Author's note:

Over the years I've written several short stories about a legacy of Wiccan bounty Hunters, but this is the first time I've ever had the guts to let anyone read the insanity that comes from the scary place known as my mind.

The non-Twilight characters have a long history together, so I've added a few back stories that bookmark a few significant events in their past. The story is finished, but I'm posting the chapters one by one. I'm hesitant to put too much of myself out there, because quite frankly, I'm intimidated by the writers on this site. You guys are simply OUTSTANDING!

Please let me know what you think. Good/Bad/In-between. Anonymous reviews are enabled.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Blessed Be - GEM1588

Chapter One – Guilty Until Proven Innocent

"She is HALF-VAMPIRE!" Harper's deep voice boomed through the cavernous throne room. "Are you certain?" The king's voice grew angrier, the veins on his neck bulging with rage. His fists clenched tightly, his jagged fingernails piercing through the skin on his palms. There was a soft splash as drops of his blood fell to the floor. "Answer ME!" He howled to the young woman who stood wide eyed before him.

"I saw them together with my own eyes." She replied omitting any evidence of emotion from her voice. She would not allow herself to be intimidated. She was a Scout by trade, a specialized spy. Her alliance was neutral. She did not fear the great king. He would give her the respect she was due.

"This cannot be. " Harper said his voice loud and regal as he spoke to those gathered before him. "Mating with a vampire hybrid disrespects our breed, our bloodline and our legacy. It is a crime of treason and so he must be punished.

The Lycan princes roared in agreement with their father. Harper had many, many children, but only the strongest warriors survived to adulthood. The princes were the most powerful of all his sons. Harper hoped when his time as king ended, one of his sons would succeed him. As king the remainder of their lifetime would be spent uniting the Lycan Nation, defending their territories and most important ensuring the purity of their bloodline.

"Tell me his name. The one who has committed this atrocity against our brethren"

The Scout stood before the king a slight smile on her face. "That information is valuable, My Lord"

Harper's rage subsided slightly. The Scout spoke the truth. She could have easily gone elsewhere with this information, instead she'd come to him first. "What is it you want in return?" he inquired.

"In addition to my modest fees, I ask sanctuary from the vampire's coven and the traitor's pack, until this matter is resolved"

"Fair enough. You have my word, that while you remain in my territory you will be safe." Harper looked to his sons, "See to it that the legions know about this."

"Thank you, My Lord."

"And the name"

"Jacob Black of La Push, Washington State"

Harper growled at the mention of La Push. That territory had always been a problem. A century or so ago, when Silver had held the throne the pack had deliberately disobeyed a direct order by entering into a treaty with a coven of vampires. A TREATY! It was unjustifiable. Lycans should destroy vampires, not make peace with them. Now it appeared this pack would be breeding with them. Silver should have destroyed their bloodline, instead he exiled them. What a fool! As king, Harper knew HE would not repeat the mistakes of the past.

He sat tensely on his throne, contemplating how to most effectively handle the situation at hand. This had to be stopped at all costs. There would be bloodshed and death.

"My Lord" Queen Scarlet spoke to her husband gently. Harper turned to her, his silent partner. She was no longer young, but still possessed great beauty. Gazing into her eyes, he wondered why this Jacob Black would forsake the love of one of their own for a walking corpse. Unthinkable. "We are at your service. Whatever you command of us will be done." The King looked away from her to the princes who stood lined up before him.

"Leave me. I will send for you when I am ready"

They obeyed the great king's order, leaving Harper alone to plot the destruction of Jacob Black of La Push, Washington State. Once the door shut behind his last son, Harper leapt from his throne, casting off his robe and transformed into the beast he kept hidden within himself. His black fur was now spotted with patches of grey. The scars from his many battles though healed remained fresh in his memory. He growled loudly, pacing the stone floor. Jacob Black must die.

*****

Mia sighed as the blood soaked into her jeans. They were her favorite pair, hugged her body in all the right places and now they were ruined. Who knew when she'd be able to get back to the boutique in Paris for another pair. But that was life. Her life. The life of an Elite Bounty Hunter.

"Come on" She muttered under her breath as she lost her grip on the slippery intestine. Wiping the excess fluid from her latex gloves on the sundress of the drug mule, she continued her disembowelment of the corpse. Buried under mountains of intestine was the woman's stomach. Mia grasped it firmly with both hands, yanking it free of the body cavity that had been its safe haven. With a quick slash of her knife, she slit the stomach open. Ripping the gash wider with her hands she found the prize inside. She stood up with the packages in her hand, looking around for any witnesses. The desert was empty except for the bodies of the three women.

Mia stripped herself of her soiled clothes. The sun's warm rays caressed her tan skin. She was tall, close to six feet with long dark hair that fell past her shoulders. She knelt in the sand, fumbling to get her magic bag unzipped. The small packets of heroin were in a pile next to her. The drugs would be very useful. Humans were wonderful sources of information, especially with the right encouragement.

The floral sundress she removed from her bag had been a gift from Jason. It reminded her of the good times they once had together, before life had gotten so complicated. He was halfway around the world now in Costa Rica. "Why am I thinking about him?" She asked herself out loud as she stepped into the dress, pulling it over her hips. Keep your head in the game, Mia She told herself. Gathering her hair to the side, she tied the straps of the halter together, and pushed her breasts in and up. She wasn't sure how she looked, but as long as her nipples weren't hanging out she should be able to make it past the border with minimal attention.

Setting the bodies and her soiled clothing on fire, she zipped her magic bag closed and set out for the closest town. It was hot and dry perhaps a few shots of tequila would quench her thirst. She'd barely gone 100 yards when her cell phone began ringing. She smiled to herself. Getting reception out here was an unexpected surprise. Pulling her bag in front of her, she continued walking while rooting through it for her phone. Glancing at the caller ID, she smirked to herself.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty"

"This is Noel, Mia"

Her chest tightened up, and she stopped short. "Did something happen? Is Harper ok?"

"He's fine, just frustrated. We've been trying to call you for two days. Where the hell are you?"

Harper's ok. He'd been like a father to her, if anything would have happened… Mia took a deep breath forcing herself relax, so she could continue her conversation with Noel. "I'm working. When I'm in stealth mode, I shut the phone off."

"Stealth Mode." Noel laughed. "Hunting anything good?"

"You know I can't talk about work. And I'm sure you didn't call just to hear about my day."

"The King wants to come by as soon as you can. He has a job for you."

"Never get a call for my birthday, but as soon as you need something…"

"Happy Birthday, Mia"

"My birthday was three months ago, Noel"

"Then think of it as a nine month early sentiment for next year"

"Thank you, Noel"

"You're welcome. So, how soon can you get here?"

"Give me a couple days. I have some loose ends."

"Cool. We'll see you soon."

Mia snapped her phone shut and shoved it back in her bag. A job. What was Harper up to that he needed a bounty hunter?