10.2 Ends and Beginnings

Just like that, London became my home. Life wasn't luxurious - it was late nights and early mornings, plain meals, brutal workouts - and absolutely no distractions. I moved into the attic of Imogen's small bungalow, away from the bustle of the city - and focused on my training. Imogen wasn't family, but over time she became the next closest thing.

My first day of training I embarrassed us both when a heavy blade slipped through my clumsy fingers, clattering to the warehouse floor.

"I've seen your paintings--better than your footwork. But if you can handle a brush, you can handle a sword."

"Are you kidding? It's not the same thing at all!"

"Shut it. Pick up the sword, spread your feet--and swing."

She was right - fencing was a lot like painting - graceful arcs, concentrated jabs, and most importantly a light touch. During the day I learned how to fight and defend myself. My evenings were spent learning about monsters - and how to find them. I looked in the mirror one night, after a brutally long day, and didn't recognize myself. That was a good thing.

One evening, Imogen climbed through the trapdoor of the attic, dumping yet another stack of books on my desk.

"Burning the midnight oil, are we?" she said, handing over a steaming mug of coffee.

"Can't stop, not if I want to find him--and stay alive doing it," I replied, basking in the mug's warmth. London nights were cold and wet.

Imogen took a seat at the edge of my bed. "Do you know what Opal's problem was? She never learned to get inside a monster's head. She let them get in hers instead."

"Is that why she couldn't stop Dorian?"

"I'm beginning to think she never wanted to stop him. Some of us prefer the chase." She rose to her feet, stretching before heading for the door. "Get some rest. Tomorrow we hunt a banshee."

"A banshee?"

"Quite common in the opera, innit."

"Imogen..." She paused at the edge of the steps, watching as I twisted my highlighter in nervous hands. "I know how this ends. What happens when you become the monster you're hunting?"

"You keep running." Her lips twisted in sympathy. "A new hunt begins.

I spent almost a year with Imogen. She taught me how to hunt every beast beneath the stars, moon, and sun, how to catch my prey and subdue them. And how to stay alive while doing it. I captured mermaids and werewolves, vanquished evil demigods and sent ghouls packing to the underworld. Combat wasn't my strong-suit, I used my wits to survive.

Imogen observed the shapeshifter passed out at her feet. Its body was in continuous transformation, shifting through the faces of its past victims.

"Clever."

I removed the head from my teddy bear suit, exhaling the fresh air. "Masquerading as concession staff at an amusement center. Not exactly the job I expected."

"Never is."

It was after hours at the Party Palace - I had a mess to clean before the real employees showed.

"Monsters are predictable," I said. "It's getting easy."

"Congratulations..." Imogen lit her cigarette and inhaled, kicking the shifter when it began to stir. "You're ready."

That same week, I left Imogen with my lucky zippo and a shiny retirement check. I could never thank her enough for the sacrifice she had made, taking me under her wing, but the money seemed like a good place to start. From London, my first stop was Russia. I had heard whisperings of a man in Moscow who had robbed a bank simply by walking through a painting...

Tracking Dark Dorian led me to dark, seedy places around the world I never thought a girl like me would ever step foot in. Yet there I was, interrogating monster mobsters who ran nightclubs, questioning sirens in strip clubs, seeking answers from self-serving clairvoyants. I was careful to travel alone, but Dorian always seemed to prefer the company of other supernaturals who helped cover his tracks - and feed his dark desires. But he couldn't outrun me forever. Eventually the chase led to the last stop on my journey, the Hotel Ritz in Paris...

The maid outfit was a bit snug but the Victorian mob cap was a nice touch. On the fourth floor, I stopped before room 452 and checked my watch. Right on time.

I affected a French accent and knocked on the door. "Housekeeping!"

A stunning young woman answered, dressed in a kimono and lingerie, a riding crop in her hand.

"He's ready," she whispered, her accent thicker and more fluid than mine. "Are you?"

I swiftly removed the envelope hidden between the bundle of towels I carried.

She accepted the money with a dangerous smile. "Pleasure doing business."

She took the towels and I took the whip, sliding past her and closing the door behind me.

The luxury suite was a generous size, bathed in the moonlight streaming through a double door that opened on a magnificent balcony view. In the center of the room, dipped in moonbeams and darkness, a shirtless man, hands behind his back, was shackled to a chair by a pair of fluffy pink handcuffs. I approached from the back, one slow step at a time, twisting the crop between my hands.

He turned his dark head to the side; a scarf covered his eyes. "Was that the champagne? Well, I hope you didn't tip. The last bottle was horse piss."

I stayed silent, tracing his shoulders with the crop as I circled him to the front.

He grinned. "Straight to the fireworks is it? Waste not, want not. I like that."

Tip of my tongue between my teeth, burning with anticipation, I ran the crop down his well-defined abs.

His head tilted back. "I see you like to take things nice and slow. Patience is a virtue indeed."

"Oh, I've waited long enough, Monsieur."

He paused, head tilted... "Your voice. It's... familiar. Who are you?"

"The end of  the line, Monsieur."

We shared a chuckle, then I raised the whip and smacked him in the cheek. He sucked through his teeth so I hit him again, this time on his shoulder.

"Oy!" He wriggled in his seat. "Bloody demon witch! Stop that!"

Planting my high heel in the center of his chest, I pushed him with a vengeance. He landed on his back, groaning in pain. I squatted beside him and removed his eye mask.

"Hello, Dorian."

He lifted his head then let it thump back to the ground. "Shit."

He laughed long hard - had known this day would come. As for me, I could only sigh in relief.

We took a train to Prague; the ride was too long for comfort. Rain slashed the windows, fogging up the view, and the seats were far too close together. Despite the circumstances, I think he preferred it that way.

"Someone's been a busy girl," Dorian mused. He leaned back in his seat across from me, mischievous gazed trained on mine. "Four continents, seven countries, and zero sleep. However did you manage?"

"Easy," I replied, staring fixedly at the menu in my hands. "I just imagined your head on a stick--all the motivation I needed."

"You became a hunter just to chase me around the planet for six months. Brilliant." He laughed. "Came close in Bali. If I hadn't convinced the captain to set sail early..." He clucked his tongue. "I remember seeing you standing on the pier, watching the ship as it left. So angry... and beautiful."

I said nothing.

"Admit--you enjoyed the chase as much as I did. I knew my freedom would eventually end. I wanted to live before I went back to being some bloody prisoner stuck behind a portrait for the rest of my life. Consider it my last hurrah. Oh c'mon, Amelia--you don't really hate me."

"Of course I do." I cast the menu aside, eyes narrow. "You left. He needed you--I needed you--and you left us behind!"

"I couldn't--" He lowered his voice, clearing his throat, waiting as the man pushing a trolley passed by. "I couldn't stay and watch you get killed because of me. Damnit, I left to save you, Amelia."

"Shut up. You left to save yourself. Well, now you're going to save him."

He nodded slowly. "Then what?"

"The same thing that happens to all of us. You get what you deserve."

"Cheers to that." Dorian's smile faded. His gaze traveled to the darkness beyond the window. "Will you miss it?"

"Miss what?"

"Chasing your happy ending. Just remember, Amelia... Fairy tales are grim."

Hello, everyone! If you've read this far then you know the end is nigh haha I truly hope you've enjoyed the story - if so, pretty please VOTE and add DO to your reading list! XOXO👻🐻🚂