This was unfair.  The moment she perched on the bed next to him, he knew what she wanted.  As a hunter, he wanted desperately to refuse.  But as a man?  As a man he thought, despite her being a powerful and ungodly vampire, she was insanely sexy.  Asher instantly felt guilty, but when a man was faced with the certainty of his coming death, he couldn't afford to lie to himself.  Pride be damned.  If she wanted him, she was going to have him.  May as well die happily.<br/><br/>“And you're terribly evil,” he responded weakly, though his tone suggested surrender.  Even her scent was desirable.  “Taking advantage of me like this.”<br/><br/>His mint-coloured eyes wandered her body, taking in every curve of her soft skin.  He couldn't deny his curiosity; he wondered how sensitive her body was compared to a living woman.  He shivered when she touched his cheek.  Her skin was cold, but it felt strangely pleasant when his body was so warm in contrast.  Then she leaned down, her dress falling in such a way that she was practically inviting him to tear the damned thing off.<br/><br/>“You wanna play?  Let's play,” he taunted her.<br/><br/>x-x-x<br/><br/>Zaine stumbled into the perimeter of the camp, instantly drawing the attention of the watch.  Two men armed with bows approached her, and before she could even tell them what she needed, one shouted at his partner to get the medic.<br/><br/>“Take me to the Chief,” she demanded, thrusting a broken bow at him.  The man drew back, concern in his eyes.<br/><br/>“But your wound-”<br/><br/>“<span style="font-style: italic">NOW!</span>”<br/><br/>The Clan knew better than to argue with a senior huntress.  When she arrived in the Chief's tent, there were two medics waiting for her.  She seated herself on a cot laid out for her, and her eyes were on the Chief as the medics set to work.<br/><br/>“I think we may have a lead on the nest,” she began, eying the Chief intensely.  The man nodded, his eyes on her arm- or what was left of it- but he refrained from commenting.  Instead, he cleared his throat.<br/><br/>“Where are your partners?”<br/><br/>“We were ambushed by a patrol.  Asher slipped away, but Rory and I couldn't shake them.  We were forced to fight.  We killed three.  Rory… he didn't make it,” she reported grimly.  The Chief nodded in understanding.  She continued, “I patched myself up best I could, and I went looking for Asher.  I didn't find him, but I found his weapons.”<br/><br/>“Is he dead?”<br/><br/>“He might be.  I don't know for certain.  His knives and bow were destroyed, and I found a charred corpse nearby as well.  If they killed him, I didn't find a body, but I found a trail,” the woman smiled, her red hair seeming to flicker like real fire in the dusk, “It seems he tagged one in silver.”  She drew the broken blade, its silver tip stained red with vampire blood.  One of the Clan's most valuable tracking skills involved a sample, which, when ingested, allowed the hunter to find its source.  Silver was exceptionally useful for acquiring a viable amount.<br/><br/>“Well done, kid,” the Chief said, a small smile pulling at his lips.  “We have to prepare our men.  Will you be well enough to guide us, Sister Zaine?”<br/><br/>She nodded curtly.