed. Almost.

“It’s credible and vetted.” Regulus continued. “We will only get one shot at this. Your brother wants this job too. But on the small chance of a trap…”

“He’d be killed.” Melissa said grimly. For a moment duty wrestled with independence within her. The former won out. “I’ll do it. As the successor and a daughter of Ellsworth, it's my duty.”

“Atta girl.” Regulus smiled. “For the family.”

****

Hunting a vampire really broke down into three main scenarios:

First, an open encounter at night. This was the worst scenario because vampires were at their strongest. Chasing down a fleeing, wounded immortal was troubling work at best and could potentially lead into a trap.

Second, a closed encounter at night. This was a slight improvement over an open encounter. It left room to corner the target.

Third, daylight encounter. It was naturally enclosed due to most weaker vampires being unable to travel in the sunlight and stronger vampires were still weakened by sunlight. Even the centuries old master vampires could be shot dead by a bullet to the head in sunlight.

However to get the most coveted third option took time, information, and subterfuge. Vampires stayed in shelters called crypts during the daytime and they protected all information about their crypts ruthlessly. Motivated hunters could kill some of the strongest vampires if they found their crypt.

Melissa was currently very motivated.

Essex was a place where a person could disappear in and the London Gateway was the perfect spot to ship in a boat full of problems. It made sense to Melissa that a vampire's lair was here but the information confirmed.

Melissa Ellsworth scanned through the rows of cargo containers as she made her way through the yard in broad daylight. The salt water scent of the port clung to her nose. The noise of distant workers and machinery still filled the air.

It was busy, it was bright but something felt off. The Nightblood clan had wormed their way into power with the port authority and they used it to ship goods and themselves around. It was a good set up but the place was relatively unguarded.

Melissa slipped around out of view of the port workers as she made her way to a warehouse, isolated from the other staging areas. This was the building that acted as Elizabeth's crypt during the day. Separated, tinted windows, and undisturbed unless the vampire wanted someone there.

Melissa couldn't peer through the glass on any side. For a moment she considered collapsing the whole place on the target but she needed both visual confirmation of her target and confirmation of the kill.

She had to get close so the mage walked into the surprisingly open warehouse right through the front door.

Inside was an even bigger surprise: nothing. The shell structure was simple steel, empty metal shelves were scattered around. The floor was smooth and polished.

The only anomaly was the single metal chair chained to the floor.

All the hair stood up on the back of Melissa’s neck. She pumped her Mana awake, preparing a spell as the door she'd entered a moment opened.

A young, raven haired woman walked in. She was tanned and lean, nothing like the target. For a moment they looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Then the woman waved at Melissa, wide and friendly. Melissa blinked, caught off guard.

The world flashed scarlet as a wave of blood magic filled the unsuspecting mage's vision.