Bound - Released Book 1

Fearsome Five

"Why is it that we are even having this conversation, Raven?" Gareth barked from behind the cluttered, wooden desk. "I bring you into the faction because you had nowhere else to go and how do you repay me? Oh, that's right, by killing another faction member."

I wasn't going to lie. I was in deep shit.

Gareth was seething and I suppose for good reason. I'd done exactly what he just accused me of and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The dimly lit room I now stood in made my skin crawl. Cobwebs hung from every corner and window, the smell of stale paper mixed with the metallic essence of blood filtered through the musty air. Large, worn pictures hung crookedly on the wall, the faces of those in the paintings now stared faded and stained.

"I didn't bring you in to be a burden, I brought you in because you assured me that you had skills that could be of use." Crossing his tattooed arms over his chest, Gareth regarded me angrily. "You've just made me regret that decision."

"He deserved it." I bit back, flicking raven black hair over my shoulder.
I think the colour of my hair was why my parents chose the name for me. I could've changed it centuries ago but had decided against it, it gave me an edge.

"So, you don't deny it?" He scoffed, hard brown eyes locked on my face.

Shrugging, I sat in the opposite chair. "Why would I do that? You and I both know I did what had to be done, Eli was a danger to the whole faction."

"Is that so?"

I gave a curt nod, sliding my feet up to sit on the edge of the desk. "He was hunting humans, which if I remember correctly and I do, that's against the law when living within this compound."

"Indeed."
Really? That was it? I'd just saved this whole congregation of bloodsuckers from facing the wrath of the human government and I didn't even get a thank you? This is why I never did the whole 'community' thing, nobody ever really seemed to understand my methods. Better off being alone in my opinion.

"So, what now?" I groaned. "You going to kick me out like you've been threatening to do for three months now?"

"No," Standing slowly, Gareth tucked his arms behind his back.
I knew he was trying to intimidate me, him being the Commander of this faction maybe I should've been but I'd lived here long enough to know he was more scared of me than I was of him. He was scared of what I could do and with good reason.

"I have a mission for you." He finally said, leaning over and handing me a crisp folder filled with paper. "There's been reports of a mage working around humans. I want you to find it and destroy it."

Right. Same shit, different day.

"Why me?" I asked stupidly. I knew exactly why I was the one chosen but I felt I had to ask, if not to be a little annoying to this massive pain in the ass who called himself 'The Commander'.

"With your own magic capabilities, you will be able to detect it much easier than anyone else in the faction. Now would be your best chance to show me I didn't make a mistake taking you in."

"Fine, can't argue with that. So, where is this little devil hiding then?"

The slightest hint of a smile past over his face. Well, as much of a smile as this stale vamp was capable of.

"You'll be enrolled as a student at Becksfort Academy," He all out grinned this time at my obvious discomfort. Bastard. "You have six months to locate the mage and eradicate it," He continued, his face now a neutral shade of indifference. "Failure to do so within that time will mean your immediate disposal."