Prologue

It had been years since the smell of old death had stung my nose. The firm ground, cold beneath my boot clad toes. Snow fluttered down from the empty trees in grey, cloudless skies to catch on my eyelashes. The startled look on his face made my effort that much sweeter.

He hadn’t expected me to get this far.

To come so close.

His eyes took in the sight of me, blood dripping from my pale skin and his calculating smile returned. Once I had loved the way those inhumanly green eyes looked upon me with the pride of a father. He had taught me everything I’d know about the hunt, and in that long ago life, I had reveled in every kill. Each one mounting to a new and better game, one I played just as well as he.

The few years since I’d left this home, filled with those proud smiles, had felt like decades ago. I had spent that time wisely perfecting those killing skills he had been teaching me since I was young. He had made me this ruthless killer, and now he would learn to tremble in its wake.

The crimson heat of anger washed over me as I watched him try to shake the feeling of impending death. He had tried to take a life more precious than my own. Penalty for such a crime would be his death.

Cold green eyes glistened with excitement as he smiled innocently at me, turning red at the thought of finally hunting me, his best and brightest pupil. The look of pure enjoyment I knew could be seen mirrored in my own face and features. I traced my lip, pulling in still warm blood from his guards and let the feeling consume me, the intoxicating taste filling my very being.

Arching my lips in a taunting smile, let the game begin.