Chapter 1: unexpected call

"Love is the finest genuine feeling in the world and lust, being furiously passionate; is what makes your life more magnificent, but I found out that love is a misleading delusion and lust is a trope for death."

She learnt it the hard way, life is not the night time stories her mum used to tell; or the magical lullaby she heard before drifting to the dream world. It's not her father's worm empress when she feels down or his loving smile: did he really loved her as she thought or it was just an act?

Starry night and full moon shining between the bush of trees, the dewy petrichor of the post-rain afternoon making the night more pleasing, cold breeze that makes you shiver from the sensation, small droplets decorating the green leaves making a woody heaven with the teak-brow forest and the creaking branches of the ancient trees. The best reward after another good tiring day of hunting those troublesome pathetic creatures; covered in black blood and injured dry lips, adding another scar near her eyebrow but it didn't erase the smug smile from her face.

It's time to take a nice rest, she thought so….

She decided to walk leaving her horse at home; after a few moments of peace, random footsteps from behind caught her attention. Suddenly unexpected scream she let out a small curse under her breath and started running through the bush of trees.

Someone is looking for her and she only brought her dagger with her after that a long moment of silence.

She took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart and walked slowly avoiding any sudden movement. An odd feeling crippling down her leg: to her surprise a giant snake slithering on her shoes and what made her day better the loud sound of footsteps getting closer with every second.

Unexpectedly the snake attacked the young huntress, her eyes widened at the sudden move she grabbed witty log and crashed the snake head on the ground.

The hit was loud enough for the stalkers to hear "this way!"

She climbed the tree and searched through the twigs for any sign of this unexpected company. A mischievous smile crossed her lips when two men stood under the tree and start complaining about getting lost and losing your trace.

"Wrong move idiots" she whispered to herself before she jumped on one of them and hold her dagger against his skin the man started to tremble with fear under her strong grab, she smiled in victory even though her hood and mask covered most of her facial traits except her glowing green eyes.

"Drop your sword or he won't live to see the light for another day" she said in a threatening tone.

The man gave her a reassuring smile and drop his sword, raise his hands in defeat that made her confused.

"Excuse me miss Chace I guess there is a little misunderstanding … we are not here to fight, the commander sent us to look for you"

She dropped her dagger and the poor man sighted in relief and crawled away as fast as he can.

"-Pryor?"

"-Yes miss he is asking for you to come to the palace as soon as possible so…

-Is he going to die?" the men's eyes widened in surprise and looked at each other

-N-No He...

-Revolution?

-No

-So, incubus attacks?

-No god forbid act….

-Then Sounds like a YOU problem, see you guys" she said in a playful tone with a genuine smile, waving her hands and turning her heel back home.

"Wait Miss Chace, it's really important, the kingdom is in danger and we need you. Also, the king himself asked for your help" she gave them an unbothered then a questioning look.

"Oh… really?! And what's that big issue that the king himself asking for my help

-Well….umm..we...

-Listen! You are wasting my precious time so you better harry up.

-Please don't get mad. The truth is he didn't inform anyone about the topic so I can't help you with that …but please you need to come with us or the king will end us …. Please Miss Chace."

She thought for a moment and then she said:

"Ok I will go..." the two men started jumping like little kids thanking her till:"...but not today I will come tomorrow morning to the castle. am I clear?"

One of them was about to protest before the other elbowed his stomach making him wince in pain.

"-No problem. Just make sure to come tomorrow and thank you again for your understanding."

She nods and then left them to clean herself up and take some sleep. Tomorrow will full of surprises.