Moonlight Curse of the Thunder Moon (Book 5)

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

"Hello, Conrad," a woman's voice at the other end of the line sounded agitated. She was the leader of a Secret Organization named The Hunting Society of the Philippines, and her people called her "Hara". This Secret Organization isn't as simple as a League of powerful fools out to achieve world domination. No. It is for a good cause unknown to many. They hunt evil beings. Evil supernatural creatures to be exact. And the man who received the call, Conrad, was one of her people... a Hunter who specialized in killing Vampires.

"Yes, Hara," answered Conrad as calmly as he could muster. He sensed worry in the Hara's voice.

"Send back my daughter, now. I received an intel that the CV you are after has a deeper agenda than trying to widen his nest," the Hara rushed into her sentences as if her daughter's life depended on it. As if time fleeted three times faster as she spoke. She was referring to a Creator Vampire or CV, a millenium-old powerful Cursed Being who has the power to turn humans into his likeness and create his own family referred to as a Vampire's Nest.

Despite the urgency in the Hara's voice, Conrad wanted to talk more so he asked, "What's the agenda?" He was a seasoned Vampire killer after all and if the CV had another plan other than create fresh vampires, he must be informed. But instead of an explanation, he received a loathsome response.

"Just do as I say," the Hara snapped and added a threat, ör I will skin you alive and impale you to a bolo (bamboo pole) if something happens to my daughter, Conrad."

Hairs at the back of his neck rose. It wasn't a threat to be taken lightly. The Hara was known to have a nasty temper. It was wise to just shut up and follow blindly. Even the fiercest Hunter of the Hunting Society cowered at the strong and willful woman they all respected and was bound to follow, even in death.

So he replied, "Right away, Hara. I will ask the pilot to bring her home."

Conrad ran out of the door to look for the Hara's daughter, the cause of his would be impalement to a bolo if he didn't secure her out of the place. They were then in the northern part of Tabuk, Kalinga, home of the Tribe of Caronangs who ruled the area centuries ago. They were described to be hostile and antagonistic people that the southern people feared them. They were warriors and from this group, they produced ruthless Hunters.

At present, descendants of the ruling clan still guards the area not only from invaders, common criminals, land grabbers, illegal loggers and miners but also from evil supernatural beings. The Vampire Hunters come to this place, a secluded compound in Barangay Lanna to train with the best Caronang warriors. Conrad was once a trainee here and the Apo always treated him like a son. But time changes even the most devoted of Hunters. Blame it on foreign influences, education and urbanization. Many left the clan for safer way of life while some left just to be a Normal, someone who does not have exposure to supernatural beings. They were already dwindling in number but the beings they hunt grew daily in number, strength and intelligence. So, the Apo and his people, though obstinate and proud of their independence from any faction, especially from the Hunting Society of the Philippines had asked for help. The people surrounding the area and nearby barangays were being preyed upon like goats to lions. Helpless, they were outnumbered and out-powered.

When the Hara received the distress call, she immediately pulled him out of a hunt in Baguio. She knew that this types were his specialization and also, he was once a part of this clan as a trainee. His mission was to name the C-Vamp, identify the FT Vamps, assess the FTs if to exterminate or send to Vampire factions for control and rehabilitation and also, to finally eradicate the predator. He worked on this assignment for months until he tracked down the C-Vamp and learned his identity, history, behavior but never his emo. The C-Vamp was baptized under the Italian name, Celestino.