The hunt. Smell the creatures out. Owls above. Centaurs east.
Unicorns north. Blood to the west. Slide in shadow. Search out the blood.
There! Caught the scent, on the hunt. Smell of blood, smell of death, smell of
emptiness. Empty creature, out for blood. Emerge from shadows, thrust the
stake. Step away, watch it dust, wait for death to eat the undead. Retrieve
stake. The hunt. Smell the creatures out. Bats above, centaurs west,
acromantulas north. Blood to the south. Slide in shadow.
Seven gone, seven dusted. One on the edge of the forest, one with a soul.
Confront. Meet. Souled creature, wait for me, I am coming.
Snape felt someone calling to him, asking him to wait. The message spilled
through his veins and he bade his servus stay inside. Snape looked around and
saw nothing until he felt a stake point at his neck.
"You are ensouled," the voice said. "You are not mine," and
the stake dropped.
Snape turned to face Mage Rowan. He sniffed the air around the woman. His face
showed surprise and he stumbled back from her.
"You're the Slayer? I thought you were merely a hunter. How? I thought the
Slayer lived on the Hellmouth."
"She is the Slayer, I am the Slayer. I'm here for another reason."
"What?"
"The Headmaster is allowing me to take on special lessons for particular
students."
"You are qualified?"
Rowan nodded, but didn't offer explanation. She looked at Snape, narrowed her
eyes at what she saw.
"You must feed. Call your servus. I will go."
"Wait!" Snape called as Rowan began to glide away.
"Yes?"
"How many tonight?"
"Seven."
"And you're going back out?"
"I am not a traditional Slayer. They defend, protect. I hunt."
Rowan melded with the shadows and disappeared.
Severus stared at the spot where Rowan had last been seen.
The hunt. Smell the creatures out. Hawks above, manticore south, souled one
and servus east, bound by blood and soul, magic older than that which souls.
Accursed blood to the north. Slide in shadow, search out the blood.
--
AN: Answers will come soon! I promise!