Chapter Three

The plane landed at a village so small it didn’t even have a tower. Just a stretch of runway, a leaning building that was also an airport and a gas stop, and a blue sky that hurt to look at.

I was met by a woman in a parka with a sign with my name on it. She didn’t smile. Sebastian Vega? "That’s what my passport says." She gave no smile. Simply moved and walked toward the waiting SUV. "Is this place always like that? Friendly?" I remarked as I packed my duffel into the trunk.

"Duskpine honors privacy," she replied matter-of-factly. "You will fit in." It was supposed to be, but that wasn't comforting.

We traveled in silence. Pine trees blurred by, tall and seemingly endless. Mountains loomed ahead, their snow-crowned peaks shining brightly and shadows streaming long along the road.

Somewhere around twenty minutes later, she spoke again. "There’s a team doctor. You’ll see her every week. There’s also a local therapist. Highly, highly recommended." I laughed. "Does she do exorcisms, too?" The driver remained silent.

Eventually, we rode down a long gravel road, lined with trees. At the end of it, there was a cabin. Or maybe a lodge. It was larger than I had anticipated and remote too. It had wooden beams, a wraparound porch, and a snowy roof.

"This is yours," she said, parking the car. "All mine?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Until later. The shopping is in. Your training timetable will be out by tomorrow."

I grabbed my bag from the boot and turned. She didn’t wait for me to head into the house first, she just drove off, the tires squealing on gravel.

The front door creaked open when I pushed it. The house smelled of cedar and something sweetly herbal. There was a fire already lit and the inside was warm and shadowy. It had a kitchen, a den, and a staircase disappearing upstairs.

I dropped the duffel and walked towards the window.

All I could see were trees. Trees as far as I could see. And silence. Not a car. Not a voice. Just the soft creak of wind through pine and the smell of fire. I should have been calm. But all I sensed was pressure. Like something was observing. Like something knew I was there. I shook off the feeling and headed upstairs.

The bedroom was spacious, too spacious for one person. There was a window overlooking the woods. I stood there for a great while, staring into the trees, trying to get myself to believe that I was safe. But I failed woefully. Eventually, I climbed into bed.

But I didn’t sleep. Not really. Although I drifted and dreamed.

And this time, I saw eyes in the woods. Glowing. Watching and approaching. I woke up with a start just before sunrise.

Sweating again. Gasping like I had just run a marathon. I sat up and went to the bathroom, splashing water on my face. When I looked in the mirror, I was expecting the typical mess. But something was different.

My eyes. Just for a moment or less than that, they looked gold. I jumped back, my heart racing. I blinked again but it was back to being normal. But I could still feel it. That warmth in my veins, that pull under my skin, like something was inside me, trying to get out. And for the first time, I said it out loud.

"What the hell are you?"