#FridayFlash - Hunters (Minds Exclusive)

Here's a short story just for Minds. Don't figure the subject matter is exactly appropriate anywhere else, and it would trigger a lot of the snowflakes in the world.

But it's something that needs to be said. Let's me frame thoughts running around in my head, that I think more people need to feel.

Author tags: @RealMindsChan @YayoThe0ne @Fishman @ME2007Vigil

***

Scot couldn't believe the young woman was walking by herself. He couldn't believe she didn't know the danger unescorted women faced at night, nor did she look like one of those pink-haired fools who didn't believe there was a problem in Dresden's streets. She was small, long blond hair blowing in the wind, silk dress clinging to every slender curve; exactly the beauty those monsters wanted to destroy.

He rushed to catch up to her, footsteps echoing off the mostly deserted street. Two blocks from one of the “no-go” zones, foot traffic was almost non-existent. Scott had no desire to sneak up on her, and wanted his prey to know he was coming. Drive them off until he had the chance to see the young woman to safety.

She stopped near an alley-mouth to turn and face him; large eyes dominated her face, bright red lips parted ever so slightly. Scott's heart stumbled a second, and he ached with the need to protect her. All women should be protected, especially from the pestilence overtaking the once beautiful cities of his homeland.

“You on your way home?” he asked as he closed the gap. “You want a ride home?” Scott's van was a few blocks away; sometimes clearing out the vermin kept him on the streets until dawn, far from his lair.

Her smile lit up her face, and she cocked her hip in a casual manner. “Do you get a light of girls with that line?” She looked so soft and innocent, with just the right amount of worldliness, very much in need of a protector.

Scott held his breath, caught up in the mystique of the woman before him. He wanted to protect her with all his life, but he also wanted to feed upon her. His jaw ached with the need to bury his fangs in her neck, to draw her blood into him, to feel her weaken with every swallow.

“Let him go, Casey.”

The new voice broke him from his trance. Scott shook his head to clear it of the remaining bloodlust, then growled softly at the newcomer stepping from the shadowed alley. Another vampire! He had no sense of her, meaning she was at least two hundred years older than himself.

“What's going on?” he asked, frowning, turned from defender to defensive. “Who - what are you two?” If the tall one was a vampire, what was the little blond? “I'm not in the mood for tricks.”

Casey dropped the coy demeanor, took on a relaxed stance. “You want to explain it, Marta, or should I?”

Marta crossed her arms, eyeing Scott up and down. “I'll handle him.” As she studied him, he studied her.

She was nearly his six foot height, with thick hips and shoulders, large breasts, and intelligent green eyes. She could have as easily been a mother as a shieldmaiden; she commanded respect no matter what. Scott thought of his grandmother and the way she ran her family, and had no doubt Marta was as indomitable and capable.

Apparently he met her approval; Marta began speaking with a single nod. “You know what I am; same as you, but changed almost four hundred years ago. I went into seclusion after the last Great War, needing to rest my mind.

“Casey is a succubus, older even than I.” Marta paused to let Scott absorb that fact. He stared at the blond woman; he'd have never guessed her to be over twenty-five. “We knew each other from long before, and when she saw that the invasion had no opposition, she pulled me out of my retreat.”

“So you...?” He dared not put the thought into words. Scott knew women weren't delicate creatures to be coddled, that they were sometimes more vicious and deadly than men. Liars and fools spoke of women as oppressed, as too weak to stand up for themselves, but they had clearly forgotten the shieldmaidens and the Amazons, Frey and Morrigan, and all the other wonderful things women had done throughout history.

It didn't mean he felt right letting these two fight the inhuman scum walking the streets.

Casey smirked, eyes roving Scott in an appraising manner. “Same as you, I think. But with more appealing bait.” Her laugh was rich and sultry, far different from her demeanor when they'd met. Had she been baiting him with her succubus powers? It wold explain the ferocity of his reaction.

Scott shook his head. “I thought I was the only one taking action. But you two...you shouldn't be out here.”

Marta bristled, a growl lacing her words. “I've heard enough of the 'women aren't good enough' bullshit since Casey called me. It's disgusting, and I won't accept it, nor the lies that it was always that way.”

“That's not it at all,” he said, putting his hands up defensively. “Even if you weren't a vampire, you could tear those mongrels apart.” Marta relaxed, and so did he. “I mean, you shouldn't have to be out here.”

Both women stared in disbelief, glancing at each other then back at Scott. He took it as his cue to explain. His words fell from his lips in a rush, matching the jumble of his thoughts and emotions.

“You're both so beautiful and wonderful, as all real women are beautiful and wonderful. I know you're not fragile little weaklings, and I know you're fully capable of defending yourselves, but you shouldn't have to,” he repeated.

Scott gained confidence, stepping closer as his words gained vehemence. “It is a duty and an honor to protect women. A sacred trust, even, that only we men can uphold. Can we even call ourselves men if we allow these animals to harm our mothers? Will Valkyries carry us to Valhalla if we willingly pass our sisters over?”

He clenched his fists, teeth gritted with the need to punish the invaders. “Which of us could face Odin with pride knowing we didn't fight for what was ours?” The last was barely audible, his heavy growl causing Scott to shake.

Why had he waited so long to act? Why had any of them, human or immortal? These disgusting “refugees' were more monstrous than the worst of of the darkest immortals, baser than the simplest animal, less redeemable than any of the fallen ones. They were a scourge upon the world, seemingly meant to weaken and destroy everything they touched, like a mad vanguard for hidden conquerors.

Marta nodded, an approving smile spreading slowly across her face. Scott nodded back once, one warrior acknowledging another on the field of battle.

Casey threw her arms around Scott, head barely coming to his mid-chest, and held him with a tight embrace. He hesitated for a moment, then wrapped one arm around her shoulders, taking solace in her touch.

“Welcome to the team,” the succubus said, leaning back to grin at him. “We're going to kill so many motherfuckers.”