Page 9 of Hunt Me

“W-why would they do that?”

“King Alesi has raised the taxes again. Money is hard to come by these days.”

“This is bullshit!” Matilda snapped, driving her fists into the table. “I need to get to the bottom of this.”

“Luckily for you, the next meeting will be held at my tavern a week from now, where you’ll be able to address the donors. May I give you some unwanted advice?”

“Might as well,” Matilda sighed, suddenly losing her buzz and appetite.

“Give up. Quit trying to live your life for these people who don’t give a damn about you. You’ll die believing you’re doing what’s best for them, yet they wouldn’t show up to your burial. They’ll keep living their lives as normal, and what would you have to show for it? Perhaps some wilted flowers near your burial stone. Be selfish for once.”

“I-I can’t just give up hunting. It’s in my blood! It’s my namesake!”

“There is more to the world than hunting vampires,” Belzar softly reminded her. “Get out while you still can.”

Matilda distracted herself from her tears by gnawing on one of the quail’s legs. Belzar could see she was no longer in the mood to talk and excused himself.

“I’ll be taking my leave for the evening. I can take your bathwater.”

“No, thank you. You might drink it.”

He chuckled. “Damn. My plans are foiled.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Matilda replied, standing to her feet. She walked the orc to the door. “Thank you for the hospitality, Belzar. You didn’t have to, but you did. It was pleasant not having to rough it out under the stars.”

“Any time. Please make sure you stay for breakfast. Belzara will prepare food for you to take that should last a week if you ration.”

“I can’t accept that.”

“You can. Think of it as repayment for my unwanted sexual advances.”

“Thanks, Belzar,” Matilda whispered, throat tightening with emotion.

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m still hoping that one day you’ll say yes.”

She scoffed. “Goodnight.”

She slammed the door in his face, ensured the lock was latched, and returned to her meal.

Belzar thought he had all the answers, but what else was she to do if she gave up the very thing she was born and bred to do? She was Matilda Serafina Helsing—the last of her name and the last defense against the vampires that threatened their existence.

3

Town Hall Meeting

“I hate to admit it, but maybe Belzar was right, Obsidian,” Matilda mumbled as she strolled towards the tavern with his reins tightly clasped in her hand. She had been gone for four days and managed to only behead eight bloodsuckers. Her paltry earnings were almost non-existent, especially since the bounty association lowered its payouts by a whopping 15% to account for the recent tax hike that King Alesi imposed. The meeting with the donors would decide whether she would sheath her sword.

Matilda sighed when she reached the hitching post and took her time tying Obsidian down. The uncertainty of her future was more overwhelming than the rumbling of her belly. One of the vampires she proudly killed thought it was funny to throw the remainder of her provisions into a ravine as a big fuck you before he died. But she had the last laugh when she stuck his detached head into her knapsack while childishly asking, “Who’s laughing now?”

Matilda was so hungry that she had half a mind to flirt with Belzar for provisions, but that was a dangerous game in itself. She shook the thought from her head, knowing there would be a price that she wasn’t willing to pay. She pondered what her next move would be. Work was scarce in Night Falls, and the only work she would be hired for was the kind demanding she show her tits or lie on her back. Her parents would be rolling in their graves if they were aware they entrusted their vampire-slaying legacy with her, only for her to end up a common whore.

Matilda could venture out of Night Falls to look for work—possibly Moonshire, but she’d be damned if she left her home because of the vampires. The job shortages began shortly after they colonized Night Falls. They not only took most of the jobs, but those in positions of power also discriminated against humans and refused to hire them.

“Matilda? Is that you?” someone screeched, catching her attention.

“Yes, it is I, Belzara. How are you?”

“Why in the world are you lurking in the shadow? Come inside before you catch a cold. The meeting should be starting soon.”