4. Hunter

It took me close to an hour, but I had soon managed to find all the information I needed. I hurried from Eric's office and back down to the dungeon with the folded paper I had scribbled full. Eric turned and stared at me as I stopped in front of Jonathan.

"What did you find?" Eric asked but I ignored him. I had only eyes for the man in front of me and I kneeled down so that my eyes met his.

"Tell me your father's name, Jonathan." I whispered. Jonathan's eyes glowed curiously at me.

"Adrian." He said with his deep, growling voice. I glanced down at the paper and nodded to myself.

"Your grandfather?"

"Christian." My clasp around the paper tightened.

"Do you know your great-grandfather's name..?" My voice quivered and Jonathan's eyes seemed to open more, curious and intrigued.

"Why don't you tell me." He said lowly.

"John." I whispered and Jonathan's eyes glittered with surprise. A light nod told me I was right.

"Your great-great-grandmother was Brianna. Your great-great-great-grandmother was Adele. Her father was Anthony. His father was Ashton. His mother was Lea. Her father was Tony. Tony's father was Alcide Herveaux. My husband." As I spoke, my voice quivered and Jonathan seemed to pale.

"Tony...was your son?" He whispered as the words sank in.

"Yes. Tony was my second born." I whispered and smiled lightly at the memories.

"But...you're a vampire. Were you...human when he was born?" I shook my head lightly and the disbelief grew in Jonathan's face.

"My sister, Abrianna..." I started, but Jonathan grabbed my arm.

"Abrianna? The last Yemanya? Your sister?" He breathed out in shock and I nodded.

"My beautiful and brave sister was able to sustain life in my womb. She first blessed us with a daughter, Ava. Then Tony was given life. His father's pride and glory. The first generation of Herveaux's. You are the tenth generation, Jonathan. And you are my blood. Believe me if you will or don't, but I am your ancestor. And without the blessings of my sister you would never be here today." Jonathan's hands quivered lightly. Disbelief and awe colored his features.

"So the stories are true...!" He whispered. "My grandfather always told stories about the vampire goddess we descended from. We always assumed it was just stories to keep us kids quiet and entertained." Jonathan smiled lightly.

"Vampire goddess?" I said and chuckled.

"We are getting you out of here. No son of mine shall be chained up like a dog." I said and stood up, ready to tear the chains off.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Unless you want to die." A cool, female voice spoke from the stairs. I didn't have to turn to know it was Sophie-Anne, queen of Mississippi. Jonathan crawled backwards as far as the chains allowed him and a deep growl rumbled in his throat.

Eric stood frozen, staring at the queen who slowly descended the stairs, dressed in a grey, short dress, criss-crossing over her chest with a ridiculously high collar. Her fiery hair was put up in a lavish do on the top of her head. The 23rd century really did suit her.

"Sophie-Anne. Long time, no see." I said, getting up. She looked at me with a cold look and a twisted mouth.

"Do tell what you are on about this time." I choked a sigh.

"That...boy there." She said and nodded towards Jonathan.

"Is a hunter."

"A hunter?" Eric finally seemed to have shaken off his trance and stepped up next to me.

"Yes. A hunter. He is part of a new breed, which surfaced a few years back. They seem to be...some kind of cross-breed. Half were, half fae and a touch of vampire." Sophie-Anne smirked as I had to lean against Eric. My body felt weak with shock.

"I believe that boy is one of four siblings, along with many other relatives that have gathered forces to hunt down the one thing they want to destroy most, in the entire world." Sophie-Anne laughed coldly.

"Vampires."

My breath was stuck in my throat. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Jonathan?" I whispered as I turned around. Eric grabbed my arm as we both saw the creature chained to the pole. His eyes had turned bright yellow, his back hunched over and he sneered at us. His lips curled back, showing off two rows of razor sharp long teeth. His fingers curled and his fingernails grew in to claws. His body looked even bigger and stronger than before and with a forceful pull the chain broke in two.

"And you've fed him. Brilliant." Sophie-Anne growled as the animal-like Jonathan stalked towards us before launching at Eric. Sharp teeth dug in to his shoulder before anyone could move to stop him.

"No!" I dove forward, grabbing Jonathan's huge shoulders and pulled hard. Eric's roar pierced me through and through. I didn't come to Shreveport to watch Eric die!

250 years had done a lot with my vampire strength. Back then I would never be able to physically move a huge man like Jonathan, but now I yanked his head back hard and threw him across the floor until he slammed in to the wall.

"You do not lay a hand on us!" I roared and Sophie-Anne came strolling up next to me. She held a gun in her hand and she aimed it at Jonathan. Before I could stop her she had pulled the trigger.